Girlfriends...

Friendship is a beautiful thing. Despite how much I enjoy spending time with my husband, sometimes, girl time is a must. I am hitting the road the last weekend of the month to hang out with these ladies in Nashville. I'm excited to have some girl time (even though on the night of this picture, we had just as much fun with my husband there too!) :)

Now that my beautiful friend to the right has moved away, we don't get to hang out or have impromptu dinner or drinks nearly as often as we used to. But - what happens in Nashville (and Vegas next Spring) stays in Nashville (or Vegas!).

Good girlfriends are hard to come by. I plan on keeping these ones - even if I have to drive down I-65 to hunt them down! :)

A "total" mess...

My poor car... My poor "Penny"... She and I were rear-ended on my way to work last Monday. By an uninsured motorist nonetheless. While it may not look like much, the frame was totally jacked and the insurance company totaled the car due to the extensive damages. It has been a long, stressful, tiring week dealing with police, hospitals, insurance companies and trying to stay composed throughout the ordeal.  Thankfully, I was not seriously hurt... only had some muscle strain in the neck and back mostly. It could have worse... it could have been much worse... I try my best to remember that when I start to get overwhelmed by all the hoops I have to jump through to resolve this mess.

I will miss my "Penny". We only got 2 short years of time to ride together. Perhaps someone is trying to tell me something! The other Civic I had years ago was also rear-ended pretty badly (although this one was definitely worse). As a result, I will be taking a turn down Toyota Avenue and see if I can have better luck staying away from careless, uninsured drivers.

Currently...

Loving: An extra day off from work - but why does it have to fly by so fast??

Feeling: A great deal of anxiety. It has been a tough couple of days. Life is just a bit overwhelming at the moment and I lost sight of how to cope momentarily. (My poor husband!)

Craving: Rocky Road... luckily, my husband knows his wife and picked some up the other day!

Needing: Sleep. I haven't had good sleep in days.

Thankful: For my husband... who loves me at my best... and at my worst...

Reading: Almost finished Whitney's book (from my Big Fat Fabulous Life). Looking for another good read - which is absolutely shocking for a non-reader

Wanting: Stressful things to dissipate... a job blessing for my husband... and world peace ;)

Missing: The simpler days - before mortgages, car repairs, bills and responsibilities!

Wearing: Pajamas - since sleep is hopefully in my near future

Thinking: About the stressful work week ahead. I will be cramming to learn a new big responsibility from a girl who is leaving on Fri. Lordy, how will my brain ever retain all of this??

I thought this might be a good way to catch up my very neglected blog. I just don't have the mental capacity or energy to blog most days. But I need to get back to it to keep my sanity. 

Hoping this week will not be as bad as I anticipate! Oh yeah, and Happy 4th of July! 

I love the beach...

Although there have been numerous hiccups during our beach vacation this week, it has been wonderful to spend time away and relax to the sights and sounds of the beach. Despite stressful situations, this atmosphere has such a calming effect on me and, sometimes, I wish I lived closer to escape here more often.

Panama City Beach is beautiful. It was a beautiful week for one of my best friend's wedding. I can show you better than I could tell you...

Happy 4th Anniversary!

Happy 4th anniversary Boobear! It has been a crazy journey - but I can't imagine sharing it with anyone else. You truly "see" me. You understand me like no one else and you help me see the world through different eyes. I love you very much and I love being married to you. Now, if we can make it to the beach more often :) You definitely make it worth living. Can't wait to spend the rest of our days together!

The beach is calling my name!

I am SO excited! My husband and I are finally taking a trip to the beach. We haven't had a vacation in over six years and we never did get to take a honeymoon. But, it is going to happen at the end of May!

My best friend from high school is getting remarried and asked me to stand up for her. It will be a beach wedding in Panama City Beach, FL on 6/4/16, which is only 2 days after our wedding anniversary. Because I'll need to be there for a rehearsal, I decided I did not want to spend our anniversary in the car. So -- I started looking at our options and was able to find a condo for the week. I also have a super boss because, even though I just started my job last month, she is letting me take the week off after Memorial Day for our trip to the sunshine state.

I can hear the ocean waves, I can smell the ocean breeze, I can feel the sand between my toes... and it will all become a reality in about 6 weeks! The countdown is on!

Hectic, but good!

It has been a crazy few weeks as I try to become acclimated in my new job. But, it is SO MUCH BETTER than where I was. I like learning new things and being challenged in my work again. Just last week, I came home mentally exhausted - just because my brain hadn't worked that hard since... September! I know, it's crazy...

The only major downfall is traffic. Ugh. I hate driving downtown and it has definitely been a challenge to suck that part up. I've had so much tension in my shoulders - but I think it's mostly attributed to that darn commute. My husband took our friends' kiddos to the zoo the other day and bought me a stuffed elephant. I named her Jazzy and she is sitting on my console. So far, she has been helping my stress while in the car commuting to work and back each day. I rub her ears and think of my husband and just try to get home to him in one piece and without a massive amount of road rage.

So, all in all... The job change was a good move this time. I finally feel like I am where I am supposed to be... Now, if only I can get some "work at home" benefits to avoid that darn traffic every day! :P