So happy!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Happy Birthday Aidan & Quinn!
Since we don't have children, the cats are considered our babies. Aidan and Quinn turned 4 on September 29th. They got a treat of soft food and couldn't have been happier - if only humans could be that easy!
So happy!
So happy!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
No Room in the Inn
Brian and I decided to make the upstairs of our home more convenient and 'user-friendly' for us. Our guest bedroom was rarely used and was jam packed with a king size bed, a bedside table, a treadmill, a soloflex, a glider, and a keyboard. The bed and table are now gone and a loveseat has replaced them. There is now plenty of room for us to work out in there, and as we all know, we need it!
In addition to the guestroom conversion, my home office is now in the loft area and Brian has the 3rd bedroom/office all to himself. We eventually want to convert the attic space into his office, but this is a solution until we can afford to have the conversion done. I love my new loft space and I think Brian is going to enjoy having that room all to himself.
Workout Room
New Loft Office
In addition to the guestroom conversion, my home office is now in the loft area and Brian has the 3rd bedroom/office all to himself. We eventually want to convert the attic space into his office, but this is a solution until we can afford to have the conversion done. I love my new loft space and I think Brian is going to enjoy having that room all to himself.
Workout Room
New Loft Office
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Sushi & Photography
Brian and I attended the closing night of a friend's gallery showing at the Kettle Art Gallery in Deep Ellum. The show's title was "A Decade of Texas Music Photography by Jason Janik" and all of the proceeds went to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
We started the night at Deep Sushi with the Janik's and their friends and family. I had to have the Ahi Tower, which I order every time - yes, it's that good! After stuffing ourselves on sushi and dessert we walked over to the art gallery and viewed Jason's work. He's so super talented that it's hard to describe just how good he is. Check out his website at www.janikphoto.com (Brian redesigned it for the showing).
The Group at Deep Sushi
Jason & Julie Janik
The Ahi Tower (Look at the mischievious grin on Brian's face!)
Gallery Showing
We started the night at Deep Sushi with the Janik's and their friends and family. I had to have the Ahi Tower, which I order every time - yes, it's that good! After stuffing ourselves on sushi and dessert we walked over to the art gallery and viewed Jason's work. He's so super talented that it's hard to describe just how good he is. Check out his website at www.janikphoto.com (Brian redesigned it for the showing).
The Group at Deep Sushi
Jason & Julie Janik
The Ahi Tower (Look at the mischievious grin on Brian's face!)
Gallery Showing
Thursday, September 11, 2008
New York - 1st Anniversary Trip
Brian and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary in New York City. We were there for 4 days and had a FABULOUS time! I've posted a ton of pictures below and have thrown in my comments throughout.
Times Square
Times Square
Radio City Music Hall
Rockefeller Center
Madison Square Garden
The infamous "Naked Cowboy" (He's not really naked, thank goodness!)
Late Show Studio
We visited the Sardis bar and had a couple of drinks after seeing "Wicked" on Broadway. Sardis is famous for being a popular spot for movie stars many years ago.
Grant's Tomb
Guggenheim Museum
The Met
Main Entrance to Central Park
WICKED
I fell in love with the musical "Wicked" about 3 years ago when I saw it performed in Dallas. I've now seen it 3 times and when it shows in San Antonio next year I will be there! I created a Bucket List after watching the movie with the same name. For anyone who doesn't know what a bucket list is, it's a list of things that you want to do before you die. Seeing Wicked on Broadway was #2 on my list and I am proud to say that I've scratched off my first bucket list item. We bought tickets to "Behind the Emerald Curtain", which is a behind-the-scenes look at "Wicked". Before the event started, we were able to walk around the display floor that had costumes of previous cast members, props, etc. It was hosted by 2 cast members of Wicked who took us through the entire process of a broadway production. I was able to get pictures and autographs of both cast members before we left. I think going to this helped in getting Brian more interested in seeing Wicked, which I was happy about. The following pictures are mostly of me at the Behind the Emerald Curtain and in front of the theatre.
Idina Menzel's Costume (Idina was the original cast member who played Elphaba - the Wicked Witch of the West).
Original Cast Member Sean McCourt
Cast Member Tony Galde
Wicked Poster
My best "OH MY" impression (see sign above me)
In the theatre before the show
I can't even describe how awesome the show was and even Brian liked it. I caught him in a moment of weakness and asked if he'd be willing to see another Broadway show, which he agreed to! The other show that we went to was Monty Python's "Spamalot" starring Drew Lache (winner of Dancing with the Stars) and Stephen Collins (of 7th Heaven fame). The show was hillarious and I've already ordered the soundtrack!
Waiting to go in the theatre...
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
Look at how tall it is!
At the top
Incredible
Can you see the Statue of Liberty on the right?
We couldn't go to New York without visiting the site of the World Trade Center and St. Paul's Chapel that is located across the street from the site. It's not escaped my notice that I post these New York photos on the 7th anniversary of this tragedy.
The sign says it all
Memorial Alter in St. Paul's Chapel
A fire rescue uniform worn during the search and rescue efforts
Lots of construction on the site
Our last night in New York was also our anniversary. We went on a fabulous dinner cruise aboard the Bateaux New York. Brian reserved a private table for us and had roses and champagne waiting when we arrived. We cruised the harbor and were able to see the Statue of Liberty and the "Waterfalls", which were real waterfalls created by an artist and shown along the harbor. I took pictures, but they were so dark that I couldn't post them on here. There are a couple of dark pictures on here, but hopefully you'll be able to see them.
New York skyline behind us
The amazing skyline - so awesome in person!
The Statue of Liberty
Times Square
Times Square
Radio City Music Hall
Rockefeller Center
Madison Square Garden
The infamous "Naked Cowboy" (He's not really naked, thank goodness!)
Late Show Studio
We visited the Sardis bar and had a couple of drinks after seeing "Wicked" on Broadway. Sardis is famous for being a popular spot for movie stars many years ago.
Grant's Tomb
Guggenheim Museum
The Met
Main Entrance to Central Park
WICKED
I fell in love with the musical "Wicked" about 3 years ago when I saw it performed in Dallas. I've now seen it 3 times and when it shows in San Antonio next year I will be there! I created a Bucket List after watching the movie with the same name. For anyone who doesn't know what a bucket list is, it's a list of things that you want to do before you die. Seeing Wicked on Broadway was #2 on my list and I am proud to say that I've scratched off my first bucket list item. We bought tickets to "Behind the Emerald Curtain", which is a behind-the-scenes look at "Wicked". Before the event started, we were able to walk around the display floor that had costumes of previous cast members, props, etc. It was hosted by 2 cast members of Wicked who took us through the entire process of a broadway production. I was able to get pictures and autographs of both cast members before we left. I think going to this helped in getting Brian more interested in seeing Wicked, which I was happy about. The following pictures are mostly of me at the Behind the Emerald Curtain and in front of the theatre.
Idina Menzel's Costume (Idina was the original cast member who played Elphaba - the Wicked Witch of the West).
Original Cast Member Sean McCourt
Cast Member Tony Galde
Wicked Poster
My best "OH MY" impression (see sign above me)
In the theatre before the show
I can't even describe how awesome the show was and even Brian liked it. I caught him in a moment of weakness and asked if he'd be willing to see another Broadway show, which he agreed to! The other show that we went to was Monty Python's "Spamalot" starring Drew Lache (winner of Dancing with the Stars) and Stephen Collins (of 7th Heaven fame). The show was hillarious and I've already ordered the soundtrack!
Waiting to go in the theatre...
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
Look at how tall it is!
At the top
Incredible
Can you see the Statue of Liberty on the right?
We couldn't go to New York without visiting the site of the World Trade Center and St. Paul's Chapel that is located across the street from the site. It's not escaped my notice that I post these New York photos on the 7th anniversary of this tragedy.
The sign says it all
Memorial Alter in St. Paul's Chapel
A fire rescue uniform worn during the search and rescue efforts
Lots of construction on the site
Our last night in New York was also our anniversary. We went on a fabulous dinner cruise aboard the Bateaux New York. Brian reserved a private table for us and had roses and champagne waiting when we arrived. We cruised the harbor and were able to see the Statue of Liberty and the "Waterfalls", which were real waterfalls created by an artist and shown along the harbor. I took pictures, but they were so dark that I couldn't post them on here. There are a couple of dark pictures on here, but hopefully you'll be able to see them.
New York skyline behind us
The amazing skyline - so awesome in person!
The Statue of Liberty
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Family Reunion 2008
Brian and I arrived in West Virginia on Friday July 25th. We were invited to his cousin Robin's house for dinner. She is married to a great guy and WONDERFUL cook, Jim. He has made dinner for us for 4 years now and every year he makes this vegetable/sausage side dish that is out of this world! This year he made two pots worth and I don't think there was much left over after everyone got a hold of it. I know over the course of the evening I had to have had at least 3-4 servings of it. This year Robin and Jim got me the secret incredient for my birthday so that I could go home and make it myself. The secret ingredient being ham flavoring. Brian recently made it for the first time and it was awesome!
Robin and Jim
Ron, Mary, Dave and Dorothy (Brian's parents and Uncle and Aunt)
Saturday was the family reunion at the local park where we ate, socialized and participated in the raffle. Brian won a couple of prizes this year: a basket filled with home grown vegetables and an old family photo of his dad with his siblings and parents. There was also a hayride, but we opted not to ride this year. The reunion concluded at the family farm where there was a large bonfire to grill hotdogs and marshmellows. There was also roasted corn, which was soooo good.
Brian with his cousins Tracy and Robin
Family
Hayride
Bonfire
Hayride arriving at the farm (Cousin Tracy and his son Jackson)
At the bonfire
We were invited over to Brian's Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Nelson's house for dinner on our final day in West Virginia. Bonnie prepared a wonderful meal of stuffed bell peppers and corn on the cob. Later on Bonnie and Nelson's kids came over along with their children and we all sat around and talked and watched the kids play. Bonnie surprised me and Brian by giving us the "Young Reunion 2007" blanket that she won in the raffle last year. She knew that we really wanted to win it last year and again this year (Brian's cousin Julie won it this year). She said that we could have it since she hadn't used it since she won it and also because Brian is one of the last in the family to carry on the Young name. You do not know how EXCITED I was to get that blanket. I use it all the time and it's one of the softest blankets I've ever had. Thanks again Aunt Bonnie!
Brian holding the blanket
Robin and Jim
Ron, Mary, Dave and Dorothy (Brian's parents and Uncle and Aunt)
Saturday was the family reunion at the local park where we ate, socialized and participated in the raffle. Brian won a couple of prizes this year: a basket filled with home grown vegetables and an old family photo of his dad with his siblings and parents. There was also a hayride, but we opted not to ride this year. The reunion concluded at the family farm where there was a large bonfire to grill hotdogs and marshmellows. There was also roasted corn, which was soooo good.
Brian with his cousins Tracy and Robin
Family
Hayride
Bonfire
Hayride arriving at the farm (Cousin Tracy and his son Jackson)
At the bonfire
We were invited over to Brian's Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Nelson's house for dinner on our final day in West Virginia. Bonnie prepared a wonderful meal of stuffed bell peppers and corn on the cob. Later on Bonnie and Nelson's kids came over along with their children and we all sat around and talked and watched the kids play. Bonnie surprised me and Brian by giving us the "Young Reunion 2007" blanket that she won in the raffle last year. She knew that we really wanted to win it last year and again this year (Brian's cousin Julie won it this year). She said that we could have it since she hadn't used it since she won it and also because Brian is one of the last in the family to carry on the Young name. You do not know how EXCITED I was to get that blanket. I use it all the time and it's one of the softest blankets I've ever had. Thanks again Aunt Bonnie!
Brian holding the blanket
Kentucky Birthday
We left for our long drive to West Virginia on my birthday and stopped outside of Louisville, Kentucky for the night. The hotel receptionist suggested a "great Mexican restaurant" just down the street, so we decided to eat there for my birthday dinner. We should have known that Kentucky's idea of great Mexican food is a lot different than a Texan's idea of Mexican food, but we were both so tired from the drive that any food would do at that point. The food was nothing to write home about, but it was better than Mexican Inn, whose idea of chips and salsa is fritos and ketchup!
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