8:23PM - Time to shoot!

Even though I truly enjoy the rain, I was glad to have a warmer, sunny weekend. Adrian and I spent all day Saturday relaxing. We woke up late and cuddled in bed before getting up, and had a quiet breakfast together. Then our friend Dirk stopped by to ask Adrian for help with a hilarious skit he is working on for work and for his church. Afterwards, we were able to spend some quality time with our furry children.

Tyson is doing very well with his rehabilitation. For those of you who don't know, our younger dog tore his right ACL and the vet wanted to perform a $3,000 surgery to fix it. Luckily, Adrian did some research and discovered a website that could help us. It told us to crate our dog for 8 weeks or so, and then to slowly let him play and go for walks. So, we bought a dog crate and he has been in it continually for 5 weeks now. The only time he is able to get out is to eat and drink, or to go potty. It's so sad to see him in his cage, but I do have to say his leg has shown a dramatic improvement. It was to the point where he would hold his back leg up and not use it at all. Now, he tries to jump and play (even though it's not allowed) and is putting full weight on it while walking or standing. After the 8 weeks, we will slowly begin to allow him to go on very short walks, and then steadily increase his exercise weekly. He will never be back the way he was, but we're hoping he won't need the surgery. Here is a picture of him at Christmas with all of his new toys, as well as a picture of Dixie that we took this weekend. She sure enjoys being out in the sun!

We were going to spend Sunday playing in the snow, but our good neighbors invited us to stay next weekend at their cabin in Arrowhead, so of course we decided to wait! Instead, we were fortunate to spend the day visiting Steph and Tyler at their new place. Sylvie and Philippe drove us down, and we spent the day talking, eating Sushi, and laughing. 

Here is a family photo: (my fave!)

Also, while we were there, Tyler inspired Adrian to do this:

...and this!

Tyler had a BB gun and Adrian and I had so much fun shooting it that he went out today and bought one! So silly, but I was excited when he surprised me with it. We took it to the backyard and shot some stuff for target practice. First up was an empty cereal box. Then, we shook up a soda can and made it explode. Next was an empty milk carton, and last were some balloons! We need to find more things to shoot, but it was fun taking turns with it tonight! So, now both boys can shoot when we visit them next time!

Oh boy.....what fun will we come up with next?

Why not?

Sometimes in life, you just have to ask yourself, "why not?" and do what your heart desires.

I'm home alone again this evening as Adrian is working late (poor guy) and thought I'd do something for myself. I had the opportunity to do the grocery shopping and was so excited! I know it seems like something silly to be excited about, but Adrian doesn't shop the way I do. He just gets the basic requirements to make a meal for dinner. I like to create dinner with all the fixings and think of any and everything that would enhance the meal. I was able to stock up on fruit, yogurt, and meat...YEA! (Adrian usually just gets chicken.) I also bought snacky stuff and juice. I am really glad I went because starting next week my hours will change to 9-6 instead of 10-7, so hopefully I can cook a great dinner.

I also bought myself a bouquet of flowers. I figured someone had to do it, and I love the way a bright colored bouquet of fresh flowers looks on my dining table. I actually bought 2 different types of flowers and arranged them. I like two-toned colored roses, those are my favorite....especially the yellow-orange ones!

Here are the flowers on my dining table.

After putting all the groceries away and placing the flowers on the table, I felt like something sweet. So, I decided to make chocolate chip cookies, (another favorite). I made them bite sized and they look so cute.....and yes they taste SO yummy!

I also made time to post this blog, which is amazing as I usually never have enough time to come on the computer, and next I will finish today off with a nice hot bath and a good book! Yea! And why not?

My Rainy Day

I have been looking forward to this day since around Christmas time! With my work schedule being as hectic as it is, getting home so late each day, I couldn't wait for another day off. I didn't have much planned, as days go by easier for me if I don't have a specific schedule to stick to. I woke up late and lied in bed for a long while listening to the rain pitter-patter on the windows before I actually got up. I wore my jammies for most of the day and didn't do my hair or make-up. I had some tea and stared outside for awhile before I decided to get anything done. I washed our clothes, swept the kitchen floor, played with the dogs, and spent some time online. I finally ordered cute wedding thank-yous, and will be mailing those in March. I figured since it's been so long I'll send them for our 1 year anniversary. I also created a 2010 calendar with our wedding photos for the monthly pictures. I made one for 2009 with our engagement photos and really enjoyed looking at the pictures throughout the year. I still need to create a wedding photo album; maybe I can get to that this coming up weekend. It was nice to cook for a change. I'm sure Adrian was glad to come home to a warm dinner he didn't have to make. I feel bad that he has been the one to constantly make dinner for us, but that is just how it is right now.  I made chicken tortilla soup and salad. I was able to make dessert too! These iced spice cup-cakes are so delicious!

Even though I didn't do anything extraordinary, I really felt like I had the time to do the things I wanted, and it made me feel good. I'm definitely looking forward to my next day off!

Six Days into 2010!

I can't believe how quickly 2009 flew by. Each month, I tried to focus on the days and try to make them go by slower (I don't know how I planned on achieving that), but they just continued to pass by! And now we are on day six of 2010 and I'm wondering if this year will go by as quickly as the last.

Christmas was a lot of fun this year. There were so many people at my Dad's house that it seemed like to place was going to explode with presents at any moment. I like big family gatherings as that is what the holidays are really about, the people. Yes, Adrian and I did receive some amazing gifts this year, but it was spending time with the family that was the greatest gift of all. I was able to meet my new niece Hailey and see some family members who I usually don't spend a whole lot of time with. We had a blast playing Mad libs for hours, and eating good food made everyone happy (or at least their tummies).

New Year's was fun too! .....well, not a first. Adrian and I both worked a half day on New Year's eve, and when we got home Adrian thought our dog had an accident in the garage as there was liquid on the ground. As I got closer to the "accident" I realized we had a bigger issue on our hands. There was a leak coming from our water heater! AGH! Adrian turned the water off to the house and tried calling the builder, but he was out of town (duh), so we just left the water off, packed an over night bag and took our dogs to his parent's house.

We stayed there for New Year's eve and New Year's day. That night his parents took us to La Vie en Rose (a fancy French restaurant) and we ate like kings for Sylvie's birthday. She and Philippe really enjoy going to that place as they have fond memories there and know the owner. After dinner, we went back to their house and watched the ball in NY drop while sipping champagne. It was a quiet evening, but it was perfect. We spent New Year's day with them and two other friends, Dirk and Maria. We went out for lunch and then to the movies. Adrian and I haven't gone to and actual theatre in a long while so it was a nice outing for us. We saw, "Avatar," and I was actually surprised at how good it was. I thought it was going to be another lame Sci-fi flick, but the computer animation was amazing. We also saw it in 3-D, so I'm not sure if that added a lot to the effect, but I would highly recommend that film for anyone who likes action and a great storyline. Although, I laughed a little as the film resembled a cartoon movie I loved as a kid, "Fern Gully." No one else knew about the cartoon, but I swear the storyline is the same. I'll have to get it and have Adrian watch it; it's a good cartoon movie.

I made my New Year's resolution too. I usually don't pick anything outrageous, just something I would like to improve about myself, and something that I think is do-able. This year I hope to stay in touch with family and friends more. Whether it's more phone calls, letters, or visits. I think family and friends are precious gifts and should not be shoved to the side. I know life can be hectic and it is hard to find time for everything and everyone, but family and friends are coming first this year!

Home Alone

So, Adrian is in Hawaii for business this week and I'm home by myself. Although I miss him very much while he's away, I've come to cope with being alone. There are certain things you can do while the hubby is away, such as: shop after work without worrying about the time, take a long bath and read for an hour or longer without feeling guilty, watch what I want to watch on TV, and of course wrap all the Christmas presents!

 If anyone knows me for more than one year, they will quickly come to realize how excited I get around Christmas. I LOVE to wrap Christmas presents! I enjoy every little detail about it: buying the paper, choosing the right ribbon to match, and picking out special ornaments and trinkets to attach to each package. It takes me a long time to wrap all my gifts, and I realize most people don't even notice, but it brings me great joy and satisfaction to give a nicely wrapped gift. My grandmother would always go out of her way to make our presents look so beautiful and unique, that I began to do it myself when I was a teenager. Now it's the thing I enjoy the most....well, I guess not as much as I enjoy watching people open their gift, but it's a close second! 

Here is the first one I did so far. You can't really see much, but it all matches from the paper to the ribbon, branch, and name tag. 

I figured I would get as much done as I can each night before Adrian returns, this way we can spend the weekend time together and the gifts can be finished and under the tree. 

Christmas is here!

Well, at our house anyway. Adrian and I finished decorating the inside and the outside for Christmas. I love getting out all the decorations and remembering when I bought them or who had given them to me.  I bought an ornament for Adrian every year we've been together and it's always fun to look at them and remember where we were in our relationship during that time. I need to buy a wedding one for this year. My favorite new thing this year is the nutcracker on our fireplace mantel. I don't know why, but I love the look of the nutcracker. I also bought the huge book on our mantel this year. It's "The Night Before Christmas," and I would like to have Adrian read it aloud on Christmas Eve and have that be a new holiday tradition. 

 My oldest and fondest memory is the Nativity that used to be my

 grandmother's. She always had it displayed on a table in the formal dining room, but I like to have it under the tree. I know I'm not a very religious person, but I love the story behind it as well as the fact that it is

 something from my grandma. I hope I can keep it in good shape so that I can pass it along to my children one day. Although it is not the nicest Nativity scene I've ever seen, but there is something special about having one passed down. 

Adrian was brave enough again this year to go out on the roof to put up our inflatable snowmen. We were debating whether or not to put lights on the second story, but I still think it would be too dangerous. Adrian would have to hang off the side of the top and staple the lights on in order to do it. I'd rather have him safe then to slide off and break a leg, or worse. We have the big, old school bulbs on our house. Those are my favorite lights. I don't care much for the icicles. 

Here is our huge 9 foot tree. Yes, it is fake, but I like the fact that it doesn't come with bugs and that I don't have to remember to water it! Also, it always makes me sad to see all of the Christmas trees thrown out on the curb after Christmas. This year I decided to decorate it with red poinsettias, red berries, an angel, and all the ornaments we had. Last year we had a Winter Wonderland theme tree with a huge red and white bow on top that also cascaded down the sides, snowy and icicle branches, and only red, white, and silver ornaments. I think it's a lot of fun to change the theme of the tree. I don't know if I could keep up with a new theme each year. Not only is it pricey to buy all of the new things, but also to store everything is a pain. I think I'll switch between last year's tree and this one for now. 

All that is left to do is to wrap up all the gifts I bought and place them under the tree. 

My First Post

Hello everyone!

This is my very first blog post and I owe it all to Lindsey, who told me for a long time to get off Myspace and Facebook and start blogging. I didn't quite understand the difference until just recently. A few weeks ago, Adrian and I finished our backyard and I was so excited and wanted to share the news with everyone, so I uploaded some photos on my Facebook. Within a few minutes, my post was not even on the posting page as there were so many posts added afterwards that it moved mine to the very bottom. Posts from people saying they had finished a load of laundry or some request for a heart charm. I noticed that many of the posts on Facebook were nothing I was interested in reading, and that blogs were more personal and to the point without any egg collections, farm animal collections, or Mafia War invites. So, here I am, sharing my little story, and looking at some nice blog templates. This one will do for now until I can manage to find the time and the patience to upload a better one.