Morro Bay & Hearst Castle

Jeremy is the WORST person to buy gifts for because his practical mind never thinks he NEEDS anything. I've learned from the past of buying him things I think he'll like that he usually just returnes that he will take an adventure over any material possession. 

So, for his birthday this year, I planned a little trip to the coast of Morro Bay.

There were a few bumps in the road to get there ie. had to get a new battery for the Motorcycle, make sure someone could watch Belle, weather was SUPER windy etc. 

But soon enough, we were on our way.

First thing we did when we got there was, of coarse, find a place to have lunch.

Fish Tacos and Fish and chips... what else would we have but some delicious fresh fish!

We explored the town and Main street, then checked in to our Hotel to freshen up and unload.

Spot the seals!!

Then we explored around the rock,

(Isn't he so handsome!!)

Watched the Sunset, and had a delicious dinner.

SEPTEMBER 30th Jeremy's Birthday!!!!

Slept in a little and then went on a morning run on the beach 

After Breakfast, we got ready, packed up and headed out to San Simeon,

HEARST CASTLE

Do you see the Castle on top of the hill?

Lots of phone calls, wishing him a happy day!

So we got our tickets, had some lunch at the Cafe and then borded the bus to head up the hill.

We LOVED learning all about William Hearst with our tour guide and exploring this beautiful Mansion and grounds. Sometimes I swear I should have been born in the 1920's!

Taking in all the views

Looking around the Guest Cottages

(this wasn't even the main house!)

This is the main house. So much Detail, History, and artwork-I was in HEAVEN!

Movie Theater!

Indoor (Neptune) Pool below the tennis courts. This was incredible! 

No wonder all this took 28 years to build.

wow wow wow, we didn't want to leave.

We definitely want to go back and take the other tours.

Before the journey back home, we stopped in to see the Elephant seals

And got some pie and a Bear Claw from a bakery in Cambria.

A very pretty drive. We didn't notice on the way there that you can see Morro Rock over the mountain in the distance.

After this and a lot of Orchards, we were home again.

I put some candles in our dinner and sang to Jer one last time....

After dinner we definitely went to the gym to work off all that pie!!

All in all, a wonderful little get away with my man.

We are LOVING California and all the little gems it has to offer.

5 Latest Hobbies

Well I wanted to write about the stuff I've been into lately, so here they are:

#1

FRISBEE GOLF, I tried real gold one time and I hated it right away. mostly because I am absolutely terrible at it, but I found something that I'm not too bad at and it's Frisbee golf. There are a few coarses around Bakersfield and Jer even got me my very own set of frisbees. Long distance driver, mid-range and a putter. So fun!

#2

Making soap. My Mother-in-law taught me how and then my mom and I brainstormed on how to make them cute and smell good. I love it and have found it to be a perfect little gift for birthdays or sick people or visiting teachers :)

#3

I have also recently joined a book club. I've always enjoyed reading, but being in the book club has helped me broaden my literature scope. I'm reading books I normally wouldn't, and am enjoying it.

#4

Next would be what it always has been.. painting. I got to do this for my cousin McKenzie, and it was challenging, but fun. I love to be creative and need to paint more!

#5

Next would be exercising. I've just finished 2 months of Insanity and running. Still running and hitting the gym with more weight training now. I love to work out and see results. 

Here are some before and afters:

There is just no getting around this fat stomach and bad posture, looking at this picture made me want a change! I did some dieting, cutting sugar and counting calories, and then hit the gym hard.

here is before and after the 2 months. 

I'm fitter and more flexible and I just feel better and even have some more self-confidence. I know beauty comes from within bla bla, but lets get real, looking and feeling better go hand in hand and I need to keep my body fit so I can enjoy the things I like to do and for one day when I have kids... I'm probably going to be an older mother so I need to keep hip! I probably exercise around 2-3 hours a day (depending on how early I can get out of bed) and I love it.

In the Insanity program there is a fit test to see how many of each exercise you can do in 1 minute.

Mostly really good results! I've also been on some new hormone meds which have helped with the pain I usually have when exercising.. gotta love those ovaries! When running long distances I would usually run 10min+/mile. Now I run 9 minute miles. My next goal is to get faster!!!

What I learn and what I already know & L.A

The past few weeks, I have been taking note on things that I am learning, and things that I already know. As a teacher I love to learn and share al my knowledge with others... that's what I wrote on my substitute teaching application at least...
Side note- I went on a run a few days ago (as seen in the picture below) and noticed that Jack in the box was open at 6AM. Gone are the days people pack a lunch and now the days of eating breakfast at home are gone? I'm under the opinion that unless you work in the night and a 6AM Jack in the box run is more like dinner to you, or if you have been traveling so long that it's the only nutrition you can get at 6 in the morning, then fine- BUT COME ON breakfast is the easiest meal to "cook" at home, take 5 minutes and do it instead of starting your day at Jack in the box or whatever fast food joint is open by then...it's just gross.

ANYWAY- Yay me, I ran 10 miles the other day BUT I learned that I have BUNIONS! They get bad when I wear pointy toe shoes, but since running they're getting worse. I thought it was just how my toes were but no, they are yucky old lady straight up bunions ha! Would I rather have blisters or bunions? I couldn't say.

My girl loves the mud- It's pretty disgusting and we had to go and get the Jeep cleaned but hey, look how happy she is!
I've learned that it's okay to get a little dirty if you are going to have fun :)













 I have also learned that Zam-Buk is my very favorite ointment in the world, and that I can now get it online for $8.00. Why is it my very favorite ointment you ask? Well, I will tell you that everything on the back is the truth: "For the treatment of minor wounds, burns, scalds, itch, chapped hands (or lips), insect bites, muscular pains." WHAT OINTMENT DOES ALL THAT!!!??? I never go anywhere without it it has an antiseptic in it that helps with pimples and disinfecting things, seriously, it is so great.

I've also learned that this generation of taking selfies is actually kind of fun, but that it has caused an increase of shared LICE as people's heads have to really get close to squeeze into the picture frame. Ew, just Ew.

 

(No lice was transmitted during this photograph)

I've learned that watercolor paintings can look SO real! This is a painting that my High School Art teacher did, she is so talented and was obviously one of the best teachers I have ever had. She is a big reason I wanted to become an Art teacher. I know that the saying "those who can't, teach" is SO wrong because if you want to teach Art, you need to know your stuff.

Let's take a moment to say "awww".

Now, how is it possible that I have a husband who sleeps with a separate blanket in case "we touch and it wakes (him) up" BUT that he can sleep with a dog on his body for 2 hours??!! I've learned to accept that Belle Belle is just more comfortable...I suppose. 

(I think as one Denzel Washington tear slides down my right cheek)

I've also learned that while water aerobics is socially acceptable in my group of friends, it in no way compares to running, biking, other crazy exercises or even swimming laps, but that I will continue to participate for girl times sake.

I've learned how to make really good salsa. My roommate in college taught me and introduced me to CILANTRO. Changed my life.

PS. I've also learned to LOVE snap chat! It's the BEST! 

But seriously.

I've learned that I would take a steak over chicken ANY DAY. Chicken is gross. 

I've learned that as much as I don't want to admit it, I HATE vegetables. They are gross and taste like dirt. What can I say, I'm a fruit girl!

I've learned that I really don't like cooking, but when I do cook, I'll make it good.

I do know, however, that a tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable- because scientifically speaking, true fruits are developed from the ovary of the base of the flower, and contain seeds from the plant. So that's why I still like tomatoes, Duh.

I've learned how to use SHAZAM, and this song is really good... 

I've learned to like country music... Whaaaaa??

The next thing I learned is the brutal truth of the Barber shop pole. 

It's a bloody history. As long as there have been razers in history, there have been barbers. (as early as 3500 BC) Barbers were often priests whose main job was to keep evil spirits from possessing people, by trimming hair which demons liked to enter the body. This all later lead to barbers helping people by Lancing boils, setting broken bones and amputating gangrenous limbs. They also practices Trepanning which is where they would drill a hole into a persons head to lead out the evil forces known today as headaches and epilepsy. Anyways the most common procedure, other than a hair cut that a barber used to do was Blood-letting. The barber would open a patients vein using a narrow blade and let the blood pour down into a brass bowl. (they displayed these brass bowls in their windows to advertise this service). During the procedure, the patient would grip a white rod to encourage blood flow, and white strips of bandage would be used to clean him/her. The red stripes symbolize the bloody bandages, poles with a blue stripe represent the veins. I'm very grateful for technology and science, and that barbers are now very different from surgeons!!

I've FINALY learned that I can love anyone. I LOVE my calling in Young Women and now have a true testimony of loving those you serve and serve with. Also, to feel loved unconditionally by others is amazing... 

Since this is also a catch up of my life the past couple months, I just HAVE to say...

Watch THE MUSKETEERS!

It's on BBC, it has 1 season out. It is sooo good. Jer and I moved the computer into our room (we have a rule of no electronic stuff where we sleep, so we will sleep better) But we broke the rules and snuggles in bed while we watched this brilliant show and we didn't want it to end!

And speaking of amazing, let me tell you about my day-trip to L.A.

Jer came in the other day and said "I can count on one finger how many days off I've gotten this summer, but by tomorrow, I'll be able to count on two!" Wahoo! The whole day with my boo! We quickly celebrated with a game of frisbee golf- seriously our new fun activity.

The next morning we packed a bag and some lunch and headed down to L.A.

Our first stop was at the Getty museum. $15 for parking and the rest was our play ground. It is an amazing campus filled with great art including architecture and design.

I love little symbols and references in art- actually I just love Art history!

This next room cause me to be as excited as a kid in a candy shop... a

Renoir, Rembrandt, Cesanne, Monet, Manet, Degas, Van Gogh, Gaugin filled candy shop.

I love Impressionist art, because I love the brush strokes, textures and colors.

Another side note: All you want to do is get really really close to the art (without touching it) but at one point Jer could not resist and he TOUCHED something. Well the 'security' person in the room immediately said "NO TOUCHING!" It just about made both our guilty booties jump in the air... you had to be there.

This is us out on a balcony after eating a delicious lunch at the caffe overlooking L.A.

Fun times!

After all this fun, we headed down to the Temple and saw this cool tree after coming out.

Then, we stripped down and headed to Santa Monica Beach to soak up the sun.

We found all this cool exercise stuff along the board walk. Good thing I have been working out extra hard these past few months and can almost keep up with Jeremy. Monkey bars that kids play on a jungle gym are the hardest things in the world, but I CAN do the whole row now. WHATSUPPP!

Beach time!

Any how, I love all the great things I'm learning, even though they are random.

The most wonderful thing I learned (again) this week, was how much I love Jeremy and just how dang cool he is. I am his biggest fan. After over 4 years together and almost 3 years married (in 3 days), we can spend all day together talking, sharing our thoughts and interests and not getting tired of each others company. It feels good to be alive and in love!

Explaining PCOS to loved ones.

This is from PCOSdietsupport.com

What is PCOS?

I have PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. I know that you think of it as “woman issues” but it’s important that you know what is happening with me and my body because it affects both of us and I’m really going to need your help in coming to terms with it, living with it and getting it under control.

So, I do have “woman issues”. Basically I don’t ovulate every month, which means that my cycle is very irregular. I also might have some cysts on my ovaries. The biggest thing, though, is that I don’t process carbohydrates properly and my body is over sensitive to insulin. This means that I produce too much insulin for the carbs that I eat. The insulin also makes my ovaries release too much testosterone (all women produce testosterone – I just have too much of it).

PCOS is pretty common. Every 1 in 10 women have it so I’m not abnormal or alone in it.

The Symptoms

The symptoms of PCOS are pretty rough for me to deal with and can make me feel unattractive. I sometimes struggle with my weight. It’s not for lack of trying, I promise! All of that insulin quickly stores my carbs as fat and makes it difficult for me to lose it.

I have hair where I really don’t want hair and I may lose some of my hair on my head. I also may have bad skin (think teenage boy acne). It’s that darn testosterone.

One of the hardest things about PCOS is that having babies might be a struggle. It’s not impossible by any means but might take longer than we’d like.

What I need to do for me

PCOS is not a death sentence and I’ve made a decision that although I have PCOS, it doesn’t have me. There are things that I can do to manage my PCOS and help with my symptoms.

The biggest thing I can do for me is to lead a healthy lifestyle, keep active and eat properly. This will make my symptoms easier to manage (exercise and diet are huge in dealing with the insulin which will help with the testosterone). The way I eat is not necessarily aimed at me losing weight (although it will help) but on getting healthy. So we can change the way we eat and get healthy together. There are also some supplements that I take regularly which have been really helpful in managing my symptoms.

I can get help from my doctor or endocrinologist (hormone doctor) and there are medications I can take.

If we’re not ready to think about a family, I can also take birth control, which will keep my symptoms in check for a while. As soon as I come off the pill, though, my symptoms will come back so birth control is a temporary fix and can have unpleasant side effects.

If we do decide to have a family and we’re struggling to, we can go to see a reproductive endocrinologist to look into fertility treatments. They’ll want to check you out too and treat both of us if need be.

What I need you to do

The biggest thing I need from you is your love and support. There are times when living with PCOS is going to make me angry, depressed and feel unattractive. Please just love me through it.

I’m going to do everything I know to do to eat properly and exercise. Please help me by eating healthy too and being active with me. Let’s go for lots of long walks, take up mountain biking or ballroom dancing. If you do have treats (which you’re totally entitled to), please hide them from me so that I’m not tempted by them. Also, please share with them with me once in a blue moon because I also deserve a treat every now and then.

Bearing in mind what I said about feeling unattractive, when I’m having an “ugly” day (and they do happen), please remind me how beautiful I am. Encourage me to get my hair done, have a pedicure or a massage. Sometimes I get so caught up in the daily grind of work, keeping a home and our family, looking after my health, that I forget to take some time just for me. I need you to help me do that.

Thank you, seriously!

It sounds a bit trite but thank you so much for taking the time to read this. It shows me that you want to understand what I am going through and want to support me and that means the world to me. Thank you for loving me in spite of my many faults (PCOS included) and thank you for choosing to walk this road with me. Having PCOS is not easy but with you by my side, it makes it a little more manageable!

My comment: Having PCOS is really a struggle some days. These side effects are embarrassing and it's hard talking about them... BUT this is my cross to bear (don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that I'm not dying or have a crazy flesh-eating disease, I'm glad that I know my diagnosis so I can learn about coping with the symptoms and keeping things under control)  It's just hard not knowing if I'm going to ovulate/have a baby, dealing with excessive hair growth is the WORST, periods-when they do come are painful, teenage acne is never fun in your twenty somethings, dealing with weight gain and feeling like i can never lose it... On a self esteem scale I probably have a 1- I know I am my own worst critic but still... There is no way to boost your self esteem as a woman, when you have male pattern balding and you're shaving your face every day. I used to have a pretty hair line...  now I'm trying to rock a fringe to cover up my new widows peak. (now and then pic). Sometimes I feel like this condition just eats away at my womanhood and femininity. 

Oh well...maybe someone will find a cure soon :)...

or maybe just something that can manage the symptoms but not inhibit fertility.

Sorry this is such a dreary post..sometimes a girl's just got to vent ;)

 I feel SUPER lucky that I have an amazing husband that takes care of me, thinks I'm beautiful and warms up my heat pack in the middle of the night.

In lou of mothers day coming up, I'm grateful for moms and motherhood and hope to be apart of the celebrations one day!

YW Divine Nature Personal Progress Wednesday Activity

I was put in charge of putting together our Divine Nature night. In lou of mothers day coming up, we sent invitations to the moms to join us.

Gave the above invites to the moms.

Then I gave these to the girls: The Personal Progress value that they would be working on, and their instructions.

They had to find a picture of their mom at the age she was that is the same at her daughter, and then find clothes to dress up in to model in the same style as her mom had when mom was daughters age.

THEN

I made checklists and made sure i had everything i needed.

I got there about 30 minutes before hand to set up the room.

We just used plastic tables cloths for the runway, and then draped fabric over the white board and then had the screen. this was "backstage" where the girls lined up to model.

Some refreshments and as they arrived, the girls pegged their pictures of their moms up.

THEN

We opened with prayer and I did a spiritual thought/demonstration about modesty checks (of coarse I tied in modesty) I had another leader read out the checks and demonstrated what to do (it was quite funny) - I printed off a checklist for each girl to take and put on her mirror. It basically said before you go out, bend down, can you see down your shirt? Lift your arms up in the air, does your tummy show? Touch your toes, does our skirt ride up etc.

THEN

The girls went backstage and their moms filled out a Qcard of qualities they love about their daughters.

Previously, I had the girls write down values that they love about their moms, 

THEN

as they modeled their moms clothes, I read the qualities they had written about their moms.

It was cute and funny...just hard to describe.

Here is a pic of the girls and their moms...too bad not even half of them showed up, but oh well.

So here we had an intermission where the leaders disappeared into the kitchen and got ready for a surprise!! I had everyone sit down and then this is what I said (I was the MC of sorts)

Ladies...tonight we have a special treat for you! Forget Paris and put aside fashion week! We invite you to sit back and enjoy a special fashion show with all the hottest trends....

Let's get ready to Rumble!!! 

Sister *** is out on the town turning heads with a provocative "plunging neckline" (she was wearing a plunger around her neck) that is all the rage this season. Men will be speechless as they discover they can't take their eyes off her!! We can easily transition this look to evening as well. As sister S*** says goodbye..take a quick peek at her amazing tramp stamp! (cardboard picture hanging out the back of her skirt) This fantastic outfit screams "I'm desperate for attention and this is the easiest way to get it.  Thank you Sister ***..she is lovely!

Sister G is going to crush the competition when the guys see this outfit. Her

"tank" top means business and shows all her business!! Her skirt is cut way "up high" (make voice go up high) (she had a picture of a tank on her shirt and a skirt with MINI mouses)

Her short skirt has an added bonus when she sits on the bus. Say cheese sister G..you're smokin' hot outfit and the way you are sitting in a dress just got your personal business posted on youtube by a complete stranger!  Nice!!  can I get a woot woot!! Can I get a beep beep?!! (It's part of a rap the girls may know and it fits with the bus image and make the girls laugh...)

Wow!! Sister C** leaves nothing to the imagination as she shows us her mega tight-see through outfit!! (she wore flesh colored leggings and shirt, then put a bra and undies over it and we wrapped her up in saran wrap)Not every young model can pull off this look...that's because it's tight form fitting design allows no wiggle room to get out of it! This may be the outfit you wear to the beach..the suns rays will penetrate this fabric and leave you with a golden tan so skip the tanning booths ladies and squeeze yourselves into this little number!! Thank you sister C**!! It's always nice to "see through" you!!

Up next we have sister E*** wearing an outfit that is sure to rock the runway!! This "light as air" fashionista (she wore a tight shirt with balloons for bit boobs, tummy showing a bit and stuffing in her pants for a big bum with a thong sticking out.) knows the most important part of this springs hottest fashions is her ability to really "wow" the guys with her one two punch. Party in the front and bootylicious in the back! She can easily take this outfit to a Miley Cyrus concert!! Watch that plumber's butt back there sister E** or sister S*** may use her plunging neckline against you! That's just a little fashion joke ladies.

Finally we have sister R** showing us her form fitting tube top! We never get "tired" of seeing this look!! (she wore an inner tube around her and red vines for straps) Her tube top is modifiable and she has added some fun Spaghetti straps made from (not spaghetti ladies) but instead...the irresistible red vines!! What fun! Drive those men wild at the movies as they literally can not help themselves from snacking on you instead of that greasy popcorn! Your date for sure will not be "frozen" on your "special night out"!!

Let's have a look at all our ladies once again. It certainly is a fashion night we can not forget! Get these looks while there hot ladies..and speaking of hot, during this heat wave, please remember to dress for the bodies you have, not the bodies you want.

So that was pretty hilarious I must say: Now here is the picture with everyone and the leaders. 

I made this picture huge so you can try to see all the leaders scandalous outfits!
This was a fun activity. It cost $0. Wasn't too much to set up or set down. We passed off a value.
I love our YW presidency, and how everyone is so willing to help brainstorm and make things possible :)

The girls having a great time!

Up Next our Beehive class activity night!