Books

I had this sudden rush of anxiety the other day as I drove past Borders after Borders that were closing down. I thought, "Is this a sign of the end of the world? Will technology at some point fail and we'll be left with no books and no knowledge!?!?!" But then I just went home and turned on my Nook and forgot all about it.

Backyard Fun

Our backyard has been a multi-year project. Last year we built the planters, put in pavers, a BBQ and a fireplace. This year we're slowly working on landscaping. Travis and I spent an entire day planting and plumbing this planter box in the hot July heat! We had a lot of fun picking out the plants at the nursery and plotting out where they should go. It's starting to look great! Maybe by the end of summer 2012 we'll be ready for a BBQ party at our house!

Catch Up

It's been a while since I've posted so I wanted to briefly touch on many highlights that have happened in the last few months.

This weekend Travis turned 30 and I turned 28. I always love having our birthdays so close together because we can celebrate together for three days. Travis completely surprised me on Friday which was actually his birthday by asking if I could go to lunch with him. Little did I know that Travis had called my boss the week before and asked if he could actually steal me from work for the entire afternoon to celebrate our birthdays. So he took me to lunch at the mall where he told me I wasn't going back to work but that I was going to spend the rest of the day on a shopping spree! It was a perfect day and I loved being able to spend the day with Travis on his birthday as well.

We spent the next day with his family doing more shopping and because it was a big birthday for Travis, his mom completely spoiled him with a new couch (which I knew about) and a new iPad 2 (which I did not know about)! He obviously loved them both and I was so happy that he got to have such a special day.

We decided about a month ago that his present from me would be a new car that he really wanted. On his actual b-day I got him balloons, made him a special breakfast, got him a new key chain and packed him a special brown sack lunch with all his favorite snacks. I think the surprise shopping trip totally trumps all that and a new car though! He always finds a way to make every birthday I have better than any other I've had. He is my dream come true in every way.

We've also been enjoying spring weather in Las Vegas. There is a really great nursery here that has row after row of large trees and plants. We like to go there when it starts to get warm and dream about the plants we want to put in our backyard.

As you can see, the large planter in the backyard, where one day lots of plants will go, is currently Jane's favorite place to sun bathe. And this is just an adorable picture of Tuck.

Our dogs obviously got a little cabin fever this winter and had another big fight. It happens about once a year, pretty much like clock work. Usually we see it happen. It will be over a toy or a treat or their playing will get out of hand. A few weeks ago they just came in from outside and were both a bloody mess! I don't know what provoked it or what happened but they both got very hurt. We rushed them to the pet ER where they had to stay over night. We had to pick them up at 6am and I ended up staying home from work to take care of them. Jane usually walks away without getting too hurt but because we weren't there to stop them, she got some serious cuts and was whining and crying all day which is very unusual for her. They both had to get shaved to clean their cuts and both still have stitches. Its clearly just a little sibling rivalry because most of the time, we can't keep them apart. Normally when we come home and they're both laying right next to each other on the rug. They're taking some time apart right now and we can tell they've already started missing each other.

Our nephew Aidan came to visit this weekend as well. He stayed at Travis's mom's house but we had him over at our house to hang out for a while. The dogs L.O.V.E him and he lets them just lick and wrestle with him all day! Aidan also helped us get our lawn in shape for spring and earned a whopping $5 for mowing the lawn and pulling weeds. Not to mention scratching Tuck's belly and playing with Jane.

At work last week we held our Employee of the Year event which takes place on St. Patrick's Day. We all wear kilts and have a big Irish themed party. I organized a very nice breakfast and then the 12 nominees marched in a parade behind a bagpipe band all through the casino floor. We ended on the bridge in front of the hotel on the strip and named the winner. Then we opened the party to the public and it was an all day/night party! I stayed on the bridge all day and got confused for being a catholic school girl only about 20 times. :)

I don't like to mention the health problems I have too much 1. because it gets me down but 2. I haven't found a doctor yet that can give me a good reason that I have such bad asthma and allergies...no one mention that it could be dogs or you won't hear from me again. :) But for anyone who is interested, I'm going to be spending 7 days in Denver at National Jewish Health soon. They're the best respiratory hospital in the U.S. and many doctors have now recommended I go there. I sent all my medical paperwork there last week and should have an appointment soon. I'll keep you updated on what happens there. I feel optimistic about it and I don't feel like anyone has a good reason to worry, so let's not.

Other than that I feel ridiculously happy in life. I've been very aware over the last few months about how blessed I am and have been in life. I have such a wonderful husband who loves me, a great job where I feel valued and just an overwhelming sense of peace and happiness nearly all of the time. Travis and I often talk about and thank our Father in Heaven for the happiness we have together. We're incredibly and undeservingly lucky.

Outdoor Fun!

Our backyard isn't 100% done but it's done enough to BBQ and enjoy the pool and hot tub! We've had a great time. We grill every night!

Gormet BLT's

If anyone is looking for a yummy summer recipe, this one is amazing! Trav's favorite.

Gormet BLT's

Fresh Baguette Loaf (the two of us eat almost a whole loaf ourselves)

Mayo mixed with 1-2 tablespoons of pesto sauce from a jar

Fresh Basil Leaves

Bacon

Sliced fresh mozzarella (get the kind in water)

Heirloom tomatoes

Funny Universal Truths

1. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

2. How the heck are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

3. Was learning cursive really necessary?

4. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

5. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

6. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

7. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

8. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

9. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

10. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this - ever.

11. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?) but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

12. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

13. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

14. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

15. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it.

16. I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

17. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

Concert

Trav and I had a great weekend. On Friday night we went to the Minority Council Annual Awards where his company won the "Construction Company of the Year" award. Saturday night we went to the Muse concert at Mandalay Bay. I took some pics of Trav because I thought he looked hot! :)