Not your average Father's Day

Father's Day has always been a hard day for me.  With Social Media it proves even harder.  I've briefly touched on my family dynamic, but it is still a subject that is hard for me to write about. Every year during Father's Day, I get a little teary-eyed seeing all of the cute little "My dad is my hero" posts. Mostly because mine is far from that. 
I'm grateful that my Father is still alive, but this quote seems to put everything simply

My parents didn't separate until I was in 10th grade, but my dad emotionally left years before head physically left. He was working non-stop, traveling for business every week and then sleeping all day/night when he was home. I wished during the school years especially that I had a father like my friend's dads. They were there supporting them through Sports events, breakups, relationships, college decisions, etc. Mine was not.  I feel that girls learn invaluable lessons from their relationships with their Dads, whether good or bad. Instead of sulking about the day yesterday, I decided to take a look at the things I did end up learning from my Father.
I learned that parents are people too. I say this all the time now, but it was truly a changing point in my life. I always held my parents on a pedestal and could never understand why they would make mistakes. Until one day, I was so hurt by something and realized that Parents can make mistakes. It's okay in the end.
I learned that in addition to them being people, they'll need forgiveness. More importantly I'll need to be able to forgive. Between the ages of 15-20, I refused to forgive. It was just anger that was sitting inside of me. Forgiveness ultatimely hurts the person who can't let go.
(fave LC quote)

I learned to be passionate about work. Be proactive, responsible and successful. At the same time, never let it get in the way of your family.
I learned to always keep on learning. My father is a man who picks a project and masters it. Rebuilding a car, Playing the Banjo, Photography..you name it. He will find something he's interested in and pursue it to it's fullest.
Lastly... I learned that adultery can flat out ruin people. Be faithful in all relationships, hold on to those that are close to you. In the end, they are what matters most.
Case in Point:

Current Obsessions

The time I've been lacking in the blog land, I've definitely been making up in the Pinterest/Etsy/Anything with a Paypal land. It's dangerous really. Let's start with this impulse buy that I bought in .5 seconds last night.

For obvious reasons. I love wine, Jason loves whiskey, we both love Blake (and Miranda too) More importantly, it will be the perfect piece to our dining area. I've been looking for a fun print for years now.  I'm always "Currently Obsessed" with Tory. But this phone case is bringing it to a whole 'nother level. 

Then there are these little bad boys. Monograms, Mason Jars and Pink. Which pretty much means it was made for me. Try and tell me otherwise.

To fill time in between the times I'm not pulling out my wallet or "watching" sports, I've been dying over Greg Bennet's blog. Do y'all remember him from RHONJ? Can we get him back...please, Andy Cohen?

You should stop what you're doing right now and read it. You won't be sorry. GO NOW: http://www.greggybennett.com/ Oh, and for my #Backthatazzup Friday Jam today, I'm jamming to my girls Rosie and Sophia Grace (and Whitney!). Princess Swagger.             

Let's face it, I'm always late.

You guys are super jel. of my blogging tactics, right? I can't even make it to the darn Weekend link-up on time...and all I have to do is literally screenshot weekend pictures. So easy, yet so so hard. Well, fear not my friends...I'm here with pictures. {Cheese alert} Memday holds a special place in my lil' heart. It's the weekend (2 years ago!) that Jason said "Hey, what to deal with this for the rest of your life" and then I said "Heck ya" and that was that. Then we drank Fireball with friends. So, every year on memday weekend we celebrate our Engaged anniversary...with a Fireball shot at Tavern. It's a tradition that I don't ever want to break.

1. Starting the weekend off with a 2-4-1 wine at my favorite bar. The glass was filled to the rim and I was a happy girl. 2. The next morning we hung out by our pool, before heading over the local beach bar. Bailey is just catchin' some rays and showing off his new collar. 3. Mama made a Shrimp Boil.  4. Traditional Engagement Celebratory shots. 5. My lobster...in more ways than one. That man needs some sunscreen. 6. Pulling up to disappearing island. Best time ever. 7. Bails enjoying his first boat ride with me. 8. Jason had to get in on the action.  9. Bailey just relaxing, maxing and acting all cool - with his lifevest and budlight.  Entirely too many pictures of Bailey. But, hey...he makes a way better model than yours truly. Hope y'all had a wonderful Memorial Day. And let's not forget what it really is about. God bless our soliders.

Linking up with Ms. Shenanigans herself.

If I was a Celebrity for one day...

Remember that time I wrote a whole post one evening, went to go add pictures in and deleted the WHOLE thing? yeah, me neither. This week has been the literal definition of H-E-double hockey sticks. I want to just curl up into a ball and sleep it away. But instead, I daydream about what It would like to be young, famous and have a lot of money.

You know, a Celebrity. 

Here's what I would do if I were a Celebrity for one day.

1. Go to Rehab for Exhaustion.

Why isn't this a thing in the real world? I fit the criteria of exhaustion, how do I get into a swanky rehab facility to combat it. Maybe my homegirl, Lilo could assist me.

2. Have a live-in BFF/Assistant/Hair and Makeup-guru

This would be so fun. I would love to live with my BFF and have her along helping me with whatever I need. Also, I hate curling my hair. So on the BFF/Assistant/Hair and Makeup application there will definitely be a "rate your ability to curl hair" question.

3.  Have my own clothing line

I am not, by any means, a big fashion person. But I know what I like and what I don't. I also know that I can never ever find what I'm looking for in stores. Having my own clothing, handbag and shoe line would totally solve that. If Jess can do it, anyone can. 

4. Not stress about money.

Basically I would buy a ton and ton of Tory and Lilly stuff.

5. Charter a plane and take all my friends to Cabo.

I've been wanting to do this ever since the Laguna Beach days. Just bring a ton of friends along and have a fun week in the most ridiculous resort ever.

Sadly, this is the only gif I could find from that episode.

On a serious note, it's Friday. #BackthatAzzUp Friday at that.

Today I give you this gem about the life of a Celeb named Lucky!

Oh, yeah! That's right...I went on a Vacay

How dare I go on a vacay and not properly document it on my bloggity blog? What has gotten into me to forget such a crucial detail. We were in SanFran way back in March, for a few days. It was the perfect mix of Relaxation, touristy stuff and catching up with old friends. side note: who the heck knew I had some many friends out in California? not me! When we arrived in SF, my dad took me shopping in which I picked up my little Tory purse. I know I sound like a spoiled brat right about now...but let me assure you that he hasn't gifted me or even called to wish me HBD on a single birthday in the past 10 years. So this was HUGE.

After shopping, we headed across town to meet up with my Longtime BFF for the best pizza I've ever had in my life. I had no clue about the amazing pizza hotspot that is San Francisco, but holy amazingness. Exhausted from the cross country flight, we called it an early night and set off to grab some shut-eye before Wine Country (aka my Homeland)

We started out the day with a delicious breakfast at the Fremont Diner and then visiting three beautiful wineries. Take.me.back.now! Friday was my day of birth and I celebrated with Wendy and her workplace.

Yup, the good Ol' Googleplex. It was everything I dreamed up. It really was. People bowling, drinking, playing basketball and most of all eating. It was heaven in the form of a workplace. 
On Saturday, we meet up with Mrs. 5ohWifey and enjoyed the amazing Farmer's Market with some coffee and lunch on the pier. They were so nice to take us around Saturday and Ashley was SO KIND to wipe the bird poop off Jason as I was laughing too much to function. I miss you guys so much already! 

We wrapped up Saturday with the a stop at Giradellli and a night tour of Alcatraz. Which I HIGHLY recommend. The views from "The Rock" are magical and the history of the prison is just so awesome. 

On our last day on the west coast, Wendy was so kind to take us on her little personal tour of the city. Including the Full house painted ladies, Mrs. Doubtfire house, The palace of fine arts, taking us to dip our feet in the Pacific ocean and so much more. 

We had an amazing time and can't wait to go on our next adventure. 

Cause I've still got a little bit of Growing to do

I really thought that by the time I was 25 that I would have everything. Marriage, kids, successful job, big bucks...the works! I'm currently reporting from my 28th year and I can say that I currently have 1 1/2 of those things - Marriage and a Job.  Which means I still have some growing up to do.
When I grow up...
I'll own a house that was built specifically for us. I'll use my Pinterest board to work with our builder and he'll give me all of these

I'll have kids that dress like this with Dogs that look like this:

And Bailey too, of course.
One thing will stay the same, I'll have wine with my girlfriends when I can. But maybe then I'll be having Real Housewive's style dinner parties.

This saying will reign true:

And at the end of all of it...Jason and I will retire, move out to my Dream Beach house in New Smyrna (it's named Sandy Feet) and drink Miami Vice's every day.

hashtag dream over

Weekend by the Water

This weekend flew by. Jason's mom had a condo over at Port Canaveral for the week, we stopped by on Saturday to take advantage of the beautiful day. I spent my day floating down the lazy river and drinking Sangria from a bag. Class act, right here.

Living the life I tell ya!

We were supposed to head home on Sunday morning, but they wanted to take us out deep sea fishing. Ready for the shock of your life?

This florida girl, who's family owns a fish market has never been fishing.

Ever.

We took them up on this adventure and headed out Sunday morning to catch some fishy's.

All of the ones I caught were out of season, so we had to throw them back. It was still so much fun! That sunburn though, not so much fun. The Lazy river won that round. I'm ready for you Monday.