Finally, Progress

I haven't had time to fill you in on all the happenings of the weekend. Friday night we went to the movies in the park that I talked about earlier. Unfortunately, we missed Pretty in Pink because I was in Mobile but we caught this week's showing of Stand by Me. We took Rafa and also took along a nice pasta dinner with a salad and wine. We ran into one of Lucas's soccer friends there and watched the movie with them. It was such a nice night.

The next morning we got up early to run in the Spirit of America 5 Mile Run in Decatur. All in all it was a pretty poorly run race but it was only $10 each ($13 after their "processing" fees) and we got a pretty nice dri-fit-like shirt. They had progressive start times so I didn't start until 14 minutes after the beginning and Lucas didn't start until 20 minutes after the beginning (the last group). Then, we had no idea what our run times were. We crossed the finish line and there was no time clock and no one telling you your times. There were also no people calling times throughout the race. It was a very poorly run race but at least we got some exercise. I ended up finishing in 50 minutes (I just found out yesterday by looking online) and Lucas finished in 58 minutes. At least Rafa got to watch us run. Mom came to cheer us on and watch Rafa! She took a picture of us before the race so once I get it I'll post it for you.

After the race, Lucas and I went to Hartselle and met my granddad. We loaded up the saw and wood and went to work on our house. We got almost all of the base boards and door facings put up! Grandaddy came back on Sunday to finish up a little. We still have a huge project although it isn't that big... we are widening the entrance to our living room. It is probably only 6 or 8 inches but I think it will make a big difference. Once we get this hole fixed, we can finish up that door facing and the connecting base boards. Also, Lowes by our house was out of the quarter round we use so we had to go to the Lowes on North Parkway to buy more. Our job is to prime and paint this quarter round and hopefully get it up on our own. This will be our first job with the wood, saw, and air nailer by ourselves. Help us! Haha!

Mom stopped by while we were working and gave me an early birthday present... a pig flower waterer! I'm not sure if this actually has a name or if it is just failing me right now but it is a pig and I can water my flowers with it. It is so cute! We saw a very expensive one at this uppity garden store (by uppity I mean expensive) at the Summit in Birmingham but we weren't going to spend $70 on it. Mom said she got a good deal on it but it looks just a cute! I can't wait to take a picture and show it off!

Monday night we had a 9.0 mixed match and Lucas and I made our debut together. And we rocked! We won 6-0, 6-3. Lucas is really fun to play with because he is so good he gave me a lot of easy put-aways. And it helped that I was playing really good, too. I played 8.0 last night and had another easy victory: 6-2, 6-1. Again, I was playing really well. I feel it all coming together. I'm playing better now than I have in a while... probably better than I was playing in college. So that's nice. But it is also easier to play better when it is just fun and not so much pressure.

I just made Rafa an appointment with the groomer for Monday. I was hoping maybe tomorrow before the 4th but I understand that is a little much to ask. He is a cutey either way. I can't wait to see what he looks like after a cut. We are taking him to the river on Friday so I need to go buy him a little doggy life jacket. Speaking of Friday, I have to find a good recipe to take on the 4th. Any good ideas? Brooke, I may be scrolling through your "What's Cooking Wednesdays". Any good recipes for the 4th?

I'm hoping for another Patio Party tonight with Amy and Debbie, possibly Mary Beth if her trip to the dentist goes well. We are super busy at work so it will be nice to relax with some $2 Long Islands!

1st of the Month

and you know what that means.... New Desktop!

This month is dedicated to my little Rafa!



Get this for yourself at Shabby Princess Scrapbooking

My Christmas Vacation! Jealous?

Wow! Simon (Lucas's brother) just sent us new pictures of the farm. While ya'll are freezing here in the states I'll be sunbathing by the hot tub surrounded by exotic beauty. I'm so excited! I haven't been since before we were engaged. I'll be happy to go as his wife! We still don't have our exact dates picked out though. We need to buy our tickets soon.

At Least He's Got His Looks

Poor guy just lost.... again. Also big losers at Wimbledon already: James Blake and Maria Sharapova. I still have Rafa and Roger though.

And He's Gone Again

We knew Lucas might have to go to Indiana Wednesday and back on Thursday but he went to work on Tuesday and they sent him on his way. He has been really busy there and will probably stay until Friday. He is traveling all the time now. I hope they remember all the hard work he is putting in when it comes time to evaluate his performance (and salary).

Speaking of salary, a lady just approached Lucas about teaching a weekly group lesson. And guess where it is.... Lake Forest! I take it as a sign that we need to be there. So I called up this realtor who had gotten some information on lots in Lake Forest for us and he is sending us over a price list. If the prices are right then we may be buying a lot in Lake Forest! It is my dream community. We almost bought a house there initially but it was at the top of our price range at the time. By hanging onto a lot for a few years then building ourselves (a house that we can actually design ourselves) we will have a much, MUCH nicer house. I can just see us raising a family there. During the summer we'll take the kids to the pool to hang out with other neighborhood kids, they can ride their bikes around the community and be safe, we can run around the jogging/nature trail, we can teach our children to play tennis. I see it all in my head and it is the perfect place! This will be my dream home in my dream community. I can't wait! I hope it all works out.

So Lucas will be at Lake Forest giving lessons every Tuesday now. If he has to go out of town like so often he does I may fill in for him. I think they are all beginners so it shouldn't be too hard.

I had a match last night after work. Mom came and got Rafa so he could play and watch. He was a good boy! We won then afterwards mom and I took Rafa home and went to eat Mexican. We sat there and talked for a long time in the restaurant then in the parking lot. It was nice to do that. I don't think we have done much with just us lately so it was a nice treat.

We were discussing our trip to Colombia for Christmas. My parents have decided to postpone their trip until next year but Lucas and I are still planning on going. Originally I had insisted that we stay here for Christmas then leave but mom was encouraging me to go be with his family on Christmas since we haven't had that experience and may not for a while once we start having children. I still think it will all depend on the price of tickets. We are going either way but I would like to go as cheaply as possible. It is so expensive... and they better not give me any of this 1 bag crap! 1 to 2 weeks in a foreign country... I need lots of clothes (even though their house keeper does all of our laundry while we're there... even folding underwear).

Tooth

Yup... just had my tooth sawed down. It didn't feel too good. I can still see a little indentation where I chipped my tooth but it is much better. Dr. Sellman said that when my teeth are aligned properly with my braces you won't be able to notice it as much. But he'll re-examine it after I get my braces off.... a long time from now.

I'm still trying to decide whether or not I should go to the doctor about my chin. Lucas said he will help me decide tonight and I can go tomorrow if need be.

Having Fun ~ with scars to prove it

We had our canoeing and camping trip this weekend. It was so much fun. We went to the Buffalo River and canoed through Crazy Horse Canoe Rental. We had a blast. I'll try to get pictures to you once we get these waterproof disposable cameras developed.

Along our route was a big waterfall. We stopped and climbed to the top to stand under the falls and take pictures. It was so cool! We stopped later for lunch and make frequent stops to relax along the river. It was on one of these stops that my first incident occurred. The boys were swimming to the middle of the river to jump off of some big tire that was there. I stepped off the gravel rocks and into the river.... solid mud surrounded my foot and would not let go. I seriously didn't think I was coming out of the river but after much pulling I made it... without my shoe. So the rest of the day I canoed shoe-less.

This might not be a major problem had my second incident not occurred. There was a large stone wall that people were climbing up to jump with the rope swing into the river. It looked fun so I got out of the canoe and attempted climbing the wall. One or two steps up and I decided this wasn't the best idea for me so I got back down. I walked barefooted back towards the river to get in when suddenly my feet flew out from underneath me. My backside hit hard against the stone rock and my face smashed into the canoe in front of me (at least from the logistics of my injuries this is what I assume happened).

I was suddenly surrounded my people screaming "Oh my god!" and "Get her in the canoe!" etc. It was crazy. It turned out I had a cut under my chin, bruises and scratches down my legs, and a chipped tooth (as I would later find out once I got to a mirror).

My nurse Aida took care of me though. I think I am fine but I still don't know if I should go to a doctor about this cut on my chin. Several people were thinking I may need stitches but it may be too late for that now. I am just working away with a band-aid on my chin.

I am also leaving right this minute to go to the dentist about my tooth. We'll see what he says about this chipped tooth. I'll let you know.

P.S.

Lucas and I are still loving the canoe trip and looking to buy our own now. We hope to go back canoeing in July or August.