Cloudy Skies & Pop Flys

Another week has come and gone - and October is upon us! The past week was the epitome of dreary and melancholy; the weather that is, not so much myself! The rain and gray skies arrived late on Tuesday night and just hung around throughout the entire week and weekend. Thus - I can present you with three pictures from the past week, ha-ha!

Some days I can think gray skies and mist look quite appealing but that just wasn't the case this week at all. The sky was the color of gun metal and everything was covered in a fine dusting of dew that didn't really get things quite so "wet" but nothing was dry. If that makes any sense at all. I just didn't feel the urge to photograph the damp and dismal and document it all.

The week was largely uneventful - although I did spend some time late Tuesday afternoon getting my "hair did" with my sweet friend and hair stylist extraordinaire Melissa. She always makes my hair look 1,000 times better than it actually looks in real life and I can never replicate anything she does when she styles it...oops! I just don't have those skills...but Lord knows I try. I love my trimmed up and darkened up hair and think it will work just wonderfully for these next few months of Autumn. Who knows what I'll decide to do once Winter arrives?

I was an absolute bum over (most) of the weekend. I had my pajamas on by 6:00 on Friday night and I'm not even ashamed. I snuggled myself onto the couch, ate some chili for supper and watched the Nationals game with my pup. I slept in on Saturday and then just puttered around the house all day: I unpacked some things, adjusted some furniture, hung some things on the wall...I even made a quick Wal-Mart run, but when the weather looks like poop and it's drizzling...well the best choice is too obviously hunker down for the day and have a Sherlock season two marathon. So I did. And I regret nothing.

Sunday; well Sunday was a full day, but oh it was a good day too. I got up around 8:00 and after my customary two cups of coffee, I got myself dressed and ready to head into DC for the final Nationals game of the regular season. You see...my 32nd birthday is rapidly approaching and I requested for my birthday to attend this game. I requested this way back in...oh I don't know...June? October 2nd also happens to be my parent's anniversary and they so lovingly decided that they'd enjoy going to a Nationals game with me as part of my celebration. I really won the parent lottery - no doubt about it.

After an eventful Metro ride where a rather awkward (but kind) little old man (and Redskins fan) chattered my ear off about everything from the miraculous existence of Cleveland Browns fans to the way to update a manual watch (you just have to wind it, didn't you know?) and as I exited to switch trains he called out "I hope they put another Curly W in the book!" I thanked him and caught my train, musing over the strange little man's ramblings...

I strolled from the Metro over to Yards Park where I met my parents at Ice Cream Jubilee to have dessert first; because, why not? I had some of the most delicious Cold Brew Coffee ice cream and slurped up every last drop as we walked along the river toward Nationals Park. After having lunch at the Brewhouse and perusing the Team Store for goodies that had "2016 NL East Champions" plastered on them; it was time to take our seats and watch some baseball.

I got some of our seatmates to snag a photo of my parents standing on either side of me...it seemed appropriate that since they were celebrating their 34th anniversary, we should snap a picture with my Harper jersey. The Nationals ended the regular season with a Curly W and you can bet I've got plenty of pictures for another post...and when the game ended, they tossed t-shirts, socks, jersey, beer koozies...everything Nationals into the stands for people to catch! We left the game with two t-shirts and a pair of socks; not a bad haul, and all courtesy of my Dad's being able to snag them out of the air!

So - a short and sweet little post I suppose. The past week and weekend feel that way though; short but sweet. And so, I'll leave you for today and perhaps be back tomorrow with some more baseball pictures!

What I Was Into in September

Is it just me or has this past month absolutely flown by? I know...I know...I say that almost every month, but we are seriously looking at the last three months of this year! I cannot believe that we have reached that place where there are less than 100 days left on this year's calendar. Wow.

Books I Read

Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs - The sole book I have read this month; you're seeing that right. I'm about to join another book club (with my sweet Momma) and this book is the selection for October; which seems fitting. The story centers on a young man named Jacob who; after the death of his grandfather, travels to Wales in search of some concrete evidence to back up his grandfather's elaborate "fairy tales" from his youth living in a children's home. What Jacob finds when he discovers Miss Peregrine and her school of peculiar children might prove to be more than what he bargained for.

I really got reeled in by this book and while I initially wasn't sure about it; after reading the book, I want to see the movie as well! What are the odds, right?

Books in the Queue

Hollow City by Ransom Riggs - The second in the three book trilogy that makes up the Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children series. I'll be starting on this one as soon as possible...

Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs - The third and final book in the three book trilogy that makes up the Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children series.

Gray Mountain by John Grisham - This is the November pick for the new book club; so once I finish the Peculiar series, I'll be starting in on this one!

Can't Miss Movies

Can't Miss Movies
The Light Between Oceans - The only movie I saw in the whole month of September; but it was a good movie, so that counts for something! The movie is based on the book of the same name and goes a bit like this: Following WWI, Tom Sherbourne, a young veteran still haunted by combat, takes a job as a lighthouse keeper off the coast of Partageuse. Tom initially thrives in the solitary lifestyle that the job provides him but is captivated by Isabel Graysmark the moment he meets her and they are soon married and living together on the island. Their happiness is only marred by their struggle to start a family and so, when an infant girl and a dead man wash ashore at the lighthouse, Isabel believes their prayers have been answered. Tom is torn between reporting the child and pleasing Isabel and against his better judgment agrees to raise the child, making a decision that will have devastating consequences.

Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander played the title characters and while the film moved a bit more slowly than I liked, all in all I enjoyed it. However, the book is better than the movie!

Must See TV
The recent move resulted in no cable or internet for two and a half weeks! It was like being in the stone age or something; absolutely tragic! My watching of Nationals games, as well as any new shows I want to check out were completely halted...so sad. However, I did get in watching some games at the start of the month and we had an antenna in place by the end of the month for the season two premiere of...

Poldark - The continuing saga of Captain Ross Poldark, his scullery maid turned wife Demelza and their extended family; the second season premiered on September 25th with a two hour special. The season one finale saw Ross arrested and so at the start of this season, so many questions were answered in the first two hours. Will Ross be found of guilty? Of course not - the show is named for him. Is Demelza pregnant again? She certainly is! Will Elizabeth succumb to George's advances and leave sad Francis in the dust? Who knows!

Tasty Treats

Chuy's - Listen y'all, I fell and I fell hard for Chuy's. I have always been a fan of delicious Mexican food and Tex Mex was alright too. And then I went to Chuy's and I would oh so happily eat only Chuy's Mexican food for the rest of my life. It was delicious. Seriously; it's love y'all. It's love. Did I mention they have "Nacho Hour" from 4-7 Monday through Friday. Yep - both tasty and a treat.

What I'm Looking Forward To

The Final Nationals Game of the Regular Season - October 2nd is the final Nationals game for the regular season; I'll be attending with my family as a birthday gift! I attended the last home game of the season last year as well; that was the game with the now infamous choking of Bryce Harper at the hands of Jonathan Papelbon. Hopefully this year will be less eventful, there won't be any rain and the Nationals will pull out one more Curly W to end the regular season!

Las Vegas - I'll be celebrating my birthday in Vegas with my younger sister and I can't wait. I mean; I could do without the flight(s) but it would take a little longer than necessary to drive to Nevada, ya know? I don't know where we are staying (it's a surprise, courtesy of my sister) but I know we will have an absolutely wonderful time! This will be my second visit to see all the lights in the middle of the desert; I especially can't wait to watch the fountains at the Bellagio!

My LuLaRoe PopUp Party - Do you know what LuLaRoe is? I only just discovered it about a month ago, courtesy of my friend Melissa and I'm in love! LuLaRoe has some of the cutest and most affordable dresses, skirts, tops and leggings all in fun prints and flattering styles. I decided to hold my very own LuLaRoe PopUp Party and I can't wait to be able to look at all the clothes and choose some pieces for myself!

Halloween - I love almost every aspect of October and I also love Halloween! Fun fact: I still dress up for Halloween because I happen to work with two of my best(est) friends and we always plan costumes! Last year we dressed as the Sanderson Sisters to rave reviews and this year we decided to go as members of Star Fleet!


So - there was my past month in a nutshell! I can't believe the holiday season is upon us once more. I can't lie: October - December are hands down my favorite part of every year; I absolutely love Halloween, Thanksgiving and oh man...don't get me started on Christmas. *sigh* Bring on the holidays!

Five on Friday

Friday - one of the best days - in my humble opinion. It has arrived once more and I don't know how your week has been, mine seems like it absolutely drug it's feet to get here! However, it's here and I've got a lovely Fall weekend ready to open up before me. Without further ado - the Friday Five!

One. Fall - My very favorite season has arrived! All things Fall are now 100% acceptable: cozy sweaters, boots, cardigans, scarves, picking out pumpkins, going on hayrides, drinking pumpkin spice lattes...oh man, I love Fall so much! Now, if the weather could catch up with this picture, that would be great. It's hard to wear sweaters, scarves and boots when it's 85!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1680"] Where is This & How Can I Get There??[/caption]

 

Two. Nationals Baseball - Well...it was a less than inspiring week...and honestly, I feel so disconnected from baseball right now! I've had no TV (or at least, no cable TV with MASN) or internet for the past almost two weeks...and therefore, I've watched no games. *sob*

I guess if there was a week to miss out, this past week would have been it. The Nationals only won one of the four games they played - ouch. However, thanks to some help from some other teams (hello Braves...thank you!) the magic number to clinch the NLCS is down to 2! Just 2! The Nationals start a series over the weekend in Pittsburgh and could be coming home on Monday as NLCS winners. One thing is for sure: the Nationals are going to be playing some October baseball!

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="864"] October Baseball? I'm Not Shocked...Ha-Ha![/caption]

 

Three. Las Vegas - Y'all; this time in two weeks I'll be in Las Vegas! What even is going on?? I'll be meeting up with my sister to celebrate my birthday (eek!) and I know we will have an absolute blast...because my sister and I always have an absolute blast. So - I ask you blog readers (if there are any of you out there...ha!) that if you know something we should definitely do while in Vegas...or a place we should not miss out on eating...let me know! The countdown is on!

However - let it be known - I will not be riding the miles tall Ferris Wheel because heights + Natalie = someone acting like they have no sense. And really, no one wants to make a fool of themselves, right?

Four. Stitch Fix - I got my very first Fix! And let me just go ahead and confess that I'm kind of in love! There is something so fun about getting a box of clothes delivered to your door, chosen just for you and getting to try them on in the privacy of your own home! I will say I thought for this to be my very first Fix, I was impressed! I think this box was a solid three out of five...and I'll be sharing more about that next week! Just wanted you to know that my initial thought(s) are: love it!

Five. Moving Posts - Which apparently is a thing you can do here? I've been wanting to update/upgrade my blog for most of this year but I hated the thought of having all of my older posts...seven years worth....just stashed somewhere else! So, hopefully within the next couple weeks I'll be able to get some help from the Word Press team and get things organized here! Thank you for sticking with me through the transition - hopefully I'll get it all together soon! Or perhaps; much like life, it will always be a work in progress!

So - that's the Five for the Friday! I'm linking up with April over at A. Liz Adventures, just like I always do. If you have a blog, feel free to link up as well! It's a great way to find new blogs - maybe you even found my blog that way? Until next time - have a good weekend!

Growing Pains

If you're reading this...well something will become very obvious to you. I've moved!

I mean - obviously I literally moved about two weeks ago - this is a different kind of move and yet it could be just as much of a struggle as the literal move, ha-ha! There won't be any fighting with manual can openers or lugging boxes up and down stairs; the only muscles in danger of being strained are the muscles in my brain!

I decided to make the move over to Word Press because I'd like to potentially get a little bit more serious about my blog. I love writing on my blog...but I felt like perhaps I could do...more. And just maybe I could do it better. However; as with all journeys that involve trying to better something...there will likely be growing pains. Blogger was easy...Blogger didn't provide much of a challenge...but Blogger limited what I could do. So; I decided to make the jump...

However, with that jump comes having to learn more about all the inner workings of things like HTML code and formatting pages and encoding themes...and honestly, thinking about it just sort of makes my head hurt. So - if you're reading this - bear with me. Know that I'm trying my hardest to get this all worked out and running smoothly.

All of my old posts can still be found at www.natslife6@blogspot.com and I suppose they'll always just "be there"...and that's fine. That's where they belong. All the new will be here and that's good and fine too.

I'll still be posting about my precious puppy dog, my beloved Washington Nationals (the magic number is TWO y'all...just TWO) my travel adventures and all in all...just my life in general. As the header tells you, I'm just trying to share a little bit of my ordinary day to day life...and perhaps find the extraordinary in the ordinary! So - here we go!

Surely anything's possible with enough coffee - right?

 

I've Moved

...And I don't mean the move I made almost two weeks ago...

Please check out my new blog location at www.natyouraveragestory.com and bear with me as I figure out things at my new site!

I Hate Carrying Boxes of Books...but Man, I Do Love the Books...

I've come to the realization this past week that books - namely boxes of books - weigh so very much. And I do hate lugging them up and down stairs and around corners...and I vow that no one should have this many books and I'll weed them out so I don't struggle like this ever again! But the problem really crops up when I open the boxes of books and pull them out one by one and realize that I love each one so and they smell amazing and each one has this different world that I can get sucked into by just opening it up...and yes...Houston we have a problem.

Watson tried & loved Kale. I then googled Kale + Dogs & apparently it = NO. Oops!

Monday mornings require a coffee mug as big as your head...

Every night this week I honestly tried to make some sort of stride toward getting things more "organized" and making sure things didn't look like they were just flung about at random. It's definitely a process and if there is one thing I got honest from my Mom (okay - I got a LOT of things honest from her...) it's that I can't really handle clutter. Everything needs to be in it's place and so that makes moving a perfect nightmare. However - organizing and placing all the things just so after the fact - that gives me a high that no drug could provide (that I'm aware of...having never been one to really try the drugs and such...) and it is is fantastic. Granted, all that ambition to get things in their place usually meant that by the end of the night I was sweaty and exhausted...which makes for good sleep...but I don't really love to sweat, ha-ha.

Trying to settle this little creature in...

Just wait...you'll see a pattern forming...

To die for cheese & sausage dip...and some pretty spectacular fried ice cream...YUM.

This past week was Restaurant Week in/near "our" town and so on Tuesday night my Mom and I scooted over to the Winchester Walking Mall to try out one of the multiple restaurants that were participating. We chose the Mexican restaurant on the Walking Mall; called El Centro, and we were not disappointed - the food was delicious! For $30 (plus tax and tip, of course...) we got a delicious cheese/bean/sausage dip for our appetizer, a sampler plate that had two tacos, two enchiladas and two burritos with rice and beans for our meal and a glorious serving of fried ice cream for dessert. It was all so delicious and we practically waddled back to the car! Of course, once we got home we took Watson for a stroll through the neighborhood but that was about all we could muster up the energy to do. So - Tuesday was sort of a bust when it came to the whole unboxing and organizing scheme. Oh well.

Although...I did manage to hook up my TV and DVD player...which was a huge accomplishment; at least in my book!

Tuesday night neighborhood vibes...

Post book hauling exhaustion & puppy dog moral support...

Of course I watched some Disney goodness while unpacking boxes...

I thought I'd be really industrious on Wednesday night and really just dig into the boxes in the garage and find those that belonged to me and lug some down the stairs. Well; I found boxes alright, boxes of books! I like to think I'm super strong and hardcore, so I snatched four boxes of books (yes - four... And that's only the tip of the iceberg) along with a couple containing dishes and mugs and started going up and down the stairs. On that last box of books, something felt a little "off" in my lower back and it was all I could do to make it down the stairs with the books. I ended up just laying in the floor while the dog sniffed and licked my face... I wasn't hurt, mind you...just worn out from all the book hauling. I managed to recover - shocking, I know - and got books out of the boxes and onto shelves. I also opened up my box of mugs and it was like seeing old friends after a long time... I LOVE a good mug and it's evident because I have quite the collection. I love them all and was so happy to see each and every mug again!

Mail madness...

Perhaps he's settling in?

Friday morning views - holy crane!

Friday (and Thursday for that matter) dawned gray and gloomy and stayed that way most of the day. The work day was shortened on Friday (yahoo!) and so I came home and spent some time wrapping the dog in blankets and taking pictures...because who doesn't love a cute dog wrapped in a snuggly blanket? Ha! Really though, my Mom and I ran some errands and then went back to the Winchester Walking Mall for supper on Friday night. Post dinner and pre dessert, we perused two new shops that have landed at the Walking Mall and both had so many cute things and I fell in love with the second shop - so many unique and wonderful gifts! We stopped in at the gelato shop to grab a cone of gelato for dessert and discovered that a group was playing/singing Frank Sinatra and Jazz music in the open air theater and so we took our gelato outside to enjoy both the music and the food! It actually started getting chilly while we were watching and it absolutely thrilled my soul - come on Fall - I'm ready!

Doing his best Jon Snow impression...hehehe...

It's really hard being a pup - as proven here. 

Jazz and gelato - not a bad start to the weekend!

Did I mention I also managed to hook up the DVD player and TV in the living room? Because I did...I totally did! Honestly, I'm still not sure how I managed to do it...but it worked, because we were able to watch a movie on Friday night! If that's not winning, I don't know what is! Ha-ha!

Saturday = Spa? Yes please!

Gorgeous flowers!

Saturday was the long awaited Spa Day for my Mom and I - a treat that has been many years in the making for me. When I was around...I don't know, maybe fifteen, my Mom promised that one day she'd treat me to a Spa Day and Saturday was that day. And it was glorious! We both received an hour long facial, an hour long massage and a pedicure...and let me tell you, I felt like a noodle after it was all said and done. It was wonderful and I'll say over and over again: thank you so much Momma! Thank you! We ate a snack-like lunch at the house later in the day and I did something I certainly never thought I'd do: sat in the closet with my dog because he was absolutely terrified by the nail gun that was being used to put up the floor to ceiling bookshelves in the library. Bless him. I think the little guy has had quite the week....

I honestly think he's convinced he's human - hence the seated on his bottom, legs stretched out position...

Can you spy the frightened pup peering around the skirts?

No persuading this one to emerge. 

My Mom and I met up with our long time friends Angie and her daughter Rachel to have supper and visit before picking up my Dad from the airport...at 11ish...blegh. We ate some delicious food at Chuy's (yahoo!) and then went to our friend's house to chat and have some coffee and tea - it was a really nice way to spend the Saturday night - even if it meant we didn't get home until almost 1 in the morning after finally getting my Dad from the airport and driving home! Yikes!

I dodged the 9 AM service at church and slept in a little longer...seeing as I didn't get to bed until; you know, after 1 in the morning on Sunday morning. However, I did suit up in my Saints t-shirt for the second service since my church is currently doing a sermon series on friends and this week was about who was on "your team". I can say with 99.9% certainty that I was the only person in that church wearing Saints colors; although given how the season has started for the boys in black and gold, a better name would be the "Aints" *sigh* I'm no fair weather fan though...so we trudge along and hope for a win next week!

Who Dat Nation - Represented in Northern VA by me, ha!

Sugar Rush - Party of One. Yes Please!

I got out of church in time to pick my Mom up from church and we went over to the IHOP for brunch. I got my very favorite Cinna Stacks pancakes and I'm fairly certain I've never gotten them before and seen this much icing on one stack of pancakes! I was buzzing off of this meal for hours...and it was delicious and divine and now I can't eat something like that for at least another month! HA! Sunday afternoon and evening was more of the process of getting things out of boxes and into their proper places...and yet again, by the time the night was over and I was sweaty and exhausted! However - my place is starting to come together more and more each day - so I suppose that's a success! 

After a shower and some dessert, Watson and I both decided we were done for the evening and crawled into our respective beds (my dog does not sleep with me - sorry - nope) and the weekend came to a close!

Mousse cups? Certainly!

This dog. He's unique for sure.

Oh yea - this is the house - ha-ha! At least, as much of it as you'll be seeing for now...ha-ha! Happy Monday!

Five on Friday

Friday is here and as always - what a delightful thing that is! I don't know if I've ever welcomed a Friday with anything other than absolute joy...and I hope that is always true! Life is full of ups and downs but I try (some days it's much harder than others) to find some measure of joy in each day. 

Five on Friday is so good for that! While all five things on my list today might not be bringing me joy at this moment, they have brought or will bring joy at some point - right?

One. The Spa - Indeed...tomorrow is spa day! And I'll confess that at the age of almost thirty-two, I have never had a massage or a facial. That will all change tomorrow when I spend a blissful piece of my Saturday being pampered: a facial, a massage and a pedicure! I'm going with my sweet Momma and while I can't wait, I'm a little worried that by the time it's all said and done, we'll both be too blissed out to drive home. Ha!

Two. Nationals Baseball - It was a good week to be a Nationals fan! The Nationals have won 8 of the last 10, won 3 of the 4 games they played this week, have a 10 game lead in the National League East Division and the magic number to clinch the National League East is just 7! Tickets for the National League Division Series went on sale this morning at 10 AM and the post season is becoming a reality for Nationals fans this year!

Some high points of the week would have to be the games against the Mets on Monday night and Wednesday afternoon. The Nationals put a pretty good walloping on the Mets on Monday night; winning the game 8-1 behind some serious offense on the part of the Nationals...which even included a homerun from our starting pitcher, Mat Latos! Wednesday's game was another absolute gem from Tanner Roark - he took the game through seven scoreless innings for the ninth time this year! The Nationals got on the board with the one and only run needed to win the game - Wilson Ramos murdered a baseball in the seventh inning and that was that.

Friday Fun Fact: Daniel Murphy; with hits in all 19 games versus the Mets (his former team); tied the longest single-season hitting streak versus one team in the divisional era (since 1969).

Three. Fitness - Which has completely failed this week. I'd like to blame it on the move...and even though that's passing the buck...I'm going to do just that; blame it on the move. I feel like I did enough physical exertion between 7:30 on Friday the 9th and we'll say...11:00 on Saturday the 10th to count as about a week's worth of exercise. Good grief. I have never sweat so much in my life! I think I was soaked about five times over in my own sweat...and if that's gross or TMI...well, such is life.

Along with the moving came some really "unhealthy" food. Including pizza on Friday night and donuts (why are donuts SO GOOD and SO BAD) on Saturday morning and then yesterday I went to the grocery store to get something to cook for supper...and y'all...Halloween candy is of the devil. No pun intended. And the elliptical is in the storage room and in between opening boxes, breaking down boxes to put them in the storage room and just generally doing unpacking and organizing...getting on the elliptical has just not been even slightly appealing.

So...I've decided to get through the weekend and get back to the whole fitness thing starting on Monday! Which brings me to....

Four. Stitch Fix - Have you heard of it? The concept is quite simple: you answer the style profile questionnaire and you're assigned a stylist; you can leave your stylist a note about something you are looking for or if there is something coming up in your life you want something special for. About a week later...you get a box with five items; shoes, clothes, jewelry, handbag(s), a fix could be all clothes or a mix...you never know until you open your box.

If you choose to keep an item (or two...or three) the $20 styling fee you've already paid goes toward your purchase and if you choose to keep all five items, you get 25% off! If none of the items are right for you, you just return them in the postage paid envelope that's included in your box and you're just out the $20 styling fee. You can schedule your "fix" for every 2-3 weeks, every month or every 3-4 months...whichever is best for you. My first fix is set to arrive next week...so I'll share more about that later.

In the meantime - if you're interested in trying Stitch Fix out, you can use my referral link and give it a shot! https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/9219429

Five. This quote...because truer words were never spoken.

"I always wanted a happy ending... Now I learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity." - Gilda Radnor

I hope you have a happy Friday and an even happier weekend - look for joy in everything!