Lately

My friends, 

time has gotten away from me.

Or maybe it's writers block. 

I've sat with my laptop in this very spot many times in hopes of creating a post, any post. 

But alas my efforts have not been fruitful.

I undoubtedly have a handful of one paragraph posts that have gone unfinished for one reason or another. 

I have no excuse other than that I've been living in my moments. 

And unfortunately most of those moments have been away from this space. 

I still read your posts often and visit bloglovin during my free moments and I love seeing what everyone is doing and I often ask myself how you all do it. With full time jobs, kids/family, exercise, social commitments etc.

Sometimes I think we, as bloggers (not so much me right now), really are superhero's. 

I really do admire all of you who post everyday and really carve out so much time during your day to bring us posts that we undoubtedly enjoy reading over and over again.

Now I think it's time to give you a peak at what I've been up to lately

{Watching}

The Bachelorette and Shah's.

I think we all have a mouthful to say about the bachelorette so maybe I'll share that for another time.

And Shahs...oh how I have learned to love thee.

Do you all know that I'm half Persian? Well I am and when I heard chatter about this show I was excited. Then I started watching and was a bit horrified. And like everyone else you shares an ethnicity/nationality with Shahs, Kardashians, Jersey Shore, etc you just accept that this representation is not of all of "your" people so just let it be. I'll be honest Persians are crazy, literally the older I get the more I think that my family  and close relatives are the only normal ones. Maybe I should save this for another post as well. 

Point is I do love the drama of Shah's. I am Persian after all ;)

I love when they bust out in Farsi and I understand without reading the subtitles. And like any good reality show, I've been sucked in.

I'm excited to watch the reunion show tonight and equally sad that the season is coming to an end.

{Looking forward to}

Scott and I have planned a long weekend to Laguna in July and I can't wait for some beach days and some time off work. We are overdue for an actual vacation but until then this will have to do.

It may not be paradise, but it'll do for a much needed refresh. And since we were already talking about Shah's....

{Crafting/Working on}

A gallery wall for the living room. Home Goods was on point last weekend and I came home with a cart full of things for my wall. I think I'm still missing a couple of items, but I'm well on my way.

{Yard Projects}

Scott has done a great job with this little backyard of ours. Since moving in he has planted a lemon, lime, fig, pomegranate, nectarine and magnolia trees. He's also started a garden of cilanto, mint, basil, tomatoes, peppers and strawberries and everything is thriving in the backyard. It's really exciting to see all the fruits of his labor. 

We are also in the middle of laying pavers for a patio. Leveling a sloped backyard is no joke...we are waiting for our pavers to hopefully go on sale and then we start the fun part of laying the bricks.

{Feeling}

I was having a little bit of a slow down at work so it was nice to start working normal hours and not feeling completely stressed out. The next two weeks will not be that way. I have a ton of work to do this week and then I found out on Thursday that I need to go to Chicago this coming Sunday through Wednesday. Part fun and part work. There is an industry convention that I'll get to attend on Monday since I need to be in Chicago for meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. I'll take Chicago recommendations if you have them please.

That being said, I'm stressed about the flight. I fly quite a bit for work but most flights are under 2 hours and this one is 4 so its got me a bit worked up. My doctor has given me some Ativan so I'm sure that'll help if I feel like I need it. I don't normally take anything but I'd rather have it in case I need it.

I feel like this post has been a lot longer than I anticipated so thanks for hanging in there with me and  reading all the way through.
Cheers to a great week ahead.