Monthly Archives: July 2012

MONDAY MOVE: 0 days

Posted on 07.30.2012 by Lindsey • 2 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Daily Grind, What's For Breakfast?

The day we have been counting down to is finally here: I am a California girl again (insert Katy Perry tunes here). To be perfectly honest I am not 100% sure how I feel about it. It is so entirely new and yet familiar. Before I get to the now of it all, I want to share some details of the drive down.

The most important fact you should know is that we drove straight through. No sleeping. It was bananas. We left Seattle at 6:30 am Friday morning and drove up my childhood driveway in Orange, CA at 8:30 am on Saturday. Can we say bananas again?

1. Washington sent us off with a goodbye hot air balloon. No really, we just happened to have the best view from my Uncle’s backyard. Crazy beautiful!
2. The trailer my car lived on for the drive was a tad tight, so once my dad drove it onto the platform we learned the door couldn’t open more than an inch. Solution? Climbing out the sunroof and ducked taping it shut for the remainder of the journey. That silver tape really can fix anything!
3. All set to head out.
4. Gas station fun.
5. Me and my dad taking a break by a river at a rest stop somewhere between Seattle and Orange County.
6. We for sure got stuck in time-to-get-out-your-car traffic.
7. What’s a road trip without gambling? I have no idea!
8. Hello sun and palm trees and California!

It is a relief to be home. To be here. To be not moving. It is wonderful being around family and friends. I think it’s going to feel like vacation for a bit. I just traveled not even a little bit close to lightly.

I have been giving it some thought, and I came to the conclusion it would be extremely unfair of me to invite all of you to join me for the countdown of my move and not fill you in on what’s happening after. So, I will be continuing Monday Move for awhile longer. I’m sure you want to hear how it is moving back in with my parents after living in another state for 6 years. There are some laughs, frustrations, and probably tears to come.

Future topics to look forward to? Applying to substitute teach, starting grad school, decorating my room, and welcoming a new neighbor I have known since I was in elementary school (he is literally moving next door) are just a few.

Adventures are to be had! Excitement is finally shining through now that all my goodbyes are over. Finally! Also, the simple act of blogging is giving me a sense of comfort and routine. Thank you readers for giving me a reason to be writing right this moment!

Happy to be a California girl (and missing Washington)…

 

 

 

Little Girls, Little Sleep

Posted on 07.28.2012 by Stesha • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Daily Grind, Random Goodies

We’ve gone off the grid this week, albeit a bit unintentionally.

You see, our only nieces came on a last minute trip to visit and we had to Disney-fy our house, make forts, fry doughnuts, and all sorts of other very important, non work/blog related tasks.

I’d say I’m sorry, but honestly I wouldn’t change a thing. Except maybe the lack of sleep and the sore muscles. Apparently I’m not in prime child lifting, pool playing, trampoline jumping shape. Thankfully Uncle Ryan’s newfound muscles have been put to good use…

Things will be back to normal around our parts by Monday… but in the meantime, we’re off to enjoy the last few moments with these glitter loving girls.

Sleep is overrated.

 

Lindsey is on the road…

Posted on 07.27.2012 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Daily Grind, What's For Breakfast?

Hi lovely people. I am officially on the road with my two uncles and my dad headed from Washington to California.

So many people showed up to help me move I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful I am or how many tears I have shed.

For now I am leaving you with pictures of my tattoo, because it sums up how I feel about my time here. Part of my heart is staying here in Washington with the people and places I’ve fallen madly in love with.

 

It didn’t hurt hardly at all. I’m pretty sure that getting my eyebrows waxed hurts more.

Feel free to follow pictures of our road trip on Instagram at #LMGsmove.

Goodbye until Monday…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONDAY MOVE: 4 days

Posted on 07.23.2012 by Lindsey • 1 Comment • Leave a Comment! • Daily Grind, What's For Breakfast?

If you didn’t already know, I’m a nanny. Actually, when I was moving into my dorm room 6 years ago, I got a call to come in for an interview. Heather, the mom answered the door and greeted me with a hug. She introduced me to her husband Greg and their girls Gabby and Gelle.

I don’t really remember what was asked or how I answered, but I knew I really wanted to work for them. There was something about them, they were very interested in their girls’ well being and not in having someone else raise them. I walked out of their house with a job that would change my life.

6 years later I’m still with them. Gabby and Gelle are driving and thinking about college applications. I personally want them to go to school in California so they can come over for a home cooked meal and to do their laundry.

My profession might be changing, but they are forever my family. Honestly, I have no clue what my life will be like without them in it everyday.

My parents taught me valuable morals and ways of living, but my nanny family showed me different ways of living, of looking at life. I wouldn’t be me without either influence. And today I can say that I love who I am. I am far from perfect, but I’m content. I couldn’t say that a couple years ago.

All this to say my nanny family threw me a going away party. Somehow I left without crying, but don’t worry, the tears came that night.

They provided some of my favorites: flowers, Kona beer (it has a coffee aftertaste), and sushi. They know me well. Being able to spend hours with family and friends without hosting was a blessing to say the least.

I will forever treasure my time with Gabby and Gelle. Gelle now goes by Giselle because she is much too old for a nickname. They have grown up far too fast for my liking.

As I was saying my goodbyes to some friends this weekend they said something about how it’s a bummer I have so many people to say goodbye to. With tears flowing down my face I said that I wouldn’t have it any other way. I would be shedding much different tears if I had no one to say goodbye to. With all my tears I know I have lived life to the fullest here, and am planning on doing the same when I move.

Missing people is a sign of health. I spent too much time of my life afraid to attach to anyone, anything, or anyplace because I knew pain was inevitable. Well, at the ripe old age of 26 I say bring on the pain, because if I wasn’t in pain right now I wouldn’t be overjoyed with love either.

Immensely grateful to my Washington family for loving me…

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Alexa’s Cafe

Posted on 07.22.2012 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Other, Sunday Brunch

Today started with brunch at Alexa’s Cafe in Bothell, WA with a few of my closest friends. The perfect quaint little cafe for a goodbye brunch.

My time with people is limited, so I am going to keep this short. I hope you understand.

I always enjoy checking out a new place, and as you know, anyplace that serves anything in a mason jar is my favorite. The food was delicious. Lots of scrambles with maple bacon, amazingly thick toast and garlicy potatoes. The coffee was delish. All-in-all a successful brunch.

We followed brunch up with estate sale shopping and tattoo getting. For real. I will give you more on that later.

As for right now, I am going to spend some quality time with friends while playing Super Nintendo and drinking mimosas. Don’t judge. Our time is limited and I’m going to spend it doing things I love.

Lots of Sunday love…

 

 

SUNDAY BRUNCH: Petra Greek Taverna

Posted on 07.22.2012 by Stesha • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Sunday Brunch, Vegas

We ventured north this week on a quest for Sunday Brunch, Greek style. Situated in the Summerlin Community is the quaint outdoor promenade known as Tivoli Village. With beautiful architecture, a weekend farmers market, and the promise of a Greek inspired brunch we figured it was worth the trek.

Before we go any further I should preface this post with a few fun facts…

1. Ryan is Greek. Not a little 1/32nd Greek. Like, Greek Greek. Hence his rugged Mediterranean vibe. 2. We eat a LOT of Greek food. So we’re easily disappointed if it isn’t up to our standards. 3. I could eat feta on almost anything. Seriously. It’s like butter, it makes everything instantly better in Stesha world.

So armed with that knowledge let’s continue…

We arrived at Petra shortly after opening and were seated right away. After a little coffee and some chit chat we got down to business.

Ryan went with the Greek scramble and I couldn’t resist the idea of baklava waffles. What to the what?! There was also an extra side of fruit, pita, greek sausage and salad.

If nothing else, Petra gets huge points for goodlooking-ness. The colors and plating were beautiful. I had to speed up my normal button pushing so Ryan could dive in.

And the taste? Worth every mile. Ryan ignored his internal carb counter and attacked those breakfast potatoes like they might run off his plate (and not just because they were topped with feta, although I suspect that didn’t hurt).

My baklava waffles were sweet and rich and everything they should be. And I almost squealed when my side of fruit turned out to be a side of berries. Thank you Petra for focusing on what matters here. If I see one more fruit bowl piled high with melon I might start a riot.

Considering that Greek cuisine isn’t known for their breakfast offerings I give Petra two big thumbs up. Our Greek inspired brunch was delicious and fun! With a classy environment, quick service and diverse menu I foresee us heading out to Tivoli village a lot more frequently. And if you’re all ready located on the North side of town you have no excuse!

Head on down to Petra and get your Greek on!

 

Book Club

Posted on 07.19.2012 by Stesha • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Daily Grind, Random Goodies, What's For Breakfast?

I joined a Book Club. Because, you know, I’m so bored.

Or because as a friend more appropriately described, “We cannot get together without a structured activity.”

So true. I belong to a fun group of type A people. But in all seriousness, there are a number of reasons this latest book club adventure will be beneficial. (I hope!)

One, it’ll actually require me to read something beyond my emails. Reading for pleasure/fun is a special treat around these parts. Usually “reading for fun” is reserved for a holiday or a weekend hibernation. I need to read more often, not just for brian stimulation and educational value, but for my sanity. Escaping into a book for a few moments a day is a total stress reliever.

Two, I’ll get to see my friends and while it is still task centered, the responsibilities of Book Club are pretty minimal compared to the rest of our work/extra circular activities. So needless to say, I’m psyched. Do people still use the word psyched?

Plus I now have an excuse to buy this ridiculously adorable tote. Score!

Our first book is Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman.  The main plot goes something like: An American women’s experiences and observations in regard to French parenting. The best part, none of the our Book Club members have children. Love me some irony. Even still, I’m enraptured by the comparisons, which admittedly are generalized… yet I suspect somewhat true.

I’ll give you a full debriefing upon completion. In the meantime, are you in a book club? What are your favorite summer reads?

 

FRESHLY BREWED PHOTOS: Lindsey

Posted on 07.18.2012 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Daily Grind, What's For Breakfast?

Here we are again…a bit of insight into my life through photos.

1. My day before the wedding coordinating look 2. Miss Melissa is married! 3. Happy 2 month birthday my lovely niece Avalon 4. A pearl bracelet from Miss Melissa 5. My favorite magazine and pop…simple pleasures (or guilty) 6. Shopping the early access Nordstrom sale with Gabby & Giselle (the girls I’ve nannied for the past 6 years) 7. My new Vince Camutos 8. A little love for my camera

Until next time…

FRESHLY BREWED PHOTOS: Stesha

Posted on 07.18.2012 by Stesha • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Daily Grind, What's For Breakfast?

If it wasn’t 8:00 in the morning, I’d tell you that I’m giving up and going to bed.

But I just woke up. So that’s not really a feasible option. Wednesday, Please do me a kindness and be better than Tuesday.

1. A fun Saturday night, post Nautical Party. No, Ryan doesn’t usually walk around Downtown Las Vegas in a Captain’s hat. Or does he? 2. Fun drink tags at my friend A’s party. 3. Reading materials for the week. I forgot how much I love magazines! 4. Brunching. 5. A quick excursion to Fendi. 6. My newest seedling attempt. 7. Addie’s favorite spot. 8. I got the car washed! Finally!  

Admittedly, just looking at our weekly recap has cheered me up a bit. Here’s hoping your Wednesday is better than your Tuesday!

 

MONDAY MOVE: 11 days

Posted on 07.16.2012 by Lindsey • 0 Comments • Leave a Comment! • Daily Grind, What's For Breakfast?

Ladies & Gentlemen, Miss Melissa is officially married and on her way to Mexico for a two week long honeymoon. The wedding went down without a hitch, except Miss Melissa getting hitched. Haha…that was a joke. Get it?

I dropped the lovely couple off at the airport this morning to say goodbye. Unfortunately, I move before they get back. We will literally miss one another by a few hours. I don’t always love the technicalities of life. I don’t love the fact that I can’t change them even more.

In the midst of wedding planning and wedding happening I was reminded of how important it is to stop and enjoy what is taking place instead of focusing on getting to what I think should be taking place.

Speed walking through a side yard at the wedding facility I felt something slimy on my leg. My first reaction involved a loud sigh and stomping of my foot to shake it off. Thankfully, I glanced down to see what the slime was instead of pushing forward only focused on my mission at hand. What did I find? A frog. A real live hopping green frog. I almost killed it by stomping my foot to the ground.

I should also mention that on my way to the wedding facility the very day of this occurrence I got a speeding ticket. Coincidence? I think not.

Because I stopped and veered off my path I got to see this green frog close up. Its beauty astounded me. It literally stopped me in my tracks. I took a few moments to appreciate this frog. I even was able to snap some photos…close up photos. I may never have a chance like this again.

Needless to say, I did not speed on my way home. Thank you little green slimy frog for veering me off of my path to see the bigger picture.

Yes, I’m moving in 11 days. Yes, there are things that must be done. And yes, I am a responsible adult, but if I don’t stop to smell the roses, or snap some photos of the frogs, I’m missing out.

Here is to stopping for the frogs in the road…