It's Finally the Weekend

I've needed the weekend. Work has been crazy and stressful.

And my favorite two people are coming for a visit.

Yay for visits from my parents.

At my graduation.

The reason I have such ugly feet.

Pre-Danielle. She's in this photo too.

Again, Pre-Danielle. She might be in this photo too.

Way back when it was just me.

Happy Weekend All!

Peacefully Resting

I'm not sure when you consider something luck, as I've always considered it, or, if it can change and become unfortunate circumstances. I always thought it was normal to have six grandparents. I found it odd the first time I heard that most kids only have four. I was very confused by it. Then I came to realize, or maybe my mom told me, that I was so lucky and loved to have six.

I'm only 25, and I'm so jealous when I hear of my coworker who is my mother's age that still has her grandmother around. I'd give anything, and I make it know to Chris about his brother, to have my grandmother back. I was only 12 when she died, and thankfully the rest of my grandparents were able to see much more of my life.

My Grandpa Harvey died yesterday. It was rather sudden, although he had been sick. I had talked to my mom Monday and she had said that he wasn't doing better, and that he wasn't doing worse, so we were optimistic. Unfortunately, he had a heart attack, and when he was resuscitated, and put on the machines, my mom, aunt, and uncle made the tough decision of pulling the plug. He didn't last more than 15 minutes or so.

I'm sad for many reasons. I'm sad for my loss and my family's loss. I'm sad because I don't have any grandparents left. I'm sad because I'm not as close as I could have or should have been to him. I know he loved me and I know he knew I loved him, but it is still a sad thing for all of us. I'm even more sad that I can not find a single picture of me with him. I can't find one that we're both even in with other people. I'm glad when I was visiting my family at Christmas I was able to see him. I didn't envision it to be my last time.

One of my other grandparents died in June. I enjoy running, and it is a good release for me, and I have found that I do my best running when I'm first initially feeling grief.

Remember to spend time with your loved ones and always tell them you love them, no matter what.

Turkey Day

Images of Thanksgivings passed:

2010 at my parent's house

2009 at Chris's parents house

2008 at my parent's house

2007

2003 or 2004

2002

1999

I won't be with my family tomorrow, I'll be with my mini family aka Chris and myself. We're doing our own Thanksgiving. Although I'll miss the family fun, I'll be going back to my family on Friday. My mom said she bought a giant turkey, so there should be leftovers for me.

I am so thankful to have a loving boyfriend, a great family, a roof over my head, a job, and my health. Some people are not as fortunate as I am.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

So Excited

I am so proud and excited for my cousin. He wrote and published a book!!! I'll post a link once its had some time to be bought and read by others. We are all so proud of him. I can not wait to read it. He's had such a great year. The birth of his beautiful daughter Hannah, and now this book. I'm so happy for him and his awesome wife Megan. They're great so they deserve the best.

I am still on the mend from being sick. I have this terrible cough. I have no real nasal symptoms, but it is all in my chest, this terrible painful cough. I've been coughing so much it is giving me a headache. It is really irritating, if I had to use one word to describe it. My body doesn't feel bad like it did when I was sick last month (SERIOUSLY? Sick that often, other than being sick the last time I honestly can not remember the last time I was sick; I remember once in Maryland - 2009 - being sick, but I honestly don't remember any time in 2010). It is just awful. I think after this I am getting my multi-vitamin, hand washing, and not touching my face at all on so that I do not get sick again.

Have a great week and just a friendly reminder: start to remember what you're thankful for, Thanksgiving is not that far away.

Top Reasons Why I Love Fall

Fall is always my favorite season.

Its usually not super cold, but you can cuddle up and get comfy without overheating.

And these reasons always make it better:

I get to see these people more often:

Thanksgiving AND Christmas

I like wearing sweaters.

I like wearing cardigans.

They are so comfy.

They're my favorite.

via

Football.

Chargers football to be exact.

Now if only they could get their act together.

Apples.

Any kind.

They always taste better in fall.

I also like apple cider and apple pie.

I like the scent of apple as an air freshener.

It smells warm and fall-like.

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And last, but not least.

Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Yum.

I've only had one this fall, but I am already planning for one when I go visit my family after Thanksgiving.

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My reasons for loving fall.

I am sure that I have more, but these are my tops for now.

Happy Tuesday.

Soon, and Very Soon

I will be spending a glorious week with these guys:

Mom, Dad, and Dani.

I am pretty excited because: 1) I miss them and 2) I could use a vacation.

Even though my grandma's memorial service is also going to be part of this trip, I am still so excited.

In other news, I injured my elbow somehow and have only been able to do leg work at the gym. Good, bad, I don't know, all I know is my legs are killing me.

And my last bit of info for this Saturday until I go finish my laundry and take a shower, I tried my first protein shake. It's not super oh-mi-god I want to drink this everyday, but it doesn't taste bad either.

My First Ever Protein Shake:

1 packet Spirutein Chocolate Protein Powder

1 cup skim milk

6 strawberries

15 blueberries

5 ice cubes

Blend and enjoy.

Happy Saturday

I Miss These Guys

These are my siblings:

This is my little sister Danielle.

She is working at a camp in Idaho.

She drives a cute little green car.

She used to be a full-time ice cream scooper and cake maker at Baskin Robbins.

She's going to school to be a teacher (total copy cat of her big sister!)

I call her one of these (rarely Danielle):

Dani Benz, Dani, Danielly, and other family nicknames.

This is my dog Lucie.

She's a little old lady.

She does not like to cuddle (although she did cooperate for that photo).

She can't really see, she can't really hear, but she's the best.

My family has had her for almost 14 years, since she was a little puppy.

She follows my mom around like crazy.

She also will not come downstairs or stay downstairs until everyone upstairs is awake and downstairs.

This is my dog Ricky.

He is Lucie's son.

He and I really love each other, he's just really bad at showing it.

He likes to bite me and bark at me.

I call them love bites.

He likes to cuddle.

He's pretty fat, so he gets stuck behind the couch.

He used to be fun and calm, but now he's just wild and slightly neurotic.

My dad calls him Phil and Dick, as well as Ricky.

He responds to all three.

My family has had him for 10 years.

Yes, my dogs are my siblings.

Yes, I miss them all.

And I will get to see them in September.

One week of time with me, I bet they can't wait!

Back in the Swing of Things

I will finally be able to start blogging regularly again. Here are some pictures of what I did after Las Vegas. I was finally able to meet my cousin Kevin and his wife's daughter, Hannah. She is absolutely adorable. Not that I am biased or anything. Ignore how dreadful I look, focus on how cute she is, even if she was a grump.

This is my mom and Hannah. My mom is a very proud "grauntie"

See - Hannah, very cute and wiggly, and also passing lots of gas, is very cute; me, well I just look blah.

So sweet and cute after her little cat nap

See, the movement in her hand, super wiggly little baby.

This one turned out, okay.

Viva Las Vegas

I have been M.I.A. on the blog because my family went to Las Vegas. And then I went back to Sacramento to spend extra time with them. My pictures are backwards because I stronly dislike how blogger posts them. But here they are:

Dani, me, Dad, and Mom after dinner before the Cirque du Soleil Zumanity show. It was really good. Those people are incredibly talented.

Dani, Mom and me in front of the Venetian. This is my favorite hotel/casino. It is so realistic like Italy. I would love to go to Italy for real.

Dani and I in front of the waterfall in the Venetian.

The family with Buck and Winnie at Harrah's. We definitely didn't earn to many "bucks" and we weren't "winnies"

Paris from the Bellagio walkway. It looks so pretty at sunset.

Mom and Dad. This picture was normal, my parents, rarely take normal photos.

Another view of Paris.

Anyway, we did lots of fun things. Although I could have done without all the smoke in the casinos and I do not like to gamble. The weather was great until the day we left. And then our flight back to Sacramento was severely delayed. All in all, a great time. Tomorrow I will update with other things I did in Sacramento... Mainly, spent time with my dogs, my mom, and met my new cousin Hannah.