The school put on the kids art show - it was so incredible. Almost the entire bottom floor of the school was covered with pottery, glow in the dark paintings, hanging clay birds from the ceiling, Dolly Parton impressions. It was so great. So creative and fun. You can tell there is a lot of effort and care taken with the kids. It was beautiful. So grateful we made the change this past year with schools and for the soft landing.

We are in a neighborhood and the kids have friends that are neighbors. The boys are biking back and forth. Our kids world has blossomed. So glad we made the leap. It’s been magical.

My girlfriend sent me pictures of some photos her mom just developed of a ‘lingerie shower’ she hosted me. And it was right around our anniversary - 18 years. Wild. It’s hysterical though, I remember laughing and laughing and having the best time. She shared several shots of the pics and wow, what a wonderful timeline. Va Va voom 😂

I traveled for work, some training/education. It ended up being really great. Went to a championship game, nose nose bleed section - it’s been years since I have been to any sporting event or even watched a game really. It was super fun. There were towels to wave and a t-shirt in each chair, it was interactive and they had killer music sound bites. Such a great time. The energy was so hype. It was fun to get swept up in the spirit of things. The work group I went with was just incredible. Couldn’t have asked for a better team.

The dress code was business casual. For someone that wears scrubs at my 9-5 and teaches yoga on the side, I haven’t had to dress fancy in a long time. It was a time capsule digging through my closet. I made it work.

I found an amazing yoga studio close to our hotel. Went to 3 classes while I was there. I slept through the night uninterrupted. Ate well. It was a gift. Made even better by being close to the ever lovely @theunstuffedpepper 😍😍😍

I was walking down the lively streets of New Orleans, I’m a tourist along with the rest of the others walking down this street, it was that time of year again, the most festive event in this pristine city; Mardi Gras, people from all over travel here just to let loose or forget their problems during this time of year. As for I, I was actually dragged here by my boss, he’s trying to get a business deal in with this so called famous radio host and I have to use my vacation time to meet up with the man while my boss goes off to who knows where probably to cheat on his wife again, the true reason why he dragged me here was pretty much a bribe in me keeping my pretty little mouth shut, his words not mine, I ended up catching him kissing someone who wasn’t his wife, I felt bad for the lady but now I was in one of the best places to enjoy your selves but I can’t enjoy myself since I am stuck working!  I continued to push past the tourist as I stepped upon Bourbon  street which just so happens to be full of restaurants, bars and other fun amenities, this was where my boss said I was going to meet the radio host, he was supposed to be doing it but he’s having me do his dirty work, I let out a low sigh as I approached a restaurant, I recalled my boss telling me exactly which one he was supposed to meet the man, I took a deep breath as I pushed open its doors, the restaurant was bustling with people who were chatting amongst themselves, I look around the restaurant feeling a tad nervous as I had no idea who this man was or how he acts, as I was having a mental breakdown in my own head I was soon snapped out of it by the hostess who walked over to me with a not so pleased face.

“Ma’am do you have a reservation?”  I blinked a few times as my head started spiraling out of control again. Did I have one?  My boss said nothing about needing a reservation and I’m not even sure if he set one up!  I was about to pass out, I had to mentally slap myself to calm down. I took a deep breath as I looked over at the hostess.  “I’m not sure..  I’m supposed to be meeting someone here and I'm not quite sure if my boss took the chance to set up a reservation but you can try under Fedricson…  If not then try (L/N).” The hostess had a look that could kill as if he was tired of me and just wanted to throw me out already. I watched as he looked at his clip board and when he spoke up I wanted to throw up. “I’m sorry Ma’am but there are no reservations under either of those names now if you are done

wasting my time then I’d like for you to leave as the people behind you do in fact have reservations.”  I could see the sly smirk on his face as he went back to his hostess stand I wanted to cry so bad, I can’t believe my boss set me up like this just for me to be humiliated, I heard the stifle laughs of the customers behind me, I tried so hard not to let tears slip by that was when I heard a very gentle voice call out from a table close by. “Now that’s no way to treat a lady, I do believe she is here with me.”  I hesitantly looked up to see a young man with short brown hair, tan skin, soft brown eyes that anyone could get lost in, and a pair of round glasses which were perfectly pushed up on the brim of his nose. He didn’t look happy when he saw me getting picked on for a mistake my boss made. “I would very much appreciate that you do your job correctly, when I first stepped through these doors I specifically told you I was waiting on another person to walk through those doors but I suppose that slipped through one ear and out the other, she didn’t know a reservation was already set up under my name, I see now that her boss tried to set her up into a little trap now let her through, or do I need to get the manager involved.” 

The hostess went pale as the man threatened to get the manager involved. How was he supposed to know I was here for the meeting with this man? He quickly shook his head as he allowed me to walk past.  “N-no sir!  Not at all I didn’t know she was here with you…  Usually both parties show up together…  So, it was an honest mistake.”   The hostess was practically shaking at this point, this man must have some kind of power to get this man to sweat and shake, I finally walked past the hostess as I gave him a small smirk that was only noticeable to him as I approached the young man at the table he had already stood up from his seat to great me I watched as he took a hold of my hand and placed a soft and gentle kiss on the back, he was a true gentleman, I tried to keep my composure as he let my hand go, he walked over to where I was going to sit and pulled out for me, I couldn’t help but go a bit red, I sat down and watched as he pushed my chair in for me before taking his place back in his own seat, I’ve never met someone who was this kind especially to woman, usually men just beat or cheat on their woman, one of the reasons why I never tried to date I was too scared, scared I might get hurt if I fell in love especially with the wrong person.

“My If I knew Frank was going to send a Lady to do his dirty work I would’ve dressed up a bit more for this meeting, but I supposed he didn’t tell either of us till the last minute, I am sorry you have a boss who doesn’t even consider how you feel.”  I looked at the man with a small smile as I fiddled with my hands. He was very kind, but I was still confused on why he was being kind to me. I don't even live here…  I’m just here to ensure a business deal between him and my boss, I was snapped out of my thoughts as I heard him speak up again.  “How rude of me!  Frank didn’t tell you about the reservation so I’m assuming he didn’t tell you my name either.” He let out a low sigh as I gently shook my head no know how to respond or what to say.  “I don’t know how he has his own company; I can see the slight twitch in his eye but quickly shook it off as he held out his hand to me, I gently took it as he enthusiastically shook my hand.  “Alastor!  It’s a pleasure to meet you!  Quiet the pleasure!  I have to be honest I am glad you're the one meeting with me, I don’t get along with most men so seeing a woman sit before me puts a smile on my face.” He lets out a small laugh.

My cheeks were a bit heated as I cleared my throat giving Alastor a genuine smile.  “It’s nice to meet you Alastor, I’m (Y/N) and if I’m being honest here, I was hoping to enjoy a nice vacation here but as soon as we stepped foot into the city my boss dropped all his work onto me while he goes off to have fun, I wouldn’t be here right now If i didn’t walk in on him cheating on his wife.”  The last part seemed to have gotten his attention as his expressions shifted from a happy smiling one to a one of anger and rage, once his eyes met mine, they soon softened his smile returning.

“No man should ever push their work onto a lady, that’s not what a gentleman does and I must say…  Cheating takes the tea and cake, I assume he’s keeping you busy in hopes you forgot about the cheating he’s been doing.”  He picked up the cup he had on the table which I presume had coffee in it. I didn’t even realize he already ordered himself a drink. I wonder how long he’s been waiting for me to show up. I started to feel a bit guilty. “O-oh yes pretty much, I’m not one to forget though, I just can’t afford to lose my job right now.” I placed my head in my hands as I was both frustrated and hurt that I’m allowing my boss to push me around like this, but I also can’t take the chance of getting fired either, my life was already a shit show back home.  

I could tell Alastor was looking at me, right into my soul as It ached in pain, I heard a slight hum come from him as he was thinking, I heard the clink of glass hit back down upon the table top.  “Perhaps we could help each other?  I’ve been looking for an assistant who can help me with paper work, or even find stories for me to put on the air!  It’s not much but it is good pay and if you're in need of a place to stay I do just so happen to have a guest room in my home, and your probably thinking why would I offer you a job and a place to stay when I hardly know the woman, well it’s simple my dear!  Out of the kindness of my heart, I do not wish to watch a lady as yourself struggle especially in such a toxic work environment where their bosses black mail their employees, and in return I could help you with your little predicament you're in with your boss.”  

My jaw almost dropped as I couldn’t believe he would offer me to work for him.  And not only that but to live with him as well!  However, it was an offer I couldn’t say no to. I hated my boss, and I hated the work even more. He was offering to help me get revenge on my boss if I took up his job offer…  It would mean I would have to move here, away from my friends and family I suppose they could visit, my father has always wanted to see new Orleans, when I told him I was coming here for work he was jealous, in a good way, he was happy his little girl was finally going places but now I have to tell him his little princess is moving here, It’ll break his heart…  I’m the only family he has left after mom passed away.  Besides, he's just as stubborn as she was!  He would tell me to take the job and to be happy, my happiness is better than anything in the world, he's also the type of guy who would like to see his child settle down and give him some grandbabies, I decided to finally shut down my small monolog to myself as I took one more look over at Alastor who seemed to be waiting on an answer from me.  “Alright you got a deal Alastor, I’ll take you up on your offer, my boss won't be happy, but neither will his wife.”  I couldn’t help but let out a laugh as I knew his wife wouldn’t want to be with him for another second, even though it’s the 1920’s divorce is tricky so she probably won’t be able to leave him yet, she’ll probably end up leaving to live with her mother, it’s the better choice than to end up a scandal, unless something happens to her husband, as I was thinking of what to do I heard Alastor let out a soft laugh, at my comment about his wife potentially leaving him.

“Splendid my dear!  You can start once you’ve quit your old job and settled right in!  I can even give you a little tour of this wonderful city I call home, and I hope you will soon call it your home as well, I want you to feel right at home even if it is a whole new environment for you, once your settled in I’ll give you a tour of my radio station and how everything works including what you’ll be doing, it won’t be too much because I do not want to overwhelm my newest employee!”  I

couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at how enthusiastic alastor was I was quiet pleased to have someone like him as my new boss first i’ll have to send in my two weeks notice, as we were talking I completely forgot we were in a restaurant I was just so engulfed into our conversation that we didn’t even order anything I sheepishly scratched the back of my neck.  “I almost forgot where we were, should we order something?  I don’t wish to be rude.”  I watched as Alastor put a finger on his chin as he started to think but without a second thought, he stood up walking in my direction I was confused on what was going on.

“We could stay and order food from someone who could potentially poison our food or?  I could show you my place right now and make you one of my mama’s famous jambalaya recipes!  How does that sound? I only chose this place for a meeting. I wasn't going to eat here when I had food at home!” My eyes shot up in shock as I couldn’t help me stare, I watched as he held out a hand to me I didn’t know what to do so I hesitantly took his hand allowing him to help me to my feet, we started to walk past the hostess who was still a bit shaken up from before I didn’t feel bad for the man one bit he works to make the rich happy but serves to make the poor miserable, people like that make my blood boil, I continued to follow Alastor out the door and towards his car, it seemed to be a pretty nice vehicle, I watched as he opened the door for me, my smile stayed on my face as I entered his car, I don’t know what it was about this man but I wasn’t scared at all, He was still very much a stranger to me but I wasn’t scared of him, his calm demeanor made it all better, I looked over at the driver's seat, pulling out a key and sticking it into the ignition, the car started off with a soft purr as Alastor pulled out of the curve and off towards his home.

It wasn’t long till he pulled up to a nice looking cabin, I couldn’t help but stare in awe at how rustic it looked, I didn’t expect someone like him to live in a place such as this, as I was admiring his home I didn’t realize he had already stepped out and opened my door I shook my head waving away all my thoughts as I swiftly stepped out onto the dirt road leading up to the cabin steps. 

Alastor couldn’t help but smile as I admired his home, he lead me to the front door as he pulled out his keys once again to unlock the door, once the door was unlocked he led me inside I watched as he took his shoes off setting them by the door I decided to be a good guest and follow his guidance, taking my shoes off placing them beside his, leaving us both in just the clothes on our backs and the socks on our feet. I couldn’t help but enjoy the rustic feeling of the whole cabin. It brought back fond memories from when my father would take me to his cabin back home as he taught how to hunt.  “You have a very lovely home, Alastor; I have to be honest though I didn’t really expect for you to live in a home like this.”  

I heard a chuckle from the kitchen as Alastor was grabbing ingredients for the jambalaya.  “This is my family home, I didn’t have the heart to part with it after my Mother passed, she would've liked for me to continue living here even after all the bad memories, she always told me to never think of the bad things in a place with such fond memories.” he started cutting up the vegetables as he placed them in the bot and let it cook for a bit before starting the next step. “Your mother sounded like a wonderful woman. Is that how you learned to cook?  Or is that just something that runs in your family?”  I couldn’t help but laugh, I heard Alastor return the laugh as he cooked.

“Why can’t it be both?”  I swear I could hear him smirking as he poured the food into 2 bowls. I couldn't help but shake my head, as I watched him set the bowls onto a nice wooden table.  “Food is done, come and eat, it’s my mothers own recipe and I always enjoy cooking  them.” I walked over to the table sitting at the spot he set the other bowl down. I gently grabbed a spoon as I took my first bite, my mouth exploited with flavors, it was delicious!  I couldn’t help but eat more and more of it, every bite being more delectable than the last, I couldn’t get enough of it.

“I see that someone is enjoying themselves, I’m quite pleased!  There is plenty left if you want seconds.”  I swiftly nodded as I finished my first bowl, I was about to stand to get it but alastor insisted he get it for me, he w asso kind and I guess I am a guest in his home, which will also be my home as I work with im, at least till I get enough money to afford an apartment in town. A second helping was placed into my bowl as Alastor also helped himself to another, we both continued to eat in silence and once we were both finally finished and two full for any more, I offered to help clean up but he insisted of doing it himself I couldn’t help but let out a huff as he cleaned up after the both of us.

Once he was finally done he lead to me to the room I was going to be staying in, and I might say it was a very nice room, even though he’s been living here all alone for years he always made sure each room was cleaned, there was not spec of dust any where, I entered the room falling face first on the plush blanket on the bed, it was so soft it was like sleeping on a blanket made of clouds, alastor walked in behind me as he handed me the key that seemed to be a spare  key to the house I didn’t know if I should take it or not but I ended up accepting the key I gave him a tired smile as I was now starting to exhaustion of the day hit me.  “Thanks Alastor, I’ll be sure not to lose it, I don’t want to make you feel as if I wasn’t responsible for something as simple as keeping a key.” 

“Of course my dear!  I see the exhaustion in your eyes, do please get some rest, and tomorrow you can call up your boss about your two weeks notice, and in the morning I will have to talk to you about some ground rules here, nothing to serious just a few places to not poke your pretty little nose in.”  Alastor looked serious as he talked about the ground rules. I nodded as I didn’t want to make him angry for letting me stay with him and for getting me a new job. “Yes of course!  I understand, I’ll see you in the morning.” I got more comfortable on the bed as my tired eyes started giving in and sleep soon took over.

Alastor's P.O.V

I watched as (Y/N) passed out, she looked so at peace, I didn’t want to stare at her like a creep, so I gently shut her door leaving her to her dreams. As the memories of today filled my head I knew I had to deal with Frank, he was everything I didn’t like in a man, he was a cheater and he worst of all He made you do all his dirty work!  It proves to me even more that I don’t want him as my business partner, It seems I need to go out hunting tonight, I looked back at (Y/N)’s room, it’s been years since another woman lived in this house, I don’t know what I was thinking of offering her my home to her as well but I couldn’t help it, she was a lady in need of help and If I go hunting tonight I’ll have to make sure my prey doesn't make a peep and wake you from your beauty rest, I grabbed my coat and hat walking out into the darkness of the night hunting for the man who deserves death for making a frail woman as yourself do a man's job.  

Great last day in San Diego! Some more exploring in the first half of the day and then we got all dressed up for my final work dinner. I’m exhausted and ready to fly back tomorrow.

When I was

A young girl

My father

Took a trip to work with Jesus

Black on black

Kept the makeup neutral browns

I’m obsessed