Showering Mr. & Mrs. Cougaballa

As you may recall from a previous post, my dear friend Shawna will be signing up for a lifetime of learning lines on UFC fights in January. English translation: she and Austin are getting married!  On November 12th, the respective best men and maids of honor threw them a couple's bash of epic proportions. 

Jimmer and his lovely wife Beth were brave enough to host the shower at their pretty home.  Through what can only be described as an (almost) Christmas miracle, Ryan & Jimmer managed to combine their forces to shop for and cook enough mmmmmmm-mazing fajitas (and trimmings) for all partygoers.  Dena & Caitlin of course did an excellent job with decor and games.  Beth had the house beautified to the max and all of those things combined made for one fabuous party. 

We gabbed, we gorged, and we gamed.  The highlight of the evening was watching a hilarious video montage of Austin & Shawna being interviewed to determine how well they know one another.  My favorite nuggets from said video were that Austin has not smiled for a picture since the early 90s, he's had at least 2 screen names (including CougaBalla) not counting he and Ryan's youthful exploits as AOLPolice and Shawna's favorite dance move should be seen to be believed.  All in all it was a completely perfect reminder of just why we love Shawna & Austin so much.  Thanks to the hosts and hostesses... I can't wait for the sequel in a couple weeks!

Pretty table.  P.S. I triumphed against my mental math fear and won that jar of M&M's.  Booyah!

Mmmmmmmmmmm.

For those of you worried we may have sacrificed even one moment of football in the name of a couple's shower- have no fear.

Three quarters of the sisters Florida.

The (almost) Sumerlins.

Blurry shot of all the hosts with the most(s).  That saying is about beer, right?

Pretty friends.  I hear the one on the left likes polar bears.

Fred & Mary.

Brandon channeling Popeye.

Giving noogies to their BFF's future wife?  The kindness is truly boundless.

Shawna, Caitlin, Dena, Beth, Lauren, Laura, Brianna and Mary.

Everyone enjoying my new favorite video.  Definitely Oscar material.

Beth, Lauren & Shawna.

A sampling of Shawna's dance skillz.

Jules & I.

Coming soon...BFF Reunion: the Cabo Edition.

Thanks-Full: Edition 3

Happy Turkey Day everyone!  I hope this post finds you surrounded by love, family and food.

• Friday, November 18th - Health.  The older I get, the more exposure I have to serious illness.  Cancer in particular is something that has had a huge effect on both sides of my family within the past year.  I know youth and health are fleeting, so I vow to be thankful as long as I am granted it. 

• Saturday, November 19th - Michael Buble. Nothing turns a day around for me like hearing a little Buble on the radio.  It's impossible to be in a bad mood while listening to him.  I dare you to try.  Oh, and the sentimentalist in me would point out that Ryan and I's first dance was to the Bubs.  Thanks, fella.

Crazy Love.
• Sunday, November 20th - Sunday Night Dinner.  Recently Ryan and I started making a nice meal Sunday night.  I've tried a new recipe every Sunday for the last 5 or 6 weeks and its made a day I used to dread into one of my favorites.  Tonight: crab cakes and cornbread.  Cue the elastic sweatpants!

• Monday, November 21st - Lola.  I just can't say enough how happy this little beast and her tail of fury make me.  I'm incredibly thankful that she is ours, despite her continuous flatulence.  Like father, like puppy.

My love.

• Tuesday, November 22nd - Happy Hour.  Tonight we had an impromptu HH with friends.  Now that I'm a 'burbanite I don't do this nearly enough.  Drink specials, great company and lots of laughs- what more could a girl ask for? 

• Wednesday, November 23rd - Slumber Parties.  Tonight we are sleeping over at Ryan's parents house which will kick off a weekend of slumber parties with the Martins & the Boarmans.  I can't wait to hang out, stay up late, watch bad tv and play with family.  It will be just like when I was 13, but probably with less Ouija board.

Who wouldn't want to have a party de slumber with this cutie patootie?

• Thursday, November 24th - Family Time.  As I'm sure you've gathered if you are a vigilant blog-reader (that's you Mom & Julie!), I am a HUGE fan of my family.  Both my birth family and my in-laws.  I could go on and on, but I'll spare you all.  The bottom line is that I've been blessed with the most loving, loyal and FUN family that a girl could possibly have.  Today that is what I'm most thankful for.  I LOVE YOU FAMILIA!

P.S. Today Ryan and I are attending the UT/TAMU game together in College Station.  I wonder what the Vegas odds on us surviving this would be?  HOOK 'EM!

... Til Gabriel blows his horn.

Thanks-Full: Edition 2

• Friday, November 11th - My job.  As an adult, especially in this economy, I am thankful to have a job period.  I feel exceedingly lucky because I not only have a job, but I have one that I like.  I love lots of things about my job, but today its the fact that I'm not there.  9/80s- HOLLA.

   

• Saturday, November 12th - My friends.  Without them, who would ever tag inappropriate pictures of me?  Who would wish me a happy birthday a month late?  How would I ever have perfected my I'm-not-reading-a-totally-ridiculous-text-right now face?  I love each of you oodles. 

Who would I hang out with in all yellow?

Who would I down 5 Hours with before I walked down the aisle?

• Sunday, November 13th - Honey Wheat Pretzels.  They're crunchy.  They're delicious.  They're part of my lunch most days. 

• Monday, November 14th - The feeling I get walking into our house.  Sure we don't have furniture.  Sure our couch is a trainwreck.  Sure we are still using an ill-sized rug in the living room to keep Lola from scratching the floors.  There are a lot of things our house doesn't have, but when I walk in and hear the hubs playing video games with pre-teens and see the little beast who's so excited that her entire body wags - I'm reminded that what it does have is more important.  That is the feeling of really being home.  

My boos.

• Tuesdsay, November 15th -  Target.  If Target doesn't have it, you probably don't need it.  (Not to be read literally, Ryan Martin).

• Wednesday, November 16th - Date Night In.  Give me Chinese food and some good DVR on the couch or give me death!  Is that not how that quote goes? 

• Thursday, November 17th - My Parents.  Today is my wonderful Mother's Birthday.  What better day than today** to be thankful for the people who gave me life?  This is meant to be a short paragraph, so there's surely not room to list all the things I'm thankful for, but near the top are the values they instilled in me, the ability to laugh at myself and the example of unselfish love they set for me.  Also high on the list- the fact that my Mom would always make a version of dinner without cheese for yours truly.  Who's spoiled?  I hope your day is wonderful, Mom!  Love you too, Daddio!

All together... awwwww.

** for the record I'm thankful every day.

NSFJ: The Great Wall

Disclaimer:  What you are about to read may be slightly melodramatic.

On Saturday October 22nd, tragedy struck the Martin household in the form of a cocoa-colored sectional.  I debated not sharing this little tidbit at all as it scarred me so deeply.  However, with the passage of time has come some healing (and a lot of laughing).  So, I suppose in the interest of entertaining my future self I will go ahead and document "the incident."

As you may recall, Ryan and I sacrificed life and limb time, energy and newlywed kindness to find ourselves a chaise-less sectional.  Back in early September the quest for said living room staple was finally complete.  Our order was placed and we waited anxiously for the day that this apex would find its home in our home.  In late October we found out that the sectional was available and would be delivered on October 22nd.  Ryan & I were so excited we woke up early, made breakfast and waited in great anticipation. 

I mean this level of excitement.  (How cute is this kid?!  Photo from howismyface.com)

Mid morning the furniture delivery people showed up, perfectly within their slated delivery window.  I stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room watching like a child on Christmas morning as they brought in the first piece (the love seat) of the sectional.  As they removed the protective plastic coating my first thought was- paint chip samples are liars!  My beloved Harmonic Tan was certainly not doing any favors for the Cocoa in the couch.  On the showroom floor the colors looked like Rob & Big - a perfect pairing that delights all ages; however in my living room it was more like Britney & Kevin - a hot mess from the get go. 

As I cursed the deceptive abilities of Sherwin Williams, I realized I'd been so lost in my thoughts that I didn't pay attention to the fact that the second piece was now in place.  I allowed myself to have a positive thought - glad we got the wedge.  While mentally high fiving myself for trying to channel the power of positivity, the third piece (the sofa) was put in place.  I am no Physicist, but I recognized immediately that something was amiss. 

At first I figured that I should probably have put some make up on because surely we were on some type of reality show.  Why else would this be happening?  However, as Ryan, the furniture delivery men and I all sat there scratching our heads, it became painfully evident that this was indeed real life.  The delivery men must have been able to tell that we were not emotionally stable enough to handle more bad news, so they left us with the incorrect piece. 

What is wrong with this picture?  Aside from the multitude of A&M throws?  Looking at this picture stresses me out all over again.

After they left, I handled the situation like any real adult would - I went and got in my bed and hoped that the Furniture Fairy would make all right in our little living room world before I saw it again.  As I laid there I contemplated the probability that Ryan (who was on the phone with the furniture salesman) would immediately ask for a divorce if I uttered outloud that the colors really didn't work.  Afterall, I had already played one re-re-paint card on the kitchen.  How many does one woman get?! 

What?  You need another angle?  (P.S. Lola has moved out of her room and into the living room.  One day, God-willing, that crate will be gone)

I must have decided either that he wouldn't or that I could talk him out of it because when he asked where I was 20 minutes later I told him that the colors didn't work.  New-age Marco Polo.  Marco = Where are you.  Polo = The sofa looks terrible with our paint color.  While he was not too excited about that fact at first, he eventually agreed.  We figured out a solution that will hopefully be cost-effective. We are going to pull a little switcharoo and change the entry way from Cottage Cream to Harmonic Tan and change the living room from Harmonic Tan to Cottage Cream. 

This is mas o menos the face that the mention of re-painting elicited from Ryan.  As you can imagine, it wasn't really a Kodak moment, so I dug this up from the archives for visualization purposes.  (Visualize without the blonde hair though- yikes).

Hopefully a happy ending to this situation is coming to a living room near you (if you live near me anyway) in December.  Fingers crossed for everyone's sanity!

Thanks-Full: Edition 1

The older I get, the more I realize how richly I've been blessed.  This past year has made me especially aware of this fact thanks to the outpouring of love Ryan & I experienced in the whole tying of the knot process in addition to all the other exciting changes that have taken place in our lives during 2011.  There is no greater time than November, the home of Thanksgiving, to specifically take time to call out the things you're thankful for. 

Therefore, I'm going to think of at least one thing I'm thankful for each day this month and I'll post them each Thursday.  Of course, the brilliance driving this plan didn't strike until after the first Thursday, so I'll be catching myself up in the first edition.  Don't worry, no skimping on gratitude for me!

• Tuesday November 1st- My husband.  I know I make fun of him a lot (rightfully so), but he is truly the best partner in the world.  He cooks, he cleans, he does yard work, he does laundry, he helps take care of Lola Bean and I could not do it without him.  Most importantly - he makes up funny songs.  Thanks lova. 

Yeah, I put a ring on that.

• Wednesday, November 2nd - Diet Cream Soda.  I hate diet drinks but this one does not suck.  Without it, I would be very thirsty at lunchtime.

• Thursday, November 3rd - Color-coding.  How would I ever be able to glance quickly at a spreadsheet and tell which cost center expenses were assigned to without this tool?  I wouldn't my friends, I WOULDN'T. 

• Thursday, November 3rd - Workout buddies.  At my new job, there is a gym on site employees can use for free.  This is amazing, right?  So amazing that I'd made it nearly a month without going.  Theeeeen Thursday my work-friend and I hit the gym.  I laughed a lot and got my fitness on.  Hallelujah for other people to make me get my butt in shape.

• Friday, November 4th - SBux Salted Caramel Mocha.  Going to work on a Friday is rough.  Bribing yourself to do so with a fabulous seasonal beverage makes it borderline exciting.

I didn't take this picture.

• Saturday, November 5th - Family Texting.  Told Papa bear I loved him before he left for Africa on business.  Sent Mama bear a precious picture of Lola.  Sent the S-Bend family lots of fun party texts.  Without having a text-savvy family, I wouldn't be nearly the multi-tasker I am today.

• Sunday, November 6th - Crock Pots.  These babies make even the worst chefs (read: me) feel like Emeril.  Maximum aromacy, minimum effort.  Who doesn't love that? 

I totally made that.  Mmmmm... chicken & corn chilli.

• Monday, November 7th - Blogger.  This significantly cuts into my online shopping time which makes for a happy wallet and a happy Mr. 

• Tuesday, November 8th - Google Images.  I can't tell you how many things I google image.  This morning for instance this huge bird that sits on the ledge of windows on our floor came to visit again.  Popped "hawk" and "falcon" into google image and bam- learned he is a Peregrine Falcon (I think).  Google Images = My Pintrest.

• Wednesday, November 9th - Oak Trees.  I fell in love with our neighborhood, and our house, initially because of the huge oak trees.  The part of Baker I take home is lined with oak trees as well and just driving down that road puts me at peace.  Maybe it's the shadows they make, maybe it's their perfect tree shape or maybe it's just their size and strength... regardless, something about oak trees reminds me that  there are more important things in this world than the spreadsheets I can't fix and/or the formulas I can't figure out. 

 
1.5 of my beloved oak trees.
• Thursday, November 10th - My Siblings.  I can't imagine a few days without a picture text from my sister or a family gathering without a diatribe from my brother about stereo speakers or the latest Apple product.  I am so thankful to be one of 3... especially when the other 2 have turned into such wonderful adults. 

Halloweekend

Do you see what I did there with the title?  I made a mashable out of Halloween & weekend.  How is it I am not a celeb gossip columnist already?!  Pffft.

To be quite honest with you - I'm not much of a Halloween-er (if you just giggled, you must also have a marginally perv-y husband).  Every year of adult life I've managed to avoid it either through mid-terms, interim and/or buying a house.  This year I had zero excuses and the alternative was sitting at home feeling guilty about the fact that I should probably unpack some things.  Unpacking things appeals to me about as much as multiplication flash cards so Halloween 2011 chalked up a win.

Ryan & I set out on Friday morning to find some fabulous costumes that required zero creativity on our parts.  Nothing says commitment to a holiday like setting out the morning of and refusing to look anywhere other than Target or Walmart.  Luckily, we each managed to find one that not only paid hommage to our long-lost youth, but was suitably embarrassing.  Mission: accomplished!

Big Bird & Super Mario.  Why yes, those are ladies' gloves.

The evening of said costume purchases, we went over to Shawna & Austin's for a good old-fashioned house party.  We mingled with Spartan cheerleaders, had a bird convention, gave beer to bums, learned about the holidays and played some flip cup.  All in all- adult Halloween was actually a pretty good time and I would consider repeating it in the future.  Thanks, as always, for allowing us to invade your house, Shaustin.  Ya'll are the best!

Who's that Spartan in my Teepee?

So a Spartan cheerleader, Mario & a Jamaican "salesman" walk into a bar...

Photobombing makes for angry birds.  (Do you see what I did there?!  Gosh I'm on FIRE.)

Mary the Octopus & Jenn.  2 Ladies... 12 Legs.

Uriel Hammer.

Insert your own caption here.

My sisters - White Trash & Homeless Bum.  Making our parents proud!

Cynthia & Gus.

The angry bird swiffering in heels.  Mid party.  This one is probably my fav.

This being our first Halloween as homeowners, I was excited to hand candy out to the trick or treaters.  Ryan & I had no decor whatsoever, but in order to ensure some festivity, we dressed up our dear Lola.  Despite the fact she appears incredibly miserable in these pictures, she actually handled the costume like a champ.  Being the social butterfly that she is, a holiday where random people come to knock at the door and look at you was a dream come true.  I believe we've found the Martin who loves Halloween the most.  I hope everyone else's Halloween was as filled with ridiculous attire and chocolate as ours.

Bad Lap Dog.

Yes, we did this.

HAHAHAHHA.  She seriously looks so much more miserable in these pictures than she was.  Don't call the SPCA on us, please.

She's so fierce.

See?  All was forgiven.  (Yes, Ryan did answer the door wearing a big bird head.  Upon reflection, not the best idea when child-less in a new neighborhood.)

Happily Ever After: The Moore Edition

A few weekends back, on October 15th, my fabulous cousin, Ashleigh, got hitched to her beau, Kyle.  Three years ago during a heated game of Euchre (translation for Ryan's benefit: Euchkle) Kyle proclaimed himself our cousin, and we have loved him like he loves bologna ever since.  Obviously this meant the Boarman crew was going to hit the sky for a good old-fashioned family vacation.  Missing the wedding of one cousin would be terrible enough, but missing the wedding of TWO cousins?  Unforgiveable.  (P.S. I TOTALLY jest- Kyle was not actually our cousin and he and Ashleigh are not related.  Afterall, Indiana is not Texas).

A high level overview of the weekend's events was as follows:

• Thursday October 13th we flew into Indianapolis and then roadtripped the remaining 3 hours to South Bend.  
• Friday October 14th we went to the rehearsal dinner at Sunny Italy, South Bend's oldest Italian restaurant (per the sign) and the cutest (per me).
• Saturday October 15th we watched Ashleigh and Kyle say their I Do's at Sunnyside Presbyterian, a place that's special to our family as my Mom, both of her sisters and my oldest cousin, Kara, were all married there.  We then headed over to the Woodward downtown to recept. 
• Sunday October 16th we had a stellar brunch at Ashleigh's co-worker's beautiful home and then roadtripped to Indy where we flew back home- TA DA!

In between all of that we also managed to: school Caddy on the delishness of Mickey D's frappes, watch Ashleigh learn which finger a wedding ring goes on, take in the scenery of autum-y trees, learn the torture that is Ryan missing out on anything free, teach Caddy how to SAY frappe outside of Paris, spend lots of QT with the Brady bunch, learn about creative licensing in the song "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy," witness Ryan getting to meet "Aunt" Mickey and "Aunt" Gina (I use air quotes here because they aren't actually our Aunts... they are definitely females) and to intervene on others' misinterpretation of certain terms in Urban Dictionary.  Obviously, it was a busy weekend.  We had such a wonderful time and I can't imagine that anyone has a better family than mine. 

Congratulations to the Moores- thank you so much for including us.  You were both stunning.  We love you and can't wait to Euchre it up with you in May/June for Dita & Travy's nuptials.  MUA!

Deal: sealed.

Mr. & Mrs. Moore

Oh you know- just going for a leisurely stroll with the paparazzi in tow.

Do you think she'll notice if I use these leaves instead of the flower petals?

Gorgeous color combinations.

Mmmmm... cupcakes.

Cutest cardbox idea ever!

First dance.

Me, Ryan, Travis & Jules.

Don't look tooooo into it, men.

Cheers to marriage!  And Frappes!

Julie, Mickey, Ryan & Gina.  Horse-saving enthusiasts.

Sorry ladies- he's off the market.

Ladies o' Brady - Mom, Me, Ash & Julie.

Grandpa & Aunt Jean, the proud Mother of the Bride.

Family pic- Matt, where were you?!