Goodbye and Good Luck

This has been a whirlwind of a weekend, let me just tell you. All day Friday was spent working around the house, making sure everything was perfect for my going away/bridal shower/graduation/birthday party on Saturday. It was quite a task getting everything together, but we managed.

On Saturday, my work started at 6:45 AM. Mama, Gigantor, Mons, and I buzzed around the house cleaning and cooking. We also took to dogs for a 4 mile walk to make sure they were good and exhausted by the time the company arrived. Sometime during all of this madness, I ate my brekkie.

Then, around 12, I freshened up, got myself looking pretty, and set out the last-minute food for munching. From then on, the day was just a series of arrivals, hugs, eating, chatting, crying, catching up, and advice-giving. I really enjoyed myself, thanks to my awesome family’s planning. Here's the day in a photo nutshell:

By nighttime, I was pooped after the long day. As I laid in bed last night thinking that there are only 19 days to go until I leave my home and my family to move to another country with the love of my life, excitement, sadness, and happiness came over me all at once. It’s crazy to think that I won’t be seeing many of the people I saw yesterday for a year or more. But, the knowledge that I will be getting married and starting a new life with the person I love most is so exciting. I am definitely going to miss the fun with my awesome family, but it's time to go.

Awesome Eats

Thursday was pretty much awesome. It started with an early-morning walk with Mama before the sunrise. Afterward, I had a new and interesting breakfast.

Cantaloupe and oats cooked with 2 egg whites for added staying power.

 Later, I got myself looking all spiffy, and Mons and I went to Florida’s Friendliest Hometown for some quality sister bonding time. Good food makes good times that much better.

Panera classic cafe salad and black bean soup with an apple.

Mons was happy with her meal.

Bowl of broccoli and cheedar soup with sourdough OTS.

Deliciousness

After a leisurely lunch, we walked around the square, slinking in and out of interesting shops along the way. 

Matching sisters. Cute, right?

 Then, we hit up my fave store, TJ Maxx, for some more shopping.

Bags in hand, we got some sweet treats, courtesy Chick-Fil-A. Mons and I debated getting a “small” ice cream (which is actually huge) or the kids’ size. We came to the conclusion that kidlet size would be sufficient.

I'm lovin' it. Wrong fast food motto, but who cares?

 

Definitely my favorite ice cream ever. Easy to please.

 Later, Mumzy and I went to get my wedding dress. We got to our location early, so guess what we did: got food.

Bahama Breeze rocks my socks. We began our meal with some yummy cocktails.

Tropical delights. Sangria for me, Pina Colada for the mama.

 I planned on getting a salad, but the bad eating demons crept over me and I ended up ordering possibly the unhealthiest thing on the menu. In my defense, I was not aware that what I ordered was essentially a deep fried Cuban pizza.

Tostones and chicken bits topped with mushrooms, onions, jalapenos, salsa, and a ridiculous amount of cheese. This was an appetizer. No joke.

Mums got black beans and rice.

I devoured this in about 3.5 minutes. Devilishly delectable.

 After being sufficiently stuffed with spicy, greasy goodness, I went to try on my wedding dress. I figured, if it fits after eating like that, I was good to go…

It didn’t. But, let me clarify, this was not my fault. The seamstress admitted that she made the part around my ribs a little too tight. The same mistake was made on Mama’s dress. Nothing a little letting out can’t fix.  

After about an hour of girly chatting, we made our way back home. It was at that moment that I got the worst spell of indigestion in my life. Since I was already feeling like crap, I topped it off with a tea cookie. Probably not the best decision I’ve ever made. As I sit here, curled up in the fetal position while writing this post, I realize that the food I ate, although now rotting in my gut, was completely worth the pain. Cheers to livin' it up.

Hello, Boredom. I Haven't Missed You.

Boredom and I hardly ever make acquaintances, but today, I had the pleasure of greeting my long-lost, unwelcome friend. The fact that I am writing this post mid-day should signify something. This morning, I was awakened at 5 AM by the pitter-patter of little paws on my floor. I managed to go back to sleep until 7, when claws tapping around outside my door could no longer be tolerated. I opened it to find 6 dogs, waiting rather impatiently for me to start my day. Reluctantly, I crawled out of bed, got my coffee, and chatter with my madre before she left for work.

Then I noshed on some breakfast, my favorite meal of the day.

Almond craisin tea cookies, egg puff with hot sauce, and a cuppa de strawbeezies.

 The tea cookies, or whatever you want to call them, were amazing. Just as Mama said.

Almond Craisin Tea Cookies

•  2 cups GF Bisquick
• 5 1/3 tbsp butter
• 2/3 cup milk of choice
• ½ cup almonds, chopped
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• 4 tbsp brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the butter into the Bisquick until you have pea-sized bits of floury butter. Then mix in the almonds, craisins, and brown sugar. Pour in the milk and mix well.  Pour into heading tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet and flatten just a little (so you don’t have dough balls rolling around on your sheet). Cook for 13 minutes or until golden brown on top. Makes 20 tea cookies. Enjoy!! For making larger ones, use the same recipe, but cook for 16 minutes.

After breakfast, I got straight to work on a term paper for one of my classes. And I finished it. Ka-Bam! By 10:30, I was done-zo.

What to do, what to do? I cleaned out all of the clothes in my closet that I no longer wear in an attempt to make my upcoming packing a little easier.

Afterward, I made lunch and sat outside in the lovely Florida sun.

Tuna salad in lettuce boats with a crap load of carrots and a pickle.

 After that, boredom started to creep over me. I napped to cure it. When I woke up, the realization that I had the same lack of things to do as I did when I went to sleep made me feel a little restless. So, I had third meal:

Yes, that is a 20 oz. vanilla, banana, peanut butter, cinnamon shake. Complete with green nutrients.

 Confession time: I eat regular, hydrogenated oil-filled peanut butter. This is one of the few unnatural, (somewhat) unhealthy thing I eat, so I am totally ok with it. The fact is, I like it, and I don’t care to change it. And, it makes for one mean protein shake. As does this protein powder.

Take a look at those stats! Perfection! That would be my unnatural peanut butter covering the word "organic." Oh, the irony.

I just made my mother’s bed so that I don’t feel like a complete waste of space. The plan for the rest of the day is: doing Women’s Health workout, walking it out like a stunna with Mama, and finding something to do.

The possibilities are, well, limited. I have a feeling Netflix and I are going to be seeing each other again tonight.