Ahh haa, this is where cowboys come from.

Oh haaayy Benson! Do you know where Benson is? Yeah well I didn't either, that was until one weekend last fall when my roommate Megan took me back to her roots. Everything that she had ever talked about started to make sense. It was awesome!! Take a peak..it's a picture heavy post, but beautiful!

First lesson Megan taught me-whenever traveling deep into the desert, have plenty of water. You never know if you're going to make it out alive, so mind as well be prepared. Haha.

On the open road, we made it the entire 3 hours without taking a break-pretty impressive, especially for the survival hydration tactics we were taking part in.

We were almost there and then this is what the billboards started to turn into, yes Megan wanted this picture very badly in honor of her favorite movie-whatta hick! :)

And this..

This is where I entered the point of no return. I'M KIDDING. The signs on the way down may have been weird but the ride was beyond beautiful. For a small town, the mountains were not only gigantic but also breath taking, the air was fresh and the country music was loud.

Our first stop (after Meg's house to say hi to the doggies) was a quick one at the annual Butterfield Stagecoach Days festival! Benson has it every year, we were a little late on our arrival but it was still a great experience to go. We ate an entire bag of some of the best kettle corn that I have ever had, watched our own troops put on fabulous live entertainment, and hung out with a few of the coolest cowboys.

We only made a quick run through because we were on our way to Megan's best best friend Katrina's house for her sister Savannah's birthday. Katrina and her family live on a ranch that is 30 minutes past Benson. The ride was beautiful and so was our night. I am going to skip the details and just post the pictures.

 

Of course there is no real party without an after party. Megan took me to possibly one of the most fun bars I have ever been to in my life-The Arena.

Those are two of Megan's friends -Sarah and Deena. I was going to take more pictures but I was having way too much fun and way too much to drink to snap a good shot of anything. The Arena was filled with people from 21 all of the way up to 100+. I will tell you a good fact-Benson knows how to drink!! I met tons more of Megan's friends and danced the night away (after I learned how to dance country the right way of course!). We were picked up after closing hours by Megan's high school softball coach and slept in a water bed. That's all I have to say about that ;)

Much to my surprise, just because you drink like your from Benson doesn't necessarily mean you don't get hangovers like the rest of the human population. For some reason I thought cowboys had it easy.. Megan had the perfect cure and that was The Apple Farm Bakery and Restaurant. It was delicious and hit the spot like no other.

Isn't Megan so cute!?






After breakfast we took yet another beautiful ride through the country side. It was a gorgeous day. Megan showed me the entire town of Benson and outskirts as well. I hadn't felt that relaxed in a while.

We made a few pit stops, Megan was determined to show me everything before we left (which she did a great job doing). We stopped by some old friends houses to say hello. Drank some clamato and bud with the guys on the porch for lunch (yes they do that for real). Went to see the ranch that Megan's Grandma owned and turned into a beautiful facility for foster children and hung out with Katrina and her boyfriend Jeremy for a while before saying our goodbyes.

The day and a half trip wore us out big time, but the experience will never be replicated. I had an awesome time and hope to visit again. Now that the shock of seeing every cowboy and country stereotype is out of my system, Meg and Jess take Benson part II might be dangerous so be on the look out!

After a year, it's back to blog!

No judging! I had some things come up where it was important that I take a year break from blogging (haha). But now that things have slowed down a tiny bit or I am just not as lazy as I was (one or the other) I am going to fire her back up. 

I am warning you right now it is going to be a work in progress. I am going to be updating a ton of stuff from the last year but also trying to make the blog more.. fun? If you have any suggestions let me know, I would love to hear them! Let the blogging begin :)

Some people..

Some people live to love.
Some people love to live.
Some people inspire.
Some people create.
Some people dare.
Some people tell truth.
Some people learn the easy way.
Some people learn the hard way.
Some people say yes.
Some people say no.
Some people tell.
Some people show.
Some people have faith.
Some people have reality.
Some people like the wind.
Some people like the rain.
Some people like the pleasure.
Some people like the pain.
Some people thrive.
Some people fret.
But it is you with whom I remain in the biggest debt.
For teaching me to love.
For teaching me to live.
For teaching me lessons.
For teaching me to give.
Some people leave marks.
Some people leave stories.
You left me with the biggest glory.
You taught me how to see.
You taught me how to accept.
You taught me how to never stop.
You taught me how to not forget.
The simplest moments.
The simplest signs.
You taught me life.
You taught me hope.
You made me a better person.
You mean the world inside and out.
You out of all people give me no doubt.
Some people will.
Some people won't.
Some people do.
Some people don't.
I love you.
I always will.
I feel bad for the some people that do not get their fill.
Of people like you.
Or people like me.
Two friends who are just meant to be.

With love. Jess.

He Knows What's Going On.

That guy up to the right is Jared Kolesar. He is a singer/songwriter/bad-ass with an awesome personality all rolled up into one. This past week Meg, Torrey (the guy to the left, Jared's brother) and I all joined each other at Dos Gringos bar to watch Jared and his band perform. I wish I could tell you Jared's bands name, but they don't have one. They change it every song, it actually gets pretty entertaining!

The music was phenomenal! Jared serenades the crowd with smooth vibes, catchy riffs and some lyrics that get stuck in your head immediately. His music knows whats going on. He is personable with the crowd and doesn't hold back. The alternative aura that gets brought to the table is undeniably attractive and keeps you asking for more. He threw in some nice acoustic plays on Brittany and Rihanna to really take the show ;) I am a huge fan of live music. I have been to too many concerts to count and I can be honest when I say I enjoy his live music more than I have enjoyed  A LOT of others. Jared is without a doubt a performer who's going to be around for the long haul. Follow him @JaredKolesar or like his fan page. 

With the band! (sorry for the eyes, stupid iphone flash). 

Stumble Upon Gives Such Good Advice Sometimes.

Life's Instructions

1. Have a firm handshake.
2. Look people in the eye.
3. Sing in the shower.
4. Own a great stereo system.
5. If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
6. Keep secrets.
7. Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
8. Always accept an outstretched hand.
9. Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
10. Whistle.
11. Avoid sarcastic remarks.
12. Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.
13. Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
14. Lend only those books you never care to see again.
15. Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
16. When playing games with ! children, let them win.
17. Give people a second chance, but not a third.
18. Be romantic.
19. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
20. Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
21. Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for our convenience, not the caller's.
22. Be a good loser.
23. Be a good winner.
24. Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
25. When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.
26. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
27. Keep it simple.
28. Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
29. Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
30. Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets
31. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the
32. things you didn't do more than the one's you did.
33. Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
34. Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
35. Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.
36. Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
37. Begin each day with some of your favorite music.
38. Once in a while, take the scenic route.
39. Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'
40. Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
41. Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
42. Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.
43. Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
44. Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
45. Become someone's hero.
46. Marry only for love.
47. Count your blessings.
48. Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home.
49. Wave at the children on a school bus.
50. Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on your ability to deal with people.
51. Don't expect life to be fair.

Song of the day; Best For Last-Adele 

Early Bird Gets The Worm..Or The Bacon!

Megan and I decided to get a little eventful during the week, and since the only free time we have is in the morning, why not start with some breakfast? We ventured off  into downtown Phoenix Friday morning to see what Matt's Big Breakfast had to offer. Now, when I say it is my favorite meal , I am not  messing around.  Not only am I addicted to eggs, but chocolate milk and some french toast always seem to know how to call my name so sweetly.  I would even go as far to refer to myself as a breakfast connoisseur. 

This hole in the wall, literally, only had about ten tables of sitting room for the 630 group that was already lined up outside to get the grub. It was adorable!! Most of the customers looked like a "usual" crowd that knew exactly what time they needed to be there to beat the rush. Megan and I were able to slip into a little intimate corner, bar-side of the window (the one in the picture!). We loved it!! 

Me and Meg  ordered the same thing off of their small but very delicious menu -what can I say ..great minds think alike ;).   We started off with some delicious organic chocolate milk (they did not skimp out on the syrup which is really important for chocaholics like myself). Then we went to town on our "5 spot" breakfast sandwiches.  Thick bacon, two eggs, american cheese and grilled onion on a great roll-yeah I know, my mouth is watering too. 

When Megan's friend recommended this place to us, he made it a point to make sure we the get the bacon. As you saw above, it was THICK. I'm not complaining- It was awesome. I did feel a little bad with all of the cute piggy trinkets they had every where, decorating the scene into a homey cornerstone. I mean I'm not saying it stopped me in my tracks or anything (those of you who know me well, know that would never even be an option) but I thought about it for a second. 

It's safe to say I was a happy camper, no matter how early it was! Matt's will definitely be getting a second visit from me.

Song of the day; Fishin' In The Dark-Nitty Gritty Band

I love being a woman.

Some of my womanly things, that fit into what I am. 

Song of the day; I'm A Woman-Toni Braxton. Have fun singing your lungs out to that ;)