Trail of Lights

We went to the Zilker Trail of Lights on Sunday with some friends. Patrick made his famous hot chocolate and we froze our butts off.

Enjoy the pictures!

Our First Tree

I was trying to take pictures of our first Christmas Tree, all decorated and lit up, but Calliope wanted some attention and posed for me too.

Calliope stretching for a belly rub

Presents are all wrapped! I think Patrick is excited that he hasn't had to do any wrapping and that all the presents are actually tagged this year - that way he knows which one is his. See the homemade tags?

The Birthday present is for my sister - a Christmas Eve baby.

For our niece!

Chloe decided to help with the ornaments for the tree. She likes playing with the brass bells and loves attacking the soft cloth ornaments. When I come home from work, I usually find them somewhere in the middle of our living room floor.

Chloe "helping"

A Better Bag

I normally bring my own bags to grocery stores and try to refuse bags when I can just carry the item in my hands. Every once in awhile, I'll forget to bring the bags in, or buy too many groceries to fit into the bags I do bring in, or just plain forget to say "Thanks, but I don't need a bag."

As of today, Whole Foods here in Austin has discontinued offering plastic bags at checkout (they'll still offer 100% recycled paper bags.) And to kick off their campaign, I got a free reusable bag from them! Now, every time I use the bag below, or any other bag I bring in, they discount 10 cents for each bag - which is double what they used to pay!

only 99 cents after today

Hopefully some other grocery stores will follow suit (ahem....HEB, Walmart, Target....) But I think these other places are still just getting used to the idea of people bringing in their own bags. I don't know how many times I've asked the bagger to not bag things in plastic before putting the items in my own canvas bag or "No, I'm not buying that green bag, it doesn't need to go in a plastic bag."

Being a typical 12 year old kid (and because everything they do embarrasses you), I remember getting embarrassed at my mom bringing in her own bags. Now, I'm glad she did that and instilled that into my head. Now I always keep one of those fold-up bags in my purse, just in case.

Eight Days...

Eight days until we leave for Houston for Christmas. Tree is lit and ornaments are hung. Gifts are all purchased, and all there is left to do is wrap them.

Yesterday, I came home to find our answering machine blinking. I press the play button, but all I hear is static. So, I go to adjust the volume and try to get it at that perfect spot where the speaker doesn't crackle and I'm not blown away by the decibels. It keeps cutting in and out and all I can decipher is that an order has been declined because of something having to do with the credit card information, like an incorrect number or date or something. When I try to play it back, I accidentally erase it. I guess I wasn't supposed to hear a message relating to my Christmas gift. Luckily for Patrick, our answering machine is a piece of crap.

After trying to listen to the message, I went down to the gym to go run. And since I sometimes try to time my workouts around Scrubs reruns on Comedy Central, I was able to catch one of my favorite episodes: The Scrubs Musical.

Lately

Things are going well here, it just seem pretty busy. Patrick's working crazy long hours and working on online school work, so he doesn't usually come home till after 9pm every day (and sometimes later.) So, on the weekend we don't do much other than sleep, eat, watch football, and as of late, shop for Christmas. While he's at his office I'm filling up my free time cleaning the apartment and trying to do this Couch to 5K training thing, but not really training for a specific run.

Kitties: Chloe's being much more cuddly as it gets colder and Calliope is just getting fatter - as confirmed by her latest vet visit...She's 13 freaking pounds!!! The Vet wants her at 11 and so I think she should started training with me. We could both stand to lose a couple.

We bought our first Christmas tree over the weekend and that's been a fun experience. I've never had a real tree before and the kitties have never been around one either. As Patrick brought it in our apartment, Calliope hissed at it. I'm not exactly sure what she thought it was, just that it was a foreign object occupying her space. Now, they both just like to eat the needles and drink the tree's water. I'm just glad that they haven't tried climbing it....yet.

Right now, we have white lights and about 7 ornaments on the tree, and a topper in waiting. So, it looks kind of sad unless you look at it really up close. Just waiting for the box to arrive with the rest of my ornaments, then I'll post pictures. It's nice to finally have a tree, it really makes it feel more like the Christmas season. In the past, Patrick and I would be gone for such a long time around Christmas, that it would have been just a hassle. But with a shorter trip this year, I had to have one.

Strike!

By now, I'm sure you have heard about the WGA strike. If you haven't, well, I'm not sure what lonely island you have been on, but all you have to do is tune in to one of the late night talk shows (Letterman, Leno, Daily Show, etc...) and realize that they have been playing repeats all week long. These are only the first shows to be affected on air by the strike. For many others shows, only half their episodes have been completed and for some, production has been completely shut down.

Check out this great site to get more information on why TV writers are striking: United Hollywood. It's all about the internet and new media. They should get paid for the work they do. Period.

Support the WGA!

Trick or Treat!

Every year, I hope and wish that at least the kids in our building will come by for some candy (good candy, too, if I might add: Snickers, Reese's PB Cups, Mounds, Kit Kats.) But, alas, we had no trick or treaters last night. I mean, I can't really blame them. I would do the same thing they do: leave the apartment complex and drive over to the nice, rich neighborhood to get loads of candy. But still, I miss seeing little kids all dressed up in their cute costumes.

And now, back when Calliope was all little and cute....

Calliope & Kitty

Jack & Kitty

Wake Up!

Patrick and I cannot stop laughing at this video. This is our life times two.

The Table

A few weeks ago, Patrick and I finally finished a 3 year project. We found, that it can really be difficult to stain a table when you don't have a dedicated space to do it, which in turn, made it take so damn long to complete. We needed enough time to sand the wood, condition it, stain it, then let it dry till it wasn't tacky anymore. Otherwise, kitty hairs get stuck in the stain. Not good.

And we had to do all this in front of our apartment door. You know, where the tarantula was from yesterday? I don't think our neighbors liked us too much on staining days.

Also, it seemed like there was a very small window in which we were able to stain the table.

• Can't be too hot, or we would sweat on the table.
• Can't be too humid, or the stuff would never dry.
• Can't be too cold, or our hands would freeze up (but like it really gets that cold in Austin.)
• Can't be out of town.
• Can't work on it inside, or the furry animals would have a race on it.

But now the table is done!! All rejoice and be glad!

Overhead of Finished Table

Closeup of Finished Table

Creepy Crawly

Today has been my day for all things creepy crawly.

Early this morning, I opened my front door to leave for work and saw this in the hallway, about 4 feet from my front door:

We've seen a couple of tarantulas around the apartment complex over the past week, but none on the third floor! I know that these are not poisonous and are pretty beneficial to have around as they love to eat roaches and scorpions, but man do they freak me out!
Background: while playing with my cousin's pet tarantula, it bit me and I ended up accidentally killing it after jerking my hand around to get it off of me.

This evening, as I was getting dinner ready, imagine my surprise as I cut open a bell pepper and saw this:

And in case it's hard to see, he decided to make more of an appearance.

Is Fall Here?

Austin, TX
71°F
Cloudy

Right now it is currently 71 degrees here in Austin, Texas. This is the second day in a row where I have walked outside and felt a bit chilled. I love this weather! Actually, yesterday was even better because it wasn't overcast but gorgeous outside. It's so nice walking out to my car and not sweating!

Now, can we please just put away the Christmas decorations and enjoy fall first?

Next on...

Just another show that I'm sad was cancelled. We finished the last Arrested Development DVD yesterday. Near the end of the series, they start making references to the series being cancelled:

George Sr.: I don't think the Home Builders Organization is going to be supporting us.
Michael: Yeah, the HBO's not gonna want us. What do we do now?
George Sr.: Well, I think it's Showtime. I think we have to put on a show during dinner."

Also when the Narrator blatantly says, "Now that's a clearcut situation with a promise of comedy. Tell your friends."

I feel bad that I didn't watch this show when it was on, that I didn't get a chance to support a show that is so much better than anything else that has been on network TV. So, since I missed the boat on this one, are there any other groundbreakingly good TV shows out there right now? We already watch The Office - well, I watch as Patrick nervously paces in the kitchen.

Anything new? Old? What series should we Netflix next?

Famous!

The back of our heads are famous!! Way earlier this year when we were still in need of coats, Patrick, Tracy and I went out to see Frank Warren talk about his PostSecret blog and books.

Over on the left, that's Patrick in the burnt orange hat, Tracy in the light blue coat and I'm two heads down from Tracy in a tan coat and right next to the lady in red.

You can see the picture on his blog here. Scroll down to the bottom. And while you're at it, check out the rest of his website.

How It All Started

Eight years ago today, Patrick pulled me aside in a 1942 house on Peck Avenue and spoke those words that I will forever remember as bringing us together: "Would you like to go see a movie?" He later told me that after much contemplation and thought of how to go about asking me out, all the plans and clever words went out the window at the last moment.

The movie would have to be put off till the following week, as I was heading up to attend the TX/ou game in Dallas that weekend. And he was going up to Dallas as well, but to see one of his best friends sing. I stayed with a bunch of friends Friday night and went to the game the next day, where he picked me up and promptly told me that I stunk. I had just spent the better part of 3-4 hours in the heat surrounded by other sweaty Texas fans, what do you expect??

We didn't end up seeing Mike sing that night. We got lost and finally showed up right as they were walking out of the building. I couldn't have even imagined that night that almost 8 years later, his friend whom I just met, would be singing at our wedding reception.

I mentioned to Patrick that I was going to be meeting my parents for brunch the next morning, so I'd need to go get my car from my friend's house fairly early. He responded, "Oh, I get to meet your parents?" So, only 4 days after he asked me to the movies, Patrick and I ate blueberry pancakes with my parents and my very talkative sister who probably helped relieve any anxiety or nervousness of meeting my parents for the first time. All a little unorthodox, but hey, we got it out of the way.

So, here we are: two Austinites who have been together for eight years, married for two, living with two neurotic cats in a "little place near Lake Travis," as Patrick likes to put it.

Happy Eight Years Honey!

What a Niece Weekend!

A few of my favorite photos from this weekend.

Sophie Drool

Surprise!

Toes

Blessed

Just three weeks before our second anniversary, we repeated the Catholic Marriage Rite after Father Samuel and had our rings prayed over and blessed.

Back in June, we found out that in order to be Godparents in the Catholic Church(technically I would be a "Christian Witness"), we would have to have our marriage be convalidated since we were married outside the Catholic Church at my home church in Arlington.

Patrick and I with the parents

After a lot of back in forth between a few Catholic churches, staff at the churches, a priest and a deacon, Patrick and I found ourselves on September 1st, joined by Patrick's parents and my parents at a beautiful church out in Lakeway so that our marriage could be convalidated in the Catholic Church.

A quote Nancy found that seemed fitting for our niece.

All photos courtesy of Portfolio Studio aka Paul Knudsen aka my dad.

Live at the Lake

We hopped up onto a half-wall overlooking the three infinity pools that blend into Lake Travis. Expensive cheap beers in hand and people watching. Laughing at the young drunk girls that keep slapping older men on the bums and stumbling into people because their not paying attention to where their feet are taking them.

The couple next to us has their 4 month old girl with them and are talking to another couple with their baby boy. The little girl seems so tiny, so tiny for four months. My niece seemed so much bigger than her, even at two months. I hope we do these things when we have kids, Patrick says we have to. We will have to get out of the house with the kids if we want to stay sane.

Waiting for the music to start, we stroll into some of the surrounding pools. Patrick teases me because I'm not fond of treading water in the deep end. We feel we could get used to this: Lakeway Resort pools, overlooking Lake Travis, with good music playing into the night. We go back to our perch on the wall for a bit and joke about the women decked out in way too much makeup and non-appropriate dresses for the poolside. Some of the music starts but it's no one I've heard of.

Finally, Bob starts to play, but he's doing a mellow set and only by the time we're ready to leave he starts to pick it up. We stay for a few more songs, then get out of there before all the drunk people leave and we decide we'll catch him at Antone's or Saxon another time. On our way home, a fire truck blares past us followed by an ambulance. Thank God we left when we did.

I wish I may, I wish I might...

A couple of weekends ago, Patrick and I took a late night drive just to the outskirts of town to get away from city lights, which for us is about 20 minutes. A friend had tipped us off to the meteor shower happening that weekend and since we are the 8-5, Monday through Friday work-type-people, we decided to check it out Saturday night but had to miss the big show on Sunday. We brought a couple of beach towels and laid down in the back of his truck on the side of Pale Face Road. Every once in awhile we saw something out of the corner of our eyes shoot across the sky, but nothing really bright in the center of our view. It was already pretty late (at least for us) and we still had to drive back. Patrick said, "Ok, give me one good one so we can go home!"

Nothing.

Couple of crazies just staring at the sk- "WHOA! Did you see that???" I was so shocked that I stood up pointing towards the streak of light.

It went so far and was so bright, that it left a trail which led to where it landed out in Marble Falls.

We used to be able to see these meteor showers right outside of our apartment, either sitting at the pool or just by walking down to our car. But now that there is a Walmart just down the street, we can barely see the major constellations. I don't even want to imagine how far we'll have to drive to see the stars when our kids are old enough to recognize the big dipper.

Take-out

I'm not sure what the change was, but all of a sudden, Patrick and I have been eating more and more Asian food. He is finding that he likes and actually craves certain things and I'm not going to complain. Recently, we've been having Pei Wei about once a week and occasionally, I'll find a take-out container in the top of the trash can or a fortune cookie wrapper accidentally left out, only to find out he had Chinese food without me. For a girl who, for years (can you believe we've been together for 8?!), begged him to join me for some chicken lo mein or pad thai and after repeated turn downs, accepted that the only time I would get my Chinese fix was without him.

Not too long ago, on one of our Pei Wei take-out nights, we opened our fortune cookies and found this:

Besides 6 and 49 being on our next Lotto ticket, have any ideas as to what that means?

Still Reading...

On Friday, Patrick accompanied me to the midnight release of the new Harry Potter. He said if anyone asks, he's just going to hold up his left hand and point to the ring. I wasn't planning on staying up all night reading the book or even reading the whole thing over the course of the weekend. I figured since this was the last book of the series and probably the most hyped book ever to be released to date, I wanted to attend one of the midnight parties. We didn't get dressed up or even participate in any of the games (HP bingo) or debates (Snape: Friend or Foe?), we mostly people watched which is one of our favorite things to do in large groups of people we don't know. And with this group of people, like any other fanatical crowd, it was pretty entertaining. Although, by the end of the night, I was ready for an end to the caped kids running around swishing their sound-making-wands and calling out Avada Kedavra to anyone in their way.

So, this weekend, I finished up the last few chapters of my re-read of the Half Blood Prince then started on Deathly Hallows. I'm not even close to being done at this point and part of me wants to take my time reading this one, since I know another will not follow. But on the other hand, I can barely put it down, because as soon as I finish one chapter, I want to find out what happens next and end up staying up till midnight reading.

The Order - no spoilers here

We decided to take a spur of the moment trek downtown to see the almost sold-out matinee. I never thought we could make it down to South Lamar from Northwest Austin in rush hour traffic within 30 minutes! We bought two of the last seven tickets and then snuck in to a packed theater and had the usher bring a folding chair so that Patrick could actually sit during the film.

Granted, it has been a few years since I've read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, but when Patrick and I walked out of the movie theater last night, I felt pretty happy with the adaptation to the screen. Unlike Prisoner of Azkaban where Harry received the broom from Sirius at the end of the movie instead of in the beginning like in the book, the screenwriter for Order of the Phoenix did a great job following the plot of the book. And I was amazed at how some of the scenes in the movie were exactly how I imagined them while reading the book.

I can't wait till this weekend when I'll finally be able to finish this series of books!

A Soggy Fourth

This is tame compared to how Mansfield Dam looks now with four flood gates open.

I'm glad we hadn't planned on eating on this picnic table.

While we were inspecting the flooding, we heard some high pitched screeches and finally a couple of honks. I think the geese might have been a little confused as to why there were trees in the middle of Lake Austin.

Birthday in NYC

Patrick and I spent my birthday weekend in New York feasting on tasty food and hanging out with our sisters and their respective others. We took advantage of as much free stuff as possible and while doing so got to see Dave Attell and a number of other comedians at Comedy Central Park Summerstage and Superchunk at McCaren Park Pool. We even got into the Modern Museum of Art for free!

Since Patrick and I had been to NYC a few times before, we tried to treat this trip as a little more low key than before. We didn't do as many touristy stuff and mostly just wanted to spend time with family and friends and eat and eat and eat. Eat a lot of good food. We didn't get into NYC until about midnight on Thursday night. Luckily Anytime was open and grabbed some amazing sandwiches there. On Friday, we went to eat lunch at Sea (where part of Garden State was shot) and Anna Maria's Pizza (where I ran after Eric when we saw him pass by the window) for a quick slice before the comedy show.

Sea

Rachael & Hagan took us all to a little place in the village on my birthday that had unlimited mimosa included with your meal at brunch. I thought I had 3 mimosas. I was later told that I had three full glasses, but they kept topping me off, so who knows how much I actually had. I felt pretty good the rest of the day. And since Rach doesn't want anyone else to find out about this place, it will go unnamed for now.

unlimited!

After stuffing our faces, we strolled over to have a long line greet us at Magnolia Bakery and grabbed up some of their famous cupcakes and banana pudding. Mmmmmmm...

Between Teddy's and Frank on Sunday, I think we did pretty good food wise.

Hagan & Rachael (our gracious hosts)

And in between all the eating and walking, we got to have some good times with Rachael, Hagan, Laura, Eric, Sophia, Nancy and Emily. It was nice to just hang out their places and relax for a few days. Watching Dexter, laughing because Patrick and I had so much trouble with those damn metrocards or just cooing at Sophie.

Happy Sophie

I'm sure New Yorkers don't, but I actually miss the subway. I miss not having to drive in traffic and being able to walk everywhere. And if there wasn't so much good food to be eaten, I would probably lose weight if we lived there. It would be so nice to live close to our sisters, the husband/boyfriend, and our new niece. But after hearing Hagan complain about places with no A/C, no dishwashers, high priced everything and waiting with bated breath to get down to Austin, I think I'm happy to just visit. Until next time New York!

Still on My Mind...

It probably has to do with the fact that Patrick and I have been Netflixing Six Feet Under and Ghost Hunters recently, but it still kind of makes me question my sanity. We had been away at a friend's wedding over Memorial Day weekend and upon coming home, I was putting some clean dishes away. When I opened a drawer to put up one of whisks, I saw a spatula that had been missing for weeks and weeks laying across my drawer organizer. I called to Patrick, celebrating that he had found our wonderful spatula and we can now stir things up to 500 degrees on our stove again! And he looked at me and said "What??"

Yeah, he didn't find it. And I would never put a utensil across an organizer instead of in it, where it belongs! (Just ask Patrick about folding towels, and you'll soon find out how particular I really am.)

So, who or what did this? Chloe? Calliope? Honestly, I just don't think that have that much talent in them. I mean, I love our cats, but Chloe can be kind of an idiot sometimes. What cat do you know who trips over her own feet?

But really, kinda weirded out by that whole experience.

Yatta!

Ever since Patrick and I watched The Pursuit of Happyness, we (and when I say "we" I mean Patrick) have been obsessed with solving a Rubik's Cube. It started out with actually trying to find one, because apparently, everyone else who also watched that movie also wanted to try their hands at it. We went to a couple of Targets, Toys 'R Us, and HEBs but everywhere was sold out. We did end up finding a mini one at Toys 'R Us that was on a key chain, but it was a pain to deal with, being so tiny.

With our friends' suggestion of trying the educational toy store, we finally found a full sized Rubik's Cube. The first few days of having it was complete frustration. And then we ended up giving it to a couple of our friends as they headed out on a road trip to move to their new house in Oregon. So, we were cube-less for a little while.

This week while trying to solve the mini Rubik's, and coming really close, it fell apart in Patrick's hands. He tried to put it back together but something wasn't right and there area couple of blocks that are definitely in the wrong place. So I went back to the toy store and thankfully, they still had a couple left. Patrick couldn't put it down.

Yesterday, I came home from work and as soon as I walked in the door, he handed me the Rubik's cube and told me to mess it up more. And then, right there before my eyes, within less than 5 minutes, he solved it!

If you have seen The Pursuit of Happyness and watched any of the extras on the DVD, you've seen someone solve it, seen the speedcubing competitions and even the blindfolded ones, but watching it right in front of you is pretty darn cool. So, yeah, my husband's a genius.

What! No Trifle???

Patrick and I got to meet our first niece, who is about the cutest thing in the world, and also got to spend some time with her parents, aka The Baby Bringers.

Oh, and that's right, Central Market decided to not serve Trifle at the Mother's Day Brunch. After all the talk and all the hype, it wasn't even there. They did have some citrus-y thing that they were trying to pass off as Trifle, but I couldn't even bring myself to try it. I'm guessing it would be to close to Patrick and Laura's "Raspberry Fool" incident, which you'll have to ask them about. Or maybe don't, I believe he's still a little bitter.

Mama's Day

We're headed up to Arlington to celebrate Mother's Day this weekend. For the past few years, the Hiler family (my Mom's side) has had the tradition of celebrating while stuffing ourselves with trifle during the brunch at Central Market. I think that's the main reason my grandmother goes at least: the trifle. And if, God forbid, it rains around 11AM on Sunday, somehow we need to smuggle some trifle out of Central Market to give to her, because she anticipates it 364 days out of the year.

This year is a little bit different in that not only are Patrick's parents coming up to hang out, but so are his sister, our brother-in-law and our 6 week old niece! We finally get to meet Sophie! And now, I should probably warn her parents that my family, each and every one of them, are serious baby people. All of them love babies. Even the stinky, smelly, funny-looking babies (which Sophie is not at all.) So, at brunch, when 15 or more of my family members oooh and aaah over your little one and want to squeeze her little toes, don't be scared. I don't think they have any control over it.

Go Green! (or How did that Happen? or Just Married!)

This past weekend was a packed full of reuniting of friends and family. On Saturday spent some time with Patrick's Godson and his family, went to a wedding shower, had dinner and drinks with some girlfriends and their hubbies (think triple date), and met my friend's new dachshund/Labrador mix puppy. That's right, a little wiener dog had some "special time" with a big 'ole Labrador and produced Zephie, a cute as can be dog, with a long dachshund body but with taller thicker legs and paws like a lab. I wonder if she'll like to swim?

On Sunday we spent the day at Veteran's Park in Arlington for Earth Day which pretty much included walking around all the different stations and saying hi to my parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, my grandmother and my precocious little flower girl. Yes, my family is very green.

At the wedding shower a couple of my friends' mothers (one of which being the mother of the bride) started talking about grandchildren and how they just can't wait to be grandmothers. And when were they going to get to see some grand babies around here? Because, they aren't getting any younger, you know. And at this point I was trying to remember, if I was at the wedding shower or the baby shower I was invited to, because somewhere things started to get a little hazy. And then the bride said, I'm not even married yet Mom. Oh, right, wedding shower.

I have to say, as much as my mom is a baby person and I know that she will be thrilled when Patrick and I decide to expand our little family, I am so thankful that neither of my parents (nor Patrick's parents) have ever bugged us about producing grand kids right away. Sure, there has been a jab here and there but it has always been with a smile, a hope for the future, and probably more directed towards Patrick's sister. Because she's the older one and had been married longer. But now that Sophie is here, I'm sure that little itch is satisfied for awhile.

It's a long ways off, but because of the arrival of our little niece, the topic has definitely been floating among conversation.

A Tragedy

Last night, Patrick and I were talking about the horrible events that happened in Virginia early this week and how the media seems to constantly be focusing on the gunman. Everywhere I look I see pictures of him or speculations as to why he did it or now, the horrible video he mailed to NBC. This morning while getting ready for work, I was listening to Good Morning America play in the background and the psychiatrist being interviewed told GMA and the public in general that they needed to stop playing the video. That it does no good to broadcast this "message" because we can't learn from this character that he is portraying. The boy in the video is not himself, it's just an act. The media is just giving him what he wanted: infamy.

Instead of telling the shooters' story, why don't we hear victims' stories, once they or their families are emotionally ready? It took me way too long to find stories about the innocent people who lost their lives and am feeling bombarded by images of the hateful boy who took them.

I can't even imagine the horror of hearing that someone I loved had gone through that. A husband lost his wife, wives lost their husbands, and parents lost their children. My heart and prayers go out to the families and friends who lost those they love.

You can call me Aunt Ruthie!

Laura and Eric will give the full story, but I just wanted to let everyone know that Mom and Baby are doing great.

You can also read more here.

Thanks for all the prayers!

Passing the Time

A weekend of staying up late and waking up early makes for a difficult Monday morning. Combine that with rainy weather, a view from my cube of gray clouds and wet feet and all I want to do is go home, curl up on the couch with my husband and cats while watching the last two episodes of Sports Night.

On the drive back from the retreat this weekend, Patrick called his sister who answered with a "No baby yet!" Yesterday was the due date, but it appears that our niece is not quite done cooking. I'm sure the future parents are just on the edge of their seats anticipating their new arrival, because I know we are and the Lord knows Patrick's parents are!!!
***Just a reminder, at our wedding, in his toast to our marriage, Patrick's dad stated that they would have to resort to making their own grandchildren if they didn't get any from his kids soon.*** So, I'm glad it didn't have to come to that because I'm not even sure how that would work.

In other news, the bluebonnets are blooming here in Central Texas and they are beautiful! I am so sad that I forgot to pack my camera over the weekend because the road to the retreat was lined with a sea of blue and green, speckled with reds, yellows, and pinks. I love how gorgeous Texas gets in the springtime.

M&Ms

Patrick and me as M&Ms

M&M yourself.

Random Things Before The Weekend

Friday afternoon. It's spring break in Austin but not in my office. Yet, only five people are here, and I'm wishing I wasn't one of them.

You know you've been watching too much of one television show when you start talking like the characters. Coming back from Phil's Icehouse last night, Patrick and I had a "Sorkin Speak" moment. We've been Netflix-ing Sports Night and when you watch 3 or 4 hours of that show in a row it kind of gets in your head.

Besides watching lots of Sports Night episodes I've been reading back to back Christopher Moore novels and I'm finally on the last one, which I originally gave to Patrick for Valentines Day, because, you know, the subtitle is "A Love Story." I'm trying not to read it too fast because I don't want it all to end and then have to wait for the next one to come out.

"Keep Austin Wealthy"??

I'm not sure if you've seen these yet, but I saw it this morning for the first time and I can't find any real information about it on the internet. On a Mazda 626, turning from 2222 to head North on 360, was a bumper sticker that said "Keep Austin Wealthy".

My first thought was really? On a Mazda 626? It's not a bad car by any means, but it makes more sense on an oversized Cadillac SUV or a BMW 7 Series, not a Mazda. Patrick says it even makes more sense on a 1970s VW Rabbit (like my Dad had) - kind of an irony thing.

So, is this a snub to the "Keep Austin Weird" campaign? Do these people hate local businesses or do they just want to keep and add more Big Business to our city? Do these people hate the poor? Are they for those horrible McMansions that drive up the cost of property taxes in Hyde Park?

What I am trying to find out is this: What does the "Keep Austin Wealthy" bumper sticker campaign truly mean?

New Music

I am loving this website I just found out about called pandora. You enter in some of your favorite artists and the website creates your own personal radio station that includes music that is similar to your faves. You can create multiple radio stations for all the different types of music you like and the different moods you are in. You can find my personal radio here.

Quoting my friend Tracy who was quoting Scrubs: "if my heart could sing it would be songs like these!"

Austinite or Austonian?

I thought that it had been decided long ago that those who called Austin home were referred to as Austinites, not the pretentious sounding Austonian.

Check out this article from the Statesman: How to tell an Austinite from an Austonian

Which are you? I am definitely an Austinite!

In Honor Of

When my work moved offices, I moved from being in an office with my own close-able door to a cubicle where my back faces the entire room. It is taking me some time to get used to not only being so out in the open, but also the new position that I have at work - so that's my excuse for why it's been a long time since I've written.

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Usually, I would be ecstatic to be heading to Houston to get to visit with a whole bunch of friends whom haven't gotten together at one time in years. But this occasion isn't a wedding or a baby shower or a birthday party. On Monday, I was away from my desk for a good part of the morning and when I returned I had 5 or 6 missed calls. I wasn't surprised to see Patrick's name on the missed list but when a few others were all in there together, I knew something was going on. So, today, we're heading to Houston to pay our respects and honor the life of the father of one of our good friends. Good night Mr. Meñez, you will be missed.