Afternoon, in pictures

What a lovely afternoon! 

I started out at Zumba class here:

 

Then went to the store and bought these.

 

On my way out, I found this: 

 

Stylish, no? The hilarity of it all made me thirsty, so I bought this:

 In a haze of delicious orangey-creamy goodness, I came home and fell in love with these.

Which helped me to finish this: 

And now, I'm off to do this: 

Um, I mean this: 

Goodnight!

Vol. 3, Day 3: More Novel Ideas

As always, vacation is a great time to do two things: wear super-comfy clothes and read novels. I am partial to Chick Lit--books that basically chick flicks that haven't been made into movies yet. Why do I love them, you ask? Because I hate drama in my life, but I like it in fiction. And also because the amount of mental effort required to read the book is about this much. And that's the way I like it.

This week's novel is

which I am reading while wearing these:

These socks were given to me my by freshman roommate in college, who clearly has excellent taste in socks (though she never seemed to be able to find matching ones when getting dressed). Speaking of whom, happy birthday, Rachel!

This particular novel is about a chick who used to be overweight and insecure, and decided she wanted to change. She was so successful in changing that she lost 75 pounds and became an image consultant. Her company now pays her to teach people "how to be cool." Sort of ridiculous idea? Yeah. Something that could probably happen in real life? Yeah. Great book for the beach? Heck yeah.

Maybe I'll head there tomorrow...

Vol. 3, Day 2: Bella Vista

Sunday was Mom's Birthday, part 2. We had a brunch cruise on Lake Minnetonka, which meant eating crap-tons of amazing calorie-packed goodness while floating around and looking at gigantic lake houses.

Our lovely boat

Um, did I mention I get down? Yeah, buddy.

Dessert! (like I really had room for it after all that food...but heck, I ate it anyway. It was delicious!)

After that awesome brunch cruise, I went home and watched the Olympics. I love the Olympics! Last night's highlights:

1. Bolt doing the "Bolt", and the cameramen chasing after him as he showboated down the track after reestablishing himself as the fastest man in the world

2. Maroney falling on her derriere and still winning the silver medal on the vault. I know she was really disappointed that she didn't get the gold, but to fall on your butt and still go home with a medal is pretty darn awesome in my opinion.

3. Pistorius, the paralympic gold medalist, competing in the men's 400m semifinal. He didn't win, but for a double-amputee to compete in the Olympics is an amazing feat.

Check out the story here.

Loving vacation!

Staycation Volume 3: Short and Sweet

Whoo! Summer school was fun, but I'm glad for a break. I've got exactly 11 days off of work before fall training and things, so I've got to make the most of it!

So far, it's been good.

Friday I went to Zumba at the gym, spent most of the day in my pj's, and then finished it out with a fabulous evening at the Chatterbox playing board games and eating caramel-covered carrot cake. Mmmmmmm.

Saturday was Mom's birthday, part 1--a picnic in the park.

Happy birthday, Mom!

The food was delicious. When we eat, we get down.

Summer Fun

It's finally summer again! I will be working a LOT this summer, finishing my Capstone, teaching summer school and going to tons of training sessions for work. So in between, my goal is to get in as much relaxing as possible!

I had a few days off work this week, and I was going to try and clean the house, do some at-home projects, work in the yard, wash my car, start work on my paper again, etc...and then I realized, I'll be working for the next seven weeks. Why start now? 

So instead, I...

Read three novels, 

Went to see a movie in the park, 

Salsa-danced with friends, and

got caught up on the latest season of Drop Dead Diva. 

Oh--and of course, spent three days in my pajamas. 

I love summer!

SS Part 7: Just About Done

Well, my spring staycation is almost over, and I think I need to update my list.

I made pancakes! 

I haven't taken a nap yet (I'm really bad at napping in general), but I slept in plenty.

My latest novel is a mystery. I'm a Meg Cabot fan in general, and this particular series is an interesting one. Our  size-12 heroine works in a college dorm where people tend to get murdered rather frequently. The most recent victim happens to be her boss. Despite her landlord's (who also happens to be a private eye) advice to stay out of it, she has to figure out who killed him. Ooh, intrigue...

Here's the list: 

1.sleep in 
2. museum
3.$2.50 theater 
4. eat cheesecake

5. cook something
6. read a novel
7. read a not-novel
8. Oscars movie marathon
9. new TV show
10. go to the gym

11. clean something 
12. take a nap
13. Pie Wednesday!
14. go to the lake
15. plan for work
16. drink something out of my wine glasses
17. paint my fingernails 

SS Part 6: Movie Madness!

After my car got totaled on Wednesday, I decided to take Thursday off. No work. I did not lesson plan, and I did not clean anything. I stayed in bed all morning and I only left the house to go to work. I rented 3 DVDs from Redbox (hence my trip to the store).

I watched New Girl...

Which I think is an okay show, but not the greatest. I read on TwoCents that Jess is a combination of adorable and annoying, and I think that's a pretty accurate description...

After the Oscars, I decided I'd watch the movies I hadn't seen yet that won awards. On my list: 

Moneyball

The Iron Lady

The Artist

Jane Eyre

The Muppets

Yesterday, I watched 

To be honest, it was boring. I like sports movies that are more about people than sports, but in this particular case, I just wasn't a huge fan. I sort of felt like it started slow, and the ending was a letdown. But the whole "going against the grain, turning out to be right, changing the way everyone works" thing is kind of cool. And the little song sung by his daughter is cute. I liked the singing at the end. But why turn down a million dollars if you don't have something better to do? I don't quite get that...And why did Jonah Hill get an Oscar nomination? 

Today, we watched 

Not bad! I'm a big Muppet fan, so I'm really happy that this generation got to see some of the awesomeness that I experienced as a child. Go Jim Henson! I think it's interesting that Amy Adams dresses basically the same way in every scene in every movie she's in. And that Jason Segel sings the most random songs ever (see HIMYM, "You Just Got Slapped").

I'm currently watching 

First of all, Juliana Paes is gorgeous. Second, that is definitely the guy who played Superman! And how fabulous are her shirtdresses? I really want to go shopping now. 

Cheers!

1.take a nap
2.Soap Factory
3.$2.50 theater 
4. eat cheesecake
5. bake something
6. read a novel
7. read a not-novel
8. Oscars movie marathon9. two new TV shows
10. go to the gym
11. clean something 
12. take another nap
13. Pie Wednesday!14. read by the lake
15. plan for work
16. drink something out of my wine glasses17. paint my fingernails 

SS Part 5: AAHHH! I mean...shopping time!

I'm posting a barrage of updates all at once because, well, I ended Wednesday evening with a bang (and a crash, smash, boom, bam, insert more sound effects here).

On my way home from Pie Rush Wednesday, this is what happened: 

My mom and I played Taps and saluted, and the tow truck guy took off his hat during the song.

Bye, Carla. We had some good times together.

SS Part 4: Sleep in, New Phone, Free Pie!

This probably sounds ridiculous to most people, but today I got to sleep in til 7, and stay in bed til 8. It was awesome!


And since it's Wednesday, we went to get pie! Who can argue with free pie?





Then I went to the mall to take the the Smart Phone Challenge at the Microsoft store.If you win, you get a new laptop. If you lose, you get a new phone. It's a win-win! Since the line was so incredibly long, I took pictures of the incredible Lego creations at Legoland. They never cease to amaze me. Here's a transformer. They also had a globe, a horse, a bookshelf (MADE OF LEGOS!!) and a centaur!



Oh--and I lost the challenge (my phone is a slowpoke), so here's my new phone!

1.take a nap
2.Soap Factory
3.$2.50 theater 
4. eat cheesecake
5. bake something
6. read a novel
7. read a not-novel
8. Oscars movie marathon
9. two new TV shows
10. go to the gym11. clean something 
12. take another nap
13. Pie Wednesday!14. read by the lake
15. plan for work16. drink something out of my wine glasses
17. paint my fingernails 

SS Part 3: A New Do, An Unfortunate Adventure, and Free Food!

I got up this morning and went to the hair salon. It's called V.I.P., so of course I feel quite important now.

I had an unfortunate adventure, though...I spent over an hour driving back and forth getting things I'd forgotten to put in my purse...










But life goes on.


Then I after hanging out with some friends I went to Casa de Parents (my parent's house) to hang out with the fam! Two things I can always find at my parents' house: board games and free food (not to mention good company!). Love it!



1.take a nap
2.Soap Factory
3.$2.50 theater 
4. eat cheesecake5. bake something
6. read a novel
7. read a not-novel
8. Oscars movie marathon
9. two new TV shows
10. go to the gym
11. clean something 
12. take another nap
13. Pie Wednesday!
14. read by the lake
15. plan for work
16. drink something out of my wine glasses
17. paint my fingernails 


Guess I haven't made much progress on my list, but I'm still having a good time so far...

SS Part 2: Sunset walk and midnight moves!

Ah, Sunday. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the weatherpeople predicted a beautiful day--and they were right. Wow.

I went to Zumba class before church, then headed home after to make banana pancakes (yum!).

We had plans to rent a movie, but since it was such a nice day, we walked around the lake instead. What a beautiful sunset.

And of course, what's an evening stroll around the lake without an ice cream stop?

What would I do for a Klondike bar? Apparently I would walk  3.1 miles.

After returning home and missing my favorite show (Hulu, here I come!) I headed out again to dance the night away with fabulous salsa band Sensacion Latina! I was a little rusty (it's been a while since I've danced) but it was so much fun, I didn't realize how fast the time flew! If I were Cinderella,  I'd have turned into a pumpkin.

What fabulous day!

Alright, let's check the list:

1.take a nap
2.Soap Factory
3.$2.50 theater 
4. eat cheesecake5. bake something
6. read a novel
7. read a not-novel
8. Oscars movie marathon
9. two new TV shows
10. go to the gym11. clean something 
12. take another nap
13. Pie Wednesday!
14. read by the lake
15. plan for work
16. drink something out of my wine glasses
17. paint my fingernails 

SS Part 1: Friend or foe?

The fuzziest bathrobe in the world. 

And so, fuzzy bathrobe, we meet again. Are you friend or foe? Will you be the impetus for massive relaxation and an awesome staycation experience, or will you be the guilt-inducing barrier between me and a week of stress-reducing productivity?

I have come to that most critical juncture in my staycation, that fork in the road where I have to decide whether to work or to play.

Bathrobe: PLAY!

Me: But see, if I spend the whole day hanging out with you, I'll just be thinking about how I should be working.

BR:What? BAH! Work is lame.

Me: But see, I could be  doing paperwork, cleaning various parts of my house, organizing and/or discarding other paperwork, writing my capstone, doing the laundry, calling the bank, going to the shoe shop, lifting weights...

BR: OR...

Me: Or what?

BR: You could remember that you are on vacation, doggone it, and spend the day doing whatever the heck you feel like doing instead.

Me: Hm...tempting...

BR: It is the very first day of vacation, meaning you have the whole rest of your vacation to spend working if you really want to.

Me: True.

BR: So let's do nothing. All day. Unless you feel like doing something.

Me: What a delicious idea.

So I stayed in bed.

 My plan for the day:
- shower (when I feel like it)
- go to the meetup at the coffee shop (when I feel like it)
- go sit in the hot tub
- take a nap
- go hang out with my friends
- read
- sleep

and do as much of it in my fuzzy bathrobe as possible!

Vol.2: Spring Staycay!

It's that time again: long-anticipated and much-needed Spring Break. It's so amazing to have a week off of work to catch up and recharge.

Since last August's staycation was such an amazing experience, it's time for round two: Spring Staycay!
So far, I've got a few plans:

- take a nap
- check out the Soap Factory (since I missed it before)
- visit the $2.50 theater (I JUST found out it existed--how cool is that?!)
- eat cheesecake
- bake something
- read a novel
- read a not-novel
- Oscars movie marathon
- check out two TV shows I haven't seen yet (possibly Downtown Abbey and Grimm)
- go to the gym at some point
- clean something (let's face it, clutter and mess are major causes of stress)
- take another nap
- Pie Wednesday!
- sit by the lake and read
- do my planning for work early, so I can spend the rest of the week not doing it (does that count as part of my staycation? i'm not sure it does)
- drink something out of my wine glasses
- paint my fingernails (I NEVER do that!)

Wow, this list is pretty long. I bet I can knock it out of the park!



Some delicious inspiration.

Cheers!