Where's Abby (+ Dylan and dogs)

On our quick trip to charleston we ... Reunited with the incredible John White at Big John's Tavern. Was great seeing him and some of the other cool characters I'd met during my last and first Charleston trip .   Started our first day with morning coffee swingin on the porch.  Probably said, "Ooh, look at that house!," "It's so pretty!" and "I love Charleston!" about a million times while strolling through the streets on our rainy Saturday morning.  Admired the dreamy flowery windows.  Laughed lots at Dylan forgetting how to eat fried chicken. And thoroughly enjoyed our whole southern goodness meal at Jestine's .  Dreamed of being a student or professor at this  campus.  Enjoyed some of the most delicious pizza and local brew at De'Allesandros and uniquely delicious sammis at Brown Dog Deli .  Toured the antique-filled, impressive Calhoun Mansion. Which we also learned was in t...

This Thanksgiving was a wonderful and unique one. We had quite a new dynamic with the new addition to this Ross family! Adaleigh was definitely the star of the show and got lots of loving from the whole crew. I loved seeing all the new roles in action... Mom and Dad, Grandma and Granddaddy, uncle, great aunt  and uncle and great grands. Two facts: She's the cutest and new parents are champions. So proud of Chris and Liesl and can't wait for more visits with their beautiful family.  We also went on a boat tour of the Withlakoochi and Rainbow Rivers with a passionate environmentalist, singing, Florida man included. Quite entertaining and always beautiful. Adaleigh even enjoyed the music and ride! Game night was made even better this year with some new guests that added even more humor to the mix and ending in a "question game," with no winner, but lots of funny stories shared.   It had been three years since my last family Thanksgiving, since last year ...

Happy Friday, Friends! I hope everyone enjoys their weekends and starts gettin those bellies ready for Thanksgiving! I know I'm more stoked than ever for this Thanksgiving. I get to meet my precious niece  and  see my brother and sis I haven't seen in over TWO YEARS.  Talk about too long. These are some of the highlights from my week.   1. A week full of amazing nanny times. Walks with this precious angel baby, sharing the love of flowers, the beach and music made for a lovely Sunday. Stopping to enjoy the musicians on the street was beyond worth it, watching her little legs bouncin and shoulders swaying  (link to video of the cuteness).The lady even let her pluck her (probably) first violin. Another enjoyed night watching three great girls last night. From 2 years old to 15, these girls all have an amazing sense of humor, sweetness, and character. Their whole family makes me excited about family life. 2. Bringing these two beauts home. Meet Butter...

Productivity is beyond great. Healthy breaky, yogaed, ran, organized freezer, front porch lunch porch, first French press success, laundried, deep cleaned. All before work this afternoon. It's amazing what a clean home and body can do to yo spirits. Tuesday DOsday.  I share with you... This mellow tune .  Tuesday Dosday  Tunesday!  I hope your Tuesday was filled with goodness too! 

I  turned a quarter of a century on Sunday! Kinda crazy. I'm not quite as responsible or old feeling as my 18 yourself may have thought 25 would feel. I'm also not married or have a dog or living in the mountains or who knows what else I had on my "plan." But I'm cool with that. I have grown prouder, more independent, and content. Always workin on it. Anyway. On my birthday weekend, I  had a lovely breakfast and Birthday Toast with Mom surrounded by sunshine and flowers on her patio. Still hopeful I've inherited her green thumb.  Kayaked with her on the Silver River Laughed at this goofy guy Thought this guy was fake... Tried to pet a turtle  Probs looked crazy to on-lookers chanting "anhinga! aninga! anhinga!" thinking that 3-times memory trick might help me become a bird expert like Moms.  Had retail therapy with mama, walked with her and Denise, barbecue with Mom and Pops, and we were very adult-like seei...

Many dinner, lunch, walk, and beach dates with Leslie lately. Not to mention an amazing experience helping her execute a wedding for a lovely couple. Their wedding had oodles of ridiculously sweet moments including the Best Sendoff Ever award. Thanks to the never ending sparklers, this excited couple ran up and down the steps until they finally burnt out for a total of about 5 times. "One more time!" was even chanted at the end.  A quick but always great visit from the Padres. Mama Brunch, shopping, new sister-in-law lunching, and daddy dinner made for one heart and belly filling day.  Pain free running! Started again and  hoping that leg pain is gone forevs.  A great weekend "nannying" the cousins in South Carolina aka hanging out with my baby high school cousins. We went to their football game the first night at which I felt a little old, worrying about these high schoolers in no clothes. Glad the cousins weren't some of those girls. The ne...

Finishing the 11th day (in a row!) of my 30 day yoga challenge is officially the most consistent, committed thing I've ever done. Not really, but close to it.  My year anniversary with Jacksonville, living under the SAME roof, in a couple of weeks will be a major milestone too. Got Leslie in on the yoga madness yesterday too! Even after Al's Pizza $1 wine night. Commitment . So much goodness. My casual walk to the pier tonight turned into an amateur gymnastics show, flying attempts with the powerful wind giving me kid-like vigor, sporadic lunges, and a random sprint to home at the end. Here's to being a kid again.  The kid section in the library is one of my new favorite hangouts.  Oh hey, look what I did.  Painted these bad boys this week with the help of Meryl. DIY Success! Chalk paint is the best! DIY success! Chalk paint is the best! Sounded like it needed to be turned into a chant.  Lastly, if anyone is moving and hates unpacking, I gotcha. That's one of my...

Happy weekend!! My weekend will be busy with work, working all three of my jobs. Nanny tonight, tutor in the morning, nanny tomorrow night, Daniel Sunday morning. Dad pointed out that I'll be able to tell my future kids I used to work three jobs to get by. So enjoy relaxation time extra for me! So I got into my "not much blog-worthy stuff has happened lately" thinking in the last couple weeks but I suppose it has.  1. One being an extremely impressive drag show. Finally. my first drag show, and it blew me away. They were some  Beautiful queens. Not to mention there was a crime scene for a shooting right next door. Kinda crazy. After said drag show and discovering Nick's hidden talent for dancing, we chilled with stranger friends we met on our walk home in their high rise apartment with a ridic view of the beach, left my purse and all importants at their apartment, didn't realize til home and tired, and my most irrational option led to a trip to Hom...

Happy 1st of September and Labor Day, friends!  The last couple of weeks have been filled with greatness liiiike... Lots of fun with this guy... Two half days at work very well spent. On Wednesday, Nick and I had planned to paddle board but a date mix-up led us to a Fish Fry  Grill with his team, hosted by his generous sponsor parents. They grilled up a portion of their 200lbs of personally caught Alaskan salmon and halibut. Fantastic. If only we hadn't just indulged in some deliciously filling MShack burgers, I would've enjoyed it even more! It was like an excited lightbulb went off in my stomach when I finally became hungry enough to eat it.  We spent the next day paddle boarding, Lemon Barring, and stumbling in on a Sam Hunt concert at Mavericks . The end of the night transformed from a unique situation into a fun, exciting and strangely romantic night.  An incredibly enjoyable time at a concert with Neighbor John and Leslie, cu...

I've been waiting for the go ahead to post this for like a week now because of some exciting news I include. It's been a good couple of weeks in the world of Abby. Here are some of the things I'm grateful for lately.  Going to my first  Reggae Sunday in St. Augustine with Dana, Martin, Will, and Milton. What a place for people watching... Old man with crazy, salsa-like dance moves all around the dock and funky smelling tent, old lady with crazy bejeweled hair net and... chest squares? It looked like she used the jewels preteens use to bedazzle their cell phones for a chest decoration. We said these two probably "came to Reggae Sunday 20 years ago and never left." We're such "consistent smilers."  Will and I had a Cute Niece Contest. Adaleigh won with a forfeit after one video of the precious angel baby's smiles.  A surprise birthday dinner to celebrate Mr. Chad Baker. I've been back in Jax for like 10 months now and had probs only seen the ki...

Had yet another beautiful slap in the face reminder to get out of the house yesterday. The last couple days, I've come home wanting to just laze it out and watch movies and sleep. Fortunately, today I saw a post from Lynch's Irish Pub reminding me of the art walk going on just down the road !  Just as I was contemplating heading to Publix to get the supplies to make baked goods (paleo at least) and veg on the couch watching Frozen to catch up with the kiddo culture, I realized I now had an art walk to pass through. Definitely  getting out now.  I rode down the street to find surprisingly unique artists along the sidewalks. I think I was expecting the typical palm tree paintings, hippie clothes that are  supposedly handmade but mysteriously look the same as every other hippie booth, and some sea shell jewelry. Not so. There were definitely some cool ones here. I found some sweet art and artists alike for some future gift ideas and good conversations. Jax Beach Art Wa...

Happy Friday and First of August, friends! This week's been an interesting one for sure. The highlights could basically all be dedicated to Willis but I'll include a couple others.  1. Number one will go to hanging out with a new friend we're appropriately calling Wild Man on Monday. We stuffed our faces with awesome burgers at Poe's, played some laughable games of pool, and attempted dumpster diving for some flowers. None were to be found and we were a little disappointed in our grossed out reactions. Gotta keep trying. I haven't laughed as much as I did this night in maybe ever.  2. Now. Local Friend Willis . After meeting him on Sunday, Wild Man and I took his much desired Coke to him. After swimming, grocery shopping, and cooking (some delicious fish tacos), we came back to find him still dancing away in the ocean. Tonight I took him fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. " Do you like chocolate chip cookies? These are right out of the oven!...

Last night's slightly bummy mood was quickly turned around after a Dip in the Sea, followed by some Observing in the Sand. I smiled at the tough looking high school/college kids playing hand slapping games we'd play as kids in line at Disney. (Cousin Lindsey! ;) ).  I also spotted a homeless (which we're now calling LOCAL from now on) man dancing away in the sea. I laid there for a while, remembering that night  months  ago that I ran passed him by the pier. He brought a smile to my face then, watching him dancing with so much joy. I contemplated stopping to tell him this simple fact of the joy his  joy spread, but I kept running, immediately with regret but not enough conviction to turn around.  After another time, seeing a Happy Go Lucky old man shoveling away in the sand, building what looked like a giant moat, (but rooms said was probably him burying his wife), and letting  that interesting Character Conversation pass too, I vowed to never let that happ...

This weekend was one unexpected crazy night after the next. Friday night started with hanging with a new coworker friend, Sarah. We biked over to the bars and laughed a lot at our bikes that were way too big. We needed a sign saying, "we're not hammered, our bikes just don't fit." Our night involved debunking my Foreign Radar Shoe Detector Theory but meeting a foreign looking surfer in the process, meeting a guy that's building merry go rounds in Africa to provide water, assisting in a scavenger hunt, celebrating a stranger's 21st birthday with a fun group of dudes, and making several new friends.  After this crazy night, I had to work at 8am the next day. Rough. But it was a good shift followed by a not so beneficial nap. Are they ever? I did some domestic things before joining Dana, Martin, and another friend for biking around. Lemon Bar time commenced and ocean skinny dipping plans were made and executed. Twice. Giant cards were played, dancing done, and wa...

"I have the best mom/dad/husband/whatever in the world." Ok he/she is probably really great and you may even believe she's "the best mom you could ask for (thank goodness we don't get to pick em), but let's not forget there are lots of awesome moms and it's just utterly impossible to judge, so don't even try.  "I'd only be half the person I could be without him/her." Well that sucks. Hopefully they don't break up with you or die.  "I love ____ with all my heart." Sucks for everyone else in your life to realize there's no room for them in your heart.  "We need more chivalry in our society."  So maybe this isn't as much of a hyperbole as it is just a stupid phrase I'm tired of. So maybe dudes don't hold the car door for you anymore (which is totally doable for your independent self), but you're also not just a trophy wife that can't even work and is just expected to pop out babies and make s...

Woke up late today. Threw on a dress I'd set out the night before. Rushed to work. Didn't eat breakfast. Didn't pack a lunch. Got to work and realized the dress is too big on me. And it's  white. And my underwear is dark grey. And a ccording to the period tracker I just downloaded, I have 0 days left. So I can't go commando. Was just made aware the only way Moes is still running is their queso.  Struggling. 

You know what? I realized that, though I have so much single time, and I do enjoy solo exploring, I actually haven't been treating myself to it as much as I should. My solo Sunday exploring was beyond lovely, I've added several routines to my days to show myself appreciation, and am trying my best to appreciate this "independent time I have." But there's definitely still more I can do. When a friend canceled our river date plans the other day, I just ended up running errands... I totally could've still gone and had a solo day at the park.  I think I'm pretty awesome. To the extent that I don't understand how my awesome dude has not come around and discovered this yet. I had been getting bummed that I don't have a guy to do all the romantic, fun things I want to do. But I'm not gonna let that keep me from doing these things.  So until that day comes where I get my Partner in Adventure, I'm going to enjoy my time and still do ju...

Making a decision about my Fourth of July plans this year was basically my hardest decision I've ever encountered. I had to choose from family and friends' traditional Lake Weir festivities, celebrating in Infamous Jax Beach style with some old friends and potential to make more, and later had the addition of St. Augustine with Les and Brad to confuse me even more. After more than a week of debating, getting advise from everyone, and setting my GPS to the lake once out of work on Friday, I wound up changing route and decided on St. Augustine. Though the lake is always a good time and I'd be spending with some of the bests and family, the idea of celebrating in a whole new way was too enticing.  Once Brad and I made it to St. Augustine, I was so glad I chose this. (A statement made several times throughout the night). We met Les and Gabby at Conch House Marina, where they were working/hanging with us til fireworks time. We passed a good friend, Diane, on her way out, wh...

I was debating whether to share about my Monday after this Sunday post, that could've been seen as one of those pretentious sounding, "my life is more awesome than yours," posts that "makes my life look better through my blog," etc like all these Facebook feeds are sharing. But yesterday was honestly too good to not share. I got off two hours early, which at first was a slight inconvenience as I need the hours. But disappointment didn't last longer than my walk out the door, when it turned into excitement to enjoy the beautiful day.  On my way home, I got a call from one of my favorites, Mr. James... mysterious funny dude I mentioned here  and here . Oh and here . (Just guess which ones are about him). He was off work and interested in beach time, so he came on over.  We had a delicious Brinner feast on the porch, shared poems and ideas, and laughed a whole lot with his reciting of my poems. It sounds a bit different, to say the least, coming fr...

In recap of this wonderfully refreshing, inspiration filled day,  I started off with journaling. This was definitely the turn around after a discontent, reminiscing night last night. I went from thinking about my next move, with CPH on my mind, and plans to research my move today. But after journaling, I just crossed that off my list and focused on today.       Off I went on Hendrix (after paying more to fix him yesterday than I did to buy him) to do some "research" at Bookmark , a bookstore in Neptune Beach, just down the road. This research consisted of finding some awesome children's books that sparked some ideas for my own books that I'm super excited about.  With ideas a brewin', I went on over to Lillie's for some brainstorming and poetry, and met an interesting dude sketching a Zombie Bieber. I also got to FaceTime with Chris, Mom, and sweet Adaleigh and talked about some of my ideas.  With a hungry belly, I came on home...

Happy Fridaay! That seemed like a long week. A good week, but long. It definitely seems long thinking I was in Ocala last weekend. And back to Ocala I go this weekend for a wedding!  1. The birth of my first niece is obviously number 1. She was born healthy and beautiful late Wednesday night. I cannot wait to meet her! I realized how much it hadn't set in until I got the pictures of her. Even when I was told she was On the Way, it hadn't hit me. I can't even imagine the feeling I'll get when I get to hold her. I'm so excited to be an aunt and watch her grow. I'm probably equally as excited to watch my brother and his wonderful wife grow as parents. They're going to be so amazing. I just can't get over the excitement my heart is filled with right now. I had a serious moment of realization about all the changes that one birth has, thinking not only about the  couple becoming parents, but also the new grandparents, the brothers and sisters becoming ...

When my back and shoulders and feet are in dire need of a massage.  When there's a beautiful sunset that would be even better shared.  When I wanna sleep on the beach. Cuddles (and some protection) would be a huge plus.  For cuddles any time.  When I have to check "1 attending" for my first wedding where I'm not in the bridal party or have a wide base of friends attending.  When I wanna do something adventurous. Traveling, picnics, fishing, hiking, kayaking... All would be better with a partner in crime.  For rent purposes when dreaming about moving out of the state/country.  To avoid being the fifth wheel. Third wheel I can deal with, but fifth? It's like I'm wrecking two  dates.    When everyone's all love struck and in serious relationships, and I'm over here like, "I spoke to beautiful stranger at Publix today?"  When I have sweet ideas or plans to do for my nonexistent lover. AKA all the time. I have way too much love to share...