fuckin' FORTY: Part I

Erin got into town on Thursday afternoon. Dustin so graciously took me to go pick her up since my car was in the shop due to my near death experience. I can be dramatic by nature but this time I'm not even kidding. I hydroplaned on the express lanes and plowed into the barricade, thanks to the insane storm on my way home. One minute I was riding high after a really great therapy sesh and the next thing you know I've lost control of my car. It was/still is traumatic. I'm grateful I was not injured in any way and my car has been repaired. All of that to say, I was without a car when I really needed a fucking car the most. 

Dustin drove us to our pedi appointment where we soon found out the place had moved down the street. So back in the car we go. Erin came across Ooohhh from CRACKED a couple months back and we both were obsessed. She gave it to me as part of my birthday present and we both got our toes done in the same color as is tradish when we are together. 

We stopped by Publix so Erin could get her faves that aren't available in Texas - pub sub, potato salad, &  Key Lime Pie. We enjoyed a chill night of eating dinner and watching the first two episodes of Ginny and Georgia. 

 

We had a slow morning and I squealed with delight when Cheeto laid on top of her. AND then I squealed again when it was Olive's turn to nuzzle in close. The keeties were loving on Aunt Erin something strong and I couldn't get enough (and neither could she, especially since she is currently missing her own). 

Hayley got into Orlando early and drove over in her Eve 6 rental. I wanted to scream sing Inside Out every time I caught a glimpse of that car the entire weekend. She also got in some keety time and one in particular got a new shirt. Bet you can guess which one it was! Georgia picked them out (🥹) matching shirts and I will die when we finally FaceTime with both of them wearing said shirt at the same time. Cousins gotta match. It's just part of growing up. 

The three of us got lunch at Fresh Kitchen (a fave of Erin's now and a new experience for Hayley) before heading back to Publix to pick up my cake and other party trays. Once we got back We were all pooped and Nap Club commenced. Erin took the couch, Hayley took the mattress on the floor, and I took my bed. 

Later on I got a call that I could pick up my car to use for the weekend (it was safe to drive) but would need to bring it back Sunday for additional repairs. COOL! Dustin drove me to the dealership and I was mobile again albeit the car still pulled to the right and made a loud like I was in a small aircraft. 

Once back home and reunited with my girlies we decided to head out. 

 

The three of us oooh'd and ahhh'd at the serious cuteness of the mid-century modern AirBNB that Hayley secured. Although the sitting area had a Justin Timberlake coffee table book that I had to turn over because his face was just glaring up at me. Since I was at the mercy of the car dealership there wasn't any clear plans aka time when we'd grab dinner and/or meet up with the rest of the group. I just told Katie and Angela "later Friday evening" because my mind was too frazzled to do more than that. Erin, Hayley, and I planned to go grab food nearby and would let the other girlies know where we ended up so we could grab takeout since they wouldn't be on our side of town for quite awhile. We tried DOMU but of course there was like an hour wait and we didn't have time for that. We ended up at 1803 Pizza/Kitchen where we shared a Pesto & Burrato pizza that was SO GOOD. We grabbed a salad and empanadas for Katie and Angela and headed back to the AirBNB. 

 

Once the girls arrived and ate we all got comfy in the living room and they gave me presents. Some absolute standouts were Hayley's custom stickers, Erin's cat shirt, Katie's CD player, and Angela's crafted photo frame. Then the five of us devoured the slices of Kentucky Butter Cake and Pineapple Cake that Katie brought from Buttercup Bakery in Deland. 

Angela brought her friendship card deck and we spent awhile answering the prompts from the cards we pulled. I loved how the questions ranged from serious to silly. We all stayed up late yapping until I had to call it at 11pm (basically 3am Ashley Time). I was like later gators, I've got a real early morning.