Coming Home

Oh yes, last weekend was full of fun, old friends and free booze at my 5-year college reunion. Danielle and I went up to Southwestern with no real expectations because we weren't sure who we would see or how much fun we would have. Alas, a grand time was had by all.

Friday night, we arrived in G-Town around 10 o'clock. We couldn't resist a drive through campus, and boy did I ever get nostalgic. Southwestern provided me with an amazing four years of learning, a smidge of partying, and loads of bonding with some wonderful people. It's the only time I have ever lived in a small town, and while that's not something I want to do now, it was nice to live a slower-paced life for awhile. Of course now, Georgetown is so built up that it really feels like an extension of Austin. They have a Best Buy, for crying out loud. And a Taco C. And a DSW. Jerks! (Actually, I liked being isolated for some reason.)

We checked into our hotel and somehow managed to rally and head out to the Hospitality House. This may compete with Disneyland as the happiest place on earth. Not really, but a beautiful bed & breakfast stocked with snacks and open bars is hard to beat. We met up with Barbara, James and other old friends and got the lay of the land.



Saturday morning, we leisurely got up and grabbed some delightful Sonic drinks. I brought a little liquor to give our drinks more of a kick. We watched a rather lame homecoming parade (the Tri Deltas won the parade, but it was still lame because there was hardly anyone there). Then came my favorite part of the weekend...sitting on the academic mall with a variety of friends, taking in the scene and enjoying being back at our old stomping grounds. We finally got to catch up with Allison at that point, and then we headed (where else?) to the Hospitality House. A couple of hours later, we went to our actual reunion, back in the McCombs Center, where we had about a zillion events during college. It was truly a blast from the past. I enjoyed catching up with some people I hadn't seen in a long time. After the reunion, we walked across the street to...well, you know. And the rest of the night is a bit of a blur! We took about a thousand pictures (not with my camera, so hopefully I will get those soon) and ended up hanging out there for five or six hours. So much fun! I talked to Mikey around 11 and kept saying, "They have free booze!" Because I use the word "booze" so often in my normal life. :)



I swear I don't normally have drunken days like this anymore. I am typically much more low-key and attempt to keep my wits about me. But I don't regret a second of my five-year reunion weekend! To all the friends who were there -- what a treat to catch up with you at SU! And to those who couldn't make it -- I will hunt you down for our ten-year reunion!

Thanks, Doug!

My friend Anne just posted an update because her husband Doug told her it was time for her to post about their family's goings-on. It inspired me to give a little update of my own! Prepare for randomness.

Is it sad that the most exciting thing to happen to me in the last week has been the acquisition of two fake houseplants and five prints for our walls? Nah. My company had a garage sale of model home furniture (benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) yesterday, and we got all that for $200! We love the plants and most of the prints. Once we got two of them home (they are a set), I was immediately unsure if I could live with them. We put one up in our bedroom, and the other has found a temporary home in our garage until we can decide on a place for it. But overall, I am delighted with our purchases. The plants and two of the prints are up in our living room, and it feels so much more complete now. Yay!

Why is it that no matter which one of us leaves first for work, the other one's car is ALWAYS in the driveway blocking the early person's car in? I simply don't understand.

I feel violated. Someone stole one of our potted plants from our front porch! What the heck? And of course it was the prettiest one that we just got about two weeks ago. It just weirds me out that someone was examinig our plants with the intent to jack one of them.

This weekend is going to be all about relaxation, baby! We are going to the Pink House for two days of not a whole lot. We will eat at Sonic and the Palacios Mexican Restaurant. We will NOT set an alarm. We will fish until one of the lines gets so badly messed up that we can't fix it. Hopefully we will watch a whole lot of The Office Season 3. I better call Monique about that! She is my TV guru, and she owns it on DVD.

My friend at work, Katie, just found out today that she's having a baby girl! That makes me feel better about our population ratio. Of all the people I know who have had babies in the last few years, there are 14 boys and now, thanks to Katie, 4 girls! *I do understand that my small sampling isn't accurate for the world. It's just so strange that the group I know would be that lopsided. Katie was so cute today. She could not concentrate on work to save her life. I would be the same way! I can't imagine going from "We're having a baby" to "We are going to have a daughter." That seems so much more real. As a side note, her dad has something like 3 sisters, 3 daughters, 4 nieces and 1 nephew. Talk about an unabalanced sampling!

Ashley is a Mrs!

Somehow it's been almost four weeks since Ashley & Jas's wedding! It seems like just yesterday that we were driving into Austin for the festivities to begin. It all started with a delicious bridal lunch on Friday. Jen, Monique and I rode in together that morning. The lunch was the perfect way to kick it all off. We had a few hours to relax and do not a whole lot before it was time for the wedding rehearsal. I felt sorry for the planners at the rehearsal because everyone was giggling like we were back in high school. We were paired up with the guys, so we heard all the silly things they said under their breath. It was quite entertaining.

Then it was off to the rehearsal dinner at the Salt Lick. This was a rehearsal dinner unlike any one I have ever been to! There were a live band and an actual longhorn that we could take pictures with. Jen, Monique, Kimberly, Ash and I got a fantastic picture with the longhorn. I suspect that one will make it into Kimberly's wedding slideshow. The food was (of course) delicious, and I thoroughly enjoyed my "Cowboy Cosmos." Monique put together Ash and Jas's slideshow, and I have to say that was a huge hit. She worried and stressed about that thing, but all her hard work paid off. All the guests enjoyed it, but most importantly--you could tell the bride and groom loved it. Mikey and I turned in early that night to get our beauty sleep for the big day.

The next morning, I woke up and did not want to get out of bed because it was so incredibly comfortable. Mikey got up to get a cup of coffee and read, and I just relished in being able to lay there and relax for a bit. Then it was time for all the girls to start getting beautified. They brought in hair and makeup people for us, and those ladies really did make everyone look beautiful. We got ready in the Driskill in a room that is just down a hall from the reception ballroom. It was fun to watch the room be transformed throughout the day. The decor was absolutely breathtaking, but it didn't hold a candle to the bride. All of her painstaking decisions about dress, hair, and makeup were perfect. Even better, she looked truly happy throughout the wedding.

The bridesmaid's dresses were a hit, and we all made it down the aisle with no problems. The nervous groom looked like he might pass out during the ceremony, but he pulled through and married his girl. If he had needed a little bite to eat, one of the bridesmaids could have given him lettuce from her bouquet! I have never seen lettuce used like that, but it looked fantastic.

The reception exemplified elegance, sophistication...and became a crazy dance party that you wouldn't believe. Sadly, I did not get to eat my steak and lobster because Ashley beckoned me to the dance floor before I could eat. Oh yes, you read that right. Ashley danced. A lot. It was so exciting and completely worth missing out on dinner. Mikey assured me that the entrees were delicious. The Spazmatics provided numerous '80s dance-worthy tunes. My calves were sore for three days from all that dancing.

We ate, we drank, and Ashley is married. Best wishes to the newlyweds!

Visit the Adirondacks! Do It!

Mikey and I were fortunate to go to the Adirondacks in upstate New York over a long 4th of July weekend. My cousin, Erin, had her wedding reception there, and we decided to make a vacation of it. Lake George is a very large lake with a ton of accommodation choices. Fortunately, I happened to pick a bed & breakfast that was about a half-hour drive away from Lake George Village, which is exceedingly touristy. There are certain vacations in which I enjoy tourist traps, but vacationing on a picture-perfect lake is not one of those times. I prefer serene and scenic to lively and loud.

Our bed & breakfast was very cute, although I don't think Mikey will agree to stay in another bed & breakfast anytime soon. They don't allow children under 12, which is fine by us. The only exception to this rule is the very young, very loud grandchildren of the owners. We were awakened both mornings they were in town, once by a kid banging on a piano around 7:00 a.m. Plus, it truly felt like we were sneaking into our parents' house every night. We got home way after everyone else went to bed every night, and we tip-toed up to our room, cringing with every floorboard creak.

The first night, we went out to a bar with Erin, her husband Walter and a few of their friends. We got there a day before just about everyone else going to the wedding, so it was the perfect time to catch up with the bride and groom and to get acclimated to the area.



We spent a lot of time at Walter's parents' house over our four days there. They are the most hospitable family you could imagine. Their house is situated in a beautiful spot on the lake, and we spent a great deal of time enjoying the view, listening to old stories, and eating fantastic food. We went on a tandem kayak our first morning. It was a great introduction to the lake. We also went on two hikes, one of which was on our own. It took us about 45 minutes to get up to a gorgeous lake...and then the skies opened up, and the thunder & lightning seemed to be chasing us. We literally ran down every part of the trail that wasn't too steep or full of rain-coated rocks. It only took us 20 minutes to get down. The other hike took longer, but we were able to go with Walter's brother and his wife, as well as four of their family friends. It was nice to see the area with people who have lived there and spent a lot of time on the trails.

The actual wedding reception was on a boat called the Adirondac on Friday evening. It rained much of the day, including while we were loading on the boat. But then somehow, just for Erin and Walter, the skies cleared, and it was gorgeous. We went to the top deck before the boat launched, and we stayed up there until about 20 minutes after they told us dinner was served. It was so pretty that I didn't want to leave, even though I was freezing. After dinner, we were treated to the sounds of a really talented live band. Needless to say, Mikey and I cut a rug until the boat docked.



On Saturday afternoon, we headed to the Sagamore, a beautiful, historic hotel in Bolton Landing. It really is worth it to drive out there and sit on the veranda for a drink. It was especially enjoyable because 1. It was 7/7/07, so there were FIVE weddings going on that evening, and we got to watch everyone pass by and 2. We went with my aunt Jan and my cousin Brooke's soon-to-be-mother-in-law, Louise. They are both great fun, and we laughed quite a bit. That evening, we went with the remaining wedding guests to a barbecue that featured a truly spectacular private fireworks show. It was handled by a professional fireworks company, and everything was set up about 30 yards from where we were laying in the grass. I haven't ever experienced anything like that. It was too cool.



Although the activities were fun and the landscapes were beautiful, my absolute favorite aspect of the trip was reconnecting with family. I have three cousins on my dad's side, and we hung out so much as kids. It's been a long time since we spent any significant amount of time together, and it was such a treat to see everyone and find out what their lives are like.

Another result of the trip is my resolve to buy a fancy camera and start learning how to manipulate it to get the pictures I want. I have always loved taking pictures, and I think it's time for me to make a full-fledged hobby out of it. So everyone--get ready for me to start annoying you even more than usual with my ever-present flash!

And as I said in the beginning...visit the Adirondacks. You won't regret it!

Ah, Summertime

School's out, the kids are free, and none of this affects me in the slightest! Or so you would think, since I work a full-time job that is very stingy with the vacation days. But somehow summer is still an exciting time, even when your world isn't defined by semesters. I think it's because it affects some of my friends and family. Life just seems a bit more vibrant this time of year. People are getting married right and left, we have an exciting vacation that will be here in just a week and a half, and it seems like our social calendar is booked to overflowing.

I feel so fortunate to live in the same city as both my family and Mikey's, as well as many of our friends. This weekend, we had the pleasure of attending the baptism of Anne and Doug's second little boy, Tyler. What a joy to see their family celebrating the baptism of a precious little guy. Mikey and I always like to experience religious traditions we are unfamiliar with (aka Petro and Christina's Greek Orthodox wedding), and the baptism and accompanying convalidation of the parents' marriage were very moving. Anne and Doug are our only friends with multiple kids, and they handle it all with amazing humor, grace and patience.

Ahead this week, we have dinner at La Fiesta with the aforementioned Petro, Christina, Anne, and Doug (and Tim if we're lucky). Other than that, we'll continue our quest to finish the second season of "The Office." I can't so much explain why this completely deadpan show is so darn funny, but I definitely recommend it.

Surrounded

Mikey and I rewatched the slide show from our rehearsal dinner yesterday, and being the sap I am, I teared up while watching picture after picture of us surrounded by our family and friends. It served as a reminder that life is all about the people who would be there for you when the rest of the world turned its back on you. We are so lucky to have an abundance of people in our lives who truly care that we are healthy, happy, and headed in the right direction.

This weekend was all about the wedding of our friends Petro and Christina (some photos are here for your viewing pleasure). The bride and groom were very happy...to be husband and wife, but also to be done planning and executing a spectacular wedding! Drinking, dancing, and some silliness ensued. Thankfully we have many friends in common with the newlyweds, so we got to hang out with some of our favorite people in the world all weekend. Now it's just a matter of recovering from all the festivities! I took a nice nap today, and hopefully my work week will cooperate and not be too crazy.

Recent favorite pictures

I can't think of much to write about this evening, but I thought I would share some of my favorite pics from the last few months.

If the shoe fits

Oh wait, it doesn't fit! I just have to say that I am so tired of shopping for hours upon hours and finding nothing that both fits me and suits my personality. You all know that I am not what one would call trendy, so that eliminates a large percentage of clothing. And then there's the ultimate eliminator...my 12-year-old's body. Yeesh, I have so many wedding-related events coming up in the next few months, and I'm very excited about them other than the fact that I may show up wearing Abercrombie (kids) jeans and flip flops.

I was hoping to at least find shoes today, but it seems my size 5 feet are next to impossible to find shoes for. I found some Steve Madden shoes that I loved, but they don't make them in a 5. Just my luck! Nordstrom used to be great for the size 5 foot, but I haven't been so lucky lately.

Alright, enough with the venting. I did in fact buy a super cute purse and a necklace that may or may not be taken back. I just couldn't come home empty handed again!

Tonight finds me staying home and resting up for a day of landscaping our front yard with my family. I am so appreciative that they are willing (even excited!) to bring their gardening know-how and tools to help us make the yard look nice. Mikey and I are fortunate to have such generous families. His dad has spent hours over here helping fix a window frame. The excitement of owning a home continues!

In a (rather large) nutshell...

My, six months sure have passed quickly. I will try to update my life without making this post too long, so here goes:

*I started my job, worked with the Katy area for a few weeks, and am now fully entrenched as the advertising coordinator for the DFW division. I enjoy my job and the people I work with. Time passes quickly there, which is a good thing considering I don't get vacation for a year from my start date. There are about 25 women and 2 men, so you know there's drama and gossip. I will get my own office when we move into a new building in a few months. Fancy schmancy!

*In November, we bought the house that Mikey has now been living in for two years. I never thought I would be the type to "nest," but now all I want to do is make our house cute and comfortable. Mikey is painting the living room right now, and we have all sorts of ideas as to how we can improve our 80-year-old home.

*I am delighted that several of my friends have decided to take the plunge into wedded bliss. 2007 is our big wedding year. Between Mikey and I, we are in three and will likely attend double that. We have never had anything like that before. I love weddings, so I'm looking forward to the festivities.

*Our closest friends ended a long relationship earlier this year. It was very momentous for them, and I feel a tad selfish saying it, but also for us. I had a vision of what our lives would be like throughout the decades, and it didn't include them breaking up. But I have come to recognize that things like this happen for a reason, and our friendships weren't about being couples. They were about individual relationships, and those friendships have stood the test of time and will continue to do so.

*Grey's Anatomy has overtaken Veronica Mars as my favorite show on TV. I will always love Veronica, but McDreamy and crew have been riveting this season. Except that last episode of the three-part ferry boat crash story. That just didn't do it for me.

*My brother has braces! I am astounded that he has grown so much in the last year. Thanks goodness he is taller than me. At 12 years old, it's about time. He calls me every so often when he needs help with homework or has a random question. I really enjoy those moments, and I hope he starts calling me just to chat as he gets older and wonders why our parents said or did something to make him mad.

*Boys are overtaking the world. Through work and friends, I know 11 kids that have been born in the last three years or that will be born in 2007. Of those, 9 are boys and only 2 are girls. I sense a population shift!

*Our cats and dog still do not get along. I thought that after a length of time, they would learn to at least ignore each other. Nope! Buster still wants to "play" with them whenever he sees them. His version of playing pretty much looks like attacking to the cats, so they don't yet see eye to eye.

The first person who posts a comment will receive a dollar from me. I am dying to see if anyone ever checks this anymore. I know I wouldn't if I were you!