Back to the Little Apple

We traveled to Manhattan this weekend for a wedding. A friend of Brian's from high school and college. The wedding ceremony was immediate family only, so it was actually just a reception at Manhttan Country Club.

They were married on 7/10, at 7:10 on the 7th hole. I thought it was cute the way it was all orchestrated. The reception was beautiful, accompanied by an awesome band that kept the dance floor hoppin'. One thing they did that I thought was unique and different was a "video message room". There was a video camera set up in a room off to the side for guests to leave the newlyweds a message. It was fun.

We decided to go a little early to grab a bite to eat and revisit campus. This is the place where we spent a few years. Five for me, and nearly a decade for Brian. Just kidding, but he was there for six and half years:).

I love this town. It brings back so many wonderful memories for me. My first years with Brian, my beloved sorority, football games, Aggieville, date parties, frat parties, flip cups, Pilsbury Creek, theres way too many to name. But seriously, Manhattan just has a feeling about it.

Here's a few photos from our great weekend.

The Ville

 Dinner and drinks at Rockabelly Deli. Summer beer.

Where I spent most of my days for class. Oh Professor Gould, I miss thee. NOT.

Where Brian spent most of his time for class. This is him showing his love for Seaton.

 

Damn you Umberger. Natural Disasters=worst class ever

Brian wanted to go by the DU house. Not sure he was too impressed with how classy the front lawn looked.

He said this would have never happened when he was there.

There was crap everywhere. One guy even left his car doors and back hatch wide open. There was a huge subwoofer in the back that just anyone could have stolen. Passing out before responsibility can kick in, I remember those days.

At the reception.

Brian and Fox with his "BM" patch (best man)

Roomies for the night.

Pita Pit! Of course. This trip wouldn't be complete without the Pit.

Daisy Dukes, One Piece on Top. Huh?

Yep, a one piece. Not a bikini on top. Sorry Katy. A very covering, fat roll-sucking, make-you-feel old one piece.

That's what Heather and I went shopping for tonight. Ohhhhhh yeah, it was hot.

Now, you're probably wondering why the heck we were shopping for one-pieces. Here's why:

We are both doing a Women's Triathlon (I totally talked Heather into it) in July and a one-piece is one of our few attire choices. We need something tight, something that will dry quickly, and something comfortable to swim, run and bike in. That's a pretty tough requirement list. 

Needless to say, the butt-hugging, really uncomfortable one piece didn't work out for either of us.

We settled on spandex shorts (no padding) and dri-fit tank tops. Much preferred to the one-piece and the other alternative of wearing just a sports bra and leaving our muffin tops exposed. LOL. Whether you truly have a muffin top or not, you can't hide it in tight spandex. Trust Me.

So watch out Triathlon 2010, Heather and I will be sporting the same spandex shorts and the same dri-fit tanks, only different colors.

Spandex daisy dukes that is. Pretty much the hottest thing ever.

Summer Shandy

Time to introduce one of my most recent addictions.

I first found out about this beer from a friend when she brought it over for a bbq. I was then re-acquainted with it over 4th of July weekend when my brother brought home two cases of it.

It is amazing. I haven't been this much obsessed with a beer since Bud Light Lime came out.

Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy = Simply Delicious.

Doesn't it have a refreshing ring to it? A medium beer with a refreshing lemonade taste. This beer is perfect for hot summer days. You should try it.

Off to enjoy one of these because boy do I need it after a day like today!!

Happy Friday!

In the Stacks

With my new found enjoyment to read, I figured it was time to get a library card to save my wallet a few bucks. Therefore, I made a trip to the good ole public library yesterday.

Let's just say, I couldn't really remember exactly how to use a library properly. I know it's sad, but I haven't stepped foot in one since high school, maybe even middle school. I wasn't much of a reader back in the day. Let's face it, my life at that time was consumed by social activities, boys and causing trouble.

I couldn't believe there weren't any catalog drawers with all the little removable cards! Just kidding, I knew libraries were past that, but that is exactly what I remember about libraries as a kid. I can even remember when there were no computers.

Can you believe there were no computers? Wow, has technology come a long, long ways.

I nervously looked around and found my way to the adult fiction section. I browsed several authors/books I have been wanting to read, but no luck. I even browsed Nicholas Sparks and there was only one measly book by him. I began to get the feeling this library might be a little picked over for my taste in books.

I typically don't read anything without a recommendation. I am that bad of a reader and must have a book that will hold my interest. I used to hate reading, but am finding a calming element in it these days:). So please send me any recommendations you have!

After my unsuccessful browsing experience in the stacks, I hopped on a computer and did a little searching. I found all the books I wanted, I just have to wait for them to be transfered from other locations around the city to my library. How convenient is that! I thought it was awesome! I can't wait for my books to come in.

On another note, I finished the book I was reading, The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I highly recommend this book. It was very different than any other book I have ever read before, and I'm sad to see it end.

Set in the 1960s, during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Mississippi, African American women were trusted to raise white children, but not to polish the household silver. They weren't even allowed to use the same bathroom. One of the main characters, Skeeter, has just returned home from college with an English degree and is eager to become a serious writer. She then collects stories from the maids and discovers the varying relationships between white families and their help. It's full of unlikely and unacceptable bonds, complicated relationships, disappointments, and heart and history.

Mostly, I loved the characters in this book and how there wasn't only one narrator. Great read!

Brick

I completed my first "brick" tonight for my triathlon training.

I'm not going to say it went great, but I did it.

Bricks refer to training on two disciplines during the same workout, one after the other with little or no interruption in between. This could be a bike/run workout, swim/bike or run/bike.

When one stops biking and goes into running, the legs feel strange and heavy. This is why they call it brick training because the legs feel like bricks! The heart rate increases as the body tries to switch the blood from flowing into the muscles used for biking to those used for running.

I did a 7 mile bike followed by a 2.25 mile run. I should have started doing bricks weeks ago, but time just got away from me. Lucky for me, my husband joined me so I had someone to encourage me along the way:).

I have about 3.5 weeks until the Tri and we are busy every single weekend leading up to that. Which means I should be doing bricks at least twice during the week.

Wish me luck and encouragement. Boy do I need it.

Rain, Rain, Go Away

I hate rain. Seriously sunshine, could you not grace us with your presence for even 30 minutes this weekend?

How gloomy and depressing are rain and clouds? In my opinion, freakin' gloomy!! BLAH!

Gotta love when this (see below) is sitting right in the back yard and you can't even step foot in it. My poor raft didn't even get any love this weekend. Tear.

Luckily, my brother and his friends put the pool to use after an intense all-day drinking game. It was freezing. And pouring. None for me.

Boys will be boys.

All in all, it was a great weekend spent with family. Lots of catching up and movies.

Yes, we watched three movies: Invictus, The Book of Eli and From Paris With Love. The only one I thought was great was The Book of Eli. The other two were just ok. Invictus was a little slow moving for me and Paris With Love was a semi-weird storyline, but full of action. I would recommend all of them, I just didn't think any of them were amazing or anything.

The rest of the weekend consisted of consuming large amounts of alcohol and food. My parfaits turned out scrumptious. I even had one for breakfast the next morning. YUM. Thanks to my mom for being such a great hostess to everyone!

The whole fam took turns at lighting fireworks. We weren't planning to do any, but my brother got the itch and went and purchased some.

 Bringing back memories. Flowers were my favorite.

 Throwing a crackle ball. Notice...I have shorts and a tank top on. Maybe because I didn't pack one pair of jeans with me. Can you tell I was hoping for nice weather? Thanks rain.

My brother throwing a huge pack of Black Cats at me while I was lighting another firework. Hence, all the smoke. Luckily, I ran to the other side of the street.

 Pyros.

Our culdesac and yard looked like they were on fire.

 Huge mortar.

Too bad Jakey Boy didn't have as much fun with the fireworks as everyone else. He was scared to death. He wouldn't leave Brian's lap.

You would think a hunting dog wouldn't have problems with noises that sound like gun shots. But nope, not this reject hunting dog. He hates fireworks.

Tucker loved the fireworks! He would look up and follow them as they went in the air.

 

I even had some time to visit my good friend from high school, Sarah, and her adorable kids. It's always great to see old friends and catch up. Oh, and Jake even invaded her mom's fish pond in the back yard. Sorry about that Sarah! My dog is crazy! 

She just started a blog last week and I'm hoping to learn about all of her exciting daily experiences with raising two under two.

Bye for now! Hope everyone had a happy and safe holiday weekend! 

Proud to Be an American

I seriously LOVE the 4th of July. And not because of fireworks. I don't even really like fireworks that much. I just love this holiday. Having a long weekend, lake or pool time, family and friends, sunshine and beer, there's just a feeling about it. I guess I'm just proud to be an American.

Well, it doesn't look like we will be getting too much sunshine this weekend. So much for my dreams on this American holiday. Boo. Go away rain! I want to lay by the pool!

We are having a family BBQ tomorrow. Here's a recipe I am going to try.

Red, White and Blue Parfait

Colorful, festive, semi-healthy and delicious looking!

For additional festive fourth of July sweets, see this link for ideas from Better Homes and Gardens.

Happy 4th of July!

Vehicle Flare

What do you think about bumper stickers? Attractive, stupid, funny, freedom of speech, tacky?

Well, I really don't like them. In fact, they really annoy me!

What is it with people that like to put tacky bumper stickers all over their nice vehicles? Sorry if you are one of these people, but I'm just stating my opinion. C'mon, you know I'm an opinionated person!

I can handle a small sports related sticker or something else that isn't overwhelming, but the majority of them out there are so dumb!! Why would you clutter up your car with tacky stickers expressing your opinion? Who cares!

Here's a few I have seen in the past several months that really annoyed me.

And yes, I took these pictures myself! I am such a nut!

It's a soccer thing...you wouldn't understand
Seriously? This is just idiotic.

Taken when we were pulling out of the Plaza parking garage at the Trolley Run

Awe...what a cute little family!

Why does the world need to know how many people and pets are in the family via a bumper sticker!? Weird...

Taken in a grocery store parking lot

Nobody Cares About Your Stupid Stick Figure Family

Ok, I didn't actually take this one myself, I found it online. But, I thought it was funny:)

Back Off.
Really?

Taken in a parking garage at the Plaza. Geez...what is it with the Plaza?

Calvin peeing on the Dodge and Honda Symbols

Riiiiiiiiiiiight, because your car is so much cooler than a Dodge or Honda. It was a Ford.

Taken in an apartment building parking lot

There's a lot of them, so here goes...
1. There are two theories for arguing with women - neither works.
2. How may I ignore you today?
3. Bark less, wag more.
4. Smart Women Vote. 2004
This woman needs help. Surprisingly, there were more on the other side. It just screams WT.
Taken in the parking lot at my Photoshop class

Ok, this is the Dumbest one yet.
Not only is it a cute little family of 4, it's a cute little Jayhawk family! Two big jayhawks and 2 little ones. How cute!
NOT. What a D-bag move. That's a jayhawk for you.
Taken while driving home from work. So, sorry for the blurriness:). Don't worry, I was very safe and definitely wasn't this close. This is cropped and way zoomed in:).

Citrus Punch

We had friends over for dinner last night and I tried a new punch recipe from my company cookbook. It was super easy and turned out great. Everyone loved it! This would be a great drink served in a punch bowl for a baby shower, party of some sort or just for a bbq.

It's supposed to be served in a punch bowl, but since I don't have one, I served in a pretty, glass pitcher. I'm positive this would taste wonderful paired with vodka or champagne as well:).

Citrus Punch
1 (12oz.) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 (12oz.) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 (12oz.) can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
4 cups cold water
1 (2 liter) ginger ale, chilled
Orange, lemon or lime slices for garnish
In a punch bowl, combine concentrates and water; mix well. Stir in ginger ale. Serve immediately. Garnish with fruit slices.

Punch bowl...or just a large bowl if you don't have one like me:) I then transferred to pitchers.

Garnish with your favorite citrus fruits.

I also picked some fresh flowers from my hydrangea plants to have on the table. This is why I LOVE having hydrangeas in my back yard!

So pretty.