Nine Years...

As of today, Ryan and I have been dating/together for nine years. NINE YEARS.

It's hard for me to imagine life without Ryan (how boring that would be!), but that's insane. Deserving of a blog post, for sure. Love you, babe!

(And with as busy as I've been lately, the irony of this blog's title and description is really getting to me. lol.)

Muppets!

I heart the Muppets. And I loved this story. 

Tempting Fate at 28

Tomorrow I turn 28. Like other years when I've been either super excited for or even somewhat dreaded my birthday (or looked for hidden meaning/had an existential crisis), this year is different. I feel very calm with my life and where I am. In fact, I've never felt more sure that I'm doing this dang thing my way, and it's the right way. Shit, have I grown up? Or am I just delusional? OR am I just tempting fate? At 28? (Catchy, eh? Well, it's better than "Oh God, I'm 27.")

This year, I've decided to go with "Tempting Fate at 28" for a number of reasons. First, I feel like for the last 10 months or so, my life has changed dramatically and even though I work really, really hard, it's all totally worth it. FBG is kinda my baby, and Erin is the other parent. Not to mention that I recently landed a new, more rewarding day job where I'm respected, complimented when I do a good job and just generally valued. It rocks.

In addition, Miss Siena has been a joy to have in the house and watch her grow and change. It's really hard to imagine that at this time last year, she was just a fur ball. And while the Nut renovations are by no means complete (failed to meet a lot of these resolutions, whoops, lol), I love our house, and we've made great strides.

I also have the best family and friends possible. From a hot, loving husband to super supportive parents to friends I can't thank the universe enough for, I'm a lucky, lucky gal. Throw Obama in the mix and it's almost too much! [Head exploding with hope and happiness!]

However, I feel like things are only going to get better in 2009. FBG is gonna be bigger and better this year (read: profitable!), Siena might actually stop destroying things and the atrocious daisy wallpaper in the bedroom could get removed. I'm seriously so thankful for every moment and for every person in my life. And at 28, I'm only tempting fate to continue the mad love and grow it.

Since I never did an obligatory New Year's resolution post here, I thought I would do a combo resolutions/new-year-of-life goals to coincide with my birfday. Here goes:

1. You've probably already heard, but I'm vowing to run a 1/2 marathon this year. Running has always been my workout nemesis, and it's going down Saturday, March 28 in Olathe.

2. Eat more local fruits and veggies. The garden will continue and be expanded, as well as Ryan and I's consumption of produce from the KC area. I'm planning to join a CSA and hit up the farmer's market often.

3. Drink less. I love wine, so this one will be challenging. lol.

4. Play more. The computer must be off 30 minutes before bed. No exceptions!

5. Read more novels. I read an ishton on the computer and in the news, but there's nothing better than a good novel. A secondary goal to this is finishing Gone with the Wind. Only 100 more pages to go...

6. Replenish my soul/build creativity. These kind of go hand in hand, but this year I'm gonna love myself up by taking more breaks, doing less, buying less, taking more long baths and watching bad TV when I need to. Life isn't a to-do list. 

So, with that, I embark on 28, renewed, happy and very excited. Bring it fate. Bring it.

(My next post will look at my dream board...how darn near everything I put up there last year happened and what new things I've added to the board for this year. Stay tuned.)

America at Its Best

I just got back from DC, and I had a ridiculously good time. DC definitely had an electric buzz in the air while we were there, and I've never seen our country so darn loving, happy and hopeful. It was amazing.

My trip there was quick, but I laughed a lot, cried (happy tears!) and froze my butt off. Although, Tish, Liz, David and I were unable to be there for the actual inauguration (it's a long story, but basically we all got screwed by gates that never opened, and we weren't the only ones, according to a number of articles, including this one), we did make it home in time to watch it at home all together and I, for sure, felt like I was there. (Chanting "Obama, Obama, Obama" in 13-degree weather at 6:30 am with a few thousand people will do that.) Thankfully, I have video from a little of that.



Along with a quick video of what I do best: Accidentally take video when I'm trying to take a picture. And curse.



For more from the trip, check out my pics here and Tish's pics here. I certainly had a FABULOUS time, and I'll always remember it. Cheesy as it is, I've never felt more proud to be an American. I not only witnessed history, but I got to witness it with some of my best friends. I can't wait to see what our future holds.

Oh, and for a more detailed play-by-play of our trip, check out Tish's post. She got the details yo and has video of us in line! 

A Belated Holiday Card

Each year I say that I'm going to do holiday cards...next year. From college until two Christmases ago, my excuse was that I didn't need to do holiday cards if I wasn't married. And then, last Christmas, I used the craziness of thank-you cards as an excuse. This year? I really have no excuse. So, if you sent me a holiday card and I didn't reciprocate, it's not because I don't love or care about you. I do. It's just that when it comes to cards, I'm lazy. My apologies.

But, I'm posting to make amends. Below is my Christmas card. It's festive, happy and even includes a puppy. You forgive me, right? 

From my crazy, lovable family to yours. 

P.S. Stay tuned for a resolutions/birthday look-back and look-ahead. Plus, how almost all of the dreams on my dream board came true. (Those things really do work!)

Friend Feast and a Belated Anniversary in Lawrence

As if everyone hadn't had enough turkey on Thanksgiving, Ryan and I had the KC peeps over the Sunday after T-Day for what I call "Friend Feast." The name is a little misleading as we didn't feast on friends (ewww), but it was a feast fit for friends. Check the bird:

For the first year, Ryan and I brined our turkey. If you're not familiar with brining it's basically dunking your bird in salty, herby water overnight. We did it in a cooler that was left out over night. Classy!

But, the technique resulted in a really moist, tender and tasty bird. Definitely a repeat. As per the generous nature of our friends, everyone came with tasty dishes and wine galore. AKA: Heaven.


This was also the first year that everyone had a partner for the holidays. Yes, it was a little sickening sweet, and Mike and Katrina decided to emphasize that by dressing alike. How cute.


Here we are before the meal. Unfortunately, no pics after, but just imagine us full and groaning. You know, a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Last weekend, Ryan and I celebrated a belated anniversary in Lawrence. Isn't it just lovely? We were totally wrapped up in nostalgia from Ryan's grad school days.


We ate at Free State Brewery for a lovely lunch and beer, did some shopping on Mass and just generally got away. It was fantastic.

We stayed at the historic Hotel Eldridge and loved it. The staff was nice, the rooms were clean and spacious and it was quiet. Even on a Saturday night.

No mint on the pillow, but that's okay.

Granted the view wasn't much, but whatev. 

Before out night of gorging ourselves on pad thai from Thai Siam (simultaneously the best and worst restaurant in Lawrence) and drowning our sorrows from the MU game (or lack thereof) in a bottle of scotch, we stopped by campus for some serious reminiscing. Here's Marvin Hall. Where Ryan spent 90% of his time (including sleeping) from 2004-2007.

We had such a great time. And although I took no pics in Henry's, they still have sangria, and it's delicious. Well, the red is. They added white recently, I guess, but avoid. It's terrible. 

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