Keepin' it Real since 1981

As you can tell, August is a busy month for our little family of two. And yesterday was one of the best days of the month because Regan had a birthday! 

We celebrated with some presents, a trip to the gym, a stop at Fresh Market to pick up some gourmet food, and some Olympics. We topped the night off by having some friends over for cheesecake + cherry topping.  (I got the recipe from Martha Stewart and it turned out pretty good, esp. for how easy it was.)

Happy B-day Regan. I'm glad you were born. 

Guess who's back?

Welcome back,  welcome back, welcome back!

Hahahaha. This picture cracks me up every time I look at it. 

And yes, I am bored at work today. 

And yes, I have had FAR too much time on my hands this week. 

And yes, I do need to work on my photoshop skills. 

But you get the point. Enjoy!

Best Two Years

This song came on as I drove to work today. Naturally, I blasted it for my entire commute. Too bad my commute only lasted 2/3 of the way through the song. I looked it up once I got into my cubicle this morning because I thought it was a good theme song for the day. (And you know I can't resist a good theme song on Repeat. Especially since I've been working on my 'moves' in my Zumba class at the gym... LOVE that class.)

Because, (drum roll please) as of today, Regan and I have officially been married for two years. HOW CRAZY! I feel like I blinked my eyes and here we are. Although the time has flown by, I can't believe all that has changed in our lives.

On our anniversary last year we pulled into our new town at 10 pm at night and Regan was to start school two days later. We had no idea where we were going to live, what our new city was like, where I would work, etc. The whole thing was definitely scary although a little exciting, too. Little by little we've been making this place feel a little more like home. When I think back to how things have turned out so far for us I am amazed at how blessed we have been in so many ways, probably more than we deserve. I am so grateful that I have Regan in my life and I hope he never leaves me alone for a week again. haha, jk. But I am looking forward to picking him up from the airport tomorrow. 

I think the 2nd year has been even better than the first. Here's to a billion, trillion more!

Sweatin' with the Oldies

I swear Richard Simmons was teaching the class I went to at the gym yesterday. I thought I was going to a class called 'Burnout' but some how I ended up in step aerobics. I've been to all different sorts of classes before but I usually pass on the step aerobics but I decided to give it a go since I was already there and the class was starting. My instructor wasn't wearing the tank top and he didn't exactly have the same hair-do but everything else was spot on.

The entire time I was trying not to laugh as I attempted to V-Step, mambo in the back, travel the world, skip turn, straddle up, straddle down, etc. The class only had 6 people in it and I was by far the youngest and least experienced.

The best part was at the end, when I was putting all of my gear away, the old guy next to me told me not to worry because they had all been doing this for a long time. (I guess he must have noticed that I was a little slow when it comes to learning choreographed moves. Or maybe he just saw me take a pass every time they did the the skip-step. I'm sorry but I just didn't like skipping around my bench!)

While the class was very entertaining, I think I'll try a new yoga class tonight instead.

Three Dog Night had it right

`Cause one IS the loneliest number. This morning (at 5:00 AM) I shipped Regan off to visit his family in UT for a week. Don't worry, I'm not sitting at home bawling my eyes out. (Not yet anyway. heh) I am going to miss having him around for the next 7 days but I am really excited that he gets to go see everyone and maybe get a little Cafe Rio at some point. He deserves a fun trip after all the hard work he has done this past year. I know he is excited to beat everyone at badminton, eat all of his mom's good food, and get reacquainted with the mountains. Have fun in Zion, Regan!

As I crawled back into bed this morning at 5:30 AM I realized the silver lining to my new-found independence. A whole bed to myself without interruption really isn't too bad every once in a while. In fact,  I think I might just use his pillow too.

I've got a few projects on my to-do list while he is gone, including but not limited to: organizing the office (again), doing some light decorating (this one never really goes off my list), staining the coffee table I made in high school, trying out some new classes at the gym, and watching lots and lots of dumb girly movies. Now if only the whole work thing didn't get in the way of all my fun. Siiigh.

ps- nice picture, huh? haha, I've been playing with the camera on my new work computer all morning. I'm IN LOVE with this MacBook Pro.

If you can can can

We went peach picking with my brother Denton and his family a few weeks ago. It was a blast. Now I am just wishing that we had picked more. Highlight of the day: Regan lifted Leo up to pick some peaches off of the highest branch of a tree and she dropped all the peaches on his head. I might be alone in this but I thought it was SO funny.

Then last Saturday we went to Denton's and he taught me how to can. It was so fun, and I am now all about it. I can't wait to have a garden. I'm ready to invest in my very own canner. Or at least I am at the point where I actually have a desire to own one. Who knows how long it will be before I actually bite the bullet. (Remember how long it took me to get a new crock pot after that whole saga?)

Oh, and maybe Regan is the only one who has heard me say that I want a popcorn popper for the last 8 months... but I got one! Turns out my dad had a spare. I could die happy.

4th of July

We missed going to the annual balloon launch in Provo this year but we still had an excellent Independence day. Here we are at the Richmond canal where we went on a little tour of the river district. (Not pictured is me deciding to follow Regan down a grassy hill, taking a fall, and exposing myself to all on this cute little boat. Nice.)
As you can see my mom had a raucous time on the cruise.


Of course we had to get a "girls" picture...notice my mom sporting Regan's shades, I thought it really completed the picture.

After the canal we came back to my parents for a cookout. I attempted to make Regan's mom's layered jigglers. They didn't turn out quite as perfect as her's (surprise) but not too bad for my first attempt, I thought.

Happy Birthday Whitefish!

Update

I found a job. Horray! I can't believe that I found a job so perfect for such a short amount of time. Briefly, I thought I was going to have to go back to NC to work at my real job. (My boss found some work for me, which was totally nice, but I was dreading being there by myself and driving back and forth every weekend.) But, somehow things have a way of working out at the last minute for Regan and me. You'd think we'd be better with the whole patience thing. (We're getting there.)

Actually, I just finished my first week and so far so good. I am "babysitting" for a family that lives like a mile from my parents house. I say "babysitting" in quotes but the family has three girls: twin ten year-olds and a twelve year-old... so its not really babysitting. More like, hanging out, making sure they do their chores, and driving them to whatever fun activity we have planned for the day. It is so much fun. So far we have gone to the pool, ice skating, the library, and the park for a picnic/mini hike. Today is baking day... we are going to walk to the grocery store and then make homemade pizza. I may just decided to never go back to my other job.

Regan's job is going well, too. It sounds like he has gotten to do some cool stuff. Today he is at the prison... he told me not to be too surprised if he doesn't come home. Everyday I am amazed at how different his days are. I am sure it is a welcome change from classes.

Oh, while I'm in the mode of updating, I guess I will mention that I started wearing my retainers again... haha, yes I know you were all dying to know. It was pretty rough the first couple of nights because my teeth have shifted quite a bit... but the jaw pain that I was having has mysteriously disappeared, so that is good. I'm still not any better at talking with them in... but I think I sound THO THO THEXY. I just feel like I am getting so in touch with my middle school past. Hanging out at Skate Nation, wearing retainers, spending lots of time with 5th and 6th graders, etc. (Did I mention that they are also girl scouts? We can REALLY relate.)

We Moved!

Okay, we didn't really move... more like we are on an extended vacation. Except that hopefully we will both be working. Regan started working today for an attorney in Richmond and it sounds like he is going to get a ton of hands-on experience. I'm not positive what I will be doing...still working on that. We moved in with my parents yesterday and we are both excited to be doing something new. And I'm also excited because my parents have cable : )

Of course I am looking forward to my usual stops:

The Byrd Theater. (Though the seats may be slightly uncomfortable, you can't beat a $2 movie... with an opener that features and organist that emerges from beneath the stage!)

The "fancy" Arby's as we like to call it. Yes there is such a thing. And yes, they do have hedges trimmed in the shape of animals in the parking lot. I haven't been back here my last few visits but I feel like it should at least get a shout out on the blog.

Monument Avenue. That's all I have to say about that.

Pony Pasture. It is a rite of passage for all those who come to visit, I think.

My alma mater... gotta stop by good ole Mills E. Godwin. Or at least take a jog on the track...

Stony Point Mall. Okay, this is a picture of some other random child I found on google (scary, I know) but it looks similar to some pics I had of my nieces that got deleted off my computer so I figured it was ok to borrow. Evie turned 3 yesterday so we are having a party at the mall for her today. The fountain at SPM is really fun... for kids, not so much for me. I just like going to Anthropology.

Short Pump Town Center. Its funny that I'm excited for the malls considering I don't have any extra money to spend right now... but it will be nice to have an Apple Store nearby. And of course I always love to stop in at H&M.



Ukropies! I love love love going to Ukrop's any time of the day. Best grocery store ever. (Although, I will say that my Harris Teeter is close in the running b/c it has much better sales.) Except that I think Ukrops is more than Just a grocery store. The cafe has such yummy food and their desserts are my favorite. I tell everyone how great Ukrop's is but you really can't fully appreciate it until you go there yourself.

Wish me luck on my quest to find summer employment!

OBX 2008

We had such a fun time at the beach with my family. It was a major bummer coming home and having to get back to reality. I wish we could go on a permanent vacation.

Some highlights (in no particular order):

1) Probably my favorite conversation of the week was on the first night when I was sitting in the living room with Denton and Leo. Leo was telling me that she liked math and Denton told her she should show me her math skills. Leo said ok and then turned to me and said "Twenty" in this hilarious-dramatic- almost seductive voice. I laughed about it all week long.

2) Burying the kids in the sand... and Regan too! (Sorry, Regan jumped up just before his picture was taken b/c one of the kids accidentally kicked sand into his mouth :)3) Braving the freezing water at the beach. It wasn't so bad by the end of the week, or maybe we just got used to it. Next time we want to bring boogy boards. I know you are dying to see pics of Regan and I at the beach but I couldn't find any of us from and when we went with the kids and although we went several other times, we never brought our camera. We also didn't take our camera when we went to the light house and met some really nice Mennonites. (Also a highlight.) Maybe next time?

4) Making "the best chicken tacos my dad has ever had". I don't have a picture of the tacos but here is Clayton making the salsa.5) Taking the beach cruisers for a spin with Regan (it has been YEARS since I rode a bike and yet I could still do it!) and now I totally want to buy a bike- with a bell and a basket. I do have a picture of me on the bike but I have not uploaded it... I'll have to add that one later. Or maybe you can just imagine it.

6) Playing Big Booty, the strip game, and mafia... ok, not really mafia, I guess... but I felt like I should just put it down to document that we did it. But mostly, just getting to hang out with my crazy family.7) Taking this hilarious picture of Evie during the road rally:
8) Getting to play with all of my nieces and nephews and getting to meet my newest niece, Tess. By the end of the week I was even getting used to waking up that early : )9) Watching Felix try to play anyone and every one at Chess. (Here he is teaching 2 year old Maddox how to play.)10) Girl time.
11) Thanks to Clayton, I realized that I forgot to add "Johns" to the list. Not necessarily the best milkshake I've ever had (although definitely one the of pricier) but getting to hang out with Clayton is always a good time. We went here on Saturday afternoon and by that time most of my family had already started for home. We spent the last afternoon/night hanging out and talking with Denton, Marissa, Clayton and his friends which of course was a nice way to end the very eventful week.
I can't wait for next year's reunion!!

He made it...

Regan officially finished his first year of law school on Wednesday. We are now working on trying to forget the misery that is FINALS. He was relentless when it came to studying and I know that all of his hard work is going to pay off. All I can say is WHEW!! I'm glad it is all over.

This year had flown by, I seriously can't believe how fast it went. But I am grateful to be on to the summer, the beach, and hopefully a lot more free time.

And now the countdown:
Romans Reunion 2008 in 2 days!

If only my car ran on diet cherry seven up...

A few weeks ago I was checking out at Teeter (that's my really clever slang for Harris Teeter, my favorite local grocery store) and after scanning and bagging my loot at the self-checkout I grabbed my receipt and the coupon that prints out at the end when you do self-checkout. The coupons that print out aren't normally that great... but every once in a while there is one worth using. On this particular trip it was for $1 off a Diet 7UP product. I thought that was decent but didn't think of it again until a week later a noticed that the Diet 7UP 2 liters were on sale for a buck... "Awesome, I'm totally going to get a free 2 litler." So I grab it and head to the self-checkout where at the end of my purchase another '$1 off a Diet 7UP product' coupon prints out. "That's kinda funny" I think as I head back to grab another soda, because I figure I might as well.

But is doesn't end there. It keeps printing out every time I "buy" a Diet 7UP! I went back the next day because I had to return the redbox I rented the previous day and I realized that the sale was ending and figured that would be the end of it. And it was... until I looked at the ad yesterday and now diet 7UP is on sale for $0.88. So really, I save about 12 cents on my groceries by choosing to buy soda.

I feel compelled to keep getting them every time I go to Teeter. And I keep thinking that if this keeps up I will never have to spend money on diet 7UP again! The funny thing is, I don't even love the stuff... which is why I discovered that the coupon also works on diet cherry 7Up- which I LOVE.

What's for dinner?

Ever since the demise of our Crockpot (I'll save that story for another post another day...) my dinner routine has been in a slump. I really rely on my crock a lot... it makes my life so easy when I can just dump something in it during my lunch break and have it ready when I get home. Now, it seems like EVERYTHING I ever want to cook needs a crockpot, even though I am sure that I cooked food without it before it "died".

Lately, since I have yet to go and buy another one, it seems like 5 o'clock rolls around before I finally get around to asking, "Sooooo... what do you want for dinner?" Usually Regan responds with either, "Whatever's clever" or "Something good." Thanks. That helps a lot. Not.

For the most part I don't like to be told what to do... but when it comes to dinner sometimes I like a little direction. (But only sometimes. There are PLENTY of times that I tell Regan to get out of my kitchen : ) I get bored trying to come with an exciting idea that is a) inexpensive b) healthy c) not just a variation of the same things we have every week.

Last night I decided that I would have plan today...(one that would mix up my other routine of fixing chicken everyday) which meant that when I went on my lunch break today I would get out some pork chops that we bought at Costco and marinade them the rest of the afternoon. Not exactly a well thought out plan since I didn't really consider what I would marinate them in until we came home for lunch. Luckily, Regan is the master of the kitchen and he helped me devise a plan. Except, even though I decided to follow his plan step-by-step, I'm still a little nervous for the outcome.

The lineup: 1/4 c. Coke zero (I'm just guessing that is about how much I poured in) 1 tbs soy sauce (again these are made up measurements) 2 short squirts of lime juice, three dashes of garlic salt... and I think that's all. I drew the line when he called out to add brown sugar since I am anti mixing the sweets with my meats. All in all, I have to say the concoction didn't smell that good. But, I have faith in Regan's abilities in the kitchen, so I am willing to try it. (I like coke with lime, and I've had soy sauce and lime on chicken... I'm just not committed to them all together.) Who knows... maybe we have a winner on our hands. Only time will tell. But I really just wish that I could have thrown them in my crockpot. Siiigh.

I can only imagine what it will be like when I have to come up with a dinner plan and THEN try to get my kids to eat it. Sorry mom for all those nights that I said, "Chicken and rice? Again? I hate chicken and rice." Or when it was just the two of us, "LEFTOVERS? I hate leftovers. Why don't we just go El Paso tonight?" And I'm even sorrier for the nights that I sat at the table and wouldn't eat my broccoli unless I had some milk to help me swallow it. Because, I actually like chicken and rice now. And broccoli (before if gets cooked too long). And even left overs.

Anyway, I'll keep y'all updated on the results. I know you are all on the edge of your seats. Bon Appetite!

**Warning: this post contains photos that may be too graphic for the weak hearted**

Last Wednesday at about 10pm I got a call from Regan telling me he sprained his ankle. Of course, me being the ever-nurturing wife that I am, (and Regan being the eternal prankster) I responded with, "Oh, really? that's too bad" (just to cover my bases, ya know?) and then quickly added, "Are you lying?"

He wasn't lying.

But, honestly, I wasn't really sure that I believed it until our friend, Andrew, brought home my gimpy husband. He could barely get through the door and to the couch. For the past week he has had to use crutches on and off and a walking cast. He is now hobbling along on his own (or with just the soft brace). Poor guy... that ankle has been through a LOT!

Other than the fact that I didn't really believe him because I thought he was trying to play another one of his April fool's jokes on me (and for some reason I had this gut feeling that he was faking it so he could come home from basketball early with ice cream in hand just to hang out... I swear, I thought I was going to get a hot fudge sundae out of the deal), I think I have been fairly compassionate the past week.

So now, just a few seven days later and we are well on our way to recovery... or at least he is. I will be once I get a nap... taking care of my invalid husband is exhausting!

Here are some pics of the healing process. Just when we think it can't bruise anymore... it gets oh-so-much grosser. Regan seems to think it is cool... meanwhile, I'm just trying to keep back my lunch.

"It Is Possible To Be Both Poor And Happy..."

Seriously.

Okay, okay, I wouldn't consider myself poor. I mean, all of my immediate needs are definitely taken care of (if we are strictly interpreting "needs" that is...) and I really am so grateful for all I have been given. I have so many blessings, many of which I neglect to count each day.

But, I saw that quote while surfing the net and thought it was fitting, especially considering my state of mind, as of late. A few months ago, my mom sent me an article called Enjoy A Richer Life and I have been thinking about it on and off since then. The article talks about how materialistic our society has gotten and how easy it is to get caught up in and how we could all be much happier to step away from it all. When you really start the think about how much society's emphasis on physical possessions (or even worldly experiences) permeates our lives... it is almost overwhelming.

Mostly, I start thinking about this article on a day when my own "needs" start to get overwhelming. I thought it was appropriate to post about today because I have been assembling a very long list of some "want-needs" or in other words, items that I 'want to need'. I thought a post about deciphering the two would keep this material girl at bay. (Do I need to remind you all how long my list was for "If I suddenly became a billionaire"?)

I think I am quick to point fingers at others, whose purchasing power seems to exceed mine, and ignore my own bad tendencies. But really, materialism isn't always about what you have, I think it is a state of mind. Anyone, at any level, can get consumed by the wanting and become starry eyed by the 'looking-up' at what others have, because someone will always have more of something else. I know it isn't bad to want nice things, but I think it can get in the way of some other really important things that we should be doing with with our time, money, and energy. My father-in-law can often be heard reminding us all that "You'll never see a U-haul following a hearse".

I liked this article because it was helpful in making me think about staying grounded amidst all of my "needing". The article ends with a list to help you inventory your life and then improve upon some points you may be lacking in. I thought they were great so I am reposting the list (the actual article goes into more detail and is worth taking a look at):

1. Be aware of your benchmark and comparison points.

2. Resist “parental peer pressure.”

3. Realize there is a price to be paid for living the gospel, and some of it is financial.

4. Refresh your gospel perspective about material possessions.

And now that I feel sufficiently grounded... back to my list!

And the countdown begins...

The semester is winding down... and not a minute to soon! I cannot believe how fast the school year has gone. I can hardly catch my breath... which might be due to the fact that I've been holding it, wishing that it would be summer and playtime again. As Regan has been holing up in the library more and more I am getting ever-more anxious to get the party started.

So, 5 more weeks until we go to Duck, NC with my fam for week-long extravaganza where we will all (yes, all 21 of us) be staying together in the house pictured above. I'm looking forward to the chaos. I mean fun.

Regan finishes with finals the week before so I am sure we will both be ready to celebrate. I'll try to keep my excitement to a dull roar until then.

On a slightly different note, tonight is what I have termed "Monday Movie Night". (Yes, I realize it is not that cool to have a theme night for one... but I like a good theme night.) I signed up on RedBox.com and have been getting coupon codes text to me every Monday for a free movie. I know it is only $1 savings, but it has been great for a) staying entertained even though we don't have cable and b) keeping busy while folding laundry or finishing Bloom orders and c) filling the void since Final's Crackdown 2008 began.

FYI: today's freebie code is JC10LK

Don't you hate it when something is sooo obviously staring you in the face and you just don't see it?

I just got REALLY embarrassed in a classroom at work this morning. The professor asked me to help him connect his computer (something I have done several times for this particular professor in this particular classroom, as well as a million other times in a million different settings.) So, I get down there and couldn't figure it out. Honestly, I had to go get my boss while saying, "I have no idea what is going on" in front of the class. So my boss comes all the way down, looks at it, and pushes one button...which of course fixes the thing. Duh. I felt like an idiot and turned 50 shades of pink. I wanted to dissolve- if only momentarily. Haha, oh well. I tried to play it off but that didn't really work either.

I'm going to hide in my half cubicle for the rest of the day... that's right folks, I only have 1/2 a cubicle to hide in.

Don't you just love Mondays?

The Church of Oprah

I know many of you may gasp as you read this... but I really have a bone to pick with Oprah. I got off work a little early today and was psyched to get to catch a few minutes here and there of her show while I was making dinner. (Although, I was severely disappointed by her show today... more on that later.)

I have read some articles where Oprah is compared to a religious icon and I totally believe that she has sort of become one in her own way. Its almost as if she touches something and it turns to gold. In conversations I, myself, my have even been know to say, "Yeah, I heard it on Oprah" as if that gives whatever topic a sense of finality... because Oprah speaks truth.

I honestly don't know what it is about her that has made her into the empire that she is today. Why is there such a fascination and why do we all give her so much credit? Granted, I know that she does some good in the world. I don't doubt that... but somehow I am uncomfortable with the power society, women especially, have given her.

So, back to today's episode: She had Salma Hayek on talking about her new baby and her "perfect" life with a fiance that she is happy to not marry right away. To her, not getting married meant that she could keep her "power" a little longer. It meant that her true love has to work a little harder each day to keep her. Oprah was just lapping this all up... they agreed that the contract of marriage was overrated... who did they need to prove anything to? Oprah said she had been engaged for 20 years and it has worked for her. Selma went on to say that being apart was better. When she is with her fiance she gives 1oo% to him... when she is away she gives 100% to her career, her baby, and herself... somehow that math didn't add up in my head, but whatever...

There is a great speech from the Heritage website here. One portion of it that I really liked:

In its essence, marriage is a selfless act. It is the act of giving oneself to somebody else and becoming one.

Of course, it is impossible for two people to unite and remain separate. And since the essence of marriage is selflessness in a self-centered society, it faces opposition from today's popular culture.

Would anyone else consider Oprah a wolf in sheep's clothing? That may sound harsh but I think it is an interesting point. I think she does so many good things in the world but I think sometimes there are some half-truths mixed in. I'm not saying that we should all ban Oprah from our DVR (oh, if only I had DVR!) I'm just thinking it would be smart to be savvy to all messages we take in. I don't think we necessarily have to discredit her as a whole because she has some crazy notions... just be mindful that not everything we hear is a fact... just because Oprah speaks it.

Anyway, I thought I'd just spout that out... cause I feel like marriage is really undervalued these days and that is just too bad if you ask me. And, while I'm on the subject, I'd also like to put a plug in for the Proclamation on the Family.

p.s. I hope you are not irrevocably offended that I just talked some smack, marissa!

Welcome Mom!

I've been helping my mom work on creating her own blog and I think that she is finally ready for the big unveiling. So check her out here: http://suziesoda.blogspot.com/

I think she has done a great job at learning how to do some really cool stuff. (You should especially check out all her fun music... she did that all by herself.) Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging Suz!