Austin, TX Rocks My Socks - Now it Can Rock Yours, Too! :-)

Top 10 Things to Do & See & Eat:

1. There's always history, and the capitol is tucked right there near Downtown Austin, with free parking on the weekends - how convenient is that?!

2. Toy Joy! Need I even say more? I came home with a bag full of treasures, from kazoos and a tiny plastic wind up cymbal-clapping monkey to a pinhole camera that uses 35mm film!

3. Eat, eat, eat! There are fabulous finds littered all over the city for vegans and vegetarians - how refreshing for this Georgia Peach! :-) Veggie Heaven is a top pick.

4. Eat Some More! Kerbey Lane Café was a standout - if only we could have stayed longer, and I would have had more than just one meal there! Mmmm - so fresh & tasty. Great cozy/diner atmosphere.

5. See Howie! He's right there on Guadalupe & a side street - can't miss him! Also, check out the street vendors while you're there. Jewelry & photography = bliss.

6. Visit That Popcorn Place! You'll find something to love, no matter how picky you might consider yourself to be!

7. Drink some Bubble Tea while you wait for your taxi, or anytime at all! I am so glad I finally got to experience this yummy stuff. Tapioca pearls are ugly, but they rule!

8. Eat some Oatscreme at the cool café connected to the infamous Toy Joy - pastries, tasties, and smoothies - all natural and all made from scratch!

9. Stop in Intellectual Property and buy some awesome bargain books. Great selection and uncluttered, upscale vibe inside.

10. Stop in at Diablo Rojo and see Rok for a piercing! He was way cool - too bad my job says no to noserings. :-(

Return of the Esperanza!

Hooray - the Greenpeace Esperanza is back on the seas again to protect the whale population from those who threaten it the most. Aside from adoring what they do for all the obvious reasons, they have a special spot in my heart because I used to immerse myself in their website, browse the blog, and stay glued to the webcam whenever they were in fields of icebergs to safe again in Sydney harbor not only for my own education and interest, but also as a reprieve from endless hours of studying during nursing school. A full year later, I can now reflect on those times spent at my desk in our first home together, now as an RN and from a new home with my hubby. Sweet!

Keep up with the WEBCAM here - it's cool!

Brrr

So, no snow but at least it's cold and I can wear all my fun scarves, hats, and coats! Always trying to look at the bright side :-)

Texas was grand, and not only did I spend some wonderful quality time with my best friend, but I made a couple of new friends, as well! We had a blast running about the city of San Antonio, road tripping to Austin, shopping, eating, sightseeing, sleeping in, talking, and even taking in a monster truck show - never a dull moment! :-)

Photo above taken in Downtown SA, just after the show - Monster Jam 2008 (ha)
L-R: Felicia, Franchesca, Me, & Emily
Good times!
More pics & reviews to come soon - really!

PLEASE Snow, Snow, SNOW!

So, we already got teased once this week, and I'm pulling for some real snow in my neighborhood today! The weather alert looks like this:

Heavy Snow Warning

/O.NEW.KFFC.HS.W.0001.080119T1200Z- 080120T0200Z/ MADISON-CLARKE-OCONEE- OGLETHORPE-WILKES-ROCKDALE-WALTON- NEWTON- MORGAN-GREENE-TALIAFERRO- SPALDING-HENRY-BUTTS-JASPER-PUTNAM- HANCOCK-WARREN-TROUP-MERIWETHER-PIKE- UPSON-LAMAR-MONROE-JONES- BALDWIN- HARRIS-TALBOT-CRAWFORD-BIBB-MUSCOGEE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ATHENS... CONYERS...COVINGTON... GRIFFIN... MILLEDGEVILLE...MACON...COLUMBUS 406 AM EST SAT JAN 19 2008

...HEAVY SNOW WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM EST THIS EVENING FOR AREAS NORTH OF A COLUMBUS TO MACON TO SPARTA LINE...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A HEAVY SNOW WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM EST THIS EVENING.

RAIN SPREADING NORTHWARD ACROSS GEORGIA EARLY THIS MORNING IS EXPECTED TO CHANGE OVER TO SNOW THROUGH THE LATE MORNING HOURS. THE SNOW MAY INITIALLY BE MIXED WITH RAIN...BUT WILL TRANSITION TO PREDOMINANTLY SNOW BY EARLY AFTERNOON OVER MUCH OF THE WARNING AREA. TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE HOVERING NEAR FREEZING MUCH OF THE DAY SATURDAY...AND A DIFFERENCE OF A FEW DEGREES WARMER OR COOLER WILL GREATLY IMPACT POTENTIAL FOR THE SNOW TO ACCUMULATE. WHILE CONSIDERABLE UNCERTAINTY STILL EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO LOCATION AND AMOUNT OF SNOWFALL...THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW ACROSS THE WARNING AREA THROUGH THIS EVENING. AT THIS TIME...IT APPEARS THAT THE GREATEST LIKELIHOOD OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS WOULD BE NORTH OF A COLUMBUS TO MACON TO SPARTA LINE.

A HEAVY SNOW WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

So that's a pretty cool maybe. :-) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that when I wake this afternoon, I will see some white! Nevermind that I have to go to work tonight regardless of the weather - yes, hospitals NEVER close. But I will play on the top of the parking decks if I have to - anything for snow, said the little girl from the hot, hot south who's only seen it in person about 5 times in her life. Wheeee! :-)

Off to Texas

August 2004


This was taken during my last visit, and who knows - maybe we'll take a reunion shot to see how we've changed - glad our friendship is strong as ever! :-)

Beautiful Day

Callaway Gardens -- Pine Mountain, GA
December 2007

VDUB Central Rocks...Again!

Anybody remember my first post about this place, long ago? Well, it was a positive one and my return visit has been another pleasant encounter. Saturday was my one day off for the entire week, and after loading presents into my trunk, running back into the house for my forgotten sunglasses, and hopping into the car to take off to WR for a belated gift exchange and coffee date with Kelly, I was immediately stopped in my tracks with a car that refused to budge out of "Park". It cranked fine but - Nope, no reverse, no drive, no neutral, and no Starbucks with a friend for me. The battery light was even glowing in angry red...yay, always a good sign, right? So I dragged my poor, sick hubby outside to try the jumper cables, still nothing worked. After calling my dad who was going to be away from his phone for another couple of hours and J searched the web a bit for possible explanations or quick fixes, he had the great idea to go ahead and call VDUB to set up an appointment, since we'd need to have one whether we had to tow the car there or not - and luckily for me, he said bring it right in, told me how to get the car out of park, and was able to squeeze in an oil change, as well. The faulty brake light switch has been replaced, and free of charge due to a recent VW-wide recall. Sweet! Thanks, VDUB :-)

And for my own future reference, and maybe to help some other soul out too:
When stuck forever in Park:
Turn ignition on until lights appear on dash, then turn key back to left until lights go out.
Put vehicle in Drive or Reverse, whatever direction is needed.
With the left hand turn key all way to start position, and barely sneak shift toward Neutral with right hand - before locking into neutral, engine will crank, then bring back to drive and be off on your way....to the mechanic.

Christmas Getaway

Fantasy in Lights, Callaway Gardens
December 22-23, 2007

Merry Christmas to all...

May your holidays be beautiful and bright.
May your plates overflow with yummy indulgences.
Stay warm, be merry, and enjoy every moment of this celebratory time!
Love, A & J

Adventures of Tintin

Can you believe it? They're making this into a movie - YAY! And old classic cartoon favorite of mine, for sure. Sweet!

Christmastime Has Come

Our Beautiful Tree
Fa La La La La La La La La La La La La.....

Mission: Holiday Fun!

is well underway. With a mere 13 days to go until Christmas Day, we are officially cramming in as many enjoyable things as possible without spinning into a frenzy with no time left for admiring the Christmas tree, or cozying up on the couch together even though it's nearly 80 degrees outside this week. Yes, we're setting warm temperature records left & right. And we're finding time to do those relaxing things in addition to all the fabulous madness. We've found the perfect real tree, celebrated two birthdays, decorated the entire house, hosted a lovely dinner party, planned a gift exchange with family this weekend along with tickets to the 99X Mistletoe Jam...and so much more to come! Yay. :-)

Taking a bit of time to kick back with a magazine tonight as I prepare for my return to work tomorrow night - these end-of-year ones are always interesting, chock full of tips for a new year, guideposts to reflect back on the closing year, and plenty of ads for new things to pine after and add to your wishlist. Good reads! A passage I like the sound of:

"When you're sizing up your life, try to focus on gratitude" (Redbook)

The end. For tonight. :-)



Redbook

I'm 23!

Yay - Happy (late) birthday to me! It was a fabulous one, and we stretched it out into a birthday weekend. I got a sweet Polaroid camera from hubby, and lots of other fabulous gifts from family. It was a blast - and wow, another whole year. I'm getting old. :-)

Happy Happy Birthday to My A!

Happy birthday to my wonderful wife!

It's been quite a year full of change: soon after we celebrated our first wedding anniversary, we bought a new house. You started a job that makes more money than an Assistant Professor, and you're excelling at it. Talk about growing up a lot in one year. I'm very proud of you, babe. I'm sure this next year will offer more changes and challenges, but we'll face them together and continue to grow.

Happy birthday, and I love you! "L" for LOVE!

Night In

There's no shame in staying on the couch for a block of hours wearing sweatpants and eating take-out chinese food with the one you love.

In fact, it's quite lovely.

Currently watching Planet Earth, and loving every second of it. Very wow.

Thanksgiving Came Early!

Due to my work schedule, my family celebrated Thanksgiving on Monday night and it was perfect! The feast was fabulous, the company was great, and the leftovers crowding our refrigerator are delicious little reminders of another beautiful holiday!

Fall is off to a lovely start, and now that I've had my turkey & stuffing, I am ready to dive into Christmas! Today I bought yards of garland for our staircase, and my daydreams are in full bloom. Speaking of holiday decor...

Pier 1 has some fabulous little tips & holiday ideas to make the season a bit easier on all, especially those who love it the most. Like me! I keep thinking my enthusiasm will rub off on Sweet J one day, and it still might. But for now, I have enough for us both. And then some! :-) Oh, and Oprah came! It was an exciting thing, to say the least. I'm jealous - wish I could have been in that audience, just like every other woman in America.

Last but not least, my parents have decided to do something new this year and as a joint birthday gift for me & my brothers, since we all have birthdays coming up in the next 3 weeks, we've booked a weekend trip to Callaway Gardens, complete with a package deal for the breathtaking Fantasy in Lights - it's been years since I've seen the display, and this will be a first for J. Can't think of a better way to spend the weekend before Christmas with the ones I love the most. xo

Cold Weather is Here...

and I am happy to stay warm inside! I bought a new book today (yay!) and I can't wait to get busy reading it. I saw it on Oprah a few weeks ago, and the storyline appealed to me immensely. I am happy to finally own it...now I just need to find the time to get lost in it.

Speaking of Oprah, she is scheduled to grace my town tomorrow. Imagine that - the tickets are far beyond sold out, and then some but I might keep my eyes open for a caravan of important looking people. Can't wait to see the show when it airs - who knows what she'll have up her sleeve?

Holidays are here and I am a happy girl.

Flutter, a pretty little test video.

Toe to Toe

One of many images from our lovely long weekend trip to the mountains.
November 2007.

Interesting Autumn