Our Little Rhody Family

We all know I get incredibly homesick. 

I miss our fams. I miss our friends. I miss Kansas. I miss friendly Mid-Western Folk. 

However, we have been truly BLESSED here in Rhode Island with some pretty amazing friends. I really don't know what we'd do without them. This summer has been such a blast, and we've recently started "Family Dinners" on Sunday nights. It all started after softball games...but I sure hope we continue into the winter! Plus...it helps suppress the Sunday Night Blues because we always have something to look forward to. 

This past Sunday was Mexican night. MY FAVORITE!

It wouldn't be Mexican Night without MARGARITAS!

Burritos make me the happiest gal around

Delicious...the taco AND Mr. Ruby ;)

No Sunday Night Blues here

Sunday Night Family Dinner

Clam Cakes and Lobster Rolls

I had myself a quintessential Rhode Island beach day on Saturday.

Cute little restaurant right on the beach? Check.

Unlimited tropical, fruity alcoholic concoctions? Check.

Clam cakes, lobster rolls, and chowder? Check.

Mr. Ruby and I had one of the best days ever on Saturday. We spent the entire day at the beach with our good friends Dave and Margaret. They have been so great since we've moved here...kinda some substitute parents, if you will. Although...not really. These two can out-party ANYONE! We always have such a blast. 

And leave it to me to have a humiliating moment. So, Mr. Ruby and I decided to take a quick dip in the good ol' Atlantic. We were having a ball. Well, all of a sudden I see this monster wave coming straight towards us. I mean, it was like tsunami (especially when you're a few vodka cranberries in). Mr. Ruby (the surfer at heart that he is) swims beneath it with ease. I however, get completely plowed by the thing. 

I was completely disoriented and started to panic. I finally reached the surface rejoicing. I lived through the tsunami! All of a sudden, I felt a little breeze. I looked down. There it was. My boob. Out of my swimsuit. In the open. For all to see. ALL to see. 

Sigh. 

Would you expect any different? Didn't think so. 

TGIF

Thank the good Lord it's Friday!

Nothing new there...I'm always ready for the weekend. Am I ever going to not live for the weekends? I seriously start the countdown Sunday night. 

Pathetic.

Well, we're heading out for some drinks with friends. 

And tomorrow we have a fun-filled day at the beach. 

Everyone have a fantastic weekend!!!

Wiener Wednesday

I seriously feel like there simply are NOT enough hours in the day. 

I have been feeling stretched a bit thin these days. 

I'm hoping to go to sleep a wee bit early tonight. Gotta catch up on some Zzz's. 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY...only TWO more days until the weekend!!!! :)

Chicago is my long lost love

So, I love Chi Town. 

I mean really really love it. 

Definitely in my top 3 favorite cities!!!

It's turned into a tradition to visit my best friend every year, and I always have such a fantastic time. She lives in the cutest apartment in Lincoln Park, has the best roomate ever (someone whom I now consider a very close friend), and she always knows the hot spots. Of course we had a blast this weekend. It was full of food, beach, booze, and GIRL TIME! Plus, one of my best friends from college moved there, so it was fun to see her as well. Oh, and two sorority sisters were randomly there for a visit as well. Too much excitement for one weekend.

I decided (like I do after every trip), that I want to go on a permanent vacation and never work again...

Starting the weekend off right!

Free tequila shots ;)

My favorite Chi Gals!

Love me some beach time at Lake Michigan

My first Tapas Bar experience...LOVED IT!

My dear Cam...first friend in college :)

Can't believe my sorority sisters were in town too

Ran into my buddy from high school...Love him and his little wifey

Such a fun birthday party in Wrigleyville

Best brunch place EVER

Lovely ladies before church

Eating pizza on the rooftop

LOVE this city!!!

All I need is some Zzz's

So, I read an article this morning that made me realize I'm not the only one. 

I'm not crazy. 

I am one of the 30% of Americans that has major sleeping issues...or insomnia. 

It is quite possibly the worst thing ever. 

It started when I was in seventh grade. I was going through quite a large amount of stress for a 13 year old, and so I had trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and/or waking up way too early on any given night. 

Since I graduated college, my sleeping habits have gotten much better. However, I still struggle with sleep issues. I have to have the perfect atmosphere in order to even fall asleep. 

Requirements: Dark. Completely quiet. Cool. 

When I say dark, I mean that there cannot be even one speckle of light anywhere near me...or I have to cover it up. Like, even if Mr. Ruby's cell phone has a millimeter of light showing, I put a shirt over it. There's a street lamp outside our window, so I have to have a pillow over my head. When the sun comes up in the morning...forget about it. 

I've never been one to fall asleep with the radio or TV on. If I hear even the slightest sound outside...I wake up instantly. If our Mr. Ruby moves, or if I hear the dogs get out of their bed...I'm wide awake. Then, I can't fall back asleep. 

The article put it perfectly, for someone who has sleep issues, it's almost like your bed becomes a "bed of thorns". But it gave some pretty good tips and made me realize that so many people struggle with this. 

I refuse to give in to sleep meds. And I really only have problems when I'm anxious our stressed about something. And there is quite a bit going on in life right now. I know that's the major culprit. 

I think we're going to buy some blackout curtains soon. I didn't want to. But the sun wakes me up the moment it peaks it's head. So, I think we must. 

On a happier note...I'm off to Chicago tomorrow morning to see my very best friend! And one of my other besties from college moved there, so I'll get to see her too. Can't WAIT. 

Updates to come soon...

I think I might start a segment titled "I Can't Make This Stuff Up"

Seriously. 

I feel like at least once a month I think to myself, "Does this stuff only happen to me?"

Today was a doozie. 

I went with my pal from work to the supermarket during our lunch break. I needed to pick up some veggies for a nice summer salad, some more coffee, and (ahem) some feminine hygiene products. 

Now, let me explain something to you. I mentally never left 7th grade when it comes to purchasing anything "embarrassing". In fact, I go as far as strategically placing the milk next to the box of granola bars in a way that just so happens to "conveniently" hide the fact that I just received a visit from good ol' Aunt Flo. 

So back to my story.

I was at the supermarket, sweating bullets as I feverishly tried to make my decision on what in the world to buy. Why, oh, why do there have to be so many options? As I was praying to the good Lord that I wouldn't run into anyone from work, I hear a male voice say "Excuse me."

Crap. I've been caught.

In that split second, I thought of my exit plan. I could just act like I didn't hear him. I could run as fast as humanly possible in the other direction. I could fake a seizure.

Sigh. 

I decided to face my fear.

I turned around. 

The gentleman (thankfully) was not a co-worker. In fact, he was a younger guy who worked at the supermarket. He said, "I don't mean to be rude or anything...but are you single?"

Wait. Did I just hear him right? Am I seriously getting propositioned next to hundreds of boxes of Playtex?

I fumbled out a simple, "Uh...no..."

Then he said, "Ok, I just had to ask because you're just so gorgeous."

I felt my skin turn bright red and I bolted. 

Absolutely mortifying. Only me, right?