Showing posts with label Andrew. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andrew. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

35

One month from today will be our third anniversary.

I have so much to say about it, but am going to wait until after it comes and goes to see if what I am so hoping will happen on that day happen.

At the same time if what I'm hoping happens happens, I want to be surprised and if it doesn't happen I'm going to be sorely disappointed. Trying really hard not to set myself up for failure.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Vegas, Baby

Andrew and I went to Las Vegas over Memorial Day weekend. We left early Saturday morning and came back late Tuesday night. We had booked our trip, the airfare and hotel room back in November. When we arrive at the Treasure Island the suite we had reserved wasn't available. I was incredibly irritated since I had called a few days earlier to make sure our reservation was still a go since we'd booked it so far in advance. So we get there and there is a huge line to check in. Turns out many people had reserved suites and they had double booked us all. Lovely. We ended up getting a deluxe room for the night on the corner of the building looking right down on the strip. In addition, we also got a $200 food credit which was really great as it paid for all of our food except the massive amounts of water we were drinking the whole time we were there. The first room was great because of the views, but the suite was terrific because of the whirlpool tub. We loved that thing!
We walked so much while we were there it's crazy. I think our favorite thing was the water show at the Bellagio. Pretty stunning really. We even got to see it from the top of the "Eiffel Tower" at the Paris Hotel. We also had tickets for the Bodies Exhibit which was at the Luxor and did that Sunday afternoon after we'd walked all the way down the strip to get there. The walk back was a killer.

We went thru all the "cool" hotels: The Venetian, Ceaser's Palace, The Bellagio, New York, New York, Excalibur, The Luxor, The Mirage, The Paris, MGM, and a few others I can't name off the top of my head. We also saw the classic car museum at the Imperial Palace which my dad said we had to see since Andrew is a car guy.

Overall we had a great time and only lost about $20. Oh, we also saw the Jersey Boys the first night we were there. We were expecting a concert but it was really a musical production about the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. We had purchased our tickets back in March and were up in the balcony seating because we are cheap. When we got to our seats, we were early, the attendant asked us if we'd like to be moved down and we of course said yes. Our new seats were on the floor, seven rows back from the stage. Not too shabby for paying to be in the $72 section and getting moved to the $170 seats!
Have you been to Las Vegas? What was one of your favorite things?

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

26 Months

Today is 26 months for Andrew and I.

Before we hit two years every month on the 23rd I would say "happy (insert number of months)!" in the morning. Now though, it just seems kind of dumb. I mean, after two years what's the point? And, it's not like Andrew thinks of that on the 23rd of each month. But really, though, if we make it to say 80 months how weird would that be? "Good morning, oh and hey, happy 80 months!" A bit obsessive I think.

Maybe I'll just stick to half years. Yeah, that sounds better.

How do you and your anniversary mate do things? I assume most of you are married so it's the once a year reminder, right?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

What We Did Last Night




So this is what we did last night. Can you tell? I think things are pretty self explanatory! I like the photo on the bottom left of the biggest layout, how it's blurred quite a bit. I call it "Follow the Leader". It was about dusk so not the optimal time for taking photos, but when the shutter speed was so slow from not having the flash on it tracked the motion which I think looks pretty neat.
And, Andrew cut down his first tree! Anyways, that was about it. We didn't get to play catch which was a bummer, but we did get to see our favorite Monday night shows! Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory and the new one, Accidentally on Purpose. Andrew's not sure about that one yet, but I liked it.

Monday, September 21, 2009

My Memory? Apparently belongs here.

Andrew and I apparently have awful memories. Saturday he asked me what we did the previous weekend. I could not remember, neither of us could. That's pretty sad. When I was regularly writing here I could go back and look to see what we'd done so I'm thinking I need to get back into that habit. So here goes nothing.

Let's see, it's Monday and I am struggling to recall what we did Saturday. That's only two days ago. I know, it's sad.

Alright, Friday night: Ah yes, Friday night, exciting as always. Andrew's uncle came over like usual and needed help with his email. Andrew messed around with it for over an hour and that was about it. Like I said, exciting as always.

Saturday: We planned to go on a (small) hike in the morning but woke up to rain. After a while the sky cleared up a bit and we were on our way out the door when my grandparents arrived to pick up my dad to go to a car show/museum and we followed along. Basically it was a bunch of old cars which Andrew likes. Afterwords we went to the golf course close to our house and had lunch at their new restaurant. They of course had the Huskies game on which we (Andrew) just had to watch. They won in the last 7 seconds luckily because I don't think I could have sat through overtime. After lunch we came back home, didn't do much and went to get pizza for dinner. It seems like there was more, but I cannot remember. My gosh.

Sunday: We went back to the golf course where Andrew hit a bucket of balls at the driving range then we grabbed a few of those balls and went to the putting green to work on that. We came back and watched the rest of the Nascar race with my dad then watched the second half of the Seahawks game. They lost unfortunately. After the Hawks game we went outside to hit some golf balls in the field where I promptly got fed up because I just can't seem to hit the ball. We got out Andrew's mitts and played catch for a while which was a lot of fun. Until one of us throws the ball over the fence on accident... Then we got out the bat and played two person baseball for a little while which was fun too. I think it's something we might try to do a little more often. We came in and watched two episodes of Bones afterwords (Andrew got me the first three seasons on dvd for our anniversary) then made dinner.

Overall, not an overly exciting weekend, but it was fun for me. I love being able to spend that much time with Andrew and being able to do things we really want to do on our own schedule. Next weekend we have a private golf lesson scheduled (my anniversary gift to him) so that will be interesting being as I cannot even hit the ball. Guess I'll need to practice a bit so I don't look like a complete idiot!

Anyways, I think I will be back to posting somewhat regularly even if it is just to document my days. And yes, I realize no one really cares about what I do all day or during the weekends, but I'm not asking for readers or comments, although both are nice. I just need a place to document my memories.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Hawaii Day 1 (Thursday) - Sea Life Park






















































































Our first full day on the island was my absolute favorite. We did something I'd been wanting to do for a very long time: swim with the dolphins. It was incredible. We did this at Sea Life park on the eastern coast of the island. The setting is quite lovely as part of the park looks out over the ocean as you can see from the photos. They offer a few different ways you can interact with the dolphins and last time I was there, 5 years ago for high school graduation, my Aunt Lisa and I just did the option where we touched them, did a quick photo and that was about it. Not this time around! We actually got to get in the water with them, touch and swim with them. We both got to do a dorsal fin tow and a foot push. If I could figure out how to upload the video we bought here I would, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
We were the first couple to go, I think there were 6 couples, which was a bit scary as we didn't have any demonstration of what we were to do. So Andrew went to one side and I went to the other. I was told to stand like a T, arms out and feet down. The trainer gave the dolphins their command and here they came, one on each side. Next thing I knew I could feel their bodies running under my hands until their fins hooked and off we went. It was incredible! Andrew was next and what he was told to do was lay in the water, arms and legs out in front and behind him. Then they were off and one was pushing on either of his feet propelling him up and out of the water for a distance. Then we switched. Incredible.
After our swims and everyone went we got to have our photos taken with them. Two are above. I haven't scanned them yet so you are seeing a picture of a picture, but they are still pretty cool I think. I have a frame with two side by side 5x7s that I think I'm going to put them in.
I am so glad we did that package. It was possibly the most memorable experience of my life thus far. I'm telling you, if I could have afforded it and it wasn't so far from Waikiki I would have gone back to do it again everyday we were there.
Oh, there were also sea turtles, seals and that sort of thing, but I'm thinking you can probably guess where my camera was aimed most of the time! Andrew also had his surfing lesson that day, but I don't have the photos for that on my computer yet. I'll be doing a Day 1, Part 2 continuation sometime later this week.

Monday, July 6, 2009

So...

Here I am. A few weeks later. Sorry about that. Things have been a little busy lately as you may have guessed. Let's see... I started a new job, we went to Hawaii, got a massive sumburn, came home, resumed new job, rode Star for the very first time with Andrew's help, had Andrew's graduation party, camped for 2 nights at above mentioned party, got eaten alive on legs and feet from above mentioned camping by mosquitoes, have continued to check my reader at work occasionally although have not commented, clearly have not posted to my own blog, have left you all high and dry as I promised I wouldn't.

Besides that, not a whole heck of a lot. I am posting a teaser of one of my favorite photos from our vacation. Taken on Waikiki Beach 13 days ago on our last full day on Oahu. This was the same day my massive sumburn arrived. See that umbrella? I was under it 95% of the time. How in the world did I get burned?!

I do plan to start you know, actually taking some iniative around here and post a day by day post, with photos of course!, of what we did. It's funny now that we're home, I find myself telling Andrew as the weeks progress"____ weeks ago we were doing ________." I wonder how long that will take to get out of my system.

Also, I'm pretty sure I'm getting close to my blogiversary. One year. I'd like to do something different around here for that, but am not quite sure what yet. Any thoughts?

Hope you all have been well and haven't totally lost interest in my little blog. I'm talking to you Sarah and Rachel!

Monday, June 15, 2009

A few things - Bullets Edition

  • I haven't posted lately
  • Andrew graduated college
  • I got a job
  • I am not really liking the new job
  • I keep telling myself "It's x-amount of dollars per day."
  • We leave for Hawaii Wednesday
  • This Wednesday
  • That's about 36 hours
  • Um, really?
  • It seems like we were just starting to plan
  • And tonight we were packing
  • I have still been skimming blogs, just not commenting
  • New job doesn't want me on internet
  • How dare them
  • Still check email and reader
  • Am hoping I'm not forgetting anything that needs to be packed
  • Underwear? Check. Bathing suits? Check. Beach towels? Check. 7 days worth of clothes? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Camera? Check. Flip video camera? Check. Toilettries and all that? Check. A few snacks for the plane? Check. Bit of a cold that I'm hoping packs it's bags within 36 hours? Check. Andrew's laptop (in his bag) to post some photos while we're there? Check (well, after he packs it up tomorrow night).
  • I think that's about it
  • Hope you all have been well and don't think I've left you totally high and dry





Monday, May 4, 2009

Our Night on the Town



So my school put in this cruise around Elliot Bay here in Seattle last Thursday and Andrew and I decided to go. We had our whole little plan, because I like plans, laid out that we'd get there early and have dinner at Red Robin since it was at the same Pier. We finally found a parking spot, had cheeseburgers with a fried egg on top (it sounds gross, but my gosh is it delicious) and waited a few minutes to be able to board the boat.
The bus that was bringing everyone up from campus was late so we walked around on the boat and look a few pictures for a little while. Right next to this Pier is a pretty busy ferry terminal and as you can imagine when a ferry comes in or out is creates a good size wake which in turn causes our boat to rock, rock, rock. And not in a good sense. After about 10 minutes of that on top of a cheeseburger my stomach was churning and I really didn't think I would be able to make it on the 3 hour cruise (is anyone else thinking of Gilligan?) without getting sick. We got off and walked down to the next Pier right as the buses were pulling up.
So, instead of sitting on the boat for 3 hours we walked around the Piers, got some ice cream and of course I took some photos. I was kicking myself the entire time for not bringing my good camera because I hadn't wanted to pack it around all evening and really, how many pictures can you take when you're confined on a boat? Keep in mind it didn't actually take off until it was just about dark.
As you can see from the photos we had a lot of fun. More really, than I think we would have on the cruise. We watched it pull away and there were a ton of people on board accompanied with loud music. Not either of our things. I've actually taken the hint from Sarah and Rachel that hey, pictures look better when they're edited a bit so I played around with some of these to get a different look.
The first one is the only one I liked from the boat. The wind was blowing just right and I loved how it looked especially using a bit of antiquing. The majority of the others are from walking around the Piers. You'll notice the one of a bunch of buildings though. Where the arrow is pointed is where Andrew decided we should move when we're 65 or so. It would have a spectacular view. And then there's the Space Needle. That was taken with my hand out the window going down the freeway at 60 so I don't think it turned out to bad. I did a couple things with it to make it look older which I kind of like.
We realized as we were walking around how little of the city we take advantage of. We really do live in a stunning place and we rarely take time to appreciate it. Neither of us have been to the Seattle Aquarium in years and walked right past it on the walk to the boat. It is an amazing place and we are going to go sometime soon. There is so much to see and do just on a little 5 block stretch of waterfront it's insane. Our next step is to actually put it to use!
Also, as a side note, there's a new post on my photography blog. And, another side note, today in about an hour and a half is my most difficuly final. I am pretty sure I have it all under control and am feeling confident about it, but I am sure I could use any extra luck anyone has to send this way!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Weekend Re-Cap...From Weekend Before Last

You may have noticed that we have horses. And what do horses do after they eat? Well, I think you know the answer to this. It wouldn't be a problem if my horses could learn to step outside first. But, oh no. That would be far too much effort for them. Alas, I clean the stalls on Friday and Sundays. This particular weekend though it was gorgeous and I of course had my camera out so Andrew cleaned for me so I could take photos. He probably wasn't betting on me taking photos of him though. Then again, if he wasn't he should have known.
Anyways, here he is with his on lookers asking where dinner is.
And Star, as always with her head in the wheelbarrow "helping". Ha. And yes, she really does look that small, but she is only 3.
Done!
I really like this one. My human love in front and my horsey love in the background.
Molly was just so happy to have some sun I had to get this shot.
In addition to Andrew cleaning the stalls for me we got quite a bit done in preparation for the graduation celebration my parents are having for me next weekend (next weekend, I can't believe it). We have a flower garden that goes all the way along our driveway (you can see part of the rockery above and to the left of Molly) the needed to be edged and weeded so we got that done and some bark put in last weekend.
Things are coming together for the party and I'm busy finishing my last week of school. I have only today and tomorrow of regular classes then next Monday thru Wednesday for finals and that's it. Well, graduation that Saturday, but then that's it! I've also been sending out resumes so please keep your fingers crossed someone thinks I will be a good fit for their company. There are three in particular I'd really like to get so I am hoping for those.
Hope everyone has been doing well while I've been taking my little hiatus. I have a few photos for the photography blog as well and might even get those up today. Shocking!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Can anyone guess who came to visit me last night?!
That's right, you guessed it:
I know, he's sweet. And, we look super cute together. At least I think so!
So, since I had nothing really good to have for dinner except egg salad (which you'll be seeing tomorrow), we used one of our Applebees giftcards! And yes, I am the weird person in the restaurant who takes pictures. However, I didn't pack my big camera in (I'm not that person!) so these were taken with my little point and shoot.

Mmmm, strawberry daiquiri! And for Andrew: Mmmm, beer!

He likes seafood and I can't stand it so when we go out to eat is about the only time he gets it when we're together.
Fish and chips:
The good stuff! I like cheeseburgers, luckily he does too!
My cowboy burger (it has an onion ring on it, delicious!):
The bad thing about when he comes down? He has to leave the next morning. The really bad thing about him coming down on a Wednesday? I don't get to see him until Friday. Usually when he leaves I get to see him later that evening, but alas.


Anyways, thank you baby for coming down. Even if I wanted you to wait until next week! Oh well. It was a lot of fun and I always love it when you're here. Can't wait to see you tomorrow!

Monday, March 23, 2009

20 Months

Today is 20 months for Andrew and I.

I have already said many times on this blog how much I love and adore him and honestly, I don't know what else to say about our relationship. It's not perfect, and sometimes it's hard, but we work together to make things right for us. We get questions from people sometimes about why we don't hurry up and get married since we'll both be finished with school in a few weeks (weeks, really?!) and why our intended date is 2 years off, but it works for us. No one else is in this besides he and I.

We argue occasionally, but who doesn't? And really, 9 times out of 10 it's my fault to begin with. I suppose he gets the short end of the stick since this is really my first real relationship. I have heard to many people tell me that first time things never work out and I may as well cut it off now and go date other people, but can they honestly believe that when they see how happy we are together? I'll be honest, I used to believe it too, but now it seems so right. And I will admit, sometimes I want to hurry up and make our intended wedding date a little closer, but it just wouldn't be right. It will be perfect when it comes and we won't have rushed to get things together.

Hopefully we will be settled into a house, Andrew will have taken and passed with flying colors the CPA exam and we will both have good jobs. We won't be newlyweds searching for a place to rent and trying to scrape things together. We will be established and ready to start a new chapter of our lives together in a more powerful sense. And yes, I do know that it will be at times difficult to make this life together, but we get so much from each other I feel that we can handle just about anything that can be thrown at us. We've already handled a lot and that was just 5 months into this thing we have.

I know that he will be a wonderful husband. He is already the best boyfriend (I can't stand that word. There has got to be something else.) I could have asked for. I wouldn't want anyone else standing beside me through all life has to offer. I can see us. It will be perfect.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Me and My Love

Two of the bloggers I read did this a few days ago and I thought it would be kind of fun to do too. Thanks to Heather and Linda for posting!

What are your middle names?

Mine is Marie, his is Robert.

How long have you been together?

Since July of 2007.

How long did you know each other before you started dating?

We met in February of 2004.

Who asked whom out?

Andrew did. He never really "asked me out", but since we'd known each other for so long and we both knew we liked each other he just went ahead and kissed me. Or tried to. That was in September of 2007 and when he tried I sort of said no although he knew I really wanted to so just went ahead and did it. I was really nervous because I had never been kissed before, shameful to admit, but true. We were even closer after that and eventually in July 2008 he tried again. I wasn't stupid that time and went with it. I wish he would have tried again sooner, but alas.

How old are each of you?
I will be 23 in 11 days and Andrew will be 23 in October.

Whose siblings do you see the most?
Andrew's brother since I am an only child.

Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
School. We only get to see each other on the weekends and when Andrew surprises me and comes down for a visit.

Did you go to the same school?
No, unfortunately. Even though in the long run being apart has taught us how to work through many things which I suppose is good in the long run. Our schools are 65 miles apart, so it has been very, very difficult at times, but we only have a few months left.


Are you from the same home town?
No. Andrew was brought up in Federal Way and I still live in Maple Valley, about 20 miles away.

Who is smarter?
Definitely Andrew. He is the hard worker in school and really tries where I just do enough to get by. He is always reading and truly has an interest in what he's learning. I'm just here for the really expensive piece of paper.

Who is the most sensitive?
Hmmm, probably me. Although both our feelings get hurt very easily. I tend to take things more personally than he does I suppose.

Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Red Robin! I love that place! And it's about a quarter mile from the movie theater we go to so that helps!

Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Philadelphia, NYC and Washington D.C last summer.

Who has the craziest exes?
I'm a tad embarrassed to admit that I don't have any so I'm just going to go ahead and say Andrew. 


Who has the worst temper?
That would definitely be me. I tend to get mad easily and give "the look" easier than I get mad.

Who does the cooking?
We both do. Andrew always tries to help when I'm cooking. I like to be a little more inventive sometimes and get tired of eating the same stuff so he is always supportive when I'm preparing something a bit out of the usual.

Who is the neat-freak?
That would also be me about things in the house, Andrew about cars. His car is always tidy and clean while mine generally always needs to be washed. I am a neat freak about things like laundry being put away, the bed made and that sort of thing. I can't stand clutter.

Who is more stubborn?
Hmmm, I'm going to have to say me again. When I have my mind set on something I generally make sure I get it. Andrew is quite a bit more easy going that I am and luckily, tolerates me.

Who hogs the bed?
Neither. We sleep really close together so generally use a small portion of the bed.

Who wakes up earlier?
Usually me. Andrew claims that he needs a full 8 or more hours of sleep every night where I'm good with 6.

Where was your first date?
Hmmm, I guess we haven't had any "real" dates. We usually just plan something. It's not like we ask each other out on dates. I guess it would be to a Mariners game about 12 days after we started "dating". I use "dating" loosely because it's never really felt like that to me. It seems like it's just always been us and we've always been together.

Who is more jealous?
Probably me again (this thing isn't making me come off too good, is it?). I tend to always have this thought in the back of my mind that Andrew is going to find someone better than me to be with. I also hate it that he has had a few girlfriends before me and he is my only boyfriend. That thought drives me up the wall.

How long did it take to get serious?
Not long at all. I've known since before he tried to kiss me for the first time that he would be the one I will marry. I think that's why the terms "dating" and "boyfriend" bug me. It's always seemed so easy and natural. Like the whole time we've known each other was the dating period. Since we actually started dating it's like it's just leading up to getting married. I know I'm not explaining it well at all, I just don't know how to fully put into words what I feel for him.

Who eats more?
He usually eats more during a meal, but I’m the one who snacks pretty much all night long.

Who does the laundry?
I usually put the clothes in the washer and get them started and all that and Andrew will help me fold and put things in the dryer.

Who’s better with the computer?
He is better with all the technical stuff, but I am the one who does more online like blogging and Twitter and all that although he does have a Twitter account now too!

And it's over. I feel like I haven't even somewhat given you a glimpse of who we really are, how great my love for him is and what our relationship consists of. I guess this is better than nothing, I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea from just these questions. Then again, I have all of about 3 readers, so am not overly worried about it.

If you feel so inclined, feel free to this for you and your significant other!

Monday, February 23, 2009

19 months

Today is Andrew's and my 19 month anniversary. Is it weird that I still count months even though it's been more than a year? Hopefully not, because I really like to. I'm sure that Andrew is quite tired of me announcing "Baby, happy __ months!" Oh well, I'm sure he's used to it by now.

Anyways, yes, today is 19 months. And you know what? I think I love him a touch more each day. Not only is he my best friend and confidant, but I cannot picture my life without him anymore. I would be a complete and total mess.

This last month was celebrated our second Valentine's Day, although the first where we were on the same side of the country! It's was quiet and just us which was nice. We continute to plug away a little at a time for planning our trip to Hawaii. Otherwise, it's been all school, counting down until Fridays, and waiting for graduation. There were also a few visits, Andrew came to see me at school and I went up to his apartment one night. I really love these visits because it's so nice to see each other during the week.

There really aren't any words to describe how much I love him. He is my love, my friend and my most favorite person. I will love him always no matter what may happen between us.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Happy

I like mail. The "real" kind. While e-mail is lovely I like the old fashioned letter-in-an-envelope kind. Both sending and receiving. Because of this, I tend to send Andrew quite a few cards and packages. Yes, I know that we are only 65 miles apart and see each other every weekend, but it's something I like to do and it's fun for him too. Generally he gets an item a week.

I kind of figured that, you know, since I am always sending him something that he'd take the hint and pick up a card to send me. Ahem. Now I do realize that he is busy with school and doesn't have a post office as accessible as I do, but come on. It takes what, 5 minutes to buy, write in and send a card? Right.

So, being the lovely girlfriend I am in the envelope I sent him a few weeks ago were two 99 cent cards, stamps attached. Too obvious? Well, that's me.

I was waiting patienty for something, anything to show up in my mailbox and finally last Friday when I checked as I was rushing out to go to class there it was. A card!

He was very cute about it, too. As a joke he had written Mrs. Dianna (his last name with a line through it) (my last name). Just that totally made my day. His message inside topped it all off and had me smiling for quite a while.

Even though he isn't overly good with this kind of thing, I know he's working on it and I so appreciate it. I love just the small things. Well, the big things, too. But it's the little things that show that he took an extra minute and was thinking about me that I really treasure.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Just Around the Corner

I've been counting down to Valentine's Day for the last 4 weeks. Every Saturday morning I've thought to myself 4 more weeks...3 more weeks and so on. Now it's down to 3 more days. I

I love V-Day. Even before Andrew and I were together I always liked it. And not just because it was a good standbetween for Christmas and my birthday, but just because people are usually happy and wearing pink.

This year, Andrew and I will actually be able to be together (last year he flew off to Daytona Beach for the races, but did send flowers) so that will be a nice change. I don't have a clue as to what we are going to do. He has some sort of plan and won't even give me any hints! I am excited about it though. I'm always on his case to plan something more than 5 minutes in advance so I guess I can't complain when he won't give me any ideas.

We both agreed this year, since we're saving for Hawaii in June, that we weren't going to spend more than $20 on each other. I'm pretty close to that budget, just a few dollars over, and am very excited to give him his gifts! Yes, gifts. It's a 3 part thing!

I think that he reads here occasionally, so I won't be saying what they are until Monday after V-Day and then I'll get to fill you in on what he did for me! I can tell you that one of the 3 parts is something homemade and I think really neat. I may just have to take my chances on Friday and post a few pictures. I'm going to finish it this afternoon!

I do want to know though what your plans are if you're doing anything for your someone. If so, what?!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

News

Post 94 - That leaves you 6 more chances to leave a comment and be entered in the drawing for a $10 giftcard to Starbucks!

Another reason I've been a little out-of-touch lately? Planning a trip. It's hard!

We are lucky enough to have basically free tickets so that is cutting out cost down quite a bit. I may have posted back in September that Andrew and I were going to Palm Springs with the CPA firm he works for. Well, because of the economy the trip got called off, but the tickets had already been purchased so we pretty much have a free flight wherever we want to go.

Since we went to the east coast in August to see Yankee Stadium as it was closing after last season and we heard that Fenway Park was being torn down after this season we decided on Boston. We were about to book the tickets last weekend, but thankfully looked first to make sure it really was the last season since we'd heard it through the rumor mill. Turns out it's not closing for a long time.

Then we were thinking of Orlando. I really want to swim with the dolphins and they're aren't too many places that that can be done. Andrew knew I really wanted to go so we began planning out trip there. It was so expensive for the dolphin swim! I remembered that when I was in Hawaii a few years ago I went to a place called Sea Life Park which was an awesome park and they offer swimming with the dolphins. I was too cheap to do it the last time, but as it turns out it's $270 cheaper to do it on Oahu then in Orlando.

So, we're going to Hawaii! In addition to just the swim being cheaper, going to Orlando we would have had to pay about $80 each that went over the value of the ticket plus the $100 change fee. For Oahu, we only go over by $.21! So, we are both paying $100.21 for a round trip ticket! I'm trying to convince Andrew to use some of our air miles so we can upgrade one way to first class. Preferably going home so we can end the trip on a high note. We'll see. It takes 15,000 miles one way to upgrade. We both already have miles accumulated, but both just signed up for an upgrade to our credit cards that give us a 20,000 bonus for signing up. So really, that gives us our 15,000 plus and additional 5,000 left over.

Anyways, now that you know our mileage situation, I'll be filling in more of the details as we plan them through the coming weeks. We leave on June 17th and return on the 24th, so have a bit of time between now and then as you may have noticed from the ticker on the sidebar.

We're both really excited and are having fun planning excursions for our graduation gift to ourselves. Tickets and the hotel room (2 blocks from Waikiki Beach!) will be booked this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed for 1st class!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Weekend (and some of last week!) Re-Cap...Really a post about food.

Gosh, are you as stuffed as I am? How was your Thanksgiving and hopefully for most, long weekend? Do you still have any leftovers? We actually don't because we didn't cook! We went to my Aunt Judy's house for "dinner". I used quotations because it was at 1:30pm. More like lunch! The food was wonderful, we had the usuals: turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing and of course Andrew's favorite, gravy. In addition to the usuals there were also deviled eggs (my favorite), coleslaw and the picky stuff like pickled asparagus and carrots, green olives and spinich dip as an appetizer.

After our dinner there Andrew and I went to his family's Thanksgiving. We were still quite full by the time we got there so opted out of a second dinner although he did have some cheesecake for dessert. I had never met this side of his family so it was nice to be intorduced to them. He really only sees them once a year so I'm hoping I'll remember some of their names in a year! Afterwords we went back home and by that time, around 9pm we were a little hungry so we made scrambled eggs, doctored with some cheese, hot sauce, bacon bits and chives of course and toast. It was a good filler!

Andrew got up early Friday morning and left for the weekend to spend it with his father. Friday I spend pretty much decorating. We have a very long fence on either side of our driveway that we put lights on every year and I've found that it's usually just easier to do it myself so I put them up. Not easy, not fun. I endured many small shocks (this is Washington, it was raining) and found that many of the strings that were brand new last year only half worked after I layed them all out along the fenceline. By the time I figured that out I was frustrated and fed up so I ended up wrapping the sections that didn't work around the fence then continuing on when I got to where they started to work again. Tacky, but unless you're standing a foot away and it's daylight you can't tell. It's beautiful as always, but also a pain in the butt as always.

Saturday my mom and I put up our Christmas palm tree. She is vowing next year to have her traditional tree again because I'll be gone and she's sending the palm tree to live with me. I didn't take a picture mostly because I was tired of decorating by that point and didn't care too much, but I will over the weekend and post it. It's quite pretty and unusual which I love. Leah and the kids came over and Koleden wanted to watch the Grinch so he was enthralled with that while trying to help decorate the tree.

Sunday was pretty much studying. Then cleaning the stalls and getting the horses' grain set up for the week. Oh, and then more studying. I had a math test this morning and my word there was a lot of material and stuff to know. I'm not too confident with how well I did, but I'm hoping I did well enough. Guess I'll know Wednesday!

Anywhoo, this week is going to be full of getting loose ends tied up as it's the last week of classes for the semester and next week is finals week. At least one of my finals is Thursday of this week so that helps out. One less to worry about next week.

Hope you all had a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Failed...and Stockings!

I haven't mentioned it here before and was actually going to start talking about it yesterday for Food Wednesday, but I had to stop because I'm sick and broke down to have some chicken noodle soup.

What was it that I failed? Well it was a thing called a cleanse. You may have heard of them, to be honest I had but didn't have a clue as to what they were. Well, Andrew got me this one because at the time he ordered it I was working out everyday and motivated to lose a few pounds. I started what I thought was a 9 day cleanse on Monday, but didn't read well enough so Tuesday when I was looking again to see what I could eat Wednesday I realized that what I'd been doing for two days were just pre-cleanse days! I still had 9 days in front of me so instead of ending Tuesday, the last day would actually be Thanksgiving! I was okay with it, but yesterday my throat was so sore I broke down and had some chicken noodle soup. It tasted so good!

So basically the cleanse goes like this: Pre cleanse days, days 1 and 2 you can have 1 "shake" in the morning, a sensible 4-600 calorie meal, then another "shake" for dinner. I say "shake" because it's basically some supposedly chocolate powder that you mix with water. Nothing like chocolate expect that it's brown! Let's see, the cleanse days, the 3rd and 4th days you are supposed to have liquids only. Now, had it just been lots of water I could have done it, but you're supposed to mix this highly concentrated stuff that's supposed to taste like berry's (ha!) with water 4 times a day. It was so acidic I did two doses and that's all I could get down. It's supposed to go on for 7 more days, but I gave up. I might try again when I'm not sick, but it's going to be hard.

I just feel so bad because Andrew had good intentions when he ordered and gave it to me and he paid a lot of money for it. I already know I failed, but I feel like I let him down as well. We've talked about it and he is totally supportive of my stopping especially when I'm sick and says he's proud of me that I did it for 3 days, but I just still feel like a total failure.

Well, I was going to talk about stocking today, but think I'm going to wait until Tuesday for that. I'm off to take some more cold medicine and hope this goes away by tomorrow.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Weekend Re-Cap, Late

The weekend re-cap is a little late this week as you can see. Do I have a reason as to why? No, not really. Mostly because I just didn't feel too much like I had anything worth reading to post. Not that I do now, but you know. We didn't do anything to terribly exciting, lots of studying (on Andrew's part). We did manage to fit in a ride which was fun. Sunday was Addison's birthday party and we did have a lot of fun there. Here are some pictures of the events:
After our ride. This was just taken with my little camera that I can stuff in my pocket so the quality isn't that great. Plus the fact that it was dusk, so that didn't help much. I still like the picture though. My old boys did well on the ride, Dusty of course screwed around when I asked him to go past the barn again when we were finished, but I don't expect anything else from him. Boston did well as always and when I got on him afterwords I managed to get him to side step correctly (basically he crosses his front legs and moves directly sideways) which I haven't been able to do for a while.
Andrew on Boston. Again, dusk and little camera. The little blond blob on the right is Molly trotting along.
As I said Sunday was Addison's birthday right across the street. This is Leah Addie's mom and I. We've known each other for almost 20 years now. Her parents bought the house and property across the street from ours so Leah, her sister Courtney and I have grown up together.
The birthday girl!
After everyone left we were playing with the kids downstairs burning off some of their cupcake high! Here's Andrew and Koledon after some pro-wrestling moves!
They really liked this and of course had to do it at the same time. Taking turns, what's that?!
Each of the kids had these rubber balls and we were tossing them back and forth to begin with, then it got a little rougher which was fun too!
That was about it for us. Hope you all had a great weekend too! And hey, it's Wednesday, we're halfway to another one!