Happy Birthday

This month I turned 31.  After the impressive birthday celebration Chris planned last year, I expected this birthday to pass quietly and without commotion.  That's why I was very surprised to come home from the mall on the eve of my birthday and find several friends waiting to celebrate.  The theme of the evening was Alice in Wonderland, and it was fabulous surprise to find my backyard filled with lights, candles, balloons, and banners!

When it came time for cake and ice cream, I insisted that Chris put 31 candles on my birthday cake.  The result was what appeared to be one large flaming cake and a lake of melted wax.  Aging is hard on everyone, even birthday cakes.

As if a surprise celebration was not enough, Chris made reservations on my actual birthday for us to eat at the only restaurant in the Valley that serves beef wellington.  Beef wellington is steak wrapped in puff pastry, something that Chris and I have wanted to try for a while.  The beef wellington was good, but I discovered that a twice-baked potato wrapped in puff pastry is even better.  This girl prefers vegetables over steak any day, even on her birthday and even when wrapped in puff pastry.

All said, I had an absolutely lovely birthday.  Thank you to Chris and everyone else who made it a special day!

Summer Travels

Only a few weeks into the summer and I have already spent a considerable number of hours on the road.  Over Memorial Day weekend, Chris and I went to Corpus Christi with our friend Brian.  We watched a movie in 3D at the Imax (it was a huge screen), toured the retired aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington (a very patriotic thing to do on Memorial Day), and spent a day at the Texas State aquarium (where I saw teeny, tiny baby jelly fish).

The first weekend of June Chris and I drove to South Padre Island with our friends Gabe and Rachella. The weather was hot, but the water felt so cool and was clear enough that even I went for a swim.

Last weekend, Chris and I drove to Fort Worth to visit the usual suspects.  It was a long trip made bearable by (1) Chris driving while I finished a good book, (2) a quick and expensive stop at Ikea, and (3) two pit stops at Buc-ee's, the largest and cleanest convenience store/gas station I've ever been to.

I love summer traveling, but I am looking forward to a couple of days at home this weekend. 

Potatoes Four Ways

Yesterday I ate potatoes four ways: creamy potato soup, spicy french fries, perfect mashed potatoes, and a twice baked potato wrapped in puff pastry.  It was a good day.

Valley Life

This makes me smile every time I drive by.  Every time.  

Mystery Fruit

One reason Chris and I purchased our house is because it came with mature shade trees.  While we can remove dated finishes inside the house in a relatively short amount of time (theoretically), mature trees take decades of patient growing.

Like the front yard, our backyard has three large trees.  Additionally, in the corner of the back yard sits a smaller, rounder tree with leaves of a different shade, shape, and size.  The tree has an unattractive shape because one side is missing a considerable number of limbs.

Two weeks ago, Chris and I ate Sabbath lunch under the large shade tree nearest the smaller mis-shapen tree in the backyard.  While we ate, we discussed the possibility of removing the mis-shapen tree to make room for a pool.  The plans included sketches and rough measurements.  That poor little tree, no doubt listening to our conversation, responded over the next two weeks by producing several tiny fruits. The couple who sold the house to Chris and I never mentioned anything about a fruit tree in the backyard, which makes me certain that the tree needed a few death threats for motivation.

I can't wait for the fruit to mature and reveal it's identity.  Until then, the pool plans (i.e. daydreams) are on indefinite hold.  I would have a hard time cutting down a good shade tree, much less a good fruit tree, to make room for a silly pool.

Caterpillar Invasion

I have been working hard in my yard for the last two months.  Our little house came with thick grass and big trees but only weeds in the flower beds.  I cleaned out the overgrown weeds in March and  over the next two months, I planted bulbs, bushes, flowers and grasses.  I've watered faithfully, and I'm in a never-ending battle with the summer heat and returning weeds.  It has been a lot of work, which is I why I am very unhappy with the army of small, black, fuzzy caterpillars taking over my yard.  They are very hungry caterpillars, they are having very hungry babies, and they love to eat my plants.  After a week of spraying pesticides, I continue to find caterpillars climbing on the brick or hanging off of the edge of a plant.  Even worse, tonight Chris found this ugly guy crawling across the dining room floor away from the potted plants in the house.  These things are ridiculously hungry!

Seriously, what does a girl have to do to get rid of these pesky plant killers?  

Saturday Night Sillies

The weekend before last, Chris went out of town and left me home alone.  Well, he thought I was alone.  As it turns out, I had a house full of friends ready to play a very aggressive game of spoons.  The end result looked something like this:

Talent Show Silliness

Earlier this month, Chris and I participated in a talent show, and it was so much fun!  Chris, being the talented person that he is, performed a real talent - speed painting.  Because I have video of his painting, I'll spare you a detailed written description and let you watch for yourself.  As you watch, notice how the emcee's tone changes as the picture progresses.  Also, note how sexy my husband is.

After viewing my first posting of this blog entry, Chris informed me that my video does not provide a good view of his painting in its finished state.  As he put it, "You can't use my material if you don't adequately represent it" (or something like that).  I hope he considers this adequately represented.

Unlike Chris, I lack entertaining talent-show talents.  I'm confident that no one wants to watch me write, bake, or fold paper.  Nonetheless, I really wanted to participate in the talent show.  So, I recruited Chris and our friends Gabe and Rachella to learn a mock synchronized swimming routine to be performed to Swan Lake's Valse.  The routine consisted of blue butcher paper stretched across the stage, behind which we crawled around out of view to set up for various formations.  When the music was loud and fast, we jumped up doing big dives or waves of jumping jacks.  When the music was slow, we crossed our fluttering fingers across our chest or laid on our backs while our legs danced above water in unison.  The climax of the act was an ode to Jaws - complete with a shark, a propane tank, and an explosion.

Chris, Gabe, Rachella, and I met four or five times to practice our act in my living room, behind a blanket stretched between a wide walkway.  During one of our practices, a man stopped by the house to notify us that he was removing a nest of killer bees across the street.  He hesitated ringing the door bell upon passing the living room window, hearing our Swan Lake music, and seeing four adults throwing their bodies on the floor in unison.  Needless to say, the synchronized swimming routine does not make sense outside of the talent show context.

On the night of the performance, we wore matching black shorts, white shirts, goggles, and swim caps.  After our first dive behind the butcher paper, we all started laughing.  Yes, we performed with the seriousness excepted of any mock synchronized swimmers, and it was oodles of fun.  Unfortunately, our camera battery died right as we started performing, so I don't have any video of the act.  I do, however, have a picture of everyone in their swimming gear.

Thanks to Gabe and Rachella for joining the team!  Also, a big thank you to our friend Stella who organized the awesome banquet during which we performed.  It was a super fun night!

Chris and I participated in a rainy 5k the morning after the talent show.  Having a car full of talent show props, I pulled out the shark-on-a-stick used during our swimming act and dubbed him my running partner.  He lasted a mile in the rain before turning in to a sagging, soggy mess of paper and cardboard.  He was a real fish-out-of water when taken from the blue butcher paper and immersed in the real thing.

 

August 26, 213: Pictorial Addendum. 

 

Pictures from the Banquet photographer are finally available!  Enjoy!

 

Shark Attack!

It's good to know that Chris has a go-to shark pose, just in case we ever encounter a real, live shark.  

Left: Fiesta, 2012.  Right: Give Love to Haiti 5K, 2013.

New Shoes!

I have never blogged about clothing before, but I like my new shoes so much that I can't resist.   The fact that I found a dress to match the shoes perfectly makes them even better.  I am a very tall woman when I wear these heels, and I like that.

Rainy Beach Day

Today Chris and I went to South Padre Island for a day at the beach with friends.  The men and the kids played in the water and then braved inevitable sand in every crevice of their bodies to build a sandcastle.

Sandcastle with mote detail.

Not pictured above were the grey skies that erupted into thunder, lightening, and rain.  All sandcastle construction halted, and we ran for the car.  Doug ran the fastest, as he is terrified by thunder and lightening even when safely hiding in a kitchen cabinet.

Doug during a thunderstorm in San Antonio.

Driving home in the thunderstorm turned out to be even more exciting than running from the thunderstorm on the beach.  Our friend, who drove us all to the beach in his minivan, was unphased by the heavy rains.  Overcoming minimal visibility, slowing traffic, and large amounts of water, he flipped on his hazard lights and plowed through the rain, wove through cars, and passed several vehicles stopped on the shoulder.  His driving was so confident that he turned his head from the road to converse with Chris several times and at one point, reached one of his arms behind the passenger seat to grab a trash bag barely within his reach.  I considered wearing two seat belts.

We made it home safe in the end, so perhaps I was needlessly nervous throughout the stunt-drive home; or, perhaps I will insist that Chris drive next time.            

Smart Phone Surgery

In January 2009, Chris replaced the screen in my old laptop.  A few months ago, he built his own computer.  This week, he began operations to save his phone.

Although the outcome for the phone is to-be-determined, I admire his tenacity for building and repairing electronics.  The only thing I consistently repair around the house is the dog's leash.

A Gala Evening

Last week Chris and I went to a Gala, also known as a fundraising banquet.  Although we sat at a table with only four other couples, the excessive number of glasses, plates, and utensils on the table made it appear as if at least four times as many people were present.  I understand that a fundraising banquet must achieve a certain level of opulence to earn the title "gala," but doing that by providing dinner guests with a glass for each hand and each foot is just ridiculous.

Luckily, the fundraising cause was in no way as ridiculous as the plethora of dishes littering our table.  After spending two hours learning about the Idea public schools, I have a new respect for education in the Valley.  And the yummy chocolate cake for dessert, with an edible Idea logo, almost made up for the  ridiculousness of the table arrangements.

Weekend Feasting

The theme this weekend was good food, and lots of it.  

Saturday lunch: fish with a Haitian tomato-base sauce; rice with bean sauce; mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, pasta, salad, fresh rolls, banana bread, sweet potato pie, and red velvet ice cream.  

Saturday evening: popcorn with yeast flakes, fruit smoothies, and bread with edamame hummus, black olive mock caviar, and artichoke and cashew cream dip.  

Sunday breakfast: walnut pancakes, strawberries and fresh pineapple, and hot-from-the-oven triple berry muffins. 

Sunday Dinner: Spanish rice, tostadas, and chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and a chocolate-chip cream cheese filling.  

Praise God for times of plenty.  

C.A.R.E. Group

Last Thursday was our final C.A.R.E. group meeting for a few weeks.  C.A.R.E. stands for Christ's Attitude Reflected in Everyone.  We learn how to reflect Christ's attitude the old fashioned way: by studying the bible.  Even Doug joined the group.

We spent the last ten weeks reading Hebrews 11 and the stories of Old Testament characters of faith.  In doing so, we learned the characteristics of faith.

• Faith is the foundation for pleasing God (Hebrews 11: 6, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him").
• Faith does not require perfection (Hebrews 11:31, "By faith the Harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe").
• Faith is an action (Hebrews 11:8, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance).
• Faith is powerful (Hebrews 11: 39, "By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land); 
• Faith is your testimony (Hebrews 11: 39, "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith).
• Faith is simple (Hebrews 11:6, "for he who comes to God must believe that He is), and at the same time, it is complex (Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen").
• Faith is rewarding (Hebrews 11:13, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were ensured of them").

And, on the note of rewards, C.A.R.E. group is also about feasting your stomach and making good friends.  Cheers!

Cow Bell

Last week at Chick-Fil-A, the mascot cow made an appearance.  The cow walked around tables and high-fived swarms of excited kids.  Following the cow was another employee who constantly rang a small cow bell and helped the cow maneuver.  For the first time in my life I thought, "In this scenario, I would prefer to be the person wearing the cow suit."

Beach Day

Family Beach Day

South Padre Sand Dune

Beach Ball

Dirty Beach Dog

La Pulga

Today I went to the one of the biggest flea markets in the Valley.   While parking was free, entrance was a whopping fifty cents a head.  It was a fifty-cents well spent.

In one stall, I found the exact same discman that I used to own in high school, when discmans were at the height of technology.  Seeing the discman brought back so many memories of high school trips in an old bus and16 passenger vans.  

There were a lot of stalls at the flea market selling health and beauty aids, which included a surprising number of prescription medicines.  Need some Viagra?  Looking for a do-it-yourself Depo Provera injection?  Then I know just the flea market for you!

In addition to prescription strength medicine, the flea market offers a barber shop, multiple salons, and even an attorney (who is just steps from a stall selling chickens, ducks, and rabbits).  The flea market really is a one stop shop for all your needs.  One thing I did not need, however, was the Jabon Blanqueador.  I think the only way to make my skin any lighter is to make it transparent.

In the end, the only things Chris and I purchased at the flea market were nachos and a fried spiral potato on a stick.  We considered purchasing a lawn vacuum, excited to learn that such a device exists.   We even witnessed the machine suck-up cigarette butts and cardboard from the asphalt.  

In the end, though, we couldn't even commit to the lawn vacuum.  With all the leaves in our yard (apparently autumn in the Valley happens in March), I think we may regret not taking our chances.

Go Doug Go!

It happened two weeks ago. Doug was in the back yard begging to play fetch. Chris and I were on the patio duly ignoring Doug's requests. Then, in a moment of desperation, Doug turned to his GoDogGo and finally put into action the prior month's training. It was an exciting moment and has since been followed by many exciting moments of independent fetch playing.

As Doug has become more comfortable with his automatic ball launcher, he has learned the noises that the machine makes as launch time becomes closer and closer.  The building anticipation associated with Doug's understanding of the machine's noises causes him to impatiently bark at the machine every single time it winds up and prepares to launch.  I feel sorry for my neighbors but not enough to turn off the machine.

I previously posted a blog in which I estimated that Chris and I may very well throw Doug's ball over 30,000 times if he lives the expected lifespan of a Jack Russell Terrier.  Now, with the GoDogGo, that number has the potential to be significantly less.  I like the sound of that, almost as much as I like the sound of Doug's impatient barking as he wears himself out in the backyard.

Oh So Very Library

I recently rediscovered the public library.  When I'm at the library, I don't feel pressure to find a good book.  Instead, I pick books based on their cover, plot description, and accolades.  If I decide I don't like a book after 30 minutes of reading at home, I can quit reading without feeling guilt for having purchased the book with my own money.  When I find myself interested in a book, however, I am suddenly motivated to finish reading it because I have a set deadline within which I must return it to the library.   So I guess what I'm trying to say is that reading a book borrowed from the library simultaneously frees me from commitment and commits me to rapid reading.