When is a vacation not a vacation?

So I took this little "vacation" to see my parents two weeks ago.  I got to thinking "this doesn't really feel like vacation", which led into "if I'm off work, why doesn't this feel like a vacation"?  Here are some possible reasons why and of course super cute pics of what I did while I was away from you!

1.  When you have more things to fit in a week and no time-turner available because Hermione borrowed it and never gave it back! 

Not a HP fan?  google it.  Ok, so every time I leave this "paradise" as people call it, I've got a MILLION things that I have on my "to-do" list.  If you've ever read my Cordovaisms Vol. 1 or Vol. 2 you can see that there isn't any shopping here and we are a very secluded little town.  Lovely?  Yes.  Control my shopping?  Yes.  Me likey?  NO.  Naturally, when my parents offered to fly me down for my birthday present I was ecstatic to see them and to do a million things I don't get to do up here.  Enter not feeling like a vacation.  We were running around like crazy people going from store to store trying to buy the entire world the things I needed.  These things included but were by no means limited to: candles (to last until Spring flavors are needed), fall/winter outfits, fun work shoes (Cordova likes to EAT shoes- I'll expand later.) and decorations.  It was like a gun went off the first morning I was there and the race didn't end until the morning I left.  Exhausting.

2.  When you stay with family.

I love you... like a lot.  But there is just something about going back to your hotel room with a freshly turned down bed and hearing- wait for it- nothing.  Also, my dear Mother LOVES to wake me up.  I'm pretty sure it's one of her favorite things, ever.

3.  When said family gets a new puppy.

It's like staying with a person who just had a newborn... super cute, tons of work.  I, myself, had my baby fever checked after staying with the newest member of the family.  Holy biting, needy, peeing, crazy excited little monster.  Did I already say I'm pretty sure my Mom is trying to replace me with a puppy?  Yeah, that happened.  Oh, and regarding the above wake up calls, a 30lb 4mo old bulldog puppy jumping on your head and biting your hair- is not making my favorites list.  Being with this puppy made me A) appreciate my almost 7yr old pug and B)gave me a serious reality check on the ticking clock in my uterus.  tmi?  Nah!

4.  When you constantly eat out.

Hold the phone.  You're telling me that eating out doesn't make you feel like you're on vacation?  Why yes, that's exactly what I'm saying.  While eating out is an integral part of vacation, trying to cram every single food that you don't get in your tiny Alaskan town in your face in 8 days is not enjoyable in hindsight.  Please refer to number one.  I had... pizza, thai (no, I actually never got thai, damn!), sushi, Luna (awesome restaurant), Fro you like 16 times, P.F. Changs, breakfast restaurants, Five Guys Burgers, sandwich shop goodies, Starbucks- duh and the list goes on and on...  Needless to say I came back with 5lbs of lovin.  Totally worth it. 

However, can we talk about the day I DID feel total bliss?  My Mom surprised me with a massage and facial at the Coeur D'alene Spa & Resort.  I have never had a facial before and let me tell you, just between you and me, it's heaven.  You should go get one.  Like now.  We spent 4 hours at the spa and then had an amazing dinner at the resort restaurant.  It was so peaceful, relaxing and later indulgent with the ice cream sundae that it felt like my birthday all over again.  That was exactly what I had wanted.

Here are some of the super fun pics I took on with my family.  Love these people!!

I'm not sure if it's because I'm getting old and "going home" has a different feel or if it's the adult in me feeling weird, but something was different.  I love my family and am SO excited that I was able to see them (last time was for wedding festivities a year ago).  I can't wait to be closer to them but I won't be shocked at these new feelings I have next time.  Next time, I'll be ready for the grown up Annalee's needs and make sure to plan accordingly!  Maybe a Husband in tow would've helped too!  We'll see!

As you get older does "going home" mean something different to you?    

Until next time...   

Rest, relax and renew

I'm on vacation until next week!  While I'm spending time with my family and getting my shop on down in the "lower 48", you can run around and check out all the great stuff on the blog!  I'll see you next week blogging beauties!

Until next time...

Lions, Tigers and Thirties- Oh my!

Monday, September 23: A "life lately" post. What you're up to, how you're feeling, how you're doing on your goals, etc. Bonus points for great photos!

This is a foot loose and fancy free kind of topic!  Well, if you follow along on this little piece of bloggy heaven you know pretty much what I've been up to as I am an over-sharer keep you well informed!  Things have been rocking an rolling lately with no plans to slow this crazy train down!

      

      

I welcomed a new decade into my life on Saturday!  While the day itself was less than stellar, I had an AH-mazing not so surprise party that I won't forget, like ever!  Everyone dawned their best redneck attire and had a little hoe down in my honor.  #notjustagardentool The CG has this sweet little community center that my amazing friends/husband commandeered and turned into the classiest little redneck haven!  I walked up the stairs to mason jars lit with candles into a room that sparkled from the red solo cup & PBR garland (which my brother-in-law and his friends were so helpful to empty the cans)!  There was a gorgeous espresso/chocolate cake, pennant flags with my name, a food table full of amazingness, apple pie moonshine that would knock Uncle Si on his rump and about 20 amazing friends all there to celebrate moi!  My friends and hubby went above and beyond to create the most amazing party and I am so thankful!  Well, my liver wasn't super thankful but whatevs!

I was lucky to cross off one thing from my 35x35 list this past weekend.  I didn't drink for a whole month!  Why, do you ask?  You lush!  Because I've made a commitment to make a change in my life.  While you may not believe me because of the debauchery mentioned above, I assure it's true.  I've been doing the Advocare 24 day challenge which just so happened to conveniently end on my Bday!  Genious, why yes I am!  On this challenge you eat certain things, drink a crap ton of water and take more supplements that most 85yr olds.  I'm happy to say that I now drink a gallon of water a day, pee more than a racehorse and can be an official pill popper- tmi?  I think not!  I feel better than ever and will be starting a new cycle of the challenge TODAY!  Yeay!  My liver is super thankful!



I've decided that one job just isn't enough and I really don't like to sleep or seeing my husband, (kidding Honey) so I've taken on two more positions within the school that I work for.  What school, you ask?  Nonya.  Some of you know me personally and some don't but I'm not quite ready for celebrity status yet so I'll just be super vauge because I know you love it. #especiallyonfacebook  I took a Student Council Adviser job at our HS and am seriously excited!  My other fun position is Varsity Cheerleading Coach so I thought these two kind of went hand in hand.  I'm ALL about school spirit and don't care how many prepubescent teens think I'm cray cray!  Call me crazy or delusional but I'm excited!  #heavenhelpthesekids



I am T-minus 5 days away from seeing my Mommy!  Yes, I am a 30yr old grown woman and I just said Mommy.  When you haven't seen your Mom in almost a year- her name is now Mommy and I will run into her arms probably crying when I see her.  Quit with your judging eyes, you would too.  Stop lying.  Anywho... this trip also brings shopping opportunities, spa days, trips down memory lane and a week filled with mother/daughter amazingness.  Oh yeah, I'll see my Dad and Bro too- but they can't get mani/pedis so it's just different, HA!  Being all the way in the Last Frontier has made me reflect and appreciate my family SO much more.  They're crazy, there's no denying that, and I'm pretty sure my Mom has tried to replace me with her new dog #noreally, but I love and miss them and wouldn't trade them for the world- well... unless there was someone super rich that wanted split custody!  Wait, is that Prada calling?


That's a little update on me, what's up with you!?  Tell me everything!  Have you ever done the 24day challenge?  Did you liver want to strangle you this weekend?

Until next time...