I have a really special birthday today. As I was contemplating the reason why I love my husband, I have come up with a couple really good ones:
1) Gary teaches me not to take life too seriously. Sometimes I still do, but I laugh a lot too.
2) He is a really good dad. He is the type of dad who lives for playing with L, and she is crazy about him.
3) He is an excellent financeer.
4) He is a very good friend. People are lucky to have him as a friend.
5) He is very compassionate.
6) He loves to cuddle....me too.
I love him more than I know. Happy Birthday, G!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Ode to Erika
Just used my first CVS ECB's today, quite exciting. Bill totalled $11, with $11 ECBs in return. Need to get two cards so I can get double the deals, and I still haven't figured out the coupon thing, but I'm getting the Sunday paper this sat.
Thanks, Erika
Thanks, Erika
Monday, October 8, 2007
Garage Sale
Last Thursday I cleaned out Lily's closet, because her clothes were starting to not fit. I had a box of bigger sizes from several people, but I realized she still was lacking in a few departments, like shirts, Sunday shoes, and few other things.
So 7am after working at the peanut factory all night (that is a side story I might indulge in one day) I went to the Sienna garage sale. It was a success. I had to sort through many things, but here is what I found for $22. That is 13 things!
And this dress too.
And yes, she didn't NEED the cowgirl boots, but they were so cute. And she has this shirt that say "Got Boots" with a picture of red cowgirl boots, that won't fit until next year, but she loves 'em. They were my only indulgence.
So 7am after working at the peanut factory all night (that is a side story I might indulge in one day) I went to the Sienna garage sale. It was a success. I had to sort through many things, but here is what I found for $22. That is 13 things!
And this dress too.
And yes, she didn't NEED the cowgirl boots, but they were so cute. And she has this shirt that say "Got Boots" with a picture of red cowgirl boots, that won't fit until next year, but she loves 'em. They were my only indulgence.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Vive Mexico!
This weekend deserves several posts, but first I will indulge in this one. We just came back from a Mexican birthday party. It was crazy. My friend Tahira (an Indian who grew up with only her mom), who married into a Hispanic family used to tell me how crazy parties were, but this was my first. The party started at 4 pm. L and the daughter don't know each well, but are nearly the same age, and very nice, so I thought it would be fun to attend so they could get to know each other better.
First of all, despite the Father and his whole family being American, I think I was the only one for the first three hours that spoke only English. I felt a little out of place, but even more out of place when Gary (my translator) left for priesthood session at church.
I knew at 6 when the food was still not served, that it was going to be a long party, and I guess according to Mexican etiquette, you do not arrive on time, (an hour or two late is fine).
L absolutely had a ball. Between the marionettes, dancing, pinata, learning Happy Birthday in a different language, Vive Mexico chants, and wonderful brisket filled tacos, it was quite the day. She cried when we left.
She did have candy, jello, and cake to feed her for a week, and was asleep within five minutes of getting home.
I'm tired too. I bet the birthday girl's mom is too. Mexicans sure know how to party.
This makes me kinda miss not having lots of family around. I don't know how many were family, but I am assuming the majority, besides that the Hispanic culture has an openness about them where everyone feels like family. I love that when my other Hispanic neighbors comes over I always get greeted with kisses, and friendliness.
To recant we got there about 4:15, and left the party about 8:15 (we didn't wait for opening of presents.) The party is still going strong, and I am going to bed.
First of all, despite the Father and his whole family being American, I think I was the only one for the first three hours that spoke only English. I felt a little out of place, but even more out of place when Gary (my translator) left for priesthood session at church.
I knew at 6 when the food was still not served, that it was going to be a long party, and I guess according to Mexican etiquette, you do not arrive on time, (an hour or two late is fine).
L absolutely had a ball. Between the marionettes, dancing, pinata, learning Happy Birthday in a different language, Vive Mexico chants, and wonderful brisket filled tacos, it was quite the day. She cried when we left.
She did have candy, jello, and cake to feed her for a week, and was asleep within five minutes of getting home.
I'm tired too. I bet the birthday girl's mom is too. Mexicans sure know how to party.
This makes me kinda miss not having lots of family around. I don't know how many were family, but I am assuming the majority, besides that the Hispanic culture has an openness about them where everyone feels like family. I love that when my other Hispanic neighbors comes over I always get greeted with kisses, and friendliness.
To recant we got there about 4:15, and left the party about 8:15 (we didn't wait for opening of presents.) The party is still going strong, and I am going to bed.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Hill Country
Remember when I was researching this. Well funds from that expedition allowed us to have a very fun trip this weekend. Gary finished his marathon of two weeks of tests Thursday.
Friday, we headed up to Austin, and stopped at the Bluebell Ice Cream factory in Brenham for a tour and lots of ice cream. Lily really enjoyed that part.
When we were all stuffed full of ice cream we headed into Austin and camped here. It was a smaller park than I anticipated, but that means we got to see about everything we wanted to. We went swimming Friday in the waterfalls, which Lily badly needed. It was hot. There were lots of turtles, and I had to keep reminding myself that there are not alligators in Austin.
We camped in a primitive campsite, which means we had a to haul a lot of stuff about 100 yards, but it was right next to a river, very pretty. Friday night we went and looked at Gary's old home when he lived in Austin, which was quite close to our park. It was fun to see his old stomping ground, the high school he went to, and I think he was pretty excited about it. We came back to the camp and had delicious foil dinners, and Lily enjoyed staying up past dark.
Sleeping was kind of a disaster. We brought the pack' n play, but because L could see us, and she was not in a home, her orientation and mood were off. We finally evacuated her out of the campsite much to the satisfaction of our neighbors. Gary ended up driving around for a while until she was out cold. He brought her back to the tent, and we then we slept pretty peacefully, although I had to get up to go the bathroom once (which noone like to do camping) and it was a little cold.
The next morning we had nice hot showers and went into downtown Austin. We went to Zilker park, which is actually is gorgeous, and the weather was beautiful. Barton Springs is damned to form a giant swimming pool. We let L get out all her energy at the this giant playground, then we walked along the springs for a while.
The area around Zilker park is set on rock cliffs overlooking the river. There are a lot of little outdoor restaurants and cantinas and we stopped for some breakfast burritos.
L was out at this point and to keep her out we decided to drive for a while. We went downtown and stopped at a farmer's market that was actually having a nice demonstration encouraging breast feeding and to support the local breast bank. I didn't even know there was such thing as a breast bank. I guess you learn something everyday. Lots of woman showed up to breastfeed at exactly 11 am, and Gary was fortunate to be there for the "unveiling". Kinda odd, but all a part of the experience.
We planned on going to the capitol and UT Austin and the LBJ library, but when we got downtown, we realized there was a football game that day, and the city was madness. There were tailgate parties everywhere. Who brings a big screen with them in the car to watch pregame? Crazy Longhorns. So we headed out of the city.
Our next stop allowed L to sleep along time, which was badly needed, considering the night before. But we ended up going here.
It is called Hamilton pool, and was absolutely gorgeous. The water was a unnatural jade, but it was very beautiful. We swam in the cold water, Lily wasn't happy about the temperature, but she did like playing in the waterfall, which surprisingly was very warm water.
Then we headed to the Salt Lick. Gary has been talking about this restaurant since I met him, and although in the middle of nowhere, it definitely was the best barbecue I have ever had. Just to give you an idea, at 3:40 the restaurant was packed. Everything was good. Their story was that a local man married a Japanese woman and started the Barbecue Restaurant. I think there is something to that Japanese influence. The sauce was the best sauce I have ever had, the meat was the best as well, and the sides weren't your ordinary sides. The cole slaw definitely had an Asian flare, (no mayonaise, yeah!) and the potato salad was also better than normal. The prices were very reasonable and we left with full stomachs and some take-out too.
Then we headed home. The weekend definitely boosted the family moral, which was good too. I think L needed a little parent time, and I definately needed some Gary time.
Friday, we headed up to Austin, and stopped at the Bluebell Ice Cream factory in Brenham for a tour and lots of ice cream. Lily really enjoyed that part.
When we were all stuffed full of ice cream we headed into Austin and camped here. It was a smaller park than I anticipated, but that means we got to see about everything we wanted to. We went swimming Friday in the waterfalls, which Lily badly needed. It was hot. There were lots of turtles, and I had to keep reminding myself that there are not alligators in Austin.
We camped in a primitive campsite, which means we had a to haul a lot of stuff about 100 yards, but it was right next to a river, very pretty. Friday night we went and looked at Gary's old home when he lived in Austin, which was quite close to our park. It was fun to see his old stomping ground, the high school he went to, and I think he was pretty excited about it. We came back to the camp and had delicious foil dinners, and Lily enjoyed staying up past dark.
Sleeping was kind of a disaster. We brought the pack' n play, but because L could see us, and she was not in a home, her orientation and mood were off. We finally evacuated her out of the campsite much to the satisfaction of our neighbors. Gary ended up driving around for a while until she was out cold. He brought her back to the tent, and we then we slept pretty peacefully, although I had to get up to go the bathroom once (which noone like to do camping) and it was a little cold.
The next morning we had nice hot showers and went into downtown Austin. We went to Zilker park, which is actually is gorgeous, and the weather was beautiful. Barton Springs is damned to form a giant swimming pool. We let L get out all her energy at the this giant playground, then we walked along the springs for a while.
The area around Zilker park is set on rock cliffs overlooking the river. There are a lot of little outdoor restaurants and cantinas and we stopped for some breakfast burritos.L was out at this point and to keep her out we decided to drive for a while. We went downtown and stopped at a farmer's market that was actually having a nice demonstration encouraging breast feeding and to support the local breast bank. I didn't even know there was such thing as a breast bank. I guess you learn something everyday. Lots of woman showed up to breastfeed at exactly 11 am, and Gary was fortunate to be there for the "unveiling". Kinda odd, but all a part of the experience.
We planned on going to the capitol and UT Austin and the LBJ library, but when we got downtown, we realized there was a football game that day, and the city was madness. There were tailgate parties everywhere. Who brings a big screen with them in the car to watch pregame? Crazy Longhorns. So we headed out of the city.
Our next stop allowed L to sleep along time, which was badly needed, considering the night before. But we ended up going here.
It is called Hamilton pool, and was absolutely gorgeous. The water was a unnatural jade, but it was very beautiful. We swam in the cold water, Lily wasn't happy about the temperature, but she did like playing in the waterfall, which surprisingly was very warm water.
Then we headed to the Salt Lick. Gary has been talking about this restaurant since I met him, and although in the middle of nowhere, it definitely was the best barbecue I have ever had. Just to give you an idea, at 3:40 the restaurant was packed. Everything was good. Their story was that a local man married a Japanese woman and started the Barbecue Restaurant. I think there is something to that Japanese influence. The sauce was the best sauce I have ever had, the meat was the best as well, and the sides weren't your ordinary sides. The cole slaw definitely had an Asian flare, (no mayonaise, yeah!) and the potato salad was also better than normal. The prices were very reasonable and we left with full stomachs and some take-out too.
Then we headed home. The weekend definitely boosted the family moral, which was good too. I think L needed a little parent time, and I definately needed some Gary time.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Birthday
My birthday was a hit. Despite having the hardest test of the 2 week period yesterday, Gary still managed breakfast in bed.
He earned extra brownie points and quite frankly almost made be cry with his present to me which apparently my family knew about, sneaky family..a trip to see my sister (who is moving to Japan shortly) next month.
The day was full of people making me feel loved, which is nice too.
The only down side was that I thought I deserved a nap (and L was wide awake, so I put on a movie). She woke me up and showed me what she had colored. Red marker on every piece of furniture I own including the couch and carpet. Now, I know this is mostly my fault for leaving a marker tempting in my piano stuff. Luckily it was a washable marker, and hot spot really works, but I am sure next time I need a nap she will have to go in the crib with some stories, and also markers have been banned from my house.
Later in the day my mom topped of Gary's gift with tickets to see Wicked when I am in L.A. with Shelley...a musical I have been dying to see. I play the music daily. In fact I told Gary last month that when we actually have money (10+ years) the first excursion I want is to see Wicked. He hinted this to my mom who generously obliged.
Last night was a wonderful dinner with just Gary and I at a local restaurant.. La Escondida. I actually didn't like my dinner at all but I really liked Gary's which was amazing steak, and he obligingly switched me.
I didn't think I liked steak anymore, and actually stopped buying it. I realized last night that it is the meat I buy (usually on sale) not steak itself. Every now and then I think I need some good red meat.
Overall a very nice day.
He earned extra brownie points and quite frankly almost made be cry with his present to me which apparently my family knew about, sneaky family..a trip to see my sister (who is moving to Japan shortly) next month.
The day was full of people making me feel loved, which is nice too.
The only down side was that I thought I deserved a nap (and L was wide awake, so I put on a movie). She woke me up and showed me what she had colored. Red marker on every piece of furniture I own including the couch and carpet. Now, I know this is mostly my fault for leaving a marker tempting in my piano stuff. Luckily it was a washable marker, and hot spot really works, but I am sure next time I need a nap she will have to go in the crib with some stories, and also markers have been banned from my house.
Later in the day my mom topped of Gary's gift with tickets to see Wicked when I am in L.A. with Shelley...a musical I have been dying to see. I play the music daily. In fact I told Gary last month that when we actually have money (10+ years) the first excursion I want is to see Wicked. He hinted this to my mom who generously obliged.
Last night was a wonderful dinner with just Gary and I at a local restaurant.. La Escondida. I actually didn't like my dinner at all but I really liked Gary's which was amazing steak, and he obligingly switched me.
I didn't think I liked steak anymore, and actually stopped buying it. I realized last night that it is the meat I buy (usually on sale) not steak itself. Every now and then I think I need some good red meat.
Overall a very nice day.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
She is cuter than ever...
By popular demand...or grandma demand. Here she is....
Her favorite song is "Six little ducks that I once knew..." She goes around the house quacking . 
Here's the family. We are definitely sad about the pool closing in a week....especially Lily. I am afraid she will forget how to swim.
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