It's been too long... What I'm Loving Wednesday

Sorry it's been a while Jamie!

Friends, Family, and Followers,

It has been so long since I sat down and took some time to write.  There are a million reasons why I haven't blogged in a while but the long and the short of it is that I have dealing with an old computer and a jam packed calendar.  I have missed blogging and the time it allowed me to reflect on my life and things I love most.

There is no better way to get back in the swing of things than to write about what I am LOVING today....

If you did not know, I am a big football fan.  I enjoy attending games and tailgating with family and friends.  This season, I have seen my Fresno State Bulldogs lose to Cal at Candlestick Park and attended a few Raider games with my lovely friend Cristina.  The Coach, Cristina's boyfriend, has a few tickets to each game and I am always happy to go.  Cristina and I tailgate - AKA sit on the trunk of my car, drink cheap beer, and eat appetizers.  Last game we met up with some friends....

Unfortunately, the game did not turn out the way we wanted but there is always next Sunday.  RAIDERS!!!

Though Halloween is not my favorite holiday, as a teacher I have to put on a happy face and embrace the chaos all in the name of the children.  This year, one of the parents at the school offered to make me a costume!  She said, "Ms. Graham, I would love to make you a costume.  I see you as a fairy.  Very girly and very pink."  HAHA!  She hit the nail on the head... I am very girly and I LOVE pink.  The Phantom of the Opera and a fairy in training...I was missing my wings. 

Mr. Burbank & me

Next, I LOVE that Modern Family is back on TV.  I think this is one of the best shows on TV and if you haven't watched you should start NOW.  Love, love, love....

As the weather is turning cold and the nights are growing longer I am beginning to revisit my love affair with tea and all things related.  Tea pots.....tea cups....and nightly tea time.  I remember when I was growing up my parents would have tea almost every night.  My dad would fix my mom a cup of Good Earth and they would enjoy their tea as they drifted off to sleep in front of the TV.  I guess having tea and those little sugar cookies just reminds me of simpler times.  Just tonight, I spoke with my mom and aunt to see if either of them had any tea cups that they could send my way.  I am pleased to report that I will have an abundance of little tea cups and saucers to bring home and call my own.  I know it is dorky but I am very excited.  I am fairly certain that Miss V will be excited too.  I will make sure to have them for our sleepover next week.  :-)

It is time for me to get to bed but I am happy to be back.  I am happy to share my comings and goings with my family, followers, and friends.

Now playing Baby I Love You by Aretha Franklin

 

Oh The Places You'll Go.... Lake Merritt

As my last day as a 27 year old came to a close I decided to have a little me time.  I put on my favorite hoodie, sunglasses, and my best playlist and took a walk.  Lake Merritt is where I ended up and using a little iPhone magic I captured a beautiful sunset.... Enjoy.

I have not blogged in a while and keep reminding myself how much I enjoy taking the time to share the things I do, people I love, and places I go.  It is my new years promise (new year because it will be the beginning of a new year for me tomorrow - happy birthday to me!) to take a little more time to share the things I love the most...

Now playing Get by with a little help from my friends by Joe Cocker

Fireworks, friends, family, and food....A perfect 4th of July Weekend!

Last weekend I spent with family and friends.  The 4th of July has always marked the beginning of summer for me.  The air is hot, the BBQ's are fired up, and most of my time is spent outdoors enjoying the warm summer weather.  When I was younger, I would spend a few weeks of the summer at Lake Tahoe but now I spend the majority of my summer teaching summer school and so my weekends are the only time I get to spend in summer mode.

I spent Saturday with my boyfriend, Mike, running errands.  We found ourselves on the other side of the bay and stopped by to say hello to the Grinde's who were in party preparation mode!  After an afternoon out and about we returned home and cooled off just watching movies. 

Sunday Mike and I made the trek back to the other side of the bay to spend the afternoon BBQing with lots of friends.  It was blazing hot so we all retreated to the "man-cave" for some Wii playing and beer drinking.  It is always so nice for all of us to get together and hang out.  Everyone has busy schedules these days so it can be hard to find the time.

Mike & me

Tina & the Coach

Mikey & Ryland

Missy & Bella

After a lovely day with friends in San Mateo we came home and relaxed.  On the 4th of July I went to my sisters and had a great time!  There was a bike parade....

Followed by lots and lots of fireworks....

All and all a very successful holiday weekend.  I always enjoy spending time with those I love.  I hope that the beginning of your summer was just as fabulous as mine.

Now playing It's a Great Day to be Alive by Travis Tritt

Relationships: Best Friends

Here is the third installment of Relationships.  This post features some of my closest friends.  I have many good friends but only a few best friends.  Not including family or high school girlfriends the individuals in this post are very special people in my life and here's why....

Gina...Ahhhhh Gina has taught me many things such as the benefits of having many pairs of sunglasses and TJ Maxx, as well as when and where the next sale might be happening.  She has taught me to enjoy a glass of wine and that the Andrea Bocelli Live in Tuscany DVD cannot be watched too many times!!!  Gina taught me the benefits of having an Aerobed handy for impromptu slumber parties and the importance of making and keeping plans.  She introduced Rascal Flatts to me and keeps me current on my country music. 

Cory (on the right)... Though he may not know it, Cory has taught and continues to teach me so much.  He has taught me to live for today and take opportunities when they come.  He has shown me that distance and time do not change the love friends have for each other.  Cory has taught me that you don't need to be a product of your environment and countless one-liners.  Cory taught me about Mac Dre and to watch out for reckless eyeballs.  He taught me that sometimes a King Cobra and a friend can make for a fabulous evening. 

Jessica...One of my oldest friends.  Jessie has taught me to enjoy breakfast - random but we would always have a really great breakfast at her parents house when we were kids...I will never forget those.  She has taught me to never be cheap when it comes to shoes and turned me on to the show Parking Wars.  Jessie has taught me that you can be a fashionista and sweatpants kind of girl all at once.  She has taught me that some relationships can always pick up where they left off months before and all about Janet Jackson and toffee nut lattes.  She has seen me through ups and downs and will always be a best friend of mine.

Shamonica... A newer friend of mine who has taught me a great deal.  Shamonica has taught me to laugh and take a joke.  She has helped me become more assertive and helped keep many a creep away at various bars around Oakland.  Shamonica is a hardworking mother and loyal friend.  Her children are a very special part of my life and so is she...I lover you.

Lance... He has taught me all I ever needed to know about BROADWAY and performance.  He has helped me be a better teacher and given me advice about everything from lesson plans to wine pairings.  Lance has taught me the importance of staying true to yourself and how to do my best Dream Girls moves on the Wii.  Lance is a daily reminder of the importance of being healthy, living life fully, and to seize the day. 

Marissa.... VEGAS!  My best friend what can I say.  Marissa has taught me the benefits of a good bath and to always wash my face before bed.  She told me about the fabulous Bare Minerals foundation that I have been using ever since she made a random trip to the bay 6 years ago.  Marissa taught me that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.  She has taught me to laugh at myself and say what I mean and mean what I say.  Marissa has been a person I can talk to about everything - shampoo, politics, boys, and taxes!  She has taught me that I am not perfect and that's just fine.  Marissa has taught me the importance of keeping in contact with friends in far places.  Marissa is my best friend and I cannot say enough great things about her...I love you M. from Doghouse.

In the spirit of friendships and music

Now playing Friends by Whodini

This Weeks Loves...

I am just wrapping up my week long vacation and will begin summer school on Monday.  This whole week has been filled with doing things I enjoy and spending time with a few of my loves.  All the things that I am loving this week have to do with summer....

 I spent a few suntanned afternoons by the pool with the one and only Mr. Burbank, my co-worker and love.  He went to LA for the summer to help train new teachers.  I will miss our pool time.

Monday night was spent with Julia & Tina watching the very entertaining Ashley Hebert and her shenanigans on The Bachelorette.  I'm tryin' to get all my Julia time in before she moves to Portland. 

  

I love this big floppy hat that I have!  It's made by San Diego Hat Company.  It can be folded up and it keeps its shape.  It is a wonderful hat for vacations because it travels well!

I am also loving BEACH HAIR.  I am thinking I need to re-perm my hair for the summer so that I can just let it dry and be wavy.  Right now my curls have fallen out a bit and I have been wearing it straight instead of curly.

Ahhhh the MAXI DRESS.  I simply cannot get enough of these dresses.  They are comfortable and appropriate for so many occasions.  They can be dressed up with heals or worn to run errands with some flip flops.  LOVE

Havaiana flip flops are next on the list.  BY FAR the most comfortable and durable flip flops I have ever owned.  I bought one black pair and one brown pair two years ago and haven't had to replace them yet.  They are soft and comfortable.  LOVE

I don't like feet but I think that cute designs on toe nails are fun for the summer.  Last year I had a cute little flower on my big toe...nothing special just adds a little extra something.

I have made the transition into summer mode!  I am loving that summer is here and look forward to many afternoons spent relaxing by the pool.

Now playing... Summertime by Kenny Chesney

"Perfect song on the radio
Sing along 'cause it's one we know
It's a smile, it's a kiss
It's a sip of wine, it's summertime
Sweet summertime"