Aunt Carrie Visit

Well, I may have just gotten back from my Phoenix trip last night, but that doesn't mean I'm not up for more adventure today! I like to jam pack my free time. That, and I am definitely starting to feel a crunch before I am once again moving.

Today I had the privilege of visiting with my Aunt Carrie and my cousin's son, Henry! It was so fun to show them around Redlands a little bit.

Prospect Park is always a fun choice for pretty much anyone. It was a beautiful day and we just took it easy and strolled around. I got a little sad though, realizing that with so much going on, it might be my last time at my favorite place in Redlands. Views like this make it hard to beat.

Palms and orange groves = Redlands.

 

Palm trees = Redlands. 

Henry and I hung out in the middle of this bamboo forest, but he wasn't too sure about Carrie's attempts to scare him through the shoots.

Carrie, being the awesome aunt she is, treated me to lunch at Five Guys where I learned that Henry loves ketchup and smashing peanuts (eating them- not so much). Still, he made less of a mess with the peanuts than most customers there.

The day was packed with parks and playing playing playing. I forgot how much energy a three year old has, and I'm not sure who was more worn out at the end of the day.

 





 
We went to a park by the University of Redlands and played there too! I learned that Henry loves the show "Paw Patrol."



He does this thing from the show where he (literally) sniffs out "tracks" and follows them to solve the mystery. I could not stop cracking as he hunched over shuffling and sniffing for tracks. He is so great!

We also took some time to cool off inside and read some books.



Henry loved racing me around the play ground and asking for my help climbing the small rock wall at my apartment complex. He is a super brave kid with a big personality. Somehow I still managed to visit with Carrie too. She is such an incredible person and I look up to her so much. I am so lucky that she had the time to come visit.

Ross came home early and outdoing herself yet again, Carrie treated us to dinner at Panera. Before long she had to head home with sleepy Henry in tow. I am so glad she made the trip out to see me in my natural habit, it was a special day and made me think a little too much about how much I am going to miss all this when I leave.

Senior Citizens' Guide to Punk Concerts

You're getting old. And that's okay. But someone needs to tell you things aren't working like they used to.

That's me. You're welcome. 

Although you are aging, that doesn't mean that you can no longer have fun. Let's say, you find a magical punk rock line-up in a venue about 20 minutes from your location. You should definitely go. But not without some advice. Remember, you're not the young gun you were at Warped Tour '97. 

Blue skies, dirt, and marijuana-heavy air, it's festival time!

BEFORE YOU GO: 

• What to wear. You may not fit your Reel Big Fish t shirt from high school but go ahead and squeeze into your record store shirt from college, if you'd like. Don't worry about what you wear. You're a punk. You do what you want. A little extra eyeliner won't hurt though. 

I realize I look about 16 in this selfie, but you should still listen to my advice

• Take your meds. Your heart meds, your thyroid tablets, your allergy pills. Take an extra one of those cos you know there will be black boogers for days if you're anywhere near that circle pit. You're likely to get sore muscles from standing and rocking out. And a headache from the loud music. Extended release pain killers are your friend. 

AT THE VENUE: 

• Yeah you're a punk. But even punks gotta follow rules to get in to the venue. Read the FAQ and understand what you can take in. But know that you are never too old for slight of hand. If the caps need to be off your water bottles in order to be brought in, do it. But hide those caps because you can't afford to buy new bottles inside. You never actually grew up and got a real job so you gotta make the money from your desk job last. 

It's not punk without pot! Feel free to take the kiddos to the kiddie section with carnie games and over-sized inflatables. 

Or just throw them on your shoulders and rock out!

• Sunscreen. You've probably already had a skin cancer scare by now so you know how important it is to take care. Sunscreen every hour, or two sets, depending on the sun strength. Don't forget your bald/ balding spot. Though you'll fare best with a hat. 

• The nice thing about being old and fat is that you no long have to worry about the young guns taking you medium or small merch. Relax! Your XXXL shirts will still be there after the show. But be warned that kids these days are really getting in to vinyl so if you need records look out for those first. 

GREEN MEANS GO: 

You're all sunscreen'd up, your chucks are remembering these bless'd days. You made it through security and you are here. Now: 

• Know your limits. I'm sure you used to be a hardcore mosher. But you might want to consult with your physician before participating. But also rest assured there will always be someone younger, also probably someone fatter and drunker than you in the pit. You could probably split the difference and be just fine. Start with a light ska song like Fishbone. If you fall, there will always be a hand to pick you up, and a lot less 'bows than an Anti-Flag circle pit. Work your way up. 

Sweaty skaning tattos and hazy dirty circle pit air

• Take breaks. Don't push it. No one here judges you.

Sunscreen in your eyes, filthy sweat. Are we having fun yet?!

• So sit down and work your way into that shade the port-a-potties provide. You need it. Grab some TP from the the Less Than Jake show as it shoots out of a jimmy-rigged leaf blower. You never know when you might need some. 

• Take pictures. With your recent changes in, um... memory recollection, it will help you remember all the fantastic bands you saw. 

Bouncing Souls, Goldfinger, Fishbone, Reel Big Fish, Less Than Jake!

• But after a few, put that camera away and just ROCK OUT! -You've still got it! (sorta)

AFTERCARE.

There was a time you could drag your semi dead half-wasted body home and be cool by 9am the next day. That day is no more. Throw on that ultra sick, newly pressed and re-released, $10-bin-find, favorite album (maybe ever), vinyl and just be cool. You made it. And it was way worth it. 

BoWA #4

"Life is too short so love the one you got"

Thanks for the reminder Sublime. September is zooming by and it is times like this when I realize that life is made up a million little things that make you happy.

#1 Like when Ross packed my lunch and put this cute little dino in there. So stupid- but it made me smile all day.

#2 Or like any time Ross wears a suit. All of his residency applications are out there now, so we figured we should go get him some new suits. That way he can look super sharp for those interviews. Jos A Bank always has great sales and Ross is a huge fan so we went ahead and hooked it all up. 

#3 Ross's attire lately has been slacks and a button up, or scrubs. In this case, a pair of scrubs about 5 sizes too large. But you take what you can get from the hospital laundry and just hope the drawstring doesn't do ya dirty.



#4 Also picture in scrubs, different day, documentation of Pizza Friday! Throwing caution and budget restrictions out the window we also stopped at our local favorite: Sucre. Their macaroons and cups of cake are so delicious. Our pizza place is in the same shopping plaza. They always have deals and the pizza is so cheap and good. Best Pizza Friday ever!



#5 While we are on the topic of food I will go ahead and share this amazing recipe for salmon I found (link here). Yeah I did that thing where I take a picture of my plate of food. But I just wanted to forever remember this delicious and fresh summer meal in all of it's perfection.



#6 There has been talk for some time now about my parents getting a new TV. This month they finally pulled the trigger and bought a huge TV. It is quite the change from the "small" old one they had before. As you can see, it barely fit in my parent's Durango. Haha.



#7 We had a nice little period where we got some rain this month. I like this flower that I found on my way to work.

#8 The rain is nice because when it eventually (finally!) comes it clears out the sticky air and everything is so fresh- even if still a little warm. One Thursday Ross and walked to the Redlands farmers market and I got this delicious popsicle. I think it was called Watermelon Margarita or something? It had lime and sour orange in it and was perfect for a summer night. I'm embarrassed that I am a dork and constantly forget my husband's watermelon allergy. I was almost force-feeding it to him when I realized it. D'oh! What a dork. 

Idylwild: Attempting to Beat the Heatwave

I am really trying really hard to not complain about the heat. Partially because I just know that I tempt fate and wherever I move next will be hotter than here. I try to take matters into my own hands but that doesn't seem to work either.

I always equate the mountains to cooler, breezy temperatures. After so many sweltering mountain experiences, you think I would learn my lesson. It's just not true in Southern California mountains in the summer.



Thinking that we would give the mountains another try, we headed up to Idylwild to hang out for a bit.



Although it wasn't a lot cooler temperature-wise, it was fun to get out of the house and do something different. Pretty much my favorite thing to do: wander. It is also where I first fell in love with chocolate covered cheesecake, so Ross and I got one, this time covered in Butterfingers.

We walked around the little stores. Trying on funny hats and seeing that truly, the demographic here is more for winos.



I liked this shop that had a yard full of colorful rocks. They were super cheap but Ross wouldn't let me get a dozen.



What?! He doesn't want these strewn around our apartment so he can stub his toes around every corner? Ridiculous.

While You Were Out

Have I explained on the blog before about how Ross and I never take a vacation together?

Okay, well NEVER is not exactly accurate. But it does seem that my employment and his school are forever at odds.

I came back from my super epic New York trip and everyone was asking, "How did you and Ross like New York?!"



Cos yeeeaaaah, we didn't do that together. We also didn't do this, this, nor any of this. But I'm not here to provide you a comprehensive list of all the stuff I do by myself. That's what this blog is for. Instead I just want to feel happy that Ross finally gets a turn to take a little break. He is officially done with his 3rd year of medical school, he has his Step 2 CK out of the way and he is all but ready to apply to residency. He still has a way to go but you learn to celebrate the small victories.

I kicked him outta the house and told him to use what we have left on those beautiful airline vouchers to visit family and friends in Utah. Our motto, as I am pretty sure I have well documented on the blog, is "If you have the time- find the money."

With 4th year and then intern year of residency and so on, you can't count on ever having time. And the money- well after awhile you stop worrying about having so little- so you just find a way.

He's off on an adventure and I am back at work, or sweltering at home in these warm temps. While he is gone I've been doing a complete bedroom over-haul.

Operation: Organization and Donation.



I have to do this while he is gone so I have enough time and space to make a mess and find a solution. On the right you can see that no matter how hard you try there will always be that pile of stuff leftover. That pile of stuff that you're just not quite sure what to do with.



I am proud to say I donated a bunch^ of stuff and threw away even more. It feels good!

My good friend Mary recently started residency at a nearby hospital. She invited me over for dinner so I made a simple dessert. I brought the leftovers to work and people were beside themselves. Really I think it was just nice to have a pick-me-up now that every one is coming back to work after summer break.



In other cooking endeavors, I thought I would make a special treat for Ross's return from Utah and eventual start of a school/ hospital work again.

I present: Brownie-crust Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake!

It is possible that I went a little over-board with the decorations on the top. Like homemade whipped cream!?

I made a Frankenstein recipe combing and piecing together three different recipes.



It involved a brownie crust, topped with a layer of fudge. Next a peanut butter cream cheese cool whip layer, then some Reeses cups and brownie. After that more of the cream cheese mixture, probably more peanut butter cups, a fudge topping then all the decorations.

It was delicious. It sounds kinda hard but it wasn't at all. Except for the brownie part it was no-bake too! 

Summer Sun

California summers are perfectly forgettable. Because sometimes its just a haze of trying to stay cool. If you are stubborn enough- it's still not hot enough to outright give up and blast the AC all day. So you just sorta stew in fan air. Redlands has the added "bonus" of being more humid than the desert so you don't quite get that super dry hot air like out in Palmdale.

Recently it's been hotter in Redlands than Palmdale. I am re-evaluating everything I know. Even my resilient little rose bush is all fried up. You can see the leave just curled up and fell off. Toasty.

But it also means you always have clear blue skies. I love the views in Redlands. Mountains and palm trees. 

BoWA #3

Remember when I was trying to make "BoWA" a thing? Yeah here it is again.

#1 Ice Cream Pebbles- Rainbow Sherbet. This is hands down my favorite ice cream. I bought on a crazy good sale, wondering how in the world a dry cereal could taste like my decadent favorite rainbow sherbet. I'm not a cereal person, and I'm a skeptic, so imagine my surprise when IT TASTES SO MUCH LIKE ICE CREAM! Time to go buy all the boxes in the whole world.

#2 The City of Redlands is a beautiful little city. After the Ross and I had at last year's summer concert series, we wanted to go more this year. Spoiler Alert: That didn't happen. We even ended up going to the same exact concert as last year. The Glen Miller Orchestra, but it was still a lovely time. 

  

#3 Take about 5 minutes to truly mull this over and get back to me if you don't think it is outrageously 100% true. 

The Official "Fun Vs. Effort" Graph of Pets

#4 Ross is famous for many things, one of which is his caramel corn recipe. I don't think we have attempted to make it since a botched (dang you humidity) attempt in Grenada. We fixed that. So much popcorn. Much tasty.



Finished product:



#5 "Straight Outta" filters are running rampant on social media. Most of them are annoying and lame, like "Straight Outta Provo." *eye roll* But this one made me laugh. My recent trip to NY really made me see how scary dry California is.



#6 I don't know why I feel an overwhelming need to share this, but it is definitely the cutest IT department ever.



#7 My best friend Kelli and I share a love for making (and receiving of course) care packages. It's just kinda our thing. Her care packages are always so perfectly timed. They always arrive right when I need them the most. Thanks! It is so perfect.