Single livin'

My week went surprisingly quick. Usually when Jackson travels I find myself bored and lonely wondering how people who live alone ever want to leave work and go home to the quiet. This week that wasn't the case. Monday evening I spent hanging out with MacKenzie cooking for myself (after grocery shopping for myself- whaaaaaat!!!) and losing brain cells by watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians. That silly show sucks me in every single time I turn it on. I made myself muffins for breakfast for the week and even chopped up bell peppers for my lunch. Guys, this is a big deal. Now my pepper slices looked NOTHING like they do when Jackson slices them in perfect strips, but they were still tasty! Tuesday evening Susie was kind enough to have me over for dinner. She rescued MacK from having to spend an entire day in her cage that afternoon after she golfed (busiest retired lady ever) and then made an awesome shrimp dish for us that evening. Ok, just me. MacK isn't much for seafood. Ok, she probably is but I didn't share. Whoops.

Wednesday evening I met my good friend Amber for a class at Barre Bee Fit (one of my new favorite places to be- you just feel good doing their workouts!) and then we walked for about an hour afterwards. I wish I could pound into my brain that you never regret a workout and always feel better afterwards. The same cannot be said for a meal. I must, must learn this! I came home and worked for a couple of hours because what else is one to do with themselves? I tried sitting on the couch and watching t.v. (as opposed to meal prepping with the t.v. playing in the background) but I'm just not wired that way. Plus, since I never just sit down when Jackson is home (he energizes me, I swear it. He hates that sometimes. Ok, a lot of the time.) I felt guilty being a bum when he was not home to enjoy it. See how thoughtful I am babe?!

My mom texted me on Thursday to invite me to lunch. I happily accepted and we went to Savage's- yum. What I had forgotten was that the World Cup was on and USA was playing. The place was packed and a little rowdy. It was still fun, though. My mom is a mess. I mentioned to her that the lady doing my facial last weekend said acne along the jaw was hormonal and that I may want to get my hormones tested for balancing reasons. Mom, without taking a breath says, "I AGREE! I have been thinking for years that your hormones are messed up!" I sat in stunned silence. I hadn't expected such a resounding answer from my MOTHER. I guess I'll make an appointment for testing soon. Jeesh. 

Thursday night my dear friend Shannon escorted me to the Fashion Mall to do some shopping and we ate at the Cheesecake Factory. No worries, we had salads and only about 1/2 of a slice of cheesecake each with which I was pleased. Shannon didn't mention my hormones one time. What a gal! She did, however, crack me up when we stopped in at Shoe Carnival to grab some hiking shoes for me. Notice I said shoes. She thought I was looking for hiking books and felt deep concerns. As we walked in the store she promptly had a karaoke session with their lame store soundtrack. Then I showed her the shoes I had come for (they were turquoise and pink) and she said they were more "ewww hiking!" (Said in my best valley girl voice) then she was into. I settled on a gray and orange pair which I agree are the better fit for my needs but showed as $7 more than the turquoise ones. She gave me grief about that, too. Then when I said I was replacing shoes from 2008 she nearly had a meltdown of horror. 'Twas the day for honesty, I guess! MacK was at Susie's again that evening so I grabbed her before heading home to start packing my SINGLE SUITCASE (one! I get one!) for my EIGHT day trip to California and Nevada. I also said start packing. Yep. I hadn't done a thing yet and it was 9pm the night before the trip. I work better under pressure?! A mere 90 minutes later-with a shower and a trip around the block with MacK- I was packed and ready. A miracle. I even got to sleep for a few minutes before going to work this morning. There's nothing quite like the Friday before vacation when you're both exhausted and excited. A combination which makes the day feel very, very long. I made it, though. My day was pretty uneventful as was my evening of final preparations. I dropped MacK at Grammy's (again!) and headed to the airport. I don't usually drive myself when flying alone so it felt odd but my brain turned to autopilot to get me to the airport. It feels like a third home these days (you know behind my real home and work). I'm looking forward to the three hour flight that you're accompanying me on now being behind me and reuniting with Jackson in Reno. It feels like it has been way longer than a week since I've seen him. Update: all flights went according to plan and we are together again! Hooray!!!

Lest you think Jackson was  in Kansas City for actual work, he went to some personality seminars, a Kansas City Royals baseball game with his work team and attended a BBQ at a co-worker's house one evening. Yep. Things were difficult there. ;) I wish I could find my sympathy for him. I just can't. At least he acknowledges how awesome his gig is now which I guess is all I can hope for. 

Here's hoping this trip is as fun as it should be. I'm looking forward to posting photos and commentary on all of our activities so stay tuned for that. For now we are heading to bed since I've been up since 5:40 a.m. EST Friday and it is now 4:40 a.m. EST Saturday. 30 year olds need sleep!