Summer Escape from the City

Who's ready for weekend time?

I love summer weekends more than most. Have you ever heard that old song "Summertime Blues?" When I was younger, I never could understand it. How could anyone not like summertime?All of my summers were spent outdoors at the pool. All day every day. How could anyone ever be sad in the summer?

And then real life started. And I moved to a city. And every summer day wasn't spent at the Landing...

So now, whenever I can, I spend my weekends like this:

What are your weekend plans?

Underpants, Puppy Dog & A Love Affair

Today, I would like to encourage each and every one of you to take time to dance like a crazy person in your underpants.

Once you've done that, you're welcome to come back and hear my thoughts on a long distance love affair, summer, a golden-doodle named Lucy, and beach time.

Last weekend, we played on the beach. It was such a tease because it was just a teensy bit too chilly with the wind, but then the wind would die down and it was perfect. I'm craving summer with a vengeance. Check out these cute faces! I think Chris was over having his picture taken. Oh well :) 

I've fallen head over heels in love with Lucy. She's so snuggly and makes me laugh out loud when she bounds around trying to find her toys. 

Don't know about you, but I cannot wait until it's warm all the time and I can get some semblance of a tan again. Something about being so pale makes me feel unhealthy. 


I don't care how popular Twilight is - the whole reflective skin thing is not my style.

So when I started this whole long distance love affair, I wasn't sure what to think. At first, I didn't even know if I wanted a relationship. All I knew was there was this guy who made me ridiculously giddy. 

We started corresponding, 

and then hanging out, 

and pretty soon we were seeing each other every weekend. 

He is always game for an adventure of any sort, so since we were travelling to see each other every weekend, we started going on random trips. So far we've been to Nashville, Miami and New Orleans.

Any reasonable person, after realizing that this has turned into something, thinks through the logistics. 

1. You have three states between you and the person you're dating with no end to the distance in sight. 

2. You are in grad school and working full time (and at the beginning had a second job). 

3. He works 60+ hour weeks with potential "short term" assignments in foreign countries. 

How could this possibly work? Are we setting ourselves up for failure? 

Then you think through the reality of the situation:

1. You can't stop thinking about him. 

2. You smile every time you see his name light up your phone. 

3. You don't have time to start something new with someone during the week. Your only free time really is on the weekends. 

4. His only free time is on the weekends. 

5. For the first time in your life, you don't really care what anyone says about it. 

This just might work. 

And now, here we are. The weekends have become my escape from the craziness of juggling life and work and school. 

We go on fun dates.

We just hang out.

We laugh, and joke and play. 

And,

Yes, I have to do some homework on the weekends, but for the most part, it's our time.

No, at this point, there is no real end to the distance in sight. And we have our ups and downs, just like any relationship. 

But, I'm happy. 

I'm really, truly happy. 

The Little Things

This week, I'm linking up with Lindsay at Hello Hue to celebrate the little things. Scroll to the bottom for instructions on linking up!

This week I'm celebrating a birthday, the boy, bright sunshine, and a break from Baltimore.
Haha, sorry, I couldn't resist going with "B" words once I started!
So here we go!

Last weekend, I got to celebrate my little sister's 19th birthday with her! Every year, the 5ish year age difference becomes less and less!

Doing the distance dating thing can be a bit hard sometimes, but sweet messages like this make me so much happier. 

Not to mention, I now have proof that he might one day possibly consider doing yoga with me!

The sun decided to give me a bit of respite from the overcast angriness that's been lurking around Baltimore the past couple of days!

I leave for Cape May this afternoon! Looking forward to a relaxing weekend with lots of Lucy puppy playtime!







Grab my button and join the party! 



<center><a href="http://iridescentindigo.blogspot.com/2012/02/the-little-things.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dOtw7O_RGtk_N02rPvu1d35mLBYsTibjcs53tg1Uz2izlyRP4FKusmRTvZGhh8v3gVoKuPVRNzf3GGYAmh5AmtG5Hw5Z4xJ4xhoRSdczijIXUwoeJ48hCqwb7cM6Xh757wtXBgwM3Nk/s1600/Blog-Button-Little-Things.gif" /></a></center>
Don't forget to swing by Lindsay's blog to see the other Little Things this week!

Believe

Source: modernemotive.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Today, I'm a bit overwhelmed with everything I need to get done and the efforts I need to make for my future. 

However, I know that being overwhelmed is unproductive. 
All I need to do is break things down and take it 

One 

Thing 

At

A

Time

If I work hard and do everything I can, that's all I can do. 

Things will work out how they should. 

And, that's that. 

(Plus it is sunshiney and warm in Baltimore today!! Definitely puts me in a great mood!)


This weekend, Chris and I went on a walk along the new High Line Park. We saw these adorable little birds and soaked up the sun. Gives me hope that spring is on her way?

Welcome to Miami

Chris' buddies welcomed us to Miami on Friday evening. This was my first time meeting his friends from Miami and I was warned ahead of time that it might be a bit overwhelming, in the way that only a group of guys bro-ing out can be.

 I had nothing to worry about. 

They were a great time and treated me like gold the whole time I was there. 

We were woken up Saturday morning with summons to come out to the balcony. I jumped out of bed and scrambled for my camera. 

The guys had climbed from the second story balcony onto the roof above. 

Quite the early morning wake up call! 

Chris warned me that we might be in for a bit of a raucous weekend, but we didn't go to any bars while we were there. 

His buddy, Alex, had just gotten a gorgeous 42ft fishing boat and we spent most of our time out on the water. 

The sea was a bit rough, but I loved every second of it. We even encountered waves close to 8ft, but this boat handled it like a gem. 

Sunday evening, things were a bit calmer, and we took the boat to dinner in Miami. We pulled the boat up to the dock and ate amazing seafood on the porch overlooking the water. 

 I finally got a chance to see the "U"'s campus after hearing so much about Chris' college days! Don't get me wrong, St. Mary's was amazing and I loved every second of it, but the University of Miami has a definite resort feel. They took the fun that we had on the waterfront 3 months out of every school year, and extended it to the full year. This weekend was one of their coldest weekends, with lows in the high 40s and highs in the mid 70s. It was heaven. Can you imagine that much sunshine and warmth?! 

We went out kite fishing and were 0 for 2 on sailfish. The reel stopped working and the fish escaped. Chris did get a mackerel while we were bait fishing though!  

This boat flies - we went 60+ mph. 

Imagine sitting on the hood of your car and flying down the highway - add some better scenery and you've got it. 

Chris and I climbed (yes, you have to hold on for dear life and climb your way forward when you're going that fast!) our way forward to the bow and held onto the anchor line for stability. 

Exhilarating doesn't begin to describe the feeling. 

 As much as the guys care about fishing...I really - don't. It's nice, but it doesn't get me crazy excited, so just having time out on the water was so much fun. 

My favorite part of the whole weekend was Sunday morning out on the water. We only had 4 people on the boat including me and we cranked great tunes, had a few beers and soaked up the sun. I helped a bit with the fishing, but mostly just hung out.  The guys enjoy each other's company so much and it was a lot of fun to spend time with them.

All in all, I'm crossing my fingers for good weather next weekend. If the wind is right, we're going back for a boat trip to the Bahamas. 

Happier

Source: google.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Last night I took stock of my life. I looked at the things that were upsetting me and the things that were making me happy. Then, I took some steps to make some changes. Now, although nothing has dramatically changed, I feel significantly better about the small progress I made. Then again, I might just be happier because the sun is shining and I'm headed to Miami tomorrow :)

Source: absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

What are you doing this weekend? I'm dreaming of sunshine, sand, water, sundresses, bikinis, flops and sunnies... 

Also, a friend sent me a link to this promotion to create and send a free card! I just created mine and it was so easy and turned out really well if I do say so myself. Valentine's Day is coming up and even if you don't have a special someone, it's always fun to brighten someone's day with a random card! 

Breezy in Baltimore

 This evening, while Melissa and I were walking Remi, I noticed the neighbor's hibiscus. It was too perfect not to share. 

Things have cooled off significantly here. As nice as it is, I can't help thinking that summer is quickly coming to an end. The change of seasons is always fun for the first little bit. It makes me want to rush to my closet for my autumn clothes. All too soon, school will start, the county fair will be here, and I'll be crossing my fingers that we get an Indian Summer. Autumn brings great things like hurricanes. I know they cause a lot of destruction, but I can't help but be in total awe when they sweep through. There is nothing better than standing outdoors in the dead calm before a storm. Waiting and feeling the breeze pick up and then watching the clouds roll in and the rain come at you with total fury. I'll think of things like this to push back winter. 

Winter acts like it might be nice, teasing you with fun things like holidays and sledding, but really, it's all in an attempt to make you forget about February. The cruelest, grayest, most terrible of all months. The only thing that brightens February are the three birthday celebrations it brings to my family. 

Maybe I'm being a bit dramatic. It is only the end of August. I should put off thoughts of winter while I can and just enjoy the clear and pretty weather September will bring. It is almost the time of year where bundling up and building a bonfire is the best way to occupy an evening. 

For now, I'll grasp every last bit of summer. Escape town for a couple more weekends. Enjoy the neighbor's flowers and evenings like tonight on the roof. Soak up every last drop of sunshine I can. Focus on the now instead of later. If you haven't been outside today, go take a walk. It's absolutely perfect. Oh! and keep an eye out for Irene over the next couple of days- apparently, she's headed our direction.