Here's a little update about what is happening for us (so far!) for the rest of December:
*12/16--Marshall takes a tour of Lufkin Industries in Lufkin, Texas. He's stopping by Cypress to crash at his parents' house then coming home Saturday afternoon.
*12/17--Christmas part at Leslie & James' new apartment. Bringing a bottle of malbec wine.
*12/20--Sarah's work Christmas party at the Highball 1-4pm. Half a day of work plus bowling and fajitas. Good times, right?!
*12/24--WW meeting for Sarah, then we're on the road to Cypress to send Christmas with Marshall's parents.
*12/25--Merry Christmas! Marshall gets to find out everything I got for him!
*12/26--Drive home to Austin. Off of work.
*12/31--No plans for New Year's Eve, but hoping something will be brought up at the Christmas party on Saturday.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Questions Answered
Here are some Q & A about us as a couple.
*When did you first meet?
June 29th, 2007
*Where was your first date?
First place we went together alone was Little Tokyo for hibachi; however, our first fancy date was to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.
*When did you get engaged?
April 24th, 2009 at my college graduation party.
*What are your top three meals to cook at home?
Pecan crusted chicken, baked eggplant parm, and veggie tacos.
*What is an activity that you do together the majority of the time?
Go to the gym.
*What is your favorite TV show to watch together?
All three of the Stargate series!
*What are the three restaurants you frequent the most?
Jason's Deli, Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe, and probably Chili's.
*What are three restaurants you want to try but haven't been to yet?
A crepe place downtown, the Driskill Grill, and the Salt Lick.
*Name something you want to do in your city but haven't yet.
Take a picture with the Zilker Christmas tree in the background.
*How long have you owned your house?
On December 22, it will be two years--wow!
*What are your three next house projects?
We need to finish priming the trim around the house, install gutters, and put up a retaining wall in front of the house to cover some of the exposed foundation.
*What is your favorite CD to listen to together?
Flight of the Concords' second CD.
*What are any traditions you've started for your family?
Every birthday we get a massage. Each year I write him a fiction story for Christmas and give him a gift that relates to the story. Geez, I think that's all. I need to start some more, huh?
*How many pets do you have?
We have three cats: Misti (female), Santa Ana (male), and Maggie (female).
*What vacations would you like to take next year?
We'd like to fly to Utah to see Marshall's mom's family and spend a few days at the family cabin in Wyoming.
*What is your dream vacation?
We'd really like to take 2 weeks and travel to Stokholm, Copenhagen and Berlin.
*What are your career goals?
He wants to be an engineer in the manufacturing or foundry industries. I don't have any career goals at the moment because I'm going to be a SAHM within the next two years.
*What are your degrees in?
His will be Industrial Engineering--Manufacturing in 2014. My BA is in Spanish with a minor in Political Science.
*Where would you like to move to after your current city?
Ultimately I'd like to move to Couer d'Alene, Idaho, but I'm willing to move to a different city that meets the same requirements as CDA. If M gets a job offer in a different city in Texas, we'll probably take it though.
*What is key to your marriage?
I believe we have a strong marriage because we don't hold each other's faults against that person.
*What is an activity that you each like but do not do together?
He really likes paintball, but I'm afraid of bruising so I don't go with him. I love to hunt, but he has a hard time killing a fly.
*Ever thought about getting a dog?
Yes, but we don't have the time or energy for a dog. He would want a yellow lab, but I wouldn't. I prefer a medium size dog or a swiss mountain dog.
*How many children do you want?
Probably three.
*What are your current financial goals?
Pay as much as possible towards our house and contribute to my 401(k). Adding funds to our baby/car fund has been slow.
*When did you first meet?
June 29th, 2007
*Where was your first date?
First place we went together alone was Little Tokyo for hibachi; however, our first fancy date was to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.
*When did you get engaged?
April 24th, 2009 at my college graduation party.
*What are your top three meals to cook at home?
Pecan crusted chicken, baked eggplant parm, and veggie tacos.
*What is an activity that you do together the majority of the time?
Go to the gym.
*What is your favorite TV show to watch together?
All three of the Stargate series!
*What are the three restaurants you frequent the most?
Jason's Deli, Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe, and probably Chili's.
*What are three restaurants you want to try but haven't been to yet?
A crepe place downtown, the Driskill Grill, and the Salt Lick.
*Name something you want to do in your city but haven't yet.
Take a picture with the Zilker Christmas tree in the background.
*How long have you owned your house?
On December 22, it will be two years--wow!
*What are your three next house projects?
We need to finish priming the trim around the house, install gutters, and put up a retaining wall in front of the house to cover some of the exposed foundation.
*What is your favorite CD to listen to together?
Flight of the Concords' second CD.
*What are any traditions you've started for your family?
Every birthday we get a massage. Each year I write him a fiction story for Christmas and give him a gift that relates to the story. Geez, I think that's all. I need to start some more, huh?
*How many pets do you have?
We have three cats: Misti (female), Santa Ana (male), and Maggie (female).
*What vacations would you like to take next year?
We'd like to fly to Utah to see Marshall's mom's family and spend a few days at the family cabin in Wyoming.
*What is your dream vacation?
We'd really like to take 2 weeks and travel to Stokholm, Copenhagen and Berlin.
*What are your career goals?
He wants to be an engineer in the manufacturing or foundry industries. I don't have any career goals at the moment because I'm going to be a SAHM within the next two years.
*What are your degrees in?
His will be Industrial Engineering--Manufacturing in 2014. My BA is in Spanish with a minor in Political Science.
*Where would you like to move to after your current city?
Ultimately I'd like to move to Couer d'Alene, Idaho, but I'm willing to move to a different city that meets the same requirements as CDA. If M gets a job offer in a different city in Texas, we'll probably take it though.
*What is key to your marriage?
I believe we have a strong marriage because we don't hold each other's faults against that person.
*What is an activity that you each like but do not do together?
He really likes paintball, but I'm afraid of bruising so I don't go with him. I love to hunt, but he has a hard time killing a fly.
*Ever thought about getting a dog?
Yes, but we don't have the time or energy for a dog. He would want a yellow lab, but I wouldn't. I prefer a medium size dog or a swiss mountain dog.
*How many children do you want?
Probably three.
*What are your current financial goals?
Pay as much as possible towards our house and contribute to my 401(k). Adding funds to our baby/car fund has been slow.
What You've Been Waiting For...
Hurray for our the annual mRs Christmas photo! This year we recreated our first date picture by wearing the same clothes and striking a similar pose. The inspiration for this photo came from my weightloss and being able to fit into the dress again, which I bought in July 2007. Wow, huh?!
I mailed out Christmas cards on Friday, so they should be arriving on Tuesday for most people I think. I really hope everyone likes them and appreciates the "homemade" aspect of them.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Christmas Cards
Here is this year's assortment of Christmas cards!
I was inspired to make my own Christmas cards this year by Pinterest and my friend Jazz Kirkham, has her own creative card business. I bought a package of 50 cards and envelopes at Michaels on sale. I also purchased a pad of Christmas scrapbook paper, stamps and ink. When you open the card, the top half has our Christmas letter. It's very short, only three paragraphs, and not the novel it normally is. The bottom half will have our picture, which we can't take until the 30th at least. We're going to recreate our first date picture because I can fit into that dress again. Here's the picture from July 13th, 2007.
Yesterday I took it to a dry cleaner & tailoring business to have the zipper replaced. It's costing me $25 because it is an invisible seam. It will be ready to pick up on the 29th, so we'll take our picture November 30th. I'm so excited! I won't be able to wear the dress for much longer due to my weight loss, so this Christmas picture is going to be extr special to me.
Here's our Christmas picture from 2010.
This was taken September 1st, 2009, and we used it as our Christmas picture in 2009.
Here we are on our porch when we lived in Jacksonville in 2008. This was our first holiday season together because Marshall, my handsome Navy boyfriend at the time, had been deployed August 07-January 08.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Preview of 2012?
Today we went to the RenFest, which is 2.5 hours away from Austin. I wanted to do 2 things: get a Scottish music CD, and get a couple's tarot card reading like last year. I wanted the same reader as last time, and thankfully he (Frank) was there.
He shuffled the deck a few times, then cut it into three smaller decks. I chose the middle; Marshall chose the left, and the right ended up representing our relationship.
I went first. He laid out 3 rows of 3 cards, each representing 4 months of the year. The bottom or closest cards to me represented the begining of the year. My significtor was the Emperor. My first card was the 9 of Pentacles. My third card was the High Priestess. My 7th card was the Knight of Wands. Next was another Pentacles I believe. My last card was the 3 of Wands. Bottom line? 2012 is going to be a GREAT year for me. The cards say I'm going to be wrapping up a family or financial issue that I had been a part of in the first 2 months or so of the year. By April, I'm going to see my goals clearly and go after them. The spring and summer months will bring me material gain, and I'm going to be getting what I've been working towards. Things will slow down in August-September for a short period due to the Knight of Wands. This could be a minor health issue like mono or the flu compared to breaking a femur and being out of action for months. The last part of the year I also reap what I sow, sort of like watching my ships come sailing into port.
I'm particularly interested in what is going to happen during the summer because I've also been told: I see you winning something big!! It is hard to pinpoint what exactly but I feel it is some type of recognition or promotion within your career. I see the month of JULY associated with this. I don't know what this can be because in my correct job, there isn't any room to move up. My job is important and not in jeopardy of being eliminated, but there is no where for me to go unless I switch to a different department, and I just don't see that happening consiering I've been doing customer service for over 2 years now, and it takes a lot of time to bring a new person up to speed. On a side note, the same person who gave me the insight above in italics also had this to say today when I asked for a one tarot card draw reading: For this general read the guides are telling me to tell you "ASK FOR IT AND YOU WILL RECEIVE IT"... I see you being hesitant to ask for something whether it be in a relationship or work... But you need to ask because whatever it is .. it is ALL YOURS! Again, I have no idea would this could mean about my job!! Will I be getting a new job? Something with career advancement perhaps? I don't even know what I want my next job to be? I don't know what to ask for even if it will be all mine! *Sigh
Marshall's one year spread unfortunately did not look as rosey as mine. Bottom Line? You're going to come to some tough decisions, be depressed about them, come to a revelation, then do something stupid due to repressed desires that affects everyone and causes change, but your family is going to love you any way. Frown face. His most influential cards were the reversed Page of Cups followed the Tower card. 5 cards were reversed, Marshall figured out was like a 1 in 10 quintillion chance of happening. Poor guy has been a little disturbed all evening because of it. He's drinking wine and watching a crazy Norwegian sci-fi movie on Netflix.
Regarding our relationship, the most shocking cards were the last three representing September through December, ironically right after Marshall is suppose to do something crazy. We were to not make an attachments to trips scheduled for the later part of the year because they will end up being canceled. Do not have emotional ties to them, like going home for the holidays. Looks like we'll be taking our Wyoming cabin trip in the spring instead.
It's really odd how I'm suppose to have a great year, but Marshall isn't, and our relationship in 2012 will be about middle of the road. We know 2012 will be challenging with us planning for Marshall to be doing an internship June-mid-August in a city at least 4 hours away. If there's one thing I know, it will be that hard work always pays off. Let's see what comes true.
He shuffled the deck a few times, then cut it into three smaller decks. I chose the middle; Marshall chose the left, and the right ended up representing our relationship.
I went first. He laid out 3 rows of 3 cards, each representing 4 months of the year. The bottom or closest cards to me represented the begining of the year. My significtor was the Emperor. My first card was the 9 of Pentacles. My third card was the High Priestess. My 7th card was the Knight of Wands. Next was another Pentacles I believe. My last card was the 3 of Wands. Bottom line? 2012 is going to be a GREAT year for me. The cards say I'm going to be wrapping up a family or financial issue that I had been a part of in the first 2 months or so of the year. By April, I'm going to see my goals clearly and go after them. The spring and summer months will bring me material gain, and I'm going to be getting what I've been working towards. Things will slow down in August-September for a short period due to the Knight of Wands. This could be a minor health issue like mono or the flu compared to breaking a femur and being out of action for months. The last part of the year I also reap what I sow, sort of like watching my ships come sailing into port.
I'm particularly interested in what is going to happen during the summer because I've also been told: I see you winning something big!! It is hard to pinpoint what exactly but I feel it is some type of recognition or promotion within your career. I see the month of JULY associated with this. I don't know what this can be because in my correct job, there isn't any room to move up. My job is important and not in jeopardy of being eliminated, but there is no where for me to go unless I switch to a different department, and I just don't see that happening consiering I've been doing customer service for over 2 years now, and it takes a lot of time to bring a new person up to speed. On a side note, the same person who gave me the insight above in italics also had this to say today when I asked for a one tarot card draw reading: For this general read the guides are telling me to tell you "ASK FOR IT AND YOU WILL RECEIVE IT"... I see you being hesitant to ask for something whether it be in a relationship or work... But you need to ask because whatever it is .. it is ALL YOURS! Again, I have no idea would this could mean about my job!! Will I be getting a new job? Something with career advancement perhaps? I don't even know what I want my next job to be? I don't know what to ask for even if it will be all mine! *Sigh
Marshall's one year spread unfortunately did not look as rosey as mine. Bottom Line? You're going to come to some tough decisions, be depressed about them, come to a revelation, then do something stupid due to repressed desires that affects everyone and causes change, but your family is going to love you any way. Frown face. His most influential cards were the reversed Page of Cups followed the Tower card. 5 cards were reversed, Marshall figured out was like a 1 in 10 quintillion chance of happening. Poor guy has been a little disturbed all evening because of it. He's drinking wine and watching a crazy Norwegian sci-fi movie on Netflix.
Regarding our relationship, the most shocking cards were the last three representing September through December, ironically right after Marshall is suppose to do something crazy. We were to not make an attachments to trips scheduled for the later part of the year because they will end up being canceled. Do not have emotional ties to them, like going home for the holidays. Looks like we'll be taking our Wyoming cabin trip in the spring instead.
It's really odd how I'm suppose to have a great year, but Marshall isn't, and our relationship in 2012 will be about middle of the road. We know 2012 will be challenging with us planning for Marshall to be doing an internship June-mid-August in a city at least 4 hours away. If there's one thing I know, it will be that hard work always pays off. Let's see what comes true.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
What November Means
What does November symbolize and why?
Season
Is it the illegitimate child of Ol' Man Winter? It's technically an autumn month but with snow, naked trees, grey clouds and the first mug of hot chocolate, it seems more like the official kick-off to winter. I use to loathe the month of November when I was a child because everything just looked dead and lifeless with the brown trees against the dull steal colored sky. Nothing exciting seemed to come with the new month. It was another countdown to a single day. Why couldn't there be other exciting days in November besides Thanksgiving? Well, I take that back. Every at my school looked forward to being off the Friday after Thanksgiving too. :)
Feelings
Grateful. Thankful. Humble. Meek. Gorged. Eager. These are just some of the adjectives we feel throughout this 11th month. We are grateful for our families, our jobs, God's blessings. We're thankful we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our plates. We humbly bring ourselves to say our feelings this one time a year because it no longer is taboo to share something sentimental. We gorge ourselves on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, deviled eggs--you name it. We whip out our wallets for anything that has "pumpkin" in it because it is just so damn tasty. Then we become eager for Christmas shopping and decorating. So eager in fact that we now start listening to Christmas music at least a week before T-day.
Harvest
I think harvest decorations are cute, but believe that the average person is so far removed from actually working hard all year long for the food they grew themselves to harvest it in the fall and be satisfied knowing that they won't go hungry over the long winter. I love the rich hues of harvest colors and they make me feel very cozy and maternal, like I want to gather laughing children inside and we all read a book by the fire.
November is an unique month and each person will have his/her own opinion towards it. I just like thinking of all the different possibilities.
Season
Is it the illegitimate child of Ol' Man Winter? It's technically an autumn month but with snow, naked trees, grey clouds and the first mug of hot chocolate, it seems more like the official kick-off to winter. I use to loathe the month of November when I was a child because everything just looked dead and lifeless with the brown trees against the dull steal colored sky. Nothing exciting seemed to come with the new month. It was another countdown to a single day. Why couldn't there be other exciting days in November besides Thanksgiving? Well, I take that back. Every at my school looked forward to being off the Friday after Thanksgiving too. :)
Feelings
Grateful. Thankful. Humble. Meek. Gorged. Eager. These are just some of the adjectives we feel throughout this 11th month. We are grateful for our families, our jobs, God's blessings. We're thankful we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our plates. We humbly bring ourselves to say our feelings this one time a year because it no longer is taboo to share something sentimental. We gorge ourselves on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, deviled eggs--you name it. We whip out our wallets for anything that has "pumpkin" in it because it is just so damn tasty. Then we become eager for Christmas shopping and decorating. So eager in fact that we now start listening to Christmas music at least a week before T-day.
Harvest
I think harvest decorations are cute, but believe that the average person is so far removed from actually working hard all year long for the food they grew themselves to harvest it in the fall and be satisfied knowing that they won't go hungry over the long winter. I love the rich hues of harvest colors and they make me feel very cozy and maternal, like I want to gather laughing children inside and we all read a book by the fire.
November is an unique month and each person will have his/her own opinion towards it. I just like thinking of all the different possibilities.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Goals in a Million Years
Isn't it funny how after time has passed, one looks back and says, "if you would have told me X amount of time ago that'd be doing this Y, I would have slapped you silly! I wouldn't have believed it." Tonight I'm putting it in type that by the time I'm 30 (T minus 5 years, 1 month, 8 days) I want to be able to pull myself up on a surfboard and surf a wave. I don't know how I could afford to go to Hawaii or California to surf let alone build up enough upper body strength to push myself up on a board. It's definitely one of those tasks that I don't ever see myself in my current state ever being able to do even though it is still physically possible.
It makes you wonder what great things you're going to achieve in your life and you just don't know it yet. :)
It makes you wonder what great things you're going to achieve in your life and you just don't know it yet. :)
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