Bad Days, Angry Bosses and Stings

Yesterday was just one of those days. One of those days where nothing happens as it should.
Where one thing after another is added up.
And you just can't seem to catch a break.
Let me explain....

Woke up to my alarm. Hit the snooze like usual. Except this time I hit it twice.

Running late to work now. Just great.

And we have nothing in our kitchen for me to eat for breakfast and lunch.

Throw a yogurt and a banana in my purse and hope that will hold me for the day.

It does not, just FYI

Still feeling super exhausted even with the extra 20 minutes.

I always tell myself I'm just going to get! up! It does me no extra good to stay in bed. But my efforts are always failed.

Finally get to work and within 30 minutes, even before I can finish my coffee, the emails start.

Boss-man didn't read my full email and is telling me I didn't do what I needed to.

But yes I did. And I said so, you just didn't read it all.

Eventually I win but after plenty of self-doubt, trying to figure out what I did wrong, attempting to de-code his ambiguious wording and running past his office door to ask for help from someone else.

It's all sorted out now.

I won by the way.

But now he's given me 3 days worth of work to do.

And did I mention we're going out of town tonight? So yeah, there's that.

Scrambled to get started, hoping I'd make enough progress before my vacation and head out the door before I can get something else handed to me.

Stop by Starbucks on the way home because my to-do list is far too long, I'm still exhausted and I really need a workout.

Thank you iced goodness, I really needed this.

Got home and started on the growing list of things to do before we head out of town.

Took the laundry out of the dryer and went outside to water my herbs.

Step on a wasp.

Yes, seriously.

Why would a wasp choose to be in our grass? Can someone please explain this to me?

Run inside with shooting pain in the arch of my foot to make a baking soda paste for it.

J's not home yet and I've never been stung by a wasp before.

Bees? Yes. But wasps no. And they're different allergens.

Some background for you, my mom is severly allergic to wasps, but not to bees.

Frantically called J to tell him what happened.

Thankfully J was able to come home, I'm not allergic to wasps and the rest of the day went relatively smooth.

But goodness, if I wasn't ready for vacation before yesterday then I surely am now!

Here's hoping today goes better than yesterday and if not at least my feet, wasp sting and all, will touch Colorado ground tonight.

[DIY] Summer Slouch Bag

Once upon a time I decided I needed a new bag. 

A summer bag. 

That could fit my stuff 

and completely zip so said-stuff wouldn't fall out

and lay in the sand/by the pool without worry

Etc etc etc....

So I made one. 

It all started with hand-painted fabric you may have seen me Instagram (jaymeeryn). Half painted bolder with lots of paint and the other half more mild from the bleed through of the first.
Should bold & mild adjectives be reserved for salsas and the like... Oh well.

Once dried, washed and dried again I cut it all up.
Until I had lots and lots of pieces.
I wanted random, patchy, hobo-ish.

Then I started piecing them together.

1/4" seam allowances just like you would for a quilt top.

Bold with bold. Blue with green. Any way I thought it looked good.

I pieced and pieced and pieced.

Until I had used up most of the fabric.

Minus the pieces that didn't turn out right

To give it some extra strength

(and take away the unsightly seams on the wrong side)

I quilted it to a plain piece of cotton.

Going with the random look I didn't follow any lines or seams or pattern.

Just back and forth over the top whichever way seemed best.

I paired my newly handmade fabric with some simple gray cotton for the lining,

a bright blue zipper, some D-rings and webbing for the strap.

Followed this tutorial by Bev at Flamingo Totes

and Ta-Da!!!

I'd say it was a success.

Perfect? Heck no!

You should see those strap connectors, a mess!

Handmade from mostly things I already had? Definitely!

What have you DIY-ed lately? Share a link if you have one because I love to see what people can do!

15 Day Challenge [Day 13 & 14]

[Day 13] What are your favorites: song, quote, food, vacation spot, photo

&

[Day 14] If you were only allowed to watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Song: 

Definitely a toss up between.... 

and

What can I say, I have older taste in music!

Quote: 

Love is a verb, not a noun. It can only be experienced when it is flowing. When we become a source of love, when it flows through our eyes, our voice, our prayers that we offer to others, then we feel happiness. 

Food:

Anything Italian. Done. 

Vacation Spot: 

This is another toss up..... 

1. Waikiki in Oahu, HI was absolutely amazing when J and I went there over New Years. Gorgeous sunsets, warm waters, great weather and plenty to do. But it sure was expensive which definitely wasn't fun.

2. Then there's Antigua in the Caribbean. Absolutely stunning oceans and amazing dive sites with 80 degree weather and 80% humidity. But it's far away, like takes-two-days-to-get-there far and you miss a lot of the things you take for granted for in the US. 

 

Photo:

This is the first ever picture J and I have together from the summer we started dating. We we're so young then and I love looking back and thinking about how far we've come since then. This picture was taken over 5 years ago, so crazy!

Movie:

Definitely "Father of the Bride". It's not my favorite movie of all time (which happens to be Forest Gump in case you were wondering) but if I had to pick just ONE movie it would be this one. Steve Martin is so hilarious and I always crack up through the entire movie.
"Can I put Cameron back on the list if he promises not to eat?"
"I'll tell you what I'm doing. I want to buy 8 hotdogs and 8 hotdog buns to go with them!"

15 Day Challenge [Day 12]

[Day 12] What are you most looking forward to in the next 6 months?

There are many things I'm looking forward to, both big and small, that will be happening in the next 6 months. Things in my life are going pretty swell right now and I'm thankful for everything that's going to be happening soon.

+ Going back to CO in about 2 weeks

+ Visiting with family and friends including meeting baby Mason

+ Getting to put my wedding dress back on at my first fitting

+ A bridal shower thrown by some awesome family friends

+ Visiting my sister's college town to help her move in over Labor Day weekend

+ Spending Thanksgiving in her college town too

+ Reaching the milestone of being at my job for a full year

+ Hopefully being that much closer to being back in school and reaching my dreams

+ Christmas, of course, with all our family

+ Reminiscing about our  engagement and the year we've had to plan our wedding 

+ And the most important date in the next 6 months....

Our wedding!



15 Day Challenge [Day 11]

[Day 11] What's one thing you would never change about yourself?

Well this sure was an easy one. 

I'm going to be superficial here and avoid all the "I would never change my caring personality" or something along those lines. With that said....

I would never change my hair. 

Never in my life have I gotten it dyed or highlighted or chemically treated in any way. 

Just trims about ever 6 months. 

My hair has curl to it that's come and gone here and there as I've grown up ranging from super curly to more of a beachy-wave. I'm thankful for that on days that I don't feel like doing anything to it after I shower and can let it air dry. The curl also makes my hair hold style really well, I never have to worry about curling iron curls coming undone and it will stay relatively straight if that's how I want it. 

I did decide a few years ago to chop off 10 inches to donate to Locks of Love but other than that my hair has always been long. I'm not sure if or when I'd cut it like that again but I definitely didn't hate it shorter. For now it's staying long for the wedding and we'll see what happens from there. 

I love that my hair is dark because I know it's from my dad's side of the family. Even though I never knew my Grandma with anything but white hair, supposedly she had gorgeous dark hair and I love that I now have it too. 

15 Day Challenge [Day 9 & 10]

[Day 9] Describe the best day of your life to date 

& 

[Day 10] What's your most embarrassing moment

I decided today to do two days in one with this 15 Day Challenge. Partly because I'm super behind and partly because I don't have much to say for [Day 10] 

But moving on. 

The happiest day of my life is by far the day that J asked me to be his wife. I wrote in detail about our proposal here and I still sometimes can't believe how perfect that day was. I'm so happy that J's sister was sneaky enough to be able to video the whole thing without me catching on and I sometimes get teary eyed watching it even now. 

J and I have been on an amazing journey together, both moving in Southern California from Colorado, graduating at the same time, getting great jobs in our fields, owning our first home and I can't wait to be his wife. According to The Knot . com we have 168 days until our wedding which seems like a lot still but we're really getting there. We're closer to our wedding now than we are to our engagement and I am absolutely thrilled. 

As for my embarrassing moment... I'm not typically one who gets embarrassed about things or who is extra clumsy or accident prone or gullible so I don't have many moments to pick from. However, there was J, down on his knee with my amazing ring. I was crying, so in love and so happy and all I wanted to do was have him close to me. Well it turns out that I forgot about actually having to verbally say "yes!" because I was so wrapped up in the moment. We hugged and kissed to tears of joy from everyone in the room until I finally sat back down to admire my ring and someone said "is that a yes!?!" 

Oops, sorry babe. I figured it was obvious that I'd say yes but I should have been more clear!

15 Day Challenge [Day 8]

[Day 8] Describe the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of yourself

[The Good]

1. I'm motivated and think I'm actually pretty smart. I got my bachelors degree in Biology with an emphasis in cellular and molecular biology and graduated with honors. Being the person to set class curves, ace tests, remember tiny details, and learn more than needed has always been something I take a lot of pride in for myself. I'm actually one of those people who loves school, no lie, and I can't wait to go back!

2. I'm not the type of person to hold grudges, gossip or cause problems that are unnecessary. Maybe it's because I delt with that too much in high school (but I guess who didn't) or maybe it's because I'm just not that type of person. I'm much more happy sitting quietly to myself, possibly chatting with those around me rather than getting into a big argument over things that don't matter. I'll never be the one to argue with you at dinner about politics, critique publically other people's life decisions or make things into a big deal. 

[The Bad]

1. I don't wash my hair every day. Eeek! It's official and out in blog land now so there's no taking it back. Thankfully my work is a jeans and t-shirt type of place and I'm usually having to put my hair in a pony-tail or braid anyways. I've found that my hair actually gets greasier and more hard to manage the more that I wash it. I tried the hip baking soda/tea tree oil/apple cider vinegar hair routine once and wasn't sold but I'm thinking of trying it again.

2. I'm terrified of horses, with absolutely no reason behind it. I never got bucked off one as a kid or had any experience with them that was negative. I just plainly don't like them. Supposedly I rode a donkey when I was little (too little to remember) and I'm told that nothing bad happened. But my dislike of them goes to the point that I'll cross the stree if a horse-drawn carriage is in the street or I'll avoid certain parts of Sea World/the fair to make certain I don't go within 50 yards of one.

[The Ugly]

1. I have a pretty hard time admitting that I'm wrong. This may or may not have something to do with [The Good] #1. There have even been times that I wished I could take back my previous opinions about something but haven't just because I didn't want to say, "okay you were right and I was wrong". Don't worry though, this is something I'm constanly working on.

2. I check social media (ie Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Instagram, Pinterest) at least a couple dozen times a day. It's absolutely ridiculous and I admit that. Between having it all linked up on my phone and having a computer at work that doesn't block anything, it's like free access to crack or something I swear. There will be times that I check them all and nothing NOTHING is different from the last time I was one. I'm thinking that I need to do some sort of intervention/unplugging soon. 

15 Day Challenge [Day 7]

[Day 7] Recommend a book. Why do you think it's important?

"Like Water for Chocolate:

A novel in monthly installments with recipes, romances and home remedies"

It's been quite some time since I've read this book but it is one of my favorites.

The story is set in Mexico at the beginning of the century during the Mexican Revolution. Tita, the main character, is the yongest daughter in her family and because of that it is her duty to remain by her mother's side for her entire life. She is not allowed to wed and start her own family and yet she falls in love dispite her destiny. Tita uses her emotions, her heartbreak and her anger and her love, in her cooking and causes those around her to experience what she is going through.

"Something strange was going on. Tita remembered that Nacha had always said that when people argue while preparing tamales, the tamales won’t get cooked. They can be heated day after day and still stay raw, because the tamales are angry. In a case like that, you have to sing to them, which makes them happy, then they’ll cook."

The book has 12 chapters, one for each month of the year, and each begins with an authentic Mexican recipe. I loved the classic story-telling in this book and might actually dig out my copy again this summer to re-read it. 

4th of July Week[end]

J and I were blessed enough to have 3 of our most amazing friends come and stay in San Diego for the 4th of July this year. They spent many, many days with us and I was left with a renewed happiness that we sometimes miss living 1000 miles away from such great people. Here's a recap!

+ Beach day on the 4th dispite the yucky weater

+ Mexican and margaritas for dinner

+ Our first fire in the backyard

+ Complete with s'mores of course
+ Celebrating J and my 6th July Fourth together! Wow is the time flying by!

+ Watching fireworks from our own backyard
+ Comforting our scared-y-cat dog from the loud noise

+ Taking advantage of their hotel pool with a mini stay-cation

+ Enjoying pitchers of fruity beverages while taking in the sun

+ Night out on the town with two of my favoite ladies (who both happen to be in our wedding!)

+ Seeing J so very happy with one of his greatest friends
+ Loving on my handso. fiance

+ Cracking up laughing at the dueling piano bar we were at
+ Best friends and soul mates

+ Playing on new bouncing toys like we were little kids

+ Having such amazing friends

This 4th of July was exactly what we needed. We can't wait to go home in a few weeks to see them (and even more friends) again!

15 Day Challenge [Day 6]

[Day 6] What's something you've always wanted to do but haven't? Why not? 

There's a whole list of things I want to do in my life. 

Some that I've chosen not to do yet. 

Some that just haven't been given the opportunity to happen. 

Some that are about to and some that may never. 

So for now I'll just pick one..... 

I've wanted to get a tattoo for quite some time. 

Now I'm not one of those people to just go out on a limb and do something this permanent to myself 

and be stuck looking back at a sagging fairy or distorted peace-sign

or for heaven's sake, something that gets misspelled!

(and no offense to those with fairies and peace-signs and hearts and rainbows) 

I'm just not that girl. 

I have an idea in my head of what and where I wanted this first (and probably only) permanent mark.

I've let it sit and fester and brew in my head for years. 

Reconsidered it completely at one point,

changed my mind about where it would be.

gone back and forth between color, black&white, white only (it's the big thing you know)

But it's still sticking, still poking out it's head and saying

"this tattoo would mean more than just ink on your skin"

So why haven't I done it by now? 

There's a few reasons

One being that it will be based off something in real life 

and I actually don't have a picture of it anymore (thanks to the hard-drive saga of 2011)

Also because I'm cheap and spending a [couple] hundred dollars on myself isn't something I usually do.
And finally because I'm not sure how my mom would feel about it.
Yes I realize how high school that is because I'm sure she wouldn't disown me or anything dramatic.
But what can I say, I don't like to cause trouble.

Someday I'm sure it'll happen I just can't tell you when for sure. 

15 Day Challenge [Day 5]

[Day 5] If you could have dinner with any 5 people, who would they be?

This is actually pretty easy for me. I knew almost immediately who I would want to have dinner with upon reading this prompt.

These five people are important to me.

They all have a special and specific place in my life and in my heart.

They were all taken from my life before I could really know them,

before I could learn from their stories,

before I wanted to let them go.

I am thankful for the time I had with them when I was yonger.

But there are so many things I wish we could all just sit and chat about with them now.

Now that I'm grown and experiencing so many new things in my life.

_____________________________________________________

I wish I could have dinner with:

My dad, Mark

My mom's parents, Tom and Irene

My dad's parents, Chuck and Elenor

_____________________________________________________

I hope to someday have these conversations with them.

15 Day Challenge [Day 4]

[Day 4] What's your favorite childhood memory?

My sweet boy Basil, my family's golden retriever, was such a huge part of my life growing up and I remember the day that we went to pick him up. April 1st. I remember driving in the car to the other side of town. Meeting the family who were the owners of his parents. I don't remember picking him out specifically because he was my Dad's birthday present. I assume it was his choice which pup we brought home.

I remember driving back to our house with our silly pup in the car, comfortably sitting in his cardboard box. He laid flat in the grass the first time we put his collar and leash on. We left him locked into the kitchen the first night he was home as our family went out to dinner to celebrate the birthday at hand. 

I remember begging my parents for months to let him sleep in my room at night. I just wanted to love on that soft fur and smell that puppy breath. Years later he subtly became more my dog as opposed to the family's. I was "his girl" and he was "my boy" and he eventually came to know me by that when my mom would say it on my trips back home from college. 

He was always our family; not just as our pet but as a member and part of who we are as a family. He was always my tie to my dad and I think about him all the time. I'm so thankful my pup Ollie got to run in the yard with him, growl over whose toys were who's and snuggle with me and my other pup in bed with me at home. 

I sure do love that dog and boy do I miss him sometimes.

15 Day Challenge [Day 3]

[Day 3] Tell about an article of clothing that you're deeply attached to

I wouldn't say that I am deeply attached to this piece of clothing in the sense that I would cry if I lost it and would never be able to replace it but.... it is something that holds a special place in my heart. 

This cream lace dress is definitely important to me. Yes, I like important rather than deeply attached. I bought it from Moriah @ Moriah Makes when she was having a sale on her blog of things she no longer wanted. I loved it as soon as I got it and knew I'd wear it often. 

Well as life would have it, I was wearing this dress on Christmas Day 2011 when J asked me to be his wife. This day will forever be one of the most significant days of my life and I'll always see this dress when I look back on the pictures and video of that day. (Yes I swear that's what I'm wearing even though it's hard to tell.)

Then I decided to wear it again for half of our engagement photos. I didn't want our outfits to be too bold and distract from the amazing site where we had the pictures taken and thought this was the perfect choice. So again, I'll always look back on these pictures (which I've also used in our Save The Dates and guest book) and see this dress. 

More than a deep attachment to this specific dress, I'd say I have a deep attachment to these few moments that forever changed my life when I happened to be wearing this dress. 

15 Day Challenge [Day 2]

[Day 2] Write a [few] six word memoir[s]

_________________________________________________

Right now, you are the best. 

Turn your dreams into your plans.

_________________________________________________

These are two things that I've been trying to tell myself each and every day. 

I haven't gotten too personal in blog-land lately but I've been struggling as of late... trying to come to terms with the fact that I am in exactly the place I'm meant to be at this point in my life and that I am doing the best that I personally can be. 

Specifically this all has to do with my future career goals and if you've been around this here blog for a while you know that this has to do with medical school and the ups and downs that come along with reaching this goal for me. There's a part of me that will never be able to give up this dream but at the same time there's also a part of me who just wishes things were easier. Wishes this current life could just stay. A part of me that wishes my current job surpassed all my expectations and was the perfect place for me. A part of me that hopes I wouldn't be disappointed in myself if things didn't work out like I have always planned. A part of me who is in the beginning stages of so many changes in my life that I almost don't know where to start. 

I know that these feelings will pass soon and I know all the effort and the stresses and the tears and the work will be so worth it in the end but for now.... sometimes it's tough realizing that this is all happening for a reason. Sometimes it's hard to know that I truly am doing the best that I can do with the cards I've been given. 

I am extremely thankful through this all to have a fiance and a family who will support me where ever life may take me. I think I'm fighting more of a battle with myself than with convincing anyone else.

15 Day Challenge [Day 1]

[Day 1] List 15 fun facts about yourself

[1] I can't set an alarm at the 00, 15, 30, 45, or any even number. For example, my alarm went off at 6:27am this morning and 6:30 would have given me hives.  This is extremely OCD of me and I accept that.

[2] I've lived in Southern California for close to 5 years, been on numerous tropical vacations and have yet to even attempt to learn to surf. I'm sure people think that's crazy but I just have no desire to learn.

[3] A few years ago I chopped off my super long hair to donate to Locks of Love. I loved it for a little while but could never be a short-hair girl. I'm currently back to rocking mid-back length hair and don't see that changing anytime soon.

[4] Highlighters and ball point pens contributed significantly to my success in college. I would come up with a note-taking scheme at the beginning of each semester and would have to stick with it through finals. I loved having everything in exact order and know exactly where to look when I needed something.

[5] My favorite movie of all time is Forrest Gump. Very closely followed by Father of the Bride (both parts).

[6] I haven't worn make-up (minus a touch of mascara sporadically) for the last, say, 5 months and it's been awesome. At first I thought it'd be tough but it turns out I have less to cover-up without all the crud on my skin than when I'd try to make my skin look perfect every day. Take that, Covergirl!

[7] I'm originally from Littleton, Colorado and would move back there in a heart beat. I moved to San Diego to go to school (what high school senior doesn't dream of life on the beach). Now I've absolutely loved living here and who doesn't love constant 70 degree weather all year but there's just something about home that's calling me back.

[8] It is extremely relaxing to have the bottoms of my feet slapped, don't ask why. For as long as I can remember my mom used to do this to my sister and I and I love it to this day.

[9] Getting into a bed that has fresh, clean sheets is something I really look forward to. If it wasn't such a hassle to wash everything and remake the bed I'd do it every day.

[10] I could listen to Christmas music all year long and never get tired of it. J on the other hand says Thanksgiving is too early. Thank goodness I have headphones :-)

[11] Every contact in my cell phone (minus my mom and fiance) has both first and last name included. Even the people who are extrememly obvious. I don't know when this started, possibly when I knew more than three people with the same first name but I've kept it up without question till now.

 [12] I love turning over a pillow and having it be cold on the other side.

[13] Socks are my enemy. I unconsciously take them off (especially in my sleep) and then wonder where they are or find them when I'm washing the sheets.

[14] I like boys names waaay better than girls names and I always have. Even when I was little and would imagine the coordinating names of all my pretend children with my pretend husband, I would always pick boy names first. Watch, J and I will only have girls years down the road!

[15] I am terrified of horses. And no I never had a tramatic experience with them, they just scare me.

I'm a bit behind on the 15 Day Challenge so my days may be off until I have a chance to catch up