Back in California

So, I'm back from Texas and a week into my new job.  Last week, I got my picture taken for my school ID (and yearbook photo EEK!) and I got my staff parking permit so it is all feeling real. I even have a mailbox in the office, which is possibly my favorite part.

I have been going through my pictures from my trip and wanted to share a few. So here is a preview of my time in Texas.

I chased some thunder storms

And fell in love

Drank more sweet tea than should be legal...that is a gallon bucket

And TMNT nerded out

Drank some wine

And still had time to battle zombies. 

Overall it was an amazing trip and it was hard to come back to the real world.

On the Road Again

We are back on the road. Yesterday was...long. 17 hours on the road actually. We pushed on to Lordsburg, NM and that is where we stayed last night. So we got a few extra hours off the trip for today. And off we go.

Time: 9:30am

Location: New Mexico, about 30 min east of Lordsburg. 1,100 miles from home. 

Revelations: there are not enough starbucks in NM but I still love this state. Also, I got a banana from the hotel this morning and they went the extra mile to make guests smile. And the I took a closer look and was like...dang. 

Destination Texas

This post is coming to you from the road. 

Time: 12:15pm

Current location: I-5 heading south. Just passing Harris Ranch (delicious steak, if you've never been). 559 miles left until Phoenix (our stopping point tonight). 

Revelations: a big DAMMIT to my rushed, carefree packing job in which I decided since yesterday was my last day at my job and we got off at 11:30pm and then went out for a goodbye beer putting me in bed around 2am after half packing I was going to not stress about what I might forget because I could always buy it when we get there (how do you like that run-on sentence?). Yeah....

Our final destination and I forgot my shorts...idiot. Does that say "feels like 115"!!! No biggie. I got this. 

*update*

Time: 5:45pm

Current location: Coachella, CA. 548 miles to Phoenix but we are hoping we might have energy/time to push through to Tucson tonight. 

Revelations: not a fan of SoCal traffic (duh) but I love this view. 

Getting Back to "Normal"

Hey there! It's been a while. I was last here on my wedding anniversary...almost two months ago, practically the whole summer. I know that summer is almost over because I know that school is about to start and I know that school is about to start because I will be working for a high school come August 18.

Cupcake and pom poms that I made.

Yes, these past two months have been hectic and stressful and full of many changes (like me going to interviews, getting a new job and telling my boys that I will be leaving). There has been so much I have wanted to share here and just haven't had the time or mental capacity or, at times, both. But most of it is good stuff and it is finally starting to settle down. I have books to review and stories to share and recipes to show you (of food that I was too busy eat in its entirety). I also have a few craft projects to show you.

Swimming spot in Monte Rio

Just to get the ball rolling, I'll tell you about my last few days. To celebrate my best friend's upcoming 30th birthday, we went to a cabin on the river. I got a little bit toasty on the beach and spent some time with people I love.  I also joined Instagram. @msjessicamae

My favorite kid in the world

After a nice mini vacation, I was driving home with my windows down and felt a sharp pain on my lower cheek/jaw. A bee had come shooting into my face with such force then when it stung me it didn't fly away, it was still attached to my face. I had to pull the bee off before pulling the stinger out. It was insane! My face is still sore but I am now wishing I had taken a moment when I stopped freaking out and took a picture of it...oh well.

Guerneville Bridge

Weekly Refresh

~currently involved with~ sitting in the car so this is a photo edition of Weekly Refresh. The husband and I are taking a quick trip to celebrate our anniversary today.

~taking with me~ 

~moving on from~

Uggh...I-5

~ quote of the week~

Source

Weekly Refresh

~currently involved with~ life. This post is coming a day late because yesterday I was all wrapped up in hanging out at a beautiful pool at a friend's house. The temp got close to 100 so it was the perfect day to have a little water fun.

~tanking with me~ a nice tan (maybe even a bit of a burn) and I'm a bit worn out today but we have a mellow Memorial Day planned so I'm happy. Also I'm taking some muscle aches into the coming week after finding the giant trampoline. Man those things are fun...and a workout.

My sis and a friend's kid

~moving on from~ not much really. I'm having trouble finishing any books. Part of it is that I haven't had as much reading time as usual but I also can't stick to just one book. I keep book bouncing and it is killing me. 

Awesome view from the pool

~quote of the week~

"If we love our country, we should also love our countrymen." -- Ronald Reagan

Have a good Memorial Day. 

Weekly Refresh

Killing time with one of my boys.

~currently involved with~ pretty much the same thing as last time. Reading and killing a bunch of weeds. The weed killing thing is going fairly well...however, with the drought I also have a knack for grass killing as well. :(

~taking with me~ a lot of new clothing items because that is what happens when you wake up early on a Sunday to go to brunch for your friends 30th birthday and have a mimosa with lunch and then think it's a good idea to stop at Target for "just a couple necessities." My pocketbook took quite a hit due to my lack of inhibition. Apparently my virtue isn't the only things that gets loose with champagne...

~moving on from~opening my closet and saying "I have nothing to wear." Thank you mimosa!**

~quote of the week~ I had a lot of fun with one of my work boys yesterday making a random mini story (see above photo). I was the green pen and we traded back an forth. He was having a rough day so it made me laugh even harder when I read his last line. For ease of reading:

There once was a monkey named Fred
and her liked hot cheetos
but he only ate them on Monday mornings
but there's an exception on Tuesdays when he's in a good mood
and when he was in a good mood on Tuesdays he liked to eat them with chocolate and rainbow sprinkles
...yea that was a one time thing for Fred.

**please note that while I did in fact have one mimosa, a desire for new clothes for the coming heat was more to blame for my poor inhibition than booze. However, when I tell my husband about the credit card bill, the mimosa with take the fall. Please drink and shop safely.