Pocketful of Joules - Planning a Family Trip to Tucson, Arizona

Planning a Family Trip to Tucson, Arizona

*Saguaro National Park – Source: Christoph von Gellhorn on Unsplash.com*

We have our next family trip planned and I can’t wait for our next adventure! We are still exploring Arizona – we previously visited Phoenix and Sedona (January 2023) and then we did a fabulous smorgasbord of Arizona, Nevada and Utah (March 2023) (part 1 and part 2).

Well, next up is Tucson, Arizona!

Since we visited the middle and top of Arizona, we figured we should check out the southern part of Arizona too with a flight into Tucson. We will be flying in late in the evening, so that we can enjoy 5 full days exploring before we need to pack up and come home on a super early flight.

Here’s what is on our possible adventure list:

San Xavier Mission for beautiful sights
The Mercando District for some delicious food
The Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum for hiking
Fourth Avenue for shopping
The Saguaro National Park hiking — East side one day and West side another day
The Mt. Lemmon Scenic Byway for amazing sights and some picnic spots

I am a *little* nervous because apparently, we need to watch out for Mountain Lions, Killer Bees, and Rattlesnakes at the Saguaro National Park. So, we’ve been going over what to do if you see a mountain lion (don’t run, look big and fight back if attacked), killer bees (stay alert, run away as fast as you can for ¼ to ½ of a mile, scrape stingers out and call 911) and rattlesnakes (move in the opposite direction of them, don’t put your hands or feet in shaded areas). Oh yeah, and there are scorpions (check shoes before putting them on). So honestly, I’m hoping if I see any wildlife, it’s from the comfort of a vehicle…

Here is what’s on our yummy food list:

Charred Pie pizza
Eegees – an Arizona institution
The Tuscan Tamale Company
Daily Bread
The Screamery for ice cream
And I hear there is a pizza shop at the top of Mt. Lemmon that has cookies the size of paper plates!

If you have a place we MUST visit or a restaurant/food we need to try, please let me know!

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!

Anthropologie: What is This?!

Last week I was feeling a bit of a shopping itch. I hadn’t been out and about for a while, so I wandered over to the Anthropologie website and OHMYGOD what is going on?! Look I get that some styles aren’t for everyone… but WOW was I blown away by some absolutely ugly items that are currently for sale. So, for funsies, I thought I’d do a little wrap up so you all can enjoy them as well!

Strapless Corset Midi Dress, $178

Okay, this isn’t the absolute worst. However, do you remember that movie Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead? It was released back in 1991 and starred Christina Applegate as a teenager who pretended to be a fashion designer… anyways, THIS looks like something from her fashion show at the end. It’s like office casual meets debutante. And it’s a no from me. Also, I need to re-watch that movie…

Deena Midi Skirt, sale $390

Okay, I actually do really like this skirt… but WHY IS IT $390 as the sale price (down from $650). Come on Anthropologie, stay in your lane!

Pleated Denim Overall Dress, sale $100

Um… Farmer in the streets and secretary in the sheets? What is happening here? With that being said, according to the reviews people like this thing. So maybe its just not for GenX to understand.

Silky Lace Slip Dress, sale $30

Okay friends. This is not a slip dress. This is a slip. Are people wearing this out in public?? It’s giving 13 Going on 30, Jenna just woke up as a grown-up and leaves the house in her pajamas. It’s a beautiful item… to wear at home.

Oversized Rosette Mini Dress, sale $50

You are getting very sleepy… very, very sleepy. Don’t make eye contact. The gigantic flower is trying to hypnotize you. This is giving me “I actually hate my bridesmaids” dress vibes.

Sheer Mesh Sparkle Dress, sale $50

Anyone else seeing Mini from Rent cosplay? Right. Let’s go ooooOOOOUUUUUTTTT tonight!

Sheer Slip Midi Skirt, sale $80

And I’m done. WHERE is this girl going with her underroos showing? WHERE?! With that being said, if this skirt weren’t showing her skivvies the look would be amazing!

So yeah. I no longer have that shopping itch and I’m happy with my closet.

Disclaimer: This post contains ShopStyle affiliate links. This means that clicking on a link may help me earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!

This is Your Reminder to Stop Putting Off Those Important Screenings

Over the years, I’ve gotten better and better and making sure I schedule all those important appointments – the dentist, the OBGYN, the general doctor, the eye doctor, the dermatologist… sometimes it really does feel endless. Especially when I also have a bunch of appointments to schedule for Jack and Travis too. I just had a couple of those important screening appointments pop up, so I figured it was a good time for a blog reminder!

Reminder: Your Annual Mammogram

If you’re due for a mammogram, schedule it! It’s not that scary, I promise. Don’t put it off. If you’re supposed to go EVERY year, schedule it. If you’re supposed to start with your first one and you haven’t scheduled it yet because you’re apprehensive, schedule it!

I had my annual mammogram last week and it took an hour and that’s including the drive there, waiting room, mammogram, drive home. And stopping by Dunkin Donuts on the way home because dang it I earned myself donuts!

Reminder: Your Annual Mole Check

I’ve talked about my dermatologist lots and lots on here and the fact that I’ve had over a dozen moles taken off my body. I just had two more moles removed – this time from my back – and yes, it was super annoying. One of them is right under where my bra strap hits, so having stitches in for 2 weeks was a pain in the butt. However, when I went back to the doctor to get my stitches out and they let me know that the lab test results came back as ‘severe’ on the pre-cancerous scale, it’s worth every moment of being uncomfortable.

Most people are supposed to get their moles checked once a year. If you haven’t done it this year, make your appointment! If you’re like me and you have moles that really want to kill you… you get to do the most unsexy striptease ever every 6 months. Still worth it.

That’s it. That’s your homework for this week. Please, please book your screening appointments.

Like what you see? Share me with your friends!