It's June!

It's June everybody! Why do I love June? Hmm. Well, it's my birthday month, and the official start of summer. Holler. My birthday is June 17th, so sometimes it falls on Father's Day. This year I plan on relaxing at the beach with friends and family. Well, my plans have changed y'all. My dad is flying up from Puerto Rico for the weekend!

Here's a quick  random recap of what I did this weekend.

I went to a Zumba class on Wednesday & Saturday.  I danced my booty off you could say and had a smile on my face the whole time. Who knew dancing and shaking what your momma gave ya with strangers could be so much fun?

         Did you know sweat is FAT crying? I sent Samantha and now she can't wait to try it with me.

Red faced, sweaty, and feeling good!

So Friday I went to a graduation party for my co-worker's daughter (who is also Lola's pet-sitter) . I can't believe it's been ten years since my own high school graduation. Eek, I'm getting soo old!  Anyhow, I found this Hallmark graduation card that is just perfect for a graduate..or anyone for that matter.

Couldn't be any more perfect, right? Way to go Hallmark.

Saturday, I went to Wine and Design and painted a yorkie for Belinda as her birthday present.  I've now been to Bottles 'N' Brushes, Fear No Easel, and Wine and Design. I've taken two classes at Wine and Design and in each class the artist instructing was a little, how do I say, bitchy. By far, Bottles 'N' Brushes and Fear No Easel had the best customer service.

This is how the pet painting works. You email a photo of your pet days before the class.  Then they screen that image on your canvas and paint away!

And here is Mr. Pele after.

It actually looks better in person, it's very detailed and his eyes really stand out.

She loved it!

Saturday Happenings.

Saturday was suppose to be a beach day. The weather ended up cold and yucky, so instead Samantha, Sondra, and I lounged around with mimosas and watched some HBO. The lazy day ended up being exactly what we all needed. Sometimes you just need your friends on your couch.

Look at Lola with her Aunt Sam.

so cute.

That night I joined some friends and finally checked out Suede Supper Club. I danced my arse off! LOVED IT.

Oh the fun one can have with glow sticks.

Cruise Highlights.

Here are some more cruise highlights...

Gotta love the towel animals.

Free yummy wine. It was delicious.

He's so damn cute. Of course he was a highlight of my vacation.

I got my toes in the water..toes in the sand..not a worry in the world..
                                            Paradise Island.

Shark!!! Just kidding.

<3

Taxi boat ride to Paradise Island. Which by the way was insane! They packed us in like sardines, but that's what you get for a 4 dollar boat ride.

Waterfall at Atlantis.

I look like a mess. Hot, sweaty, sun burnt, but very happy.

So many photos..so little time. I'm already looking forward to another vacation, but this time they better not loose my luggage!

p.s. I'm thinking of planning another big group cruise...in a year maybe. Jason and I would love to do this in Belize (one day-a girl can dream right?).

(photo obtained from Carnival.com)

Carnival Cruise 2012. Part 1

We're back from our Carnival cruise and exhausted! We definitely had fun after a couple bumps in the road ( I'll explain later), but now it's nice to be home and have a couple of days off before we start work on Monday. 

I guess I'll start with the first day of our trip. We left Charleston super early and headed to Jacksonville where our port was. For the 4 hour car ride I submerged myself in this book.

I'm already on the second book, Fifty Shades Darker. It's not something I usually go for, however, it was a perfect read for our anniversary trip. wink wink.

Anyhow...
Our ship was the Carnival Fascination. The Fascination is smaller and older, but it still had nice features. I do have to say at times I felt it was a bit crowded, especially compared to the biggest Carnival ship, the Carnival Dream (that's the one we honeymooned on). The room was nice, but it didn't have the interactive TV feature that allows you to check your tab and the menu for the evening like the Dream had.

Our room with a view!

Okay, time to vent. CARNIVAL LOST OUR LUGGAGE! Jason and I had two suitcases, one with clothes (all of our clothes) and one with shoes and toiletries. Long story short, after 27 agonising hours our luggage was found in another stateroom.

To make-up for their HUGE mess up, Carnival gave us an on board credit, a free bottle of wine, and 4 complementary drinks. Alright, I'm done venting.

Once we got our suitcase it was party time!! 

Hungry for More & Fear No Easel

 My current obsession as been the Hunger Games trilogy.  I can't get enough.

I have never read so fast and furious in my life! Here's a funny tidbit about me: when I was in seventh grade I begged my mom for a bow. Yes, I shot arrows in my back yard..not sure how I didn't take some one's eye out. haha. Anyhow, I just wrapped up Catching Fire and I was not disappointed. If you haven't been sucked into the girl on fire band wagon I suggest you jump in cause it's a fun ride!

Next on my list to read is:

In 16 days Jason and I will be cruising away to the Bahamas! I plan on relaxing and enjoying this little read...

 

I hear it might make me blush. Can't wait.

Earlier this week I got to use my artistic skills at Fear No Easel in Mount Pleasant with my coworker Gina. 

It was a fun night! Wine, girl talk, paint, all my favorite things. Oh please excuse how terrible I look, it was a looong day.



Dress Please.

I love finding a dress that totally gives you a reason to celebrate something. Night out on the town? Yes please! After work I needed a way to relieve some stress, so I decided on shopping. There's just something about shopping.  Almost as good as chocolate. I found this cute blue number and LOVEEED it. The dress is super classy, playful, and flows. I kind of felt like Kate Middleton..lol. It hugs my curves a lot better than this chick.

I liked this dress above, but it didn't look GREAT on me so it was a no.

Orange isn't usually a color I go for, however, this dress was adorable.

I didn't see this LBD at the store, so I might take a chance and order it online..

It's perfect for my curves. So what your momma gave ya'!

                        Now, I have a MAC gift card that's been burning a hole in my pocket.

A Dog's Purpose

This is a sweet story..had to share.

A Dog’s Purpose

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.”
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.
He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”
The six-year-old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher, you would learn things like:

• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
• Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
• Take naps.
• Stretch before rising.
• Run, romp, and play daily.
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
• When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• Be loyal.
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy.

* taken from Carrots N Cake. *