High Five for Friday: Hobbling in the Rain

1// Mr. Vista is back to his old self. I wasn't home much over finals, so he didn't receive the level of attention he is used to, and graduation brought a lot of strange people to the house. He didn't like it one bit. He was nipping a lot and carried a scowl everywhere he went. He is the biggest sweetheart, and I felt terrible that he was unhappy... and that family got the impression he is a curmudgeon. I adore that furry little man.
2// Beautiful sunsets never cease to amaze me. While heading home from a day out with the boys, we were gifted with this sight. My retinas probably have holes, but I couldn't stop staring.
3// The blooms aren't the only the only sign that spring is officially underway. It has been a rainy week that was kicked off by one of the loudest thunder and lightning storms I have ever heard. It was beautiful. This weekend brings more rain and cold temperatures.
4// I did it. I tried CrossFit for the first time yesterday. It was awful and wonderful. At one point I had to admit that I was about to throw up... and she assured me there were buckets nearby for that very reason. Yet I plan to come back for more. I will be doing a few personal training sessions so I can catch up to the normal classes and I'm terrified. Today, I'm hobbling around like an old lady. I have never been this sore! I have to mentally psyche myself up to get out of the car, sit down to pee, or pick something up off the ground. I wanted a shakeup... and I got one.
5// I have a husband who randomly brings a box of Starbucks to the lab. Just because. I was the hero of the biology department. No one wants to be working during their summer break, so a strong cup of coffee is greatly appreciated. Mario is amazing when it comes to surprising me with little (and big) "happies", as we call them. He's good people.

This rainy weekend will be spent sorting clothes for consignment, attending a Memorial Day potluck, and (finally!) hanging the second gallery wall in our room. It's the perfect weather for curling up in front of the television with the boys. And sleeping in.

We pulled the trigger and bought our plane tickets for our July vacation. And enrolled Kiddo in a Puget Sound-area camp for a week. Nearly a month will be spent with family in Montana, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and checking out grad schools in Idaho, Oregon, and perhaps Denver if time permits. My goal is not dip into savings for the trip, which means my paychecks will be devoted to funding our vacation. Consigning old clothes is another strategy, as is eating out less and spending smarter. Saving for something special is actually quite exciting. How do you save for something like this?

Happy Friday!