Beach Bumming It

Yesterday, we all went to the beach, my fiance and I, the in-laws, and some friends of the family. One of my SO's brothers who is visiting from Utah has been seriously beach deprived, so the family has been going more than usual.

They packed up everything: food, soda, s'mores, chairs, roasting sticks, towels - while I was at work. And then we all hopped in two cars and high-tailed it out there. It was already evening, so there was no brutal sun. The wind, however, whipped my hair all over the place and blew sand into my eyes. I don't like the ocean water, considering I can't see what's coming at me, so I sat in a chair and watched the other kiddos swim out almost farther than I could see. Every once in a while, I caught sight of a patch of dark hair bobbing up from the waves, or a pale head, but that was it.

Eventually, my SO and I went climbing about on the dunes, hopping and skipping over grasses and sticks and left over detritus. I fell down one dune, getting sand in my eyes anytime I moved afterward. I actually love the dunes, though. We had a lot of fun. When we came back from our excursion, a small fire was just beginning. Eventually, it was large enough to roast hot dogs over. Unfortunately, someone left all condiments but mayonnaise behind, so I tried my best to eat one with mayo. It was so gross to me, I lost most of my appetite.

There was also watermelon, a great beach/summer-time snack. This watermelon was weirdly orange. I called it radioactive, but it was pretty yummy. There were s'mores to be roasted, but as I am not a big fan of marshmallows, especially on a windy beach wear gooey stuff flies into your hair, I merely ate a graham cracker with chocolate. Still delicious. We had to suddenly pack up and leave when the night tide came in, soaking our feet, seeping into our little fire, and pooling beneath the cars.

It was definitely a good time: I was, however, exhausted, considering my early and long hours at work, so I went home a little earlier than usual to get some sleep. Sadly, the sun was not up when I awoke this morning. In my opinion, if the sun isn't up, I shouldn't be either. Work would have been a little angry if I went back to sleep, though.

Long. Day.

I had work bright and early this morning, unfortunately. Too bad I wasn't as sunny as the morning was at even that early hour. At least, not until I had a few hours of work under my belt, a Coke well on its way to infusing its caffeine goodness into me, and some good reading (after performing my work duties, of course. Phone message check and e-mails to look at. Calls to answer. An in work test to take and get certified in). Afterward, I headed to my soon-to-be in-laws house to do some much needed shopping with my sister-in-law (future, that is).

We went to J C Penny's first. Of course, I hadn't thought to go there for what I was looking for, but I was happy to find what I wanted, for a much more reasonable price and a buy 1 get 1 free sale, to boot! After searching for shoes and a dress for my other sister-in-law-to-be, we headed out of the mall. I was done with trying things on and shopping in general. Until we made it back, and it was mentioned that I needed long sleeves for my wedding dress. Also, her bride's maids dress had come in, and we had to rush to the seamstress to get it altered ASAP. I am getting married in less than a week, and we needed stuff fixed pronto. Of course, S, my sister-in-law-to-be, looked gorgeous in her dress. The color was amazing and her blue eyes just popped.

After that quick run to the seamstress, S, who had earlier endured many tryings-on, told me that I could merely buy a white, long-sleeved leotard to wear for my marriage (the reception will not require long sleeves). We stopped by one place, which had only one size of the leotard I looked for, which was not my size. The next place we found in the nick of time. They had my size, and although I payed a bit for the thing, I left reassured that I had found what I needed.

The last thing was, of course, shoes. I am not a high-heel kind of gal. I plan on wearing white, beaded ballet slippers. After a trip to Jo-Ann's Fabrics, where they were out of my size, we headed to Michael's, where I found a suitable pair, with pearls and beads and a bow, perfect for my gorgeous yet simple dress. By this time, I was so ready to collapse from hunger that I was glad when we headed back to the house for the second time.

Now I am at home, listening to music and looking forward to my bed and much wanted sleep. I did take a super long nap at the in-laws house, considering I was so exhausted, and my appetite had been satiated. I wish I could sleep in mornings, but my body wakes up a little after 8 and won't let me rest after. However, wake me up before then and I will gladly bite your head off. I am NOT a morning person.