Running away from me

Oh how time has ran away from me. Talk about a total fail with my own challenge, what a loser right. I am going to make it up right now. This may be the longest post ever!

The last time I posted it was June 5, 2014. So I have a few days to make up. It's my challenge I can do what I want, even if that means promising to post everyday and doing all the posts in one. *haha* Don't judge.

June 6, 2014. My 31st Birthday. I had a pretty good day. I worked unfortunately, but I treated myself to a little retail therapy, and a fantastic lunch at one of my favorite places. I think it is high time that I started taking care of myself instead of waiting for someone else to take care of me. It's nice to feel like someone cares, but it is not a requirement any longer. After work I went straight to the Sacramento Zoo for Dream Night. This is a great event that DSIA (Down Syndrome Information Alliance) puts on every year. The Zoo has all sorts of Special Needs vendors, snacks, and the rides are free. They even give the kids a free stuffed animal at the gate, Zoo animal themed of course. This event was even better this year than last, cause I got to spend it with my Husband. This was the first year that he has attended and it made it better for sure. After we went back to my parents for dessert. My favorite way to spend any special occasion or holiday is to be with my family. I couldn't ask for a better birthday present. Brian did buy me a gift, something that I have been wanting for months. SPERRY's. He even picked out the color on his own. Good Job babe. They are my summer go to shoe now.

Averie eating popcorn at the Sacramento Zoo

June 7, 2014. This was an exciting day too. It is Tattoo day! Scary I know. It actually was not as bad as I had expected. Once I got there the nerves magically went away. It was the anticipation that was killing me, the drive there, and then waiting. I just wanted to do it. Once I laid down on the table and she started everything seemed to fade away. It really did take me to another place. All you can focus on is the needle. You dont think about money, family drama, or what chores you should be doing instead of getting a tattoo. *laughs* I am in love with my tattoo and am eager to get another. The only foreseeable problem is that tattoo's are expensive, and not really a priority in my life. I have other things that I could spend hundreds of dollars on. Like vacations, or clothes for Averie, or a new stroller.

This is a funny story actually. I have wanted a nice jogging stroller for years. Like a BOB or something comparable, so that I can run with Averie when I get home. Right now I have to ask for her to be watched and I hate doing that. Well the stroller is between 300-400 dollars. Too expensive right. I have asked Brian on multiple occasions, and his response every time is that is a lot for a stroller. However when I mention getting a tattoo that may cost upwards of 500 bucks. That seems practical. Hmm..... Where are our priorities people. This makes no sense to me at all. 500 dollar tattoo, or a 300 dollar stroller so that I can exercise. Talk about confused. Onward....

My tattoo right after it was finished

June 8, 2014. I spent the whole day cleaning, wasn't fun, and not interesting to talk about at all.

June 9, 2014. This is a fun day. I WORKED! Lame

June 10, 2014. Brian, Averie, Anessa, and I woke up at the crack of dawn to head down to San Jose. That's right people it is Freshman Orientation time. I am so excited for Nessa. We dropped her off at the school at 9am, and headed  to Santa Cruz. The life, she is at school while we play, this is how it should be. We drove to Capitola and walked around looking in all the little shops. I love shopping, it's my cardio. I found this great lotion/soap place, and got my Mom a lotion, and my Grandma some great Hibiscus loose tea. Then we attempted to walk along the beach, but it was pretty chilly, and Averie and I were in shorts. Not a good recipe for fun if you ask me. So that ended after about 5 minutes. Then we decided to go for lunch, which turned into breakfast for lunch. It was delicious, we found this little hole in the wall diner. It was perfect and imperfect all at the same time. Just what the doctor ordered. Once we were well nourished we checked into our hotel. We stayed the night in Santa Cruz and woke up the next morning relaxed and ready to pick up Ness at SJSU. June 11, 2014 we headed home. It was a long drive home, but my house was clean when I got there which is always a welcomed sight.

San Jose State Freshman Orientation

June 12, 2014. Finally this day has come. I have an appointment for a hair cut and color. Ugh this is so overdue. By like 4 months overdue. HA! Well it is here, and I plan on keeping up with it. You would be surprised how looking decent affects your attitude. You are more confident, happier, and seem to be a little more understanding. Well as far as I am concerned. Bad hair makes for a grumpy mommy in my case. Here is a little play by play. Talk about a change. Amber, my best friend, and I spoke after and came to the conclusion that I could have gone a little shorter. Maybe next time. She cut about 5 inches off. How could she not. Look at that untamed mop. Night and Day difference if you ask me.

Overdue Hair cut and color

 June 13, 2014. Almost to date. Hang in there. My RDO(Requested Day Off). I spent the day hanging out with Averie and cleaning. I always clean when I am home. No matter what I feel like there is always something that could use a good scrubbing, dusting, or vacuuming. I also tried my hand at this new meal service called Plated. Here is the link if you want to check it out.

https://www.plated.com/

Quickly, this is how it works. This company puts meals together and ships them out weekly. You have the option of a 2 plate service, or a 4 plate service, and they ship to arrive on Tuesday's and Friday's. You also have the option of menu choices. Vegetarian, Land, or Sea. I think those options are very self explanatory.

I received my first one on the 13th of this month, and selected the Butter Basted Steak.  It was delicious. Brian and Anessa gobbled it right up. Even Averie enjoyed the steak. We don't eat a lot of red meat, so I think when we have steak for dinner, they devour it. I wish I had of taken more pictures of the process, but I was so involved that I forgot. Let's just say that it was worth the $20 bucks. Now I have to be honest. The pricing is not the best. You have the option to purchase a membership for $10 a  month, that allows you to get the plates at the membership price not the Al-A-Carte price. The diffidence on most plates is $3, if  not all. Here is the pricey part. You have to select 4 plated to fill an order. Spending $48 if you have the membership, or $60 if you don't. Then you have to pay $20 for shipping, so you walk out of there for a minimum of $68 for 4 meals. That is a lot in my eyes. If you are single maybe it would be practical, but for a family of 4 we can go out to dinner for under $68. Well I hope that was helpful if you were looking into this program. The reason that I paid $20 is because I had a promotional code. It gave me a 4 plate service for free. All I had to pay for was the shipping.

Butter Basted Steak

 June 14, 2014. Brian worked and I stayed at home with Averie, and surprise! Cleaned the house some more.

June 15, 2014. Happy Father's Day. This was a good day too. I seem to be having a couple of those. Presents, oh fun! Averie and I bought Brian an authentic Louisville Slugger baseball bat engraved with the Braves logo, and his name. He loved it. I bought a case for Nessa's home run ball from the Optimist game and had her sign it and give that to him. My Dad is so special to me. I always am looking for ways to spoil both my parents. Especially with the limited funds that I have these days. I bought him a Seattle Seahawks Superbowl T-Shirt and a cover for his phone. It says, "A Son's first Hero, and a Daughter's first Love." Sweet right. He liked the case more that the t-shirt which made my heart melt. We all went to Caballo Blanco for dinner and then back to the house for dessert. It was a great day with some of my favorite people.

June 16, 2014. More work. This is a given I guess. I work all the time. It's safe to say that this is also the agenda for June 17, 2014.

That brings us to June 18, 2014. TODAY! Finally right. This is where I am at now. I am saving up for my jogging stroller. I want it more than a tattoo. Nessa is almost 3 weeks out from surgery. Brian is working hard and late, which I am growing not to mind as much. I get a little sad and lonely but why dwell on things that you can't change. I am doing things to make myself happy. I have been writing down what I am eating in an effort to make sure I do eat. We have been eating better too. Not as much crappy food is making it into our house these days. Thank goodness. I am also going to run here soon. It would be easier with a stroller and a lot more fun, but in due time. I know that exercise makes me healthy and happy and that is all I want in life. The plan for the remainder of the week is kind of up in the air. I will update the blog this weekend. But.... don't hold me to that.