Weekending Highlights

It's the start of the last week of school! This week is gonna be packed with meetings, and packing up my office, and then saying good bye to the kids on Thursday!

Before we get to that, let's chat about the highlights from this weekend!

~Got in a pastel mood and painted my nails with my new Essie color, Go Ginza (and then proceeded to accidentally wear more pastels)

~My Loft shipment arrived, and the Ikat dress was amazingly soft and fit perfectly (it was still on sale yesterday so go get it if you were interested) and the shell tank I immediately put on with my patterned J Crew shorts that I got a couple months ago.  The crochet top was a bust.

~Went out to dinner on Friday night with my friend from work and her husband

~Grabbed some drinks beforehand and enjoyed the weather outside on the water before we sat down to eat

~Went to an eye doctor appointment Saturday morning and got some more contacts for the year. Exciting stuff, I know.

~Went for a 5 mile walk along GW parkway toward Mount Vernon. It was a really nice day for such a long walk.

~Finished the book I was reading, and moved on to the next one!

~Went on another double date with another couple friend of ours and tried out a new restaurant that just opened up recently called Barley Mac. The food was SO good (I had the pesto salmon and shrimp), and we splurged with the bourbon glazed apple crisp with ice cream at the end. Mouth watering-ly delicious!!

~Came home and watched 13 Hours--totally intense! Can't believe that actually happened!

~Woke up, had strawberry pancakes a la MG for breakfast then ran errands

~Drove to Quantico National Cemetery to visit my dad on Father's Day. The weather was so pretty--the sun was shining and it wasn't humid at all. It was surreal seeing my dad's name on a headstone, and really emotional. I was glad we went to see him on Father's Day.

~Had a late lunch with my mom and MG and spent some time together afterwards back at our house, where she got to love up on Cooper

~Met up with my sister-in-law and niece and had a coffee as they were driving back home from a lacrosse tournament in VA and took a pit stop

~Started OITNB....only watched one episode but not so sure about this season

~Told MG's dad over FaceTime about our surprise family trip for him for his birthday to the lakehouse in a couple of weekends--he was so surprised and seemed excited about it (but he doesn't know everything we have booked there yet!)

The rest of the night was low key, resting up for a busy week!
Hoping your weekend was filled with love and family!

Tough Days

As Father's Day's been approaching these last few weeks, and especially in the days leading up to this weekend, I've had an ever-growing pit in my stomach. I see the posts about "must have Father's Day gifts" or the ads on tv about spoiling your dad and taking him out, making him feel special. 

And it's hard. 

I have a dad who I love and adore, and owe so much to. But I don't get to celebrate with him this year. My dad isn't here to give a hug, and tell him how much I love him. I can't spoil my dad and make him feel special. He's gone.

This is my first Father's Day where I don't have my dad here on Earth with me. And it sucks. It hurts. It doesn't feel fair.

I know that this is just one of many milestone days that will come and go, and that I'll have to push through. But it doesn't make it any easier. And I have a feeling every Father's Day I'll have feelings like this.

Instead of getting sucked into the emotional pit that I could easily let wash over me (and have on occasion during the last couple of days), I'm going to try and focus on the positive. How lucky I am to have had a dad who loved me unconditionally. A dad who took the time to make sure I had everything that I needed. 

I cherish memories with my dad during the summer where he would take me (and sometimes a friend) into DC to see the museums--the Air and Space Museum being one of our favorites. I remember the excitement I had over eating the museum cafeteria food with my dad and talking with him about the exhibits that we saw.

I remember the man who took me out for driving lessons in empty parking lots before I even had my learner's permit because he wanted me to get good experience before I got out on the road (God bless him for not fearing for his safety, or at least hiding it well if he did). I remember the man who didn't yell at me when I accidentally parked the car against a sign post and dinged the front of the car.

I remember the man who drove me to school every morning because the county expected us to walk 2 miles (through an insane asylum's grounds) to get there and he didn't think that was very safe (agreed!). I remember getting to give my dad a kiss on the cheek every morning before I headed in to school and tell him I loved him, knowing that he'd be there to pick me up at the end of the day.

I remember the man who drove me to every single one of my away volleyball games in high school, and was in attendance for every single one of my home games, too. I remember hearing him cheer me on from the bleachers, and knowing that if I looked over my dad was always going to be there.

I remember the man who was rough on the outside, but had a soft spot for me. I remember that gruff guy who got choked up when he saw me in the dress for my 8th grade dance. And then again when he saw me in my wedding dress and told me how beautiful I looked.

I know my dad's still there, cheering me on. I just wish so desperately that I could run up to him and give him a big hug and a kiss and let him know how much I love him. How much I miss him. And hear him say "I love you too sweetie" like he always did. 

How lucky I am to have had such an amazing Dad. How insanely lucky. We danced to the song Unforgettable at my wedding, and those words rang true then, and they still do now.

"Unforgettable 
That's what you are, 
Unforgettable 
Tho' near or far....

...Unforgettable 
In every way, 
And forever more 
That's how you'll stay. "

I love you, Dad. Forever and Always.

Thursday Thoughts

The week is winding down and I'm more than ready for the week to be over, and skip to the last week of school next week! The last week (and next) are packed with last minute meetings before the last day of school! Needless to say, it's been hectic!

I thought I'd jot down a few of my thoughts lately since it's been a jumble!

~I was totally multi-tasking the other day at work, typing on my computer when I was on hold on the phone. When they told me to Press 1 for the option I wanted, I typed it on my keyboard instead of the phone. Whoops!

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~I had my last session with my crazy parent's kid this week. I see him multiple times a week and on Tuesday I walked in and he said "Go away please" (so much progress he's made since communicating through grunts last year to being able to tell me to go away haha!)  #insertangelssinginghere

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~I finally got back on the reading train last week after raiding my friend Trish's online book selection (we share our Kindle accounts with one another so we don't have to pay for books the other one already has), and it's been great! I've missed reading and now that the weather has been nice, I've been doing more of it while relaxing on our back deck. Summer perfection!

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~A friend of mine just got diagnosed with breast cancer last week and it was a HUGE shock. She's my age. Young, healthy, active. My friends and I at work have rallied around her and are supporting in any way that we can, checking in on her after doctor's appointments, and have plans to have a fun girls night watching Bachelorette next Monday (at her request). It just totally hit home that nothing is guaranteed.

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~I had a dream the other night that simultaneously incorporated Hamilton and John Leguizamo from BloodLines in it. TOTALLY weird and off the wall. Obviously I was watching too much Tony's and BloodLine that night! lol

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~I'm making meatball subs for dinner tonight in my crockpot completely from scratch (with homemade sauce and everything), and I'm nervous that they won't be good. Anyone else get nervous when you try a new recipe, that it won't turn out well? I'll keep ya posted!

~I found 3 more things at Loft that caught my eye yesterday (after they sent out that catchy email announcing another sale). So, I took advantage of a credit for free expedited shipping that I had and got all three. We'll see how many of them work out--the last time only 2 things did.

Dress: $29.70;               Embroidered Tank: $32.70;           Shell Tank: $8.50

~I've gotten several compliments in the last two weeks about my tan. But my tan is ALLLLLLL fake. Thanks Rodan+Fields Sunless Tanner. You rock my pale world! :)

~I started taking things down off my wall in my office to get ready to start packing things up for Summer, and it feels so lonely in here with just those things gone. It's amazing what a few posters can do to liven up a space!

~MG had gotten a Costco sized bag of Doritos (aka a bag that could easily fit a large toddler in it) for his friend's bachelor party the other weekend but brought it back unopened. Well, I couldn't control myself any longer and busted that sucker open on Sunday when I had salty bad-for-me food cravings, and it's been down hill ever since. It's like Chad and his meat...except not even that close.

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And on that note, I leave you! Hoping your week's going smoothly! 

What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday {#45}

Happy Wednesday! Pardon my absence yesterday. Monday was a bit of a doozy in terms of parent meetings, and I left work almost an hour after my contract time because I'd been in a a parent meeting, and then I had a super early doctor's appointment on Tuesday before work. So, the blog took a back seat yesterday, but I'm back for What's Hap-"Pinning" Wednesday with Jessi!

I don't know about you, but Summer has been calling my name lately, and with the warmer temps all I want to do at the end of a day is lounge on our deck with a cold drink in my hand.

Remember last week when I shared that I'd been drinking watermelon infused water? Well, these look just as tasty and refreshing!

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Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita

The Firecracker (watermelon, lime, cucumber cocktail)

Watermelon Lemonade

Give them all to me!!!!

And what goes better with a delicious drink in your hand than a good read? These books are on my To Be Read list this Summer as well! 

A Man Called Ove--I've had this one on my Kindle for a bit, but got side tracked and never made it past the first chapter. I love that the main character is described as a curmudgeon--one of many favorite words of mine. Excited to dive into this one and see how it unfolds!

Saving Francesca--I'm not sure where I saw this one, but it sounds like it's a good mix of friendship, family and romance. Spells out "perfect summer read" to me!!

Presumed Innocent--the reviews on this book seem to be mixed but I love a good legal thriller like Defending Jacob, so hopefully this one is like that and keeps me intrigued!

Have you read any of these? Do you have any other MUST READS for the Summer? Let me know!

Now it's your turn to link up and share what's hap-"pinning" with you!

Weekending Highlights

Happy Monday, loves! I'm coming off of a really fun weekend, and facing two parent meetings today, so today is going to be a bit rough.

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Let's recap the highlights from this weekend though!

My weekend highlights included:

~Perfect weather on Friday

~An unexpected trip to the vet because we'd noticed a little blood in Cooper's pee the night before. Ended up doing a urine-analysis AND an Xray. Cooper is ok and we just need to try out a new food for him, but we left with $200 less in our bank account #expensivepup

~Grabbed dinner and then headed to the theater with our friends to see Pop Star with Andy Samberg which was really funny! Definitely worth seeing at some point, even if it's just on Netflix or Redbox when it gets there

~Woke up to a warm Saturday morning and decided to go for a long walk before it got too hot

~Enjoyed a little time on the deck before getting to work trimming the rose bushes while MG cut the grass and trimmed the hedges #homeownershipfun

~Tried to contact Travelocity because we realized they canceled a trip we had booked and never told us (thankfully this isn't our Greece trip). Waited on the phone for 1 hour and 50 minutes before giving up. NEVER book a trip through Travelocity!!!!

~Met up at our friends' house for a drink and some snacks before heading to Mt Vernon for their Summer Escape beerfest event

~Had a great time soaking in the views from GW's grounds, listening to music, and trying some new brews. Found a cucumber saison which was incredible (and it was also 7.4% which explains why I was feeling less than stellar the next day). And of course some snap filters while we waited in lines :)

(thank you to the humidity in the air for the wavy hair that completed this look lol)

~Made some breakfast the next morning and spent a lot of quality time with the couch

~Got myself together and met up with my friend Maria for pedicures while MG was at Top Golf with some of his coworkers #happyfeet

~Got in some reading--really enjoying the book I finally got (thanks for lending it to me Trish!)

~Ran some errands in the afternoon, gave Cooper a bath, then got in some snuggles

(Cooper is auditioning for PlayGirl Puppy)

~Chipotle for dinner for me because the craving was real, and MG grilled out while I watched :)

~Went for an after-dinner walk with Cooper to work off some of the calories we just took down

~Watched the Tony awards and was so happy to have Hamilton win so much! 
Did you see Lin Manuel's acceptance speech?
And that leads me into the dark cloud that hung over the weekend. The shooting that happened in Orlando. With each one of these mass shootings and acts of terror, it makes me sicker and sicker. Sick that we, as a country, are doing NOTHING to stop this! I need to see a lot less talk from politicians and A LOT more action. I'm tired of not feeling safe at home, not feeling safe when I travel. I'm tired of mourning. I'm tired of hate. I'm tired of bigotry. I'm tired of being terrorized as a country, and the people who continue to support and promote this kind of hate that breeds more hate!

In the words of Lin Manuel Miranda last night: 
"Senseless acts of tragedy remind us that nothing here is promised, not one day. This show is proof that history remembers. We live through times when hate and fear seem stronger. We rise and fall and light from dying embers, remembrances that hope and love last longer"
And....
"Love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love is love....cannot be killed or swept aside"

Friday-ness

So so happy it's Friday, with a great weekend ahead of us. And now we can chat about some of the awesome stuff this week has had to offer!

{1} Thoughtful Stuff

A friend of mine at work left me a card with two starbursts on the outside and it said how she's sad that we don't get to see each other much during the week but reminded me that she's here for me. With Fathers Day approaching, and that ever-present reminder that this will be my first without him physically here with us, it was nice to have my friend reach out and let me know she's there to lean on. I swear I am the luckiest when it comes to amazing friends :)

{2} Weekend Plans

(a shot from the event when we went last year--GW's view from his porch)

MG and I have plans tonight for dinner and a movie with our friends who rent our condo--we've had these plans for a few weeks and I'm glad they're still happening. Then on Saturday we have plans with two of my friends from work (and our husbands) to go to Mount Vernon (George Washington's house) for an evening enjoying local brews, music and food, all while wandering around the grounds that George Washington once lived. I love taking advantage of the historical places that are around us, and doing it with friends is even better!

{3} Quality Time

I've been loving this weather this week! It started off hot and in the 90s, but the humidity was really low (praise!) and then it went down to the 70s and it's been gorgeous! MG and I decided to take advantage of the nice weather in the evenings by taking family walks after dinner to get some fresh air and walk off our meals. I love that time and Cooper's been enjoying getting a 3rd walk for the day, too :)

{4} Favorite Video

Did you guys see the Broadway edition of carpool karaoke with James Cordon? It is freaking incredible! Watch it--I dare you not to smile!

{5}Funnies
When parents seem to think the perfect time to initiate testing is 10 days before school ends

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When *that* person posts their vague drama online

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When your boss asks you if you want to move to a school where you know a crazypants parent is going to be:

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When someone eats a banana around me and I smell it

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When you're deciding if you want wine, beer or a margarita with your dinner

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Hoping your Friday is fast, and your weekend is fun-filled! Catch you on Monday, lovies!

Thoughts n' Stuff

One more day until the weekend!!!! 

I've had some random thoughts floating around in my head and thought I'd dump 'em down here!

~MG and I slept with the windows open on Tuesday night because it got down into the 70s and 60's overnight. It was perfect until the cacophony of birds decided to sound off at 4:30am #shuttheeffuptweety

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~This week at work has involved a bunch of crap. One of which included meeting with our school system's legal team for over an hour because of one set of parents who are unhappy that the school system won't pay for an "expert" $2500/day (plus travel expenses) to train staff who are already working well with their child. Did you get the memo that we are in a budget crisis? And also that the public school system isn't a smorgasbord of options that you just get to choose what you'd like? #thisaintabuffet

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~In addition to that, I spent half an hour on the phone with my boss about another parent situation that we will be meeting on soon (even though there is no real issue there), AND in the same day, had a different parent meeting where a mom was unhappy that I said that her kid's language skills were average or above average because she wanted the school system to pay for her kid's speech therapy. Um, no. Why are all of the crazies coming out of the woodwork this close to the end of the school year? #hideme

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~Less than a month until our Greece/Turkey trip!!!! And of course there was another bombing in Istanbul this week. So, MG and I changed our flight and cut our time in Istanbul to just the one day we get off of the cruise ship instead of two full days. We're bummed since we'll already be there and the city has SO much to explore, but we'd rather play it safe than dead. Beginning to think we have a travel curse #firstmosquitosnowbombings

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~MG and I got a huge watermelon at Costco last week for $5 and I immediately dove into it. And now we started making watermelon infused water. It's freaking delicious and SO refreshing! #yummmmmmm

~Bachelorette took over a LOT of my viewing time this week, but it was worth it because of all of the drama. As much as I dislike Chad and think he's pretty much a huge A-hole maniac, I think Evan is super annoying. No on deserves to be bullied, but then he just kind of kept creeping up on JoJo any time she was with Chad. Not to mention #nosebleeds

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~On the Bachelorette note, I read some very off-putting things about Jordan online. Like womanizer type of off-putting. I'm bummed because he seems geniuine. And what's the deal with Luke and his inability to smile? Intense and sultry is awesome, but if you can't smile...ever...it feels creepy.  #hotbodthough

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Any random thoughts floating around in your brain this week?