I need a Napa

Don't you just hate the Monday after vacation? Ok, so hate may be a strong word. Just hard to get back in gear, but then again I am kind of glad to be back to my routine. Anywho, better recap to come, but for now enjoy a small token from my trip to Napa. 

One Last Day

It's Monday, the last day of  my lil vacation before I start my new job. And... I have jury duty. Yup, the lawyer has jury duty. 
But, as you know I was in Miami last week. Yes, Wednesday through Sunday in the Emerald State! My sister from another mister lives in Miami so off I went for sun, sea and sand.
I arrived Wednesday afternoon and we headed for food at a lil Cuban place. The conversation was wonderful, the food yummy, and the mojitos--powerful. I had one too many and well.... Let's just say I rallied later and it was a good night.
Thursday we headed down to South Beach, walked around and grabbed some noodles. I also grabbed about 4 pairs of new flip flops! Ash may work at Haivainas....
Friday and Saturday were beach days. The sand was the best feeling between my toes and the water perfect. My skin was dying for a golden kiss and it got it. Saturday we headed to a beach for Dogs on Dunes. We let Dallas, Ash's pup, frolic in the waves and roll in the sand. It was awesome to see all the puppies loving the beach and sea. I missed my babies so much.

If only I had not missed my 8 am flight... Yes it took me an hour to get through security on a Sunday morning. Ran ummm 32 gates and watched the lady close the door.

I finally made it home and it was so good to see the pups and le guy. Now, its off to do my civic duty!

I'll Fly Away

So, what happens when you have been working way too much and decide you need a getaway? Well, if you're me, you fly to Georgia, and drive to the wilderness for a weekend away... oh and you plan a wonderful blate!

This is also my lesson #7: take time for yourself, plan a trip, get away, do something you don't normally do, like... plane a trip to the middle of nowhere Georgia and see friends!

So, Thursday afternoon I boarded a plane for Atlanta. Just as I was about to take off my best friend from elementary school saw my check-in at the airport for Atlanta and she was like umm I live 20 minutes from there... I was like umm whoa... so I texted when I landed and low and behold, 30 minutes later I was in her house seeing for the first time since we were 14.

Kristin and I were in the 1st and 2nd grade together. She moved to Florida in the middle of 2nd grade and the saga of the letters began. We wrote letters to each other over the course of the next 7 years. Like handwritten, Lisa Frank stationary letters. We had a rule: once you got a letter you had 2 weeks to send another one. We wrote and wrote and wrote. We sent gifts talked on the phone occasionally, and then Christmas of the 9th grade I went to visit her in Florida. We lost touch a little in college and such, but Facebook helped! We reconnected and so there I sat talking to her and seeing her little ones. It was marvelous! What a way to start my trip.

Gorgeous woman inside and out!

I then headed on to my hotel. I was staying at the Lodge & Spa at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA. Everyone should go. Its so peaceful and relaxing.

Friday morning I woke up and headed in McDonough to meet miss Jessica who blogs at The Newly. I have been awaiting this! Jessica and I have been "friends" for a couple years now and I just love following her and have enjoyed watching her grow in her marriage and now as a mother.We have just connected. So when that blonde-haired beauty walked in her with baby boy Caleb. We gabbed for hours! It was like we were old friends just chatting over pizza! It was hard to see her go, but it was wonderful. I cannot wait til next time and perhaps if her B gets into the program in Texas... we may just be seeing more of each other!

Saturday I hit up the gardens for a lil hiking and sightseeing before hitting up the spa. Callaway Gardens is miles and miles and acres of gorgeous flora and fauna.  I'll let the pictures do the talking.

gorgeous chapel in the middle of the gardens... future wedding site?

birds of prey show

SEC topiaries

frogs who hung out outside my room

The gardens were peaceful and gorgeous and just what I needed to relax and connect with nature. I then high-tailed it to the spa for a message and some steam.

Sunday I dreaded going home, but I went into Atlanta and hit up the World of Coca-Cola.

And how did my wonderful weekend end? I came home to wonderful fall pumpkins to adorn my porch from my sweet friend and neighbor CT!! It was just what I needed! I got to see two wonderful friends and just could not be more relaxed and refreshed. How was your weekend?

Toes in the Water

Yes, you heard me singing a little Kenny.... I want to be no where else but the beach. Sweet, calm, ocean waves, beach. Sandy butt, toes, hands, legs, ears, beach. Book in hand, lathered in sunscreen, getting a tan beach. (you think I like the beach?). But no, alas  I am here.. at work... looking at the pile of to-dos and projects that need to be finished, oh yesterday. And to top it all off, I am feeling less than stellar. (as in sore throat, swollen glands, completely exhausted sick).

I have looked at places to go. I have dreamed of Mexico, Florida, the Caribbean... and then I come back to reality, that I am a civil lawyer, and an associate at that. No earned vacation, sick or PTO time. Just me, the computer and billable hours. I hate Wednesday when that little piece of paper shows up in my box and tells me how many hours I have billed... I cringe... How can one piece of paper make you feel that unmotivated?

I am then reminded that the week before I stared in space for 4.3 hours, yapped with coworkers for 3.2 hours, went to the bathroom for about 1.1 hours, and actually napped at my desk for 1.2 hours. Add that up and I am failing (at least in my mind).

I just need out. I need to be somewhere that no one walks in the door and asks you to write this, research that or draft this. Where someone waits on me, and fluffs my pillow. Where the only reading I do is of the trashy romance persuasion. Yes, I need the beach.

My skin is so pale I make Casper look tan. I started using tinted lotion just to cut the glare and was totally called out on it when Mr. Kent said, ummm did you go tan? I was like ummm, errr, no, totally lotion, thanks for pointing out my obvious lack of color. This lack of tan makes my brightened blonde locks look less than perfect with my skin tone, and no amount of bronzer can give me the hint of summer glow.

So, if someone would kindly book me a trip, make all the plans and send me the itinerary I'm game. Well, only of you can find a heck of deal where I am not out of the office too long as to feel guilty and lose too many billables and a place where I can get Internet, cause duh you know I will work some... yes I know I have a problem, which is why I NEED THE BEACH!

I'm Back

I am back from Puerto Rico!!! We had a blast, but so sad that tomorrow is back to the grind. I've got mediation, deposition, briefs and hearings to attend to! I promise to post pics soon of our fabu trip!

If you want a place to visit, hit up PR! It has beach, history, sun, rain forest, waterfalls, and yummy food! This was def a different type of vacation for us, but we had an absolute blast. Til tomorrow loves.