Finally a Good Tan!

I have finally found a good way to get a fake tan! Before I went on vacation I really needed to get some color since I was so pasty white. People probably don't believe this, but my skin does tan and I used to be tan as a kid. Now that I live in a cubicle farm under fluorescent lights all day I rarely get outside so I burn easily. I am aware of the harm of the sun as I don't want skin cancer or (more) wrinkles (JennK...we are only 3 years from our Botox agreement after all). Years ago I tried the spray tan booths so I would be tan in my wedding pictures. I felt awkward though since my hands and feet looked so weird after it since they get darker. Anyway, I found a place called Fairy Tale Tans that does the airbrush spray tan by hand instead of in the booth. I have to say I really liked it! My hands and feet didn't look funny at all and she didn't make me look unnaturally dark. The picture in the post below shows my fake tan. It's too expensive to do all the time, but I'll definitely do it for vacations.

P in Bikini

I'm back from vacation and reality has already set in. I'll be writing more about the vacation in the coming days, but I just wanted to quickly tell you all that I decided to get over my issues with my body and wear a bikini! I actually felt less self conscious wearing it than my skirted tankinis. I felt like I fit in more, not that it matters. There were people who looked better than me, and some that looked worse, but I realized it just didn't matter. The best part is that my husband liked it! Here's even a picture...I do have shorts on here though since it was a beach bar/restaurant that our boat stopped at.

Update

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to see how I'm doing and I apologize that I haven't gotten back to all of you. The last two weeks have been crazy. It's the busy time of the week at work and I'm also getting ready to leave on vacation. I don't understand why I make it so difficult on myself getting ready for a vacation. I have a to do list that takes up two pages. My husband just packs some clothes and toiletries and he's good to go. I'll probably be up really late getting ready.

My new Caribbean blog is in the final stages of being ready. I like the header, but something is holding me back from liking the rest. I think it might be too much of the green/blue text or something. I'm going to try to change the background of the big black box. The posts there are just test posts. Will you take a look at it and give me feedback? It is Beaches & Bananas or click on the button on the left of this page in the side bar. Thanks!

All About P

I saw this on Straight, No Chaser and decided to fill it out as well.

What is your salad dressing of choice?
My favorite is thousand island, but I usually choose light italian

What is your favorite sit-down restaurant?
I can't think of one lately

What food could you eat every day for two weeks and not get sick of?
Mexican, I may have already done this

What are your pizza toppings of choice?
I’m not a huge fan of pizza, but when I do it has Canadian bacon, mushroom and bell peppers

What do you like to put on your toast?
Peanut butter and honey

How many televisions are in your house?
3…but the 58 incher in the family room is the only one I watch

What color is your cell phone?
Black

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right

Have you ever had anything removed from your body?
Only a couple wisdom teeth

What is the last heavy item you lifted?
Don’t remember…I avoid heavy lifting lately

Have you ever been knocked unconscious?
No

If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die?
No way

If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
I used to hate my name because it was different, but now I like it.

Would you drink an entire bottle of hot sauce for $1000?
No, thank you

How many pairs of flip flops do you own?
I think only 1 right now

Last time you had a run-in with the cops?
I can’t even remember

Last person you talked to?
Chris

Last person you hugged?
Either Chris or my dad

Season?
Spring

Holiday?
Christmas…and the Ides of March

Favorite day of the week?
Saturday

Month?
May, it’s usually when I go on vacation

Missing someone?
Yes, I could really use my mom right now

Mood?
Sad

What are you listening to?
Music blaring from the basement (Stayin Alive) where Chris is working out and my cat howling to be let outside

Watching?
Nothing

First place you went this morning?
Physical therapy

What's the last movie you saw?
Perfect Getaway

Do you smile often?
I don’t think so

Sleeping Alone Tonight?
Not planning on it

Do you always answer your phone?
Nope, if I don’t know who it is, I don’t answer

If you could change your eye color what would it be?
Green

What flavor do you add to your drink at Sonic?
Never been there

Do you own a digital camera?
Yes

Have you ever had a pet fish?
Yes, but I’m an awful fish owner, they never live long

Favorite Christmas song(s):
Big Red Sleigh by The Killers

What's on your wish list for your birthday?
I just used my birthday money and got a blue topaz ring and a mini netbook

Does the future make you more nervous or excited?
Neither

Do you have any saved texts?
No, I just cleared them all out a couple hours ago

Ever been in a car wreck?
Yes, but I’d rather not think about them

Do you have an accent?
No, but some people think I’m from Texas

What is the last song to make you cry?
I can’t remember

Plans tonight?
Yoga

Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom?
Yep

Name 3 things you bought yesterday.
I had quite the shopping spree, Dooney & Bourke bag, a white bag for summer, 2 pairs sunglasses and a bunch of vacation clothes

Have you ever been given roses?
Yes

Current hate right now?
Hate is a strong word that I avoid. I don’t “hate” anyone

Met someone who changed your life?
My husband

How did you bring in the New Year?
I don’t remember

What song represents you?
I can’t think of anything, so how about Copacabana

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
Only if I could know then what I know now

Have you ever dated someone longer than a year
Yes

Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
Piercing yes, tattoo no

Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now?
I sure hope so

Does anyone love you?
Yes

Ever had someone sing to you?
Yes, an ex-boyfriend. It was awful but I couldn’t tell him

When did you last cry?
Today has been a tear free day, but I’ve cried every day for the last nine days

Do you like to cuddle?
Yes, very much

Have you held hands with anyone today?
No

Are most of the friends in your life new or old?
Some of both, mostly new

Do you like pulpy orange juice?
No, I only drink orange juice with champagne so no pulp

What is something your friends make fun of you for?
Hmm…I’m not sure….maybe you all can answer this one for me

Large...A Relative Term

Bathing suit shopping is never fun. Maybe for about 1% of the population it is, but not me. I've been buying suits online so I don't have to see myself under the lights and bad mirrors in the stores. I get them in the mail, try them on at home and then send back whatever I don't like. It's ridiculous to me how small bathing suits run. I always order "large", since I can't see them to tell what size I need, but some of these suits are still tiny. I wonder if it is just their way of telling me that if I can't fit into the "large" that I have no business wearing the suit at all.

I just need the confidence and self esteem that this guy has!

Don't Lie to the Children

Thursday was Take Your Child to Work Day. At my work they put on quite a day for the kids with activities all day. There were structured activities like an obstacle course, scavenger hunt, demonstrations in the TV studio and hot dogs and cookies for lunch. I don't know what else because I don't have kids and just had to deal with them running through the place all day. Some even played ping pong with their parent or sat in the massage chair. This all sounds good to me...sign me up! But this isn't what work is really like. Quit lying to the kids and tell them what it's really like...or just let them be kids and think their parents are cool.

The Cancun Gauntlet

The company we are using to drive us from the Cancun airport to our hotel in the Riviera Maya sent us this information. I had heard there are aggressive salespeople at the airport, but this doesn't seem like a great way to start a vacation. I will be good once I am at the resort with a cocktail in my hand though.

THE CANCUN AIRPORT 'GAUNTLET':

If you have been to Cancun before, you already know this information, but it might be worth reviewing anyway.

After exiting the airplane you will be directed to Immigration where your passport will be stamped and you will be granted a tourist visa, which is usually for 180 days (varying by your country of origin.) As you exit the immigration area and enter the baggage claim, you will likely encounter salespeople calling out to you from their booths, sometimes in a very official-sounding tone, asking to see your passport, documents or transfer papers. Our advice to you is to politely wave off anyone who calls you over. There is no need for you to show any papers to anyone except at immigration and when passing the customs line. The only thing you might do is take any pamphlets that are offered, such as the Map-A brochure and 'Cancun Tips', because these do indeed have valuable coupons and maps in them for future use.

Once you get your luggage, you will pass through customs and will be asked to push a large button which will randomly give you a green or red light. If you get a red light, your luggage will be searched. A green light means you are free to proceed through to the exit.

Two more tidbits of advice: Aggressive luggage handlers will likely attempt to grab your bag(s) right out of your hands and put them on their luggage cart. The distance you need to carry stuff is not very far and unless you have a lot and can't manage it yourself, you should just say 'NO GRACIAS' to them and they'll leave you alone. And lastly, be wary of anyone who offers you a ride but then asks you where you are going. This probably means you are being 'slammed' by another transport company trying to get you to switch to their van (and, of course, pay their fee.)

Anguilla, Not Angola

My vacation is only 16 days away! We are going to St. John and Anguilla...funny thing is that I guess I don't pronounce Anguilla very well because in the past two days two people have though I said Angola. It's kind of funny the look on people's face when they think I said Angola. No...I am not going to the country in southern Africa. I'm going to the small Caribbean island in the British West Indies.

Letting Go

He says I need to let go. I don't see it as not wanting to let go, but wanting to keep them safe. It's a big bad world out there that is dangerous for a little kitty. My husband wants to let the cats go outside, preferably full time since he is upset about them ruining furniture and peeing outside the litter box. We have occasionally taken them in the back yard and watched them, but now he's letting them go out and not watching them. They are more adventurous when we go with them. Now Minky goes by himself and comes back after a few minutes, but each time he stays out longer. Yesterday when he didn't come back after his usual time I went out looking for him and couldn't find him. I thought for sure he was gone and I'd never see him again. By the time I got back to the house, practically in tears, he was waiting by the door to be let in.

Department of Not Found

I've been reading up on Mexico in preparation for my trip and found these very important questions on the FAQ section of the Cancun airport's web site.

Q) I am an American visiting Cancun for the weekend. During my trip I want to buy a cat and take it home with me to USA. Am I allowed to buy a pet and take it home with me? Where should I buy a pet? Is there any place where they have kittens for sale or free? Do I need to buy a cage for my pet? What are the regulations about that exactly?

A) You need to contact your nearest US Customs agency and ask about proper documentation and information regarding taking live animals to the US. We do not have information about where or how to buy pets. We’re sure you can get that once you are in Cancun.

Really? I knew people like to go to Mexico for prescription drugs and duty free liquor...but cats? Mikey at Petsmart is still available, no need to go to Mexico. Just because Angelina gets here babies from other countries doesn't mean you should get your pets from other countries.

Here's another:

Q) I believe I lost my camera at the airport yesterday. All the telephone numbers on the website say they are only in Spanish. I cannot speak Spanish. I may have left the camera in the security bin. Can I communicate or speak to someone about this matter?

A) You can call at 8 48 72 00 ext 1221 Department of Not Found with Mr. Raúl Ramón Romero(He speaks English) and you should be able to find him from 4:00 to 6:00 PM

I would just give up on the camera...I can't imagine finding much in this Department of Not Found and my guess is Raul may sometimes cut his 2 hour shift per day short.