The Glistening City

Last weekend I went to a Bachelorette Party in Cancun, Mexico. The bride-to-be is a good friend of mine from high school. I had a blast and got a little too sunburned. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort called Gran Caribe Real Resort and Spa. I would have to rate this resort 3 out of 5 stars because the food and drinks were not very good. I really liked the room, pool, beach, and service.

Here is the pretty beach! The water was sooo blue. I tried to stay under the cabanas as much as possible. My goal this trip was to not get sunburned! I did better than normal but I'm still pretty sunburned.

 

On Friday night we went out on the town! We paid $67 to go to 3 bars and have our own dedicated waiter. The waiter would find us in the crowd and bring us drinks. It was pretty awesome.

The girls ready to go out!

Following true Bachelorette fashion, Steph had to wear the traditional sash and crown accessorized with a penis wand. The wand was pretty hilarious and got a lot of action that night.

The Bachelorette Accessories

 The first bar we went to was called Congo. We got to dance on the stage which was nice because the bar was packed! Then we walked to Senor Frogs where they had a few different competitions that Steph dominated in. After that we went to CoCo Bongo. This bar was completely different than anything I have ever experienced. It was HUGE inside and they have several skits for entertainment.

Congo

CoCo Bongo - Madonna impersonator

Later in the night I was convinced to dance on that stage. Not my typical self but I still had fun! 

 

 

 

 

The next day we went snorkeling to the second largest coral reef. It wasn't the brightest idea to drink the night before getting on a boat and going snorkeling. A few of us were not feeling the greatest but we all had a good time. I saw several pretty fish, a lobster, a huge black fish, and a sting ray. Snorkeling is fun but it is definitely a workout. Don't we all look pretty sexy in our snorkeling gear?

Getting ready to jump in!

The rest of the time we spent relaxing at the beach or pool. We had absolutely perfect weather. When we were leaving it started to rain so we were coming back at just the right time.

A few things I learned:

1. Must tip well to get good service which means bring lots of ones. It looks like you are going to a strip club but it is helpful!
2. Never eat at the 24 hour food bar because it is pretty gross
3. Make sure to get on the correct city bus or else you'll get on a bus going the wrong direction and have nasty homeless men sticking their tongues at you (reminds me of my Italy trip several years ago).

Hotel California

I'm in the Agoura Hills area of California for the next 24 hours. While I was driving to my hotel during rush hour I had a few thoughts about California.

1. California would be a nice place to live but there are too many reasons not to move there.
1. TRAFFIC!@#%@#... The traffic is worst than Houston, TX. There are 6 lanes but I don't think I got over 20 mph. That's just redic (like my short form for "ridiculous"?)...
2. It freaks me out every time a motorcyclist goes zooming by me at 70+ mph. I don't understand why it is legal for motorcyclist to drive between cars. 
3. California has terrible roads. There are pot holes EVERYWHERE. I know California is broke but pot holes are dangerous.
4. It is way to expensive to live in California. I know you make more at your job but it's still crazy.

1. How would you like one of the most highly-traveled highway interchanges to be named in your honor? It's an area that gives people frustration and anger everyday due to terrible traffic. Personally I would like a location that brings people joy and happiness to be named in my honor.

Brindle's 4th Birthday

The Birthday Girl

This past weekend was Brindle 4th birthday. We adopted her little over 3 years ago but it still feels like yesterday that we picked her up at the Williamson County Animal Shelter. I'm glad my mom and I decided to drive around to all the animal shelters instead of shopping! I had 2 dogs before Brindle: Patches and Buff. My mom always planned a birthday bash for each birthday with the cake and party hats but Brindle has not been so lucky to experience a doggy birthday party like that.

 Patches' birthday with Kaddy, Mom, Grammie, and I

This year my mom decided to go all out for Brindle's birthday. Brindle had 3 of her best dog friends. They enjoyed frosty paws (ice cream for dogs) and the humans enjoyed a cookie cake. All the dogs had a blast!

Brindle and Clover devouring the frosty paws

Caesar, Brindle, Gidget, and Clover in their party hats!

 

 Awww aren't they so cute!?

I win!

A friend of mine nominated me for the One Lovely Blog award! I was a little surprised because I just started this blog but I'm honored for her to think of me!

Apparently there are a few things that I need to do when accepting this award.

1. Mention the person who nominated you.
2. List 7 different random facts about yourself.
3. Nominate another blogger for the award and notify them.

  My good friend Heidi at The Sweet Life kindly nominated me for this award. She recently got married and it was a wonderful wedding! Her and her husband are so perfect for each other!

7 Random Facts

1. I have two of the cutest doggies and a kitty cat! Brindle just turned 4 years and Clover is almost 6 months old. Chief is 4 years old and we have a love-hate relationship. I am allergic to him but I guess he is a cutie (don't tell Craig I said that...)

 

Don't they look like twins?

2. I have a wonderful boyfriend named Craig! It's been over a year that we have been dating and I have loved every minute of it. We recently went to The Salt Lick in the middle of no where. It was delicious BBQ!

3. I am obsessed with TV. I watch about 20 different TV shows. I have started recording shows on Craig's DVR because I can't record more than 2 shows at a time. Pathetic right?! My top favorites right now are United States of Tara, True Blood, One Tree Hill, Grey's Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Private Practice, Gossip Girl.... I could go on.

4. I just bought a Cricut. You can cut any shape or letter you want! I really enjoy making cards for special events and scrapbooking!

5. I just got done with bootcamp by Synergy Fitness Bootcamp. I lost a few inches and pounds. I could have lost more if I was better with what I eat. They say it's all about what you eat. 

6.  I love anything Irish. See first post. :)

7. My favorite color is purple with green in a close second. Whenever I'm shopping my eyes always go towards anything purple... a purple shirt, shoes, purse, jewelry.

Time for my nomination!

I nominate.... drum roll please.... Nicole at Shedding for the Shredder!

She is an amazing inspiration to be fit and healthy and also a great friend! She recently signed up for the Face of Fitness. Go vote for her!

Idiots Guide to Transferring a Vehicle Title in Texas

Background
Recently my Dad decided that it was time to transfer the title of my vehicle over to my name. It's only been 3 years since I graduated college. I thought I had a few more years but he didn't see it that way. :) My journey began when my Dad came over to my place and signed the title certificate and wrote me a bill of sale of $1 (Don't you wish all cars would cost $1?!). He told me that was all I would need when I go to the DMV. I went to the DMV around the corner and they let me know that I had to go to the Williamson County Tax Annex which was about 20 minutes away.  I get to the Williamson County Tax Annex for them to tell me that the law changed and you can no longer do a bill of sale of $1. My parents had to fill out a Gift Affidavit and Transfer of Title Application and get it notarized. I got back to the Annex office today to find out that we filled out the application incorrectly. The mileage of the Title Certificate and the Transfer of Title Application HAS to be the same even though they were both signed on different days.

***WARNING - Time to complain***

 Does it say it anywhere on the application? NO (!@#!@%$)! Now my parents have to fill out another form (now 4 forms total) to document the "error" so the county will accept it. Now you might be asking why didn't you just cross out the mileage and change it? Apparently no errors or white outs can be on the application. If you screw up, you have to print out a new form and start over. Isn't that the stupidest thing EVER?! Typically when you mess up on a legal document you can inital the mistake and everything is good. Well not for Texas... At least this new form will trump all the other forms and I will get 20 more days to complete this before getting fined. OK I'll get off of my soap box....

Idiots Guide to Transferring a Vehicle Title in Texas
1. Find your county tax office
2. Seller and Buyer must sign, date, and record the odometer reading on the back of the Title Certificate.
3. Seller must sign the Application for Texas Certificate of Title (U-130) form. Make sure the odometer reading matches the Title Certificate. If a mistake is made below line 14 of this document, print out a new document and fill it out again.
4. Seller and Buyer must complete the Gift Affidavit form if the vehicle is being transferred. The seller must get their signatures notarized but the buyer can sign the document at the County Office.
5. Bring your current car insurance with you to the County Office.
6. Bring cash or a check with you. They will charge 8.25% on all credit card charges.

Lucky Clover

 "The four-leaf clover is an uncommon variation of the common, three-leaved clover. According to tradition, such leaves bring good luck to their finders, especially if found accidentally. According to legend, each leaf represents something: the first is for hope, the second is for faith, the third is for love, and the fourth is for luck" - Four-leaf Clover Wikipedia Page 

Lucky clover has several different meanings for me.

1. If anyone knows me I love anything Irish. My Dad started working on a family tree a few years ago and figured out we are Irish, German, Swiss, and Scottish. My great, great, great, etc. Grandfather came over to America from Ireland and met my great, great, great, etc. Grandmother on the boat over. Even though I'm not 100% Irish I still love the culture. Four year ago I was lucky enough to travel to Ireland and tour Dublin and the country side. It is absolutely beautiful there. One day I would like to go back and tour the west coast of Ireland. I'll put that on my bucket list.

2. One evening in December I was browsing the Austin Pets Alive! website looking at all the cute puppies. I saw this adorable puppy with an interesting coat. Craig and I had to go meet her and once she was in my arms for 1 second she was all mine. We named her Clover. Her foster mom named her "Clove" and we thought the name Clover would be perfect. She is the best behaved puppy that I have ever known. She is 5 months old and she has only destroyed 1 shoe lace. She is spoiled with bones and other toys so she is preoccupied with her own stuff. She has been doing very well with potty training also. I'm so happy Craig and I decided to adopt her because she is a great addition to our lives.

3. I had the privilege to join an amazing sorority in college called Kappa Pi Gamma. Our colors are emerald green and white. Our official symbol is a star but I think our unofficial symbol was a clover. Every year we threw an amazing St. Patty's Day Bash for the whole school. That was a great 4 four years!