Random Snapshots

goodbye august.

August turned out to be a good month.  Here's how I did on my list of goals. 

1.    Control my eating out and get to the gym more often:  I haven't made any huge strides here, but I did do better in August than July so I'm calling this a win toward my long journey.

2.    Finish a knitting UFO:  I finished my Lindsay socks - FO photos soon.  :)

3.    Start a date-night tradition with Adam:  We've got a few date nights under our belts and will definitely be continuing this tradition.  We had a really great date night this past Thursday with burgers & fries and frozen yogurt! 

 

4.    Get in the habit of tackling a small cleaning project in the house every week on a certain day:  I haven't picked a set weekday, but I have done something at least once every week which is what I am shooting for.  So far I've organized my tupperware cabinet and my file box for bills, important documents, etc. 

5.    Do something that I haven't had time for: I've been working on teaching myself Lightroom 2 (a photo editing program).  I haven't had too much time to dedicate to it, but I've got a good start. 

Tomorrow I'll post my goals for September.  What are you trying to accomplish in September?

10 years in the making

10 years ago today Adam and I met and started dating.  Yes, TEN YEARS ago -- 12 January 1999.

We don't have anything particular planned since now our wedding anniversary is the one we really celebrate.  This weekend we plan to do something nice though.

I was looking through photos last night trying to find some to add to this post.  I don't have many photos on my computer from the early years, but I do have this little gem.

  

This is literally the first photo taken of us together.  We were in the backseat of our friend's car.  The friend that introduced us.  I think this was taken with a disposable camera and I scanned it (poorly) onto my computer a number of years ago.  I can't believe how young Adam looks.  I just look fat.  And was still in my short-hair phase. 

I remember this day and this boy in the Yankees gear with the enormous smile.  This picture illustrates why one of his nicknames is The Joker.  :)  This was very early on -- we'd only seen each other a few times at this point.  And we had a lot of fun that night!

Here are a few more photos from more recent years.

At a wedding in 2004:

  

Another wedding in 2005:

  

This was at our going away party in 2005:

  

2006:

  

Our wedding in 2006:

   

Another wedding in 2007:

  

And just a few weeks ago on Christmas Eve 2008:

  

Time flies when you're having fun, right?!  

In all seriousness, it has been a great 10 years.  We've been through a lot, done a lot and laughed A LOT.  There has been many years of college, several degrees, the Marine Corps, a war and deployment, a couple of states, new jobs, new careers, new vehicles, our first apartment, our first home, some travelling, new friends and I could go on all day.  

There have been the bad times too, but honestly just a few that are difficult to even remember.  I was only 18 when we met and he'd just turned 20 so we've experienced our entire adult lives so far together.  And that's really something.  

We've been lucky.  And we've worked extremely hard to be where we're at today.

There isn't a thing I'd change or trade for those 10 years! 

thank you.

Thank you for all the happy anniversary wishes!  :)

We did have a happy anniversary.  Busy and low-key and very nice!!

After work we went and picked up our new truck.  How's that for an anniversary gift?!

Our current truck is up next month (it's a lease) so we went and looked on Wednesday for a new one.  We ended up finding one that we both fell in love with and took delivery last night. 

Those of you that know me can probably guess what it is.  My 3rd Ford Escape!  I love them and the price is right (ie: Dad's discount!).  :)  Escapes are the perfect size for me.  Just big enough to have the room of an SUV and sit up a little higher.  But not so big that it's cumbersome to drive and guzzles gasoline!  I've gotten so comfortable driving them and haven't had much desire to shop around.  This one is the nicest that we've had so far.  It's a Limited and it's loaded. 

I haven't had the chance to snap any photos yet.  It was raining when we picked it up last night.  Ah, the beauty of living in Metro Seattle!  Rain should not be allowed on new-car-day!

Here's the photo from the internet inventory:

 

Shiny!  The color is Sterling Grey Metallic and it's really pretty.  The interior has charcoal leather and piano black accents - it's very cool.  There is also color-change ambient lighting on the floor and the dash.  The coolest feature is Ford & Microsoft's new Sync technology.  The voice-activation is really cool.  I can voice-activate my iPhone to make calls, read texts and listen to iTunes.  Sweet!  I love my iPhone even more now!

I'll get some more pics this weekend.

After we picked it up we had a nice Mexican dinner and then went home to watch the Office.  A good anniversary for sure!

Tonight we're taking the new shiny truck on a little road trip down to Oregon.  We're going to spend the weekend in the Willamette Wine Valley and celebrate our anniversary.  We don't have any firm plans, but we plan to visit a few sites and relax as much as possible.  I also hope the weather is nice so that I can spend some time with my new camera.

I have a lot to catch up on next week.  Including my plans to participate in this project - documenting a week in your life.  More on that later.  I also have some knitting to share.

Have a great weekend!  I know I will.  :)  

deuce

  

Being married to this guy for the last 2 years has been awesome. 

He is supportive, hilarious to be around, easy going, happy-go-lucky, staunch in his views and beliefs, ridiculously intelligent, patriotic, motivated and disciplined, generous, a combat war veteran and I could go on forever.  We are best friends and I think the world of him. 

Happy Anniversary Beaner!!  :)

Us.

I found these fotos on my computer last night while I was searching for something else.  They were taken at a park in June on a super sunny, windy day.  Really blown out, from my little point & shoot.  I fixed them up by running a combo of actions and textures.

I like these.  We don't have enough pictures of just us.  I need to set up my tripod more and stick my arm out more for these extreme close-ups - haha. 

Take a picture of you and your spouse/significant-other this weekend and post it to your blog.  :)

One sock down + Outfit remix

I finished the first Spring Forward sock yesterday and made a little progress on the second.  The yarn is a little darker than it shows in this picture.

I was able to make it to knit night last night.  It was really good to get out and catch up with everyone.  I even got a little knitting done.  :) 

I worked on my Rusted Root - started the shaping under the bust.  I'm hoping to finish up the shaping tonight and snap a photo. 

Speaking of going to knit night...I remixed my work outfit into a casual night outfit last night.  I've been making an effort to mix up my outfits lately using the current pieces in my closet.  I'm such a creature of habit.  I tend to wear the same outfits over and over instead of having fun and trying to create new ones.  That's definitely something that I'm working on changing.

Here's my easy day to night remix:

Day: Sweater - Forever 21, Tank - Old Navy, Black Pants - NY&Co, Peep Toe Wedges - MaxStudio, Earrings - Bitten

Night: Sweater - Forever 21, Tank - Old Navy, Jeans - Ann Taylor Loft, Peep Toes - Bandolino, Earrings - Bitten

Those blue peep toes are quickly becoming my favorite pair of shoes.  They have the perfect little kitten heel and are very comfortable. 

And lastly, since this is turning out to be a random post I'll share my happy lunch from yesterday.

Yesterday morning I was running late (what else is new) so my cutie husband made my lunch.  I was craving a PB&J and he even let me use his Wonder Bread sandwich holder.  This lunch just made me happy when I opened it up.  :)   

A meme

Sabbath posted this Valentine's Day Meme on her blog and I noticed today that she tagged me so here are my answers.  :)

How long have you been together?  We just celebrated 9 years together last month.

How long did you date?  A looooong time.  :)  01/99 - 09/06...almost 8 years.

How old is he?  29.

Who eats more?  He does.

Who said “I love you” first?  Sadly, I don't remember...it was probably me though.

Who is taller?  Um, have you ever seen us?  :)  I'm 5' and he's 6'2".

Who is smarter?  He's a genius so there's really no competition there.  He's smarter than most people I know.  :)

Who does the laundry?  Not me.  ;)

Who does the dishes?  Nope, I don't do this job either.  Let's be honest, Adam does all the household chores except cleaning the bathrooms...that one is mine.  Since I started school he's pretty much taken care of everything in the house.  Husband of year - for real!

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed?  He does.

Who pays the bills?  Me, that's my other job besides toilet cleaner.  HA!

Who mows the lawn?  The landscapers.  Ahhh, condo living. 

Who cooks dinner?  Depends on the restaurant we're at that night!  We eat out far too often.  When we eat in though I usually cook dinner unless we're having something he knows how to cook and then he helps.  It's probably 50/50 at this point.

Who is more stubborn?  Eh, we're splitting hairs now.  I think we're equal.  He would probably say me and I would probably say him, but we're both very stubborn.

Who kissed who first?  I think he did, again I have the worst memory.

Who asked who out?  Neither, we just sort of started dating I think.

Who proposed?  No proposal.  We both decided when and where.

Who is more sensitive?  I'm the biggest drama queen alive.

Who has more friends?  That's hard to say - we both have a lot of friends.  He's got a huge group of friends from the Marine Corps though so I would say he probably wins this one.

Who has more siblings?  I have 2 brothers and he has 1.

What my husband REALLY thinks of me...

Went to a pumpkin carving party at a fellow photography-obsessed friend's house this past weekend.  Each couple was taking turns doing these photos.  It didn't take Adam but a minute to decide what he wanted to do for our photo.  :)  So there you have it...I'm the devil and he's the angel.  Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. 

Enjoy your Tuesday.  :)

New options

Thank you everyone for the kind anniversary wishes.  We both appreciate the thought.  :)

Last night after work we went to a really nice dinner at the Melorse Grill.  I must say right off the bat that it was one of the best meals I've ever had - hand's down - and I've eaten A LOT of meals.  :) 

Melrose is this quiet little steakhouse down the street from my office.  My boss has been telling me to go there for 2 years, but for whatever reason we never ended up there.  I'm so sorry that I didn't listen 2 years ago because this place is a gem.  Amazing food and even better service.  They specialize in steak and many reviews claim that you can't get a better steak in the Seattle-metro area.  I'm not a steak eater, but I'll take everyone's word for it.  Other than that there are only a few things on the menu in addition to nightly specials.  I like small menus because 99% of the time that means that whatever you order will be amazing.  They are good at making these certain dishes and you will not be disappointed.

I went with a nightly special and certainly wasn't disappointed.  Dover sole stuffed with seafood and topped with shrimp sauce.  It was to die for - the sole was as fresh as I've ever had it and it came with a side of veggies and these amazing crispy parmesan potatoes.  I think the best part of the meal might have been the beefsteak tomato and Danish blue cheese salad that I started out with though.  :)

The meal ended with a delicious mixed berry crisp that was covered in homemade whipped cream.  The sort of dessert that you simply cannot stop eating despite the fact that your stomach is now hanging over your pants.   :) 

If you are in and/or around Renton, WA and would like a great meal then check out the Melrose - you will NOT be disappointed.

Now onto the good stuff...gifts!

Last night when we got home my gift was waiting for me.  Adam bought me the KnitPicks Options Interchangeable Needle Set!!  I've been wanting these since they came out, but haven't really NEEDED them.  I have a perfectly good set of Denise Needles that have been good to me for 2 years.  I know I will like the Options better though and I've already found a good home for my Denise needles so it's a win-win situation.  :) 

He bought me the initial set and told me to order the extras today since he wasn't sure what else to get.  I placed my order for the extras earlier and should have a complete set next week.  I can't wait.  :)

In addition to all of this good stuff I got some great news today.  I was getting ready to pay some out of pocket costs for school that hadn't been covered by aid this morning and it showed up as already being paid.  After looking into it some more I found out that I was approved for a grant in the same amount of what I owed.  I'm relieved because it was a pretty big chunk of money and now I get to hang onto it.  You can't beat that!

Oh yeah, and tonight's knit night.  :) 

Uno

Today is Adam and my first wedding anniversary.  :)  (thank you for all the kind words yesterday from those who guessed correctly)

It seems surreal that an entire year could have flown by so quickly.  I feel like it was just yesterday that we were exchanging vows in Las Vegas at the Monte Carlo.  We really had the best weekend - loved everything about it.

We've had a great first year of marriage.  It's been extremely busy and is gone in the blink of an eye.  All that I can remember is good stuff. 

I was given a cute card and a dozen gorgeous yellow roses this morning.  I'm told that my gift is on it's way via UPS and should be here tonight.  I gave Adam a new iPod Nano last weekend because I was too excited to wait and knew he'd want to use it right away.  We're going to have a nice dinner tonight and just relax.  Relaxing is a real luxury for us lately so it will be nice. 

Happy Anniversary Adam!  I love YOU more everyday.  Here's to forever...