San Francisco

I got back from San Francisco Sunday night and promised myself I would document the trip before life gets away from me. My dear friend moved out west beginning of this year and I was really wanting to get out there to visit. Lucky for me, my friend hooked me up big time with some perks of her new job and a trip west was planned.


I arrived Friday and we walked down by the pier and wharf to eat so delicious Mexican. It was freezing, at least to me. I am used to the STL summer heat not 60 degrees with a chilly breeze of the bay. We picked up some ice cream and headed back to her apartment. I know I was freezing but I really wanted ice cream. 

Bay Bridge

The Wharf

Coldstone

Saturday we headed out for some morning java and boarded the San Francisco street car. I love doing touristy stuff. We took the trolley across town to Union Square where we did some shopping. Then we had lunch at The Rotunda at Nieman Marcus with my Aunt, Uncle, and cousin. I'm not going to lie here, I felt pretty out of my element. I've never been a lunch so fancy. I enjoyed it though the food was delicious and the view couldn't have been better. From there we bummed a ride from my fam back to the apartment.

Riding the Street Car

Hanging Out

Shopping at Sephora

Because I LOVE baseball so much we headed down to AT&T Park to watch the world champion Giants take on the Houston Astros. No, actually we went because my friend's mom got her stellar tickets to the game. To top it all off, my cousin works for the Giants and just so happened to get us on the field at the tail end of batting practice. 

Friends

Family

View From My Seat

We ate well, got plenty of exercise, and I even got to visit family. Looking forward to going back next year for a friendly Cards/Giants game. And if you are wondering, I only packed stripes. I'm not sure what that was about. I guess I'm jumping on that wagon.

What He Is Thinking

Hey, guess what I see when I look to my left? My future hubby's gorgeous blue eyes. I can't tell you how long we've talked about our perfect set up and today we begin the journey. It's so nice to look over in the next room and seeing him chilling on the couch.


 If I had to guess what is going on in his mind its something like this...


"I'm so glad to be out of the city of Memphis. We had some good times but for real, I'm glad to be gone. No looking back. Now instead of hanging out with two dudes that I already spend enough time with, I get to spend time with my beautiful lady. Not only that, I get to eat some home cooking. My future mother-in-law loves to spoil me. No seriously I didn't even do anything and she just loves to cook for me. One time she sent me a cheesecake in Lauren's checked bagged. Ha. I'm not really sure what the next month is going to be like living with my fiancee and her parents, can't be that bad right? I reckon that's not my biggest concern at the moment, I have to pitch to Prince Fielder Thursday and the rest of the Brewers. At least I have a comfy bed. I wonder what they are going to cook me for breakfast? Maybe some chocolate syrup and biscuits, dang I'm gone eat real good here...."


Yep I think that's probably exactly what he's thinking. 

Busy and Blessed

I keep whining and groaning that I have such a busy week. I'M SORRY for the negative attitude. A lot of things are culminating and it's somewhat weighing on me. 


Wedding: Uh... yeah. I am the worst wedding planner. Ever. But my bridesmaids have ordered dresses (yeah that's plural he he) and mother of the bride has a dress and well, that's the extent of recent progress. 


September Call Ups: Brandon has been recalled by the Cardinals and will be joining the team on Thursday for his first big league start. This means he will be joining ME here in STL for the remainder of the month. I am thrilled beyond words! We have talked about this arrangement for quite some time. He will hopefully be able to help me make some progress planning. Just him being here is going to help a ton. This resulted in needing to do some pretty hefty house keeping for our guest. Thankfully I got home from work this evening to this already taken care of for me. Seriously, thanks MOM!


Family Health: Brandon's grandfather is currently in the hospital with several health issues. He was in the hospital the first time BD got called up and had a successful surgery and very positive recovery. As of late, things have taken a different turn and a few other issues have arose. It makes it even harder that neither Brandon or I can be with him during this time. We are needing lots and lots of prayers for him, please and thank you.


Work/Blog: I have a vinyl order I need to get cut and delivered. No biggy, that will be done in an hour. I'm participating in a giveaway for another blog next week and in the mean time, I am trying to prepare and get product photos taken for the future Etsy shop and not let my blog, that I feel is finally starting to take shape, fall apart. 


Oh yeah did I mention my dad wants to road trip to Milwaukee for the game Thursday... guess I will just have to be productive in the car. Time to embrace and be thankful for the busy and blessed days ahead.

Matthew 6:34 

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

Up in the Air

I had an amazing trip. Glad to be home. This week is going to be the beginning of a whirlwind of the next ten weeks!!! I will look at these pics and remember the peace they brought me this weekend and use this to remind me of that through the upcoming blessed chaos.

Hope y'all had a great weekend!

Weekend Getaway

I'm headed to San Fran peoples! Have a good weekend...

Google Images

Pay It Forward

We want what we can't have. Everyone does it. It just happens. The boy that isn't single. The food on the diet. The curly hair if it is straight. The straight hair if it is curly. If someone tells you not to think about how far off the ground you are when your about to sky dive what do you think about? How stinking high in the air you are, duh! It is what it is. I said I'd cut back blogging. But. I. Just. Can't.


I have a fun little story I want to share. 


Today I loaded the kids into the car. Swimsuits. Towels. Snacks. Drinks. Sunscreen. I'd say a good twenty minute process.

We went to the pool on this sweltering hot day for a swim but....we found this unlucky fellow.

We left. Attempted the city pool with no success, weekends only. Plan B or C I suppose. Ice cream.

The end. Almost.

[Have you ever read one of those stories where a woman is in line at the grocery store and she goes to pay and realizes that she is either short on cash, forgot her wallet, or credit card gets denied. Then from behind a kindhearted person offers to help pay the shortage or even the whole tab. Well if you've never heard a story like that one listen up.]


We proceed into the ice cream shop to order two small bowls of chocolate ice cream and a strawberry cheescake cone.  I pull out my wallet and debit card and the young clerk replies, " I'm sorry we only take cash."  I know for sure I have cash in the car but the question is how do I  go get it without disturbing two children who just started in on ice cream and not make the three customers that just walked in have to wait for me. I can't leave them and taking them back outside isn't really an option. So we sit and I decided when we were finished I will bring the money back inside. 


I never had time for that. The older gentleman behind us turned to me and said, " I got it." I told him I had cash in the car it wasn't a problem and he insisted. Thanks man! Seriously I almost started crying because I was SO grateful he just saved me more hassle than he knew. I know it was just six bucks but to me it felt like a hundred. 


What if we all took the time and effort and maybe a few dollars to save someone else some hassle. Is it really that hard? The world would be such a better place. Keep your eyes and ears out for these opportunities and I promise they will be there. Pay it forward. The end. 


If you can't get enough of me here, which I'm sure you do, you can find me on Twitter @larnlevy. It is my new found love and I can't get enough of it even if I'm a little behind with the times. Tweet tweet. 


Also--- I believe I will be sponsoring a blog in the month of September (woot woot) and I think she will be doing a giveaway VERY SOON with something that yours truly has created, but I'll keep you posted as I get more info. Now quit thinking about it, or don't :)


Sheesh you still want more? Go check out this saweet giveaway at Tatertots & Jello. I'm slightly obsessed with the tote bags made by Kellie over at Nest of Posies. My favorite are the athletic team bags perfect for game days! 


Alright I'm done ranting so go on and get outta here!

Fall Means

My posts may become a little less frequent. I feel guilty for not using any free second I have either working on new pieces for my shop or planning our wedding. Don't get me wrong I wish I could stay up until three in the morning and still function for ten hours the next day with two toddlers begging for my attention, but I can't. I've tried.


Anyway I was getting the itch for fall to get here with cooler days, but before that happens for good, a heat advisory is in effect for tomorrow. Even more reason to look ahead to wonderful fall days.


When fall does start appearing I will be ready because:


Fall means gorgeous colors and weather.
Fall means wearing jeans and boots.
Fall means college football Saturday and NFL Sundays.
Fall means its okay to drink hot coffee again.
Fall means another summer and ball season have passed.
Fall means bonfires and hayrides.
Fall means sweaters and jackets.
This year, Fall means I become a wife.