Going to the Chapel....

This weekend, Patrick and I got to witness an old friend marry a beautiful, intelligent, and funny young woman, who has also become a good friend to us. We've always hoped that Jake would find a good woman that appreciated him as much as we do, and I think he got that and more.

The first time we met Jill, they had met us at Salt Lick for dinner about four years ago, and we were blown away. "This girl is gorgeous! How did Jake land her?" Not that Jake isn't wonderfully adorable, but this girl, this young woman, looked like she walked right off of a magazine photo shoot. Plus she's extremely smart, and at the time was excited to be heading to UT to become an engineer. At the end of our double date, Jill and I were talking about 10 feet away from Patrick and Jake, who were standing by our car, also talking. And Jill and I heard an extremely loud "WHAT?!?" Evidently, Jake was telling Patrick about the first time he asked Jill out and she said yes. The "What?!?" was his inner dialogue, surprised at her answer.

The wedding was gorgeous, the food was great, beer was enjoyed by all, and the bride looked amazing. I am so excited for Jake and Jill and can't wait to see what the future has in store for them!

It's Friday and rainy and all I want to do is be home curled up on my couch watching a movie with Patrick. I haven't seen him much this week, or the past few months for that matter. He's been working like crazy. And every time they are able to bring on someone full time to help out, another person leaves. He's in San Antonio one day, Temple the next, and is rarely ever home before I'm getting ready for bed, much less in time for dinner.

Over the past two weeks, I saw glimpses of how things could be if he worked a regular 8-5 job. Actually getting to see him in the light of day instead of kissing him hello or goodbye while half asleep. But then, the next day it goes right back. I'm praying that things will change soon, because I don't know how much more I can take of seeing him only on the weekends.

This week has dragged on long enough and I'm ready to relax with some friends at happy hour with a margarita or two.

Re-Visit

Facebook seems to have replaced my blogging. But I miss writing, so I'm going to try to ramp up over here.

In February, we celebrated Patrick's last birthday of his twenties by sending him off with a couple of our guy friends to play some golf while I attended a baby shower. Lots of golf balls were lost and lots of onesies were unwrapped. We then headed down to New Braunfels for dinner at The Gristmill and a Bob Schneider show at the historic Gruene Hall. And as excited as I was to finally get to see a show there, I don't know if I'll ever go back. I guess I'm spoiled by Austin's no smoking laws.

Early in March, after hearing some horribly sad news about a friend, a couple friends and I decided to take a self defense course. I had always wanted to learn how to defend myself in case something should happen, but it wasn't until Sabrina's death that I finally took the step to doing so, she was my catalyst. I still can't imagine what her close friends, family and husband went through and are still dealing with. I didn't take the class just for myself, but also in her honor.

From R.A.D.

Because of some crazy coincedence, we got to spend the last two weekends in March with my sister and her boyfriend Hagan. They came down here for a wedding and then a few days later, we went up to New York to celebrate our niece's 2nd birthday. That's probably the most time I've spent with Rachael since I lived in Arlington! I really enjoyed it and I'm loving that our relationship has grown into friendship instead of just being familial.

We got a behind-the-scenes tour of Food Network courtesy of Rachael, watched our good friend Emily knock a plant over, spied on Guy Fieri preparing for a taping, and ate some of the best food at Tom Colicchio's Halfsteak at Craftsteak. Lots of wine, food and catching up seems to make up most of our time in The City.

From New York Trip - Food Network

Our good friends Brandi and Chris, trekked down to the Big Apple with their one year old in tow to meet us while we were on their side of the country. Pizza, subway rides, bagels and dinosaurs later, we had to bid farewell. It was so good to see them and I'm hoping that another two years don't pass before it happens again.

From New York Trip - Brandi, Chris & Austin

The last day we were in New York, we got to dancey dance with our niece Sophie, a few of her best two year old friends and a bunch of their respective adults. We ate sweet-and-salty cupcakes that I am still craving and laughed at the the adorableness that are two year olds.

From New York Trip - Sophie's Birthday

I hope that I get to see more of our New York families and friends in the near future. Patrick and I do have a 5-10 year plan to have everyone living here in Austin. Just so you know!

What's in a Name?

Growing up, I have never had 7 people in one of my classes with the same name is me. When someone called out "Ruth Ann", I knew that they were trying to get my attention and not the person next to me.

So, when my hairstylist asked if my husband had come in the day before for a cut, you can imagine my confusion, because if you haven't seen Patrick in a few years, well, he shaves his head. After showing Jim (my stylist) a picture of the two of us, he shook his head and confirmed that No, that wasn't him. But mystery guy had a wife named Ruth Ann, so he thought what were the odds that is wasn't me?

And when I heard two girls sitting in front of me at church say my name, Patrick and I looked at each other with confused looks wondering if we heard correctly. I started studying their facing, wondering if I had met them before. Then, that point in the service came where we greeted the people around us and they laughed when I said my name because it was the same as their roommate.

It's always interesting when I meet someone with my name or has a friend/relative with my name. That is, unless it's their grandma or great aunt. But, either way, I always get a reaction!

The New Year

A new year has rolled in since the last time I posted. A New Year, a New President(!!!) and LOST is back on TV. So far, so good.

We spent the weekend in Houston, getting to celebrate the marriage of two of our friends. "A great story of perseverance," is one of the quotes I heard describing the groom's courting of his bride. They were beautiful, and we had fun toasting to the new married couple. Lots of dancing with little kiddos and skirting questions of our future little ones.

I wish I could show off the beautiful bride, or the happy groom, or the adorable kids our friends have, but unfortunately, I learned a crappy lesson this weekend. Don't go 6 months without backing up any of your photos, because Murphy's Law states, "Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong." It may not be immediate, but eventually, Murphy will catch up with you. Someone picked up our camera with way too many pictures stored on it. Hopefully it was an accident and it will be returned soon, but I have a sinking feeling that our fun little Casio is long gone. I guess we'll find out in the next few days.

I've signed up to volunteer with SXSW for the first time and tonight I'm heading down to the volunteer call to see what positions are still available. So, we'll see....it's been 5 years since I've worked a festival and I don't know if anything can live up to Sundance, or Cannes before that, but I'm looking forward to being around the artsy types again.

The Next Day

As I left Patrick's office last night, I turned my key in the ignition and Barack Obama's voice filled my car. "We have come so far...but there is so much more to do." He spoke of Ann Nixon Cooper and all that she has seen in her century of being on this earth and wondered what the next century will bring. What change will my niece see? What will Patrick's and my children be able to celebrate? Will bans on gay marriage finally be viewed as a horrible injustice the way we now view racism and slavery? I hope and pray that we continue to work towards building a nation not on hate, but on love.

Once Patrick got back home, we popped open a bottle of champagne and toasted to our new President-Elect and to our future.

Yes we can!

Barack the Vote!!

I'm so happy to post that Barack Obama is the new President Elect!!! Amazing. Simply amazing. Patrick and I were driving from Flying Saucer back to his office when my Mom called at 10:00pm with the exciting news. I guess NBC had called it because NPR hadn't announced it quite yet. And as we were talking they finally said that the race had been called.

Yay!!! Go Obama!!

Yes We Can!

I'm getting anxious about the outcome tonight but am hoping and praying for the best! If you still haven't voted, get out there before the polls close! What are you waiting for??

The last time I watched this video was back in March, and it still sends a chill down my back and brings a tear to my eye.

Community

Over the past month and a half Patrick and I started going to a new church that meets in a high school gym. I was a little skeptical at first, but after hearing 4 different people talk about this church and how incredible the pastor is, I really wanted to check it out. It seemed that Patrick and I had been in a rut as far as churches go. We got frustrated with the one that we had been attending, because half of the congregation would leave before the benediction, I'm guessing so that they could beat the traffic out and arrive that much earlier at Chili's. We've checked out a few other churches in the area, but they seem to either be "cotton candy" religion, have horrible music, have no one our age or even under the age of 65, or we just plain felt out of place.

So after a friend from high school, a friend from college, a friend of another friend, and a local photographer all have mentioned attending this church and how amazing it was, I knew that something was happening there and I wanted to find out what that was.

After that first Sunday visiting The Stone, I knew I had found a home. But since Patrick is Catholic and I am Protestant, we don't always seem to agree on these types of things. But this church is different and it's calling us both to build a community here.

They have been renting a meeting space at Austin High for a few years now, but they recently bought a piece of land in a community that is a stone's throw away from Patrick's office. This is a neighborhood that is in desperate need of hope, love, shelter, and a place that could help them get back up on their feet. It's a rough neighborhood, plain and simple, but The Stone is wanting to turn that around and be a church for this city and for this community in particular.

I've never been a part of a church that has their heart broken for people like this. It has always just been a safe, easy place to go on Sundays. But this, this is a whole 'nother animal. And I am completely loving it.

Vote!

Friday is that last day of early voting so Go Vote!!


The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

Hook 'em!

The Golden Hat

What an exciting game! Go Horns!!

Patrick and I got together with some friends for an at-home-version of UT vs OU Weekend. It was a fried food bonanza, highlighted by mimosas (since it was an 11am kickoff) and beer. Fried Pickles, Fried Plaintains, Hot 'n Crunchy Fried Chicken, Fried Okra, Fried Grilled Cheese, Fried Snickers...and despite my body punishing me the rest of the day, all was so yummy! I think this was one of the first times we went to Alamo Drafthouse and only ordered a couple of waters and sodas...we needed a break from all the alcohol and fried goodness.

Fact Check!

We now have less than a month until our nation elects new leaders. But before you cast your vote, either during early voting or on November 4th, PLEASE go spend some time on Fact Check. There has been so much spin put on every statement that every candidate says and every ad that has been put out there. I've heard a lot of misleading half-truths and without doing a little bit of reading, you could be voting for someone with whom you don't really agree. Be an informed voter, and find out the truth behind the candidates' statements, voting records, health care plans, and visions for our country.

And after doing all your research, sit back and enjoy these videos.

Register to Vote

Today (October 6th) is the last day you can register to vote, at least in the state of Texas. Make sure all your information is in order!!

Help Save the Boobies!

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please check out the Army of Women website, FAQs here. They need women to volunteer for breast cancer research to try to figure out how it starts and how to stop it. It may just be as simple as donating a sample of blood or swabbing your mouth for saliva. So, women of all ages and backgrounds: join me and sign up!

A Page is Turned

Three years ago yesterday, Patrick and I exchanged vows, rings, and promised to love each other for the rest of our lives. And I probably will say this each year, but I can't believe how fast it has gone by already.

Happy Anniversary honey! "I will always love you, I will never leave you, I will always take care of you."

In other news, this is where we will be Saturday afternoon:

Can't wait! It's been 6 years since we have been to a game, so I'm so excited to return! If anyone else is going or is tailgating, let me know, we'd love to meet up!

Ike

I have started to write so many times about the horror that is the destruction from Hurricane Ike, and each time, I cannot come up with the words to fully describe my shock, hurt, and sympathy for all those who have been affected. From what I have heard from people who have been to the Gulf Coast and to the Golden Triangle area, things are worse than the media is portraying. Entire communities leveled, some with only the slab of concrete left to mark where their homes once were, others not even that.

Patrick's parents still do not have power, and while that is completely inconvenient and frustrating, they are doing OK. I'm so glad they were safe and were not located closer to downtown Houston, or worse, Galveston. Utilities are being worked on around the clock and slowly, lights are coming on and stores are opening up.

I was at Costco yesterday picking up groceries and tears welled up in my eyes when I saw the pile of donations located at the entrance. Peanut butter, water, tuna, diapers, granola bars, canned goods. Around the store, at least every other person had an least one of those items in their cart, and I'm sure that not all of the people buying diapers had a baby waiting for them at home.

On Saturday, a lot of Austin (including me) was annoyed that we didn't get any of the rain that was supposed to come our way. The UT game was postponed which was unfortunate for people flying in from out of town. And people were cursing the blue, sunny, skies. But I would not have traded any of our annoyances for the horrible things that people elsewhere are dealing with. I am so thankful for the roof over my head, the food in my working refrigerator, the job I still have, and my family and friends that are safe.

Olympics

As much as I am loving watching the Olympics every night till 11pm or 12am, I am so ready for the closing ceremonies. I've barely gotten any sleep over the past two weeks! I seriously love watching all the events, hearing all the Olympians' stories, and cheering on the USA team and many fellow Longhorns. I'm going to miss watching the gymnastics, swimming, diving, beach volleyball and all the others until London 2012.

Giving Thanks

As two of my co-workers had to leave to go be with their parents in a hospital today, I just wanted to thank the Lord that both my parents and Patrick's parents are doing well. For those of you who don't know, Patrick's dad was in the hospital last week for internal bleeding, but was released last Friday once they felt things were under control. I don't believe they ever figured out quite what was going on, but he's doing well now. Please continue to pray for both Mike and Nancy.
We love you!

Chair of My Heritage

After finding out about a little resale shop called Homegirls in Apartment Therapy, Patrick and I spent a Saturday afternoon browsing different shops down Burnet. But we just couldn't stop thinking/talking/lusting after this little "mid-century modern, Danish" chair. We even put it on hold to dream about it for the night. But we knew (Patrick convinced me) that it belonged in our home. And I think the kitties are quite convinced as well.

Chair with back cushion

Chair without back cushion

The Bell Pepper

While waiting in line on opening weekend to see The Dark Knight (which I highly recommend), some friends joined Patrick and I in entering a contest for the FN Dish where you were supposed to send in a picture of an impersonation of the Iron Chef Chairman. Someone you know did end up winning, just check out the end of the slide show and this results page!