Austin and Courtney's adventure through the Navy way of life...

Neglect

2011-09-15T13:17:00.002-04:00

Um, so clearly I am neglecting this here blog. But, I HAVE been blogging on the baby blog.

Catch up with us here if you want the long stories.

In the meantime, let me catch you up.

Courtney
Now a SAHM. Loving life, hanging with baby, and trying to figure it all out. Spoiler Alert: there is lots of laundry involved.

Austin
Started his new job out at Oceana. Working with planes and such, having a great time being on shore duty. Normal hours, no overnight watches - life is good.

Evelyn
Two months old, growing like crazy. Loves eating, sleeping, and pooping on her Daddy from time to time.

Bingley

...I think he's adjusting.

Evelyn Rae

2011-07-16T21:41:00.000-04:00

At 1:18 pm on July 11, 2011 Miss Evelyn Rae decided to grace us with her presence. She weighed in at 8 lbs 11 oz and measures a long and lean 20.5".

We came home on Tuesday around 4:00 pm, so we were at the hospital just a little over one day. We are all happy and healthy and excited to start this new chapter in our lives!

More photos to come <3

Nursery Time!

2011-07-06T13:38:00.000-04:00

Baby Gage has yet to grace us with his or her presence, but the nursery is all done!

If you don't follow the baby blog, head on over to this post to give it a gander.

Hopefully we will have a big announcement soon!

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T10:35:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July and Independence Day everyone!

This is my all time favorite holiday, so I will be out enjoying the day unless our baby decides to be a little firecracker and Yankee Doodle Dandy and come today.

We shall see...

OCS Graduation

August 1, 2008

Until then, enjoy the 4th and all the treats it has to offer. And give a big thanks to all the men and women who fight to keep the spirit of patriotism and independence in our country alive and well.

Last night...

2011-06-27T07:54:00.002-04:00

I triumphed over some super confusing Martha Stewart instructions, came up with my own pattern/technique and whipped this baby up.

Took about an hour.

Introducing my brand new clothespin bag!

Two Years.

2011-06-12T05:00:00.000-04:00

Two years ago, we were doing this:

and this...

It was a great day.

Since then we have embarked on quite a few adventures.

Deployment...

Buying a house...

Homecoming...

Promotions...

Italy...

Making our house a home (read: TONS of improvements)...

and expanding the family!

It's been a crazy two years, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Mr. Gage, I love you now even more than I did way back when.

Happy Anniversary!

Yard Work!

2011-06-10T15:15:00.000-04:00

When we first moved in, our backyard was a mess. These photos are pretty favorable actually, but trust me...underneath a bit of that greenery (read: weeds) was a mess.

See all that gravel? The whole yard was graveled because Mr. Joe used to work on cars back there and park them in.the.yard. And the right side of the yard was completely overgrown with random trees/bushes.

He also had this super.adorable removable carport thing in the back which did not convey. I was super sad as you may be able to guess. Ha.

And, oh yeah, the infamous coal bin. Remember that project?

Well, ever since then our backyard has been slowly evolving. First there was the patio/fence project.

then there were the other outdoor projects...

and finally a few ~~weeks~~ months back, we got some grass planted and plants put in!

This was when we first mulched and put the plants in and the seed down, hence no grass (except the HUGE tufts that we couldn't mow to not kill our little seedlings!). But, I promise you that now there is plenty!

One without the dog.

So we put azaleas in in the back, since they are a little hardier than the hydrangeas that I tried last year (those trees steal all the water). Then we have impatiens in between the azaleas (which are growing like gangbusters now).

To the right we have three climbing hydrangea plants (ALSO growing like gangbusters, so we are working on some better climbing surfaces for them). And then to the right my hydrangea bush. I had to have one. And it seems to be doing well so far! As you can see int he corner I also added some little fencing in my garden so that the dog doesn't get in there and eat all my vegetables!

Because I know you really do love the dog.

And Bings LOVES the yard.

Anywho, we have done some other exciting things lately and though the azaleas are no longer in bloom, etc. I will get some update photos out here in a few weeks. Next weekend we have a contractor coming to finally fix the back door so i can update you all with photos of our finished mudroom makeover and the finished patio, with my new navy blue and red accents...and all the grass!

In any case, the transformation so far has been really great!

Before

In Progress

This weekend...

2011-05-31T12:02:00.000-04:00

We went to this beach...

where these two men played a lot of catch...

and played in the water...

and it was so bright, I got my hand in a lot of photos.

All in all, there are worse places to live.

SUPER important life updates...

2011-05-23T10:41:00.000-04:00

Because I know you want to know...

I got a new phone, finally, and I love it. (Take that Palm Pre, and HP for never updating the software...booooo)

The Google Nexus S.

With a clear argyle case.

Swoon.

There are currently ANTS in my office. Why? no idea, but I hate killing bugs and now I have been doing it all morning because they are on.my.desk. Gross.
Baby G will be here in +/- 6 weeks. WHAT?! We are getting ready though. Nursery is almost complete.
I need to upload photos of our yard, because we have one, and plants are living! (Living = surviving despite our lack of gardening abilities.)
This guy is coming to visit this weekend and we are so excited to see him...

...and, that's all I've got for now.

Master SmAsh

2011-05-10T14:18:00.000-04:00

My little sister (who I sometimes call Smash - her name is Ashley...I dunno) got her Master's degree! What?! Weird.

So proud though.

All ODU Grads.

You're welcome for all that cashflow ODU...

we are anticipating our family wing sometime in the near future.

Baby Gage Update

2011-04-07T10:00:00.000-04:00

Sorry that things have been a leetle slow over here on the "classic" blog.

But as a matter of general updates on Baby G - today is the start of our third, and last, trimester!

Which means, that at any time between now and the next 13 weeks (hopefully more like 10-12) this little lad or lady will be gracing us with their presence.

This was taken 4 weeks ago, at 24 weeks

Sometimes...

2011-03-28T11:52:00.001-04:00

You just have a rough day.

Love this little one.

Saturday

2011-03-25T16:48:00.000-04:00

Austin will be on watch, it will be semi-rainy, and I am in full on nesting mode.

What does this mean?

That the tunes will be cranking as I tackle Spring Cleaning.

I will be taking some shortcuts from here.

If I am successful there will be photos of more of the house than just the front door, or half of our living room, or our bedroom available asap.

Wish me luck!

Shut the Front Door

2011-03-17T17:01:00.000-04:00

As I alluded in my other post about our projects, we also recently took care of one of the projects that has been on my list since before we put an offer on this house. No, seriously.

It was one of the biggest things that I hated about our house.

This...

...Storm...

...Door.

I love our front porch. It is one of the things that sold us about this house. We love hanging out outside. We have updated the landscaping, added those shutters, changed the lighting, changed the house numbers, painted the bead board ceiling blue, and added cute little accents to make it welcoming.

But, that door.

Don't ask me why I hated it, I have no idea. I just thought it was ugly and needed to go.

I even tried to just update the door to live with it. I painted it red, hung a wreath with every season, bought new hardware, and highlighted the beautiful stained glass piece that the previous owners saved from the original house door.

But, that storm door. Ugh.

So, it was always on the list. Finally, Austin and I got around to going in and special ordering the door we really wanted (historic homes = special size, not found in stores doors). And last weekend, Austin and his dad started installing it.

I was so excited.

I took pictures. I did actually help a little...you know, reading instructions, finding "missing parts", etc.

The checked and re-checked measurements...

and checked some more...

I got bored and snapped this photo of my tea olives' growth.

Yay for not killing plants!

They measured some more...

I went and got them drinks and snacks...

They did some cutting and installing...
Did I mention we got to buy a hacksaw that day?
It seems every project leads to a new tool purchase...

Installed all the locks and latches...and it worked!

Doesn't it just look happier?

Also, please don't mind the reflection...

I was too excited to care about not being in the photo myself.

Before and After

Before

After

Our neighbors recently came over and told us how much they love it too. You wouldn't believe the amount of light that it lets into the living room now. Plus, the puppy, and someday baby, can see outside without jumping up on the door. Bonus.

I still want to add a door knocker of some sort under the stained glass, a la my YHL faves, just to balance things out a bit. And we need a new non-faded welcome mat. But all of that pales in comparison to this door being completed.

We love it.

...and it only took 20 months to get it done ;)

Bloggers, Bloggers everywhere

2011-03-15T16:31:00.000-04:00

So, I have tons of new blogs from friends and family to share.

1. Dr. Lisa has started a fun new blog over at The Clinical Truth. She's three posts in on her spreading her wings as a psychotherapist with humor and I am hooked.

2. My dear friend Jess is being her true Southern self over at Grits & Gravy. She will tell you all about student affairs, cooking and hostessing, and of course, the Junior League. I thought I linked to this girlie a long time ago, but turns out I am a liar. Go check her out.

3. Allana has joined the blogging world! This young couple just moved to Lynchburg and are blogging their adventures at Our Long Life Together

4. My little bro (who is super cool and in a band that is playing here this weekend, if you happen to live in or near Minneapolis) has joined the blogging world as well. He doesn't really sleep, so you can catch him at the aptly titled Adventures through Awakeland: Insomniatic Tales

Or you can keep up with them via the links found over there -->

I'm out.

Outdoor Project Updates!

2011-03-14T16:47:00.000-04:00

Well, we did get some project-ing done outdoors over the last few weeks. The biggest of which is our new storm door, which I am in lurve with. But thanks to Daylight Savings I could NOT get a good picture of the completed project this morning since it was still dark outside! Gah.

So that project will get its own post here soon. Yay!

In the meantime, here are some other things that we have added to the house/backyard.

To the right of the patio:

Raised bed for veggies and hanging planters for herbs. My veggies are starting from seeds inside at the moment, but my herbs have been moved out there since this photo was taken.

I will get an updated one soon!

To the left of the patio:

Clothesline, which has since had the actually line added, and has a clothespin bag soon to be added as well...made by yours truly.

And, yes, I realize that our backyard needs desperately to be raked and that it looks like...well, dirt. But, those things (grass, landscaping, etc) are all in the works currently and believe me when I tell you that it is so.much.better than the graveled piece of land that used to be a parking space for classic cars.

Though some might think the classic car look is better.

Not me.

Music at Work

2011-03-04T11:29:00.001-05:00

So, I have a very desk-oriented job. {read: I sit on my a$$ all day, though now that I am ku'd I have a recurring appointment on my calendar to get up and walk around every 20 minutes or so}

Besides contributing to stagnancy and weight gain {inner monologue: "how was I so skinny in grad school? I ate out all the time, didn't work out...oh yeah, but I walked.everywhere"}a desk job is actually really great for grooving to some tunes. When I first started, I was issued headphones like these ones, just like all my other coworkers.

Aren't they cute?

Well, a few weeks ago, word came down from the top that wearing these headphones and listening to music makes us look "closed off" from students or other employees wandering around. So these headphones went in the drawer. We could still listen to music {though that was touch and go for a while} but we would need to use ear buds. Much smaller and less imposing looking.

The only ear buds I have are the set that I keep in my car for when I go to the gym. I need them to go to the gym. I hate working out. Like hate it. Not when I am actually there, or the feeling after - that is great (yay endorphins), but the whole getting dressed for it and actually dragging my butt to the gym - no thanks. It takes serious motivation. That motivation exists in the fact that i can still watch Food Network nonsense programming while I am on the treadmill/elliptical.

Yup, I am that girl.

I need a distraction so that I don't just think about how exhausted I am or how much that hurts or whatever. Even when I was running regularly, back in the good old TLC days, I was not that girl that was all "just me and the road". Hello iPod. I can't be alone with my thoughts! Are you crazy? That's why I read.

I am totally mentally healthy, no worries.

So, the ear buds have stayed in the car. Little reminders in my center dash to go.to.the.gym.already. Now that they are in my office however, you can certainly believe that this music policy has not only contributed to my stagnancy, but to the fact that I will never go to the gym again. Its fate has been sealed.

Don't worry though, someone is getting a workout. Those big ol' headphones. Since they aren't allowed on my head, they are being stretched to their limits on my belly, so Baby G can enjoy the tuneage too.

I hope (s)he enjoys fratbeats.com

I am going to be the BEST mom.

Girl Scout Cookies

2011-03-02T12:22:00.001-05:00

It is that time of year everyone, Cookie Booth time!

Cookie booths, for the uninitiated few, is the official term for those adorable little scouts you see hawking cookies in front of every place that you are trying to go during the month of march. Church, Sam's club...basically anywhere they will let you set up a table and the mom doesn't mind being all day in a lawn chair.

If you can't find one, don't worry - there's an app for that.

In any case, while we were doing our weekend projects we had to make our trip to the local Lowe's to grab some supplies. On the way in, there they were, two adorable little girls asking everyone who passed, "Would you like to buy some Girl Scout cookies?"

Immediately as I watched people brush by them with a brusque "No thanks" my heart went back to my own cookie booth experiences.

It was, of course, one thing to be rejected door to door. In those cases only your mom and that person knew that you had just had your cute little hopes for that ultimate grand prize bike dashed once again. But, in public? Standing there all day, trying again and again, and even some more, to sell those cookies? It was more than this little girl's heart could take - the constant rejection, the condescending "Aww isn't she sweet, but no thank you honey." It was the worst feeling that could ever crop up for a serious type-A-can-and-will-achieve-at-anything-striving-for-perfection-and-acceptance little girl.

Not that I know anything about that.

Which is why, even though I bought two boxes from my neighborhood Girl Scout already a few months back, I headed over to that table and coughed up $3.50 a box for some thin mints and tagalongs.

The smiles on those girls as they dutifully counted out my change and the look of thanks on that mom's face were totally worth it...besides, frozen thin mints? Downside? Anyone?

Just call me a victim of Girl Scout Guilt.

"Warm" Weather Projects

2011-02-24T12:46:00.000-05:00

AKA, my husband the hero.

I just love this photo of him, swoon.

In the past two weeks, this guy has done all sorts of things for our home.

Installed a new bathroom light fixture
Painted the Mud Room floor and foundation bricks
Installed a new light fixture in the mudroom
Painted the hallway (using a 22 foot ladder and being REALLY high up...above stairs. I was scared for him.)
Built a new set of stair for the mud room
Ordered a new storm door to install next week! Yay!
Replaced tons of outlets and light switches (they were all mismatchy, and I am slightly OCD...also 3 pronged outlets - yay!)
Rewired bathroom light switch for a solely aesthetic purpose
Tarred old chimney that may have been causing leaks into little sister's room
Glued down loose pieces of approximately 100 year old hardwood floors

...and I think that's it. Whew. He did a lot. Love you babe, mean it.

And this weekend, he has volunteered himself for more!

Our backyard has already come a loooong way, but we are hoping to be able to actually get some landscaping and, dare I say it, GRASS out there this summer.

Hopefully this weekend though Austin will be completing a clothesline project (for all those cute cloth diapers to hang on that will be coming soon to Casa Gage) and building me a raised vegetable garden! (just the bed, I will do the planting...I'm not completely slacking here.)

Last year I did herbs (in individual pots) and already have the seeds starting inside the house for them this year...but this year I am also adding veggies to the mix! I may also be tackling composting, but we will see how much I can really handle with baby arriving as well.

I am pretty excited for spring to come and for fresh herbs and tomatoes.

Caprese from the garden anyone?

How Romantic

2011-02-15T13:19:00.000-05:00

So, our Valentine's ended up being pretty romantical.

Even though we both said we weren't going to do anything, I came home to a lovely arrangement of flowers and a card, and I pulled a card and the Mumford & Sons CD out of my purse for Austin.

Hydrangeas and Tulips, oh my.

But then, then he gave me the most romantic gift of all.

A trip to Home Depot to order our new storm door for the front of the house.

That man sure knows the way to my heart.

(Seriously though, I have wanted this since we moved in.)

Photos in 7-10 business days when it gets here!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T16:06:00.000-05:00

On this, the last year of our time together as just a couple, Austin and I will be celebrating by continuing our home renovation project that we started this weekend.

It may involve our mudroom.

Maybe.

And there may be some pictures to come soon.

Just maybe.

Until then I will leave you with this, the stock photo of the new light fixture we (read: Austin) installed this weekend.

Isn't it dreamy?

Here's to spending Valentine's Day with the one you love...no matter what you are doing.

Addition to the Blogroll

2011-02-09T10:52:00.000-05:00

One of the brightest spots at my current place of employment is the friendship that I have gotten to have with my coworker Whitney.

She is such a doll, and does event/wedding planning on the side. She has a great blog where she pulls together some of her fave photos, etc from the internet and events that she has done.

Check her out at Whitney Turner Event Co.

Feeling Nostalgic

2011-02-07T11:26:00.000-05:00

Today I was reflecting on old friends, memories and how much I love and miss them...not that they are dead or anything, most of us are just temporarily geographically separated.

In honor of those feelings, in no particular order, I present, old-photos-I-love-from-Facebook.

Navy jobs and such

2011-02-04T09:41:00.000-05:00

I just realized that I haven't blogged at all regarding Austin's next job rotation! Austin's time with the Arleigh Burke will be up this summer - can you believe it will have been 2 years already? I can't. So we have been dealing with open billets, etc. for a while now.

It has been sort of a crazy couple of months, and for a few days (right after we found out we were expecting) we thought that the Navy was going to send us to Hawaii. On July 1st. As in 1 day after Baby G is due. Ha! That would have been fun, but something finally clicked into place and it looks like we will get to stay right here in Hampton roads for the next two years!

Yay for not having to sell a house in this market, getting to have Baby G have some time around family and close friends, not having to say goodbye to all our Arleigh Burke friends just yet, and for just shore duty in general (for you non-Navy folks, shore duty - naval service at land bases).

Now, as they say, nothing is for certain until the ink is dry on the orders, and sometimes not even then, but it looks as though Austin will be taking his turn as the Supply Officer (SUPPO) for the Gladiators VFA-106.

That's right, Austin is headed over to the Brown Shoe Navy (the aviation side) for a little while. He is pretty excited. Especially after hearing that sometimes the squadron flies to Arizona for lunch and then back.

All in a day's work, right?

My favorite subject...

2011-01-22T23:09:00.000-05:00

...for my new toy.

This guy!

Why are you waking me?

I will ignore you until you go away.

He loves it.

He just hides it well.

Why I love my husband

2011-01-13T09:03:00.000-05:00

Reason #3,521

He got me this for Christmas!

A Canon Rebel T1i

Swoon. He got me a whole kit package deal that came with an extra lens and all sorts of jank that I have no idea how to use yet. You may remember that I have wanted one of these for for-ev-er.

But, now that Baby Gage is on the way, he finally agreed it was about time to invest in something nice. I need to practice with it, of course, but I am so excited to learn all the ins and outs of my new toy.

...now if only I could get home from work in time to use some natural light, maybe my skills would grow a little quicker...

Thanks Babe!

p.s. continuing the tradition of being the awesome wife that I am, Austin got an Xbox Kinect and a super fancy electric razor for Christmas. Something fun and something practical...like he will have time to shave when this baby arrives. Ha!

Project: Patio

2011-01-11T16:00:00.001-05:00

A long, long time ago...I can still remember...

(Points if you now have American Pie running through your head...alright, alright! Here is the link, don't hurt yourself searching for it)

...when I posted about these photos about destroying our coal bin and old sidewalk in order to put in a patio.

Well, that patio is in!

Austin started by digging all the ground up and laying down ~~some~~ a hell ton of stone to make it level...

Oh yes, once we got rid of the coal bin - guess what we found? No siding underneath! Yay! So, we had to special order siding that looks like our historical siding, but isn't actually made from the same materials {coughcoughasbestoscough, seriously see here for more about it}and repair the window sill to our laundry room... none of which has been painted in any of these photos. The hubs has since gotten it together and painted...

ANYWAY, back to the patio.

This was the original pattern - very square and neat...then we remembered that our house is almost 100 years old and isn't so square itself...so plans changed.

Oh hey Bings - did you want to ~~get in the way~~ help?

That's a good boy, kick up all that gravel that Austin spent smoothing out into a level surface...he will be pleased. (Note that I took a photo instead of stopping him)

Once we realized that our house was not square, we (read: Austin and his man friends who were helping) went back and off set every row a bit, which I love so much more.

Once the pattern was set for real, it was time to put down some sand stuff...apparently it acts like cement and seals everything and keeps the pavers from shifting too much, or something.

A few days later, once all the edging stones were in place, our "little" patio that I had requested turned out to be this 200 sq foot beauty.

The stones are wet from spraying down that sand stuff one last time...the little pavers seem to hold water longer, so it doesn't really look like a checkerboard. They are all the same color and finish. Also, those are free chairs the previous owners left behind - score!

See those edging stones being finished along the, erm, edge? Now of course it is all finished and the house is painted, the only thing left is to replace that back door and hang a light fixture (that we already bought) to the right of the door. (I wish we could move that power box - maybe someday I can convince Austin to do it)

It already looks so much more finished than this photo - I will get one up once the door and light are installed - but still, from a gravel filled backyard complete with coal bin to this? All on our own?

We are feeling like home improvement rock stars.

Project Mantle: Budget Breakdown

2011-01-11T09:47:00.000-05:00

Um, I wrote this post forever ago...but then we went to Italy and got pregnant. Yay for finally getting it up.

Well, since there was such an overwhelming response to our little mantle project, {seriously, thanks you guys! I love the affirmation}I thought I would do a handy dandy budget breakdown, much like I did for my refinished cabinet a while back.

It is seriously surprising the impact you can make for a teensy bit of money and some elbow grease...and in our case, a good amount of blood, sweat and tears that always comes with home improvement.

Wood...............................$25 (we bought a bunch extra, just in case)
Saw (borrowed)................$0
Caulk/Glue .......................$6
Paint for brick/
inside of fireplace/
woodwork....................... $36
Total cost........................ $67

To go from this:

to this:

More projects coming soon.

Yay for being back to blogging!

It runs in the family...

2011-01-04T22:54:00.000-05:00

No, not babies...though that does too (apparently we are a fertile people)

but writing! Especially in blog format.

My leetle seester has started a blog! You can find her over on the blog roll, and at this link.

Currently there is an awesome post up featuring Baby G! So, get over there soon <3

Baby Gage

2011-01-04T15:14:00.001-05:00

As most of you probably heard by now, Austin and I are expecting our first non-furry child this Summer! Baby G will be arriving somewhere around June 30th.

Look at that little hand waving! Hello world!

We are really excited, but I have another secret...I have been blogging about it this whole time.

Gasp! Shock! Awe!

Which is also why I have been neglecting this blog. The truth is, I was so tired in my first trimester that I came home everyday and...laid on the couch and didn't move. And, then I went to bed. Sad times. I really made sure to utilize the hidden secret blog, because I knew that I needed to capture those moments...but I couldn't tell anyone! Maddening.

But, now my energy is up again (cross your fingers that it sticks around...) and I have TONS of things to post to both blogs.

So, if you would like to check out the baby blog, dedicated to all the realities and memories and experiences of my pregnancy...come visit over at Accelerated Baby

Saturday

2010-12-18T13:51:00.000-05:00

As I walked into the guest room to grab something off the printer...I found my boys.

Happy Saturday everyone!

p.s. We are flying Delta for the holidays, and they have free Wi-fi on all holiday time flights. Woo! Expect some blogging catch up!

Argh

2010-11-22T14:47:00.000-05:00

I really have been trying to get these Italy posts up so I can move on to other topics...but Blogger is not cooperating.

All the posts are written, they just need pictures plugged in. As soon as my photo uploader starts working again, the posts will be up for good friends!

Thoughts on Halloween

2010-11-02T11:30:00.001-04:00

I am going to finish Italy posts, really I am, but sometimes I lack motivation since it really just makes me want to go back to blog about the trip. And the next post, which was a BIG day for the family, deserves motivation.

In the meantime, thoughts on Halloween.

Mainly, these thoughts center on trick or treating and how it has changed from the days of yore. Austin and I were pumped, after our super fun grown up party on Saturday, to hand out candy to the kids of our neighborhood on Sunday.

We sat on the front porch in all it's Halloween decor glory...

...and waited for the kids.

Well, kids came, but so did their parents, and here are the three observations we made that I don't know how I feel about.

1. People who have clearly driven to our neighborhood to trick-or-treat, and do not live there.

This was discovered through sifting through clues such as overhearing parents discussing the "next neighborhood to hit" and asking us directions back to major streets in our neighborhood so they could find where they parked their cars. Now, Austin and I differ on this. I love Halloween and trick-or-treating, as does he. His opinion is that these people drive to our neighborhood because they know we have better candy. My opinion is that they come to our neighborhood because it may be safer to trick-or-treat then where they live, or maybe they live in an apartment and want to give their kids the opportunity to actually walk around. This observation actually makes me feel really great about where we have chosen to live, because I love both the safety and the quaintness.

2. Grown ups trick or treating for babies, or for themselves with their kids.

Now, this makes me annoyed. I understand if you have a cute newborn or even 10 month old that you want to take a cute picture of in a costume for Halloween. I even understand if you want to show said kid off to some people you know. But, wheeling around a sleeping baby who is clearly too little for candy and trick or treating for them with people who you don't know? That is ridiculous. That is trick-or-treating for parents. Now, did I still give candy to those people? Yes, because I am a softy and like babies. Unlike my friend Megan, I was not prepared with alternative treats for babies and youngsters. Next year, I will be.

Additionally, if you are taking your kids trick or treating, kudos for you. That does not mean you deserve a treat too. I mean, who eats that much candy?! I legitimately had parents, who were not even dressed up, approaching our bucket with their kids, bag in hand. One woman was on her cell phone the whole time, and just held her bag open in front of me. I gave her a piece of candy, mainly to save her children the embarrassment of me saying something. But, really? That is ridiculous.

3. When did kids get so greedy?

I feel like an old person saying this, but seriously, times have changed. Never would my parents have let me stick my hand in a bucket of candy and scoop up an armful. And even the kids who ask, which I agree is better (but is still annoying) how many pieces? Even after we would say, you can have two if you want them, some of the kids, whose parents were right there with them, would take handfuls of candy and shove it in their bag. Now, the little ones who really don't know better/don't have the dexterity to grab a singular piece of candy I am not worried about...but the 10 year olds? Come on.

Besides the candy situation there was something else that sort of stopped me in my tracks. We have an elderly neighbor across the street. When the trick or treating started, she called out to Austin and I to come over to her porch. Austin went over and the woman handed him a bag of quarters for us to hand out to kids for her. What a sweetheart, right? Well, some of the kids I gave those quarters to lit up like it was the best day ever. Others? They gave me a look like "Lady, what am I gonna do with a measly quarter?" I was floored. Now, I know that inflation has done its thing since I was a kid, but in my book, anybody giving you free money was a good day. Still is, as a matter of fact.

Halloween and trick-or-treating from a grown up perspective is a whole new ball game. All in all we still had tons of really well behaved kids, and parents. People loved our address pumpkins, so I think we will have a trend in our neighborhood of that next year. We got to meet and chat with many of our neighbors and their friends and it really was a great night. I hope you guys all had great Halloweens too!

A Present!

2010-10-22T11:57:00.000-04:00

I got a present in the mail the other day.

Open it with me won't you?

So cute! I can't wait to use it. Plus, I won it at The Look 4 Less.

Free EmersonMade.?

I am a happy girl.

Flagship Celebrity

2010-10-15T11:24:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday, Austin and I went out to support the Supply department of the Arleigh Burke in a Chili Cook-off! Our team's theme was an NFL tailgate and low and behold when The Flagship came out we saw this photo on the FRONT PAGE!

Isn't he adorable?

You can see the full story here, and his photo on the homepage linked above.

Italy Trip - Florence (the end)

2010-10-12T16:57:00.034-04:00

After our big day of vino, we headed back to Florence just to relax and have some fun. We explored the streets and grabbed some dinner when we happened upon a street performer!

We headed home (back to the hotel) and got up excited for our last day in Florence. We had all morning to explore and have some fun before our reserved time at the Uffizi, so explore we did.

Drinking in the streets? Sure, why not?

Through bad Italian, and Jessica's awesome ESL skills, we hunted out a place that Lisa's mom had recommended to us with gorgeous views...as it was on top of a department store. All we had to go on was "It's by the Duomo, and it's on the roof of a department store" - but, we found it! and it was awesome!

Then, after lunch, somehow we got it in our heads we wanted to head to the gold district...

See those girls to the right? Headed straight for the jewelry shops on the Ponte Vecchio? They may look familiar...

Husbands, waiting patiently outside...

All the girls with all our pretty finds...

After all that exhausting shopping, we headed back to the hotel to break open our leftover wine from our tasting - Andre sent it all home with us! We filled up some paper cups and headed to the Uffizi!

They don't allow photos inside, but we took these when we stopped at the cafe for some cafe.

We wrapped up our last night in Florence with a diner at a friend-recommended restaurant, Za Za (watch out for that website, the guy is speaking Italian!)

Then we grabbed some gelato (a nightly occurrence)

...and ended the night with some limoncello-induced fist-pumping.

The next morning we bid adieu to Florence and headed to Venice...where a big surprise awaited Miss Haley!

We interrupt these recaps...

2010-10-01T13:02:00.004-04:00

To bring you more recaps!

Remember how I promised I would fulfill my end of the bargain on FINALLY getting wedding recaps going? Well, I am working on them, diligently. You can fine them at See the Bride Blog, or by clicking that little link to it over there -->

I moved it back to the top for easy navigating.

And, in honor of all things wedding, I would just like to note that this is the coolest bridesmaid dress ever invented.

Back to Italy in the next post.

Florence (Part 3)

2010-09-24T15:16:00.000-04:00

Our second day in Florence dawned and it was... WINE TOUR DAY!

We booked a private driver for the 8 of us to see Tuscany, do some shopping and a little Chianti wine tasting. We were super excited when our driver pulled up and not only did he have an AWESOME van for us to ride around in all day, but he looked like "The Most Interesting Man in the World" Seriously. And his name was Riccardo.

On to our day!

First stop: San Gimignano - the town of towers

This town was so cute and quint, though none of us could properly pronounce it. Poor Riccardo tried and tried to tell us, but we were just not getting it. The ladies especially had fun here, as the shopping bags we are holding can attest. Can you believe that sky?!

Then it was on to another castle-y town for lunch! This time Monteriggioni.

Austin is super excited we visited this town, because it is also part of his new Assasin's Creed II game - he wanted you to know.

View from our quaint little table...

They brought our Coke Light with lemon by default - I was Thrilled with a capital T.

Side note, I could sadly never reside in Italy because of the ridiculous price of diet coke alone. Though, maybe the awesome espresso, wine and food in general would help to console me of that loss eventually. I think this can of soda was 5 Euro, which roughly translates to like $7. Yikes.

After lunch, we explored the town a bit

Can't you just see that History major mind working?

We lit a candle and said a few prayers.

Though this church was the smallest that we saw while in Italy it was one of my favorite

We were then supposed to head to Sienna to walk around a bit more, but it just so happened that we were there on the same day as Il Palio which is a horse race that has been taking place in Sienna since 1656.

Riccardo was confident it would be a great day to walk around, but as he drove us into the town, we accidentally drove right into the parade route! Here are some photos Jess managed to snap while hanging out the window of the confused people in the parade and some of the onlookers who were not very happy with us!

So, even though I really wanted to get a scarf in honor of the winning horse that day (you know I love some team pride) we decided it would be best to exit Sienna ASAP.

Onto the wine!

Riccardo took us to his friend Andre's vineyard. It is a little family owned operation and though he spoke barely no English, he was such a sweetheart and taught us all about Chianti before doing the tasting.

The whole group with Andre

The wine was delish, as were the homemade snacks and we all left with a few bottles in tow. We headed for some more wine and more scenic views of Tuscany, but this post is getting entirely too long, so I will leave you with a few photos.

I think this is the best photo anyone got of Riccardo all day. You will just have to trust me on looking like the Dos Equis guy.

Italy Trip - Florence (Part 2)

2010-09-17T13:26:00.000-04:00

* I have obtained all the originals from my photo taking counterparts on this trip, so be prepared for lots of photos!

After all the mishaps of the first part of our day in Florence (which did not even include mention of Dan and Lisa's room situation - everywhere we went their room was made up with separate beds, ha!) we set out to change our luck!

With the Herndons in tow we did a lot of this:

The one sight that we did not need a map to find was definitely the Duomo. It was about a block from our hotel!

We headed inside, where Haley rocked the disposable cover, since she didn't have her cardigan...

Make it work!

Once we visited the Duomo, we knew we had a little bit of time before heading back tot he hotel to rest up and get ready for our fancy pants dinner. Haley and Jess remembered from their former trip a really pretty church that we then referred to as "The Jewish Church"

Replica photo, how many years later ladies?

The church was sadly closed for visitors, but we spotted a cute little bistro on the square, and as it had been approximately one hour since our last stop for refreshment, we decided, why not?

The ladies, and Austin, ordered prosecco...

Justin ordered the "large" beer. And, large it was.

in comparison to the small, a difference of maybe one Euro

Following our refreshments, we all headed back to the hotel to get ready for our dinner. After our, um, eventful first day in Florence we decided to reward ourselves with a really nice (read: expensive) dinner. Our concierge recommended a place and made reservations for us.

As our taxis began careening through the streets, suddenly we realized we were in for a special treat. When they finally pulled into our restaurant we were literally overlooking the entire city of Florence.

When we arrived, we all audibly gasped. Our restaurant looked like this

With a view like this...

So we took some time to take advantage of the scene

I have pretty friends

Dan also took a second to pose as David after Lisa proclaimed that Dan looked "just like" David

We headed inside for what would be a four hour dinner with fabulous food and friends, stopping every few minutes to take in our view.

We got to ordering, and we ordered almost one of every thing on the menu, and then we just passed it around. I think the chef loved us.

By the end of the meal, we had consumed a lot of food, a lot of Chianti made by the students at the university, and shared a lot of laughs. Of the main dishes there were mostly amazing successes, though we did manage to confirm Justin's fish allergy after eating the sea bass. (Have you ever seen Hitch? I am so sad I didn't get a picture. Glad you are just fine Justin!)

At the end, the boys contested that the huge piece of meat was so good, that they had to get every last bit off the bone.

Gross.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel, changed into flats and hit the town. We grabbed some more refreshments, the boys bought us roses from a street vendor and all of the bars played American music. We even kept the parents out until 2 am! ;)

We interrupt these recaps...

2010-09-10T10:11:00.001-04:00

To bring you the cutest video ever.

"An elderly couple walked into the lobby of the Mayo Clinic for a checkup and spotted a piano. They've been married for 62 years and he'll be 90 this year. Check out this impromptu performance. We are only as old as we feel, it's all attitude. Enjoy! They certainly do"

Happy Friday!

Italy Trip - Florence (Part 1)

2010-09-01T15:49:00.000-04:00

Day 2 started out very early, but as we had all actually slept in a bed we were in pretty good moods. Now, I contend that this day was where we had some of the most fun, even though we had mishaps every step of the way.

We started off early so that we could jet to the train station and grab a train to Assisi. A few of us headed down to the breakfast buffet at the hotel to grab some food to go, but apparently that was r-u-d-e. (Mishaps 1, Us 0) The breakfast man yelled at us, "you sit! you sit!" So we sat for approximately 30 seconds, with the worst table manners you have ever seen gulping down coffee and tearing into croissants.

The day was planned for a stop off in Assisi for a few hours, we could wander around, pay our respects to St. Francis and then head on to Florence. It wasn't too far out of the way and the trains were free, thanks to our Eurail passes.

View Larger Map

See? Not too far out of the way!

But, then we missed our train. GAH. (Mishaps 2, Us 0 keep score with me)

We figured it was no big deal, Lisa and I seemed to remember there was a train like an hour or so later. So, we grabbed a better breakfast,a t the train station. Which was actually super enjoyable. Freshly squeezed orange juice, cappuccino and a chocolate croissant for around five U.S. dollars. Wish I could grab that combo every day.

After eating, Lisa and I casually strolled to the train schedule. Where is that later train? Umm, why can't we find the later train? Because there is no later train. Ugh. (Mishaps 3, Us 0) After a few quick, "how are we going to tell everyone else??" exchanges, and trying to find any train that took the same route, we resigned ourselves to the fact that we were just going to head to Florence early. Why not? This actually turned out to be one of our best decisions, so I will give us a point here. (Mishaps 3, Us 1)

Oh, lemon soda, how much I miss you.

Once we got to Florence we went ahead and checked into our hotel. The stored our luggage so that we could wander for a while and come back to get into our rooms in a few hours. Who could be bored with sites like these?

Our hotel...Hotel Brunelleschi

(I think I am going to do a hotel review post after recaps, so stay tuned if you are interested in following in our footsteps!)

After wandering a while and grabbing a fantastic lunch, with 'ice menu' - our combo deal for gelato at the end of the meal, (Mishaps 3, Us 2) we came back to the hotel to find Adam and Jess out on the veranda area - more on that little area later. We were excited to see them and headed in to check in. The room keys got handed out, and we all marched right into the elevator.

Where we promptly got stuck.

No, seriously.

(Mishaps 4, Us 2)

Austin yanked open the doors, and there we were, in between floors.

Lisa and I laughed and laughed...though no one else really did.

You see, there was a happy little sign that clearly said "Limit 4 people" that we paid no attention to until we got stuck. Lesson learned - in America they over compensate for people weighing way more than they actually do. In Europe, they don't.

The poor hotel attendants had to crank us down by hand, how embarrassing.

No one else but me would use those elevators the rest of the trip.

Eventually, we got all safely settled into our rooms.

By the end of the night however, we wound up the day with a beautiful dinner with views like this from our table

So I would say, in the end, we won this round.

More adventures from Florence to come!

Italy Day 1 - Rome!

2010-08-30T15:07:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the invention of Facebook (shout out to Zuckerburg) not all of the photos included in these recaps will be mine. But, my friends are gracious in their loaning so that I might tell a story.

We landed in Rome at 8:30 am Rome time after a 9 hour flight across the Atlantic, complete with freezing temperatures, crying babies, plenty of Unisom to go around and airplane food. Needless to say after a combined 8 hours of sleep between the six of us, we were raring to go!

In reality, we were all pretty hyped at the point of landing. The exhaustion would set in later.

Based on some research that I had done previous to our trip, we decided we would take the Leonardo Expressway from the airport to Rome's central train station and then hop on the Metro to our hotel. It would be cheap and easy to navigate, plus a taxi for a 45 minute ride from the airport? for 6 people and luggage? Who would want to do that? Oy. Oh, how little we knew.

Yay for Haley and her bendy tripod.

Rome! So excited!

Truth be told, the Leonardo Express was actually a great ride. We got comfy seats and got to see a lot of the 'suburbs' of Rome. Nothing better to welcome you to a new country than Saturday morning rituals of underwear clad men on their balconies.

All the trouble started when we got to the Metro. It was easy enough to figure out where we should be going, get our tickets and head to the platform. But then we continued heading, and continued, and continued. We felt like we were journeying to the center of the earth. Up some stairs, down some stairs, rinse, repeat. You get the idea. Needless to say that with luggage in tow, we were very ready to be at our hotel by the time we finally got to the train.

We navigated the rest of the way and arrived at the beautiful Hotel Giulio Cesare. After a quick freshening up and meeting with the rest of our group, hey Jess and Adam! We hit the streets.

First order on the agenda was food. We were all starving and delirious, so we let the Herndon's lead the way, since they had beaten us there by a day and had a solid 8 hours of sleep. each.

Hey look! Vespas! Ciao.

We found a place that none of us remember the name of, but it was close to the Vatican, had menus in English, and said "pizzeria" out front. Done and done.

We had delicious pizza, that would become known as "cracker pizza" for the rest of the trip, a couple of cappuccinos, and we were raring to go hit the sites.

Yum, yum, double yum.

We jumped on the metro again, a much more enjoyable experience without the luggage, and headed to the Coliseum.

When you come out of the metro station, up the escalators even, this is immediately what you see:

Seriously Rome? You are officially bringin' it.

And, the rest of our day in Rome was "ruin"ed. Ha. Get it? Haha. We said that all day. Clearly, we were still delirious. We allowed ourselves to get talked into joining a tour group to skip the lines and see the inside of the Coliseum, along with some other beautiful sites.

Austin was super pumped about this photo

This is part of the old palace grounds. Like Caesar's Palace.

No, not that one. The actual Caesar's palace.

Austin really wanted to be a Roman soldier all day

On to the Pantheon

Rome is dirty. Just kidding, we love you Rome!

But, we also loved our hand sanitizer.

Obligatory party shot inside the Pantheon... When in Rome...

After the pantheon, we decided it was time for dinner. No one has pictures of it to my knowledge because we all scarfed down dinner so fast the cameras didn't stand a chance. It wasn't one of our most memorable meals, but I had ravioli in butter and sage sauce. Butter y'all. Paula Deen would have been so proud.

After dinner we headed to the Trevi Fountain. Behold:

We were hot and tired and really wanted to jump inside the fountain.

As the sun began to set, we knew there was just one more thing we wanted to see in Rome - the Spanish Steps. So, we set out and found them.

The boys ran to the top, and we chilled for a bit before being lured to the top by promises of gelato. Then we straggled back to the hotel for showers and sweet, sweet sleep.

On to Florence!

About those recaps...

2010-08-27T13:56:00.000-04:00

So...you all are clearly used to my blog slacking excuses by now. Haha. ha? anyone?

But in light of the fact that Austin and I have been recovering from a serious knock you down flu/cold whatever this week (we think we caught it on the plane...and we suspect the extra pungent flyer sitting directly behind Austin) I haven't had the strength or general wherewithal to pull out my camera cord and actually upload our photos. But I will, I promise.

In the mean time, I have an update for all of my fellow allthingswedding lovers out there. My friend Shelby is getting married and is blogging about it! Yay!

She is "taking the plunge" here.

Also, the lack of actual wedding recaps on my own wedding blog - after a year, I know, I know, I suck at life - were the topic of a conversation in Italy this week. And due to what may be a small amount of interest, I am challenging myself to actually recap our wedding!

We had tons of friends who couldn't be in attendance because of our last minute date change, and apparently some of them do still want to hear the stories. Plus, I would like to jot them down before I forget all the special moments myself. So, go check Shelby out and stick around here and on our wedding blog for all the recap glory.

Ciao!

2010-08-24T13:47:00.000-04:00

We have returned from an exhilarating week long vacation in Italy with some of our very best friends. You will be getting the full photo and ridiculous exploits recaps soon, but until then here are some highlights:

Haley and Justin got engaged! Which was awesome, of course, but even more awesome because now I have locked in a Gage-in-law ally fo' life
We ate more caprese, pasta and pizza then I ever thought possible
Rode planes, trains, automobiles and a few boats
Cappuccino. Enough said
Bought jewelery, leather goods, paintings and pottery...and a few bottles of wine - you know, for the memories
Had an all around amazing time and yet are glad to be back in the land of deodorant

I promise a come back to regularly scheduled blogging once my body gets back on US time!

What's in your purse?

2010-08-10T17:25:00.001-04:00

So, this post idea has been bouncing around the blogosphere (see here, here and here) for a while now...and I may have been ~~bored~~ taking lunch at work.

The idea is you unload your purse, take a photo and throw it up on your blog with a list of the contents.

Baring your soul, as it were.

Contents:

Checkbook that has seen better days.
Coach wristlet, so much more convenient than a wallet when I am running out to get something
Pocket sized Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States (yes, I am that Patriotic...why are you laughing? OK, not really. This was a gift at Austin's promotion ceremony that he promptly handed to me to hold on to)
Flash drive
My Palm Pre
Notebook with my ever running to-do list
An insane amount of pens, including one I think I stole from a dentist's office and a ZTA one I have had since I was a consultant
Two cards that I need to mail
C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint in Viole
Sephora Maniac long wearing lipstick in no. 14 - Berry Mauve Shimmer
Mints from Pier 1
Contact case, with old contacts in it. Don't ask me why
My much adored Ray-Bans - our love cannot be understood by mere mortals
a gift card for Barnes & Noble

Confessions:

I may or may not have also had a ridiculous amount of bobby pins and hair ties floating around in the bottom of my purse that I did not dig out
Said hair accessories may or may not have enough hair in them to genetically implicate me in any crime scene I may randomly find myself in
I did not include my keys in this post since they are never actually in my purse and I have wasted a good portion of my life hunting them down
I may also keep all of my outdated and messy receipts contained in that wristlet and stuck in the pages of that notebook, so it only looks like I have a clean purse

What's in your wallet?

The Commissary

2010-08-06T14:47:00.001-04:00

One of the best parts, for me, of being a military dependent is getting to shop at the commissary.

One of the worst parts of being a military dependent is getting to shop at the commissary.

The balance that you really need to be prepared for is all about the timing. The issue? Everyone who can use the commissary gets paid on the same day. Every two weeks, the 1st and the 15th. Like clockwork.

I had this facebook status up the other day

"Mentally preparing to go grocery shopping at the commissary after work. I am hoping we hit the balance between pay days where there won't be too many people, but it's not like shopping in Soviet Russia either..."

and for the uninitiated, let me explain it.

If you find yourself in need of groceries on the 1st or the 15th, it may be worth it to haul the family to Wendy's for a night and give yourself a buffer. Because let me tell you, if you head to the commissary on the 1st or 15th, you will think the end of the world is coming and nobody told you. Bumper to bumper shopping carts, screaming kids, I am not even sure you can imagine it if you haven't experienced it first hand.

It gets so bad that there used to be arrows at the top of each aisle showing which way traffic went. And let me tell you, even if you didn't need one aisle, but needed the next one, you were going down that unnecessary aisle. The looks you received when going against the posted direction of traffic still give me chills. They have since taken the arrows away and it is pandemonium in there sometimes. I almost wish they would bring them back. Almost.

On the other hand if you wait until smack dab in between paydays, it is like shopping after the apocalypse.

Actual commissary photo from here

Empty shelves, the worst in the selection of produce, you might as well just not even go. So, you hope for the best and tentatively shoot for the middle.

Oh, and did I mention it closes at 7? So those 'after work' trips need to be planned to military precision, friends.

Please don't get me wrong. I love being able to shop at the commissary. The prices are right, which is a huge blessing, the food is typically great quality, and it is one of the only places you are pretty much guaranteed to run into someone you know.

But, if you're gonna go - you had better have a battle plan.

The Grammar of Glamor

2010-08-05T11:52:00.000-04:00

As I wrote and published my post yesterday, I hesitated about publishing the word 'glamor'.

You see, I looked it up to be sure. Glamor is appropriate. It's just that most people are used to seeing it spelled 'glamour'.

The Mighty Red Pen did a great post about it here, for all the grammar nerds out there.

Here is the deal, I am used to seeing it spelled this way too...

Thanks Nicole, btw - you are fabulous.

But, I have this slight neurosis to deal with when writing this blog that comes in the form of those dreaded red squiggles. You know, the spelling ones.

See here:

according to Microsoft

according to Google

Intriguing isn't it? Gah, what is a girl supposed to do?

I'll tell you what this girl does. This girl goes with less red squiggles.

Because that is glamorous. or glamourous. or whatever.

Hanging on the Barge

2010-08-04T09:36:00.001-04:00

Remember how Austin takes me to all the nicest places?

Well, with the Burke going into the yards all of the people have been moved to a cozy little barge to live on until the ship is returned to the the sea. They haven't hooked up any TVs or anything so when Austin had duty on Sunday, he was bored. Besides standing watch there was little for him to do.

So, I rescued him with Uno.

Saturday will probably look strangely similar to this.

The glamor of life at sea.

Ensign no more

2010-08-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

On Friday July 30th we were lucky enough to attend the promotion ceremony of one ~~Ensign~~ Lieutenant (junior grade) Gage.

This is Austin passing the honor of being the "Bull" Ensign onto our friend Cameron

Wait - this comes with a pay raise?

This is Austin's outgoing boss, who has taught him so much!
We will miss you Suppo!

Even though Austin claims you only have to show up and not steal anything for two years to get this promotion, we are still proud of him. Love you babe.

Celebrating Birthdays at Work...

2010-08-02T13:41:00.000-04:00

are made ten thousand times better by cupcake deliveries from best friends like one Corey R. Callahan.

How cute are they?

Being the southern gal that I am, please note I went right for the Red Velvet.

Yum.

Thanks Cur. CDC for life.

A new perspective

2010-07-29T10:22:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed that the photos on this here blog have improved.

I think it is probably best noticed in our Before and After Living Room shots. Take a look at the photo quality - both of which are unaltered because; a. I don't have Photoshop and b. Who has the time for all that for a blog?

Well, this change up is for good reason folks. We got a new camera!

For years, since I got it for Christmas from my loving and generous parents, this guy has been my ol' standby:

It worked for me, but it was getting older, and let's face it it was huge. To take it anywhere for just casual pictures meant I had to bring a large bag, etc.

Someday, of course, I want a nice big camera, like these babies:

but the Canon v. Nikon debate on these is enough to make my indecisive self....indecisive. So, there you go. Hasn't been purchased yet.

Plus, the husband may or may not think I am crazy for wanting one of these. Mainly because the husband is cheap. These are memories people! How can you put a price on memories? But, I digress.

In the spirit of compromise and portability for our big ITALY trip coming up. We purchased this guy:

It's so little and has some really nice features, all for a super reasonable cost (especially when you buy it at the NEX. TY United States Navy). It will fit in our pockets (read: husband can carry it for a change) and take album worthy photos of our trip, plus it is tote-able for everyday use, so you know what that means. More photos for this here blog that I am not embarrassed to post, since everyone and their mom has turned into an amazing photographer in the blogosphere here recently.

I think I'm in love.

Is he wearing manpris?

2010-07-28T16:43:00.000-04:00

A few weeks back we finally got to utilize Austin's anniversary present and go to the John Mayer concert! Woo!

Please ignore the flat hair. It was 200* outside. kthanks.

Upside: Love us some John Mayer.
Downside: It was approximately as hot as the surface of the sun.
Upside: They serve cold adult beverages there.
Downside: They are $10 each.

Apparently we didn't mind.

We hung out for a while, met up with some of our friends for a cooling beverage and headed to our seats. John came out, the lights came up and Austin's first reaction - "Is he wearing manpris?"

Not only did John rock some plaid manpris, but he also rocked navy blue Sperry's. He dressed for the beach, people.

He also made some funny faces

The concert was full of great music and great people to judge (I am looking at you, parents drinking mexican beer who brought their one year old baby girl to a loud rock concert and got seats right up in front of the speakers clearly way past her bedtime when it was 200 degrees outside after the sun went down).

We had a blast.

An Almost Perfect Game

2010-07-26T10:32:00.001-04:00

Austin and I had a super relaxing and awesome weekend with friends and lots of board games.

Why board games? Because it was hot outside. Super hot.

Like, our temperature display in our car read 106* at several points this weekend kinda hot outside. Blech.

The good thing about board games? you play them inside.

This, my friends, is a picture of an almost perfect game of Scrabble.

Please note the even distribution of words throughout the board, and that we used every letter. Not a single person was left with a letter on their tray. Amazing.

Also, we neatly filled the score sheet by rounding out our game in the last box. Besides the fact that we got to play with our super awesome friends, Dan and Lisa.

You can thank Dan and his years of education for the word "tit" in the upper right hand corner, which has induced almost enough embarrassment for me to not post this picture (let's be real). Please note he also got a triple word score out of that intellectual contribution.

Yes, I know there are multiple meanings. Look it up if you don't know them.

But you know which one he meant. Gah.

So this was our almost perfect game.

Why "almost" you ask?

Well, because I didn't win of course.

Coming in second to the master mind behind the pursuit of the word "taquito" (can you find where it could have happened on the board?) will just have to be enough for me.

Our Navy Bungalow: Fireplace Project

2010-07-20T18:48:00.001-04:00

Welcome to this episode of "Our Navy Bungalow". (Just go with it).

When we moved in, the fireplace side of our living room looked like this:

{If you remember from this post, this is not our stuff.

Except Dennis. He was our Realtor.}

After a few days in the house, I spent a few hours and a few brain cells applying 10 coats of chemical stripper and tons of elbow grease to remove 13 coats of paint on that mantle. When Austin came home, I made him stain it. Then one day I couldn't stand looking at that flat, gross, red color of the bricks and I painted it.

I know! I know! Sacrilege. Anywho, it came out like this:

It still wasn't my favorite, but it was so much better.

Then, we painted the living room blue.

The fireplace still plagued me. The proportions were just so off. So, I designed a project.

Project code name: Mantle

Some of this...

A little of this...

And a little more, there...

and a fresh coat of paint on the bookshelves....

drum roll, please...

and we have, our new and improved...

After

{feel free to click on these for larger photos}

Le sigh. I love it so much more. What do you guys think?

Just for fun, one more Before and After side by side.

My Hunky Husband

2010-07-16T10:19:00.001-04:00

Warning: this post may induce gagging in the faint of heart.

Isn't he dreamy?

Everyone who knows us knows one thing for sure - we love to tease one another. Giving each other a hard time is one of our favorite past times. You want to hear some snarky comments? Come hang out with us. You may have even gathered that from the tone of some posts on this very blog. But, when it comes down to it we don't really fight all that much.

Now, this is not to say that we don't have our squabbles from time to time, but the amount of knock down drag out fights we have had in almost ten years together {holy crap how did that happen?} can probably be counted on one hand. Maybe on two fingers.

Last night, as we were in the car on our way to a wetting down, {where no one got thrown into the water, btw...a tradition I think is highly overlooked} we started talking about arguments, in general. We talked about how there have been a few men who have shown up at the ship, at night, when they are not on watch or duty, to sleep. It's sort of like the 'sleep on the couch' resolution - to the extreme.

It's an unwritten rule in our relationship that we don't do things like that. No one has ever huffed off to go sleep in the guest room, or on the couch, and definitely not on the ship.

Austin commented, "You know, you never really stay mad at me for very long."

To which, I shrugged. I don't hold grudges. I know that no matter what, at the end of the night, we are going to go up to bed. Together. And even if we haven't verbalized an apology, one of us will reach a foot out, or throw an arm over the other's side - and all will be well.

Sometimes that foot touch says more than "I'm sorry" ever could.

Besides, he's too cute to stay mad at, am I right?

Addition to the Blogroll

2010-07-13T15:24:00.000-04:00

We have an addition to the blogroll!

Our friend has started a blog to review beers and provide thoughts from his "Man Room".

{His man room is what convinced Austin he needed one, so thanks for that.}

He is "in the business" so you should probably heed his advice.

Reset Button

2010-07-13T09:07:00.000-04:00

Do you ever have a meeting where you just need to hit the reset button? I do - often.

Today is one of those days, and though you have probably seen it before, this video always helps me choose the right attitude. So, I figured I would share.

Things to watch for:

All the kids, everywhere.
The pregnant woman in Brisbane
The guy laying it down in Dublin
The leather get up in London
The guy in stripes in Sweden
The guy in the orange Crocs in Munich
The whole performance in Gurgaon
The kid refusing to dance in Washington, D.C.
The super little kid to the left in East Jerusalem, West Bank
The weird bunny hop from the girl in Paris
The dog in Seattle

You can find out more about Matt and his adventures here.

Happy Tuesday.

Adventures in Automobiles

2010-07-12T12:45:00.002-04:00

I am so behind on blogging. To make up for it, I have a hilarity inducing story.

Over the weekend of the 4th of July, Austin and I decided to hit up D.C. with some of our oldest friends. We had to wait until Saturday evening to leave for a few reasons.

Our car inspections expired in June and we hadn't gotten them done yet (Whoops. Come on ya'll, I have been in Georgia for two years where no one cared about annual car inspections.)
We had to pick up my pesky little sister from her ridiculously long globe trotting 30 day trip to Europe.

So, we got the car inspections done, picked up my pesky sis and were on our way. Please note that while the Civic failed inspection the Jeep passed with flying colors.

As we got such a late start we decided we would stop and grab some food so that our friends would not have to wait for us to arrive before eating. We stopped at a McDonald's in Dale City (Potomac Mills area). we loaded up with our Dollar Menu finds and headed back to the car - only for it to not start.

Clearly, this can't really be happening. We just had the car checked out this morning! Let's sit here and stay calm husband, and we will try it again.

Meanwhile husband is beginning to turn into the Incredible Hulk. (You won't like me when I'm angry...)

Austin chomps down his McDouble in approximately 2 bites, and tries again. Still no luck.

He swallows a fistful of fries, and his pride, and stomps across the parking lot to a man climbing into a very sporty Saab to ask for a jump. The man, being a nice and normal human being, of course agrees to try.

Fast forward twenty minutes while this poor man's nutritious meal is getting cold, we have had several failed attempts, and suddenly the engine turns over. Phew. Thank you so much, best of luck, happy 4th! etc etc.

Now, husband, knowing at least a normal amount for a man his age about car mechanics, knows that an alternator charges your car's battery. After such a lengthy jump attempt, we decide he had better sit in neutral with his foot on the gas for a bit to allow the alternator to work it's magic.

After 20 more minutes, we decide, we can probably let off the gas to shift into drive.

And it kills.

Insert photo of angry swearing husband I was too afraid to take at the time, but realllly wanted to, here. Oh, wait - I have a substitute.

Being the resourceful Girl Scout Gold Award winner that I am, I took a look at our surroundings. What is that I see over yonder? Is that a Kmart? Do those still exist? and since they clearly do since this one is staring back at me, do they sell car batteries? Please God.

We traipse down the hill to the Big K, well, I traipsed, repeating things like, We will totally laugh about this later, can't we just laugh about it now? and Austin stomped, on a mission, replying, This is not a laughing matter.

Ok, ok, geeze. We ran through the store, looking for the automotive section. I could have found it off the bat if it were a Target, or even if hard pressed in a Wal-Mart, but a Kmart? I am not familiar with this layout.

We finally found it and lo and behold they have car batteries. ThankyoubabyJesus.

After purchasing said battery and a wrench to install it with, we (read: Austin) carried that heavy thing back up the hill to the McDonald's parking lot. There, in the shadow of the Play Place neon lights, setting off minimal amounts of sparks, we installed our new car battery.

The car started right up, and we bought ice cream cones to celebrate.

In a strange twist of fate - I swear, you can't make this up - a young couple right across the parking lot was getting a jump as we left. We passed on word that K-Mart does indeed sell car batteries should they need one and suggested that ice cream would fix any residual feelings of distress.

As we pulled away from them and their good Samaritan, Austin started laughing.

"Parenting 101" or "Random thoughts of the Day"

2010-07-07T16:59:00.000-04:00

Disclaimer: We are not, I repeat not, expecting a child anytime soon (sorry future grandparents).

For now this little guy is the apple of our eye:

(apple of our eyes? does the idiom encompass a collective "eye"? who knows...)

But, we are talking about the type of parents we want to be when the time comes to add to the Gage family. We both agree that there were a lot of things that our parents did that we want to copy in our own parenting. Go Parents! Your first example of parenting after all, comes from your own parents or the people who are acting in place of parents.

{I secretly live in fear that my children will not obey me in public the way that we did growing up. How did my mom manage that? I don't even remember the option to misbehave...in public...but I digress}

In my newest "big girl" job I work with college students.

Before this I worked with college students.

Before that I worked with college students,

and before that, I was a college student.

Working with college students affords an awesome opportunity to see a variety of parenting up close and personal. I have learned something from every parent encounter I have had, either a point in the kind of parent I hope and want to be some day column, or a point in the 'never in a million years do I hope to end up like this parent' column.

And you get to read awesome articles and books like this one about the parenting of college students.

The book coins two phrases, "Parenting out of control" and "Parenting with limits". Though I haven't read the book yet, I think I hope to fall somewhere within the two. There are, of course, many different schools of thought and opinions regarding parenting, and there is probably no "one way" to successfully rear children.

{Yes, I did just say "rear children" and I may have thought about Knocked Up while doing it. And I may have left it in for just that reason and the fact that the entire movie made me laugh.out.loud.}

As our friends become parents {continually it seems, I feel like I have seen 120 newborn photos in the last month}, we learn from them too.

Just the other day I ran into our backyard neighbor, also named Courtney. Her husband is also in the Navy. We chatted for a minute about how I always seem to catch her when I am walking our furry child by and she is trying to wrangle her two kids into the family van. On some mornings, I feel like I am in a movie where I am watching my own future.

She off handedly mentioned that parenting is basically trial by fire. Your friends give you tips and tricks, and you try them. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. You read the books, you employ some of those tips and tricks; some work, some don't. You figure out what works for you and what works for your kids.

So, basically what I have learned from my real world Parenting 101 lately is that parenting is a shoot from the hip sort of pursuit.

That sounds exhausting.

I think I need a nap.

Anniversary Trip

2010-06-30T12:23:00.000-04:00

Way back when, like three weeks ago, I blogged about our upcoming wedding anniversary, that has now passed. Thanks to all of our sweet friends who sent us a little not or dropped us a line - we love you guys!

In that post, i also talked about gifts. Paper gifts. Well, good news! We did not get each other the same thing!

Here is what I got Austin:

John Mayer tickets!

He loves him some soulful ballads by one Mr. John Mayer. I thought that this was a genius idea, until I bought the ticket and the only option for delivery was paperless.

Paper less? as in without paper? Which is the whole reason that I needed this specific gift in the first place? Youhavegottabefrigginkiddingme. Luckily, by using a little ingenuity (read: google) I found this site. Tres handy. And, he LOVED his present. He will love it even more after we go to the concert I am sure.

On the other hand he got me LOTS of paper.

Paper in the form of reservation confirmations, paper in the form of tickets and badges and paper in the form of maps. All bearing this happy little logo.

He had everything planned for a glorious weekend in historic Colonial Williamsburg. We stayed on the grounds in the Williamsburg Lodge

In a room that looked sort of like this:

and we walked around here:

and we ate here:

by honest to goodness candlelight

We had drinks and coffee out on the town and overall had an amazing day.

But what trip to Williamsburg could end without a trip to the outlets? So we hit them up too where I may or may not have walked away with some J.Crew and Coach finds...

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my wonderful husband for planning such an awesome anniversary.

I love you babe. Here's to many more <3

Coming Soon...

2010-06-29T09:19:00.000-04:00

...Posts.

We have been crazy around here with:

and lots of these:

Back later.

Feel Good Videos

2010-06-14T09:51:00.001-04:00

I come to you this morning with two feel good videos I saw on another blog this morning.

Back later with a weekend recap!

4 day Weekend

2010-06-10T10:13:00.000-04:00

Usually the onset of a four day weekend is something to be heralded, celebrated and savored. Those last few moments of the day when you know you will be released from your ~~prison~~ job for an extended period of time.

And I am excited about one thing this weekend - our anniversary! Austin has some huge surprise planned, which is a big deal since I have been the "cruise director" for the majority of our almost ten years together. I am so excited! I have planned none of what will be happening this weekend and am totally stoked about it.

Also happening this weekend -- ready for it? Picking up my new sideboard! Yay! Yup, that one from Craigslist. I negotiated and sealed the deal. We will be picking it up, hopefully, on Sunday and it will complete our dining room, and all major furniture purchases for the house. Photos to come.

On the other hand though, bookending this fun weekend are Austin's procedures. I am soooo ready to wrap up this whole appendix issue, but spending two days in the hospital worrying will be no.fun.

Luckily, on the recommendations from good friends, I will have these in attendance with me:

Yes, three books. I read fast. Especially when worrying.

See you guys on the other side.

A new series...

2010-06-09T16:09:00.001-04:00

Every now and then, the degree I hold in English gets the better of me and I feel the need to tell a story. When that need comes up, I generally begin a new series of posts here on ye olde blog.

Are you ready for this?

"Walks with Mr. Bingley"

Bingley, a short while ago, decided to revert to puppy stage again...

He was so cute as a puppy, wasn't he?

...and begin acting out by doing things like eating my Rainbow flops, or diving under beds and not coming out for hours, all sorts of weird behavior for a grown, distinguished dog who hasn't done these things in years, really.

A big point for us buying a house was so that we would have a yard for him to play in. Well, we do have a yard, but no fence. And, I am the first to admit we were much better at walks and exercise with him in general when we were forced to be because we lived in a little apartment.

As a result, we have been taking two walks a day, pretty religiously, which has helped our little pup exert all that extra energy and remain the angelic, furry apple of my eye. Not only has behavior improved again, but I get to spend fun quiet time every morning and afternoon with him where we have funny conversations with neighbors in this insanely dog-friendly neighborhood and embark on silly adventures from time to time.

Now, we (mainly me, since Bings can't type) will bring those stories to you. Get excited.

Addition to the Blogroll

2010-06-09T08:51:00.000-04:00

In addition to his lovely wife, Lisa {whose blog address has changed, so make sure to update your links!}, our friend Dan has resurrected his blogging.

Here is Dan, with a swan on his head.

He is cool like that.

You can read his thoughts here.

A good, cleansing cry

2010-06-08T16:08:00.000-04:00

If you don't tear up a little while watching this, I don't think we can be friends anymore.

PSA for the Day

2010-06-08T11:09:00.000-04:00

Everyone should read this post today.

That is all.

Being all married, and stuff.

2010-06-07T14:08:00.000-04:00

Today is the 7th of June, which puts us 5 days out from our first wedding anniversary! {wth, how did that happen?}

Won't ever forget this reaction. <3

Austin and I have decided to go the traditional route with our wedding anniversary gifts. Though, we have been together for almost ten years, and on that handy chart 10 years = diamonds. Hm. I may have to rethink this whole thing.

In any case, we are giving each other paper. I know, right? Paper.

So, some creativity is called for, and thanks to these new fangled things called computers, printers and the interwebs that creativity is easy.

My present for the hubs is bought and paid for and it is ROCKING. I know he will love it. Here is the thing though; I am worried he got me the same thing.

Without going into too much detail let me share with you a story from our past, to illustrate how likely this point is.

Way back when Austin and I were in college, I was an English major. The English department at Old dominion puts on a Film Festival every year, and those who are English majors get classes cancelled for the week, yay! and have mandatory attendance at like every event.

{For those interested, it has been going on for much longer than 4 years, but for the last 4 years it has been called ON Film, as in Old Dominion University and the City of Norfolk...get it? ON.}

Austin, being the superstar boyfriend, came to certain film events with me, unless they were about love, women, babies, etc.

One night we decided to go see a theater showing of the Beatles' movie A Hard Day's Night. Awesome movie. So we went to see it in the spring and both loved it.

Christmas rolls around the next year and I think, "I have the best.idea.ever. I am going to buy Austin a DVD of A Hard Day's Night! We had such a flipping fun time that night, and he will NEVER see it coming. Awesome."

As the weeks go on towards gift exchange day, Austin and I tease each other relentlessly about how awesome our gifts are. Well, you can see where this is going.

We got each other the same.exact.gift.

I know. We are super lame and cheesy. And, we love it.

There are of course, tons of options involving paper. But, somehow we end up doing things like this. So, let's hope we didn't spend buckets of cash on the same gift. Cross your fingers.

Welcome June!

2010-06-03T16:10:00.001-04:00

I know I am three days late. No excuse, sorry.

In any case, I want to give a big shout out to June 2010. June 2009 was pretty darn good to us, though it was bittersweet. We got married, moved cross country, bought a house, said goodbye for a first deployment and survived it all.

This June should be a mixture of the same - that's life right?

This month we get to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. How did that happen so fast? Are you telling me i haven't changed my Facebook profile picture in a year? Holy crap.

{Seriously though, how do you take down such an expensive photo? What photo is worthy enough to replace that? Not some random bar night party shot, I assure you.}

Also happening in June - Austin's surgeries, etc. While I am semi-anxious about two days in a hospital, again, I will be so thankful to have all of this past us!

In a happy twist, I also get to head to D.C. tomorrow to see some of my grad school faves and the bff Corey.

Bring it on June 2010, bring.it.on.

Sidenote: Bring It On is an awesome movie

{But not Bring It On: Again or Bring It On: All or Nothing...sequels are lame.}

Super Sidenote: My friend Lisa has not seen the awesomeness of the The Toros v. The Clovers, but she still writes an awesome blog that you can check out here.

Happy Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T10:42:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone is enjoying their extra time with family and friends today! I just wanted to take a second to recognize what Memorial Day is really all about.

Beyond all of the flags, parades and barbecues...Memorial Day originated as "Decoration Day" and was to be a somber remembrance of U.S. soldiers who died in military service. Today, this holiday has expanded to include honoring and thanking our current servicemen and women and all those who have served before.

To me, the military has always been a way of life. For the majority of my life I have been a military dependent, first as a daughter and now as a wife. My amazing husband, father, father-in-law, grandfathers and friends have all served this country, and the spouses and children in their lives have all "kept the home fires burning."

At the heart of the day though {and even though there is a sort of cheese factor now associated with Billy Ray Cyrus now}, somehow, his song from my childhood "Some Gave All" always seems to pop into my head around this time every year. So, I thought I would share, for those of you not lucky enough to have had country music fans as parents circa 1992.

"I knew a man called him Sandy Kane

Few folks even knew his name

But a hero was he

Left a boy, came back a man

Still many just don't understand

About the reasons we are free

I can't forget the look in his eyes

Or the tears he cries

As he said these words to me

All gave some and some gave all

And some stood through for the red, white and blue

And some had to fall

And if you ever think of me

Think of all your liberties and recall

Some gave all

Now Sandy Kane is no longer here

But his words are oh so clear

As they echo through out our land

For all his friends who gave us all

Who stood the ground and took the fall

To help their fellow man

Love your country and live with pride

And don't forget those who died

America can't you see...

All gave some and some gave all

And some stood through for the red, white and blue

And some had to fall

And if you ever think of me

Think of all your liberties and recall

Some gave all

And if you ever think of me

Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall

Some gave all"

Happy Memorial Day!

A note on Facebook Privacy Settings

2010-05-27T16:15:00.000-04:00

from here

I am bad at negotiation

2010-05-27T14:56:00.000-04:00

UPDATE!

I emailed on the sideboard. Yup, this one.

Strangely, the seller's name is also Courtney and she is willing to negotiate on the price.

Sadly, I am bad at negotiation.

Do I low ball it at $200 and hope for the best?

Cut it to $250?

Thoughts. Help. Please.

Life's tough

2010-05-25T21:32:00.002-04:00

You see, I have been searching all over for a sideboard for our dining room that I am in LOVE with. Inspired by some others' recent finds I decided to hit up Craigslist and came upon this beauty for $500, right here in VA Beach.

It's crying out for a home in our bungalow! Le sigh.

It does call for it's own movers though, and my husband is well, incapacitated with the whole appendix issue thing. But I may call on it anyway.

While I waver and over think {as I always do}, my friend Lindsey in GA took a little look around the Atlanta Craigslist. Look what she found for $100 obo.

You have to be kidding me, right?

Granted, the mirror is covered on that one so who knows what the condition is underneath. But still.

Life's not fair.

Addition to the Blogroll!

2010-05-24T12:01:00.002-04:00

Our friends Leigh Anne and Wilson have started a blog!

You can check them out at Joy in the Morning.

People Watching

2010-05-24T11:59:00.000-04:00

One of my favorite past times is people watching.

Once upon a time I was a TLC (Traveling Leadership Consultant) for my sorority. This job included traveling every couple of days via plane, traveling via planes puts you where? In airports.

As every moment of every day I was with collegiate members of the organization I reveled in my alone time at airports - get there three hours early? Fine by me. A four hour layover? Sign me up.

Do you know why I was ok with it? Because an airport is an AWESOME place to people watch.

This weekend I found a few more great places.

A Brad Paisley concert (you can see photos at our friends' blog here)
The Chesapeake Jubilee
The Boot on comedy night

Cast of characters spotted include; booty dancing pregnant women, an angry mom complete with angry mom haircut, mom jeans and a patterned jacket, a man with an American flag polo shirt with the Declaration of Independence superimposed over the flag, kissing cousins, 13 year olds in bikini tops and cutoff jean shorts and Mullets, Mullets everywhere.

Ah, humanity.

Oh yeah! These are the people in front of us who were no way younger than 50.

They snuck in a bottle of Southern Comfort...in the butt of one of the men's jeans. Niiiiice.

The death of an appendix. Part V

2010-05-14T16:00:00.000-04:00

Whew. Here it is, the conclusion to this story. We were beginning to get Homeric here.

If you are keeping track:

Friday, into the hospital and diagnosed
Saturday, still in the hospital, being treated {awesome birthday party canceled} restricted diet, no food or water.

Sunday

Austin got cleared for a clear liquids diet! Yay! This was a step in the right direction. He had some more visitors, and then I brought him Egg Drop Soup from Kin's Wok {the best you-can-only-pay-with-cash Chinese food in Norfolk}.

While I was waiting there, for his soup and my delicious Sesame Chicken, {I certainly wasn't on a restricted diet!} I started wondering why all of these people were willing to come to one of the only places left in Hampton roads where you cannot use your card. What makes this place so dang good?

On cue, one of the workers brought out this bowl to the front:

That, my friends, is a huge bowl of garlic cloves.

And now we all understand.

Monday

Monday was a see-saw of emotions. This is how it went:

Austin: "I may get out today!"

Me: "Yay!"

Austin calls back: "Sooo, maybe not"

Me: "Boo, I will be there in 5"

And that pretty much went on all day while we sat on his bed and watched movies on the portable DVD player our friends brought for Austin to have {thanks friends!}.

Overall it was an ok day, we explored the hospital, Austin was allowed to eat, and I got to sit next to a smelly man {read: Austin} who hadn't showered since Friday {seriously gross} and watch movies.

At around 6, he was finally released from the hospital! By the time we got out of there it was about 8 and we were so ready to be home.

So, that's it! That's the story!

Austin was on a two week course of a couple different kinds of antibiotics that just finished and will go in on Tuesday to schedule, hopefully, a simple surgery to remove the little flap of tissue that used to be his appendix.

Oh, yeah, and did I mention that he gets to have his first ever colonoscopy to go with it???? What a prize! They have to make sure that the infection didn't invade other surrounding areas, like his colon.

So here is the lesson folks:

When your wife and everyone else in your life including your boss, your mom {who is a nurse}, a good friend's wife {also a nurse}, tell you to go to the hospital - don't go!

You too could win a 4 day stay in the hospital with nothing to eat or drink, a two week round of antibiotics that you cannot drink alcohol with, a colonoscopy and a surgery to boot.

What a prize package.

The death of an appendix. Part IV

2010-05-10T13:54:00.000-04:00

Excuse our rather lengthy break in this saga, but your regularly scheduled programming was interrupted by a day of fun for Austin and I.

On to Part IV.

After the doctor had told us the diagnosis, we then got to meet with tons and tons of more doctors, up until finally getting put into a hospital room at 4 am in the general surgery ward.

The conversations about his history can about be summed up like this: Every question you are going to ask, the answer is no. The doctors seemed to enjoy that. Again, there's that humor at o'dark thirty for you.

The funniest moment for me was when Austin looks at the doctor and says,

"OK, so I should be getting out by tomorrow?" (Remember this is in the wee hours of Saturday morning.)

Doctor: "Try Monday at the earliest. Oh, and we can't let you eat or drink anything while you are here because we might have to pop you into surgery at any time."

In the meantime they started him on an antibiotic drip in his IV. The same stuff they give to people with Sepsis. Yikes.

Once we finally got up to the hospital room, we tried to get some sleep before the doctors made their rounds the next morning. As I cuddled up in the hospital chair in my clothes, covered by Austin's jacket, I thought to myself, "Man, I am going to look a wreck in the morning."

And a wreck I did look. To top it off, the head of surgery came in at 7:00 am to do rounds, looking tres cute (these are the things I was worrying about while my husband was ina hospital bed? I know, I am crazy).

Seriously though, picture me after three hours of sleep (in a chair no less) with mascara all smudged all over my face, hair coming out of a poorly done french braid (done at 3:00 am) and contacts stuck to my very eyeballs, trying to follow what this woman (and the 18 other doctors with her) were saying after being awoken by the switching on of lights and barging in of this large party. Wowza.

The general gist of the information was this (read on for way too much medical info):

The CT scan was the worst the head surgeon had seen in "a good long while"
Because Austin is young and healthy (aside from this whole appendix thing) his body was responding to wall off the infection with white blood cells
Should his body succeed in walling it off, it could create an abscess that then would need to be drained before moving on to the course of medicine they would be beginning Austin on (since they didn't believe it had yet completely walled off)
When your body does this, it uses the nearest organs as natural barriers and includes them in the wall, which weakens the organ walls
Because of this, if they operated now, they may end up having to do a much larger operation than an appendectomy because they may have to take parts of his other organs
Instead they would start him on antibiotics, clear up the infection in his abdominal cavity, put him on more antibiotics at home and then check back in to do a simple appendectomy once all the infection cleared up in a few weeks

Whew. Maybe I was able to pay attention after all. Long story short, no surgery until the infection clears up. This may take a while, so get comfy.

Get comfy we did as a stream of visitors came to see Austin, who was feeling better with every minute.

For your enjoyment:

Before you ask, no I did not kick him out of bed.

He was tired of being in it and I was, just tired.

Up next, Part V or "The Conclusion to this Never-ending Ballad"

Day of Fun

2010-05-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

For as many weekends as we can seem to remember right now, Austin and I have made a list for ourselves of something to do. Something with the house, or something with the yard, or some event that we have to get up and go to.

This weekend was no different originally. We planned on buying some beautiful hydrangeas for the backyard, planting and digging around, etc.

Friday night, however, we decided enough was enough. All of that could hold until next weekend. We were declaring a "Day of Fun".

We do this from time to time, and though I don't remember how we named them, or how they even started, they are just something that we do.

Here are the rules - on a Day of Fun:

You sleep in as late as you want
There is no agenda
You do only things that you want to do, nothing that you have to do
No Guilt

That's it. Those are the rules.

So, for our Day of Fun this time we did just that, whatever we wanted.

First, we slept in until 10:15. Ahhhh, that was nice. It was almost like college again. Then, we got up and showered and since it was nice, took Bings for a walk.

Austin suggested we go grab a burrito at Moe's and then see Iron Man 2. So we went and ate, and then we headed to MacArthur Center. After a quick glance at the movie times (every half hour all day - wowza) we decided to walk the mall first.

Since we were feeling all summery, we bought some summer shoes to match our mood.

These for him:

And these for me:

Then we headed to the movie, which was long, but entertaining, and headed home. We swung by the grocery store to pick up some ingredients for this to-die-for Barefoot Contessa Sandwich and vino.

Yum.

And then we spent the rest of the evening hanging out in the early 1800's with John and Abigail Adams.

All in all, a lovely, relaxing and refreshing day. Add to the mix that my phone was dead, and I intentionally did not charge it and you get an even more relaxing day.

We will back to housework as usually this next weekend, but this Day of Fun was a welcome break.

Try it sometime.

The death of an appendix. Part III

2010-05-05T14:16:00.002-04:00

Eventually Austin did come home.

After I left work early and harassed him for a couple of hours.
After he took a nap at work, and woke up "feeling better".
After my patience had worn to the very core.

When he came home, he was greeted very warmly by Corey, our dear friend staying with us while in town for our rocking party.

He was not, on the other hand, greeted warmly by his wife. I may feel kind of bad about it now, but it was a means to an end. Eventually that attitude got his stubborn butt to the hospital. Who knows how long he would have waited had I been all June Cleaver about it.

"As long as you think you are fine, dear, then I will not worry.
Whatever you think is best."

{Gag.}

So, I was harsh. So harsh in fact that I essentially gave my husband the cold shoulder, and told him that he needed to go to the hospital and that he was going alone, because I had waited on him all day and was not sitting around in a 'waiting room' to do more of the same.

I'm not necessarily proud of that attitude, but like I said, though I may wear pearls everyday, June I am not.

He dropped his jaw in shock and then stuck out his lower lip like a 5 year old, "But I feel better!"

Cold shoulder. Ice cold.

He ate a little meal with our friends, who essentially all supported him going to the hospital (if for nothing else than to not end up on the couch for the night). And off he went.

He did not give up so lightly though. He insisted on texting our friends who I was with little statements like "I so do not need to be here" or "This is such a waste of time"

Within a short time, I gave up my show of strength and headed to the hospital. After all, he is my husband and truth be told I was worried sick about him throughout all of it. He may be as stubborn as a mule, but he is my mule, so off I went.

Within an few hours of being there, after the tests had been done, the nasty CT scan drink was drank and the final scan was done, we got our diagnosis.

The doctor came in, in record time, and said, "Well, you definitely have appendicitis. And based on the amount of infection so that we cannot even see your actual appendix on the CT scan, we are guessing that it has already perforated."

Cue another jaw drop for Austin: "You have got to be kidding."

Doctor: "Nope. I don't kid about appendicitis, not at 2 in the morning in an emergency room."

Austin, looking straight at me: "You have officially won the biggest 'I told you so' of all time."

Me: "Well I am glad you said it."

Photo documentation following the diagnosis.

Look at that face, he was so mad that I, and well everyone else, "told him so"

Coming up next - Part IV, or "What do you mean I have to stay here?"

The death of an appendix. Part II

2010-05-04T15:33:00.001-04:00

When we left off, we were heading to bed and Austin had no fever.

When we woke up Friday morning, that was not the case. Austin took his temperature at 5:30 am {his normal wake up time}. It was a balmy 100.5.

This is it, I thought, we are heading to the hospital. But, instead Austin made excuses. He actually said to me, "I just got out of all those blankets from the bed, and that was hot, blah blah blah."

{See differences in warm-blooded and cold-blooded creatures here}

In any case, he somehow convinced me, probably since it was o'dark thirty, that he could go to work and have his corpsman take his temperature. Then if he was still running a fever he would email me and let me know it was time to go.

So I rolled over and went back to sleep. Bad wife.

When I got up to go to work there was no message.

On my way to work, still no message.

Got to work, maybe he emailed my work address? Nope. Still no message.

So I emailed him with a~~n overt threat~~ subtle suggestion that I would call the ship if I didn't hear back from him ASAP regarding his temperature and us going to the hospital. I got an email back within approximately 5 minutes stating that he still had a fever and everyone, including his own boss was suggesting that he go to the hospital.

I put my boss on alert that I was "on call" and may have to leave early. I got an email saying "Ok, I give up, I am leaving soon" at 11:30 and left work when Corey and Daniel {who were coming into town for the ill fated extravaganza at our house} got there to {originally} take me to lunch.

It would be hours before I made it to the hospital.

Stay tuned for Part III or "The Story of a Sulking Husband"

The death of an appendix. Part I

2010-05-03T15:29:00.000-04:00

{from here}

Oh, where to start with this post. You may have noticed I had gotten back on track with blogging and then for going on two weeks there was, well, nothing.

You also probably heard from fb, phone calls, etc. that Austin's appendix burst.

The two are connected.

And here is the story.

The Tuesday night before Austin's birthday (April 20th) we were heading to bed. As we were brushing teeth, etc. Austin began complaining of some stomach pain. Thinking nothing of it we both went to bed.

Wednesday morning, Austin got up and went to work at 5:30 like usual. Here are where things get a little blurry. You see, Austin was preparing for a huge inspection to take place on Monday the 26th while at work. Wednesday night he had watch. So, I didn't hear from him or see him from Wednesday morning at 5 am until Thursday (his birthday) at 7:30 pm when he got home from work. (Happy Birthday!)

Apparently during that time his pain had localized and several people suggested he get it checked out by a doctor. They even threw around the word appendix. Did he take heed? Clearly not, else we would not have a story.

The big indicator on Thursday was whether or not he had a fever, so we took his temperature. No fever. Not even a little one. We took it easy for the rest of the night and took his temp again before bed.

Still no fever.

Stay tuned for Part II, or "The Fever Sets in"

In the spirit of Earth Day

2010-04-22T16:37:00.000-04:00

Go here: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/dap_10153_12605_DAP_More+Green+Across+America and vote for Fun Forest in Chesapeake, VA, courtesy of Sears' More Green Across America campaign.

The story submitted on behalf of the park:

On April 1, 2010, someone set fire to the Fun Forest playground at Chesapeake City Park leaving in its place only charred ruins. The following week was spring break for area children, with Fun Forest being a likely destination for the younger ones. What greeted them as they entered the park was crime scene tape surrounding a beloved playground. The park was conceived by the Chesapeake Division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce in 1994, and built by nearly 2,000 volunteers from all over the city and beyond. At the time, it was called the largest handicapped-accessible park on the East Coast. Already the Chesapeake Department of Parks and Recreation has received contributions and offers of help from many people outraged by the destruction of Fun Forest, but much more is needed. Please send the Sears Lawn & Garden Crew to Chesapeake and help us rebuild Fun Forest.

It's B(earth)day time!

2010-04-22T08:57:00.001-04:00

First...

Happy Birthday to my husband Austin!

You are the most fun, and I love you!

Second...

Happy Birthday to our blog!

Though sometimes I neglect my blog, it really is fun for me to write. Thanks little blog for providing me a forum for my thoughts.

Third...

Happy Earth Day!

You know, because we all love the earth.

Project: Porter Pendant

2010-04-21T15:58:00.001-04:00

As you may or may not be aware, buying a home that is close to 100 years old typically comes with it's fair share of projects. {I may be rounding up the age on our little bungalow...forgive me. She is close enough.}

{Not that I will want anyone rounding my age up to 100 when i am really only 82}

In any case, our kitchen has been the subject of much contemplation and planning for Austin and I. We are hoping that in the next few years we can do a major kitchen overhaul - cabinets, counter tops, etc. There is so much unused space in our kitchen!

But in the mean time {while we wait for our lottery numbers to come up} we make small changes. One of the biggest things for me was to get rid of our over the sink light. To me it just screamed, "Grandma lives here."

Sorry these are so dark, we had already turned the fuse box off before I thought to snap them

See? Grandma, right?

In any case, I knew at once that I wanted a pulley lamp to hang beautifully over our sink. I searched high and low. We found this one at Shades of Light in Richmond...

buuut, as $250 a pop, it wasn't quite what we were looking for.

Imagine my surprise when it turned out that the most affordable option I could find was at good ol' Pottery Barn...

Enter the Porter Pendant

Now, the big one is a little pricier, but we knew that we wanted the small one in the metal finish. Combine that with a 10% off code and our $50 gift card from debit card rewards and it was an easy decision.

I kept waiting and waiting as it was on back order, but then one day I looked and lo and behold there it was!

Just in time for our party. Love that.

So last night, we installed a light.

Yes we installed a light. I promise I was up there too, but how was that photo gonna look?

And here is our lovely new pendant...

Yayy! and before you ask, yes, we do have faux butcher block laminate counter tops and matching backsplash. I long for the day that they will be replaced by beautiful white and green subway tile and real butcher block counter tops.

Someday.

Birthday Blog

2010-04-19T18:04:00.000-04:00

On Thursday this little blog will be two! That is so crazy to me. Two years of you faithful few reading all my little thoughts and adventures.

{My husband will also have a birthday on the same day, but more on that later}

In commemoration of this blog's birthday, I took a nostalgic look back at some of my favorite posts, and have posted them here for you. Have fun perusing if you are really bored at work, or if you just love us.

The First Post

Still makes me laugh

Such a happy day!

Because it's too cute

If you really love us, and nostalgia

A tribute to Corey

Because I love these photos

Mr. Bingley's Day

A reminder of how fast all that went by...

The first post on our Dream Bungalow

Awesomeness

Cone of Shame. And Snow.

In other news, I will be unveiling some new additions to the blog in the next couple of weeks! Get excited!