Aloha!

Probably no blogging for the next 2 weeks or so. Tomorrow morning we're off to Hawaii! We've had really crazy weeks and both of us are more than ready to get out of New Jersey, relax on a beach somewhere, and drink something fruity. The only part of traveling I don't like is the packing. Last time we went to Hawaii we only wore 1/4 of what we actually packed. I'm hoping that we're a little more realistic this time around.

We'll be back soon ... and with some fun pictures I'm sure.

Aloha!

Nothing to say really

I've thought a few times this week about blogging, but haven't really had much to say this week. Ryan had a stressful week and his tossing and turning kept me awake a couple of nights this week. Mostly, I'm trying to get things together for the 10 days I'll be out of town. We have an audit originally scheduled for next Tuesday that's been postponed until during our vacation ... so I actually have to do more work so someone else can present my material.

In other news, we finally took down our Christmas lights yesterday. We also have a lot of laundry to do before we head away. Yeah Hawaii!

The Elliptical Experience

I had to work a whole 5-day week this week. Same thing next week. I think there's something wrong with that. Especially because Ryan has two more 4-day weeks in a row before our 2-day going to Hawaii week. I want to work for the government. I think we should petition for a 4-day work week ... or at least a 40 hour maximum.

Ryan bought an elliptical machine this week. He's down in the basement now trying to put it together. It has a real lot of pieces. I'm glad he bought it though, since he has a tough time actually getting to the gym. We had a blast shopping for them. We tried out everything from the ones you find at the gym to ones I was afraid I would break if I actually stood on them. We also tried the Gazelle. For anyone who was considering buying one after seeing the infomercial ... don't, just don't. It's wrong on levels I can't even explain.

In other news, our Christmas lights are still up outside the house. Poll: how many of you have taken down your lights? Since about half the houses in our neighborhood still have their lights up I don't feel like the freaky all year Christmas light people yet.

Finally, a weekend to recoup

After 3 weekends away from home (total: 12 days out of town, 6 days home) we finally have a weekend at home this week. Today we didn't leave the house until 7 pm. Ryan finally got the window framing in the office done and I cleaned the house, which was beginning to look like a garage sale. Ahhh, order at last.

We also watched a very disappointing Illini loss to Iowa this afternoon. I suppose we were all surprised to be 15-0, but to Iowa?

The cats seem to be very happy that we didn't abandone them again this weekend. They were super pissed when we got home after skiing. They were so attention starved that they would walk by and rub against our legs but didn't want to be held. They're better now.

Skiing is cool

Spent the long weekend at Elk Mountain in the Poconos. The forecast called for 40s and raining all weekend ... not the ideal skiing weather. Nonetheless, we hopefully headed to the moutain. Our bed and breakfast was lovely, and since it had a hot tub and a kitchenette, we never had to leave. It got colder on Thursday night and Friday we had good, though icy, skiing. On Saturday we got a freak snow storm and about 5 inches of snow. I love skiing in fresh powder. It was a great day. Sunday was good snow as well. We couldn't have asked for better weather.

This trip also pointed out to me that I am terrifically out of skiing shape. My quads burned by the end of each day. We're going to try for at least one more short ski trip this year, although funds will be a bit tight, what with Hawaii and all. Hehe.

I got really used to not working. I had a 5 day weekend for Christmas (thanks United) and a 4 day weekend for New Years. This week has been brutal. At least it's a nice short week to ease back into work. We leave for Hawaii 3 weeks from today though, so I won't have to get too used to the whole working thing. Yeah vacations!

A call to boycott United

Lack of home = lack of posting. sorry.

Had the world's worst experience with United Airlines this weekend. We had to buy tickets on priceline for this trip because all the tickets to my mom's house were $500 a piece. Friday morning started out auspiciously enough. We got up before the butt crack of dawn and made our way to Philidelphia airport. There was no traffic on the road and we got there in under 45 minutes. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 6:55. We barely made it because there were at least 200 people in line for check in and three open counters, including self-check in (no kidding). Okay, so I can blame that on heavy Christmas travel traffic.

We had a layover in Chicago (yeah, another reason I'm never flying United or purchasing from Priceline again). We got in around 8:30. Our flight was scheduled to leave at 10:10, so we checked the departure time and gate and got some breakfast. (Incidentally, it was yummy). When we meandered back to our gate we found our flight had been delayed until 12:49 pm. 'Scuse me? And why? Because they plane they had was having mechanical problems and so they had to find another plane. Things happen. We bought some magazines and settled in with Newsweek and MarioCart.

Delayed: 1:49
Delayed: 2:13
Delayed: 2:30
Delayed: 2:45

Finally, around 2:30, they load us onto the plane, which had to fly, empty, from Dulles. We get settled in only to hear that we're not going anywhere because the sink in the lavatory won't stop running and they have to get a mechanic to drain the water tank. Sigh. Delayed. The water is drained and the pilot comes on the intercom to tell us that the co-pilot has exceeded his allowable hours and we now have to wait for a new co-pilot. We finally leave O'Hare around 3:45. Touchdown in Memphis: 5:30. Total travel time: 13 hours.

But wait ... it gets better! Before we get on our flight home on Monday we check our flights. The first flight was delayed 1 hour, 15 minutes. Layover time: 1 hour ... last flight of the day. So I call the happy people at United. They want us to get on a plane to O'Hare and spend the night there. I ... don't ... think ... so. The earliest they could get us out Tuesday was 2:30. 'Kay.

Tuesday, all seems to be going smoothly. We get to the airport and check in to find that our flight has been delayed until 3:30. Why? Mechanical problems. AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! The flight leaves at 3:45. We run to our connection and the flight boards in less than 5 minutes. Whew. The one thing United did right the whole weekend was get us home on time Tuesday night.

Every one of our delays was the airline's fault, not the weather's. I will not be flying United again.

3 Things

I got these from another blog I was reading. Now it's your turn!

1. Three things you like about yourself:
I'm a very loyal friend. I stay pretty balanced. I remember every day why I love my husband so much.

2. Three things you don't like about yourself:
I let work get to me. Patience is not one of my virtues. I don't always live my faith like I should.

3. Three parts of your heritage:
English, Cherokee Indian, Okie

4. Three of your everyday essentials:
Chapstick, kisses, downtime

5. Three things you are wearing right now:
Sweater, jeans, socks

6. Three things you want in a relationship:
Love, mutual respect, laughter

7. Two truths and a lie:
I wanted to work for the FBI, I make cookie dough and don't make the cookies, I had my toungue pierced.

8. Three things you can't live without:
Husband, faith, family

9. Three places you'd go on vacation:
Hawaii, Egypt, Australia

10. Three things you just can't do:
Wake up on the first alarm, play basketball, sew

11. Three kids names:
Tucker, Emma, McKenna

12. Three things you want to do before you die:
Live in Hawaii, get my scuba certification, have a family

13. Three things you wanted to do for a living:
Veterinarian, FBI agent, Professor

14. Three ways you are stereotypically a boy:
High maintenance women make me tired, I love college football/basketball, my house is cluttered

15. Three ways you are stereotypically a girl:
I love getting pedicures, I get ice cream and french fry cravings, I love my cats

Like watching hair grow

While most of my day was spent getting things accomplished and being productive, I would rather have spent the last two hours getting my toenails pulled out than how I actually spent it. I was supposed to receiving training on Crystal Reports and querying. Instead, I spent two hours watching a man stumble through a query builder that I already knew how to use. I had the conscience to feel guilty, because he was really a very nice man ... like Mr. Rogers on downers. I didn't, however, have enough conscience to sit through any more of the mind-shrinking. Instead, I said "I think I need some time playing with the software. I'll call if I need anything."

Coming Home!

So I got an email from Ryan yesterday. He's (supposed to be) coming home today. It looks like he'll get off the boat this morning!! I'm so ready for him to be home. My week overall was good and busy, so at least I didn't have a lot of time to mope around the house. I had a follow up meeting with some colleagues and got a lot of questions answered, so that was nice.

You may notice the time on this blog. I should be on my way to work right now. And yet you notice I'm not. Why? Well, because nothing is plowed and the main road on my way to work is speed restricted to 35 mph and already peppered with accidents. The snow is supposed to be over by mid-morning, so I figure I'll wait out the worst of it and go in a little late this morning. I usually try to sleep in on mornings like this, but I got up and showered, thinking I would be able to go into work at normal time. So ... I'm awake. It's ok though, I'll get some stuff done around the house.

He's coming home!!!

Stupid boats anyway

Ryan is floating somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean this week. Apparently they needed his expertise with some kind of "safety" testing. Meanwhile, my husband is in the middle of an ocean with no means of communication. While I knew this sucked, I didn't realize how much it sucked until last night. When you have talked to someone every single day for the past 3 or so years, it's very unnerving not to talk to them. It's amazing what a mind can create at 10:47 pm on a school night when you're used to saying "goodnight my love."

Chiminea

So after 2 weeks of going to work with me, we finally got our new Chiminea out of the Pathfinder and put it together. I was a little concerned when I took it out and the instructions said it would take 2-3 hours to assemble. Luckily for me ... my husband's an engineer, so it only took like 4 hours. Kidding, about 30 minutes. We ate s'mores and our butts turned to ice. All in all, a satisfying fire-in-your-backyard kind of moment.

First Christmas lights on our home!

So we got up some Christmas lights today. How do you like our tchotchke Christmas trees? They're no bloated blow up Santas, but hey, we do what we can. Here's my recommendation for anyone considering these "valance" lights. Don't. Just don't. They are a huge pain to unwind, and as you can see, have a mind of their own. We're hoping that with time and gravity they'll hang out and look better. If not, well, Christmas is the season for dumb looking decorations.

Makes our neighborhood seem tame

How would you like to live across from this guy?

http://www.snopes.com/photos/arts/xmaslights.asp

No comment

Seriously, none needed.

Unexplainable phenomenon

Now this is a phenomenon I really don't understand. Is this some strange East Coast "must stand out" ritual or does this happen in other areas of the country as well? Every season (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and now Christmas) we've been treated to the bloated faces of our season favorites.

I thought at first it was just one or two families. No, there are a lot of people in our neighborhood who think that blow up lawn art are the raison du jour. Maybe I'm the one who doesn't get it.

Kitten Update

Now that they're older, they aren't nearly so innocent and cute. Elf is a contortionist. He is also well acquainted with Ryan's water bottle. The cat will actually get into the shower with us. I think there is something tragically wrong with him.

Immigration

Ryan and I have gotten hooked on the "Current" television station, broadcasted by google. It shows random documentaries sent in by viewers. It's really an interesting channel. You see everything from a white guy getting a hair cut in a black barber shop to race riots in France.

One of the shorts from tonight was about illegal immigration from the Mexican border. These people are so desparate and are trying to get to the US only to support themselves and their families. While I don't think that people should circumvent the laws and enter the country illegally, I truly don't understand why it's so difficult to get into this country legally. These are people who are willing to do any job, desparately struggling to survive. It makes our everyday struggles seem microscopic in comparison.

Freakishly Warm Day

Today was in the 70s. Are you kidding me? I remember snow on many of my birthdays growing up (which was over 2 weeks ago). I love this! Of course, it needs to get cold in a hurry. We made plans to go skiing over New Year's weekend, but as of right now, the slope isn't open. We're traveling 3 weekends in a row. The 16/17 is Cathy's graduation (happy graduation Cathy!). We're going to my mom's for Christmas and then we're off to the Poconos for 4 days of skiing.

Black Friday

So Ryan and I went shopping on Black Friday this year (apparently, we also lost our mind). Actually, it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. Aside from walking a long way from our parking spot, we only waited in a long line once. The nice part is that we probably got almost half our shopping done in one day.

Sorry not much writing lately. Nothing really interesting has happened lately. We finally got shutters up on the house. I'll post pictures later. Ryan is also framing out the two windows in our office and we're finally painting it. It'll be a lovely blueish grey color.

I think we should have 4 day weekends every week. Work would be much cooler if I only went 3 days a week. Sigh.

Banzai!

My 26th birthday was mostly uneventful ... which I suppose is a good thing. Ryan made it home from his business trip a day early, so was actually home for my birthday (good husband!) We went to Banzai, a Japanese Steakhouse, for dinner. As they usually are, it was a good time. The first time we went there we had a cook who gave out Saki shots if you caught the zucchini in your mouth, said something funny, or generally looked in his direction. His catch phrase? "Waaassaaaabbbiiiii." Our guy on Thursday was fun ... but no Saki shot guy.

It's strange to be 26. Ryan and I decided that you don't hit your late 20s until 28 ... but it's still kind of a surreal age for me. Everyone at work talks about what a baby I am and yet I look at my or Ryan's sister and think how grown up we are. Not old ... just grown up. Our daily dialouge with friends and family is about careers, home projects and children. Autumn is due any day now. She's having a baby. It's strangely comforting knowing that I am able to support myself, own a house, and make adult decisions. I wake up every day next to my husband and thank the Lord for him. Then as I go about my day I realize that I'm married. Someday I'm going to be the parent. I wonder if anyone ever really feels like the grown up. I sure don't.

Tomorrow I leave for another business trip. I'm one of those people. Those traveling people. I watch my frequent flier miles and buy travel pillows. I do almost all of my clothes shopping on business travel (not one of Ryan's favorite activities). I have colleagues. They think I'm a grown up too.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about when I met Ryan, almost 9 years ago. We were 17 and even then we knew we met too soon. Now, 9 years later that 17 year old boy is my husband. I don't know that I pictured our life today when I was 17, but I don't think anything I pictured could have touched the reality of my life today. I think the moral of this story is that 26 is going to be a good year.