Tradition!

Carrie and I have this thing that we do now where we make a crazy trek through hell and high-water to see Beyonce. We've done it twice now and though it's crazy, it is also awesome.

Ivy Park Subway Selfie

20,000 feet in the air

All hail Queen Bey!

Too Old for This Sh*t?

College theatre buddy, Joe Pug, played at Cat's Cradle last night in Carrboro. We usually try to go and see him when he's in town (we saw him twice in Oregon!), even if it is a Wednesday night.  However, being a near 34 year old working woman, I've decided that shows on a school night, especially a rainy one, are a "no go" from here on out. 

Unless, it's Beyonce.

Or unless I forget that I said this, buy tickets to a show and then remember after the fact that we are in fact too old for this.

Horsefeathers guy playing a violin and a saw!

Joe Pug doing his thing

The other fun thing from the weekend

Baby shower, good friends, and dumplings!

Just Like Old Times

Marissa is in town this weekend for her baby shower (whaaaaattt????!?!?) and we rounded up some of the old school Holt crew to celebrate Friday night just like how we used to do. Some of the new school Holt peeps joined us as well and it was just right. Love Marissa and love these people!

Why is Everyone Trying to Sell Me Stuff?

Every time I look on Facebook (which I shouldn't do anyway because Facebook is the devil but I can't seem to stop) another person is advertising another thing that they are selling privately as their new amazing career.  Deals, kickbacks, job flexibility! Somehow everyone is making billions of dollars off this stuff without having to work at all.  Long gone are the days of Mary Kay and Tupperware parties, now you can pretty much get anything you want from these "independent sales representatives" who are your "friends" on Facebook: skincare, vitamins, jewelry, clothing, even sex toys!  I might be crazy, but I don't trust any of it. Not one bit. They all seem like a bunch of pyramid schemes to me.  And the scariest thing is that these aren't just random people trying to sell me this stuff. These are normal people, dare I say "friends", who I thought wouldn't ever be the type to get themselves wrapped up in some kind of pyramid scheme/weird business venture. But, who am I to judge? Maybe they really are making money, maybe the stuff is legit, maybe I need to get in on it myself...

I'm Coming For You, Bey

The Charlotte Observer headline read "Beyonce turns storm-interrupted show into something beautiful".
I'm sure she did, Charlotte Observer, I'm sure she did. #lemonade #slay

If you don't know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE Beyonce, then you don't truly know me. It was all I could do to not say "F-it" to our newly established budget and purchase a last minute ticket to the show in Raleigh last night. Instead, I will have to wait until June 7th, when I got to New York and see her with my trinity sisters, which will be well worth the wait. Carrie, Bekah, and I will be in Formation for damn sure,

Precious Moments

Great Minds Think Alike...and so do theirs

It's a special thing when your best sister-friends can get along with your man and have a great conversation no problem,

It's even better when the sister-friend and the hubby can share a beer and laugh at how crazy they both are and make fun of the other sister-friend/wifey for being the polar opposite to their anxiety.

Running Career Back on Track

You can't imagine how good it feels to run a half marathon in your hometown on a beautiful, sunny Sunday morning in October after you haven't done a race in over year, especially after you only ran 8.8 miles for your longest training run.

It feels pretty great.

This was such a spectacular race. I might even say best half marathon ever. Not only was it fun and lovely and all that, but it was extremely well organized. I'd definitely do it again. Maybe I'll even make it an annual thing.

Lucky Number 1108

About to cross the finish line with Lena

Clock time 2:24:21, Chip Time 2:21:03

We did it!

Yay! I'm back!

Next up, an old favorite: The Gallop N' Gorge 8k for Thanksgiving!

Linda's

Or "the place where we used to get drunk on cheap beer in college and then again in grad school".

It's still very much the same.

It us us who are different because now we drink cheap wine instead of cheap beer and get called "mam".

We're so mature.

And this guy comes along:

Love them.

Just passing through

I love having visitors! It gives me the opportunity to utilize our guest room, lay out clean towels, and go out on a school night showing the things to show.

Last weekend, I got the opportunity to host these lil' ladies who were passing through NC on their cross country road trip from Oregon.  They are 24 and shiny...just wee babes trying to figure out what to do with their lives. Hearing about their trip reminds me of the Trinity road trip that Bekah and Carrie and I took all so long ago...

These lil' sunflowers

And speaking of Bekah...Thursday I get to host her and her manfriend as they make their way to Bekah's bro's wedding.

Cheers, guys! Cant wait to see you!

Yay for passing through and crashing on our guest bed!

The last time I dr(o)(i)ve across the United States

This guy is a delight in the car

The Open Road

What a good freind!

Yes, dogs, this is the last time. We promise...

Utaaaaahhhh...Still my favorite state to drive through

I mean, really. I took this photo outside of a sketchy gas station/casino and it's still beautiful.

Lovely sunset on Salt Lake

Home. The first beautiful thing after Utah.

:)

Visitors

This week Jessica and Bryce came for a visit and though it was slightly stressful to think that a week of what should be packing was to be spent as a week of hosting, I can't think of a better way to spend my last week in Oregon. Guests force you to get out and do stuff, to enjoy the place and everything that makes you like it. This is just what we did.

Not pictured: copious amount of food and beer, 2 cookouts, a rousing game of Mind Meld, a trip to Dexter, Portland eats, river floating, and the large collection of pint glasses acquired by Jessica and Bryce.

Just a Little Camping Trip

I'm beginning to feel a bit like Jack Kerouac as its been well over a week since I've been "home", which at this point "what really is home?" since I'm moving in 2 weeks.

Upon returning to Oregon, Jason, Nate, Chloe and I set out on a little weekend camping adventure at Timothy Lake, near Mt. Hood.

Timothy Lake

Our Tent and Jason: we've got camping down at this point. Our little tent, our blow-up camping pads, and our double flannel sleeping back make sleeping a tent muy enjoyable.

A selfie, a tent, a walking stick

Jason carving sticks for smores

Sunset on Timothy Lake

Pretty Colors

Nate and Jason play ukulele by lantern light

Burnt mallow

We did a nice little 6 mile hike in the Mt. Hood wilderness area on Elk Meadows Trail

Pretty hike scenery

The crew

Me on a bridge

Dangerous crossing!

Don't fall in, Chloe!

Little Crater Lake

Quesadilla game on fleek

Sleeping good in the tent

Breakfast Tacos!