Test Drive

Yesterday, I convinced AnnaGrace to stop at a car dealership on the way home from work. She received a flyer in the mail which said she was a winner. I was convinced she would win one of four prizes: (1) a new car; (2) an iPad; (3) up to $500 in gold coins; or (4) $400 cash. I had even read the fine print, and was ready to put up a fight if they didn't fork over the prize. Sometimes I enjoy the idea of playing the "I am a law school student" card. :)

The time at the dealership was quite entertaining. The contest rules stated that you had to test drive a car. This despite the fact that AnnaGrace made it quite clear that she was not interested in buying a car. The salesman, however, was very nice. And, it turns out he used to be a concert violinist!!! He and AnnaGrace had quite the time sharing music stories. :)

After test driving an Altima, the sales manager came out. It was hilarious to watch him try to figure out how he was going to convince AnnaGrace that she should ditch her 2009 Honda Accord and buy a Nissan. After every question she answered, you could see the wheels turning in his head. When he asked her how she liked her car, she said "I LOVE it!!" very enthusiastically. And that was the trick that killed the line of questioning. :)

As we waited to find out what her prize was, another sales associate came over and started talking. As we went to leave, he asked what we were doing next. When we responded with, "Dinner," he asked if that included beer. WHAT THE HECK?!?! He was waaay too old for us - though I wondered if he was trying to get information for the young sales associate who kept eyeing AnnaGrace. *GAG* AnnaGrace politely told him, "No, I don't drink ANY alcohol."

And with that, we walked out the door with her $1 prize.

Yep, you read that right.

I missed the line of the fine print that says, "Chance of winning $1 - 1:49,999." AKA - everyone (besides the top winners).

:(

Sunday Shenanigans

Around 2am, Sunday morning, we were awakened by the sounds of a raucous party at a neighboring apartment. The next morning, this sight awaited us:

My first thought was, "How did he manage to sleep out here in the heat??" Apparently he didn't sleep too well, because by the time I was back from the gym at 10am, he was gone (despite being up so late). :)

After church, we decided to get make one last outing to cap off a phenomenal birthday week. Our first stop was Recycled Books, one of our favorite places in Denton!! Here are a few of the treasures we found:

A word to those picking wedding music: Please. Step AWAY from the trombone book. Trust me, trombone music at your wedding = NOT cool. Plus, you WILL be judged by any music majors in attendance. :)

So sad because it's not within the budget.

Hurray for more classical CDs!!

Next, we made a visit to Goodwill to drop off some clothes. But of course, you can't go to Goodwill without going in and looking around!! I wanted to peruse the CDs to see if I could find any more Steven Curtis Chapman (I've had quite a bit of luck lately). Instead, I found "The Italian Job" on DVD, and...A SUIT!!!! Since I need some new suits for this next year, I decided to search the rack and just see if there was anything decent. I ended up finding a suit from New York & Company - my FAVORITE store!!! It was in my size, and only $7!!! I seriously love finding deals like this!! Props to my grandpa for giving me this trait. :)

This picture does not do justice to how bomb-digg this suit is, but I'm sure it will make an appearance on the blog in all its glory at a later date. :)

I also discovered this treasure - but opted to leave it in the bin for someone else.

AnnaGrace made what may end up being the find of the YEAR. She picked up a Polaroid camera for only $2!! The jury is still out on whether or not it works, but we're hopeful that it's just the film that was causing the wonkyness.

And finally, FRO-YO!!!! We are both seriously addicted. Since it's been about 3 weeks since we've been, a visit to Yogurt Story was way overdue.

While there, we had an impromptu photo shoot - and ended up with some real winners!!!

Womb Emancipation Day

I am now as old as my mother was when she had me - isn't that weird?!?!? Somehow, when you're a kid, being in your 20s seems so old. Then you hit it and realize it's not that old, after all. I guess that's just how all of life goes. :)

AnnaGrace ended up having to work on Thursday, so I tagged along and hung out at Starbucks. Since I have a registered gift card, I got a coupon for a free birthday drink - hurray for a Vente Java Chip Frappuchino!!! :) I was quite alert for the rest of the day, that's for sure! While at Starbucks, I was able to Skype with my mom, which was really nice. 

When AnnaGrace was done with work, we headed home for a couple minutes before our hair appointments. I've decided that hair cuts need to be a new birthday tradition. :) It feels so good to have less hair on my head!! We don't have a really good "after" picture yet - that will have to come later!

When we got home, I parked myself on the couch and talked to MaryLou while AnnaGrace cooked dinner and made a cake (she wouldn't let me help!). :) She made steak, mashed potatoes, rolls, and an avocado - it was AMAZING!!

Then it was time for cake. I have been waiting for this cake for 2 months, ever since we saw it while looking for AnnaGrace's birthday cake. It seriously makes me drool every time I look at it on the computer screen. :)

Hurray for a fantabulous day!!

Birthday Week

Extending birthdays is always great - especially when you can do so for a whole week!! It has also been the perfect way for us to get out and blow off some of our restlessness. :) On Tuesday, we ran some errands around town, and then donated blood. I have never donated blood before because I've been too scared to go on my own (I know, I'm a wuss). Well, it turns out that was a good thing, because I was pretty high maintenance. I nearly passed out twice. The first time was right after they put the needle in. Knowing my propensity to get light-headed at the mere mention of blood, I wasn't particularly surprised. :) Apparently I looked pretty awful - I didn't even have to tell the technician that I wasn't feeling good - all of sudden, he was tipping me backwards and calling for a drink and ice packs (FOUR of them!!). :)

We survived!!! :)

I nearly passed out again right after I finished donating, before the tech took the needle out. I honestly don't know what my problem was then. By that time, I had calmed down from the first episode, was feeling great, and had even managed to look over at the cord. All of sudden, as he was reading the post-donation directions, I felt myself getting lightheaded and hot all over again. I felt like such an idiot!! I am, however, determined to donate again in 2 months. I WILL overcome this fear/queasiness!!

While I was causing problems, AnnaGrace was on the opposite side of the room cracking up and having a grand ole' time!! She also came over when she was finished to make sure I was still alive. :)

On Wednesday, we took a day trip to Plano. It was great to "get out of town" even for a short time. :) Our first stop was REI. I need a new cap for my Nalgene, but unfortunately didn't find it here (or any other sports stores, for that matter). 

On our way to the next store, AnnaGrace found a quarter in the parking lot. :)

Next, we stopped in at Nordstrom's Rack. My Aunt raves about this store, because it is the only store that carries her shoe size. Although I was convinced that I still wouldn't be able to afford anything, I thought it would be fun to just browse. I ended up finding a suit jacket for only $35!!! When I tried it on, AnnaGrace nearly cried - so I knew I had to buy it!!! :) I really need to update my suit wardrobe, so I was happy to find this!

Since I had a coupon for a free birthday sandwich, we had lunch at Which Wich, an amazing sandwich shop. It's kind of like Subway, except much better. You pick a paper bag according to category (vegetarian, turkey, chicken, etc.). Then, you choose all the veggies, cheese, and toppings that you want. 

I picked  a BLT with avocado. YUM!!! I highly recommend this place! 

Our next stop was supposed to be Ikea, but we saw a PetsMart and decided to make a quick detour to look at the kitties. :) Bad life choice - we were both dying for a kitten when we walked out the door!! Priority #1 when I get out of law school (after I find a job, of course), is getting a kitten!!

Yep, that's us - Smart!! :)

We finally made it to Ikea - this store is the COOLEST PLACE EVER!!! Something has happened to me in the past year. All of a sudden, I'm obsessed with home stores, decorating ideas, etc. It's like suddenly there's a Martha Stewart inside of me dying to spend hours (and thousands of dollars) decorating, cooking, etc. So yes, I was in love when we stopped at Ikea. :)

I found the curtains I want in my future kitchen!!! I was sooo tempted to buy them, but resisted the urge - barely. :)

I had a blonde moment when I saw this display. I thought, "Geez, that's a really funky-looking ironing board!!"

Then I realized it was five ironing boards hanging on the wall. :)

Birthday update coming later!

Restless

Look what I saw this morning as I was watering my plants - a bunny!!

Over the past two days, I've begun to feel a little stir-crazy. I want to do something, I just haven't quite figured out what. AnnaGrace and I are working on a fabulous birthday week, though, which should hopefully help relieve some of our restlessness. Stay tuned for a mini-roadtrip to Dallas!!

On Saturday, we went to the sack sale at Plato's Closet. It was GREAT!!! I was a little disappointed with the size of the bags. However, after some skillful rolling and lots of cramming, I managed to fit a cardigan, a skirt, two vests, and multiple tops in my bag. And all of that cost me only $10!!! I will definitely try to curb my desire to go clothes shopping until the next sack sale - it'd be worth stocking up and changing things out when the sale occurs! Check out some of our finds:

Now it's time to clean out my closet and get rid of some of the clothes I don't wear very often. We've got some stuff to take to Plato's Closet, and I've already listed two dresses on Ebay! Here's hoping my attempt at auctioning stuff off is successful. Even though there isn't room, I'm sort of wishing that I had brought some more of my clothes - I'm feeling the need to purge quite a bit! I guess it will be something to look forward to when I return to Waco (blegh).

Well, I'm off to figure out what to do next...

Catching Up

My apologies for the severe lack in blog posts lately. I have not forgotten about the blog, I just have not felt particularly inspired to write. The past couple weeks have been pretty non-eventful. I finished my job with the Ft. Worth Symphony (hurray!!). That last weekend was pretty crazy - I worked five days in a row, and I was exhausted by the time it was over!! It's amazing how quickly the heat will drain you.

WARNING - This is likely to be a very long post...either that, I will just restrain myself and break it up over the next day or two. :)

Last weekend, I crashed and burned at a race. It was only a 5K, too. :( I signed up for a race to help myself get motivated to keep running. Plus, it was a glow-in-the-dark race. I feel like I run better at night, and who doesn't love glow sticks???

Training went well - I used one of AnnaGrace's three gym memberships, and felt great on the treadmill. The Sunday before the race, I ran 5 miles at an easy pace without any problems. I was determined to break 30 minutes this time and set a new PR.

Before the race, when life was good, and my pride was still intact.

The course was great - we were out on a buffalo ranch, and it was an adorable setting!! The race was a small, local affair, but that just added to the charm. Since we were running in the pasture, we were warned to watch out for buffalo chips on the course. :)

This sign makes me laugh.

Race day, however, was a completely different story. I put AnnaGrace in charge of pacing me so that I wouldn't be constantly looking at the time and miles tick by. By the end of mile 1, I was not feeling great. What started out as one side stitch turned into two, and finally, full-blown stomach cramps. I have never felt so awful on a run. I ended up stopping to walk...and then pulling back to an even slower walk.  Tons of runners passed me - the most humiliating feeling ever!! Every time someone went past, I wanted to explain that this was completely abnormal, and I'm really NOT that badly out of shape. :) Talk about a wound to the ego. Thankfully, my faithful pace-keeper did not leave me in her dust, and stayed by my side to ensure that I made it out the pasture (THANK YOU AnnaGrace!!!). :)

I ended up being able to get back into a jog/run for the last mile or so, and finished in 31:35. Not bad, considering that my second mile was at a pace of 14 minutes.

After, still alive. :)

Well, I changed my mind...I'm helping out with VBS this week (more on that later!), and I am whooped. Off to get some rest before the last day tomorrow!!

A Week of Weirdness

This past week was one of the strangest I have encountered in a long time. In the midst of some serious awesomeness - I BOUGHT A MAC!!!! - there were some very stressful and painful moments. There were two family pet deaths, a grandmother in the hospital, and the shocking death of the family member of a best friend.

It all started on Monday when AnnaGrace and I headed to the Apple store in Plano to pick up her Mac and purchase mine. I don't know how I survived this long without a Mac. Although I haven't had much of a chance to play around with it, the detail on this machine is INCREDIBLE!!! The trackpad has got to be one of the best inventions ever. I'm going in today to have all my files transferred, and I can't wait to start really playing around with my new computer!!

While we were out and about, I managed to finally find a toe ring that I liked. Check it out - aren't I cool?? :)

Unfortunately, our wonderful shopping trip took a little bit of a downturn when I completely fell into a funk. I think it was the combination of not enough protein/frustration with not being able to find a birthday gift/having technology issues. It was really weird, though...I felt completely irritable and nasty, and yet I couldn't quite put my finger on why. Thankfully, a discussion of Tozer and some time spent in prayer re-adjusted my attitude. It's never pretty seeing the nasty side of one's self!!

On Tuesday, I got a call from one of my best friends whose brother died in an accident on Monday. It was by far the worst phone call I have ever received. My heart broke at her grief, and at the fact that I can't even be there for her. I don't think I have ever felt so helpless.

Yesterday was Ross' birthday, so the week ended on a more happy note as I went over to Joy and Joel's house for a birthday dinner.

And with that, I'm off to get ready for work! I promise that next week I'll get back into the routine of blogging on a more regular basis...