3 Years!

Happy anniversary, Mr. A!  I can't believe it's been 3 years!!

Remember this?

What about this?

And who could forget this?

And finally, it all led up to this:

Everything about that day was perfect.  The flowers, the food (although I actually heard that the food was perfect- I don't really remember eating anything) and I can't believe 3 years have actually gone by.

But you know what?

While all of those (see above) memories were amazing, what I'm really thankful is what's been happening since that beautiful day.

Remember this?

And this?

And this?

And this?

While we are still in single digits on the anniversary front, I can truly say that this year, I've really got a vision of our future as a married couple, and you know, I couldn't be more excited!!  If you had asked me on my wedding day if I would be happier, more fulfilled, and more in tune with my spouse on year 3, I would have laughed and gone back to doing my hair and makeup, but it's TRUE!!

So this year, I celebrate, not just the anniversary of our wedding, but the marriage itself.  Mr. A, I am so thankful that you are the man in my life, and I thank God that He is in control of our future--- and that future is looking brighter than ever!

All Aboard!

I am currently on the Regional 83 from Philly to Baltimore on what is the start of Leg 2 of a 3-Leg 2-week work trip.  And I'd forgotten how much I love riding on the train.

There are plugs so we can charge things.

You can use your phone anytime.

You don't have to take your shoes off to get into the station.

Every seat is a window or aisle- no middle seats!

You don't have to be at the station an hour ahead of time- you could get there 10 min. before and be fine!


Yes, I love a good train ride.


So, for this working travel marathon, I left Houston last Tuesday and flew to Philadelphia (with a change in Nashville), then rented a car to Atlantic City.  I was in Atlantic City until today, then drove back to Philadelphia, turned in the car, hopped the shuttle to the train station, and am now en route to Baltimore.  On Monday, I'll fly out of Baltimore for Las Vegas, driving to Laughlin on Monday, then back to Las Vegas Tuesday and then back to Houston on Friday.

WHIRL

WIND

(This might be a reason why you rarely hear from me anymore)

But I wouldn't trade it for the world.  Plus the perks are that for this halfway point, I get to relax on the train and watch the northeast go by.

Childhood Friends

I don't remember meeting my two best friends growing up.  According to our mothers it was somewhere between 2-year old birthday parties, mother's morning out and Sunday School.  Katy, Liz and I were inseparable growing up despite the fact we went to different schools.  Katy moved away when we were 9/10 I think (I am an old lady of 35, so excuse me if the details are a bit fuzzy), and I moved at 11.  Back in the day, there was no internet, but we were really good pen pals, negotiating a visit in every few years.

Katy and I reconnected in college at Auburn University, living down the hall from each other freshman year.  It was so great having another friend already there and even though we had our own paths, it was always great to meet every few weeks, catch up, go for a walk, or grab some dinner.

Later when I was living back in Georgia again, trying to figure out what to do with my life, it was such a blessing for Liz to reappear into it.  She was going to med school, and we connected again over yoga classes and quick chats in between study sessions.

Not surprisingly, we've all gone our own way over the years.  But what a small world to run into Liz and her mother one weekend visiting NYC (way before Mr. A. came into the picture) or to celebrate long distance the birth of Katy's first child- a precious little girl.

Now thanks to Facebook and the occasional text message, I still keep up with my friends.  Katy was so supportive and full of helpful information during our move to TX, as she's been a resident of this great state for some time now with her husband and three children.  Liz is living with her husband and two beautiful daughters in NC and is an amazing doctor.  I love checking out their pics on Facebook and seeing the women they've become, and the families they've made makes me so proud to know them.

It's funny because sometimes friendships ebb and flow.  True, we are not as connected as we once were- we all have busy lives, different zip codes, and many priorities.  Still when I look at new pictures of their children, I am immediately drawn back to the times when we swam at the racquet club, went to the beach with family or attended Space Camp together (the beach with Katy, Space Camp with Liz) and it feels like there's hardly any distance (literal or otherwise) between us at all.

When I worry about infertility, or the stress of our recent moves, or where life is going for me, it is comforting to look into the eyes of the ladies who, besides my family, knew me first on this great journey of life.  They have found their path, and while it sometimes seems like I'm still whittling out my own, I know that I can also get to that place soon-- after all, we never left the other behind growing up :)

Being Back in the South

I haven't lived in the South since 2010, so it's been real interesting to see how being back in southern comfort has influenced my daily life.  The biggest result so far has been surprising

Sweet tea and Chick-fil-a no longer rule my life

Yes, I said it.  In NYC, I hoarded my sweet tea cause it was a delicacy.  I LOVED sweet tea.  And if you've been a follower of my blog for any length of time, you KNOW about my relationship with the Chick-Chick.  I really thought coming back to TX would just enhance these loves, but actually, having sweet tea around every corner really does not make me crave it.  What the what?!?!  Same thing with the Chick.  Of course our new lifestyle change does not not put this on our menu, but honestly-- it's just not on my radar.  Strange, right???

Thoughts during the Super Bowl Blackout

As I wait out the blackout during the Super Bowl, I decided to grab the 'ol computer and go through my internet "process" which includes checking out the following websites (usually in this order):
1.  E!
2.  Broadway
3.  Facebook
4.  MSN
5.  Pinterest
6.  Etsy

Don't judge, kids.  This is my process.  I'm obsessed with entertainment news, musicals, friend's photos, top stories, inspiring pics and unique trinkets.

Anyway, I was going through my process, and got stuck on Facebook reading some posts from different friends remarking on everything from politics to the halftime show and it got me thinking.

Facebook can be a pretty opinionated place.  So can blogs as a matter of fact.  I have never taken any major stances on this blog or Facebook in terms of taking sides on any particular issue, which is strange.  If you know me at all on a personal level, you know that I am more blunt than not, have absolutely no problem telling anyone and everyone how I feel on anything and everything.  So why do I (for the most part) stay silent online?  I guess it's because I'd rather verbally dialogue, and sometimes the written word can be misinterpreted.  Or maybe because I think that anything REALLY worth saying can be said face to face.  Or maybe I just get annoyed when blogs or newsfeeds are just completely overrun with dialogues that don't really have any sort of resolution- they end up just being a back and forth of one-liners.

I know that my reluctance to speek more freely does not come from a nervousness of annoying any of my friends or readers- in fact, I have and will continue to defriend people on Facebook that cram my newsfeed and I have no problems explaining why.  Nothing annoys me more than people who use Facebook as their permanent soapbox and for people like me who would rather just hear funny one-liners, genuine status updates and photo albums, it just doesn't work.

Sometimes, though, just sometimes, I really want to just let those feelings out, so I guess the ol' blog is the place for that, correct?  I mean, no one is obligated to read this, so it's not like I'm cramming your newsfeed.  Yes?  No?  Speak out?  Keep it to myself?

I don't know.  Thoughts anyone?  Would you even be interested in those types of things from me?  Or should I keep it as is?

By the way, Go Ravens :)

Post Resolution Reality

OK, so it's only been a week since our big announcement... but for a guy and gal choosing a major lifestyle change, I feel like we need to get some BIG kuddos for staying on track-

even though it's only been a week.

Let's recap:

We've bought Silk Milk

We've switched to Soy Butter

We have veggie burgers in the freezer

I have eaten more salads this week (at least one a day) than in the past 3 months.

I snack on things like blueberries and bananas.


So, for new vegetarians, this is going quite well.  The BIG hiccup that I kind of figured would be an issue is the one thing that is keeping us off the Vegan Train.

Cheese.

Oh cheese.  How will I ever let you go?

Are any of you out there in blog land vegans?  And if you are, can you please tell me how you figured out how to live without cheese?  Is there a substitute out there???

And by the way, this is NOT turning into any sort of alternative food lifestyle blog, I promise.  I PROMISE.  I am not about to throw all of my opinions and reasons for this choice at you unless there's some sort of overwhelming waterfall of comments as to the craziness of my plan-- which I doubt there will be as there are plenty of blogs writing about much more interesting stuff than my love of cheese.  I will tell you that Mr. A and I are after changing and improving our lives, and we are really convinced that eliminating certain types of foods will help us better achieve this goal.  Not that I haven't cried (seriously) already after only a week without Chick-fil-a.

In other news, I've decided to just keep changing up things and have started the Couch to 5K program. Thankfully my amazing company has lovely gym facilities and I'm taking full advantage and have completed week 1.... without major mishap!!!

I've always secretly wanted to run in a race somewhere sometime- maybe 2013 is my year.

In the meantime, these are the goals.  I hesitate to say resolutions because my track record with that is grim at best.  So call it what you will-- goals, lifestyle change, resolutions, moment of insanity-- it's working for us...

even though it's only been a week.

2013 Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

As I sit here watching the rose Parade, it's just amazing to me that we are in a new year!  2013!

People have asked me about resolutions, and I have to say for the first time in a LONG time, I am actually excited about the resolutions that Mr. A and I are making.

Now, before revealing these resolutions, which might seem normal and even expected, let me assure you, our reasons are a bit unique- hence the reason I'm excited about them- VERY excited.

So, the next couple of posts will talk about our ch-ch-ch-changes...

Resolution #1:  Food Revolution
I say food revolution because saying "eating healthier" or "adding more fruits and veggies" does not sound as powerful as Food Revolution.  We are going to war with food here in our Casa, and we are determined to revamp, rethink, and revolutionize our food habits.  By doing so, we're going pretty extreme.  EXTREME.  Not just adding salad and less chocolate.  EXTREME.  And I am feeling SUPER ready for this battle.

How are we going about this battle?  Brace yourselves.  We're going extreme.  We're going Vegan.

Vegan?  Really?  Me?  Are we sure?  Huh?

I know, not the thing you would expect to hear from me, right?  Well, after much research, talk and prayer, we are really convinced that this is the way to go for our family for several reasons.

Now don't worry, this is not going to turn into any type of blog where I introduce tofurkey recipes, go on and on about the yumminess of egg substitute, or show illegal videos of slaughterhouses, etc.  I've already had WAY too opinions on how amazing this is going to be or how crazy we are from our friends.  It's funny how opinionated people are when it comes to food.  We are not in any way going to become those people, I promise.

The choice to go V was one that has a big combination of factors, health being one of them, animal care being another, nutrition being another, etc.  Some of those factors I might be sharing in the future on the blog- some not.

In the meantime, this is a pretty life-changing resolution.  We're going to start slow.  My freezer is not full of Boca Burgers and meat substitute, but we did replace milk with Silk and found a pretty yummy butter substitute.  I'll keep you all posted.

In the meantime, what is your resolution?  I can't wait to hear all about it!