Alabama + Graffiti

We had another really great spring break – I’m really loving getting to take that week and going somewhere with Sheff and having a ton of fun.  And honestly?  This vacation was a really great one.  Everyone had a really fun time, and there was really only one day there was some whining.  Other than that, it was one for the core memory book.

We drove down to Orlando on the Monday that started spring break.  We got down there around 4pm, and immediately hopped into swimsuits and hit up the resort pool.  The place we were staying had three pools, but we spent most of our time at the biggest one – more kids for Sheff to make friends with!  We were down there for an hour or so before we went back to clean up for dinner.  We went to an amazing authentic Puerto Rican food place.  B and I ordered a sampler that came with a ton of food – and everything was so good!  After dinner, we went to the mini-golf course that was in the same parking lot (and right across the street from our resort!), and played a round. It was a ton of fun – I hadn’t played in a really long time!

The next morning we got up super early to get ready for Epcot!!!  We had done the other three Disney parks three years ago, but didn’t do Epcot.  And man did we have a good time.  I hadn’t been to Epcot since I was in the 8th grade, so I didn’t remember much about it.  They also had the flower and garden festival going on, so we saw a ton of characters in flower form – it was so pretty!  We did the starship Earth ride in the big ball as soon as we got into the park, and even Sheff did all of the rides.

We had a blast going through all the countries – Sheff got fun little passport stickers for every country we visited, and we had a blast drinking and eating our way through all of the countries as well.  Our favorite rides were the Test Track and Soarin’ the World.  There was also only a five minute wait to meet Anna and Elsa in Norway, so of course we did that.  He also met Jasmine, Belle and Mulan.  I had no idea that so many of the princesses would be in Epcot.  And they all (with the exception of Mulan – she was standing on a bridge due to Covid restrictions, I guess) interacted with Sheff.  The way he clammed up was so cute.

Sheff loved the Mission: Space ride so much that he convinced B to ride on it again right before the fireworks show.  The fireworks show was so amazing, and I’m really glad we stayed to watch it.  When we got back to the room, we all had to take showers (it was in the high 80’s, and we were all gross!) and then straight to bed.  It was a really, really good day.

Wednesday we penciled in as a pool day to relax.  We spent the whole day hanging out in the pool and with the sunshine.  Sheff even made a friend and got a poolside temporary tattoo.  Of course he picked the dog.  For dinner, we went to Medieval Times.  Our neighbors had told us what a good time this was, and y’all!!  It really was.  Every section is assigned a knight to cheer for in a joust, and they bring out dinner while they put on a show beforehand.  It is a bit pricey, but it was worth every penny.

It was such an awesome first three days – we had such a good time!  The rest of the week only gets better!

Coming at you live from this Tuesday morning – and thanks to a 16 oz Sugarfree Red Bull.  I know they’re bad for me – but honestly, what isn’t these days?  Ever since Nadine has pointed out that Tuesday is the worst day of the week, it sure has lived up to that title.  I should avoid doctor’s appointments on them, but I didn’t, and well, without being too vague about it – I left with more worries than when I came in.  I think I much preferred my living in ignorance.

I’m finally branching out and talking to more people in my office – I don’t think I’ve had a true office friend in a long time.  But I got invited to go and get a beverage after work for St. Paddy’s day, so I put on my try-not-to-be-socially-awkward pants and went.  I wasn’t there long, but had a really good time.

Friday, I was going to get a salad, but whyyyyy when Zaza has their porkalicious pizza on the menu.  It was so good, and I was super happy that I got it.  We watched a ton of basketball, and called it a night.

Saturday, we got up and did all of the sports.  Sheff’s last basketball game, where they played the best they ever had and finally got themselves a second win!  They handed out their “participation” medals, but Sheff beamed when the coach called him the “freakin’ natural.”  We did, too.  Then it was off to baseball practice.  Those kids are a bit bigger than last year, and Sheff has a lot of work to do to catch up.  I do like the coach, though, and having him play up will only challenge him and make him better.  Later that afternoon, my dad came in for the night.  We grilled some steaks and watched some basketball and headed to bed – a lot later than normal!

Sunday, Sheff started putting together the enormous Lego set our neighbors had gotten for him.  He did pretty well!  We still have a few bags to go, but it was awesome that it held his attention for as long as it did.  My mom came in that afternoon, and we made homemade pasta with spaghetti sauce for dinner.  We watched Auburn end their tourney run with a loss to Miami, and then watched a bit of Inventing Anna.

This weekend I also took a much needed Instagram break, and I’m thinking about extending it.  I found myself a lot more present, with Bennett and with Sheffield, and the comparesies game was non-existent.  It just made me feel better, so I’m not sure how often I’ll be back on there.

B and I have a date night tonight while meemaw and pappy watch Sheff – they’re going to take him bowling and out for pizza, so he is going to have a fun night, and I know we will too.

Hope everyone has had a great start to the week!

 

 

Greenwich Park – Katherine Faulkner ||  This was definitely a slow burn book for me.  I enjoyed the mystery, and the small twist at the end, but I did have a really hard time getting into it.  Once I did, I had to know what was going on.  Plus, I love a good book set in England.

The Good Sister – Sally Hepworth ||  Holy cow can Hepworth write a suspense novel.  I loved this book so much.  They dynamic between the two sisters, and the way the plot developed to let you know where the true crazy lay was so good.  I’m also always here for a creepy epilogue, and this book provided it.  Definitely pick it up if it’s your thing.

The Mother Next Door – Tara Laskowski || This one took me a minute to get into – it was relatively slow-paced.  It held my attention enough to read it in one sitting, but the queen bee neighborhood moms with secrets has, for me, worn out its welcome.  It did take place during my favorite of Halloween, so the creepy mystery fit right in to the setting.  It was a quick read that had some good surprises.

Memorial – Bryan Washington || This is another one of those not for everyone books, but I absolutely loved it.  A man is left with his boyfriend’s mom, while the boyfriend goes back home to Asia to take care of his dying dad.  This was such a good book about love, family and finding “home.”  Love loved.

Falling – TJ Newman || For someone who is terrified of flying, I sure am a fan of books about them crashing.  The pilot is faced with a dilemma when he is asked to either pick his family or a plane full of passengers.  It was definitely fast-paced (and short!), and I couldn’t wait to see how it would all end up.

The Golden Couple – Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen || I didn’t want to stay up into the night finishing this book, but I did.  I had to know what was going on.  Definitely a fast -paced mystery/thriller type.  I did guess at the “bad guy” early on, but it didn’t take anything away from the story.  Read if mystery/thrillers are your jam.

The amount of times I’ve told myself to get a grip this week is no small number.  My mind has been just all over the place.  From trying to keep Sheff’s sports in order (actually his whole damn social calendar), to committing myself to plans (fun plans, but plans), to making sure to fit in all my workouts, dinner, house chores – it’s just been a lot the last week.  Plus, the weather has been dreary and gray – I think it’s time to bust out the OPI Cajun Shrimp for some cheeriness.

A trip to the library (even if I do have to pay late fees, because I can’t drag myself to drive to the library to return books on time – I know, I’m a horrible person) works wonders even if I have to sit and watch all the other books I own cry actual tears when I walk in with an armful of books.  I found this link this week with books all similar to Song of Achilles, and my TBR list grew.  I started Inventing Anna on Netflix and am obsessed.  It’s so good.   I also got an International Women’s Day date night with my neighbor as we went to Vecchia for a wine and olive oil night.  It was a ton of fun – lots of delicious food and wine.

But I always come back to books to ground me for the week – or a well-timed episode of Dawson’s Creek.  We got an email from Sheff’s teacher saying he was worried he was going to get in trouble for getting a “P” on his dictation, and I said a little prayer hoping he doesn’t turn out like me with the pressure of perfection. Like I said, this week, and my mind, have been all over the place.

Here is my offering at what’s caught my attention via the screen shot for this week:

|| I am obsessed with Oribe hair products -unfortunately, they are expensive AF for shampoo.  Usually, I’ll keep it to a shampoo or their dry texture spray (which is the absolute best and smells like heaven).

|| Another super expensive thing that I probably don’t need, but I love these leggings.  They look so fun, and in my brain, would make working out more fun.

|| I’d rather be at Chick-Fil-A 99% of the time I’m not at Chick-Fil-A.  Nuggets and Chick-Fil-A sauce – bring it.  I’ve ordered from this company before, and their sweatshirts are super comfy and great quality.

|| My eyes have been looking extra tired lately – lots of dark circles and it’s just making me look super old.  I’ve read a lot of online reviews for this retinol eye stick, and I’m about ready to pull the trigger.

|| I’m all for color in a house – and that would include these cute little bowls from Wal-mart.  At $25 for a set of three, you really can’t go wrong.

|| This cute little smiley basket would look super adorable holding blankets in the basement.  Just sayin.

|| I wish I had the time and money to go and get my nails done – I always feel so put together when they’re pretty.  But I really like the look of these with the holographic black tips.  A little out of my comfort zone, but still super cute.

We’ve got double sports this weekend with Sheff, plus AU playing in the SEC tourney.  I sure love a good long sports weekend.  Hope everyone had a great week!

Hooray for Mardi Gras being back this year!  We had such an amazing time, and the weather was absolutely beautiful.  Our hotel was right on St. Charles, so we only had to move for one of the parades – but we were close to bathrooms and to margaritas and Mexican food, so we really couldn’t have had it any better.

We drove down early on Saturday morning to be able to make it to the first parades of the day: Iris and Tucks.  We made it into Louisiana before 9am, and were in a spot on St. Charles waiting on the parade by 1030.  Lindsey met up with us and watched a bit of Iris before heading home.  Sheff had a ball at Tucks – and didn’t take off that green cape the entire time we were there.  After that parade, we went over to Cochon Butcher to pick up some dinner before heading over to the Endymion route.  Bennett ran to grab a nectar king cake (which was delicious), and by the time Endymion was over, we were tired out and ready for bed.

Sunday, we got up and had a delicious breakfast at Wakin Bakin, and went to secure a spot.  Sunday morning parades might be some of my favorites – it was a little wet since it had rained the night before, but that didn’t stop anyone’s fun.  Sheff made his sacrifice to the bead tree, we found some amazing po’boys on the route, and caught a little bit of the Bacchus parade before heading home.

Lundi Gras came and with it came the most beautiful weather.  We also had absolutely nowhere to be in the morning since there were only night parades.  We had a reservation for brunch at Toups Meatery, where B and I shared that amazing meat board up there and a cocktail or two.  We then walked through City Park – Sheffield played on the playgrounds there, and we got an iced cafe au lait from Cafe du Monde.  After that, we walked over to Bayou St. John so Bennett could see the Dead Beans Parade – which was more like a second line.  We didn’t jump in the line, but it was really cool to see.  That night was Proteus and Orpheus, and I LOVE Proteus.  I didn’t catch any seahorses, but I did get a really cute pair of seahorse beads!  Sheff also got his picture taken with the Talladega Marching Band!  We were exhausted and hungry so once the parades were over, we sent B in search of food, and he found some of the best street tacos we’ve had!

Mardi Gras day!!!  We were up super early to get our spot on St. Charles for some people watching!  It’s the best to sit in the chairs, enjoy some mimosas and watch everyone in the costumes go up and down St. Charles.  We skipped Zulu this year, and just sort of hung around for Rex.  We got our Mardi Gras margaritas, and had a really good time watching Rex roll.  It was the most unbelievably gorgeous day, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

By Wednesday we were slap worn out, and ready to be at home.  We came home, and got the laundry and catch-up homework done for Sheff.  It was such a fun trip, and so glad that we were able to do it!