Birthday Shenanigans

Recently I turned 29 for the first, but certainly not last, time.  Those of you who know me well have likely recognized that I have a bit of a flair for the dramatic when it comes to aging.  I attribute this fact to being the eldest child of 3, having a best friend who is 353 days younger than me and a husband who is 195 days younger than me... all things I'm reminded of on a regular basis by said parties.  You would think that watching my life odometer switch from 28 to 29 would have really had me in a tizzy but shockingly I didn't care.  Maybe it's because 28 was such a solid year - bought our first home, married my love and had our first (fur) baby orrrrrr... maybe it's because I'm just stockpiling drama for the next odometer switch?  Only time will tell.  ;c)  Either way, my 28th year of life was capped off by an absolutely perfect birthday. 

Due to a combination of everyone in my life doing MORE than enough celebrating of yours truly in the past year and my recent requirement to down 5 hour energys  prior to scenarios that warrant me staying up later than 11 pm- having a low key birthday was a must.  On my actual birthday, a Tuesday, Ryan spoiled me to pieces with flowers, wonderful food, a beautiful jewelry box I adore and a mandatory stop at my favorite local coffee shop. 

White chocolate & raspberry slice o'heaven.

Family photografia.

Wrapping - not one of Ryan's strong suits.

I think the subliminal message here is - you should buy more jewelry.  Don't mind if I do...

I evidenced that I've already mastered the art of using my birthday to my own benefit by somehow convincing Ryan that all I wanted to celebrate the next year of life was to carve pumpkins on Friday.  Our first exchange on the subject went like this:

Me:  I think for my birthday I really want to carve pumpkins.
*silence*
Me:  You don't look excited!  Why not?!
Ryan: Because I'm not 12.

Soooo he was not immediately as smitten with the idea as yours truly, but he did eventually acquiesce.  You may be thinking- wow, what a sweet guy.  However, everyone we encountered that Friday evening, from my Mom to the highschool girl that checked us out at HEB, would inform you that Ryan was about as excited as I would be at a WWF event.  He was also about as vocal about his excitement as I would have been.  I am sure that highschool grocer is suuuuuuper excited about all that Friday nights in her late 20s hold in store for her now, not to mention that magic of marriage. To his credit, Ryan carved some pumpkins like a champ, and although he'd never admit it, I think he enjoyed it.

Look at all that genuine happiness.

Mmmm... pumpkin guts.

See if you can spot the ghost in this photo.

Such a confused household.  You may be asking yourself what is below the Gig 'em.  Obviously that is a bowtie in honor of R. Bowen Loftin.  Trust me when I say it was a better alternative than the SEC logo Ryan originally wanted to carve.

This one was my fav.

Saturday Ryan took me out for sushi at RA.  It was fabulous, of course.  I like that place a litttttle bit too much.  On Sunday our families and a couple friends were kind enough to brave the rain to come over to watch the Texans with us and celebrate my old age.  Ryan made absolutely FABULOUS pulled pork (thanks Kelly!) & sausage, I made pumpkin seeds & blueberry cobbler, my Mom made potato salad, Ryan's mom made beans and my sister made some money pumpkin cookies.  I am fairly certain I gained 5 pounds in a 2 hour time frame- but it was totally worth it.  There's nothing like being surrounded by family & friends, comfort food and a rain storm to make you look forward to the next year. 

Kylie is signaling that it's time for pulled pork.

Girl table.

"Mom, you didn't tell me there'd be hot chicks here."

Ryan & Austin looooove taking pictures.

Look out ladies of Geneva.

Bro-mance.

Thank you to everyone who helped make my birthday this year so memorable.  I love you all and am so fortunate to have each of you to help me get ready for next year's over-the-hill hysterics.  ;c)

Happily Ever After: The Covington Edition

About 3 weeks ago Ryan and I trekked up to Dallas to watch my dearest Melissa say "I do," to sports fanaticism for the rest of her life.  Melissa married Blake on September 24th at Custer Road United Methodist and had a gorgeous reception afterwards at Bent Tree Country Club. 

Melissa was one of my roommates my 5th, and most fun, year of college.  Coincidentally- we were both single.  Correlation?  Perhaps.  We had more inside jokes, more nights at the Spazmatics and more fun than anyone ever should in that year.  In between Sushi Sunday runs and Law & Order SVU marathons, Courtney, Melissa & I used to wax philosophic on who we'd end up with in life.  The first time I met Blake, I knew exactly who Melissa would end up with.  They literally could not be more perfect for eachother.  Much like the couple themselves, the wedding was flawless.  Again, I'll let the pictures do the talking because what right do I have cluttering up good photography with bad verbiage?

Thank you Covingtons for letting me be a part of your day.  I love you both oodles and look forward to all the Maui Wowi, pool pong and Kyle searches that our hearts desire.

The scene of some crab ball crime as well as a beautiful rehearsal dinner.

Finger guns to the fans.

Allyson & Katie.

Becca, Yo & the Bride.

Carrying his soon-to-be-bride across the parking lot threshhold.

Gorgeous Bride.

Katie, Dianna, Karissa, Lauren & Alissa.

Ohhhh, 5th year, how I miss thee.

Handsomest man at the wedding.

Precious ring box... and some fab bling.

Amazing flowers.

Grooms cake.  Swoon.

Breathtaking.

Love this picture.

Hook 'em and good night!

NSFJ: Table Talk

Oh man, I told you guys to prepare for some NSFJ posts.  You had no idea what you were in for, did you?  Looks like Christmas came early for you this year, my loves!

This year Ryan and I have had the good fortune of inheriting a few fabulous finds from his sweet grandparents - an amazing bar, 2 chairs for the living room and 1 round pedestal table.  It just occurred to me that I did not post pics of these babies when we acquired them, so I will reveal them here...

So fun.  The bar, not all the unpacking I still have to do.  HEY!  Sometimes it takes 3+ months to move in.  NBD.

Bar side profile.  Sheeeee's a beaut.

Why, yes, Ryan's grandparents are A&M fans- how did you know?

Close up of one.  I'm also noticing our floor could use a sweep.  Don't worry - that will be taking place tomorrow.

I have been itching to flex my DIY muscle, and acclimating these treasures into the house was the perfect opportunity.  Ryan has threatened my life if I try to do anything to the bar, and to be quite honest- it's pretty fabulous all on its own.  I have some re-upholstering plans in store for the chairs... but that will have to wait until we have our sectional so that inspiration can truly strike (haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!).  So, the first victim of Ryan & I's craftiness was the table.

After a couple trips to Home Depot/Lowe's and a few weekends of grunt work... voila, retirement for the card table we'd previously been using in the kitchen.  I won't bore you with the details of staining, but if you're interested- let me know.  I'd be happy to relay.  For now, enjoy the photographic evolution. 

All of the tools for this little project.

The before.

Paint stripper.  This stuff does not play.  The requirement to wear gloves is a littttttle more serious than when they made us wear them for highschool chemistry.

After a round of sanding.  Or maybe 5?  It's hard to tell.

Stained!  This is called pickled white.  It's meant to look a little distressed or worn... we aren't just that lazy.

Ta da!  Oh, p.s. we (okay, probably I) decided to add a punch of color with some green chairs from Crate & Barrel.  Love, love.  One day this space will also have a rug, chair cushions and some curtains.

From the other angle.  Sans flash.

Someone was displeased that she wasn't getting any attention.  Not a self-entertainer, that one.

The Next Chapter

I try not to do much discussing of work on the ol' blog but very recently I made a life-changing decision which warrants documentation.  I have decided to make the switch from public accounting to industry accounting.  I accepted a job with a new company and put my 2 weeks in on September 26th and today was my last day.  The weeks following putting in my 2 weeks were fairly difficult- not because I regreted or second guessed my decision but because the people that I worked with were truly my family.  Making the jump to industry is something that I've always known I wanted to pursue and based on the past year, I just felt the time was right for me.  That being said - it's never easy to feel that you are hurting your family in any way and that is a bit how leaving feels. 

My former company will forever hold a place in my heart- it's where I started my adult life.  Where I started my career.  Where I learned how to operate a fax machine (sort of...).Where I met my first career mentors.  Where I made life long friends.  Where I learned I'll never understand parking garages.  Where I, very literally, started my family.  I can not put into words the type of appreciation I feel for all that the company, and especially the people, have done for me both personally and professionally.  I will never spend one second regretting my time there and will proudly tell anyone looking to embark on a career as an accountant that there is no better place to start.  An incredibly sincere thank you to all of my co-workers, both past and present, for all they have done to shape my life and for the opportunities you afforded me.

My new company clearly has some big shoes to fill but I am incredibly excited about this next chapter in my career.  I look forward to new challenges, new experiences and new adventures.  I hope that I am able to make an impact and to learn and grow in new ways.  I am really looking forward to my future there and everything that comes along with it.  I appreciate being given the opportunity to join the team and am really looking forward to my first day on Monday.

Partially NSFJ: Weekend de Labor 2k11

This year for Labor Day Ryan & I decided that a low-key weekend was exactly what the doctor ordered.  More specifically, I believe I may have ordered it.  I just wanted a mini break from planning things.  LDW 2011 definitely delivered.

Friday Ryan took a half day and met me at the furniture store so that we could finally make a couple of purchases in an attempt to turn our house into a home.  Please note that MUCH more furniture shopping transpired between my previous post and this one.  Forget surviving a home purchase- surviving furniture purchases has been a much more exciting trial for the Mr. & I.  I recommend taking some wedding pictures with you when furniture shopping.  Use them as reference each time he looks at you and says "are you SURE we need that?"  Also note that "because I saw it on HGTV," is not considered a valid supporting statement.

Our buys were as follows:  (Please note that these pictures are taken at the furniture store or perhaps found somewhere online.  You don't get to see them at home until we start finishing some rooms.  Ohhhh the anticipation!)

TV Component cabinet.

Ryan: We'll take the dresser and 2 coffee tables.

Salesperson: blank stare.

Me:  Nightstands.  He means we'll take 2 nightstands.

Dresser I adore.  It looks less oak-y/pine-y in real life.  I love furniture that looks like it has a history or a story.  You will notice we have not purchased a headboard.  We (yes Ryan, WE) are going to attempt to make an upholstered headboard.  More on that in the future...

Our sectional.  This one takes a little more imagination because it's not this color, there's no chaise lounge and the configuration is flipped.  You get the idea though.

This color.

After spending some hard earned cash we went home to retrieve Miss Lola and headed up to Lake Conroe to hang out with my family.  We spent Saturday maxing, relaxing and playing some pool pong.  Saturday also was the first day that Lola actually went swimming on her own.  If you'd have seen the death looks she shot me when I put her in the pool last time we went up there, you'd realize what an achievement this was.  Homegirl is not quite like a fish... but we're working on it.

Yeeaaaah... I'm good here.  Thanks.

Abby is not so interested in being the teacher.

Lola Phelps.  Gold medals are in our future.

Sunday Ryan went to the A&M game with Brendan while my parents, Matt, Julie, Jen, David, Lola & I went to watch Ryan's Dad race at Three Palms with Tiffany.  Not to brag or anything, but my Father in Law miiiiight have placed first in both of his races... what a stud.  Sadly I did not take any pictures, so enjoy a picture of his bike from last time and one I hijacked from Tiffany (thanks Tiffy).

Hello moto.

Oldie but goodie.

Monday was more laziness around the house capped off by a perfect home-cooked meal from my dear Mama.  Do cooking genes skip a generation?  That's what I tell Ryan.  Overall it was a perfect weekend- the kind that makes you just look around and feel blessed to lead the life you do.