Green Christmas
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Rich’s 30 plus one birthday kicked off our holidays. We went to lunch at Lulu B’s and dinner at Eddie V’s where I hoped to bump into Matthew McConaughey who is rumored (by a woman we met in Tahiti who lives in Dallas and has seen him before) to go there five days a week. But no sight of him. (And still no sight of Sandy either. I even saw her in a tabloid at Walton’s and then again in another at Bess on NYE…) The dinner was delicious – we both got the BLT salad and filet (Rich’s medium, mine butterflied and charred) and then enjoyed a birthday dessert on the house.
The next night was Christmas Eve. I was making dinner and there was a knock on the door. Not sure what to do, I ducked behind the counter and whisper shouted to Rich, “What should we do?” He was preoccupied playing the new video game I got him and while I waited for an answer, I decided to tip toe over and see if anyone was there. I looked through the peep hole and there was a man standing on the other side of the door. I quickly moved away and pressed my back against the wall and then he knocked again. I froze, motioned Rich to stop playing his game and finally opened the door and that is when we met our neighbor across the hall. He invited over for a Christmas Eve happy hour and we met the neighbors next to us too. It was our first time meeting our neighbors and we were glad we finally did. They are all very friendly and no longer suspects in my Lucky Brand thief mystery (yes, some lowlife trash (and I think literally because I think this scum might have been from the trash valet service) stole two packages from our front door while we were in Tahiti – including my contacts which is so mean if you have ever seen me without my contacts.)
The next morning we woke up and made a cup of Mocha Mint and opened some presents. Then we skyped with my parents and opened their presents. We made breakfast and watched Christmas Vacation (which was my first time seeing the whole thing!) Then we skyped some more. For dinner, I made ham (the best fire glazed ham from Central Market) with cheesy potatoes, corn and fresh baked rolls. After dinner, Mike and Nikki came over and we went to see Black Swan and I think we all decided that we liked it even though we could have done without the bending, snapping legs and webbed toes.
The next day, on a mission to find Rich a pair of jeans to replace the ones that were stolen, I decided to give the mall a try. I made it to one store (I will NEVER shop at Lucky again) and decided to put my mission on hold. (Days later, we found him not just one, but two pairs of jeans!) On the way home, I stopped to pick up some lunch for Rich and Mike at Jersey Mike’s. Not sure how they liked their subs, but I loooved the people there! So friendly and totally made up for my poor customer service a half hour prior.
On NYE we went to dinner at Jack Allen’s and then headed down to Rainey street. We went to Icenhauers which was crazy busy but I think it would be a nice place to hang out on any other night when people weren’t jumping on the furniture and throwing things and falling and screaming and crying (seriously, reminded me of a CCC). Then we went to Clive and sat outside on the heated patio but I gotta tell ya, a heated patio in Buffalo is much warmer than any of the heated patios in Austin even though it’s not nearly as cold outside in Austin.
During the holidays, I changed my name at the DMV and it was changed by the nicest blind man at the SS office. I had never seen a blind person use a computer before and it is quite cool – he would type on the keyboard and then whatever he typed would pop up in Braille on a little ticker just below the palms on the keyboard. He was so quick and cheery that it made my hour and a half wait worth it just to meet him. He even found a mistake that has been on my record my whole life – it said that I was born in the Republic of North Korea! He might not have seen it, but he knew it didn’t sound right and now it says I’m from Seoul South.
Friday night after work we went for a walk downtown like we used to when we lived there (one of the things we miss). We found a cute little coffee shop on Congress and stopped at Walton’s for dinner (I had the yummiest organic chicken salad). On Saturday afternoon, we took a walk along SoCo and had lunch at Mighty Cone with a frito pie from the bbq trailer.
Our first second Thanksgiving
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This was our first Thanksgiving as Mr. & Mrs., our second Thanksgiving in Austin, and our third Thanksgiving together! Our day began with the Macy’s parade followed by a run to the gym. On the way home, we were stopped at a red light accompanied by homeless man with a sign that said, “Happy Thanksgiving” and we gave him a Life cereal bar.
When we got home, it was time to start cooking! Once again, I followed the Williams-Sonoma menu and prepared a feast of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, glazed carrots and homemade cheddar biscuits and it was delicious!
The next day, we went to see Justin and Carrie at the Ranch. We fed the cows and I met Mr. Brows who was a bit weary of me despite my best effort to be friendly and say “Hello!” Here is one of our finer moments together before I seem to have worn out my welcome and my slow, non-threatening approach was countered with a backward shuffle.
The rest of the weekend, we watched two of our favorite Christmas movies (one featuring the California Raisins, the other a Christmas Carol in Bedrock), decorated with our tree and stockings and small fleet of reindeer and indulged in a nightly cuppa Silly Cow cocoa.
Next stop: Taaa-hiiii-tiii!
Hot Off the Presses
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No need to do a double take – that would be me and Rich! In the Thanksgiving issue of Southern Living magazine (Texas Living edition). We weren’t sure if we would make it since there was also a couple with accessories – two adooorable kids. But, here we are. The day we took that photo, it was about 105 degrees outside and we were dressed for fall. But it looks like bearing the heat was well worth it! Fame and doughnuts.
Since we have been back from Baltimore, I have been seeking out one bum in particular. I brought home all my free treats from the Southwest flight and the Hampton Inn – crackers in the shape of airplanes, a blueberry muffin, a box of raisins, two cereal bars and a bottle of water. I put them in a nice brown shopping bag and have been toting them around in my car anxious to give them to this homeless man that we pass on the way to work everyday. Well, he must be on vacation or switched to the night shift or something because I haven’t been able to catch him. Where are you Mr. UT Hat??
Last weekend, a fire started right in front of me – just a foot or so away from where I was standing. I thought people got struck by lightening…not grass fires. Anywho, as soon as it registered that smoke = flames = fire, my confused sounding “Fire??” turned to a seriously concerned, “Fire!!” Yet, no one seemed too phased by my panic.
This past weekend, after being back on our salad kick for two weeks, we had a hankering for something sweet. I had been polishing off honey roasted pecan pieces by the bagful but that just wasn’t cutting it. So, we decided to finally try Hey Cupcake and drove up to Burnet and as soon as we pulled in the lot, the lights went out – no more cupcakes. Hmmm…what to do…how about a slice of pie?? You would think that this would be easy to do, especially since Thanksgiving is only a couple short weeks away. But, we drove around to three places (one had a notice on the door, one was getting ready to close) before we found a place that had pie – Marie Callender’s. Yup, like the frozen dinners. Rich had pecan (with a scoop of ice cream) but I was pecaned out. I had French apple and it was scrumptious.
Just a few days to go! Tonight Rich and I are baking caramel pretzels and tomorrow I am going to be a cleaning machine. My goal is to tackle the porch. I refuse to go out there because of my insect-o-phobia (a.k.a. entomophobia – fear of bugs). You just never know what kind of creepy crawlies could be lurking on the other side of that french door – or worse, what could come in if you open it!
< 3 weeks
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This month, we have met some very nice people.
First, at Uncle Peter & Aunt Nettie’s wedding, we were seated with a nice man with a nice camera and he took a picture of us and was kind enough to take another when I was not pleased with the unflattering position of my arm. More impressive, he kept to his word and sent us a copy of the photograph as promised.
Next, Rich bought a new suit and I found him a tailor – Gus from Gassane Tailors. Gus is so sweet and the suit maker to President George Dubya. If you need proof, just stop in and see the years of Christmas cards and photos of Gus with Dubya and the Mrs. that decorate the walls. If we had more time, he could have made Rich a custom suit too.
And finally, we found a printer to make us new business cards – George.. George is so patient and listened to my laundry list of likes and dislikes (based on botched batches of cards that we had received elsewhere). General Printing Inc made the best cards we’ve gotten yet – shame on you Vistaprint.
This weekend, we went out to the East Side Showroom and while we were nibbling on our sampler of a wedge of cheese, tablespoon of goat cheese, two mystery meats and four slices of pickles (or, one whole baby quartered), in came a marching band which was unusual and entertaining. There were tubas and trumpets, drums and tambourines and a washboard. At first I thought it was a Halloween party because of the outrageous costumes but I think they are professionals.
Also, my sunglasses saved my life. We were at Docs watching the UT game and I was standing under an awning and heard a loud clunk. It sounded like something had fallen on my head but I didn’t feel a thing. Then, when we went to leave, I took my sunglasses off the top of my head to put them on and they were majorly cracked – that could have been my head. Thank you sunglasses.
This week we went to Baltimore and had a crabby dinner at Obrycki’s. I thought I would be squeamish but I quickly got into the swing of things – stabbing em, cracking em, breaking em…Yum! I named my crab Chuck. We will call Rich’s…Captain Chuy.
While Rich was at his meeting, I took a drive to find some shopping and ended up in a plaza with a Target, Marshalls and Old Navy. Normally, I would have said serai and could have easily spent my 3 hours in the trio of retail spaces. But, upon a quick surveillance of the area, I locked the doors and moseyed on. I searched for shopping in the GPS and found The Shops at National Place which sounded right up my alley.
So I hit go and off I went. Ten minutes later, I was looking straight ahead at the capital building and then a few minutes later I drove by that tall monument. I was in DC! Traffic was horrendous and it was suddenly pouring outside but I was bound and determined to spend to stay and look around. Fast forward to “The Shops” – it is actually only one shop…a Filene’s. But it was fun to rummage around. And then it was time to go pick up Rich!
One year in ATX
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September marked one whole year of calling Austin “home sweet home.”
This month, Patty came down to visit. We went lots of places: shopping on South Congress, to the farmers market where we did shots of olive oil, on our usual Friday night date night to bubble tea and Half Price Books, and did some people watching while the big band played at Central Market…We went to Max’s Wine Dive for southern fried chicken (Patty’s on a plate with veggies, Rich’s on a sandwich with fries, and mine disguised under a few leaves of lettuce) and here we are having lunch at the Oasis where Rich tried guacamole again and appeared to enjoy it. I ate astronaut ice cream and enjoyed that (freeze dried ice cream is still ice cream)!
This has been a busy month for Radium which means more work for me (And I didn’t even have to pray for it). As part of my job, I have orchestrated several lunch break outings including: Black Sheep Lodge (so-so), Shady Grove (pretty good), and Lulu B’s (loved it) – I’m tellin ya, the trailer food is nothing to sneeze at and we haven’t been disappointed yet.
What is disappointing: We went to the outlets where I had the most disgusting Caesar salad with the most disgusting Caesar dressing – if you can even call it that. It was goopy and transparent, like the salad bar Italian at a Ponderosa buffet. I know, why would you ever order a Caesar from a place that greets you with, “Smoking or non?” and trust me, I admit that that was a poor decision on my part. Ick.
Anywho, also at the outlets…I saw on my bank statement that my debit card was charged and I didn’t even get the merchandise. I swiped it twice and it froze both times so I figured it just wasn’t meant to be and decided to bail the purchase instead of paying with cash. I asked the kid (yes, it was a Hollister outlet and yes, I am aware of my age) if I would be charged and he pshawed me with, “Nah.” Sigh. Luckily we have had more shopping success since then and lots of online stores are offering free shipping!
It is beginning to feel like fall around here. Perfect weather for jeggings, a tissue tee with a sleeve and my new distressed camel-colored Jessica Simpson pumps. And the perfect time of year for soup and Starbucks caramel apple spice (separately). To celebrate fall, I changed my wallflower scent from lemonade to “leaves” (which are probably changing somewhere) and absolutely adore it if is adoring a scent is possible. What else do I adore about fall? Dexter and Glee are back!
Neighbor update: We have new neighbors in the apartment above ours. To put into perspective just how heavy-footed our last neighbors were, we could hardly hear these new neighbors moving in and they were giants and they had one of the big Uhauls to empty.
Hot diggity dog
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Call it a “dry” heat all ya want, it is hot hot hot down here. We escaped the heat in July but made it back for our first August in Austin and not sure what is worse – a 100 plus 2 degrees or zero minus 10 (or the humidity in Charleston – that might be more unbearable than burning or freezing). Luckily, we found a way to beat the heat – sno-cones – finally a snow that we look forward to! But not just any sno-cones, Peaches and Cream ones from the Frigid Frog with slices of fresh Fredericksburg peaches (I am assuming since the peach stand is next to the icee trailer). The ice is drizzled with syrup and some kind of cream and the peaches are layered on the top, down through the bottom! Rich likes peaches because they are fuzzy; I like peaches but not a fan of the fuzz – they are like fruit with a five o’clock shadow and it makes me feel like I am licking a caterpillar.
In donut news, we finally made it up to Round Rock to try the famous Texas Size Round Rock Donut and all it’s glazed goodness – do you see the size of it? Well, it probably looks as big as a donut hole in the picture but it was the size of my head and it did not disappoint. It was almost more donut than we could handle and took us the whole weekend to finish it (but we did – just call us determined!). P.s. For more doughnut happenings, stay tuned to an upcoming fall issues of Southern Living magazine. You might just see your two favorite Austinites doing what they do best – eating doughnuts.
FYI: After looking through my old tweets, it would appear that my life revolves around food (with tweets about going to get it or trying to find it). Which, it is crucial (apparently I get very cranky when I am hungry) and I certainly didn’t deprive myself on vacation with a steady diet of sweets (ice cream, cakes, kettle corn) yet, I didn’t require the seat belt extender on the plane ride home and somehow managed not to gain a pound at all. Which makes me wonder, what’s the point of putting yourself through extreme diets when you can go on vacation for a month and eat whatever you want?! Now we have been back home for a month, back to the gym and eating our salads and, I gained a pound! Anywho, I am still keeping up with the running and Rich even bought me a brand new pair of serious Nikes! In part, because I desperately needed them (the ones I had been wearing were purchased when Rich and I first started dating which makes them over two years old) and also because of my black toe, which no one was able to tell me for sure why it happened but enough people blamed it on wearing the wrong sneakers and with an opportunity to buy new shoes, it seemed likely to me! P.s. I even ran my first race (a 4 miler) while we were back in Buffalo and if it wasn’t for the hundred and 47 people who were faster than me, I would have been 1st! Woohoo!
Neighborhood gossip: The people who live above us are the heaviest walkers we have ever heard. And, it’s not even an occasional slow and steady walk – sometimes it is a solid march, other times it is a quick step and it is constant (long after the bars close and well before my eyes are ready to open). I swear, they must be 400 pounds addicted to caffeine running laps around their living room and doing cartwheels from one room to the other. Then, a couple weeks ago, we woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of arguing and from the sounds of it (with my good ear facing the window) there was a male voice shouting obscenities from the balcony above and a female voice from the ground below pleading incessantly, “I TRiiiiiED!!!” over and over again. As painfully entertaining as the whole exchange was to overhear, I think we witnessed the demise of their coupledom that night (early morning). One down – one to go!
So now, this past weekend, we woke up to the sound of an arc being built in the apartment above us. But, it wasn’t an arc at all – it was the sound of moving – not just the sound of heavy stepping movement across the ceiling but actual moving – out!!! I peeked out the window the see a bare patio and our hunch was confirmed when we left the apartment that afternoon and saw the beautiful Budget rental truck and a man (who turned out not to be 400 pounds by the way) loading it with boxes. So long, farewell!!
Oh, and how could I forget: Last week, while having lunch at home, we were flipping through afternoon television and came across a show called “Eye for an Eye” with Judge Extreme, a baseball bat and a plaintiff and defendant standing in separate cages pleading their case. How could you not stop and watch? So basically what happened was, a girl and guy worked at a diner – girl needed a ride to work – guy gave her a ride to work – guy needed $300 to fix car – girl gave him $300 to fix car and now, girl wants $300 back but guy thought it was a gift. We gave up on the show once it took a commercial break but had stayed tuned long enough to hear that the guy had lost his job at the diner. Fast forward a few days to this past weekend: We went downtown for the Home and Garden Show, pulled into a parking ramp and who was collecting the money?? The guy who was in court tv in our living room just a few days ago! This was the highlight of the whole show. Rich kept nudging me but I couldn’t get the words out to ask him if he ever got his $300 back.
Chicken fried Chicken
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We have been busy busy busy the last few weekends!
Two weekends in a row, we went to Red’s Porch – where all our working out and eating well was rewarded with chicken fried chicken, smashed potatoes and mac n’ cheese – yum! And somehow, the following Mondays at the gym, I stepped on the scale and had lost a pound which is unbelievably fantastic. What is not so fantastic is the parking – specifically, parking in the wrong space and finding your car towed. What is even less fantastic than that is no one offering to take you to pick up your car and having to call a cab. Granted, I probably wouldn’t have jumped at the chance to help a stranded vehiclist past the stroke of midnight either… Needless to say, we were reunited with Prixie who got to go on a chauffeured trip around Austin! (travel fees not included)
Here we are at Doc’s – where we arrived early and my polyester shirt dress was restricting my skin from breathing in the heat. So I walked down to American Apparel to do a quick costume change into a cooler pair shorts which, in addition to saving me from drowning in a sea of sweat, will make a nice addition to my wardrobe. After this, we walked down to see the bats come out from under the SoCo bridge and at first we thought they were running late, but they just plain stood us up! But even more rude: While we were waiting, a deaf man was handing out buttons and since I have an ear that is purely aesthetic and completely deaf, I gave him a dollar. I thought I was being kind by sharing it with a stranger (not to mention, I felt like we bonded when I signed to him what I know how to sign – rhinocerous!) but, do you know what he did when I handed him the dollar?? He looked at it and scoffed and then gave me a dirty look like, “What am I going to do with this? Thanks for nothing.” and walked away! Bugger.
Anywho, over Memorial Day weekend, we went on a party barge on Lake Travis. There were boats, boats and more boats anchored in the cove and a little yellow dinghy that delivered barbecue. Rich and I think that someone should start this service on the River – like Old Man River floating down the River! Or an ice cream truck in a boat (with or without “The Entertainer”…)! Back to the barge – the Large Marge. Having never been on a proper spring break myself, I was able to make it up in those few hours on the water and see everything I missed from my very safe corner of the upper deck, like a chaperone. Needless to say, Rich and I made a run for it as soon as the barge docked.
This weekend – We got pizza! It was delicious and it was free with a coupon from the Pizza Garden which made it even better. And then we got ice cream – let me tell you, for being a state with such hot summers, finding an ice cream stand (let alone parlour) is nearly impossible. However, we have found a slew of trailers that make shaved icees and they are quickly becoming our new “I’m hankerin for a sweet” treat – it’s like getting a dose of snow when you need it the most (when it is 100 degrees) minus the shoveling.
On Saturday, we went back to Pendernales Park (on our shortlist of places we love in Austin) to check out the swimming area, or “watering hole” as we call it. The water was so warm, making it more relaxing than refreshing. Well more relaxing for Rich…me and nature are still getting to know each other – let’s just say there were lil minnows sharing the water with us nipping at my feet (like those trendy pedicures). And there was a spider that I killed with a rock. I mean, I had already let one of those six-legged creatures go free even though he was crawling awfully close to my sandal…and the one that didn’t get away was practically dead anyways so I felt like I was doing it a favor instead of leaving him to bake in the sun.
Thanks to the WiiFlix, we have gotten into a new show – Lie to Me. The first season was available and we watched the whole thing and now the second half of the second season is on Fox and is our new Monday date night now that 24 is over. As for movies, we saw MacGrueber which was really funny (went with no expectations) and Get Him to the Greek which was kinda funny (went with high expectations) And, what’s the deal with putting scenes in trailers that aren’t in the movie??
I have been a running machine lately! While Rich lifts weights, I run on the treadmill and then he comes up and runs with me (kinda – he likes the treadmills on the one side with their own personal television built in and I prefer the treadmill on the other side that is directly under a fan which produces a wind fit for a hurricane but keeps me from sweating) – some days my runs outlast “The View.” I even keep a log of my times and distance and I have realized that I am very competitive with myself. Gosh, I wonder what would happen if I started giving myself stickers instead of rewarding myself with ice cream…
See ya’ll in a couple weeks!
p.s. Only 9 days left until my Plane Day! Mom and Dad – you may have bought me the softest most perfectest tote from Banana and I absolutely adore it! And, I got it on sale – it was a steal!! xoxo
To Beantown
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First things first, this is me (Elizabeth) and that (the blue thing) is a first place ribbon that I got for winning the balloon popping contest in archery. It came down to me and Rich and, even though his balloons were bigger, I got my first blue ribbon ever which is kinda a big deal since I used to be lucky to get a green ribbon in track in grade school (most people don’t even know that there is such a thing as a green ribbon!) Now we are in the intermediate class and I don’t think I will be getting any blue ribbons this time around – there is a woman in our class who could be a sniper with a bow and arrow! She is seriously so good and she wears a tennis skirt with sneakers and her Vuitton bag. Maybe for our last class I will wear a skirt and bring my (knock-off) Vuitton wallet for good luck…or, better yet, maybe I should buy one!
Here we are in Pendernales Park:
Disclosure: Rich is not really touching the prickly plant and I am not really falling down a hole.
This past weekend, we went to Boston to visit Rich’s friends and had a lot of fun!
We met Emily Giffin! She is on a book tour and Stephie sent me a text saying she was in Boston that afternoon. So we looked it up and she was just down the street from where we were having lunch! Emily thought Richie was so sweet for standing in line with me and our luggage – isn’t he just the best?! He even posed for a picture! I might just have to give him my blue ribbon!
Out like a
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End of February through almost all of March news
1. We moved. We are happy to a) no longer be living downtown and b) have a nicer place twice the size for c) less money than we were paying to ride an elevator everyday up and down to and from our old place on the 18th floor. No more memos about concrete pours our concrete floors – we have trees and grass and bare feet (I love the ferocious vroom of new vacuum)!
2. Bicycles. While riding home (to our old place – the day before we moved out), I got stopped at a red light about 50 feet from our parking ramp. Next to my car, on the sidewalk, was a young man unchaining his bicycle from a street post. I glanced over at him and then returned my gaze forward waiting for the light to change while sipping the delicious warm Caramel Apple Spice I had gotten on a routine afternoon coffee break with Rich. It was a blissful moment. And then, it was over.
Thud! What was that?! Yes, that would be the sound of the young man’s matte red urban ride bicycle hitting the side of my Prius. I turned, he peeked through the window and shrugged. I turned the car off (I meant to put it in park but, in my startled state, could not find the button), unbuckled my seat belt and got out of the car to look at the damage. I could not see any. The gentleman was walking away at this point but turned around, shrugged his shoulders again and insincerely said, “Sorry” in a flat tone – you know, the way you say “sorry” when you aren’t really sorry and actually got some sick satisfaction out of knowing that you ruined someone’s day. (i.e. when someone cuts you off at the grocery store and you innocently nudge them with your cart and say sorry. Not that I have done that, but you can imagine.)
Any who, I pulled into the garage and looked at the car again and there it was – a dent. Then, I did what any sane person would do. I ran down the stairs, onto the street and ran in the direction that the man with the bicycle was heading. I did not find him. What would I have done if I had found him? Not sure and it is probably a good thing that I didn’t. The dent is fixed now. Thank you Richie! xoxo Prixie
3. We started archery lessons. Yes, bows and arrows – it’s a lot of fun! Rich is a natural – always accurate – the best in our class (“Do you see his form? It’s perfect. That’s what you need to be doing.”). I should be a natural (considering I am Korean and supposedly Koreans are really good at this sort of thing). Luckily, my non-existent, friendly competitive streak is kicking in and last class I did pretty well (I got the arrows to hit my target paper which was where I had set my goal). And, I got my eyes examined last week which I think may have helped (much easier to aim when when you can see where you are shooting).
4. SXSW. We went to 6th Street to see some great acts put on my Gorilla vs. Bear and My Old Kentucky Blog. It was a lot of fun! We ate lunch at the Old Pecan Street Cafe, went to shows as we pleased and spent the rest of the time people watching which was very entertaining in itself.
One of my favorites was the Golden Filter – Penelope Trappes had a fantastic outfit! And this stylish ensem was just one of many to be seen at the festival. Sure, some of the people look like they got dressed in the dark, but it worked for them! I want it to work for me too but for some reason I just can’t wrap my head around how to be eclectic without being kitschy.
5. Shreveport. We went to visit Brand – it is turning out to be an annual thing. This weekend though was particularly cold (and when I say cold, I mean Buffalo spring – the lacrosse games we were going to watch were canceled because of S-N-O-W). But we did make it to one of the casinos on the water. I felt really confident that I would win big, convinced Rich to give me $10 and lost $10 – all within less than 20 minutes. Awe shucks!
Oh, and do you know what town we drove through to get there and back?? Buffalo! Yup, there is a Buffalo, Texas USA complete with metal buffalo lawn ornaments landmarks.
6. Red’s Porch. This might just be a new favorite place to eat. It is like having dinner in a tree house overlooking the Greenbelt and the chicken fried chicken (yes, now you know we are in the south) with the bacon gravy (just to reinforce that we are in the south) is delicious!
7. Bums. There are a lot of bums down here (as I am aware that there are everywhere – but here the weather is excellent and in my opinion, the place to be if you have to be somewhere). I see them a lot on the side of the road – at stop lights, off exit ramps, etc. And I see a lot of nice people rolling down their windows and giving them money (or what appears to be a coupon, which I think makes great use of those weekly mailers). This got me thinking – do these people just extend a hand to everyone or are they basing their decision on something. And if the latter, then what is it – Is it the sign they are holding? Is it because they are punctual and never fail to be there on a daily basis? Is it because they have a furry friend to feed? Do they feel guilty?
So, I did a little exploring and I found a bum I like and here is why: He chose the road surrounding the park which receives a moderate to high amount of traffic daily (he understands probability and appreciates a nice view). His sign is simply stated: “We can all use a helping hand” (the use of “we” is collective and since he did not use the word “need” or explain how he got there, he can’t be that selfish or want any pity). He has excellent posture – stands up straight (isn’t slouching on the ground) and looks forward (doesn’t walk by your car or stare you down). And he has a beard, one bag of personal possessions and no fido.
Well, that’s all that’s new in our neck of the woods! Toodle-lu!
Road trip
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This weekend, we decided to go to Corpus Christi. Why? Because it sounded like a great place…we wanted to go there while we are living close by…and there have been super enthusiastic advertisements on the radio encouraging us to come on down! (One even aired as soon as we got on the road! Good sign!) So off we went with a bag of homemade pretzels we made for the trip. We were super excited on our 3 hour drive through farm country (as if we were going to a fancy island). We saw lots of cows and a beautiful ranch for sale and realized that drivers in the country are polite enough to pull over and drive on the shoulder (at top speed??) and let you pass (except, they tend to do this when there are double solid yellow lines and Rich refuses to pass other cars unless there is an endless continuum of dotted ones).
On our drive in, we were greeted by factory after factory and their smokin smoke stacks. And then we find ourselves in the city surrounded by tall banking buildings without any signs of life. When we arrived at the hotel (yes, we were going to spend the night because it sounded like there was sooo much to do in CC!), we tried to walk in but the doors were locked. (Hmmmm…) Then, a voice spoke to us from a speaker above – “Are you checking in?” (Yes, we are.) “Can I have your name?” (Um, can you let us in?? It’s windy out here and we can hardly hear you.) We gave our name and with a “buzz” we were let inside. (Hmmmm…) We followed the signs and rode up the elevator to the concierge. He took us to our room, gave us a pass code for the room and gave us another pass code to let us into the building. (Hmmmm…)
The hotel itself was very nice and the room was decorated nicely too. Then we wanted to see our view and drew open the curtains – we should have left them closed. A view of another building would have been better than what we were looking at – the top of a roof with big machines and pipes and puddles of dirty water. So, closed they went and we left the room to go exploring.
We were a street away from the water so we walked around the marina. There were lots of big boats, a replica of the Nina and a statue of Selena. We were hungry so we decided to grab a bite to eat at Joe’s Crab Shack. Since we were planning on having a nice dinner (at who knows where now that we have been there), I had a side Caesar and Rich had a bowl of clam chowda. I was unsatisfied so we walked over to What-A-Burger and got a chocolate malt and kept walking. On our walk back to the hotel, we walked a couple streets in from the water through downtown. It was like walking through a town in Zombieland - totally deserted. And to make it worse, we both noticed an SUV that kept circling us at least 3 times. And then, the bums – yes, a staple to any city but we were in no mood to put any imaginary hope in their cups. We hustled back to the hotel and went straight to the room and both decided to get the heck out of here. We grabbed our unpacked bag and told the concierge that we had to leave. So back on the road for a 3 hour drive home.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
P.S. No Dad, did not know what Sam Neely was from CC. But might know why he left…
Here we go again
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We are leaving the downtown scene for the burbs! Moving at the end of the month and getting packed again (luckily, a lot of what we brought down here is nicely organized and ready to go thanks to all of the great plastic boxes from The Container Store). Our new place is so much bigger and we have a spare bedroom (technically a den) which will be perfect for visitors (So come on down and visit us!) Right now, I can do everything in less than 10 steps – cook dinner, do laundry, dry laundry, put away dishes, pay bills, eat dinner and watch tv. But in a few weeks, it might just take me 100! I might need to start taking mid-day naps to get all of the household chores done. There is a utility room for a FULL size washer and dryer (no more running laundry behind a closet door that sounds like it is going to take off) which means that I can do more laundry and have things hanging to dry out of sight. And there is a garden tub which just sound heavenly and his & hers sinks in the bathroom (so now we will really know who is messier). And the bedroom has a nice walk-in closet which we share now, but…there is also a closet in the den if you get my drift (just the right size for boy clothes and two big boxes of wheels if you ask me).
Rich is excited to be closer to our favorite car wash (he does it himself, I roll through the auto – both are fantastic) and I am excited to be closer to groceries and shopping. Hopefully we can sell our bar stools and get a dining table – I think it will make my dinners taste even better! And we will need a vacuum which I have always dreaded but after the concrete floors which have turned out to be a dust bunnies dream, I am looking forward to zoom zoomin around. Unfortunately, I don’t think that Palmer will be coming with us to the new place – unless he is a dandelion palm tree, I would have to say that he is not looking so hot these days…I think it was the 17 days without water that did him in; he just hasn’t been able to recover.
This should keep me busy while I wait for a job. I have been fishing but no bites (even went to the bookstore…application hard to interpret and kind of intense for stocking shelves with literature. Why do they need to know if I have any regrets in life? Or if I have a problem criticizing people’s work? (What are they looking for? I mean, if your job is done poorly, shouldn’t you be told?) Or if I think that people should keep their problems to themselves – needless to say, I said “I agree” even though thinking back on it, they probably wanted me to say, “Strongly disagree” but do they really want their employees to spread stories of their sorry personal lives around the store??)
I have been trying the Flat Belly Diet (by trying, I mean that I skimmed through the book and got the gist of it and based on my interpretation, I am eating mushy things (such a prunes and avocados) that don’t bulk up my tummy) as well as baking up a storm of carbohydrates which have been delicious and I do not regret (do you hear that bookstore??) indulging in them between my prunie fix. I made pretzels for one of our Superbowl snacks and they were so great that I am going to make more this week (perfect for Valentine’s day – they look like heart…although a hollow heart which probably doesn’t completely translate but a heart nonetheless). I had been drinking my Sassy Water (a staple of the Flat Belly Diet) but then I took a sip and the lemons must have gotten shaken too much because it was wicked strong and my taste buds are so scarred that I can’t bring myself to drink it quite yet.
In a couple weeks we start our archery classes! Yes, me and a bow and arrow – poetic. Rich thinks that this could be my calling and I could become the Black Widow of arrow shooting. Wouldn’t that be something! What if they have never seen such talent in their life and I get recruited to be a secret agent bow and arrow sniper??
It is a bit chilly down here and a little rainy but sure beats the snow! Hope everyone is keeping warm!
Our holiday adventure
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It was back to Buffalo for Christmas but not without a fight (or should I say fLight?) First our flight to Chicago was delayed then our flight from Chicago (to Buffalo) was canceled. So what did we do? We rented a car and at close to midnight (commencing Rich’s birthday) we were on the road. At around 7 a.m. after 7 hours of driving, it was time to give Rich a break from the wheel and with only about an hour left to go, my driving did not go unnoticed – by a state trooper… Grrr. But we continued onward and upon crossing the Buffalo city limit (both exhausted and now upset), there was no stopping – it was straight to the airport to pick up our suitcase (apparently our suitcase gets a plane ride even if we don’t). Well, our suitcase did not make it on that first plane out (nor the second or the third…) Still, no stopping us now – it was time to meet my parents, get a car and go to birthday lunch!
Could we have skipped the lunch and gone to bed? If it was up to Rich, yes. But I had another agenda. His surprise party that night! We had to make it there and my logic (albeit logic of someone who requires 8 hours of sleep and did not get any) was that we must stick to the plan – lunch, bowtie party, surprise party! Rich got in a quick nap while I ran to Target for necessities so that we could shower and have no excuse for not going to the bowtie party (besides not having our bowties which were strategically packed in the lost luggage). The plan worked and with Brandon’s help (carrying on a faux conversation with a faux half-in-the-bag friend who needed a ride) we made it to the surprise party on the dot! At first, Rich had no idea what was going on but as soon as he figured out that the “Surprises” were for him he looked very flattered. It was a lot of fun! And he said he didn’t want a surprise party – pshaw!
The next morning (Christmas Eve), our suitcase was delivered and just in the (St.) Nick of time because it contained most of our Christmas presents. And, it also had my New Years dress which I had just bought the morning we left Austin (the thought of losing this dress before I even got to wear it was what fueled most of my stern inflections with the airline’s customer service). If I had not gotten it back, I would have had every right to be fuming because it was absolutely smashing (shame on those of you who I saw stumbling around midnight in their North Faces).
Anywho, what could be more upsetting than Ugg boots to a party? My last meal of 2009. I ordered the special – the “whole fish” And what did I get? The whole fish! Head to tail with his lil fishy fin just at staring me. I screamed and the fella was taken back to the kitchen and returned without a head but still obviously a fish with fin in tact. Ick! I mean, what was this? An audition for Survivor Southtowns?? I should have gone with the boeuf bourguignon – still not sure what that is (but it was “the” to-do in Julie and Julia) and it probably would have come without a tail.
We made it out to Eville for a few snowboarding runs (4 for me to be exact, but the last one was without a tumble which I figured a good time to call it a night before Olympic dreams got to my head) but 17 days, lots of yummy treats and Buffalo staples (Timmy Ho’s – how we have missed you), no gym – we are looking forward to working out again! But not this weekend – this weekend, I am on a sugar detox. Although on Friday night (after our big date to Barnes and Noble) we decided to do something crazy and stopped at Mighty Fine for a milkshake and walked out with a lemonade one! Yum!
So our trip was pretty much go-go-go until it was time to go home – then it came to a what-the-heck hault. We tried to check-in online the morning of our flight like good little travelers only to find out that our confirmation code was no longer valid. “Why?” you ask? Well, you see, when we called to refund our canceled flight from O’Hare to Buffalo, they decided to cancel the remainder of our reservation. Translation: They canceled our flight home and proceeded to “assist” us by offering to rebook our tickets for an amount more than the price of our two round trips. We declined and booked a flight home through Southwest. I remember flying being so much more fun when I was little…maybe because the seat was bigger. Seriously, maybe the 17 days of stuffing myself really did do me in, but airplane seating is very cozy to which my personal space says, “No thank you.”
So here we are back in Austin. I went to put on a pair of shoes that I wore trudging through the snow and the salt has made them so stiff and harsh that I can’t even force my lil piggies in them. Perhaps I will take them down to the pool for a quick soak. No snow here in case you were wondering.
Yesterday we went to see “Youth in Revolt” (which was very funny) at a Cinemark in Bee Caves (which had diy butter!) in an outdoor shopping center (the Hill Country Galleria) that I did not know about but must go back on a nice warm day to do a bit of shopping! It’s like an affordable version of the Domain – guilt-free shopping in a desirable outdoor setting. FYI: I am very disappointed the lack of after Christmas shopping. The sales are there, but not the merchandise (i.e., the lambie blanket at Bath and Body Works which I already have one of but love it so much that I wanted another and was holding out for their annual post holiday sale…but it’s just not to be found anywhere…). Back to the movie – $19 for the two of us! Before the popcorn and small cherry coke…instead of taking it out on the Red Box, I think Hollywood needs to work on the price of a movie ticket so that more people go to the show.
This morning we took a walk and I found a new house that I would like to buy! How much? Well, before I tell you the price (which is probably negotiable), let me remind you of that 4.8 million dollar number I found on Thanksgiving. I think you will agree, this one is a steal! At just a little over 1 million (percentage wise, that is quite a large cut in my kind request for shelter – you can’t deny me of shelter, can you??) and again, another spectacular view of the city.
Tis the season
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The Ups and Downs of the month
UP: First, before I forget, because I already have – I treated myself to a wonderful pedicure a few weeks ago! At this place called Embellish – it was the girliest of girlie. All pink and cozy – it felt like I was getting my toes polished in the comfort of my own home. The comfy chair, lap blanket, warm neck wrap and Notting Hill playing on the tele was very relaxing! And my toes looked great too!
DOWN: This weekend, we went to a new 24 hour diner downtown. We ordered the beer cheese appetizer. This is what we got. Yes, that would be saltines, pretzels and a tipsy cheez wiz…(so gross, I don’t even know how to spell it). To their credit, yes, served with “saltines and pretzel rods” was on the menu description. But seriously??
BREAK EVEN: I sent an email to Starfish because I found bones in my tuna fish! Twice! So they sent me an email assuring me that this is a rare occurrence and followed up with two coupons for free packets of tuna fish (so that I can choke on more bones?) A reimbursement would have been preferred but points for the thought that counts. I mean, I am so paranoid about bones. Ever since my trip to the DR when I swear I had one caught in my throat even though the on-resort doctor just laughed and sent me on my way.
DOWN: Heartburn. Having never experienced this, I woke up this weekend and thought I was having a heart attack. No way burnin my heart!
BREAK EVEN: Yesterday, at Urban Outfitters, I went to try on a pair of blue denim and when I went to button them I realized, “There is no button.” Minus: It was the only pair. Plus: At least I did not pop the button off and have a mortifying moment (i.e., in one of my retail jobs, a girl walked out of the fitting room with the entire thigh split open!). Plus plus: I found a kitschy pair of acid wash denim.
UP: Dexter. Only one episode left and we have no idea how it is going to end. By far, one of the best seasons!
The BAIN of our EXISTENCE: Super Mario Bros for Wii. We are seriously addicted and even though we have known Mario and Luigi since the very dawn of Nintendo, some worlds are impossible!
DOWN: I went to get gas this morning and the pump kept shutting off every pump (as if it was already full after each pump but that is impossible because I was down to one bar and needed at least 8 gallons). So, I pumped and released almost a million times and by the time I reached 3 gallons grew frustrated (me?) and put the pump back in its holder and drove away (yes, I paid). Maybe I was doing something wrong (although highly unlikely)…
UP: This picture taken by Brand while he was in town this weekend of me and Rich walking down 3rd (our old street). So artsy.
UP: St. Nick’s Day! Rich was not aware of this holiday. The Smyth’s celebrate all holidays equally. Thanks for the pressies mom and dad! xoxo
Gobble gobble
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Our First Thanksgiving in Austin
First, Richie came home from work with a harvest bouquet for me and it just made my day! He has surprised me with flowers twice now since we have been here and it is such a surprise that I never have a vase for them. I am thinking of buying one to tuck away but no not want to jinx myself.
Then, on Thursday morning, I woke up and turned on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and then Rich woke up and we went out for a walk around downtown. We walked faaar and even ran into a man from Buffalo on our way to Whole Foods for coffee fuel. We found lots of cute homes – the one we really like is 1.8 million dollars! But it has a great view of the city! Please click here to see it. It is pretty fantastic (and rather inexpensive compared to Amelia Bullock’s other properties listed – just food for thought while you are looking).
So then we came home and made breakfast and then I got cooking and I must say, I make one heck of a Turkey Day dinner! I even made a turkey – I wasn’t going to (I was going to cheat and buy a rotisserie chicken or employ a prefab turkey from Boston Market) but Gus was just the perfect little turkey at a whopping 6.66 pounds! Rich got him out of the bag and got rid of all the “extras” and put him in the pan for me. We took turns basting him (when Rich “heard” the obnoxious, hard-to-miss-even-with-a-deaf-ear timer go off) and he turned out just sooo melt-in-your-mouth delicious! And it was so easy! There should be a national Semi-Annual Turkey Day celebration! We are almost out of leftovers. (Just a few bites of smashed baked potatoes left for Rich.)
We didn’t end up going shopping on Black Friday – Rich even said he would go with me but there wasn’t anything great worth going out. But, we did go out to see Blind Side and we really liked it! Then we went to Borders and Cavender’s (a cowboy boot store) and Central Market for dinner. I love Central Market – they have a little help yourself stand of beauty scrubs – I bought the Hibiscus Salt Scrub and it is wonderful! And they have my Stash licorice tea! (I still can’t find the Chocolate Mint one in stores.)
Today, we went to Mattress Firm to exchange our mattress. They have a 90-day comfort guarantee policy and today is day 88. So, since we do not like it, better late than never! We got a great deal though – we are getting the Cadillac of mattresses! Totally worth it so far. I can not wait until it is delivered on Tuesday. I think that I will buy new sheets and new pillows!!
Tonight we are going to sip on some Drank. What is Drank? It is a purple drink. Last week, while we were in Houston, Rich and his friends found it at Specs. They drank it and within about 20 minutes they were all fast asleep on the couch. So last night, we bought some melatonin and Valerian root but they did not seem to be as effective as the Drank. So today we stopped by Specs and picked some up.
The apartment is all decorated for Christmas! We bought a little tree and lights, wrapped the doors with paper and ribbon, put bows on the bar stools and hung tinsel garland everywhere! And guess what, at Michaels, they have Buffalo Snow! It is really called Buffalo Snow! (Rich asked if it is black and gritty.) Must have some!
Weekend waltz
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Rich and I decided to start some hobbies while we are down here in Austin. So this past weekend, we took a ballroom dance lesson and learned how to waltz! It was a lot of fun! Very fast-paced but we caught on quick. The only thing we didn’t like was having to switch partners the whole time. We are all about making friends, but I don’t think this is the way we want to do it (or even the place). And, I have to learn how to be a better follower…But beware, with practice, when we come home for the holidays, we will be waltzing circles around everyone in the snow!
Speaking of the holidays, I started putting out Christmas decorations. Tonight, we are going to buy a tree! One that is just big enough to fit all our ornaments. And stocking holders. Currently, our stockings are being held up by a couple pieces of Scotch tape. I think we can do better than that – Plus, I do not think that the tape will hold our stuffers.
On Sunday, we went to see the movie 2012. The movie was okay. I didn’t really have any feelings of wanting to go see it but after seeing it, I still have no feelings of being glad that I did. But the movie theatre – my goodness. People brought their babies to the show! Not toddlers – babies, with bottles! If anyone needs a babysitter so that they can see a matinee, I’ll do it! And, in our row was a family with two young children and the parents let the children leave at least a dozen times during the movie (which meant stepping over us a dozen times during the movie) which I did not understand. And then, that same family – the man’s cell phone rang and he ANSWERED it and started having a conversation during the movie. This did not really bother me so much since he was sitting on my left, but really? During a movie? And then he passed the phone to his wife to talk too! It was like the bat boat tour all over again, except this time I could not yell at the man because he was not my Dad.
Yesterday, I need a little pick me up, so I went shopping! Rich took me to the outlets this weekend and he found lots of goodies! He is going to look sooo dapper this winter (which is more like autumn down here). Yesterday was my turn and I came home with bags in my hands (the holiday merchandise bags too!) – very satisfied to say the least. I think that I will head out again today to finish buying a few things that are on my list: a pair of booties (no snow here, so I can don impractical pedi-wear without the troubles of salt) and a couple pairs of leggings (so that I can keep wearing my dresses without sticking out like a Northern thumb who is comfortable exposing her legs to 75 degree weather – people down here are so acclimated that they wear sweaters when it is in the 80s! It is brutal trying to fit in when I am used to pulling out sweaters when the temperature drops below 40.).
Today, it is going to be 68 degrees. I might need to put on a coat to go out and buy faux snow to decorate!
Fun Fun Fun
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This weekend, Rich and I were going to go to the Fair! We saw a posting for it in our elevator and it sounded like fun. So how was it? Well, the parking lot (which we paid $5 to see) was…empty and the fair was lifeless. It was seriously like something out of a scary movie. Needless to say, we did not pay the $15 per person to enter the local amusement fest which I can say (I can’t believe I am saying this) – the Eden Corn Festival was more lively (and they had corn – my favorite). Who would have thought that corn could out shine another festival. We took a few pictures from our parking spot view and then jetted off to find another adventure.
Where did we end up? Lake Travis. We had lunch at the Oasis (a much wiser decision – both fiscally and nutritionally – and a much more scenic view). And what did the Oasis have besides a waaay overpriced “picture with a real live longhorn” souvenir? A metal spaceship just sitting there! So Rich and I took our pictures in that.
Then, we did some driving (Rich loved it – very hilly – the Civie got it’s exercise) and while we were cruising around I spotted something and thought I was surely seeing things because in the two months we have been here we have not seen ONE nor has one popped up when we searched for locations within a 50 mile radius. What is this wonderment that had me blinking twice and gasping excitedly? DUNKIN DONUTS! Yes – I shouted, “Dunkin Donuts” and the Civie quickly came to a halt and U-ied back down the highway. If we do not find another one soon (closer), we might just have to open up a franchise!
Sunday, it was rainy, rainy, rainy and the Bills had a BYE week. So Rich and I went to the mall. I wanted to see if the Hallmark store had an open house (because my mom was going to an open house) but it did not appear that there was one going on here. P.S. Mom – I want Rhonda too. I loved walking around – the stores are starting to decorate and there was even Santa sitting in the food court ready to listen to the gimmies! While were were there, we went into Williams-Sonoma and they were sampling Thanksgiving dinner! Yummy! I had a taste of everything and if turkeys didn’t gross me out (I mean, if they can make bacon out of turkey then I think that they can make a turkey without the – oh my goodness, I did not know what to call all the junk that gets pulled out of the turkey’s bottom so I googled it and, oh my gosh! – neck and giblets?! I need a moment…
Okay, moving on. Rich and I saw a picture of an Asian model and she had really big wide eyes. At first we wondered how it was possible and then I realized, “It is possible! She had the surgery!” What surgery? Well, it is called “Double Eyelid Blepharoplasty” and I had first heard about it on Oprah years ago and really really wanted it done. However, the thought of cutting my eyelids gives me the creepies. So until I get over that…there is eyelid glue! And tape! (Yes, Rich was intrigued so we googled the procedure and found products) However, Richie will not buy either for me, so…if you need a holiday gift idea, I want glue for my eyelids! (Make sure it comes with the poker so that I can get them to stick reeeal good!)
Onto a more serious note (not that double eyelid blepharoplasty is not serious) – Rich and I saw a few movies that we would like to review (0 = awful, 10 = amazing):
- New York I Love You – my idea. Our combined scores give the movie a 5. I did not mind all of the story lines or the “unfinished business” aspect of each of them but each individual plot somehow leaves you wondering if you missed some greater intellectual concept. I heard that Paris Je T’aime is better, so maybe we will rent that one.
- The Brothers Bloom – Richie’s idea. We give it a 7! We had never even heard of it before but I guess it came out months ago and had a really great cast! It kept you wondering what was going to happen, had funny moments and was very endearing.
- Bee Movie – HBO’s idea. We give it a B+! It was unBEElieveably cute. Might even take the cake for Finding Nemo (one of my favorites). So yes, the best movie of the week was a talking cartoon honey bee.
P.S. I burned my hand on the oven rack. Ouch. Again, please do not drop everything you are doing to rush down here. But as always, get well gratuities (or a full sleeve oven mitt) will be accepted.
It was the best of times…
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It was the WURST of times…which is a good thing! This past weekend, my parents came to visit us. We took them to New Braunfels for Wurstfest! It was like a celebration of silly hats, lederhosen, yummy food (Rich with a Wurst-ka-Bob and me with a turkey leg) and accordion music.
And then we went to the most beautiful land of outlets in San Marcos. It was so magical, I would not be surprised if people got married there!
The first night my parents were here, we went out to dinner at Bess Bistro and I loved everything about it. I had been wanting to try it – I was told it was owned by Sandra Bullock! I had a delicious chopped cobb salad and…SPAETZEL! (which I say with an additional “ie” on the end) Rich can take me there anytime he wants to.
On Hallowe’en, my mom made us a mini Thanksgiving dinner with a chicken because Randalls (still my favorite grocery mart) did not have a lil turkey – gobble! Then, we went on a boat ride at dusk to watch the bats fly out from under the bridge – can you see them? Underneath the South Congress bridge is the biggest urban bat colony! And every night they fly away to go huntin for bugs. It was a very cool sight and there were so many of them that it looked like smoke in the night sky.
Oh, and my mom brought down some St. Nick’s day presents for me and Rich! They are sitting in the coat closet…a very trusting move for someone who knows what a peeker I am.
Speaking of Christmas. I have submitted my first draft of my list. Rich is still working on his…
Thanks for coming to visit! We had lots of fun! xoxo
Where have we been…
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Here I am! This past weekend, Rich and I continued our week long donut quest tradition and went to Gourdoughs! A shiny silver airstream of Big. Fat. Donuts. I think we have met our match. Rich got the Naughty & Nice donut which is sugar and cinnamon. I got the Bring the Heath with cream cheese icing and heath bar bits. Made fresh and served warm – puts Krispy Kreme to shame. We are trying not to make it a daily habit but it is very tempting because it is on the way home from the office. Lucky for us, my parents are coming to visit this weekend and they simply must experience this yummyness and we will have no choice but to take them there.
We also carved our pumpkins! Well, first I should say that we finally bought pumpkins! At Randalls, my new favorite grocery store which is another experience that I had to share with Rich and made him come grocery shopping with me. Everyone is just so genuinely friendly and helpful! Our pumpkins were buy one get one free and hearty as can be. Rich cut off the tops and scooped out the guts and then I baked our seeds and we got to work. Here are our masterpieces:
Rich made a longhorn and I made a bird which looks more like a turkey with a disappearing beak because my hands got tired from cutting.
P.S. Our apartment has no 13th floor. No button in the elevator. Just skips it like a pebble.
P.P.S. That Fuccillo sidekick, Tom – he is down here in Austin too, doing ads, selling cars…I had no idea he was such a commodity. It’s like ya can take the boy out of Grand Island, but…hehe
P.P.P.S. Yesterday, we watched an entire episode of the Doctors dedicated to clearing up myths about the swine flu vaccine and giving all the reasons why it is better to get it than get sick and then today, we see this video of a cheerleader who got a flu shot and now she can only run backwards. Needless to say, I walked in on Rich Lysol-ing the apartment when we got home. No germs in our house!
Punkin weather
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The leaves down here may not be changing (the only reason why the trees are any color other than green is because they have been deprived of a lil H2O) but I know that it is perfect punkin weather somewhere. And last weekend, I saw pumpkins at the farmers market across the street. Rich said that he wanted to go to a real pumpkin farm for pumpkins where we could drink apple cider and munch on powdered donuts. Sold! (He knows my weak spot – Starbucks’ Caramel Apple Spice and sugar) So this weekend, that was our plan. I woke up yesterday morning, excitedly hopped on my ‘puter and googled “pumpkin patches in austin” only to find that punkin patches in Austin are few and far between and the closest one was 45 miles away. These results resulted in this:
This would be the look of a lifelong member of the only child club. Not my proudest, but as an only I can not feign my utter disappointment when things do not go exactly (and by this I mean exactly – which for Only’s holds a meaning far beyond anything you will find in Merriam-Webster) how I expect them to go. So where did we end up?
Well, since we would have to drive far out into the middle of nowhere to a punkin farm, we decided to make a day out of our drive and Rich took me to San Antonio instead. Here we are at the Riverwalk which is totally awesome! I felt like I was at Disney World (which again, for an Only, is more than mouse ears and flying Dumbos – it really is the happiest place on earth) and for a few sunny hours down here in Tejas, I found a happy place (that was not between a Nordstrom and a Borders). Speaking of shopping, we did find a mall in downtown San Antonio and Rich and I went ‘splorin that too. Conclusion: It is the place that stores go to rest. i.e., there was a Sweet Factory and a Sam Goody (even Batavia let Sam Goody go).
Oh, we also saw the Alamo – guess I can check that one off the list. Conclusion about San Antonio: It is a warmer, flatter Clifton Hill. Complete with haunted houses, mirror mazes, a wax museum and Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Rich and I woke up this morning still craving the powdered donut we had been looking forward to all week long. Again (and surprisingly I must say), the search results for donut shops in Austin were hard to come by and no where to be found downtown by us. Aren’t donuts a staple? Especially for law enforcement and down here there are metermaids on the prowl everywhere! So we took a gamble and drove out to Shipley’s Donuts and let me tell you, it was a great way to start a Sunday morning! I had a glazed buttercream donut. I think. I am not sure because Rich thought I was taking too long to decide and made me pick one. Whatever it was, it was delicious and fresh. Rich went with the basics – a glazed and a chocolate glazed.
Medical update: Last week, while I was making philly cheesesteak-stuffed garlic bread (which was an awesome hit with my number one food critic), I sliced my finger along with the top of the loaf (so unfortunately, I may not be making this again anytime soon). No, no, please don’t be too concerned and drop everything to make sure that I am okay* even though two days prior I bashed my other hand on a grocery basket (yes, a grocery basket – I still am not sure how my knuckle came in contact with the basket…) which created quite a mess at the checkout line which I blamed on poorly packaged beef…needless to say, it has been a painful week for my hands but I am happy to report that after three days of bandages and neosporin, I think that I am going to survive and merely have a couple battle scars.
*get well cards, flowers or care packages will be accepted graciously.
Feelin kinda Sunday
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While watching the Bills game this afternoon, Rich thought that the color was off because the uniforms looked pink. But it was not the tv, Rich was right – the uniforms are pink! His cousin Nick told us that selected NFL teams will be wearing pink to recognize breast cancer awareness for the month of October! While searching for a photo, I found photos of other professional sports teams in pink too. But since we are from Buffalo, here is one of T.O. donning pink gloves
While I am strongly strongly opposed to pink sporting attire*, I very much like how the NFL and other sports teams are accessorizing their uniforms with the pink gear – from pompoms waving over head to shoelaces running plays down below. In addition to supporting a great cause, I absolutely love the shade of pink they have chosen – more of a jewel tone rather than the pastel, which is very hot right now. If only the Bills could take us to a win…There are two minutes left and I just heard Rich yell at the television – I do not think today will be the day. But at least they look good! And (look like) they care!
* a) girls don’t need a cliche gimmick to be interested in sports
* b) if sports want to make a profit off of female spectators, focus on a fit that is flattering to the female form (boxy is not) and softer cottons
* c) the tacky, gummy-pink color does not compliment any skin tone
* d) better yet, forget about the tees (Chip and Pepper can take care of that) – how about athletic inspired accessories for the female market – red, white and blue silk scarves and cashmere gloves would be great in the Buffalo burr and cashmere is never a regrettable purchase even if our team is down for a loss in the last 20 seconds and silk is soothing when your team is not.
Coming up roses
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This past weekend, I went to Raleigh to visit Stephie, meet Ben and do lots and lots of shopping! Ben was such a good lil shopper too (He is the sweetest! And I am not just saying that because I am his favorite Auntie Bethie – I think you would all agree, he is just so happy!) I had lots of fun and snagged some great steals that I would like to share with you.
First, my Betsey Johnson sandals. I am wearing them now and absolutely in love with them – glittery pink bottom, wooden platform, skinny heel and a bow! Found them at the Saks outlet on clearance with an additional 40% off which made them only $35! I checked my luggage just so that I could bring them home in their bright pink box. Also at Saks, I got a pair of Sevens for a little over $60 which was such a great surprise because I did not take them from the clearance rack and was expecting to pay full price. They are getting hemmed now and should be ready to wear on Saturday anytime after 5. So, if you have a Saks outlet near you, I highly suggest going. And if the sales lady asks you if you want to sign up for a More card, do it! It is not a credit card, just a rewards card. You save 20% immediately and receive more discounts in the future without having to carry a bunch of coupons.
Next, a review of my Ulta goods. The Japonesque Precision Lash Curler – a must have for straight, sparse yet stubborn Asian eyelashes and a treat from Stephie. Honestly, the best curler my lashes have ever met. And yes, I have met plenty of eyelash curlers that I have not liked. These freshly curled lashes are topped with a coat of Prestige Lash Matrix mascara and my eyes just look and feel a whole lot brighter. This mascara is much better than the overpriced Too Faced Lash Injection mascara that was recommended to me and just as good the Fresh Supernova mascara that I enjoy but about a third of the cost!
After I came home, I was still on my shopping high and decided it was time to treat my hair to some chemical dyes and sharp snippers. So, as usual, I did my last minute search and desperate call around to find someone who could take me immediately on such short notice. And, as always, my only option ended up being a salon in the mall. At home, my go-to was the Aveda salon – Euphoria. Down here in Austin, I gave Toni & Guy a try. I spent most of my afternoon there but had a very pleasant experience. Everyone was very friendly from the moment I called to make an appointment, to when I walked in, while I was waiting and I finally left. And, as an added surprise, their S-factor haircare line is all sulfate-free! Oh, and btw, I am a brunette now!
The best part of coming home was seeing my tooker AND these:
Rich had roses to greet me!
p.s. check out our new website – T Shirt Galleries! Where you can buy art that you can wear! Also, a great place to get gift ideas (ahem, birthday – ahem, t-h-i-r…TEE) – Rich picked out all of the tee shirts himself!
And now for an update on a couple of missed purchases that I mentioned in previous blogs. I am happy to report that while shopping the Streets at Southpoint, we popped into a store called Light Years. While I was perusing all the fun items, on a shelf on the back wall of the store I found…my Matyroshkas measuring cups by Fred! And today, I went to Target and found that tablecloth dress, put back on the rack and the only one in my size – totally meant to be! I held on to it this time and now it is hanging in my closet just waiting for the proper occasion. I will see what Richie says when he gets home but I sent him a picture of it from the store with a big smile on my face and he text me back telling me to get it with an exclamation point (he never uses those unless he really means it so, who am I to resist?!)
Yesterday, I put out my Halloween decorations (mini KitKats and Twix and peanut butter M&Ms in pumpkin dishes) and it made me so excited for…CHRISTMAS! I even have my Texas themed Christmas cards ready to be signed, sealed and delivered. But Rich said that I can not send them yet…I wonder if he will let me put up the tree now if I decorate it with pumpkins and turkeys…
Galoshes – boots for a rainy day
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This weekend was another noisy one – not us, our neighbor. The first weekend we were here, the neighbor to our right kept us up all night with loud music and conversation on the patio and then this weekend our neighbor to the left woke us up with loud music and laughing and banging on railing on the patio. Finally, my deaf ear could not take it anymore and by 5 in the morning Rich went over and asked them to turn it down a bit and they did, a bit. So annoying but seriously, the walls around here are paper thin and I was trying so hard to make the most of it (eavesdrop for something juicy to blog about) but it was just a bunch of lame, “i love college” babble that would make Asher Roth proud. I’ve never met our neighbor to the left but I didn’t take her for a party girl because I saw that she had Pottery Barn furniture delivered. However, based on further observation of what I have seen roaming around here, even the professionals are thirty year old frat boys and sorority girls. I have a feeling that my neighbors probably hang out on 6th street closing the bars (this is based on a trend of silence between 10 and 2 when the bar scene is in full swing and hearing pumped up banter before they leave and drunken babble after they come home), talking to each other via iPhone apps and showing off their Porches without actually having any fundamental knowledge about anything. Who knows, maybe they are really super cool and I will be borrowing sugar from them before you know it. But seriously, no one around here knows how to hold a door. What happened to southern hospitality?
On an up note, I do appreciate Austin style (although it should be mentioned that the standard attire of a fitted button up and jeans is not okay – i.e., the sight of bro-entourage following this same fashion advice walking across the street, going to the same place and probably talking to the same girls). But as for the girls I have seen – very vintage/hipster chic and always effortless looking and well put together with simple, flattering accessories such as a nice pair of sunglasses, a nice handbag or a great pair of boots – nothing Lady GaGa-audy about it.
Confession: Lately, I have been wearing a lot of flip flops and comfy clothes and the night of the Ra Ra Riot show, I had on galoshes because it had been raining earlier which sounds logical but… as we walked home down 6th Street passing all the girls in their designer boots and stilettos, I felt a titch like Bridget Jones schlumping along in my rain boots and realized that I love getting all dolled up and have been a disgrace to my motto: Fashion before function. So time to put an end to that! Time to stop being comfortable and back to looking smart (and sassy)! Maybe then people will want to hold doors for me if they notice that I am strutting like a warrior in 4-inch spikes. Besides, I got rid of loads of shoes before we moved to make room for new ones, right??
Sunday, Rich and I went shopping and I bought a couple new dresses from American Apparel (the outlet – half price means half the guilt!). I have always thought that American Apparel clothes are a bit too outrageous for me but now, after trying on a few things, I have discovered that the lines of the clothes are very flattering to my frame. And yesterday, I wore a dress that I had in my closet (the one in Buffalo) for months. I had been waiting for a special occasion or something to wear it but why wait for an occasion when you can create one? So yesterday I wore my dress to Target, to do laundry, to make dinner and go for an evening walk with Rich around the park. And Rich wore his new swim trunks. Just call me a modern day housewife (sans house, sans wife). (And yes folks, I have been applying for jobs – even retail sales clerk positions but haven’t got any bites…does anyone actually look at my resume?)
Back to the dresses, I found a dress at Target that I liked but Rich didn’t (I recall him using the word “tablecloth” to describe it and I believe he said it was so ugly that he would not eat off of it if it was his grandmother’s tablecloth – ouch) And so, with that, I put it back. (p.s. it drives me crazy when my mom takes my dad’s fashion advice and here I am listening to Rich) Needless to say, it was still on my mind after we left and the next day I decided that I wanted the dress. So I emptied piggy and took myself to Target only to find that it was gone – someone snagged it – someone had my dress. And now, I have just gone to the Target website to order the dress only to see that it is no longer available (not even sold out – just not there anymore). So now, all I have left to remember said dress is an iPhone photo I asked Rich to take before I placed it back on the rack. Who would have known that that would be our only memory.
This morning we went to the Domain! Sound cool? Shopping paradise! It was just a perfectly constructed metropolis of designer shops! Like a piece of Rodeo Drive in Austin but more conducive to my window shopping and daydreaming. Rich had to go to the Apple store to fix his iPhone and while we were at the Apple store, this is what we saw:
Do you see it? Let me elaborate, the lady in red is wearing floral leggings, ankle socks and hi-tops and the jacket is wool on an 80 degree day. But, what stuck out most about her ensemble was the surgical mask over her face. Which she removed when speaking with the Apple bartender, so it must not be anything contagious?
I nudged Rich who thought that this was odd but not too out of the ordinary – he did not realize that what I was really trying to draw his attention to was the small child she was keeping in the suitcase next to her. Yes, under that white blanket in the suitcase is a sleeping child. In a suitcase. Any theories?
Extract
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Last night, Rich and I went to see the movie “Extract” – the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes give it a 62% but I think it deserves a better score than that solely based on Mila Kunis’ adorable working class wardrobe and smashing wedge sandals. But seriously, we thought it was wittier than a sixty-two and, on a narrower scale of 1-10 with ten being tookerific, we give it an 8.
This week, we played a round of mini golf at Peter Pan. I decided that I was up for the challenge and truly thought that this game would be mine for the winning! Poorly mistaken with a final score of 57 (not counting a few regulation “re-dos”) to 53 – Congratulations Rich! But, I would like a rematch.
Also, this week, I found myself in a place that brought me back to my days at an all-girls high school. We were sitting at table outside of Starbucks near a table of giggly tweens whom grabbed my attention with their conversation about God which transitioned into a conversation about designer labels, Gucci bags and Louis wallets (which each girl literally brought to the table as if on cue). On the topic of designer labels, they should not be mentioned when discussing what you are wearing (i.e., the girl at school whom they were making an example of for saying she wore Ugg boots and not just boots) as if such modesty is upheld in their own clique – doubtful (i.e., during a deep discussion about tights, when one of the girls excused herself from the table, the other girl jumped at the opportunity to inform the others that that girls tights (one of their own members) were from Target – “Target” must have overheard because the comment was quickly followed by a halt, turn and glare which was reinforced by boisterous clarification from across the promenade that they were actually Michael Kors). Then, an iPhone break was taken with a second or third round of coffees and then half of the girls left their “friends” for the evening. I saw some fake smiles and then, once the coast was clear, eye contact among the remaining girls and, like clockwork, all the “ills” about the girls who left begin. Sigh…
On a less superficial note, Rich has just brought to my attention a new website with a big heart – Yellow Bird Project – the indie bands we love + charities they support = swag for us + giving to causes we care about. I am a particular fan of The National + Safe Space.
Dos blog
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Remember how I said, “neatly organized, fully functional household?” Well…I think that we are definitely on our way to neatly organized (thanks to The Container Store) but fully functional? I would have to say not so much based on Rich’s reaction when he asked me where something was and it just so happened to be “behind the bamboo box and under the clear itso bin in a clear box with a lid.” I just hope that he doesn’t need batteries in the near future (but fyi – they are in the small plastic box next to the take out menus on the top shelf of the cupboard above the charging station).
On tonight’s agenda is the sorting through Rich’s files and making room for mine – very exciting. But first, we are going shopping. But not serious shopping – fun shopping! We are going to check out the shoppes in our neighborhood and I am very excited.
— 6 hours later —
We are back from our shopping excursion with a few new discoveries.
One. I like a pair of lululemon pants but they are 88 dollars. Our gym membership (at the South Austin Gym – home of Big Steve, a 75 year young man who benches 425!) was only $158. And of course, I should mention that there is the top which is $52…and the hoodie..and a lovely purple bag. So, my question is this: Thinking of it like Rich (in terms of percentage) is it a good investment? Probably not. Thinking of it like Elizabeth (in terms of motivation)…What do you think?
Two. I am Garmin handicapped. No matter what I am looking for, Garmin can not find it (even when I can see where I want to be as I pass it driving in the wrong direction because of Garmin’s poor instructions and with no exits or places to make a U-ie for miles). Very “frus-tra-ting” (shaking my fist for those in on the ISJ).
Three. From now on, as annoying as it may be to hear “recalculating” every 100 yards, we must use Garmin. Rich (driver) + Me (navigator) = confusion. My navigation treats every road like there is a detour ahead and the combination of alternative route options with last minute warnings causes confusion for my driver who likes commanding the far left lane. So, from now on, I am going to stick to being the passenger.
Four. We found a bodega and I can not wait until I forget something and need to run over to Royal Blue Grocery to get it. At the moment, I am eating delicious Annie’s organic mac ‘n’ cheese – from the bodega! There was a whole convenient assortment of organic food and eco-friendly products to be “forgotten” on my future errands. They even have Orangina (which Rich is enjoying a glass of now) and bubbly wine in a pink can with a pink flexie straw.
And lastly, better luck next time Buffalo Bills!
Dos semanas
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We have just wrapped up our second weekend in Austin! We have been buying more and more furniture and (after the umpteenth visit to Ikea) our place is feeling more and more like home. Our first big purchase was a natural, “green” mattress made with bamboo fabric. It is super comfortable and we are especially appreciative after spending our first night here sleeping on the concrete floor (not even the worlds sweetest, softest blanket could soften the blow). Another big purchase that we are happy to have is our bright, big new tv (Rich is playing Mario Kart and it looks awesome!! I can’t wait to take a turn at it!!) and a big ol’ comfy couch (with a chaise which makes it extra comfy for Rich).
I have been to Super Target almost every day stocking up on groceries and rummaging through the home organization department. The only thing left to do is organize my organizers. Yes, this probably sounds silly and I think Rich thinks I might be crazy, but I feel that my freshly emptied and refilled totes and bins are in need of a new storage system. The good news is that I feel like we are close to having a neatly organized, fully functional household. I just wish that my hangers all matched…This will probably require another trip to Target. I should have just stuck to my guns and, instead of buying the cheap plastic ones (because after all, they are just hangers), gone for the more slightly more expensive and slimmer Joy Mangano huggable hangers which I have ended up buying a package or two of anyways. Now, although it seems that daily excursions to Target and Ikea has become my new full-time job (which I am sure that my Masters in School Counseling is being applied somehow…retail therapy perhaps?), it should be noted that this week Prixie and I did go off the beaten path (a.k.a. I-35 to Ikea and back and every Target exit in between) and ventured out to a shopping mall where I treated myself to a few lil Sephora goodies necessities such as Ojon dry shampoo which I have always wanted to try! And Whole Foods – the flagship store – is just down the street! It is the size of a Weggies but all one big Nature’s Market! Paradise if you ask me. Overpriced if you ask Rich. Luckily, I do the grocery shopping around here.
One of my favorite local stores is Monkey See Monkey Do in the SoCo area – they have lots of Fred-ware! Rich bought me the Evidence knife and Pac Man Potholder. On my wish list is the Calf & Half. We went there today in search of the Fred M-Cups (measuring cups disguised as matryoshkas) but they were no where to be found so I guess that those are on my wish list too. We also went to the Big Top candy shoppe next door and split a piece of chocolate covered bacon – yummy?? Here is what we thought: the goodness of chocolate + the goodness of bacon = a chewier version of a chocolate covered pretzel. Also in SoCo is a diner which is quickly becoming a favorite tradition – the South Congress Café. Rich loves the migas and I like the quiche eggs benedict. This will definitely be a place we go to brunch when we have visitors.
I have been cooking quite a bit since we got here. I made mac n’ cheese (Rich’s favorite), chicken tostadas (Stephie gave me the recipe and they made lots of yummy leftovers), a new pasta with roasted veggies dish recipe that I got at the kitchen outlet store where I bought a set of Pyrex (thumbs up) and a pasta with peas and prosciutto (not a total miss but I don’t think it quite hit the spot). The other night, we got take out from Mama Fu’s and that really hit the spot. And the good news (or, maybe trouble) is that it is located just around the corner! Last night, we went out to dinner – to a brewery that we always drive by on Barton Springs called Uncle Bill’s. Rich got a hamburger and I got brisket (yes, the former vegetarian is pleased to announce that she enjoys the brisket nowadays). And then Rich took me to Amy’s for ice cream!! It looks adorable with neon cows and the delish ice cream matched the atmosphere.
The 100 degree temperatures were a pleasant shock to my coolly conditioned Buffalo skin (and I feel confident that I will be tan for Thanksgiving sans booth-generated UVB bulbs). Last week, we enjoyed the pool, checked out Barton Springs and went for a walk around Lady Bird Lake. The last couple of days have been a bit rainy and cooled of the air a bit. Oh, that reminds me – I bought a plant for the patio! His name is Palmer (can anyone guess what type of plant he is??) His instructions said that he required lots and lots of sunlight (which is guaranteed sitting out on the patio) and should not be watered until the soil is completely dry (which is perfect because I tend to forget to do these things) – and then as soon as I put him out there, it starts raining cats and dogs – in Texas! Anywho, Palmer has a nice home on the patio in between our “His & Hers” Adirondack chairs for as long as he likes.
Last weekend was the kick-off UT football game. The city was a sea of burnt orange – seriously, from hats to dresses to shoes to bags – everything here is available in burnt orange, including Magic 8 Balls?? Rich and I will be better prepared for the next one with our Hook’em/Longhorn tees. But that fashion statement will have to wait – tomorrow is “Let’s go Buffalo” tee shirt day!