Project 365. Day Two-Eighty-Four: Relax! Go to it!

Question: What are some of the things you do to help you relax?



I'm not a good relaxer--more like a worrier and a doer. But! I do take bubblebaths in the sake of relaxing. Apparently, I take a lot of them b/c the other day da Hubs said to me:

"You're one of the cleanest people I know."

After I thanked him for his compliment, I asked him to elaborate.

"...You take a lot of bubblebaths."

:)

So, what do you do to relax?

My guess is that Auntie Karen will say: "knit"
And, Jason will say: "do nothing"

Am I right?

Now, go relax already!

Project 365. Days Two-Sixty-Three, Two-Sixty-Four, and Two-Sixty-Five: A Preview of the Birthday Blast...

Well, the entire stream of birthday weekend pictures will be up soon...just not tonight. But check out that MONSTER of a cake Jas got me ! Red velvet deliciousness. Mmm!

Weekend Highlights:

1) Turning 24.
2) A girl in my class baking me cookie muffins
3) One of my prof's holding class outside B/C OF MY BIRTHDAY! It was nearly Starbucks until someone in the class convenced her that it "would be too noisey." Whatever. It was awesome!
4) Mi Suera and baby nephew visiting on Friday
5) All of Jason's thoughtfulness (don't worry, I'll elaborate on that later)
6) Family Fiesta Weekend on Saturday. Hey Sam (Houston State), thanks for holding a school wide event for my birthday!
7) Going to my first Bearkat football game w/ my whole fam
8) Talking to Auntie Karen today
9) Hanging out w/ the Brittany M.
10) Being loved, lots.

Okay, that was just a brief preview of all the wonderful events that've occured this weekend. Hopefully, I'll be able to go more into detail in the next day or so assuming that the homework load isn't too heavy. Aye. Real school is hard work.

Anyways, turning 24 has proven to be one of the BEST birthdays I've ever had. Words will probably fail me when I try and explain how great of a weekend I had and how appreciative I am to everyone who was involved (from near and far).

In other news, today is day 265!! Know what that means ??? Only 100 days until I meet my goal for Project 365! Oh and it will also be New Year's Day. But, that's not as important ;)

Oh and keep an ear out for some new and exciting project news!

Okay, I need to get off this thing.

Over and out-o!

Project 365. Day Two-Twelve: KaBOOM...

...That's the sound of my brain exploding. My Spanish final is tomorrow so, I don't really have time to blog elaborately being that....y'know...I need to become fluent over-night.

But, I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed having Fuzzy's with this girl on a study break. And, that this is one of my favorite pictures of us..with a monkey named Eugene.



Anywhoot, I still have a lot more studying to do so here are the first 5 spanish words that pop into my head....

1) El plato fuerte // the main course
2) Tener ganas de // to feel like
3) Sabroso // delicious
4) Picante // spicy hot
5) Ole! // what needs to be said on a regular basis b/c it's a fun word (that's for you Auntie Karen!)

Adios!

Project 365. Day Two-Oh-Nine: "Start the car, man!"...

...D.c. may talk big about how annoying she thinks the little mister is but, she's been had...




She likes him, allegedly.

Facts/Highlights:

1) Happy Shark Week! Chomp, chomp! (Highlight)
2) Took two big loads to the new 'plex (Fact)
3) I hate moving. (FACT)
4) People that make a career out of moving (i.e. Movers), obviously have never been to an amusement park or seen a Disney movie, or had a hug, EVER. (Fact)
5) Bout to go to bed (Highlight)
6) Test #3, Oral Evaluation, and Final all this week (Fact)
7) Only 4 more days of summer school (Highlight)
8) The process of moving makes a person wish they could be tel-o-ported to their Aunt's house in MN (Fact).
9) A person should turn on the car/AC within 30 secs of getting into the car or phrases such as, "start the car, man!" will fly out of one's mouth (Fact).


Dear Husband, You've done a fantastic job this weekend. I'm so very appreciative that you let me sprawl out on our new discounted area rug today to re-charge my batts while you unloaded an entire truckload of stuff. I guess yesterday's boxes wore me out more than I knew. Thanks for looking out for me even when it causes you more sweat. I love you more than you could know. Happy Monday! ....We're almost there...

Over and out.

Project 365. Day Two-Oh-Four: Things that happened today/ Today's Highlights...

1) Went here for lunch (Auntie Karen, you'd be proud...Jason got tabuli (sp?), and enjoyed the flatbread and hummus. He was quoted as saying, "Here, eat this. It's just like we're at your Auntie Karen's in MN")...



2) Aren't these clouds COOL ????




3) I found this lady's lost dog and called her. Then, later in the afternoon, I found this thank-you note from her on our front door! Here's Paprika and his cute self admiring the bird on the card...



4) THEEEEN, best of ALL.... these two came all the way from Conneticut via roadtrip to have a slumber party tonight!!!! THEY ARE THE BEST!!!!!! ("No jalepenos???" "....she was POSSESSED!"). SO good to hug their faces!

Project 365. Day Two-Oh-Two: Life is as full as the mustache you're wearing...

I guess you could say my Uncle has a pretty full life. Ohhhhhhhhhhh! :) I hope you enjoyed that, Auntie Karen. Love that Uncle John of mine :)



Anyways, I've been studying all day for a spanish test so, I thought you should enjoy one of my favorite pics from MN. A little stachey, stache.

Lately, my brain has felt like a dryer with a bunch of tennis balls in it. Today, it's more like a dryer with tennis balls and a sombrero in it. Ole! (Happy Ole to you Auntie Karen!)

Between the packing, meds, school, etc. Jason and I have been juggling what seems to be flamming batones. Whew.

Life--you are a speedy one!

I hope you're enjoying either the slowness or speediness of your life right now. Remember, try to always find a few highlights in your day, no matter what the conditions !

Today's Highlights:

1) Finding out that Rachel (JBean) and Em D. are driving through the area and will be coming for an evening visit on Tuesday! Yay!!!
2) Packing progress being made (THANK-YOU Jason! You've done a really good job! I really appreciate it!)
3) Even though I have a test tomorrow, and a composition Tuesday, I don't have class Friday. Short week !
4) I'm mere minutes away from sleepy time !

Project 365. Day One-Eighty-Two: So, if you were wondering...

...why I missed a post (allegedly), here's why:

In a nutshell, I had a Pouchoscopy done on Thursday which went well (no Pouchitis, yaaaay!). Following the procedure, I began having unusual pain (i.e. it's not the kind of pain you're likely to get after a Pouchoscopy). Originally, we thought it was a combo of gas (since they poof you up w/ so much air and/or my Fibromyalgia so, we weren't too worried about things for awhile. Long story short, the pain hasn't gone away (only flucuated) since Thursday. After speaking with my doctor, he highly encouraged me to go to the ER to get a cat scan just to rule out the possibility of any perforations (perforations = very bad). So, after about 5 hours and 3 doses of various pain killers, it was determined that I did not have any damage to my pouch (yaaaaaaaaaaaay!). The down side to all this is, I'm still having pain, and at this time, no one really knows why(boo). I was given a script for a couple pain killers/smooth muscle relaxant, and we made our dopped-up-on-pain-meds trip home around 3 am.

Being that my Dr. didn't find any problems w/ my Pouch, he has scheduled me to get a Small Bowel Follow-Through tomorrow morning to determine if I a) have Chrohn's Disease or b) have any other undiagnosed issues w/ my small intestines. Never dull right?

My Dr. had already planned to give me a Follow-Through once he saw that my Pouch was in good shape. However, now that I've had constant pain all week, he is even more adamant about me having the Follow-Through tomorrow.

So, in a nutshell, thats whats been going on.

Auntie Karen, I'm sorry I haven't returned your last email regarding my Pouch stuff...I haven't been on the computer or my email very much over the last two days. But, I'll fill you in more via email (thanks for thinking of me, I really appreciate it).

In other news, Paprika is officially Paprika thanks to his fancy new I.D. tag that we got him. Yay!

For now, I gotta get ready for bed...follow-though in the morning and first day of spanish class in the afternoon. Whew!

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-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-Twenty-Eight: Shout Out!...

...to Auntie Karen (since we just got off the phone with eachother)!

We're super excited about our visit to see you next month! Whoop!

[These photos are courtesy of days when I had some serious style]

Mingling with nature, of course...



"My Little Pony"...

[Just so you know Auntie Karen, I remember everything about this day...how huge Fudge(?) was, and how Uncle John plopped me on top of him and taught me that it was ok to hold his mane etc :) ]



P.s. All I'm sayin' is that someone thinks it is pretty cool that you're friends with Jessie Ventura...

T-Minus 1 month!

Project 365. Day Ninety-Four: The Rupert Series Part B...

The band...



The love...



The cooks...



The brother...



The Youtube Tuesday...



*Auntie Karen,

Thanks for always commenting on my posts, I always look forward to reading them!
Can't wait to see you in Juuuuuuuuuuuuuuune!!

Love,
Your favorite niece