Jumping for June

House sitting: Had the oddest house sitting gig of my life this month... no strange pets to feed/take care of, no delicate plants to water, no teenagers/college students to babysit... pretty much all I had to do was spend one night, bring in the mail and newspaper, and call it a day AND I got to watch regular cable tv (I chose to watch the NBA Finals and cheer on my Spurs! Who did not win, but played well. I consider it a complete score... and I got paid really well. BEST OF ALL WORLDS.
Fake Birthday Party: In order to throw my grandmother off the scent of her big surprise 80th birthday party this month, the local members of the family took her out to dinner at The Swiss, a steak house in Santa Maria...and it worked, because the look on her face when she walked into her surprise party was truly priceless.



surprise!!!!

Surprise Birthday Party: For the surprise party family came in from all over California to celebrate the day with my grandmother, we had dinner at a local Chinese Restaurant, and it was great to visit with family that I haven't seen in a long time, there were lots of laughs and tons of food to share.

Twinsies!

More Birthday Parties: The last weekend in June was filled with birthday parties for little ones. One of my best friends (that I've known since 7th grade) had a party for her two year old twins, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. There weren't any major toddler meltdowns. The weather was semi-cooperative (was a little hotter than I would have liked, but no rain, so that's nice), and it seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves. All in all, a successful party. The following day I went to a birthday party for a 5 year old that used to live with one of my really good friends (he's her former roommate's son) that made a request that I attend his party. There was pizza and face painting (although I didn't stick around long enough to get mine done) and lots of little ones running around. I think the highlight of the day for me was watching the kids play with light sabers made out of pool noodles. I wish I had taken a picture of them because it was so creative, and the kids could smack each other around with them without getting hurt.
Long Lost Friends: I am REALLY regretting that I didn't take pictures when I got to visit with one of my really good friends from college this weekend. I haven't seen her in years and years, and we're only really able to keep up with each other via facebook... and I had my phone with me the whole time, no excuses! But we had a great visit at Avila beach, saw some dolphins and seals frolicking in the ocean, and splashed around in the surf with her daughter. I'm hoping that I'll get to see her again sometime next year when I travel to the east coast for a friend's wedding, even if we just get to grab coffee (although I think where I'll be and where she lives is at least a 4 hour drive if not longer, so we'll just have to play it by ear).
Movie Nights: This month I went to the movies much more frequently than I normally would, I saw Star Trek: Into Darkness, This is the End, and Monsters University.  I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed all of them, even though there were many moments where just myself and the group of people I had seen the movie with were the only ones laughing. For Star Trek and This is the End, I can blame it on the adult beverages, for Monsters University? It was mostly because so many parts of the movie struck so close to home and I was there with a good chunk of my family. This is the End was a movie I didn't really have high hopes (no pun intended... I don't do that) for but it pleasantly surprised me and even scared me in a couple spots... who would have thought an apocalypse movie with that particular cast could have some scenes that would make a grown woman scream... then snort with laughter a mere seconds later. Good job guys.  Star Trek had a lot more emotion than I would have expected from an action movie, there may or may have not been a moment when I wanted to yell at the screen "For all that is good in the world, Kirk stop crying already, I'm uncomfortable with your man tears!"... again it really could have been the wine... and I'm hoping it was a whisper and not a whisper shout.  Monsters was everything a Pixar movie can be, it had enough humor for the adults to get a kick out of it... maybe more than enough because there were moments when my cousin (he's 11) would tap me on the arm and say "Lauren, you KNOW only our family is laughing at this... right?" Which would usually make me laugh harder... because it's not my fault the rest of the theater doesn't get the jokes.
Hazard Canyon With Mom: On Saturday the 15th my mom and I decided we would go for a hike/walk in the Montana de Oro State park, specifically at Hazard Canyon, neither one of us had been there in years (for me it was pre-driver's license, British Knights wearing days) and I wanted to give my camera a good workout. The weather was the right temperature, but it was a fairly overcast day. The ocean and coastline were gorgeous and just what I remembered. You can see some of my favorite photos here. 
Glasses: Woot! Finally got in to the eye doctor and found out that prescription I've had for years is not correct for my vision and that I need new glasses...which is good, because the glasses I've had went MIA about a month ago, and will most likely only reappear when I'm wearing my new frames. They're so stinking cute I can't stand it, and while I won't receive them before the end of the month, they've been sized and ordered and I think can be included in this post.

We're half way through the year folks. Next month is birthday month and I can't wait to share the shenanigans that usually surround July. Stay tuned.

Fun Times... and not so Fun Times in February

• House sitting for mom: While my parents' went to visit family in Missouri (Misery) I stayed at their house and took care of Mr. Dog, I had all these plans of being productive (doing my taxes, laundry, taking photos) when really all I ended up doing is getting caught up to NCIS and sleeping...a lot. It was AMAZING. The girls came over Friday night for our "Friendaversery" and we had adult beverages in the hot tub, watched TV and just relaxed. Such a great way to spend a weekend, the only thing I'd change is to have more food options available in the house.
• Superbowl: for the first time in the history of me being a football fan (this goes back 20+ years) this year was the first year I didn't care about the game, the outcome, the commercials, the halftime show, or the delicious snacks. I slept through most of the game, woke up in time to see Beyonce strut her stuff for a minute, caught some when I went out to dinner with my parents, and that's about it. I don't know what commercials were the "best" although the one I did catch was the Budweiser one with the pony that grew up and was still BFF's with his trainer... totally made me misty, except WHERE WAS THE DALMATIAN? When my dad asked why I wasn't excited I just told him "I don't have a horse in this race, I'm not invested," seriously the best part was when we were out to dinner and all the super fans were going nuts over the smallest things. One guy kept running laps around the bar (which was surprising child friendly) waving his red flag every time SF got their hands on the ball. Poor guy, they probably had to carry him out on a stretcher at the end of the game, I'm sure his heart was broken.
• Speaking of Superbowl Broken Hearts: This lead to an interesting/angering transition from a customer at work who thought that because I'm single, I'm automatically available to be his. Check out the post devoted to this close encounter, that I wish I would never have to repeat. It's not a wish that I expect to come true, I work in customer service, and am female, so while it doesn't happen often, it does happen. One of these days I hope that all men learn that being creepy isn't a turn on, and intimidating a woman isn't going to get her to like you. I don't believe that all men act this way, but it's a lesson that they should all learn as young boys. Maybe one day that vile behavior will be a thing of the past. Maybe. 
• Vertigo + Lab Work: This month it seems my body has decided it 51 instead of 31, I've been experiencing what the doctors think is benign postural vertigo due to fluid in my ears. Basically it means the room spins every time I move my head in a particular direction. I went in for lab work on the 9th, and per usual my veins were uncooperative and it took two phlebotomists and both arms to be able to find a vein that wouldn't roll or jump out of the way when poked with a needle. The ladies at Quest Diagnostics were very nice and professional, even when they were having difficulties with my troublesome veins. I'd recommend going there to anyone in need of lab work.
• Lab Results: I received my results on Valentine's Day, this could have ruined the fake holiday for me forever, however, everything turned out really well. I received a clean bill of health. Everything looks good, no warning signs for diabetes (there's a bit of it in the family history), no thyroid issues (again, family history), cholesterol looks healthy (just need to do a little work to raise the good levels, but the bad ones are in a healthy range), all in all I'm a healthy girl who should just exercise more and consume more fruits and veggies and stay away from Jack in the Box tacos and ultimate cheeseburgers... no surprises there. In the past couple months fast food has featured in my diet way more than I'm comfortable to admit anyway, so I think I can cut back on it and not miss it too much, even if those tacos dipped in ranch is one of my favorite guilty pleasures.

• Hair Cut: was postponed a week, but SO worth it. I let my amazing stylist do her thing and surprise me in the end with one of the best hair styles I have ever had. It's super short in the back (clipped @ a #4 if that means anything to you) and something like an A-line in the front. It has that retro/modern look in a way that would make Mod Queen Twiggy super jealous. The bulk of my hair that was cut off will be donated to Locks of Love once it's dry. I feel great with a new style, and I get to help a sick kid have hair, it's really a win:win situation. I decided to donate since my hair was so long and it met all the criteria for donating that it would be wasteful to leave it all on the salon floor. If the hair that I was going to cut off anyway has the ability to make someone happy and feel better about themselves then I'm happy to send it off.
• Valentine's Day: This year Valentine's Day was spent with the girls and getting back on The Walking Dead: Zombie Night train. We went to dinner at the Natural Cafe, did a little shopping at Target, then went back to one of the girl's apartment for champagne cocktails (booze soaked strawberries are amaaaaaaaaaazing), cheddar popcorn, and our weekly dose of Daryl Dixon. Feels good to be back to the routine. Since the show is only 45ish minutes long when the commercials aren't a factor we weren't ready to call it a night when the show ended so we followed it up with a viewing of the Mark Wahlberg comedy Ted. OMG if you haven't seen it yet, put it at the top of your Netflix queue and rent it STAT. We were laughing so hard that we were crying... better yet, just go out and buy it so that you can get all the extra features, it's well worth the price.
• House-sitting for My Aunt: I've house-sat for my aunt multiple times a year since I graduated from high school, her house is really my home away from home, I've spent so much time in that house, I'm surprised that I don't have a toothbrush that lives there. This was the first time I ever felt lonely there. I guess it's because the last time I had a gig there my ex was still my current and we spent a lot of time together in that house... over the summer that's where our relationship started, I was hanging out with all the boys we hung out with all summer and it really felt like something was missing. He was missing. I felt super awkward around his little brother, and I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual. I know we're never (ever ever) getting back together (like ever), he was right, we're in different places in our lives and that's okay. Just because you know someone isn't right for you, doesn't make you miss them any less. The house sitting experience was pretty uneventful for the most part, there were no crazy parties this time around, the dog was in good spirits and didn't "play dead" on me again like she did a few years ago, and I got to enjoy having cable and a fireplace.  Apparently I spoke/typed too soon, I've been working on these updates as they happen so I don't leave out important details... and by saying the experience was "uneventful" I kicked myself in the ass, apparently I've pissed Karma off and she's out to get me. The Sunday of the gig, the Ex showed up. This was the first time I've seen/spoken to him since the break up, and it was just as terrible as I had imagined it would be. I cried enough to be embarrassed by it, he was the one who wanted to comfort me, which was so hard... I dumped my heart out on the living room floor and I'm pretty sure it's still there. It made the break up feel brand new. I told him that I didn't know how to be his friend and not his girlfriend, and he didn't seem to understand that. I told him that I missed him and thought about him everyday, and missed being able to talk to him... and he told me that he missed me too and didn't know why I felt I couldn't talk to him anymore. He wants to be friends, and I don't know how to look at him and not want him. He kept asking me if I was okay, and I kept telling him that I wasn't. I told him I was broken and I didn't know how to fix it. We were facing each other holding hands, noses less than a foot away from each other and all I could think is "how can we be so wrong for each other when we fit so well?" At one point he told me that it made him sad that I couldn't stop crying and in between tears I told him "I don't want you to be sad, I want you to be happy and successful and to have your perfect life" and his response was "you're going to have a great life too" which made me cry even harder. In fact the constant crying kept triggering the vertigo and my head would spin and he'd hold me until the room steadied itself. I couldn't tell if I was relieved if he was there to hold me, or if I was traumatized that I wasn't in control. We ended up cuddling on the couch like old times watching a movie until finally my heart couldn't take anymore and I decided it was time for bed and he left... it was the longest hardest goodbye I think I've ever experienced. Worse than leaving that Texas airport all those years ago. I didn't want to let go, I even told him that I didn't. I knew I had to, but couldn't bring myself to stop holding him close. I hate that I wasn't able to hold on to the "cool girl" facade and was vulnerable in front of him again... I hate that I had to try to be strong and hang out with the boys... I know that if I had just gone upstairs I would have always wondered "what if" but maybe I could have avoided embarrassing myself and crying myself to sleep. again. 
• Downton Abbey: This month I hopped on the Downton Abbey train along with everyone else who has been raving about the PBS show. My god, it's awesome. Maggie Smith steals the show in every episode, it's not hard to see why she's one of my all time favorite actors. I've never watched any thing she has starred in without walking away satisfied. I still have one disc left of season three and I'll be caught up with the rest of the world, but seriously, if you haven't seen the show you need to.
• Blog Hits/Posts: Hey readers, we met and surpassed 3,000 blog views this month, it blows my mind how many people are reading my little blog, and I'm very humbled by it all. I've already met one of my New Year's Resolutions and have posted more this year than last year... a couple more posts and I'll have posted more this year than all previous years combined. I think it has a lot to do with adding family recipes and the dream journal, but it does feel really good to write on a regular basis.

• Tax Return: I filed earlier this month and received my return... I felt super responsible this year with my return, I paid off my Gap and Victoria's Secret credit cards, bought my mom a birthday present... AND... I bought a new camera, I really struggled with this purchase, not because I didn't want one, I've been thinking of upgrading for months now. I just wasn't 100% sure what I wanted until I started talking to friends, and researching a little online, after a little advice, a little investment from the 'rents (it's payment for doggy sitting next month), and a click of a button I ordered a Nikon P510. I can't even contain my excitement, I think it's time to get back to my fairly regular photo adventures that I started a couple years ago. Nothing makes me smile more than taking beautiful photographs, and now I'll have more tools to do that.   
• Family Dinner with Friends: The last weekend of the month our weekly Family Dinner had a change of venue. Good friends invited us over for an epic Italian feast. It was a night filled with laughter, red wine, amazing food, and the kind of memories that will last a lifetime. It was really great to see someone that I've basically grown up with find his soul mate and see the love that is shared between him and his wife. I wish them all the best in their journey through life together.