Friday's Letters

Dear Tim,  It's about to be the weekend!  I'm so glad because we have a fun one planned!  Beach, visiting the grandparents, going to a brewery we've never been to before, reflexology massages, hanging out downtown... I'm excited!  Dear Grandma, I'm so glad that your angiogram went well and they found no blockages in your arteries!  I need you around for a long time, so this is exceptionally great news.  Dear Yogurtland / Menchies, I'm officially obsessed.  I love that I can get a sweet fix for around 30-50 calories.  Dear The Knot, Thank you so much for featuring us in your current issue!  We are so honored to be in a magazine on newsstands all around Southern California.  (See more about that here.)  Dear Wanderlust, You're hitting me pretty hard lately.  I'm so excited for all the trips that are in the works for this summer!   Additionally, thank you for being strong enough that Tim and I are actually planning an EPIC trip for 2013.  More on that as we hammer out the details.  Dear Kelle Hampton, I'm so excited to find and read your book, "Bloom" soon.  Your story is inspiring and you and your family are gorgeous.  I love your strength and beauty.  Dear OPI Holland Collection, You are possibly my new favorite.  Tim took me to Ulta last weekend and I picked up Suzy Skis In The Pyrennes, I Have A Herring Problem, and Dutch 'Ya Just Love OPI.  I couldn't pick.  $30 spent on nail polish... no big deal, right?  Right?  Dear Skinny Girl Cocktails, You make SO many things now!  Sangria?  Wine?  Where can I find all of these?  Dear Bethenny, I know we're Twitter friends and all... hook a girl up!  Dear Blog Friends, I'm thinking of hosting a giveaway if I get to 100 followers as a big thank you for all of your support.  What do you think?  Also, stay tuned because I think next week is going to be a whole lot of wedding related posts!  This is your big chance to see how we celebrated our big day!  Dear Babers, Date night last night was amazing.  I love lingering over gourmet specialty pizzas and glasses of wine at Pitfire with you.  You're the best and I feel so honored to be your wife.  I love you!  Forever and A Day.  

What do you have planned for this weekend?  It sounds like it's going to be a fun one!  

As always, you can follow our adventures on Twitter and Instagram!  

I would love to see you over there!  

The time Bethenny Frankel retweeted me.  

P.S. I am now accepting button swaps!  Click on the link in the nav bar for more details!  

That Time I Was In A Magazine

So... I've been keeping a little secret from pretty much everybody for the past few months.  

Earlier this year, I was sitting at our dining room table when I got a direct message on Twitter from our wedding photographer.  She had just been contacted by a photo editor from The Knot asking for our wedding footage.  I honestly thought it was a joke.  Then our wedding coordinator left me a Facebook comment saying she was so excited for the news.  

It still didn't sink in.  

A few weeks later, we got an email from an editor of The Knot in NYC asking us if we would be willing to be featured in their magazine.  Ummm... yes!  Yes, we would.  Thankyouverymuch.  We were emailed a really long, detailed questionnaire to fill out all about our wedding, our vendors, etc.  

It still didn't sink in.  

We didn't hear back after sending the questionnaire back to them so I thought that maybe they decided to not feature us after all.  Either way, I was just glad and flattered that they had even considered us.  

Our amazing florist (who submitted our wedding to the magazine) tweeted how excited she was to see it in print.  

It still didn't sink in.  

Last night, Tim and I got home late to find a package waiting outside our front door.  

Tim:  Did you order something?  

Me:  No...  Did you order something?  

Tim:  No.  It's addressed to you.  

Me:  Did I order something and forget about it?  Did you order me something?  

Tim:  It's from [fill in the name of a printing company here]  

We went inside and Tim declared that he was going to open it.  Upon opening it he exclaimed, "Oh my gosh.  I'm gonna stop.  You need to open this."  and handed me the package.  

As soon as I saw the colorful familiar binding, I shrieked, "It's The Knot!!!"  

They sent us three copies of their upcoming issue and inside is a one page feature about our wedding.  

It's finally setting in.  

Even better?  The issue should hit newsstands on June 11th 2012...  our one year wedding anniversary.  

How perfect is that?  

Thank you to The Knot for making me so happy with this feature.  It was an honor to even have the wedding of our dreams and be marrying each other.  To have it featured in print in such a huge publication is just so so sweet on top of it.  

Stay tuned for more of our wedding in the upcoming weeks!  

Max Brenner {Las Vegas}

Located in The Forum Shoppes at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada is Max Brenner.

Via

Tim and I were first introduced to the magic that is Max Brenner on a trip to Manhattan in January of 2011.  Our friends who live there took us to the New York outpost right before a huge blizzard hit the city... but that's another story.

January 2011.  New York, New York

It was love at first bite and when we found out that there was a Max Brenner in Las Vegas (a mere five hours from our home in L.A.), we knew we had to go next time we were in town.

After spending the day at the hospital with my sister, brother in law, and new nephew, Tim and I headed over for some dinner and chocolatey goodness.

Max Brenner is essentially a grown up (and real life) Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.  The restaurant has pipes running chocolate all over your head and across the restaurant.  They offer delicious American fare, such as burgers, sandwiches, salads, and pizzas, all with a chocolate twist.

Tim and I had, my personal favorite, the Brenner Burger.  The Brenner Burger can be ordered with either certified angus beef or you can upgrade to Kobe beef.  It has lettuce, tomato, Vidalia onion rings, and Max's secret chocolate barbeque sauce.  It comes with a side of amazing waffle fries dusted with chili and cocoa with a chili aioli for dipping.  It is so good.  They don't skimp either, and give you two pickle spears.  It's wonderful.

We always try to save room for dessert, because really, that's kinda the point of going, right?

I had the 80's Milkshake, which is essentially a chocolate milkshake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream covered in chocolate hard shell.

Tim had the Chocolate Chunks Pizza, which is pizza dough covered with chunks of double melting chocolate, bananas, marshmallows, peanut butter, and hazelnuts.  It is as crazy as it sounds and it's delicious.

Max Brenner is the kind of place that gives you the dessert menu FIRST.  They have DIY ice cream bars, chocolate fondue, dessert waffles, a variety of shakes, malts and other delicious treats.

They even have a few chocolate cocktails that I think we're going to try next time.  

And, if you want to take a little something for the road?  

They have a chocolate shop that sells everything from at home fondue and hot chocolate kits, 

to souveniers,

to truffles and giant bars of chocolate.  

I think this is from another location, but you get the point
Via

Overall, Max Brenner is a fun place to visit.  A little corny, a little pricey.  2 entrees, 2 non alcoholic drinks, 2 desserts - usually runs us around $75 with tip.  It's a novelty place, a chocolate lovers dream, a delicious way to spend an evening in a city where everything is brought to you in sinful excess.  

Is there a Max Brenner where you live?  

I know there's a few scattered across the U.S.  

What's the most ridiculous decadent dessert you've ever had?  

Moonrise Kingdom

Via

Yesterday morning, Tim and I headed over to The Landmark, a luxury movie theatre, to see a morning showing of "Moonrise Kingdom."  It is such a good movie.  Granted, it is typical Wes Andersen quirky, but in the best possible way.  Great, heartfelt story, well developed characters, an amazing cast, and very visually stimulating.  

Via

It has me thinking that I would love to do a Moonrise Kingdom themed something... a party?  

A blog design?  

The movie is just chock full of inspiration for me.  

Via

Via

Not to mention, I relate very much to Suzy, with her love of music, carrying books around in a suitcase when she runs away from home, her love for her kitty.  It's almost like looking at myself as a young teen, minus the whole psychotic stabbing incidents.  

But, I digress.  

Seriously, I kinda want this outfit
Via

Annnddd this one too
Via

I love the colors, the yellow tones, the kitschy, campy (pun intended) costumes, all of it.  

Even down to this stationery.  

Via

Look at that color!  

Via

Summer camp adventures, tales of sweet first love, family drama, 

&

 Jason Schwartzman?  

Instant favorite.  

Did you see any movies this weekend?  

Leave me your recommendations!  

And The Award Goes To...

Me!  

(And some more lovely ladies in just a moment!)  

What a week!  I was awarded two awards for this little blog of mine just days apart.  

First, CarleeJ at All Things Average Girl awarded me the Versatile Blogger Award!  

How cool is that?  

I'm so glad that some of my friends out there in this great blogging world are finding my writing relatable!  

It really makes me happy to know that we're all sharing in some of these feelings and experiences together.  

I'm supposed to give you guys 7 random facts about myself.  

1.  My middle name is Ashley.    

2.  I have to stay away from animal shelters because I will get too attached and want to take ALL of them home.  

3.  My favorite tea is Yogi green tea with blueberry.  

4.  I have an iPhone 4 but I miss my pink Razr sometimes.  Remember those?  

5.  I love stationery.  I have way too much of it.  Anyone want to be pen pals?  

6.  I don't like coffee.  (and it hurts my stomach)  

7.  I can't listen to "The Blue Album" by Weezer anymore because I end up listening to ONLY that for months.  

I nominate:

Emily, Karla, Courtney, Hilary, Hilary, Megan, Sharon, Adrienne, & Emily

Ladies that were nominated, you can find the rules here!

Thanks again, CarleeJ!  

I was also nominated for the Liebster Blog Award!  

A big thank you goes out to Hilary at Diaries of Do'ers for this one! 

Hilary is so sweet.  Seriously, guys, check her out.  

I met her through a crazy doppleganger link up and have been following her ever since.  

Not only is she gorgeous, but she and her husband are the perfect complementary pair!  

She loves fixing things and he loves planting things.  

Pretty sure, that they have a home we can all envy.  

Plus she's a newlywed just like me, and was actually married one week before Tim and I!  

So... to return the favor, my 5 favorite bloggers with less than 200 GFC followers are:  

1. Karla @ Always Kiss Me Goodnight

2. Mrs. Robinson @ My New Wife Life

3. Michelle @ On The Adventure

4. Natalie @ Urban Anthro

5. Adrienne @ Laughing Living Forgiving

I believe the rules for the Liebster blog are as follows:  

1. Thank the person who nominated you in your post

2. Put the Liebster blog button in your post  

3. Nominate your 5 favorite bloggers with less than 200 GFC followers

4. Let them know that you nominated them 

Thanks again ladies for the support! 

Today, Tim and I have big plans of chasing down the Grilled Cheese truck for lunch.  

After that, who knows?  

Haha.  

Have a great weekend everyone!  

Friday's Letters

Home, sweet home  

Dear Tim, You gave me quite the scare with your bout of sickness this week!  I'm so glad that I was able to (try to) take care of you and that you're feeling a bit better now!  Dear Brooke & Chris, I miss you guys.  It was so great being able to spend last weekend with you, even if it was hanging around the maternity ward with your gorgeous baby.  Dear Baby Max, You are even more amazing than I ever could have imagined.  Even though you're my only nephew, you're definitely my favorite.  Dear Work, Thank you, thank you, thank you for not sucking so much this week!  Dear Baby Fever, You got out of control this week!  Dear Memorial Day Weekend, Let's Do This!  You are what I consider the start of summer and I am so glad you're here.  Tim and I are ready to tackle summer 2012 and attempt to make the most of it.  Dear Conor Oberst, Tim got tickets for us to go see you play at Royce Hall (UCLA) in the fall!  It's been too long since I've seen you play live and I'm not ashamed to admit, that your music has long been kind of a lifeline for me.  Dear iPhone, Did I really FILL you up?  You're telling me that I don't have enough space to take another picture.  I only have 1500 pictures.  Is that too many?  Dear Santa Monica, Thank you for this past glorious fall, winter, and spring.  You're about to get overrun with tourists...  not that I can blame them... If I didn't live here, I would flock to you every summer too.  Dear Blog Friends, Thank you so much for all your kind words about Max and your honesty, candor, and for sharing your stories about your sex education.  Dear Tim, Life's been a little hard the past few months.  I'm proud of us for still supporting each other through all of it.  I honestly don't know what I would do without you. You are my everything.  Let's go see The Avengers this weekend before you get to see it for free at work, and let's get some gooooood sleep.  We need it.  Oh yeah, and Bub?  I love you.  Forever and A Day.  

Please tell me that someone else has more iPhone pictures than I do.  

Actual Count?  1,503.  

Let's Talk About Sex, Baby. (and vaginas, periods, and being a woman.)

Via

Being a woman is such a complex and amazing thing.  Not that I think men are simple, but I feel that women are even more multi faceted and have a depth to their souls that is particular to our gender.  

One of the subjects and causes that I am extremely passionate about is women's rights.  I'm not a bra burning feminist by any means but I believe in women.  I think that we are so much stronger, braver, and more necessary than society and the media makes us out to be.  

Today I want to discuss a subject that is very important to me and that is women's health and sexuality.  Lately, I've been noticing more and more that a scary number of young girls don't know very much about how their bodies work.  To be honest, it infuriates me.  I am enraged that there are still parents in an area as liberal as Southern California that are keeping their daughters in the dark about their bodies and in some cases, flat out lying to them.  

What is it about our society that makes women feel badly about talking about their bodies or sex?  How are some grown women so affected by this that they can't have an open and honest (and age appropriate) conversation with their own daughters about their bodies.  

Case in point:  I recently heard of a mother telling her nearly teenage daughter that a mother poops out her baby.  This was said in complete seriousness.  

Can you believe that?  

I went to high school at a very, very small, private, Christian school.  There was a girl in my class who, senior year, when we were discussing sex, admitted to us that she didn't know that she had "three holes down there."  That's right.  This 18 year old girl believed that during intercourse, a man would insert his penis into her vagina, which is also where she urinated from.  She had no idea that she had a urethra.  

That scares me.  While I'm not going to get into the debate of abstinence based sex education vs sex education, there really needs to be some good old fashioned anatomy classes put back into high schools.  

I was lucky enough to grow up in a VERY candid family.  My grandpa used to always tell me that he had the answer to everything and if he didn't know something he would find out for me.  

When I inevitably asked about sex and periods, and the birds and the bees, I was about 11 years old.  Sixth grade.  I was sat down in a very calm environment and had pretty much every question answered.  I remember asking why my mom used tampons and what they were for.  I was told enough about menstruation to understand. (We didn't get into luteal phases, and everything, but I understood the basic purpose.)  

When I got my first period, I knew exactly what it was.  I wasn't all that freaked out and I got even more questions answered.  I learned what was normal, what was not, how to use the appropriate sanitary items, etc.  I was taught that the menstrual cycle was a beautiful thing, not something taboo or to be ashamed of.  

Side note:  Anyone remember overnight pads?  Those were the days...  not.  

I was the girl that my friends, both girls and guys, came to when they had questions about sex and their bodies.  I was baseline educated by my family, fed nothing but lies and avoidance by my school, and learned the details on my own.  I remember listening to Loveline every night it was on to pick up information.  I would watch Talk Sex with Sue Johanssen and learned everything I would ever probably need to know about the clitoris and the (not so elusive) female orgasm.  I spent hours poring over medical websites to figure out how exactly things happened.  I learned about STDs (although thankfully, never first hand).  I read prescription labeling on many different kinds of birth control.  I wanted to know pretty much anything I could about how MY BODY worked.  After all, it was me.  I wanted to know why I felt the way I did, emotionally and physically.  I wanted to know what was going on.  I wanted to protect myself.  

When I watch shows like 16 and Pregnant, and hear these girls saying things like they didn't know they could get pregnant the first time, I want to cry.  When they say things like, my boyfriend said condoms were too expensive, I want to scream.  We have a responsibility to educate the young women of our country.  There is a direct correlation between levels of education and unplanned teen pregnancy.  Why do some parents think that avoiding talking about sex will keep people from having sex?  Why don't these young women value themselves enough to educate themselves?  

We need to end this cycle of misinformation and avoidance.  

I stand by the belief that our normal bodily functions aren't something to be ashamed of.  Yes, I get my period every month.  I'm not embarrassed by that.  I'm not hiding pads or tampons deep in my purse to makes sure no one sees them.  Let's keep in mind that without the menstrual cycle, life has we know it wouldn't continue.  Everyone loves babies, but no one wants to talk about periods.  How does that make any sense?  I have breasts and sure, they're not porn star perfect, but they're mine and I think they're fantastic.  I will never let anyone make me feel like they are inadequate.  I can tell without an OPK, when and if I'm ovulating each month.  I've been off hormonal birth control since summer of 2009.  

Before Tim and I got married, I started reading Taking Charge of Your Fertility.  While I knew a lot of what was in the book, I still discovered little things about my body that I wasn't aware of.  I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to know how their body functions, is looking for a natural method of birth control, wants to get pregnant, or just wants to look at really detailed pictures of things like cervical position.  

I know that this lack of information and discussion is so much worse in different parts of the world, but I feel like we can at least end it here in America.  Why are we afraid to discuss our bodies, ourselves?  What are people so ashamed of?  How can women ever have open, honest conversations about the female body with their daughters, if they can't have it with their friends?  

What's your take on this (apparently) sensitive subject?  

Did your parents give you "the talk"?  

Do you know a lot of what you want to know about how your body works?  

Are you ashamed of your womanhood?  Proud of it?  Or indifferent?  

Did reading this make you uncomfortable?  

I'm An Aunt! {Meet Maxwell Robert Kirkland}

Maxwell Robert Kirkland was born on Friday, May 18th 2012 at 3:35 p.m.  

He weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces and was 21 inches long.  

Mama and baby  

My amazing little sister pushed for two long, hard hours before being told she would need a cesarean.  

I am beyond proud of her.  

Mama and baby both went home from the hospital this evening!  

Trying not to cry  

Seriously guys, you might think I might be partial to this kid since it's my first nephew, 

but really...  

Brooke and Chris made the cutest kid.  

Tim, Brooke, Max  

From the short amount of time that we spent with him, 

he is so calm, hardly cried, and is pretty much perfect.  

Tim was pretty smitten with him too  

When Brooke would lay him on her chest he would get the cutest gurgly baby smile going.  

Watching my sister become a mother was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.  

She is a complete natural.  

Chris has been such a great husband to Brooke and was there helping her the entire way.  

Max loves both of them so much and it's amazing to see how he responds to them.  

We all love this little baby so much.  

It was like there was this elephant in the room, but an elephant that should have been there all along.  

He fits right in.  

When he wrapped his tiny fingers around one of my fingers, I felt my baby fever kick into overdrive.  

He's just beyond precious.  

My sister, always in good spirits, made this face when I told her the photos I was taking were going on the blog  

Even more than with the delivery, I was endlessly impressed by how gracious, calm, and welcoming my sister and Chris were with all of us visiting at the hospital.  

They must have been exhausted, but you never would have known.  

They are both exceptional people and Max is lucky to have them as his parents.     

This is my and Brooke's grandpa, which makes him Max's GREAT GRANDPA!  

But I still told him, that if when he is 15, if he gets sick of his parents 

that he can come spend the summer in California with Tim and I.  

Are you an aunt, uncle, mama, or papa yet?  
Did that special little baby in your life instantly win you over?  
Tell me all about it in the comments!  

Catching Up

Wooo.  

What.  A.  Weekend.  

Tim and I left Friday midday for Las Vegas to go see my sister and her brand new baby!  

When we left she was still laboring and in the five or so hours it took for us to get there she had him!  

I have photographs to edit tonight and tomorrow you'll get to meet my nephew.  

Let's just say... he's perfect and I miss him already.  

Holding my nephew for the first time  

We had a great weekend visiting with Brooke and Chris and Max.  

We spent our days hanging out at the hospital and our nights hanging out on the strip. 

 I only gambled (and lost) $40 so I consider that a huge success.  

NY, NY Vegas style  

The dry desert air did a number on me though.  

I came back to California with chapped lips, frizzier than normal hair, 

and for some reason a bad case of adult acne.  

Seriously?  

Aren't I supposed to be done with breakouts like this?  

I'm 25!  

Geez.  

We didn't get home until 12:30 this morning and guess what we came home to?  

Diego, our only male cat, had peed all over a pair of my sweatpants, a tshirt, and a kitchen dishtowel.  

Nice welcome home present, right?  

Tim, being the amazing husband he is, jumped into the bathtub with the peed on items 

and hand washed them to get the urine out.  

I'm so grateful for him.  

This little booger decided that my clothes were his new litter box  

We only got about 5 hours of sleep before having to get up in the six o'clock hour for Tim's MRI.  

This was his first one and he came out of it visibly shaken up.  

I don't blame him.  

When I had an MRI, I had to be given an anti anxiety med because I get so claustrophobic.  

He's a champ though and even went to work afterwards.  

Me?  

I came home and laid in bed trying to sleep until about 1 this afternoon.  

Yup.  Ridiculous.  

Now I'm watching Real Housewives of New Jersey and I just have to say this... 

it's getting difficult for me to watch this show.  

I feel like Theresa is SUCH a mess.  

It's like watching a train wreck every episode.  

I don't think I've ever seen anyone be in as much denial as she is.  

She isn't just lying to everyone else, she's lying to herself and it's so blatantly transparent to me 

that it kind of turns my stomach a little bit.  

I feel badly for (parts of) their situation and I can't imagine how hard it is to go through everything they've gone through on television.  

I don't know.  

I guess I just think that everyone would be so much more understanding of her if she was 

just honest and not so prideful.  

Via

I'm a big believer that we are all in this thing called life together and we should all be honest, forthcoming, and supportive of each other.  

When someone is real with me, 

no matter how hard, embarrassing, or silly it may be, 

I feel so sympathetic / empathetic towards them. 

And it makes me want to help them.  

Don't you agree?  

Is anyone else feeling uneasy with this season of RHONJ?  

Friday's Letters

Babe... remember this picture from New Years 2010?  I still love it... and you!  

Dear Tim,  Today, we are hitting the road and heading to Vegas!  Dear Brooke, You might be having your first child today!  I am so excited for you and so proud of you.  You can do this!  Dear Baby Max, I am so excited and hope I get the chance to have you grasp my finger with your tiny amazing hands sometime soon!  Dear Work,  Going back to you this week wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated it being.  Thank you for that.  Dear The Bachelorette, I am pretty glad that you're back on the air since it seems like all of my favorite shows had season finales this week!  Dear French Countryside,  I've been dreaming of you these past couple of days.  For some reason, I really want to grab my husband, (and our cats) and go find a pasture somewhere in you and drink wine, eat cheese, daydream, nap, and cuddle.  Dear Blog Of Mine, You got a little neglected this week and I'm so sorry for that.  I just had a week where I've felt really tired, out of sorts, and kind of out of it.  Hopefully, next week will be an improvement.  Dear All My Pregnant Friends, I am so happy for you but really?  You are kicking my baby fever into overdrive every time one of you announces that you got that little positive pee stick.  Dear Melissa (self), Why is it so hard to decide if it's baby time or travel adventure time?  I feel like I go back and forth all the time.  Right now, I feel like I'm leaning more towards waiting on the whole baby thing.  Dear Anxiety, You've been a little on the high side this week.  Is it all the sugar I've been eating?  (Chocolate chip cookies, butterscotch brownies, and cupcakes... I'm looking at you!)  Dear Love Of My Life, I am so proud of your huge work accomplishment that you and the team pushed out this week!  You worked so hard and so long and I'm glad everything went well.  I hope you enjoy your presents that I got you today and thank you in advance for driving us to Vegas.  I'm so glad that your work gave your team today off for all your hard work.  I love when I get three day weekends with you!  You are an inspiration to me... every day... and I love you.  Forever and A Day.  

What are you up to this weekend?  

Little Bits Of Beauty

Happy Wednesday everyone!  

I'm suffering a little bit from the mid week blues

even though

I have today off.  

I'm not looking forward to working tomorrow.  

AND

My little sister is being induced tomorrow night!  

Here's a little bit of what I'm loving to brighten up your day.  

Via

 I love this bedroom setup.  It's so clean, but full of texture.  

Via

 Ummm... I just told Tim that I found our vow renewal flowers.  

(We aren't currently planning a vow renewal, but I'm bookmarking this for sure!)

Via

 How cute are these?  They're just tin cans that are painted with forks for handles.  

Via

 I lurve these Moroccan lanterns.  

They would be so perfect for a covered deck or for hanging from a huge tree outside.  

Via

This Anthropologie quilt is gorgeous, but really how lovely does snuggling up in a rowboat sound?  

I'm going to go grab a cup of green tea and watch Pregnant in Heels.
I love Rosie Pope.
I think she is just adorable.

What are you up to this Wednesday?

Are we Pinterest friends yet?  

Southwest Road Trip Travel Series: Roswell, N.M.

So, remember that roadtrip travel series I was doing?  Yeah, it kinda took a backseat these past few weeks, but now it's back and with one of the best places to see on a road trip... Roswell, New Mexico.  

So, let's see... where did I leave off?  Oh yeah...

So we left Santa Fe after lunch and headed toward our next planned destination, Carlsbad, N.M.  We got back out onto the road which first wound us through this beautiful open area of dessert that actually wasn't sandy, but instead filled with brush.  It was nice to have something to look at... for the first hour at least.  Once we really got out into the middle of nowhere, one of the things that you really don't want to have happen on a road trip happened.  

The check engine light came on.  

At first, I tried to hide the panic in my voice and threw out suggestions like...

"Maybe you didn't tighten the gas cap."  

(Which is, btw, a common reason for the check engine light to come on in your car.)  

"Maybe a hose is lose."  

(The reason my check engine light came on once.)

Then, as my voice got more shrill and my breathing more rapid...  

"Babe, does the car have oil?"

We both started to freak out a little and pulled over in the next "town."  

You guys... it wasn't a town.  

It was an ABANDONED TOWN.  That was about half a mile long.  

We pull over into what used to be a gas station and pop the hood.  

The oil is fine.  

The transmission fluid is OK.  

And then I saw it...

There was hardly any fluid in the resevoir.  

Which meant that our water pump was leaking.  Which means the possibility of the car overheating.  In the middle of New Mexico.  

Cue major panic attacks.  We realized that we didn't have distilled water.  We didn't have coolant.  We were completely unprepared for this.  I do have AAA but I'm still not quite sure how that works when you're in a place that barely has cell signal.  

We had no choice but to keep driving and keep a close watch on the temperature gauge.  

We hit the next town about an hour later... Vaughn, N.M.  Not really a step up from an abandoned town, but there were people there, a diner that was closed, a super old run down motel, and a couple gas stations. (I just looked at it on google maps and apparently there is a small airport as well.)  We hit up the two gas stations and only found coolant for huge semi trucks (that had expired already) but we bought it anyway.  I did pee in one of the cleanest restrooms on the entire trip there though, so there's a big plus to middle of nowhere ville, New Mexico.  We also bought distilled water and got back on the road.  

Cell signal finally picked back up and about 40 minutes outside of the next nearest town, Roswell, N.M., I did some research.  

Turns out there is a Toyota dealership in Roswell of all places.  

We miraculously made it to the dealership without our car dying.  We ran inside, bought coolant, and went back outside to fill up the resevoir.  

What we saw was not a pretty site... pink dust and gunk all over the underside of the hood.  We got one of the service men to come look at it and they confirmed our suspicions that our water pump needed to be replaced.  It was close to 5 pm at this point and there was no way they could do it that day.  

So much for going to Carlsbad.  

This is where a bad situation could have gone really bad.  

Stuck in a city that we didn't have a hotel reservation in, without a car, 

and money already down on our hotel in Carlsbad.  

The outcome reaffirmed my faith in a higher power.  Roswell Toyota had our water pump in stock.  It was covered 100% by our warranty.  They let us rent a car FOR FREE.  Hampton Inn in Carlsbad let us cancel our reservation for the night with no penalties and we got to book a great room at the Hampton Inn in Roswell instead, for less money.  

Via

Once we could breathe again, we decided to embrace it.  We had intended to stop in Roswell anyway because, well, I'm kind of a nerd.  Now we had a whole unexpected night there.  

We checked into our comfy and luxe (for Roswell) room.  The girl at the check in counter was kind, funny, and made jokes about aliens.  Score.  They had free cookies and tea and coffee all say.  Score.  

Breakfast was included.  Score.  

We went to a restaurant called Big D's for dinner.  It was AMAZING.  I had a cheeseburger.  Tim had a green chile burger (when in Rome Roswell).  They were delicious... new American cuisine at some of it's finest in a non descript office building in small town America.  

We took powdered donut bites with delectable dipping sauces back to our hotel room for dessert to munch on while watching the New Girl.  We slept well and enjoyed our stay.  We woke up early around 8 am to a call from the dealership saying that our car was ready.  

We went back and got it and drove it off the lot not paying a dime.  

How does that happen?!  

We celebrated by going to Area 51 and meeting some aliens.  

Up Next: One night stand in Carlsbad, N.M.

Where we Stayed:  Hampton Inn and Suites

Where We Ate:  Big D's Downtown Dive

Have you ever had any road trip mishaps?