Goal #89: Pay for someone in the drive through behind me

Photo credits: Alex took the fabulous drive through photo, I snapped the photo of the receipt, and Madalyn used her mad-design-skillz and made it look amazing. And for all of you photo police out there, I did make sure I had full and complete permission from MMW to use her fabulous photo documentation, she obviously approved.

This fabulous goal was completed quite a bit ago. Half of me wants to kick my own ass for being a slacker at documenting these awesome adventures. But the other half loves reminiscing about how the adventure came to fruition.

This was yet another goal that Madalyn and I both shared on our lists, and one Sunday morning as we set off for a different DZP adventure with Alex, we all decided Starby's was a must-do before said-adventure could begin. Next came the decision as to which location to go to. And that's when it happened... LET'S GO TO THE DRIVE-THRU AND CROSS THIS OFF OUR LISTS TOO, TOO! Boom! Voila! Bazinga! and whatever bam-boom-voila-word you prefer!

So, very excitedly we ordered our drinks... went to the window and in the cheeriest voices prompted the cashier that we'd like to pay for the person behind us. Without hesitation he ran our cards, handed us our receipt and as we slowly exited the lane, our entire car was peeking back to see the woman behind us receive her free Caramel Macchiato.

Have you ever done this? Did you look to see the reaction or just go on your merry way? I know it's better to do such gestures without anything in return, including recognition and such... But I don't think we were looking for recognition. We were just so excited to see her face brighten up! I'd love to hear your stories of nice gestures. Do share.

Goal #52: Visit the Fullerton Arboretum

It's pretty sad how many amazing spaces and places surrounds us in this great country, and yet we can sometimes completely overlook them. When it comes to the Fullerton Arboretum, that is exactly what happened to me. I went to Fullerton College and CSUF, and I never knew that this little gem was walking distance from my classes. So of course, if I never visited the Arboretum while studying on the very campus it resides, I had to put it on my list to make certain I would actually go.

During a sister-date where Alex and I spent the day shopping for future centerpieces and selecting the perfect flowers to fill them with, we decided we would finish off the day with a visit to the Arboretum. Which wasn't completely selfish of me considering it is the location of my sister's future wedding!

Awesomely enough, a wedding was already set up and only hours away from taking place at the very same spot she has reserved for her big day! I snapped this little gem in complete excitement at what we have to look forward come July 2013.

The only bummer about visiting after a day of shopping around, was that neither of us were dressed for the occasion. I will not lie, I expected a lot, lot more grass and less dirt trails. So tennis shoes would have been much more appropriate than my sandals. All this means is, next time - very soon, next time - I will be much more prepared and even more willing to venture around the land that is the Fullerton Arboretum.

What to be for Halloween...?

Have you decided yet?

No matter how many conversations I have, I still don't know for sure...

 

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Maybe I'll just be this little cutie pie.

Goal #63: Visit a lighthouse with my mom

If there's one thing you should know about my mom. It's that she loves, loves, loves, loves, lighthouses! 

LOVES!

So when planning my DZP list, I decided this would be a sweet goal to complete. The best part of it all, was that my sister made sure to have it on her list too! - Or maybe she had it first, and I added it... I don't remember!

So for Mother's Day, my sister and I made a cute photo book listing all the reasons why we love her (see my favorite below).

Well, after some many planning, rescheduling, and delaying of this blessed event... we finally made it happen! We went to Long Beach and visited Long Beach Harbor Lighthouse and walked throughout Shoreline Village. We took a water taxi around the harbor and got to see the Queen Mary up close and personal. It was pretty damn fun hanging out with my fam. 

So, readers, this is my mom.. Carol. 

Momma, these are my readers.

Have you guys met before? Really, are you sure? 

She has a familiar face. It could be just that.

Beautiful, isn't she!

Goal #22: Have a doggie date with Rufus and Lulu

Madalyn and I are best friends, so why wouldn't our doggies, Rufus and Lulu, right? Ha!

First, introductions for those of you who don't know yet: to the left is Lulu, Madalyn's primped-girly-girl-yorkie... and to the right is Rufus, my bearded-boys-boy-miniature schnauzer. 

Rufus was all about getting to know Lulu, if you know what I mean. And who can really blame him? Lulu is one hot mama. Which is why she would totally be robbing the cradle if she ever gave into Rufus' incessant attempts to get her on her back. I mean all fours..? Hey, I'm not up with the doggie-do-ways, so the back reference will make sense in a bit. Just keep following me down the rabbit hole...

Location: softball field at a local park, where Mama Madalyn was playing slow pitch softball (another DZP goal on her list), so her boy and I made some fair attempts to get these two acquainted.

As you can see by this photo documentation, fair may be just the nicest word I've got for this kind of behavior.

But thankfully this story does get a happy ending...

After quite a bit of Rufus trying to convince Lulu he was a stand-up-pup, and getting his paw slapped away a few hundred times, Lulu finally gave Rufus the time of day. They successfully were able to chase each other around in some decent sized circles, at quite a top speed. Madalyn and I were left to find our own balance after being spun around so many times, we were literally holding on to each other's sides as to not completely fall over.

Once the field stopped spinning, Lulu was on her back (time! in a 'hey wanna pet my tummy' kind of way, you sickos) with a big smile on her face! So maybe Rufus has a chance after all.

Doggie date #2 will tell. To be continued...

Google Doodle: Moby-Dick Anniversary

 

Always love me a fun Google Doodle!

Don't you love the waves?

Hump Day Fave: SewTamz Camera Strap Covers

 

If I had a bomb-ass camera,

these SewTamz strap covers are exactly what I'd be sportin' on a daily:

#1.fave. aqua and purple damask 

#2.fave. soul blossom and aqua dot

#3.fave. funky paisley + chevron

#4.fave. fun hoopla dot + chevron

 

Might also make an interesting DIY project...

[small type since I am hyping this awesome product!]

But you know you were thinking it too. pshhaw.

Goal #7: Kiss in the rain

 

{via}

It looked nothing like this. Not that I'm complaining, oh nooo I am not complaining. This is how it went down...

Walking down the Vegas strip in the middle of too many people, all looking for the next bar to cool off at, drink until our hearts content and then off to the next watering hole. Suddenly there is a flash of lightening in the distance, followed by a very, very welcoming freshness in the air that brings an instant relief from the sweltering heat wave we've been enduring all day. And now, it's sprinkling.

Wait, is it sprinkling or did someone just spit on me? No, it's definitely sprinkling.

Oh my goodness, if this rain starts coming down I am so crossing this fucking goal off my list! Wait for it. Wait for it. Great, now I can't even feel the sprinkles. Dammit!! I really thought I was going to be able to do this finally.

WAIT, it's back! There's more! There's definitely MORE. D where are you?? Ok kiss me! Kiss me, right now. This is on my DZP list. Yes, I'm serious. *smooch* *smooch*

We're just about to rush into the next smoke-filled casino, gag, and now it's coming doowwwn.

STOP!

*mini make out sesh*

Okay, I did it. Phew, I did it. That was awesome. Let's do it again. Oh, no more rain. All well.

So where are we going next...

Goal #25: Watch the fountains at the Bellagio

Last month in celebration of so many things, I crossed this baby off my list with an amazing group of friends that I often refer to as my second family. In my fat-tuesday-drunken stooper-daze, I was in awe of the dancing water before me. Glad no one in my group denied me this virtue. Will never pass this up again.

Thought Catalog: 7 Childhood Traditions We Should Bring Back

 

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3. Non-explicit insults.

Some kids actually knew and used cuss words in their early years – but for those of us who didn’t possess potty mouths and listened to Will Smith’s music, we kept it clean when trading blows. Nowadays, as adults it’s common to use bad words to get our point across or win a verbal spat. Back in the day terms like stupid, idiot, stupid idiot, crybaby, doofus, etc. – were go-to insults when we were pissed ticked off. If it was time to use the heavy artillery, there were the hardcore phrases like dingleberry, butt-hole, punk, crap-head, etc. – very powerful stuff. That’s why these words need a comeback. Arguments would never escalate too far, because who really gets upset about being called a fart-knocker? Only a punk-ass b-tch would be bothered by that sh-t.

{read the other 6 over at the Thought Catalog} 

 

Mix it Up: Oven Baked BBQ Chicken / Goal #34: Try 12 new dinner recipes (6/12)

{baked bbq chicken, homemade potato salad, corn bread muffin!}

What to do when you buy a bunch of chicken legs because they're on sale? Make BBQ chicken. And when it's too hot outside to actually run your BBQ... Make BAKED BBQ chicken. And that's how I found The Hungry Mouse and her fabulous step-by-step recipes! I'm sharing the text version of this recipe, but if you're looking for some photo snapshots for each step - check out her blog here.

Baked BBQ Chicken
The Hungry Mouse
Serves 2

Ingredients:
- 4 chicken leg quarters
- kosher salt
- spray canola oil
- favorite barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Directions:
- Line a sheet pan with foil.
- Set a rack in the pan and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- Rinse and pat dry your chicken leg quarters.
- Season them with kosher salt.
- Heat a nonstick pan on the stove over high heat and spray with a little canola oil.

- When the pan is hot, drop in a few chicken leg quarters, skin-side down. Don’t crowd the pan (or your chicken will steam, not sear), so do this in a batches.

- Cook them on high until the skin is nice and brown.

- When the skin is browned, transfer the chicken to your prepared pan and repeat until all the chicken is done.

- Using a brush, coat each piece of chicken on all sides with your choosen barbecue sauce.
- Once coated, pop the pan into the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- Take the pan out of the oven and brush with additional barbecue sauce, covering each piece on all sides again.
- Put the pan back into the oven and continue to bake for 30-35 minutes more, until they’re cooked through completely with a nice crust. (thermometer reading of 165 degrees).

- Transfer to a serving platter.

- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro.
- Serve!

In Remembrance