30

Settle in... it is going to be a long one.


On Monday, I turned the big ole 3-0. I think the anticipation of turning 30 was way worse than actually turning 30. Once I really thought about it, I am really happy about being 30.

I spent this last week on a little 'stay-cation.' I took some time off from work to just stay home and enjoy my surroundings. It was glorious.

My weekend started on Friday night, where Mike and I catered to our healing puppy dog, cleaned up our house, and relaxed. I made How Sweet's Cheddar and Corn Quinoa, which turned out pretty good.

I wish I had taken more pictures on my iPhone so I could share the awesomeness that was Saturday. Unfortunately, I only took pictures with my real camera, and getting those onto the computer, let alone the blog, is pretty impossible. You will have to just imagine how wonderful it was through my description and a few of Lindsay's photos.

For my birthday, my friends and Mike planned a celebration which included lots of wine and good food. We headed to one of my favorite Raleigh restaurants, Irregardless, for a lunch time cooking class and wine tasting. The cooking class was more like a hang out in the kitchen while the chef tells you what he is doing and you drink copious amounts of rum and wine, but hey, it was still pretty awesome.

Then it was time to eat. :)

We had seared ahi tuna with tuna tartar, wasabi pea puree, and jicama, cucumber, and seaweed salad. It was incredible.

After lunch, 2 trays of dessert were brought out for the table to share. Of course, I could have eaten the entire plate myself.

When everyone was finished eating, we all headed over to Lindsay and Fred's pool clubhouse, where a wonderful little party was put together for me. I had an absolute blast spending time with my friends, dancing, singing, and eating cake.

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Sunday, Mike and I spent the day lounging around, watching movies, and just recovering from Saturday's shenanigans. Plus, it was about 105 degrees on Sunday, so indoors seemed like the most comfortable way to spend the day.

Monday was my actual birthday. My mom came into town and we started the day with a birthday breakfast at The Flying Biscuit.

We spent the remainder of the day shopping our faces off at the mall. That is one of the things my mom and I used to do together all the time, shop! We haven't shopped like that together in a long time, so it was really fun to spend the day with her.

She headed back home that evening and I waited for Mike to get home so we could go out to dinner. Dinner was amazing! We tried out a new restaurant that we have been eying called Midtown Grille. This might be a new favorite spot for special occasions. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the ambiance was perfect.

We started with a little wine and some calamari.

For my entree, I ordered the NY Strip steak and it was one of the best steaks I have ever had. It was cooked PERFECTLY and the flavor was amazing.

Mike ordered the beef shortribs and they were also very good.

We were too full for any dessert, but our stomachs were happy!

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Tuesday, we woke up and I headed out for a run. I needed to get out there and do some running after all the horrible eating I had been doing all weekend. I went for a quick 3 mile run around the neighborhood and got to use some of my new running gear. Mike and Lindsay got me a bunch of new running stuff for my birthday and I ended up finding a big sale on work out clothes while shopping with my mom, so I am fully equipped now.

I feel so official! Another awesome thing I got from my dear friend Lindsay, is a RoadID bracelet! I have been wanting one for a while and I was so excited to open that gift!!! I would show it to you, but I don't really want any creeps to see my personal info and phone numbers... and I have no idea how to get fancy and blur those out... instead, here is the box!

It was really hot out, but the run went pretty smoothly. I have been a little slack lately and we are a short 5 weeks (!!) til Mexico, so it is time to kick it into high gear!

After running, Mike and I decided to cancel out every calorie that I had burned that morning and went out for hot dogs. There is a place called The Roast Grill in downtown Raleigh that is super old and a total dive, but we had heard amazing things about their hot dogs. Since they have very limited hours on the weekends and evenings, we figured it was a good opportunity to try it out.

The verdict? Pretty good! They don't have anything but hot dogs there, and they only have certain toppings (one of them NOT being ketchup, they don't allow it in the place), but I really liked my hot dogs. The place is super old fashioned and they sell soda out of old glass bottles, so it was a good experience, but since it was super small and crowded in there, I don't know that I would go back. Luckily, we have been wanting to go there for over 3 years now and finally got the opportunity, so that is probably not an option anyway.

We spent the rest of Tuesday at the pool and then headed to the movies to see Ted. It was really funny.

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The 4th of July was bittersweet for me since it was the end of my mini vacation but it was the 4th of July... who doesn't love the 4th of July?? We spent it with friends, which is always a good time.

We went to a bar that had a beer 'tent' and watched the fireworks from there. I use the term 'tent' loosely since there was no actual tent. It was just a roped off area of the parking lot with a beer truck in the middle.

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About the whole turning 30 thing... I am not phased. I am the happiest and healthiest I have ever been in my life. I have a wonderful husband, amazing friends, and a great family. I have nothing to be sad about and I am more proud of myself than I have ever been. Turning 30 has really just made me realize all that I have and all that I will have in the future. I am really happy with where I am in life, and I wouldn't change a bit of it.

memories made here...

Boo for Monday. I really wish we were still down at the beach, enjoying the beautiful weather and relaxing. It is so awesome how spending just one day at the beach can remove so much stress and worry, only to come rushing back as soon as you get back home. Ugh... the real world.

We spent the weekend at our friend Lindsay's family beach house. We had such a great time and Mike really enjoyed his birthday. 

When we arrived on Friday, we immediately went grocery shopping and got enough food to last us through the weekend. Then we returned to the house and had a few drinks on the porch before more friends started to arrive.

Friday was pretty low key. We grilled some burgers and hot dogs, made some sweet potato fries and tater tots, and just hung out. Everyone was tired from the week and after a few drinks, we headed to bed relatively early.

Saturday, a bunch of us got up pretty early for a run. 2 of the guys Mike is planning to run in a marathon with later this year were at the beach, so I tagged along with them for their first few miles.

We actually did the first mile on a dirt path, which is not my strongest type of running. I know I need to do more of those to help strengthen my ankles, but I am always so afraid of breaking them while I run on uneven ground.

I ran a little behind the boys, since I had to stop and take pictures here and there. ;)

The beach that we went to is extremely small, with such cute little beach shops and houses all over. They also have little canals that run along the streets with the most adorable houses on them. I would now like a canal house, asap.

I ran about 3.5 miles, while the boys did their long run of about 8 miles. It was nice to get out there and get our exercise in for the day, but it was so hot. It wasn't even 9 am by the time I got back to the house and I was dripping with sweat. Luckily, the scenery was gorgeous, and that kept me going long after when I wanted to quit.

When we got back to the house, I showered up and then we all headed down to the beach. It was really nice out, with a cool breeze, but warm enough to stay in bathing suits. The water was pretty chilly, but after a few margaritas, we had no problems going in the water. ;)

We played boccie ball, ladder golf, corn hole, and drinking games all while soaking up the sun and enjoying each others company. It was a perfect day at the beach. I would have to say that Mike's favorite place to be is at the beach and with friends, so I think this was a great way for him to spend his birthday.

About mid day, the girls headed to the house to make up some sandwiches (and more margaritas) for lunch. Since I can't really do deli meat right now, I made a huge veggie filled sandwich with hummus, avocado, tomato, and cucumber.

We also had some chips and salsa, since it was Cinco de Mayo... It was all very yummy.

We stayed out at the beach until almost 5, so when we finally came back to the house, we all jumped in the shower and started to get ready.  I finished up getting ready just in time to watch the Kentucky Derby begin. We each picked a few horses, which made the race a lot more fun to watch.

Then it was on to cake and presents for the birthday boy!

Mike has been kinda obsessed with (wanting) butterfingers lately, so I found a Butterfinger Cake recipe online and made it at the beach. It was super rich, but really delicious.

One of Mike's birthday present requests was an ice cream maker, so that is what he got! He immediately made some vanilla ice cream for everyone which turned out amazing! We waited until after dinner to enjoy that and our cake, since we had a Cinco de Mayo feast planned.

We made fish and chicken tacos with black and pinto beans and slaw. Everything was really delicious and the chicken and fish were cooked perfectly, thanks to the boys.

I went without a tortilla, since we weren't able to find a low sodium option at the grocery store. It was still really good, and I enjoyed every bite.

After dinner, we had cake and ice cream and then we all passed out. :)

Sunday morning, we woke up to dark clouds and cool weather. We had all planned to go down to the beach for bit before hitting the road, but the weather was just not cooperating. Instead, Mike and I went for a run.

We decided to run along the beach, since it was pretty cool out and the sand was really packed down. I have only ever ran on sand one other time, and it was not pretty. This year, since I am in much better running shape than I ever have been before, it was much easier.

There were dead jelly fish all over the beach... poor little guy.

When Mike and I hit the 1.5 mile mark, we wanted to go ahead and turn around. Before doing so, we decided to have a little fun with pictures.

We were dying laughing at those pictures yesterday. Mike's face is priceless and my herky is not what it used to be...

What an amazing and fun weekend... Such wonderful memories with some really wonderful people. I am so thankful that we have such great friends. :)

A big shout out to Lindsay and her family, for allowing us to borrow their little slice of heaven for a weekend. We had so much fun.

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Yesterday's Stats:
Calories (+) 15
Sodium (+) 468
Protein (+) 6