the open road. the very boring open road.

O dios mio! I made it.

I've been in CA for two weeks now. And my, what a journey it was.

Thank you I-80. I thoroughly enjoyed the the complete nothingness of Wyoming. 

That was only topped the barren wasteland that is Nevada. In fact, Nevada was so fantastic that Mr. Pickles decided to leave part of his side-view mirror somewhere along I-80. Yep, it just blew right off. I guess he decided he'd rather fall apart than continue through Nevada. Oh Mr. P, you so silly!

When all was said and done we spent 1395.2 miles on the road. I learned a number of things. 

1. Letting kitty be free in the car = no bueno. Apparently Storm, the wonder cat, likes to go down by your feet and hang around the pedals that make the car go vroom.

2. Baby will NOT just cry herself to sleep.

3. Battle Mountain, NV. Don't do it. 

4. Multiple days of McDonalds does not a happy digestive track make.

5. Mr. Pickles, aside from literally falling apart on the road, could stand to have cruise control. A sore calf from 3 days with a manual tranny really makes me feel like a wuss.

Other than that, we're here. Back in the land of the white fire hydrants, serious highway congestion, sunshine, earthquakes, and loads of family who make this journey and move worthwhile. Or at least they better.

migrating west

So this is about to happen. In nine short days.

What's happen you ask? 1300 miles.

One thousand, three hundred miles of highway. Of time to remember my 5 years in Denver with love. Of time to think about the next chapter. Of sadness to leave a city that made me who I am today. Of excitement to live closer to my family for the first time in 9 years.

One thousand, three hundred miles to yell at the damn cat who gets anxiety in the car. And meows. A lot.

One thousand, three hundred miles of hoping the beebee stays asleep most of the day. Of hoping Mr. Pickles enjoys his first major road trip. Of pee breaks and beef jerky.

Ahhh, California. How I never I thought I'd go back to you. It's adventure time.

Jobless and babyfull....talk about your leap of faith. I guess I better start packing.

can't argue with facts

Yep. On my journey to a milfy bod, I gave in and had some cookies today. Two, to be specific. Fresh, warm, chocolately, melty, chippy goodness.

I planned to take a picture of my sinfully delicious treat, but when I looked down, it was gone. Gone to the safety of my tumtum.

So that's that.

back at work, fat squirrels, wieners.

I've gone back to work this week. Maternity leave is over.

And my work computer has been officially dusted off. Emails have been sorted (AKA deleted). Small talk has been made.

And these two images were re-discovered on my computer's desktop.

 

What kind of life do I lead?

Apparently one where I find humor in chubby animals and vintage hot dog ads.

PSL in my belly!

Ohhhh mouthgasm. Pumpkin. Spice. Latte.

I effing love Fall. This afternoon I ordered my first PSL of the season. Overpriced, pumpkin-y goodness.

As soon as it was in my car, it filled Mr. Pickles with an aroma that comforted me like a hug. My smell-memories associated with PSLs are all good. All of them. It made me think so many conversations. Giggles with my cousin while lounging around. Important chats with important friends, lovers, acquaintances. Hellos and goodbyes.

And, no. I don't think it's a coincidence that in the picture the cup appears to be glowing in all its glory.

Sometime in the process of ordering my tasty treat, removing and replacing baby carseat in the car, and driving home, I cut my knuckle open. It bled all over my finger. And I didn't even notice until about ten minutes ago.

THAT, my friends, is the power of PSL.

so today i colored my hair

I'm coloring it as we speak. It sits atop my head in a big, tangled, chemically-smelling mess. Actually it's toppled slightly forward into some weird punk 'do.

I'm going for some extra sass with color number 53. Medium Golden Brown. waaa-waaaaaaa. There is absolutely nothing exciting about that name. Aren't they supposed to come up with clever names for colors to make them more appealing?

I shall rename it Budget Brown (also not exciting, but true to the reasons why I purchased it).
I've never used this brand of box color before. I've never tried to color grown-out blond highlights on my own before. And I've never used a foaming mousse type of dye. So I guess we'll just see what happens to my hair.

Fingers crossed it doesn't fall out! But, budget-friendly Montastic can not only NOT afford to go get her hurrrr did, she can't afford a box of hair color that ISN'T on sale. And this one was.

Anyhoo...that's what I'm up to today, whilst the beeb is asleep. It's my last week home with the lil porkchop. Then, it's back to work I go on Monday. It's truly amazing how little you can get done in 9 weeks at home while trying to keep a baby human happy.

I'll see you soon, and I'll be Budgetly Brunette.

what's in the case?

Another walk. Another sign.

This one intrigued me. Is this for real? It's quite a nice sign. It even has a suitcase graphic. 

But seriously, who carries a red suitcase anymore?  And what's in it? It makes me think of the bat phone---red and signifying trouble.

I wonder if it was lost at the show club in the background. That might make sense. Questionable characters carrying questionable suitcases. Sigh....if only my curiosity could be satisfied.