neat effects

I just figured out how to do this and I thought it looked really neat. 

The Indian museum

This is a few of the things we saw in the Indian museum in DC. 

DC

Here are some more pictures of things we saw in DC. 

American History Museum

We saw these things at the American History Museum in DC. The ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, Kermit the Frog, Oscar the Grouch, and Mr. Rogers' sweater. 

Visit with Chris

These are pictures from when we were visiting Chris in WV. He took us down to the river (not sure which one, there was a park there I think) Anyway, we had fun leaping from rock to rock and the waterfalls were absolutely beautiful. Good thing we didn't fall in, though. I'm sure the water was freezing and the currents looked really strong!! 

This is the deer I shot!!!

Nice "shot", huh? 

Jasper in the wilderness

Jasper liked being outside. He even got in the river!! He didn't seem to be too bothered when we were shooting either. He really enjoyed running free through the woods, and he looked so handsome!! 

Lost World Caves

It was very interesting to go into this cave. I'd never been in one before so I was very amazed at all the formations coming from the walls, floor and ceiling! It was also very cold. They told us the cave stays at 52 degrees! 

Christmas list...

I'm not sure what happened to the list I put up before but here's a list. I'll be adding more as I think of it.

Maggie:

hair clips/ponytails, etc
Drawer organizer
gift certificate to old navy
crochet books (easy/beginner)
Smartware muffin pan
Plastic serving spoons
word puzzle books

things I don't want:

anything that will sit around and collect dust (statues/figurines/decorative)
anything edible (candy/cake/sausage/cheese)

Bob:

Audubon Society books
belt buckles
flashlights
gift certificate to lowe's or home depot

Jasper:

Rawhide chews (non dyed only)
rubber/latex toys (I can't chew these up into tiny pieces)
Bill & Jack treats (i like lamb flavor)

Things I can't have:

Anything soft or stuffed
anything edible that has dye
anything with a squeeker (I tend to chew them out and try to choke on them)

Race to Lose

Starting today Rachael and I are starting a race to see who can lose 10 pounds the fastest. I am definately planning to do this the healthy way...no pills, no starving. I've started keeping a food/exercise log and I will be recording my weight every day. Luckily the apartment complex we just moved into has a gym and I can go anytime I want! So anyway, my starting weight is 120 lbs. I also hope to lose a few inches from my waste and hips. Goodbye tummy!!!

moving...

We signed our lease yesterday and finally got the keys to our new apartment! We call it our "married house" because it's the first place we've gotten since we've been married. (heehee) Anyway, we went in and looked around and it's very nice. It's going to take some serious adjustment to go from a 3 bedrooms to one. We started moving stuff in today and so far we've gotten the kitchen mostly set, and everything else is still in boxes stacked in the bedroom. We haven't moved any big stuff yet (bed, sofa, tables, etc) but we are going to do that on Monday.

When we first went in and were looking around we found a welcome bag! It had a bunch of nifty stuff like coupons, magnets, a pen, a roll of paper towels, some candy bars, a bag of chips...and in the fridge was a 6 pack of assorted sodas. There was also a magnet on the fridge that had a part with all those words you break up and can make your own sentences/poetry.

Anyway, we were moving in...VERY hot work, and wwe turned off the air and opened the window (yes, there's only one, it's in the bedroom) and the screen door (that leads to the porch) and it still stayed very cool in there. Yay! One more way to save on the electric bill!

We took two carloads over then went to home depot and got some shelf liners and went back. We forgot the scissors so we didn't put the liners in yet but next time we go we will. After we unpacked a bunch of stuff we had a little picnic in the living room of pizza (cold because we didn't bring the microwave) and blue gatorade. Very yummy!

Oh, I think I forgot to mention...since this is our "married house" the first time we went into it Bob carried me over the threshold...teehee! He's such a sweetie!

on a lighter note...

we get our new computers at work this week! They have flat panel monitors and a windows based program. Hopefully it won't be too hard for the salespeople to figure out...point and click guys! point and CLICK! All the printers are being changed to laser printers too...easier to refill with paper. silly salespeople are always letting the printers run out because they either can't figure out how to put more paper, or are too lazy. Training class will be on Wednesday so woohoo for us...can hardly wait!

Also, as time for moving draws closer and closer I can't find anything! Ok, really though, there's nothing that I've packed that I can't live without for a week. I've thrown away a lot and given more to goodwill. I wonder how much stuff I can fit in the new closet we'll have...going from 3 bedrooms to one is so hard! I can't wait to move though! Our new place is going to be so great. It's bright and open, it has a pantry, and a sprayer, and a dishwasher! There's 2 pools and 4 tennis courts, 2 fishing lakes (one of which we have a view), a gym-room, a dog run, and it's right accross from a park! www.lincolngreen.com if you look at floorplans, we got the cypress. (if you click on it, it brings up the birch though) We get to sign the lease on Friday!

September 4

September 4th was our first anniversary! Well, Bob and I called it our 12 month-a-versary. We celebrated every month a versary since the first one and it was exciting to finally be at one year! I had to beg to get the day off for it, but i finally persuaded my boss that I didn't need to work. Bob and I went up to hanging rock and had a very nice little picnic at the top of a path that I'm not sure anyone else knew about. (we had bread and cheese and grapes) Then we went walking down another path that lead us around a looooong way and we ended up at the road. We probably walked about a mile straight uphill to get back to where the car was, but it was a very nice day so it wasn't too bad. Then we went over to the swimming area, but it was closed so we left and went home. Then we went to Macaroni Grill for dinner and it was very yummy. Overall a very nice day!

I am VERY happy being married to Bob. He is my other half...my BETTER half even. I'm glad we're together and I'm glad he can put up with me! I've enjoyed our one year together more than any other year I can remember, even with the 3 months we spent apart and all the little stupid fights we've had. Bob, if you are reading this, I love you more than I could ever express in words and you make me happier than I could ever have imagined.

So as our first year passed and our second has started, I can only hope that this one will be as good, if not better, than the last.

new entry...

ok i'm adding, are you happy now?

dance dance yeah!

We went to a "practice party" tonight with Kyle and Cindy (friends from work) and saw what they'd been learning in their dance class. The instructors danced with the guests and taught us the basic steps just so we could get around the dance floor. It was so much fun that we decided to take some lessons ourselves! After all, there are lots of places you need to know how to dance and also, for $15 a person we couldn't pass it up! We start next week so wish us luck and steady feet!

smartware

I finally got my smartware after waiting for 2 weeks after I ordered it. I haven't used it yet because we badly need to go grocery shopping, but I did use the baking sheet to make fries and they turned out better than the first batch I made without it. (the first batch was burned) I can't wait to get something really gooey and messy like meatloaf and see if it really doesn't stick!
In case you don't know what I'm talking about www.buysmartware.com

oh and another christmas idea now that I'm talking about this...I'd like the smartware muffin pan.

well, no pictures yet

I haven't been able to put pictures from vacation on here because for some reason the computer won't recognize the camera. Which also means that for the time being I won't be able to put up a picture of the baby booties that I crocheted. They're cute and fuzzy though! (even if they ARE too big for a newborn...oh well, I'll do better next time) I have started on another pair, but we went to look at apartments today so didn't get very far. Maybe I can finish the set tonite though. With this yarn it probably won't take me very long.
We're also thinking about getting a new camera, so hopefully I'll be able to put some pictures up soon.

Vacation Day 1

We got to the beach before anyone else so the house was not unlocked. We got out our swimsuits and went down to the beach to check the place out. It was so pretty and the water was very warm. We were walking along in the waves but then decided to go in. The water was rough and I got dunked a few times, but once we got past the break it was great! Everyone else started to show up at the house about an hour later and we all hung out the rest of the day.

Vacation Day 2

We got up early because we were in the loft and the sun was shining in from all directions. Bob went on a bike ride with his dad and some others, I hung out at the house and ate breakfast and watched TV with the kids. When Bob got back we went to the beach again and this time Bob got on the boogie board, but I wasn't brave enough yet. We stayed out there until about 2 when we met everyone back at the house for lunch. After we finished lunch we went shopping at all the little beach stores. We didn't buy anything but it was fun to look. We got back late and just relaxed and stuff till we went to bed.

Vacation Day 3

We got up early again and headed down to the beach until about 12. We ordered pizza for lunch then headed out to Wilmington to spend the day shopping there. We had a good time and by the time we had been in all the shops we were tired and starving! We went to a resaurant called "Front Street Restaurant" and what a nice place it was! Bob had a burger and I had a salmon sandwich. The waiter (Colin, who looked just like Bill) was very nice and made sure we had everything we needed. We were seated in a "secret booth". It was kind of back in the corner around the side so that it was very secluded. I don't think they meant for it to be that way, but that's what we named it. When we got back Sara dyed my hair back to natural colour and then we went to bed.

Vacation Day 4

We got up and went to the beach again! This time I got on a boogie board too and Bob taught me how to do it. We swam around a bit, then Angie and I fortified the "family sand castle" (which lasted until we left, i think we might have done this day 3, not sure) We didn't eat lunch until about 4:30 because Brenda spent all day making delicious mexican food. We stuffed ourselves silly and then Katelyn put blondish red highlights in my hair while I looked at pictures from Brenda's vacation to Washington (to visit her son) and Las Vegas (to visit a friend)

Vacation Day 5

We got up and went for a bike ride. We rode 8.2 miles!!! After that we got on the boat and tried out the kneeboard. I got up on it and rode for a little way but that uses EVERY muscle in your body!! Bob tried to get up on it but he is too tall and so it didn't work. We tried the tube after that and it was fun too. When we were done we packed up and headed back home.

Vacation Day 6

I got up and was going to finish unpacking and clean up the house a little but Rachael called and wanted me to come up to Asheville for a few days. Off I went leaving my poor husband to fend for himself. I hung out with Sarah some when I got there because Rachael was working, then I hopped over to Rachaels and we played Empire Earth for a while, (before or after?) we ate dinner.

Vacatoin Day 7

We got up early and met Mom and Dale at Cracker Barrel (and sarah and delilah) where we all ate drank and were merry. Then Rachael and I went shopping in two very sorry malls (although i did run into two people I knew a few years ago that remembered me!!) Then we went back to the house and I played Dave at Empire Earth (he kicked my butt too) then it was back home.

Misc stuff that I can't remember when it happened

Brenda, Sara, Katelyn and I played Senior Moments twice. I won the first one and Brenda won the second one.

Sunday I was supposed to go back to work but I went in and they didn't need me so I left again! Hooray for an extra day of vacation!

home again!

I'm back from vacation, but I am exhausted! I had a great time though, and I have 2 days to catch up on rest. More to follow tomorrow, plus pictures!!

Vacation!!!

I officially started my vacation today! So far I have watched a few cartoons, eaten a bowl of fruit loops and washed the dishes. Ok that last thing isn't very vacationy, but it had to be done today because tomorrow we leave for the beach! I've been looking forward to this sooooo much! I don't have to worry about crazy customer calls, terrible delivery drivers, demanding salespeople...hurray!
I have a few more not fun things to do before we leave, but I suppose it won't be that bad. I have to get my car inspected and go trip shopping.
I still haven't finished my bag so maybe I will finish it tonite...I suppose I'll have to unless i want to do it tomorrow when we are driving. I don't think that would be very fun so I better get to work (thanks Rach, was counting on you to keep me motivated and working on that...by the way, how's the sweater coming?)
Hmmmm, I'm not sure what else to put in here right now. I won't be posting again until we get back, but hopefully I'll have some pictures to put up when we do. (get back that is)