PoPo's 76th Birthday!

It's no secret that my mom moving home has been life-changing.

For me, the kids, everything.

I never had a relationship with my grandparents, so I just don't know what it's like.

Steve spent a TON of time with his grandparents, getting spoiled, etc. 

We celebrated my mom's 76th birthday Sunday and it was lovely. Her birthday is on November 1st, but since I have a work function (Top 100 Event for work), we opted to do a Sunday family dinner. 

She wanted to do a prime rib and who can argue with that?

We got there around 3:30 so I could get the prime rib in the rotisserie. Steve did more yard work.

My sister and Rob also came over, so it was a nice family day for all of us. The weather was also nice, so that always makes things nicer! 

Me and mom took Ween for a short walk together while the food was cooking, so that was nice. 

Jennifer's birthday is next on November 19th! 

Then it's the holidays already. This year flew by! 

Busy Fall Weekend

I'm what I think you'd call an "Introverted Extrovert"

When I'm out and about, I can talk to anyone. I'm not shy by any means.

But, on the other hand, I much prefer to be home. 

Even though I want to stay in bed most days these days, I'm trying my hardest to keep things "normal" for the kids and keep busy.

They were super excited about their school's Fall Fest. We went last year with a couple of their friends. 

It was on Saturday and it got up to 75 degrees! It was an absolutely gorgeous day to have an outdoor festival for a bunch of kids dressed in costumes.

We walked around for a bit, played some games, bought some fruit from Ava's teacher's farm stand. I got them Shaved Iced cones. 

We are Bats this year! They were SWEATING, lol

red teeth from her Shaved Ice Cone

#sisters

The girls were going to be spending the night at my mom's house, so after Fall Fest, we headed over there. 

💓

The girls spent the night and then on Sunday we all had plans to go to Costco and then my mom invited us out to dinner also.

Steve and I got to wake up without kids Sunday morning and I didn't want to do anything but lay in bed. 

He convinced me to get up and go for a hike before heading to my mom's house. 

I'm glad he got me up and moving. 

It was good for my soul to get outside and do this  easy 1-mile hike. 

A couple of things to note here: The Ween did FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC on this hike. It was her very first one and having such short legs, I thought for sure she'd get tired quickly. 

After a slow start, she kept pace entire time. Never once breaking a sweat or panting. 

She's an athlete, I tell you. 

"So well-conditioned" I joked. 

The other thing is that it was good for me and Steve to go on this hike together. We needed it. We only ran into one other couple on the hike. We talked about a lot of things. 

When we got home, we had time to do the lawn (Steve) and for me to relax and get ready.

Once at mom's, we figured we'd use this time to get mom's house "ready for winter" if you will. We got new gas for the snowblower, got it working and running, and also cleaned up her yard of leaves.

Luckily Steve works very close to my mom's house so he can easily pop over when needed during the winter to take care of anything that needs attention. 

My sister works from home, so on very bad, snowy days, mom and Jennifer will just stay home and we will make it over there to dig them out at some point. 

I'm so grateful for my mom being in town again. I have never felt so "safe" as when my mom is home, especially now, for some reason. So we make sure Mom and Jennifer are always taken care of. 

Anyway.

After yard work and such, we headed over to Costco, The Asian Market and then to dinner!

I live for days like this.

Got the whole gang!

Look at how my mom looks at her. 💞

We had such a nice day and I have to say that we really, really needed it. 

It was nice. 

Steve thanked me for including him. I'm glad he got to enjoy it with us. 

Maybe there's hope. 

Just maybe. 

Working Out - 124 Weeks Into My Fitness Journey - Last Fitness Post Before The Summer Cut

You guys.

I know I'm always shocked that I've made it another 4 weeks! 

I cannot believe how much my entire life has changed in the last 124 weeks. 

Mostly for the better.

That being said, I've been pretty consistent over the last 2+ years and there's just not much to post about anymore.

Other than working on progressive overload and trying to work on my nutrition (abs are made in the kitchen!) I'm kind of at a plateau.

We're coming up on winter and everyone knows I just want to get under a big comfy blanket on my couch and watch movies all day.

I don't want to go off the rails too much, since I'm already feeling the effects of my emotional eating this last 6+ weeks.

I'm up about 4lbs - although I'm not that made about it. My body composition has changed so much, the weight goes to different places? Or it's not as noticeable in my problem areas? I'm not sure how that works of body recomp, but then regaining weight. I should look into that.

My jeans are a tad tighter.

The month of October was a lazier one, mostly due to work travel, my schedule and my emotional state. Oh, and the fact that I'm just fucking OLD now and things hurt.

I sprained? Twisted? My lower left back/upper/outer glute has been aching for a few days.

So I've been taking it easy on myself.

Maybe a little TOO easy.

I did, however, go on a hike instead. Just to get moving.

It was also 65 degrees and gorgeous. 

So even if I'm not lifting, I'm definitely going to try to be active another way. 

All The Halloweeny Things

We're doing all the things.

Even though my life is crumbling right before my eyes, I'm really trying hard not to show it in front of the girls.

I scored us ALDI pumpkins on sale! They were $3.49 each!

We tried using food coloring to make them more orange, but it was really faint. I was worried about too much coloring though...I didn't want it to taste weird. 

Decorating cupcakes with them will always be one of my favorite activities

They want to be Bats this year!

We have their Fall Fest at school this weekend and it's supposed to be 70 degrees! 

NACS Trade Show - Last Day! And Hanging with Steve's Ex Girlfriend

The last day of the show was a wash.

While it started earlier in the day, at 9:30 (previous days started at 11:30), it ended at 1pm.

I got there right around 9:30 and walked the floor a bit - mostly to gather any samples people were just throwing away at this point! No one wanted to ship their shit home.

There were no real people there - just booth personnel. 

my outfit for the last day. I had a little jacket on, too. 

Scored so much stuff! 

After I dropped my client off at the airport, my dad and I went out for some Pho. 

My dad also let me treat him to a bubble tea.

In high school I had a few friends whom I also worked with at a local bagel shop.

Funny thing is, is after I went off to college, Steve and Jess started dating. (She's the girl in the middle).

I picked her up every single day of my senior year for school. One of my fondest memories.

Then they dated for a bit while they were still in high school. 

We remained friends throughout the years. I was also friends with her older sister, Jennifer, who also worked at the bagel shop.

Then there is their cousin Jackie, who lived with them for a few years in high school. She also worked at the bagel shop with us, lol.

Good times, good times. 

So glad it's not weird.

💖

It was a week night, so I didn't want to take up too much of their time. I got to meet Jessica's two newest babies and we bonded over having an allergic, itchy baby. 

Such a good time was had, and her parents also moved out to Vegas a couple years ago - I grew up with these people, so it was SO nice to see them again! 

NACS Trade Show Day 3 + Hell's Kitchen (Monday)

Monday was another long day, followed by a client dinner.

Very cool to see what's new and upcoming. Lots of new flavors of classic favorites. 

This booth was directly across from one of my clients. Needless to say I picked up a few things. 

Would You Like An Upgrade?

This part deserves its own post.

I've been to Las Vegas several times. I don't want to say too many times to count...but it's up there. We used to go each year when my parents lived there. 

Each year, Steve and I would stay a night on the strip and do dinner or whatever. 

We've stayed at the Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, Trump (years ago, before we knew what a complete ASS he is).

Since this trip was a work trip first, and I was saving my company money by staying with my dad the entire time, I was allowed to stay at a hotel for a night. Whether it be for convenience when taking clients to dinner, or whatever.

I picked Bellagio and got a decent price for a standard king room. Maybe because I waited until close to the last minute. 

Anyway, after the most magical FIRST massage, it was time to check into the hotel and collapse into my bed. Both my client and I agreed - we just wanted to go back, melt into our beds and order room service.

It was around 8:30pm when I made it to the Bellagio.

I valeted the car, because, duh.

Walked in and walked to the counter to check in.

Immediately I was asked "would you like an upgrade, ma'am?"

I was tired, and so done after a long day and amazing massage...."sure, that sounds great"

But, then my real personality came out and I whispered "you know, the penthouse would be amazing..."

I didn't think he heard me, since he really didn't acknowledge me that much.

BUT.

BUTTT.

He's like "ok, ma'am, I got you the PENTHOUSE, 28th floor."

"Um, whatttt"

"I only paid for the standard king" (so stupid, he knows that).

"Right, but I upgraded you. I'm SO sorry I couldn't get you Fountain views"

"Ok, um, right...thank you?"

I didn't really believe that I got the penthouse????

So he tells me how to get to the elevators.

Shit.

They only go up to 26.

I'm on floor 28.

But then all these people come into the elevator with me.

I panic and can't get off.

So I go all the way up. 

Get off on the 26th floor and look around for a secret door or something.

Ok. Nothing.

I call the front desk (I feel so stupid at this point).

"Hi, I'm lost in your hotel. I'm supposed to be on floor 28, but the elevators only go up to 26"

"Ma'am? Just go back into the elevators and hit 28"

"Um...they only go up to 26"

"Please hold"

"Ma'am? OMG I'm SO SORRY, there are special elevators for suites - you got a nice upgrade, by the way! So go back down and find the suite elevators"

Ok.

Figured it out.

And Jesus Christ. 

Walking in the "front" door. 

Like, you guys.

Half bath on the right as soon as you walk in

Bar to the left. 

stop it....

Hallway with closets and sitting area

Going into one of the main bathrooms. 

Still main bath #1

Main bath (with shower) 

Nothing better than a TV in the mirror

Butt-ass naked under this cushy ass robe. About to order some room service.

Counting and organizing goodies

Yes, please

Strip view

And he said I wouldn't get fountain views!!!

ok, what's freaking cuter than this tiny toothpaste??

Dinner

Breakfast

Check out was at 11am so I soaked up every God Damn second. 

I set my alarm to wake up at 6am so I could really enjoy the room, lol. 

I really could not believe my luck.

I mean, I checked in late, it was just me. They hadn't booked it for the night. 

But holy fuck you guys.

What an experience.