Countdown to Vacation!

Two more days until my beach vacation!  And I've been put through the wringer leading up to it.

Last week a nasty cold sore sprouted up on my lip. And we aren't talkin baby hive....we are speaking of a full-blown, sock on the mouth, pus-engorged chancor that could not be conquered by any brand of concealer in my makeup arsenal.  Ugh!

Saturday, slathered in Lystine ointment and full of ibuprofen, I tackled the yard, mowing, weeding, arranging, and cleaning. I worked my diva ass off and, for repayment, I stayed in bed all day Sunday with the start of a cold!

Coughing, sneezing, and sniffling, I was only able to work part of the day on Monday, missed Tuesday, then showed up for our company picnic today. Still warm and coughing, I left early. Made a doc appointment for tomorrow morning in order to prevent any future complications that may affect my beach vacation with Steve!!

Here's to no cold, no cold sore, and beach sunshine in my future!!

Lovin the Beach!!

This weekend I got a little taste of what my vacation at the end of this month will be all about!

I took Friday off at the last minute in order to get a head start with Steve on our weekend vacation to his family’s beach house in Cannon Beach, OR.  We ended up leaving about 2pm and met up with his parents, brother and his wife, and niece and her boyfriend at their beach home.  It was lovely outside – sunny, blue sky, and warm.  We spent the evening on the deck catching up and sharing an awesome dinner.  

Saturday after sleeping in (with help from my friend Benadryl due to my allergies) Steve and I took the niece’s dog Sadie to the beach for a stroll.  Steve and the dog ended up packing it in and I continued on, walking a total of three miles on the beach.  It was so gorgeous outside.   Arriving back at the house, Steve worked on nailing new shingles to the house while I sat on the deck and soaked in the rays.

Later in the afternoon, we drove into Cannon Beach proper to check out my brother Jay’s new store Flair.  We walked in and while I started to browse, Steve mentioned to the employee, Shelby, that I was Jay’s sister.  Oh, it was a red letter day for her being able to meet one of Jay’s siblings!!!  She was the sweetest gal; she insisted we take a selfie together so she could send it to Jay.  The store looks fabulous!!!  Lots of unique items.  

After Flair of course we had to stop in his other store.  More items to dig through – there were some mermaid pictures that have my name on them that just might go home with me at the end of the month!  Steve couldn’t resist the huckleberry jam, syrup, and chocolate bar so he grabbed those before we made our way back to the house.

Unfortunately, Steve’s mom, dad, and brother had to leave unexpectedly so we spent Saturday evening with his sister-in-law Michelle, niece Chelsea and her boyfriend Dan.  Michelle made some of the best halibut fish and chips we’ve ever had – coating was perfect!  For the second night in a row we ate strawberry shortcake with berries that Steve had picked himself.

Sunday arrived sooner than expected.  Steve relaxed while the rest of us, along with the dog, took a final stroll on the beach.   Steve and I then made our way into town and had lunch at Bill’s Tavern – service not the greatest but the food was awesome.  
After that it was nap time then final clean up at the house before we departed about 5pm.  Hitting a big traffic jam, along with some side travels through the country, we ended up at Steve’s about 8:30.  I finally made it home about 10pm, chatted with the boys until 11pm, and then went to bed.  Actually, went to bed then struggled to fall asleep due to the two cups of coffee I mistakenly drank at Bill’s during our late lunch.  Five-thirty this morning arrived too soon.

Steve and I easily made it through three days together so our trip back to the beach at the end of the month is looking promising!  We really had a lot of time to visit, share stories, and hanging out with his family was a plus.  Hunting, fishing, and the country is so important to him that it was also a treat on our way home when he showed me places where he hunted, farmland where he worked, the pair of cinnamon teal ducks that return to roost every year, and just both of us talking about life in general.  When you normally get to see each other twice a month, it’s pretty sweet to spend more than one evening together!

Don't Measure A Woman's Worth By Her Clothes

I ran across these pictures awhile back...aren't they thought-provoking?

TGIF!!

Took a couple of days off from work to simply work on household chores and attempt to clean the garage, which I did today. Now I've got a whole pile of stuff for a garage sale. Thought about doing it this weekend but the cleaning wore me out so that idea will be executed on another weekend.

I've also started going back to the gym. Was slacking off for a few months and the lack of exercise made me feel blobby and depressed. Was hard to return but I did it - that first day I almost veered toward home but persevered and went in. Such a good idea now I'm gettin back into the groove!

Tomorrow my nephew Stephen graduates...big kudos to him!  I'm unable to make the trip for his party but lots of hugs and good wishes are sent his way.

Last Sunday I drove to Steve's for dinner with his parents. Steve barbecued bacon wrapped duck breast for dinner and it was divine!  Next weekend we are going to meet his family in Cannon Beach for a work party, although his mom said the guys will be working and the gals will be playing.

At the end of the month Steve and I will be staying a week at Cannon Beach. So looking forward to taking an extended vacation from work.

Here's to everyone enjoying this very sunny weekend!