Los Angeles Friendsgiving

This weekend was exhaustinggggg and by this weekend I mean Saturday, and I was so tired from that, that Sunday I couldn't bring myself to do anything, which was find because it was a rainy day and I stayed in and did laundry and read, and now I am exhausted from not having done anything.

AJ was in Denver this weekend, so I was on my own (well, with the animals) and Saturday I got up early for bootcamp (which was hard - 2 people walked out early!) and then I went up to LA to hang out with Anja, who is back for another 6 weeks to research at UCLA. It was nice, we hung out on Montana Street in Santa Monica and then went grocery shopping together, ha! The sunset was beautiful that evening, everyone was instagramming it, from Riverside to LA to Orange County!

Then from Westwood I drove to Rancho Palos Verdes for the LA Friendsgiving! Last year there was a taco man (in addition to all the usual Thanksgiving fixins) and this year there was a paella man! UH-mazing.

It was beautiful, and fun, per usual. Lots of good food, endless desserts and drinks and even gum and mints, good music, everything!

Here is the back of my head

Sunday was me with the animals

And in the evening I went to pick up AJ from the airport, and I was circling around, I got a text from a friend congratulating me... although I had no idea for what... turns out I won the weekly football pick 'ems AGAIN!! My third time this season!!!! There's still a game tonight, but everyone chose the Raiders, so it's all a wash, and I won! So exciting. Nice way to start this short week!

Cousins

The only reason I have to highlight the cousins right now and gloss over grandma is just because I don't have any pictures from the party yet!

Saturday we celebrated the 99th birthday of my maternal grandmother, which happened on November 6. At this point, we are about 6 1/2 weeks away from her seeing the world between 1917 and 2017! Frickin wow!

The party was great, and in huge part to the wonderful turnout of the event! That was how I remember Christmases being as a kid and they've slowly dwindled, so having everyone around was so fun, especially all of the out-of-towners!

So after the festivities, a lot of us were able to get together and go bowling and hitting a few key bars in the area, which was so much fun! And we even lasted until midnight so we could sing Happy Birthday to Cherisse.

Now we're all back in our respective locales between California, Oregon and Texas. Womp womp! Til next time...!

Election Day

Presented without comment.

November!

Good morning to a world where it is now November. That means Election Day is upon us, which is far scarier than Halloween. I just don't even want to hear it anymore, from anyone, about anything.

But anyways, AJ and I had a nice Halloween last night. We turned on my little light-up door hanger, put on Hocus Pocus, and gave out candy to the occasional trick-or-treater. Not as many as I was hoping for, but still some. I wish I would have known it would be that light, I would have given the ones who did show up like 5 pieces each. Now I need to gouge myself on candy this whole week. Oh wellsies.

I tried to get Banana to be festive... and I had already packed away her Rufferee costume, so I tried to have her wear my mask... but she wasn't a fan.

So excited it's basically the holidays now!

Happy Halloween!

I can tell I'm getting old because I'm getting to be more and more over Halloween. I was never huge into it, and now it's really kinda just whatevs. Add the fact that it's on a Monday this year and it's really just dead to me.

Still, AJ and I had our couples costume planned out for our friend's party this weekend, but AJ then had a family emergency that meant he needed to go out to Texas for the weekend, so my costume went for naught. I was out at Target on Saturday day and saw a dog costume and then realized that I could have a couples costume with Anana! So I pulled out some of AJ's old school jerseys... et voila.

She wouldn't stop trying to shake to get the treat I was bribing her with ahaha

Some had their dog as a Broncos player! So cute

Talk about a throwback at this party, I even did a kegstand. I feel so young again!

Today at work I have a Day of the Dead mask, and during our potluck, one of the teams dressed up as all of the Snapchat filters... I loved it!

 

Jello brains... nasty!

 

You can always find me by the food

This is the extent of my festiveness today

Planning to pass out candy tonight, I love that we live in a place where I can do that!

Worktivities

Pretty much in my first week of work, I was tasked with heading up our department's exhibit and the Grand Opening ceremony, which has been an annoying headache these past 3 months, however, yesterday was the big day and now it's overrrrr! Yaysies! Look at all the fun I got to have with my awesome coworkers

This map was an ordeal in itself. And after everything, Romania is missing hahahah shhhh don't tell anyone

"I'm from Portugal"

Very thrilled this is over! Still got a ton on my plate, but that was a big hurdle to get through before the holiday calm comes around!

Glamping!

I thought I knew what Glamping was but obviously until I stayed in this amazing Harry Potter-esque tent, I did not know until now.

To celebrate Pammy's 30th, all of us from up and down California converged outside of Solvang, California, to glamp and go wine tasting for the weekend.

Overall it was a pretty quick trip. AJ and I didn't leave until Friday evening and even then, waited for traffic to clear before heading up. We got in late Friday night, and we unpacked, sat around the campfire and enjoyed each other's company, and then Saturday bright and early was wine tasting day! Doug made it Hawaiian-themed to add to the celebrations, which was super fun for us, although confused all of the wineries, but whatever!

One distillery was included - Louisville KY for my girl Jayna

We got back to the campsite pretty tipsy and tired, brought out our potluck food, took turns on Pam's new chambongs, participated in photobooth fun, and retired around the campfire.

Sunday morning we were pretty slow moving, enjoyed the tent patios a bit, and we all had to pack up and head off. AJ and I went with Rob, Raf and Pearo to eat breakfast at the Andersen place. Plus, AJ and I love Denmark, so Solvang and the surrounding area was just perfect for us.

We got back and picked up Anana (whom I was so sad to be without all weekend!) and I had wanted to go grocery shopping but it was rainy and I had a book and we just relaxed all afternoon and it was pretty perfect.

Even Khaleesi was tolerating us. Here she is looking beautifullllll

Tonight is Gilmore Girls night so that is something to look forward to at least!