My First Time

I am so excited to participate in the first #TotalSocial link up put on by Sarah from Venus Trapped in Mars and Helene from Helene in Between.  The first month's link up...your first time.  Anything about your first time.  So I am going to take it way back.  Way back to 2005.  My first time skydiving.   I have always been an adrenaline junkie and pushing the limits a little too far.  So it makes sense that I had always wanted to go skydiving and bungee jumping.  So far I have checked one off that list.   Back to the story...two of my guy friends (Anthony and Matt) and I drove the two hours from Reno to Lodi, California.  After arriving in Lodi, I was a little apprehensive since we would be skydiving next to the freeway.  But the staff reassured us that we wouldn't get THAT close to it.  I wish I had a picture showing how close we were.  We went to Parachute Center by the way.   After signing our lives away, getting suited up, learning breathing and posture techniques, they started filming us and taking pictures.  My camera guy was awesome.  He even linked my video up with some Offspring music (taking it way back).  I believe he was Australian.  And you know how beautiful Australian men are (HOT).     I should also mention that I had the oldest guy ever as my tandem partner and my friends thought it was funny to joke with me that he was going to kill over on me mid dive.  Thanks for the vote of confidence.  Side note: I really need to get the VHS (yep that long ago) converted into a dvd so I can share it.  It is pretty amazing.   Soon enough we were off to the plane.  The six of us, including our tandem partners and a formation team.  I watched my camera man's altitude watch slowly climb to 13,000 feet before the door opened and the tandem team literally flew out of the plane.  It was incredible to watch.  Next up was my tandem partner and myself.  It is hard to describe the feeling of standing on the edge of the planes open door getting ready to jump.  Huge adrenaline rush.  Best feeling ever.   And we dropped.  My stomach felt like it went into my mouth and for a second I forgot how to breathe like they instructed.  You have to breathe through your nose, not your mouth, otherwise you just gasp for air.  And then I enjoyed every last second of the 45 second drop sans parachute.  It was beautiful, scenic and freeing.  Then my partner gave me the signal to pull the cord and the chute went right up.  I was able to control the levers as we descended.  You can put one arm up, one arm down and you spin in circles.  You can put both arms down and you almost stop mid air.  Or you can put both arms up and you fall a lot faster.   I don't remember how long it took to get to the ground after the pull, but I am guessing it was a few minutes.  Plus I had a perfect soft landing.  I can't say the same for Matt.  Think tumbling.

Notice the no shoes and stomach hanging out.  I wish I would have found the other photos where they are face on and you can see how tight the goggles were and gravity at its best.   Skydiving was everything I hoped for and more.  And I want to do it again.  Maybe for my birthday this year?  Maybe for another special occasion?  My husband would NEVER do this with me.  He is afraid of heights.  So friends, someone please go again with me.  It has been far too long.   Want to join in on the Total Social link up?  Anyone can join, via instagram, blogs, facebook and twitter. 

Cara Box Exchange

I finally am posting my first Cara Box.  I was fortunate enough to receive two boxes as both of my pairings sent me a box.  So I have one today and one tomorrow.   So what is the Cara Box Exchange?  I will let Kaitlyn from Wifessionals take it from here.   cara (car-rah) noun : beloved friend
Cara Box is a quarterly box swap among women.  It was created with the intention of connecting ladies, allowing them to truly get to know and encourage each other.  This swap is primarily based around Instagram.  Both bloggers and non-bloggers may participate, but being an active user on Instagram is a must.
March's theme was hometowns.  So I sent Jennifer things from the Reno/Tahoe area.

Red Passion Davidson Tea (Sparks, NV), Starbucks Lake Tahoe coffee cup, Blind Dog Nevada Black Coffee (Reno, NV), Tahoe Toffee Coffee Toffee (Gardnerville, NV), Natures Bakery Fig Bar (Carson City, NV) and a cute dog card.
Today is my Cara Box from Jennifer.  Jennifer lives in Southern California, loves the beach, wine, coffee and many other things.  We connected very well and I feel like I have known her for years.  Cara Box Exchange definitely did us a favor because I can see us being friends for years to come.  Plus she is trying to visit me in December for a trip to Heavenly (she took her honeymoon there), and I go to the LA area at least once or twice a year.   So without further ado, here is my first Cara Box.

  I took some individual photos so you all can see everything in detail.

Left: I heart CA wine (Pinot Grigio).  Right: Handmade wine charms from Jennifer's wedding, California keychain

Left: Mason jar with sand from Seal Beach and hand picked seashells.  Right: Rescued seashells and sand

Left: Bath & Body Works Island White Pineapple Hand Soap.  Right: Bath & Body Works Beach Cabana Candle

Left: LAX airport at night Post Card.  Right: Hollywood Snow Globe
I think Jennifer did an amazing job.  She knows I travel a lot for work, love wine and the beach.  I always plan my vacations where there is a beach.  Costa Rica, Mexico, Hawaii, California, etc.

The Weekend Update

Welcome to another Monday.  It seems like my weekend never existed, but I have some pictures to prove it did.   Friday: Pretty uneventful after work.  A few errands, lunch and amazing sushi for dinner.  I have been craving sushi for weeks and my husband was finally in the mood for sushi too.  Upon arriving home, we opened this bottle of wine.  I recommend it even if you don't love white wines.  We don't drink white wines too often, but this one is really good.

  Saturday: It was supposed to be nice weather (forecasted earlier in the week), but it ended up in the low 50s with lots of wind.  It also meant that we chickened out of going downtown to the Riverfest.  Boo.  But we did manage to go shopping for some work clothes at the outlet mall.  I did not get a single piece of work clothing (my husband did), but I did get a new pair of Spring-y converse shoes and two Coach bags.  Coach just opened their outlet store the day before, so they had killer deals.  I got a mini wristlet for football season $28 and a pink and white bag perfect for summer $113.  So long to the spending freeze.
It was cold enough that my husband built a fire while I was grocery shopping.  The rest of the day was spent cuddling by the fire and watching movies.  I recommend About Time, but would NOT recommend The Counselor (great cast, bad movie).
Sunday: After some house cleaning, I headed down to my parents house for some hangout time and a movie with my mom and sister.  We saw The Other Woman and liked it.  Classic romantic comedy, but definitely worth seeing.  Plus the movie theater we went to had beer, margs and alcohol ice cream.  Amazing.
Then I had ventured back to my in-laws house where my husband cooked ribs for hours and hours.  They were AMAZING!

 Stage 1 - Dry Rub at 250 degrees for 2 hours 15 minutes

Stage 2 - Final Dry Rub (cooked for an additional hour)

Final - After 10 minute barbeque glaze
Is your mouth watering yet?  We have a lot leftover, so we will be reheating these babies later in the week.  Meat overload!
Walter came along to his grandparents house and I asked if he was a good boy while I was gone.  Their response was...he was a dog.  Then went on to say that while playing in the backyard, he found a bunny nest.  And you can guess what happened after that.  My husband was chasing Walter around the yard while he was eating a baby bunny.  My little chiweenie ate a baby bunny on Mother's Day.  Not a proud mom moment there.  He then went back to the nest and tried to get another, but my husband saved that one.  He wasn't allowed in the backyard the rest of the evening.  Poor little baby bunny.

Baby bunny that my husband saved.
I am happy to report that the mother bunny came back to the nest, built it up more this morning and the remaining babies are doing well.  Now if Walter would only pass the bunny or give us some indication he is ok.  Anyone experience this?  Would you recommend anything?

NFL Draft

It's Friday and that means Fan Friday Link Up.  So head on over to Venus Trapped in Mars and share your post.    Yesterday was the NFL Draft and I always get pretty excited for Draft Day because I can't wait to see who the Niners choose, see where the "super stars" ie Johnny Football get drafted to and watch the sheer disappointment on players faces when they don't get chosen.  I love me some football.  Plus it gets me even more excited about the upcoming season.     First off, I asked my husband if he thought Javeon Clowney would go #1 since he is a beast and I thought he would.  My husband told me no, but what do you know, he did go #1. Second, dang Bucs took Mike Evans.  He was supposed to go to the Niners.  Didn't they get the memo?   Third, this.

via Facebook
And then this happened...

Soak it in Manziel.  This is the only glory you will have for the next 5 years or so.  You think you can take the Browns to the Super Bowl?  Haha.  Make that money.

Forth, the Niners chose Jimmie Ward.  A safety.  Again.  They chose an amazing safety last year, Eric Reid.  He's a beast.  I understand they may play him as a cornerback, but he just had surgery.  And that isn't good.  Why didn't they pick up an offensive lineman to cover Kaepernick's ass or a wide receiver?  Baffled.   Lastly, I hope Joel Bitonio, from Nevada Wolf Pack, goes in the second round today.   I am so glad it is finally Friday, I can finally sleep in tomorrow and enjoy the weekend with family.  What are your Mother's Day plans?  

Donut of Death

When will I ever learn?  Each and every time I have a donut (for the last three-ish months) I feel so sick after I eat them.  I don't know why and I am upset because the donut gods must hate me.  Today I ate this little piece of donut goodness.

But it doesn't feel like heaven an hour later.  I have the worst heartburn and stomach ache.  Why oh why do I keep doing this to myself?  Maybe because they taste so good.  Next time I even think about a donut, please stop me and slap it out of my hand.  Then you can put this little piece of heaven in its place.

via Sift and Whisk
Today's post has been brought to you by my wicked sweet tooth I have going on.  You're welcome.

Say Yes

This resonates so well with me right now.  I tend to just want to stay at home and cuddle with my pup, but lately, I have been trying to say yes to anything and everything.  I want to enjoy going out, doing anything I want and experience as much as possible before we have children one day (hopefully soon).  Not that children don't allow you to do those things, but it is harder to come by once you have to tote a little one around with you.   So just "Say Yes".

Fashion Fail

This is what I woke up to this morning...

 A tweet saying, "Midlife crisis?"   I would go with a big resounding yes followed by, he looks like a boy bander, douchetastic fashion fail.  Ugh get it together Brady.  That hair, oh that god awful hair.  Speaking of hair, did you ever see the 33 Times Tom Brady's Hair Looked Really Effin Stupid? You're welcome in advance.  

Bad Hair and ugly crier  

 Did you let your son weed wack your hair?  Just awful.  via Buzzfeed
Day MADE!