Project 365. Day One-Seventy-Seven: Anatomy of a Nap (Or, ...I Think They May Actually Become Friends)...

Project 365. Day One-Seventy-Six: A Mexican Stand-Off...

Today's Highlights:

1) Did you know Butterfingers are delicious ??? I found out today.
2) Rescuing a Monarch butterfly
3) The first day of my 3rd year of marriage to da Love (Happy 1st day of Year 3 Hunny Bunny!)
4) Seeing Jason and the boys win their softball game!
5) Watching the kittens play tug-o-war with the favorite residential cat toy
6) Being brave enough to try Jell-O again for the first time in 4 yrs (Thanks for giving me courage, Bill Cosby!)
7) Whose Line is it Anyways?
8) Anniversary Cards (Thanks Mom and Auntie Karen! We got both of yours today! We appreciate them!)

Project 365. Day One-Seventy-Five: To Have and To Hold...

Today (the 28th), Jason and I celebrate our 2 year wedding anniversary.

And, after 2 years, this is still one of my favorite wedding pictures b/c the photographer caught us in a moment of pure joy and laughter--the definition of our relationship.



Close-up:



Since I find myself speechless right now, I'll leave you with a quote that perfectly describes our marriage...

"Marriage is an alliance entered into by a man who can't sleep with the window shut, and a woman who can't sleep with the window open."

-George Bernard Shaw

Here's to the next 50 years of you sleeping with the window open and me sleeping under a mountain of blankets. I wouldn't have it any other way.

ISDLY Hubs, I really do.

Project 365. Day One-Seventy-Four: It's the most wonderful time of the year...

This time, 2 years ago, Jason and I were at our wedding rehearsal. It was like this grown-up version of Christmas Eve, except better. I can't believe it's been 2 years !

Now, I'll stop while I'm ahead... afterall, tomorrow is like Christmas (except better) anyways.

Today's Highlights:

1) Ricky's weekend visit
2) The most intense male bonding/cat nap between Hubs and Kitchen Spices (aka Paprika)that I've ever seen
3) ATTENTION: The kitten (Ridley) and the little kitten/little mister/ little sir (Paprika) started PLAYING TOGETHER as of yesterday and have done well all day today !
4) Introducing mom/dad/adam to Paprika
5) Seeing how much Jason likes Paprika
6) Knowing tomorrow is our 2 year anniv.
7) Going to church w/ Ricky and crew
8) Everybody Loves Raymond

Dear Husband, I restrain myself from professing my love for you (and for our marriage) too much here and now b/c ...well...I'd be typing all night and day (and I'd rather save some love-gushing for too-mato). Can you believe it's been TWO YEARS ??? I'm so happy, and honored to be your wife. I still can't believe that someone as wonderful as you, asked me to spend the rest of my life by your side! Since you look forward to our anniv. more than your own birthday (which is incredibly sweet btw), I hope I can make tomorrow as wonderful as you deserve it to be. I cannot thank-you enough for what you've done for my life/our lives. Thanks for being my best friend! Have a extra happy Monday, and Happy Anniv. Eve (that's for tonight) and HAPPY ANNIV. (that's for tomorrow)!!!

--Your honored wife

*It's strange how words seem to lose any element of strength or adequate depth when telling someone how much you love them.

Project 365. Day One-Seventy-Three: Busy weekend//Pretty skies...

A full weekend update, along weekend highlights to come!

Project 365. Day One-Seventy-Two: Sun bathing...

Project 365. Day One-Seventy-One: The new little mister...

So, my Hubs is amazing. Fact.
And, kittens make the world go 'round. Fact.
And, early anniversary presents are awesome. Fact.

We'd talked for a little while about the benefits of Ridley having a friend that she could rough house with that was more her size. And, I' vhbn (sorrry, those typos are curtousey of the little mister) ... I've always loved orange tabbies and black cats (and, I was missing half of that pair :) ). Plus, I've always wanted "sibling" kittens ( or two of the same age that could grow up together).

Consider yourself justified b/c after that list of justifications, you should be!

I'd thought for awhile that IF(if, meaning I didn't think it was a possiblity in the near future) we ever were to get another kitten, I'd want it to be an orange tabby. However, this bundle of fluff's fate wasn't sealed until a certain Swayzzles made us kind of love him, a lot. And then it was hopeless. So, it's kind of Auntie Karen's fault :)

Nonetheless, I'd like to officially introduce you to....

Paprika !



Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!

So far, everyone is doing their best to adjust. I like to think theres a steady stream of progression being made (especially on Ridley's part).

3 bazillion paw prints for further adjusting !

Today's Highlights:

1) I'll give you a hint: it starts with a "Pap" and ends in a "rika"
2) A mid-afternoon rain shower
3) Ridley workin' hard to get to know her new brother
4) Fuzzy's for dinner w/ da Love
5) Trying desperately to make this blog post with the assistance of a kitten (typing, pawing, pouncing, meowing...)
6) Slumbering kitchen spices of the kitten variety laying over my arms while I type my last few sentences
7) Having a husband who loves me endlessly

Additional Facts:

1) The picture was taken with my webcam b/c I didn't have my camera handy
2) The little sir doesn't like holding still for pictures so I have some more blurry ones to post later
3) It has taken me a grand total of 40 mins to get to this point in my post due to all the help I was receiving.
4) Kittens have very warm bodies, and fluffy tails.

Dear Husband, tomorrow is FRIIIIIIIIIIIIIDAY! So, happy letter to you! Thank you for not being allergic to animals and for actually having a love for them. I think I'd go bonkers if you got the sniffles at their sight. Thank you for helping me keep what's "just enough" and whats "too much" nailed down. If we were cheese (silly, right? I don't mean to offend you), we definitly would not be Swiss b/c where I have holes, you fill in the gaps--I like that! You keep my head on straight and when it's a little off kilter, you help me count my loose screws. I'm so thankful for your ability to keep me grounded.

Dear Little Mister Papi, and Riddles McSkittles, keep up the good work! I know it may seem awkward now but, I have high hopes that you guys will be good friends. And, if this isn't the case, humor me.

Dear Auntie Karen, I'm workin' hard on that make-up, and am really enjoying it! I'm also CRAVING one of those magical sammiches from the Newsroom! Please place one in an envelope along with yourself, and Swayzzles, and hit the mail immediately! :)

Dear Husband, who--besides deserving two letters-- needs two b/c I forgot to write your Monday letter.... Do you think that baseball game is still going? Do you think there are still people at the Fuzz watching with tired bums ? Lets become sports announcers together, kay? Love you more than a million boxes of free kittens and puppies!

Project 365. Day One-Seventy: Wordless b/c I'm trying to get my post in before midnight...

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-Nine: Note: I love my husband...

Today's Highlights:

1) Getting an early anniv. present from da Hubs tomorrow. Hint: It's small, fluffy, cute, and goes "meow"!
2) B-dubs for dinner
3) T-Jins for lunch
4) Financial aid offer
5) Got a coke and a smile

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-Eight: Welcome Home...

I loved MN, and I miss it. But, it's nice to have been missed myself, even if it was by the animals :) I just wonder how long it'll be until all the animals return to "normal" (i.e. not wanting to be in our laps, or held 24/7 but just content w/ food and the occasional belly rubs).

Today's Highlights:

1) A nice, long, accidental nap
2) Jason cooking me his innovative Margarita Shrimp Scampi recipe and then a batch of fried bread and butter pickles. SO FRIGGIN' GOOD !! That's right. My husband is AWESOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMME!
3) T.V. time w/ da Hubs

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-Seven: Pretty Skies...

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-Six: Goodbye MN...

A quick thank-you to Auntie Karen/Uncle John/Joe for an amazing trip to the great north. We can't thank-you enough and appreciate everything you all did--can't wait to come back ! We love you!

Off to the aeropuerto!

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-Five: The little mermaid...

Apparently, having a love of mermaids is genetic and I got it from my aunt :)

Today's Highlights:

1) Lunch @ The Newsroom in which we met a mermaid who was keeping up witht he latest headlines...





2) Celia from the MAC counter + MAC magic + the best aunt EVER (thank-you for all my goodies and your thoughtfulness!!)
3) My Michael Buble/Frank Sinatra radio on Pandora surprising me with Israel 'IZ' Kamakawiwo'ole's (y'know that hawaiian dude that plays the ukaleli ?) version of 'Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World'
4) The above being followed by Louis Armstrong's 'What a Wonderful World'. Tryin' to make me cry 'dora (if you knew how sentimental that song is to me you'd understand)?
5) Jason getting done with his conference a little early
6) Dinner @ The Local

P.s. I don't know why the blog has been doing weird things w/ my pictures lately. Sorry.

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-Four: Mac N' Cheese...

Today, Auntie Karen and I stopped by the MAC counter @ Macy's after lunch. Then, magical things happened and I was wearing make-up (done by someone other than me which means there was a whole lot more skill involved).

Observe:





Normally, I wouldn't plaster the blog with my own portrait but, I thought it was necessary in order to show the ooh and ahh. Who knew that eye shadow and what not could do that ? Reminds me of when Jason set-up a make-up lesson for me for Christmas--such a thoughtful one that Hubs of mine. And, such a cool lady, that Auntie Karen. 3 dance breaks for an impromtu re-do of my facial region!

Today's Highlights:

1) A blueberry bagel and cream cheese for breakfast (that da Love so thoughtfully brought up for me from his meeting yesterday)
2) Lunch w/ Auntie Karen @ the Oak Room @ Macy's (is that what it's called Auntie Karen?)
3) Matching stir-fry dishes @ said lunch with light veggies and extra meat (thank-you MN waters/waitresses for being so kind to my innards)
4) Those muffin/bread/top/pillowy/buttery things w/ a side of honeybutter (may your calories stick to my hips and ah-thank-you)
5) MAC counter magic (go see Celia, she's the bomb.com) 4 cheers and sparkley powders for Celia !
6) Reading a book in the bay windows of the hotel room while street musicians played
7) Jason walking into the room telling me he had a present for me ("I won a raffle!") (Thank-you for basing anything you picked up and won on me. I look forward to playing with that neon squishy thing while wearing that hoodie. )
8) Jason trying REALLY hard (and almost succeeding) to distract me while blogging

Dear Husband, I am finding it hard to blog w/ all this excitement over winning raffles. But, I love your excitement and boyish smile. You make my heart skip.

Dear Celia from MAC, please move to TX and be my friend. I will give you a lifetime supply of appreciation if you do my make-up for me everyday.

Dear Auntie Karen, I like going on adventures with you and your use of the term "shimmy and shake, shake" while looking at ruffledy clothing.

Dear Husband, rumor has it, you're INCREDIBLY thoughtful....I think this is more fact than rumor. And, I like how much I hear of people gossiping about your kind-hearted ways. Katie marrying Jason for the win! If you let me be yours forever, I'll give you all my lunch monies. Okay, okay, I'm getting off the blog now--ISDLY!

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-Three: A moment from Cami...

Out of Auntie Karen's family, she's the first to carry on a conversation with you, and likely to get the last word :)

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-Two: "Hey Boo-boo, have you seen my pic-ca-nic bask-it??"

Today's Highlights:

1) Breakfast w/ Joe @ Eddie May's.
2) Playing w/ a magnifying glass @ Uncle John's office.



3) Uncle John packing us the greatest hotel picnic basket EVER. "Oh my gah. This. Is. PHENOMINAL..."


4) Surprising Auntie Karen @ her office.
5) Sitting in the Legends Clubhouse @ Target Field for the Twins game. Thank-you Uncle John, it was awesome !!


6) Seeing a girl get proposed to @ the Twins game.
7) Seeing the Twins Win ! Yay!

Project 365. Day One-Sixty-One: A. Jacks...

Today's Highlights:

1) Relaxed morning w/ Auntie Karen
2) Meeting up w/ Uncle John for a late lunch/early dinner (linner)@ Holy Land (Dear Lebonese culture, thanks for having delicious food)
3) Going on a drive around the country w/ Auntie Karen and Uncle John--gorgeous!
4) Visiting the local apple orchard called Apple Jacks. SO FUN! Loved it, and loved looking around the little store w/ Auntie Karen (Mr. Ceramic Rooster, I look forward to introducing you to our kitchen)
5) Good visit time w/ Auntie Karen, Uncle John, and Joe
6) Watching Auntie Karen's favorite movie (The Majestic) w/ her while the boys and Tank fished
7) Having late night snacks together
8) Having Swayze snuggles at bedtime (Sorry, Auntie Karen)

Project 365. Day One-Sixty: Good Eats, and Sopping Wet Jeans...

Today's Highlights:

1) Spending the day w/ my favorite cousin, Joe
2) Getting to eat the world famous Juicy Lucy @ the 5.8 Club (who doesn't love a burger that oozes cheese?)
3) Going to the MOA (Mall of America) w/ Joe and crew
4) Riding the rides at MOA
5) Getting wetter than a fish swimming in the ocean on the Log Shoot (fault or not, I'm getting you back Joe. Consider this "the 'frisbee' incident of 2010")
6) Seeing the look on Auntie Karen's face upon Joe's explanation of my sopping wet clothes
7) Another delicious meal via Uncle John and Auntie (AWE-tee ...happy Joe?) Karen
8) Playing another rousing round of M.Kart w/ Auntie Karen etc. BEST EXPERIENCE EVERRRRRRRRRRRRR!
9) Getting to know my Uncle/Aunt/Cousin so much better through this trip. I flippin' love them!
10)

Dear Husband, Thanks for letting me wear your size 11 tube socks inside out as slippers this week, there is something oddly comforting about sliding around the house in them. Thanks for being my support system anytime I do anything in the kitchen. You make me feel like a Top Chef and June Clever all at once. Thanks for hanging out w/ my Uncle during various bonding adventures, you've been a good buddy to him and I know he's enjoyed you. Thanks for being so into my family, although I think you + my Uncle + my cousin is a dangerous combo. I'm so thankful for you. You're the fortune in my cookie.

Dear Joe, I love you. We're family. But, that means my threats are full of love so deal with it. Sleep with one eye open. So glad to spend time w/ you no matter how wet, cold, immobile my jeans/clothes made me, I'm glad that we could laugh at my exspence ;) Laughing with you is super fun and an adventure. Watch out for water balloons in the mail.

Dear Auntie Karen, I love this trip. I love the time we've had to get to know eachother better. I love you !

Dear Husband, who deserves two letters, you're my best friend. Wanna grow old together ? Circle yes or YES.

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-Nine: The great north...

*Sorry the picture is sideways...for some reason it really doesn't want to be edited.

MN has been GREAT so far. I think we have retreated to a palm tree-less paradise. Seriously. Auntie Karen/Uncle John's place is gorgeous!!

But, in an attempt not to get too excited before bed, I'll leave it only to highlights rather than a full re-cap (up to this point atleast)...

Yesterday's Highlights:

1) Arriving in MN!
2) Seeing Uncle John / Joe for the 1st time in 6 or more years !
3) Dave's Town Club w/ Auntie Karen, Uncle John, and Joe for dinner
4) A midnight ride through their land / spotting the fire flies w/ Auntie Karen :)
5) Being here and everything it entails!

Today's Highlights:

1) Being held hostage by Cami cat in the downstairs living room, only to have my affections be my ransom.
2) Early morning massages w/ the Swayze (pictured)
3) Spending the morning w/ Auntie Karen, chit chattin', and looking through family pictures
4) Seeing Uncle John's dealership
5) Spending time w/ my favorite cousin Joe (namely, shaming him mercilously at the Wii) "We're family," right Joe ? :)
6) The BEST homemade Lebonese dinner EVER. Thanks Auntie Karen and Uncle John!
7) PLAYING Wii/ MARIO KART W/ AUNTIE KAREN (thank-you for your wall bashing skills! I'd be in 12th place with you any day !)

I love being here more than all the hummus and lamb in the world!

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-Eight: My bologna has a first name, it's O-S-C-A-R...

Well it's 12:30am, so I decided to go ahead and blog for today (Friday) since it's going to be a hectic day SINCE WE LEAVE FOR MN in a few hours ! So it's kind of like two blogs at once, sorta.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Fact: Hot dogs bring forth an undeniable male bond.

Off to MN !!

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-Seven: Fuzzy, wuzzy...

Today's Highlights:

1) Seeing that big Golden (retriever) sitting between those two girls in the back seat of their family car as they drove down the street. The whole family was all grins, including the dog!
2) Lunch w/ the fellas
3) Baja tea and crumpets at the Fuzzy Taco w/ Katie W.
4) Our Fuzzy photo
5) Being accidental twinkies for our dinner date (Seriously, the list of similarities is ever growing between us! No complaint!)
6) Re-experiencing the Trumbucket (okay, that was yesterday's highlight)
7) Leaving for MN TOOOOO-MATO!

* But seriously, who names ANY restaurant "Fuzzy" anything ?? Well, it was yummy nonetheless and not fuzzy in the least!

Dear Husband, Tomorrow we board a plan to northern lands. I couldn't be more excited to go on another adventure with you. I LOVE DISCOVERING LIFE WITH YOU. No matter the worries I pack in my baggage, you always make me feel safe, always. I think you are the kind of guy that fairy tales are written about. And, I love that you love the window seat-- your curiousity keeps my heart thumping. You are the globe to my trotter. Always yours, Wifey.

Dear Auntie Karen, Are you ready ??!! We're practically yours and we couldn't be more excited! Please ask Uncle John to fluff up his mustache and get ready to talk a lot because I kind of, really like his accent, a lot-- it gives my insides a good chuckle :) If I knew any good songs about MN, I'd sing them as we flew in your general direction. Hoorah! Get excited ! --da Neice

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-Six: Why, thank-you rain! // Say hello to my little friend...

...I hope you read the title in a heavy Godfather accent...

Due to all the rain, and we've had a lot over the last couple days, I met a new friend...



Cool, huh? Kiltie and I watched him for awhile in between frisbee throws :)

Today's Highlights:

1) The PERFECT morning rain storm to doze through
2) The PERFECT morning rainy hue poured in from the window blinds while I did chores
3) Please see photo above
4) SYTYCD top ELEVEN (Exciting but how is that going to work out??)
5) So close to the MN trip!

I know it's not Tuesday but, the weather makes it hard for me to resist posting this clip. I sing this, without fail, everytime it even threatens to rain--one of my favorite episodes from when I was little !



Tut, tut!

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-Five: Nacho Dawg...

....this is Nacho Dawg. She's my dog, not yo dawg! :)



A good YouTube Tuesday. I encourage you to take a look-see...

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-Four: It's like paper dolls...

Today's Highlights:

1) An accidental 2-hour nap w/ a kitten as a pillow. Very refreshing and cuddly!
2) Finding out that one of my commonly read blogs is home to a couple Aggies, whoop!
3) Hubs thoughtfully printing out not only the floor plan of our new duplex but tiny little cut-outs of all of our furniture so that I can play around with the floor plan, reminds me of playing w/ paper dolls :)
4) 3 days until MN !

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-Three: Wonderful Weekend...

Weekend Highlight's:

1) Weekend drizzles.



2) Visiting Brother Dave in Houston, eating Perry's, swimming all afternoon, watching the boys play pool bball, kicking butt against the boys in pool bball, grilling shish key-babes for dinner.





3) Freshly rained on nature and stuff after swimming.





4) Pretty Houston skies.



5) Seeing a little bird family.



4) Waking up this morning to play frisbee w/ Kiltie only to discover we had an audience. Do you see her between the trees? We named her Lady :)



Here's a closer look...



5) Happy hour @ Abuelos (that means cheap, good food!).
6) Listening to Jason laugh at Everybody Loves Raymond
7) T-4 days until MN!!
8) Seeing Killers w/ Kim
9) A super great weekend w/ Hubs
10) Drinking coke from a glass bottle

I could go on but, I'll stop :).

Dear Husband, don't forget, you're my hero. Thanks for going on adventures with me even if that's just a trip to Target in the sweltering summer heat. You're the Indiana to my Jones. P.s. I hope you have a really great Monday b/c you deserve it. Just remember, a Jucy Lucy awaits us (okay, me) in MN in only 4 days !! ISDLY!!!

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-Two: Cross-eyed...

Project 365. Day One-Fifty-One: Balloon Action-Shot...

Project 365. Day One-Fifty: Celebrity sightings @ the local buffet...

Dear Husband, I'm so proud that you're the one to have discovered Santa at the E-Star buffet as he enjoyed his vacation and watermelon ("...they don't have those at the North Pole!"). You bring joy to me every single day. I love you more than Santa loves Hawaiian shirts. Looking forward to our weekend together!

[Apologies for the picture not relating but, evidence of Jason's discovery is currently being held hostage on my phone which died and is currently being brought back to life]

Today's Highlights:

1) SANTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA(insert "Elf" quote here)!!
2) Rain storm all day, so refreshing!
3) Rain boots
4) SYTYCD
5) Welcoming the weekend w/ da Hubs

Project 365. Day One-Forty-Nine: Shleepy...

Today's Highlights:

1) 30 mins on the WiiFit. Whoo,whoo!
2) Good company @ the Teriyaki Park for lunch. YUM-O-RAMA.
3) Sharing toasted rav(ioli), and chicken mar(sala) w/ da Hubs
4) Watching the storm roll in
5) SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
6) Listening to the thunder and rain drops as we fall into our slumber :)

D.C. wishes everyone a good night's shleep!

P.s. Auntie Karen-- SO SOON! Whoop! We're excited !

Project 365. Day One-Forty-Eight: Mad...

Jason recently gave me an ITunes gift card (thank you!) and I downloaded this song, "Mad" by Ne-Yo. I fell in love with the song last season on "So You Think You Can Dance?". Here's why:



Happy YouTube Tuesday!

Today's Highlights:

1) Making use of my ITunes gift card
2) Chillin' like a villian w/ ice cream fillin' (w/ da Hubs)
3) New music!!
4) Sour Patch
5) Everybody Loves Raymond
6) Being reminded of this video, yay!