This weekend was set aside for a trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico to go to the International Balloon Festival; however, we decided to cancel and stay in Austin. We decided it was too much of an opportunity cost in regards to Marshall missing his classes. We were unable to get a refund for our hotel room, and I could refund the meal Groupons I had already bought.
So, I'm off of work for three days, and I'm catching up on house projects. Yesterday I finished painting our second living room yellow! This morning I'm going to vacuum, and then Marshall is going to move our new bookcases in place on either side of the fire place. I'll take a picture and add it later today. Now I just need to prime and paint a (relatively) small area in the kitchen, and it will be all done!! The next painting project will be finishing up the outside border around the house (white and blue).
Today I want to go to the gym, get a massage, do meal planning, go to a Halloween store, plan my Halloween costume, buy material for curtains for the kitchen window, place books on the new bookshelves and do more painting if possible. We'll see how much I get checked off my list. :)
Friday, September 30, 2011
Cantaloupe Ice Cream with Pecans
September 4th was my one year anniversary of starting my 101/1001 list. I was able to accomplish or further contribute to the following.
1. Donate $25 worth of non-perishable food items to a food pantry once a month for a year. (12/12)
*I went to a Nutty Brown Cafe benefit concert on th 10th, and bought food and basic living essentials to be donated to the Bastrop Fire victims.
2. Visit DC for at least four days.
*Technically it was 4 days, but we didn't get to do 4 days of sight-seeing. I don't think we'll get a chance to go back any time soon, so I'm marking this one complete since in the beginning I wasn't too specific on what I had to do in order to do the task.
24. Try 10 different flavors of ice cream at Amy's. (5/10)
*We had just returned from DC, and before heading home, I wanted some Amy's Ice Cream. I had cantaloupe ice cream with chopped pecans, and it was amazing! I absolutely loved it!
37. Visit an art, history, and science museum.
*While in DC, we went to the National Museum of American History.
41. Lower my BMI to 26.8.
*My current BMI is 30.4. I need to get under 30.0 to no longer be considered obese. I'll be there before the end of October! At my wedding was at 38.0.
54. Go to a zoo in a different city.
*On 9/12/11 we went to the National Zoo in DC. I made a little video of one of the pandas for my mom. :)
I have now completed 28 tasks and 10 are in progress.
1. Donate $25 worth of non-perishable food items to a food pantry once a month for a year. (12/12)
*I went to a Nutty Brown Cafe benefit concert on th 10th, and bought food and basic living essentials to be donated to the Bastrop Fire victims.
2. Visit DC for at least four days.
*Technically it was 4 days, but we didn't get to do 4 days of sight-seeing. I don't think we'll get a chance to go back any time soon, so I'm marking this one complete since in the beginning I wasn't too specific on what I had to do in order to do the task.
24. Try 10 different flavors of ice cream at Amy's. (5/10)
*We had just returned from DC, and before heading home, I wanted some Amy's Ice Cream. I had cantaloupe ice cream with chopped pecans, and it was amazing! I absolutely loved it!
37. Visit an art, history, and science museum.
*While in DC, we went to the National Museum of American History.
41. Lower my BMI to 26.8.
*My current BMI is 30.4. I need to get under 30.0 to no longer be considered obese. I'll be there before the end of October! At my wedding was at 38.0.
54. Go to a zoo in a different city.
*On 9/12/11 we went to the National Zoo in DC. I made a little video of one of the pandas for my mom. :)
I have now completed 28 tasks and 10 are in progress.
Friday, September 16, 2011
DC Day 3
We went to bed around 1am and had to get up at 6:45am. Marshall wore khaki pants, black shoes and belt, and a navy blue shirt. He looked really good. We arrived at the right building at 8am, and the hearing began around 8:30am. We left around 9:30, so the hearing was probably 45 minutes, not bad. Marshall and Capt Sloane did an excellent job with the case. Marshall was very eloquent with his word choices. We feel that whatever the verdict is, it will be fair because they couldn't have presented a better case than what they did.
We took a nap until 1pm, then got moving. We had lunch at Market to Market right outside the Federal Triangle metro station. Then we found the National Museum of American History. I liked it, but I wish they would have had an exibit about the wild west and homesteading because I like that era. We made it to the National Musuem of Natural History, but I started to not feel very well, and we decided to call it a day. We found a brewery near by, and had dinner there.
We returned to the hotel and watched some shows on Netflix together before going to sleep. I packed all of my things the following morning, but it seems I forgot my phone charger. Booo. :( It's a good thing I have an extra one at work though!
Thursday morning we left the hotel at 8am and got to the airport around 8:35, way ahead of schedule. Our flights didn't leave until 11am, but I didn't know how busy the security lines would be. There wasn't even a line! I finished my book on my first flight, and then just jotted down some notes like Christmas gift ideas, grocery list, etc on my second flight from Detroit to Austin. I arrived at 4pm, and Marshall got in at 3pm. I got some Amy's Ice Cream--cantaloupe ice cream with chopped pecans. It was soooo good!
We took a nap until 1pm, then got moving. We had lunch at Market to Market right outside the Federal Triangle metro station. Then we found the National Museum of American History. I liked it, but I wish they would have had an exibit about the wild west and homesteading because I like that era. We made it to the National Musuem of Natural History, but I started to not feel very well, and we decided to call it a day. We found a brewery near by, and had dinner there.
We returned to the hotel and watched some shows on Netflix together before going to sleep. I packed all of my things the following morning, but it seems I forgot my phone charger. Booo. :( It's a good thing I have an extra one at work though!
Thursday morning we left the hotel at 8am and got to the airport around 8:35, way ahead of schedule. Our flights didn't leave until 11am, but I didn't know how busy the security lines would be. There wasn't even a line! I finished my book on my first flight, and then just jotted down some notes like Christmas gift ideas, grocery list, etc on my second flight from Detroit to Austin. I arrived at 4pm, and Marshall got in at 3pm. I got some Amy's Ice Cream--cantaloupe ice cream with chopped pecans. It was soooo good!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
DC Day 2
Even though today isn't over yet, I'll go ahead and post about it. This morning we ate the breakfast buffet downstairs. I did really well considering it was all-you-can-eat. I had half of an omelette with cheese, peppers, onions, ham and tomatoes, one biscuit with about 3 Tbsp of gravy, one turkey sausage link, a banana, 6 oz of apple juice, about 1 oz of light strawberry yogurt, and a cup of grapes. I didn't even have a muffin (ah, the little victories).
Shortly there after we walked to the Navy Yard for our 9:00am meeting with Capt. Sloane, Marshall's attorney for Wednesday's hearing. We were there for about 2.5 hours. A lot was discussed, so we are better prepared for tomorrow. I volunteered to write a testimony of my observations of Marshall's behaviors dealing with his medical condition since leaving the Navy in June 2009. Marshall also need to write up a personal statement. We worked on those 2 documents all afternoon. We took a break at 2pm for lunch. We went back to Justin's Cafe. We shared a pizza while I had some chips and guacamole and he had butternut squash soup (that also came with cinnamon and sugar on top, lol). I took a short nap while Marshall finished his document. I got done with mine around 7pm. Right now Marshall is resting, and we may call it an early night, but we have to send our documents to Capt. Sloane tonight so she can print them out in the morning and bring them to the hearing, which is at 8:00am.
So, no sight seeing today, but we really came here for Marshall's Navy business. Tomorrow we will get some fun in though.
Shortly there after we walked to the Navy Yard for our 9:00am meeting with Capt. Sloane, Marshall's attorney for Wednesday's hearing. We were there for about 2.5 hours. A lot was discussed, so we are better prepared for tomorrow. I volunteered to write a testimony of my observations of Marshall's behaviors dealing with his medical condition since leaving the Navy in June 2009. Marshall also need to write up a personal statement. We worked on those 2 documents all afternoon. We took a break at 2pm for lunch. We went back to Justin's Cafe. We shared a pizza while I had some chips and guacamole and he had butternut squash soup (that also came with cinnamon and sugar on top, lol). I took a short nap while Marshall finished his document. I got done with mine around 7pm. Right now Marshall is resting, and we may call it an early night, but we have to send our documents to Capt. Sloane tonight so she can print them out in the morning and bring them to the hearing, which is at 8:00am.
So, no sight seeing today, but we really came here for Marshall's Navy business. Tomorrow we will get some fun in though.
DC Arrival
Monday, September 12th we flew to DC. Marshall's plane went from Austin to Dallas to DC. Mine went Austin to Atlanta to DC. I woke up at 3:30am and got Marshall up a hour later. I made breakfast tacos. Our taxi was suppose to arrive at 5:00am, then we came to the conclusion that it would probably be cheaper for us to drive ourselves and park our car for 4 days than getting a taxi for there and back. We left around 5:10, and got a call around 5:20 that our taxi arrived. You snooze, you lose, Mr. Taxi Dude! We parked, hopped on a shuttle, checked in, made it through security and had about 20 minutes before my flight started to board. Mine left at 6:58 whereas Marshall's left at 7:15. I didn't get much of a nap on my first flight, and I'm glad I brought a book to keep me from getting bored.
It was really easy to find each other in the airport. Marshall got some coffee, and we headed to find the metro subway system.
We found the metro and learned out to buy the fare card. Our metro exist is one block south of our hotel--so awesome. We checked in, got settled, then headed out the door to get lunch. We found a little place just a block over called Justin's Cafe. Marshall had a roasted eggplant, pepper-type of sandwich with sweet potato fries. He was surprised that they had cinnamon and sugar on them instead of salt. I had a mixed greens salad with pecans, grilled chicken, mozz cheese and green apple slices.
After lunch we went to the National Zoo, and I was surprised it wasn't larger. I didn't even see any polar bears! We did see the panda bears though. When I get back to Austin I will upload the little video I made for my mom who is a panda fanatic.
After the zoo we met up with Bonnie, who is a dear family friend of Marshall's. Her husband Rob came home shortly after we arrived, and their son Josh (who also lives in Austin) was up for a convention, and I finally got to meet him. We had some wine, hummus and bread as we chatted at their house. We went to Acre121 for dinner in Columbia Heights. It was a wonderful evening with them.
It was really easy to find each other in the airport. Marshall got some coffee, and we headed to find the metro subway system.
We found the metro and learned out to buy the fare card. Our metro exist is one block south of our hotel--so awesome. We checked in, got settled, then headed out the door to get lunch. We found a little place just a block over called Justin's Cafe. Marshall had a roasted eggplant, pepper-type of sandwich with sweet potato fries. He was surprised that they had cinnamon and sugar on them instead of salt. I had a mixed greens salad with pecans, grilled chicken, mozz cheese and green apple slices.
After lunch we went to the National Zoo, and I was surprised it wasn't larger. I didn't even see any polar bears! We did see the panda bears though. When I get back to Austin I will upload the little video I made for my mom who is a panda fanatic.
After the zoo we met up with Bonnie, who is a dear family friend of Marshall's. Her husband Rob came home shortly after we arrived, and their son Josh (who also lives in Austin) was up for a convention, and I finally got to meet him. We had some wine, hummus and bread as we chatted at their house. We went to Acre121 for dinner in Columbia Heights. It was a wonderful evening with them.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Song Stuck in My Head
"Wake Me Up When September Ends"
August flew by way to fast, but September is going to come and go at lightning speed because we have so much going on this month. I'm not even close to being ready for October or Halloween yet--help!
Monday the 29th I went to a Girl Scout council meeting for Oak Hill, a suburb of sorts in WSW Austin. I've volunteered to organize the Holiday Bazaar in December. Troops sign up to make crafts to sell at the event, which are bought by other girls and their families to use as Christmas gifts. I love crafts (and Christmas) so I decided to take on the challenge. Plus, I have a few months to get organized. Right now I'm scanning pinterest.com for craft ideas to share with the troop leaders and their girls.
Tuesday the 30th was a special day for Marshall and me. I'm officially a toddler wife (inside story). I got home from work to find a very sleepy hubby on the couch. He took a nap while I talked to my grandmother on the phone for 1.5 hours or so. It was her 88th birthday! Longevity definitely runs in her side of the family. She's doing amazing, and I'm so glad I got to talk to her. At 6:30 I jolted Marshall out of bed because we had to be at the massage place at 6:45. We were about 10 minutes late, but they didn't mind. While he was way becoming noodlefied, I went to Kohl's to look at clothes. I found a pair of jeans that fit me, and not only that, I'll still be able to wear them as a go down a size or two by the end of the year. They gave me a huge self-confidence boost! I picked up Mars and we had dinner nearby at a new (for us) Chinese buffet. I had sushi and edamame, which made me happy. We actually got the same fortune, and it fit Marshall perfectly. We had a good laugh.
Wednesday the 31st was a long day at work--8:00am to 6:30pm. It was the last day of the month and we were trying to squeeze every last dollar out of the facility as possible. I stayed late because I was waiting on a $45K purchase order, which was going to be a nice cushion for the day. It was worth it because the extra hours helped me leave a little early from work today. :) We had veggie tacos with pepper jack cheese, sour cream, bell peppers, onions, avocados, spinach and tomatoes on whole wheat tortillas. We liked it so much we're doing it again tonight, lol.
Thursday the 1st was really fun. We had a dinner date with some of my new friends, and two other ladies brought their men along; Marshall got along well with both of them, but I didn't doubt he would. We went to Milano's Cafe, which we had never been to before. Excellent, excellent Italian food. The place was BYOB, and we brought wine. We had 10 people total and it was so much fun just talking, sharing stories, and getting to know new people. I told everyone that I wanted to have a Halloween party at my house the last Saturday night in October, and now everyone is really excited. Time to get some tips and ideas from the Halloween Queen, my mother-in-law!
Friday the 2nd--the start of the long weekend that officially closes chapter Summer 2011. Time for the heat to break and let the rain wash the spiders away!! Tonight is going to be low key for us because this weekend we are going to Cypress to visit with Marshall's parents. It's going to be a great weekend because wine and cards are going to be involved. :D
Stay safe everyone!
August flew by way to fast, but September is going to come and go at lightning speed because we have so much going on this month. I'm not even close to being ready for October or Halloween yet--help!
Monday the 29th I went to a Girl Scout council meeting for Oak Hill, a suburb of sorts in WSW Austin. I've volunteered to organize the Holiday Bazaar in December. Troops sign up to make crafts to sell at the event, which are bought by other girls and their families to use as Christmas gifts. I love crafts (and Christmas) so I decided to take on the challenge. Plus, I have a few months to get organized. Right now I'm scanning pinterest.com for craft ideas to share with the troop leaders and their girls.
Tuesday the 30th was a special day for Marshall and me. I'm officially a toddler wife (inside story). I got home from work to find a very sleepy hubby on the couch. He took a nap while I talked to my grandmother on the phone for 1.5 hours or so. It was her 88th birthday! Longevity definitely runs in her side of the family. She's doing amazing, and I'm so glad I got to talk to her. At 6:30 I jolted Marshall out of bed because we had to be at the massage place at 6:45. We were about 10 minutes late, but they didn't mind. While he was way becoming noodlefied, I went to Kohl's to look at clothes. I found a pair of jeans that fit me, and not only that, I'll still be able to wear them as a go down a size or two by the end of the year. They gave me a huge self-confidence boost! I picked up Mars and we had dinner nearby at a new (for us) Chinese buffet. I had sushi and edamame, which made me happy. We actually got the same fortune, and it fit Marshall perfectly. We had a good laugh.
Wednesday the 31st was a long day at work--8:00am to 6:30pm. It was the last day of the month and we were trying to squeeze every last dollar out of the facility as possible. I stayed late because I was waiting on a $45K purchase order, which was going to be a nice cushion for the day. It was worth it because the extra hours helped me leave a little early from work today. :) We had veggie tacos with pepper jack cheese, sour cream, bell peppers, onions, avocados, spinach and tomatoes on whole wheat tortillas. We liked it so much we're doing it again tonight, lol.
Thursday the 1st was really fun. We had a dinner date with some of my new friends, and two other ladies brought their men along; Marshall got along well with both of them, but I didn't doubt he would. We went to Milano's Cafe, which we had never been to before. Excellent, excellent Italian food. The place was BYOB, and we brought wine. We had 10 people total and it was so much fun just talking, sharing stories, and getting to know new people. I told everyone that I wanted to have a Halloween party at my house the last Saturday night in October, and now everyone is really excited. Time to get some tips and ideas from the Halloween Queen, my mother-in-law!
Friday the 2nd--the start of the long weekend that officially closes chapter Summer 2011. Time for the heat to break and let the rain wash the spiders away!! Tonight is going to be low key for us because this weekend we are going to Cypress to visit with Marshall's parents. It's going to be a great weekend because wine and cards are going to be involved. :D
Stay safe everyone!
Going to a Rain Dance
This really awesome guy named Lee is rumored to be coming to Houston this weekend, and everyone's been talking about him like he's our savior or something. He's just going to be passing through, but he's getting a lot of media time. I'm confident he's being talked about every hour on the 8s. We're going to Houston this weekend to see what all the hoopla is about with this dude. It would be so nice if he made his way to Austin though. Maybe he has a cool friend named Nate or Philippe who will be on his coat tails.
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