Rain....Rain....Go Away!

The weather here this last week has been crazy! It was beautiful at the end of last week, the sun was shining and the birds were chirping. It seemed like spring was right around the corner.  And than low and behold it snowed here on Monday.  Yes...I said that correctly, it snowed!  It was a mix of snow and rain so it was really to wet to stick to the roads or the grass, which is a good thing because I am so over winter.  And now today, it's rainy and gloomy out!  This weather is driving me crazy.  

Other than the crazy weather we have been having our lives have been pretty low key.  Work and school seem like the never ending story of both our lives.   Luckily the school part is just about done and over with for Brandon. I have diligently been collecting boxes and storing them in our sun room so we have plenty of boxes for when we move. Lets just say our sun room has now become a storage room and it's only going to get worse from here on out.   

My Grandpa and Grandma Pike are coming out here the end of April / early May to visit!  I am so excited and can hardly wait.  They are taking a 3week road trip and driving out this way.  They are first going stop is in Pennsylvania to see their friends Matt and Diane. They are on no time schedule and are going to take their time on the road.  They plan on stopping to see Niagara Falls, Washington DC and then head on to North Carolina!   I can't wait to show them where I have been living for the last 2 years.  The nice thing about them driving out this way is I'm going to send them home with a bunch of packed boxes so it's less stuff to pack into the u-haul and worry about. Grandpa doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to put him to work while he is here, haha!  I'm also hoping that maybe we can go to a Winston-Salem Dash minor league baseball game while they are here visiting.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I find time between my crazy work schedule and all the shenanigans of packing. 

The diet has been going well.  Brandon and I treated ourselves yesterday and went out for a late lunch / early dinner!  He has been pretty strict with the diet.  I have not been as strict as him, but I have definitely been a lot better with my carb intake.  I have not had any types of pastas,  potatoes or breads the last week and a half.  It's been tough, but I have found a few things that are low in carbs that have helped me curve my cravings for the things I love. 

I found these tortillas that are low in carb.  They only have 5g of carbs per tortilla and have totally saved me from wanting any type of bread, and they actually taste really good too!

Going without any type of ice cream on this diet has been difficult for me.  I LOVE my ice cream more than anything.  I was lucky enough to find a low carb ice cream made by Breyers!  Now that I have found a couple of my favorite things with a lower carb count, I think I just may survive this diet for a little bit longer, haha!

As I logged onto my blog I notice and thought about the name of my blog, "west coast girls living in a southern world" and realized that I'm going to have to change the name of this blog come the month of May.  I don't have any ideas for new blog names so I'm going to have to put my thinking cap on and see what I can come up with.  If any of you have any good ideas please share.  I can always use the help and input.  Happy Wednesday.

Weekly joke:  Three women go to Mexico

Three women go down to Mexico one night to celebrate college graduation.

Apparently someone slipped something into their drinks, and they woke up in jail, only to find that they are to be executed in the morning, though none of them can remember what they did the night before.

The first one, a redhead, is strapped in the electric chair and is asked if she has any last words. She says, 'I just graduated from Trinity Bible College and believe in the Almighty power of God to intervene on the behalf of the innocent.'

They throw the switch and nothing happens. They all immediately fall to the floor on their knees, beg for forgiveness, and release her.

The second one, a brunette, is strapped in and gives her last words... 'I just graduated from the Harvard School of Law and I believe in the power of justice to intervene on the part of the innocent.'

They throw the switch and again, nothing happens. Again they all immediately fall to their knees, beg for forgiveness and release her.

The last one, you knew it would be, a blonde, is strapped in and says, 'Well, I'm from Georgia Tech and just graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and I'll tell ya right now, y'all ain't gonna electrocute nobody if you don't plug this thing in.

 

 

D....I....E....T

Every time I hear the word Diet I cringe.  Mainly because I love my sweets (especially ice cream) and I like being able to eat what I want with no restrictions.  I have decided to attack my fear and the difficult task of going on a diet.  Brandon and I both started our diet yesterday.  The diet consist of no carbs and no sugars (this includes no fruit as well or wine, oh shit!!), just protein (lots of meat and eggs) and lots of veggies.  I knew this was going to be difficult for me since I love my pastas, potato's, and breads.  But day one (yesterday) was a success and today I'm going strong.  Yesterday being the first day was difficult for me.  Today it seems a lot easier, although I would give anything right now for an ice cream sundae or smoothie, haha! 

My eating habits have become really bad and I finally decided that I needed to do something about it.  After our trip to Charleston I ate and drank way too much and seriously probably gained 5lbs, haha! Call me crazy but my goal is to drop about 10lbs, although I would be over the moon happy if I could lose 15lbs, but I have to take one step at a time and be happy with whatever weight I lose.  So wish me luck and make sure you eat a piece of cake and some ice cream for me since I can't. 

On another note...I have failed miserably and took NO pictures of the UW basketball game on Friday against Georgia.  We were so busy having a good time and cheering that I totally forgot about taking pictures.  We had a blast and it was such a good game and was way too close at the end that I thought I was going to have a heart attack.  So glad they won, just wish they could of pulled off an upset against UNC on Sunday!  Maybe next year.

Not much of anything else has been going on in our crazy lives.  Just the same ol' same ol' as usual.  The weather here has been amazing.  Without a doubt one thing I'm going to miss about North Carolina is the great weather and warm summers.  It was 82* today and its suppose to be 81* tomorrow.  Sure can't complain about that.  I'll enjoy the sunshine for everyone back home while you enjoy the sweets and I'll keep everyone posted on my diet adventure.  

Happy Tuesday....and here is my weekly blog joke (hope it does not offend anyone, but it's just too funny not to share!) At least I pre-warned you, haha

The Disabled Parrot 

 

 Dave is browsing in a pet shop

and sees a parrot sitting on a little perch.

It doesn't have any feet or legs.

"jeeps," he wonders aloud.

"whatever happened to this parrot?"

The parrots says, "I was born this way.

I'm a defective parrot."

"Sheesh" Dave replies. "You actually

answered me! Oh boy!"

Of Course. I happen to be a

highly intelligent bird and thoroughly

educated as well."

"Oh Yeah? Than how do you hang onto your perch

without any feet?"

"This is so embarrasing" the parrots says, "but since you asked,

I wrap my weenie around the wooden bar like a little hook.

You can't see it because of my feathers."

"Wow" says Dave.  "You really can understand

and speak English can't you?"

"Actually I speak both Spanish and English,

I listen to the radio and can converse

on almost any topic.

You really should buy me

I'd be a great companion."

Dave looks at the price tag $2000

and knew he couldn't afford that, but the

parrots says "I'm defective, no one wants me,

so offer $20.  Dave did and was delighted to

walk out with the parrot.

Weeks go by. The parrot is sensational,

he has a great sense of humor,

he's interesting, insighful and a

great pal.

 

 

 

Dave comes home form work one night

and the parrots whispers in his ear.

I don't know if I should tell you this, it's

about your wife and the postman.

"What the heck are you talking about?"

demands Dave.

"When the postman delivered the mail today,

your wife greeted him at the door in

her best sexy nightie."

"WHAT ???" Dave asks,

"Then what happened?" 

"Well, then the postman came right

into the house, lifted up her nightie

and began petting her all over," reported

the parrot.

"NO!" Dave exclaims. "And she let him?"

"Yes.  The he continued taking off her nightie,

got down on his knees and began to

kiss her all over..." 

Dave, the poor frantic guy demands,

"THEN WHAT HAPPENED?"

 "Damned if I know. I got a hard on

and fell off my perch!"

March Madness

        Were going to March Madness!!!  Brandon and I are very lucky and fortunate enough to be able to go to the UW vs. Georgia game on Friday night (they are playing in Charlotte, NC which is just an 1hour 45min drive from where we live.)  We are sooo excited and can't wait to get decked out in our purple and gold and cheer on the huskies!  The tickets we purchased also allow us to see the Carolina vs. Long Island game which is at 7pm and than the huskies play around 9pm.  This is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Not many people can say that they get to go to any NCAA tournament games.  I'll make sure to take lots of pictures to share with everyone.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that UW wins and don't forget to watch the game on Friday night, you just may see us on TV, haha!

     Things are finally starting to get back to normal now that Brandon's spring break is over, our company has left and I'm back to work.  It was so nice to have a week off and I'm already ready for another vacation (although I don't think that will happen anytime soon.) 

    It's official and we are now telling everyone that we are moving back to Washington!  I went into work mid-last week and let the bosses/owners of where I work know that I'll be leaving in May and my last day will be the 13th of May.  They were definitely bummed but they understand that we have to do whats best for us.  I'm excited to move home and be closer to family and friends but sad that I have to leave such a great job that I really enjoy.  It will for sure be a lot easier to plan the wedding being back home.  Can't wait to start more of the planning process. And actually feel like I'm getting stuff accomplished with the wedding.

    Things have just been pretty low key around our house with Brandon getting back into the swing of things with school after spring break. He is finally on the home stretch and will be done before we know it.  I'm slowly starting to get rid of old crap that we don't need anymore so it's not extra stuff to pack and move. Moving is definitely one thing that I don't enjoy at all and truly hate with a passion.  Especially since this is not an easy move and involves a lot of work and traveling.  Brandon's dad is renting a Uhaul truck and him and his dad will be driving that back across with all our stuff and Holly is flying out here and will be driving back with me in my car.  I am so happy that I have a traveling buddy!  It will make the road trip so much more enjoyable.  Holly flies into Charlotte on Sunday, May 15th. Brandon graduates Monday the 16th and then we will be hitting the road back to Washington on Tuesday the 17th.  It will be a busy weekend and week full of packing and traveling and I just may need a mini-vacation after this is all done.  

    Here are a few more pictures from our Charleston vacation and stay tuned next week for pictures from the UW game on Friday!   

Alyse and I on the beach!

Atlantic Ocean

Group shot on the beach!

I think this is the Cooper River Bridge

These little salamander/gecko's were everywhere

They did a lot of bonding over the weekend, haha!

Here is a joke to wrap up my blog.  Hope everyone has a wonderful week.

The Holy Land Visit

A man and his ever-nagging wife went on vacation to Jerusalem. While

they were there, the wife passed away. The undertaker told the

husband,

"You can have her shipped home for $5,000, or you can bury her here,

in the Holy Land, for $150." The man thought about it and told him he

would just have her shipped home.

The undertaker asked, "Why would you spend $5,000 to ship your wife

home, when it would be wonderful to be buried here and you would

spend only $150?"

The man replied, "Long Long ago a man died here, was buried here, and

three days later he rose from the dead. I just can't take that chance."

Charleston, SC

 Where do I even begin to explain how amazing and fun our trip to Charleston, SC was!  I am so glad that we took a weekend getaway and decided to go.  We have always talked about it but have never found the time or money.  I am so glad that we finally followed through with this trip. 

(just a fair warning, this blog may be a little long and lengthy. But I promise to make it fun and interesting with lots of pictures)

Our vacation started on Thursday night.  Beau and Alyse's flight came into Charlotte around 6:20pm on Thursday.  I drove down to Charlotte by myself to pick them up as Brandon had a mock trial that night for school.  We went out for some dinner and drinks and met up with Brandon later on that night after his trial was over. 

Friday morning we hit the road for Charleston.  It's about a 4 1/2 hour drive and hotel check in time at 4pm, so we knew if we left the house around 10am we would have time to stop for breakfast and make a few other stops along the way before we were able to check in.   

Our first stop on the way to Charleston was the Waffle House for breakfast.  A place you must try if your in the South.  True southern greasy food, but we knew that we were going to eat our hearts out this vacation so we decided to start our unhealthy eating weekend early, haha! 

  After a l...o...n...g  4-5 hour car drive and a few rest stop breaks we finally arrived in Charleston around 3:45pm.  Just in time for check-in.  All of us were more than ready to get out of the car and do a little bit of site-seeing and definitely some drinking.  We checked into the hotel and than went for a walk down Ocean Blvd which is right along the ocean and right where our hotel is located.  Absolutely beautiful!  Here are just a few pictures from our walk along the beach.  We also found some pretty funky looking house along the way.

This is one of the houses that we walked by that is located right on the beach.  It's not every day that you see a house that color.   There is also palm trees everywhere.  Totally makes you feel like you are someone much more tropical than in the South Carolina!

This house was one of the many houses up for sale in Isle of the Palms.  They were all so beautiful and if I have the money when I'm old and retire I would buy one of these houses in a heart beat for a vacation home!  We stayed in Isle of the Palms which is about 20-25min from downtown historic Charleston. 

I had to make sure that we walked on the beach.   I was not going to leave Charleston without walking along the Atlantic Ocean.  The beaches are so sandy and clean and remind me of the beaches in Hawaii that's how pretty and white the sand is in South Carolina.

 

These guys were kite surfing!   It was so windy out and the water was freezing.  No heck way would you find me out in that water even with a wetsuit.

After we walked down the beach we ended up at this little place right next to our hotel to have some dinner and beers and than headed back to our hotel to hang out, play some drinking games and keep it pretty low key since we were going to have a long day ahead of us on Saturday.

Saturday morning we headed to the downtown historic Charleston.  We took a taxi to the marina which is about 15 min from our hotel and than we took a water taxi across the harbor to downtown Charleston.  We even got to see a few dolphins on our water taxi ride.

Waiting for our water taxi across the harbor

Once we arrived downtown we did lots of walking around, exploring, eating, drinking, picture taking and laughing.  I highly recommend Charleston, SC as a place to see if anybody ever makes it out to the South East.  There is nothing disappointing about Charleston.  There is so much history there to see as well as lots of great seafood and shopping. 

All the houses and buildings in Charleston are so unique and old.  Most or all of them are brick and have little to no yard.  A neat place to visit and go on vacations but not somewhere I would want to live. 

Hope everyone enjoyed some of the pictures. Alyse took a lot of pictures with her camera too so once she e-mails them to me I'll make sure to share some of those with you as well.

We saw and did so much in Charleston those 2 days that we were there.  Wish we could of stayed longer but I don't think that our wallets would of been able to handle it.  Definitely a spendy mini vacation but totally worth every penny.