Take It Easy

"Take It Easy" - Travis Tritt

I'm resisting the urge to pull a mega vampire-y night.   And instead, giving some "sleepytime" tea a try. 

I thought earlier, when I inhaled this 65 pound burrito, that I'd have no trouble catching some z's.  I thought wrong. Still, I'm doing my best at taking it easy...
Because it's about to get a tad more serious and emotional (and possibly a bit crazy) in the coming weeks.

The days have been good to me...

Filled with laughter and the people I love.

Saturday, we took a little trip to Atlantic City for the day.  Months ago, Steve surprised me (okay, I kinda knew when I saw the charge to our checking account) with tickets to see comedian, Jim Gaffigan, at The Borgata. 

So, off we went, with our friends following close behind us.

I loaded up my purse with Target's finest dollar bin candy and my "lucky cat head" and got ready for a day of fun. 

The cackling and hilarious text exchanges with Jessica followed within the first half hour.  Our men were both driving.  And that, my friends, means entertainment.  Let's just say our guys can get a little fiesty behind the wheel.

Steve, or as I like to call him - "Road Rage Randy"

enjoyed putting some of his newly invented "phrases" to the test.  It was his lucky day.  "Triple R" didn't have any trouble finding subjects to let out his anger on.  There was the wacky lady on the bicycle in front of us at a red light...a woman too busy gabbing on her phone to go through green...and a sweet old couple driving slow as molasses.

Mini road trips are always fun...

I get to play the "Meow Meow Game."  For those of you who aren't familiar with it, basically, you meow your way through your favorite songs, and then your friends guess what song it is.  Sounds amazing, right?!  I invented it. (But I'm sure you guessed that already.)  Steve threatened to tape my mouth shut and throw me on the streets if I didn't stop singing meowing.  As did our friends

and their bleeding ears,

 when they came along with us for the ride over to the show.

Airheads and Mamba chews earned me some points.

Once we arrived, we went on a search for lunch.  Randy Steve spotted this ultra girly lounge that served $25 cheeseburgers and pink martinis.  Him and Ed put our name in.

And then, we turned around and left.

We found a more appropriate spot only a few steps ahead.

The boys talked sports.

And the girls talked. And talked. And talked.

Check out this teeny pickle.  It was on my sandwich.

Jessica and I love photo ops.

This was the perfect one.

Jessica's favorite picture.  Her response after seeing it -"UM, HIDEOUS!!!!"

I slid 5 bucks into what I thought was going to be my lucky slot machine.  With a name like "More Chilli" I thought I was destined to be a big winner. 

Nope. Nada. No mas 5 buckaroos.

We found an awesome throne to park our tushes on while we chatted and lost the rest of the crowd.

(yay! more photo ops!)

We found Ed waiting for us after our 30 minute throne break.

And then, we found ourselves at the beach bar.  Literally called, The Beach Bar.

Jessica and I sipped our diet cokes and did some serious people watching.

I want to crunch them.

And, the only stinkin' picture I got of the whole show.  They had a no photo policy, but I had to give my camera at least one sneaky snap. 

wow. it was so worth it! :/

He was hilarious!!  I don't think I stopped smiling or laughing the whole hour and a half.

A couple of my favorites...

The Mr. and I headed home after dinner with our friends.  Apologized to each other for the "high school fight" we had in The Borgata cafeteria.  Relaxed, with the much quieter nighttime road...

  And then, I smiled and laughed again while texting Jessica one more time...

As I had just caught Steve initiating the "Meow Meow Game" with Rhianna's "What's My Name"...

It was a good day. 

***

The weather has been gorgeous the past few days.  Sunny, breezy, and not so sticky icky. 

Days like these should come around more often.

I love walking and running with my mom.  It's been one of our summer routines for years.

Monday, we spent the afternoon at the track.

I taught her how to make a "doopee" - when you twist your hair into a messy, tight ball and secure it with an elastic.

And we rocked our headbands over our sweaty foreheads and snapped silly pictures.

***

We celebrated Monday night.

Happy Birthday to Kelly. <3

We rang in her 30 years over peanut butter bread pudding,

3 orders of parpadelle pasta in a pesto cream sauce,

and her sweet, sleepy, beautiful boy, 

Daxon.

He slept and held onto Jessica forever.  I had a precious view.

"Hey guys...just chillin' with the ladies."

Again - precious.

I love these chicas.

The celebrating isn't over.

***

Friday is fast approaching...our day 12 appointment.

 And I admit, part of me is pretending it's gonna be all easy and breezy. 

 But, I'm not afraid to let my feelings take over.  And, I'm sure they'll be in full effect very soon. 

I'm feeling super mega king kong activity on my right side.  I'm feeling ready...excited...full of emotions I can't deny.

But right now,

I'm takin' it easy.

<3

Tip of the day - Cook ramen noodles (meal of champions) in a pot.  Not the microwave.  And if you do use the microwave,

at least remember to add water, will ya?!

I've officially lost my mind, people.

I'll see ya in a few days.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, friends. <3

Easy n' Breezy Lovin',