Maine.

My iPhone software update currently says it'll take 6 hours to finish.

While I wait I'll tell you about our trip to Maine last month. 

We took Apollo because my heart broke at the thought of leaving her behind.

She loved the ride. She was a very good backseat driver and after about 5 minutes of keeping watch, she curled up and fell asleep for the rest of the ride.

It took hours... I think 4 to be exact.

 The trip was filled with nature, outdoor games, indoor board games, cooking, drinking, eating, shopping, walking, beading, talking, laughing, and the coastline.

We also took a boat ride around the lighthouse where we got engaged. :)

It was a beautiful weekend other than a little rain on Saturday.

It also marked my last weekend of summer break before I went back to work.

I'd love a weekend away now :)

Meanwhile my iPhone update still says 6 hours.

Hmm.

Woah, what happened to summer?

We've had some major changes in our little family in the past month. Yes, I'm aware it's been a month since the last time I blogged and I have to admit I didn't really think about it...

But I'll try to be back as much as possible though I'm sure you know life sometimes gets in the way.

Let's see:

I'll start with myself: I started my 4th year of teaching. It's busy and draining (in the most positive way, of course) and by the time I get home each night all I want to do is sit still. Literally, I don't even want to move my fingers to type.

I also turned another year older. And celebrated by going to my very first Zumba class. It's intense, guys. Seriously. 

As for the husband: Sean had surgery and was out of commission for way too long. He's doing much better now and I learned that I'm actually a pretty good nurse... who knew?

He also left his band which is a major change to our schedule, our social situations... and well, our way of life. But I know it just means a new door will open somewhere else.

As for the pet: Apollo spent her very first weekend away at a kitty condo. She had a blast in her window view condo and even made some friends. Well not really, she's pretty anti-social...

She also had a mini-birthday and turned 6 months old!

As for general life: we've been going to Ikea a lot (we bought a bed, nightstands, and a futon for our second bedroom), we've successfully paid off one whole credit card, we spent a weekend with family in Maine, I attended a wedding in New Hampshire, we've been with family and friends and each other and we've been planning all the wonderful things we'd like to do during Fall! We have a big list!

Let's play catch-up.

I've been busy. Let me tell ya...

Weddings. 

Amusement parks. 

Working on that tan. ha.

It's a rough life.

:)

Tomorrow, we're going to Maine for one last summer hurrah!

Sean is trying to convince me that just because I'm going back to work on Tuesday it doesn't mean summer is over.

Listen, if I'm back at work... let's just bundle up and call it winter. 

It's going to be here soon enough.

Anyway...

Apollo will be traveling with us to Maine.

3.5 hours.

Longer if there's traffic.

We haven't told her yet.

Hopefully all goes well.

:)

A Baby Girl.

My cousin, Lindsey, is having a baby girl. 

She's due in just six weeks! So, it was definitely time to celebrate with a shower!

When I was shopping for a gift I fell in love with all the frills, sparkles and tutus. Especially, the tutus. Because I really wanted one for myself, but am fully aware that it's probably not the norm for a person my age to walk around in a tutu, I KNEW my little baby second cousin (is that relationship correct?) needed one.

In addition to an outfit, that I secretly wanted for myself, I made & packed up some onesie cupcakes:

 and along with my mom gifted a diaper tricycle.

So adorable!

Niagara Falls, part two.

The second day we were in Niagara Falls started with a trip to Starbucks.

We had a busy day of the Maid of the Mist, Ripley's Believe it or not!, the wax museum, dinner at Canyon Creek, and a night at the Skylon Tower.

It was perfect.

:)

I'd recommend staying on the first floor of the boat that takes you INTO the falls. Legit.

I thought I was going to drown... a little.

Most people rushed to the top and to the front of the boat... but we stayed very close to the entrance and not only were we the first to get off at the end, but we could see everything.

I'd show a picture of me but I don't think my face had a smile at this point.

But his did :)

After we walked towards Clifton Hill... it's definitely a hill.

There's tons to do, inexpensive things or expensive things.

Lots of food choices, too.

If you bring yourself to Dairy Queen, it's different than it is here.

:)

Not bad, but different.

At the wax museum, Sean posed with Michael among others, and I had a chat with Oprah.

We were exhausted so we went back to the hotel to nap and get ready for our night.

And we finished the night 775 feet above ground. 

:)

Recommended. Definitely.

Niagara Falls.

A few weeks ago, Sean and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. 

We celebrated that day, of course, but also the following weekend when we drove to Niagara Falls in Ontario. It was quite the ride (about 8 hours) and when we got to the border we were harassed, literally, made to get out of our car and they tore it apart. There are still pieces that we haven't put back together because we're not sure where they even came from!

Once that was done, we checked into our hotel: The Tower which I would very much recommend. We were on the 29th floor. 

Here are some pictures from our first day:

We ate at Margaritaville.

Saw a crazy man successfully walk on a tight rope from the Skylon Tower to a hotel.

Walked a lot.

Saw the Falls (pretty hard to miss!) and acquainted ourselves with the area.

And saw the Friday night fireworks show over the Falls.

Very impressive.

A tornado?

We were in a tornado watch last night. What, Massachusetts?

Yeah.

So, I took responsibility and made our survival kit, in the bathroom, since I hear you're supposed to stay away from windows... and every other room in our loft has 7-8 foot windows.

Sean "assessed" our kit a little bit later, to which he said "I'd give you a 7 out of 10, for survival gear".

A 7?! Why's that, sir?

Apparently, I did well preparing Apollo -- carrier, blankets, toys, food = check!

Us, on the other hand... apparently you need to pack clean water... and the faucet can't count! So all three of us would be dehydrated!

Apparently, you're not supposed to pack salty snacks... like salted peanuts, ritz bitz and goldfish. Or that water we didn't pack becomes a bigger problem.

Oh, and all that technology I packed with us, you know the cell phones, the tablet, etc. Well, while I brought the chargers... none of the them were actually charged which apparently means they wouldn't work if the power went out!

What a learning experience.

I did pack a flashlight, though! And it actually works.

Luckily, nothing happened.

But let's face it: better safe than sorry.

Now, I have to put everything back where it belongs.

Maybe I'll do that later...

Oh, motivation.

via.

That's how I feel about two things... specifically.

1. exercising

&

2. sticking to a budget

Ugh.

It's been a really long time.

How ya been? Enjoying the hot weather? I mostly stay inside in the AC unless I have to go to the grocery store or run some other errand. Occasionally, I just tell myself it'll be fine if I just stay home... with the shades closed. We're not starving yet.

I kind of forgot I had a blog. Legit. And ya know... it was kind of nice. But I think I'm back in it. It's been so long that I actually have things I could blog about. Exciting, I know. I can feel your anticipation.

:)

I'll start at the beginning of what you missed in my life. I wouldn't want you to miss a play-by-play.

I went to California.

And enjoyed the weather.

And hung out with this Great Dane.

And helped to make this fabric ball.

And of course, attended a wonderful baby shower...

Which I will post about tomorrow!

Week 2 of summer

Apollo and I have officially started week 2 of summer vacation. 

Our goals are coming around quite nicely.

- Travel to CA. (I leave on Wednesday)

- Attend 2 baby showers, 1 bridal shower, and 1 wedding.

- Blog at least 4 times a week. (so far so good!)

- Celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary.

- Go zip-lining.

- Exercise at least 3 times a week.

- Keep the house neat and clean. (so far so good!)

- Go to the beach at least once.

- Go grocery shopping regularly. (so far so good!)

- Cook more & eat out less. (so far so good!)

- Watch Will & Grace, Full House, Step by Step, Boy Meets World and all the other shows played during daytime tv. (so far so good!)

- Finish the Hunger Game series.

- Read at least 5 books.

- Continue checking off things on my list of 101 in 1001. 

This past weekend, we were busy! Which meant we were not on a proper schedule and did not follow our routine with the kitten. This made for a very exhausted kitty come Monday morning:

It took her all of Monday to recover.

Literally. 

Goals for summer.

Today is my first official day of summer. 

It's so nice to wake up without an alarm clock!

Here's a list of summer plans & goals:

- Train Apollo to stay off tables and counters.

- Travel to CA.

- Attend 2 baby showers, 1 bridal shower, and 1 wedding.

- Blog at least 4 times a week.

- Celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary.

- Go zip-lining.

- Exercise at least 3 times a week.

- Keep the house neat and clean.

- Go to the beach at least once.

- Go grocery shopping regularly.

- Cook more & eat out less.

- Watch Will & Grace, Full House, Step by Step, Boy Meets World and all the other shows played during daytime tv.

- Finish the Hunger Game series.

- Read at least 5 books.

- Continue checking off things on my list of 101 in 1001. 

:)