love this too!

new wall o' art
Originally uploaded by Bird in the Hand

Boston, here we come!

Joe finished his marathon in 3 hours and 10 minutes, which is fast enough to qualify him for the Boston. I think he is going to wait until 2009 to race, but I am so proud of him! All his training has definitely been paying off!

Arlington once again

We are on taking our last trip of the year the weekend! This seems weird to say, yet I am slightly relieved because I feel like I have no time at home in Houston just relaxing. Joe is running the White Rock Marathon and I am running the half marathon on Sunday. Our next trip is not until the middle of January next year, when we go skiing with Peg, Ken, Joey, Linh, Bob and Gyee. I didn't realized how much we travelled until I sat and thought, what did I do all year. Went here or there, when I wasn't working! I guess we should take advantage while we can!
I am glad we get to see mom and dad once last time before the year is up. I would definitely like to visit them more next year.

Lights!

We put up our Christmas lights last night. I need to take a photo, but keep forgetting. Next week, we are getting a tree. I am going to get in the holiday spirit if it kills me!

Back in the swing of things

The last few weeks have been quite the whirlwind, with Thanksgiving holiday, busy work and a weekend in MN. I like my routine and it's hard for me to get back into them when they are interrupted. This coming weekend is our last travel weekend of the year (that sounds so weird to say!) and we will be spending the last 3 weekends of Dec at home. I am most looking forward to that!
This week I think we are going to put up our Christmas lights and try to get into the holiday spirit. Sometimes it gets harder and harder every year. Wish us luck!

Survived the cold

We arrived in Minneapolis to this...and this...But it didn't end up so bad.

Wish me luck!

The high in Minneapolis, MN is going to be 24F on Sat, 27F on Sun and 21F on Monday! I cannot even IMAGINE how cold that will be, especially if you factor in the wind chill factor. I hope my clothes are warm enough - I just didn't want to go buy some winter clothes for 2 days in the cold.
On the up side, I think it will be fun to see some snow (only for a couple days though - Houston doesn't have the greatest weather but I like the mild winters!).

Fun photos from last weekend

We had a great relaxing 5 whole days off with nothing planned over Thanksgiving. And it was still too short!
We shopped at at fellow CDSers store in Fort Worth...

We ran the Fort Worth turkey trot in the cold cold weather on Turkey day...

We ate too much food the entire weekend...

We had fun goofing off with the family...

We learned to cook some Chinese dishes (namely Chinese fajitas!)

We saw the lighting of the tree in downtown Fort Worth (I've never seen so many peeps in FW!)
We ran in the miseable weather on Sat morning.
And we took our traditional family photos.
Life doesn't get much better than this!

Where does the time go?

December is almost here. I am starting to get in the Christmas spirit but sometimes things can become overwhelming. I have all these ideas in my head that I would like to do, but the execution is the difficult part (for me at least!). I have already ordered my Christmas cards, thank goodness, but I haven't even started on my Christmas shopping. That's why I love e-shopping...I don't have to leave the comfort of my own home!
I am a little annoyed that I will be out of town for work this weekend, when it could have been a nice weekend at home, catching up and getting ready for Christmas. I am trying to let it go and not get stressed about it but, again, sometimes I let little things get me all worked up. I think I inherited this personality trait from my mom.
At least I have some new music to listen to

(I wish I could have seen them live! Hopefully they will be touring next year. Simon's voice is still fabulous and John Taylor is still hot!)

Thankful

The last 5 days went by way too fast. We ate way too much and didn't do much of anything but that's the way I like it!
We have a crazy family but I love them!

Almost home

Just one more day of work until we are on the road to Arlington. (The road to Kona somehow sounds cooler.) Five whole days of resting and relaxation with the fam. I cannot wait. If you are reading this post, please be ready to take tons and tons of photos!

It's funny how I refer to Arlington as "home," even though I haven't lived there for almost 10 years (eek - I will have been in Houston exactly 10 years this coming fall!). I guess home is where I feel comfortable, safe and loved, no matter where the physical location is.

I wish I could dance

We had a FABULOUS time last night watching SYTYCD live! They are too cute and it makes me wish I were 15 again! They performed many of our favorite dances and some new ones as well. Now I wish the new season would start soon...

I forgot

how much I miss her...

and her...

and him...

350th post!

I am off to SF in the wee hours of the morning. I don't think I will be able to post over the weekend, so don't miss me too much!

Brrr

The cold front came through last night so it was about 55 degrees this morning while we were running. I love the cool weather, I just wish it would last! Two more days until I am off the the city by the bay to visit my bff, Shaila! (I am lucky because I have 2 peeps I consider my bfs, besides my dh Joe - Tinger and Shay.)

The Kid is 40

Sigh. I can't believe so many of our friends are turning 40! I don't feel that old...can I still be in my 20s, please?

Berry Hill

We spent another afternoon doing nothing but hanging out at Berry Hill. When are we going to grow up?

A calm night

We are meeting up with our peeps at our favorite restaurant, Collina's in the Heights. They have the best margarita pizza. And no matter what we order we never pay more than $15-20 per person. Gotta love it!

Back in the swing of things

Once I get off my routine, I definitely have a harder time getting back in! I haven't gone to yoga at all and have only worked out 2x. My goal for Nov is to work out at least for 30 minutes everyday. I ran yesterday and am going to yoga tonight, so hopefully I can get back on track.

A new month

The first day of each month always seems like a good way to start fresh. I had big plans to clean out the closet, go to yoga and do some scrappin' today (had to day off from wook - woo hoo!). I guess one out of 3 ain't bad. Can you guess which one I made time for today?
I had lunch with Joe, Marc, Darryl and Daniel at Barnaby's for lunch, then Joe, Marc and I went to Empire for dessert. This is the main reason I skipped yoga - way too bloated from the chocolate cake!
I was definitely on a scrappy roll today. 6 layouts done. I love the gluing of pretty papers and matching the photos and reliving the memories. It's good stuff!

Happy Halloween

Still recovering...

from a ridiculous weekend. Laura, Amy and I threw Peg a party for her birthday. We had lots of food and drink and friends. The party was a definite success, but I am still feeling the after effects, 2-3 days later! I did drag my a$$ out of bed a worked out at the gym for 30 minutes to get the toxins out of my body ;). I am definitely going to be the designated driver tomorrow (Halloween night) as even the thought of alcohol is making me a bit ill.

The moon...

is beautiful tonight. The sky is absolutely clear and the moon is full and shining brightly. I don't have the proper equipment to take a photo, but I just wanted to remembe this moment.

NYC photos

We *heart* NYC

Joe and I just returned from our favorite city yesterday morning. Needless to say I was fairly tired at work! We didn't even go out clubbing as much as we used to, but all that walking around and shopping and eating too much and drinking too much can be exhausting! Not to mention waking up at 3:50 AM to catch a 5:45 AM flight!
Highlights of the trip: watching Xanadu, the musical, disco night at Splash (although Lady Bunny wasn't spinning as good music as she usually does, but there were a few couples who had to be professionals or dance instructors because they were great dancers!), running in Central Park and finding a cool denim sample sale in Soho and buying a pair of True Religions and Rock and Republic jeans for half off each! We took Bill and Juan to dinner on Monday night at this fun Thai restaurant and ate way too much. Afterward we had dessert at this Italien wine bar. I had their Nutella panini with vanilla gelato - delicious! However, now I feel like I need to do a dietary cleanse and eat nothing but fruit and cereal for the next few days.
I will post pictures soon!

Redder is better

I love my new hair color. Luis just did an overall color of red. Since I already had hightlights in my hair some sections are lighter than others. I definitely like the darker color, although I feel I have to wear more makeup because the contrast between my hair and skin is greater. We'll see how long that lasts!

Goodbye roots

I am getting my hair colored/highlighted today during my lunch hour and cut on Thursday. I think I am going to go a little darker with a little red. I also want my hair to be shorter. Still long in the front but shorter in back. I want to be a bit edgier. The problem with short hair is that is grows so fast. With my hair, it just wants to be a bob-length, which is fine but a bit boring to me. Hopefully Luis and David will come up with something fabulous!

Me today

I had a lunch date with a hot guy today. (Blogger is not allowing me to upload anymore photos so more to come laters.) We enjoyed the warm, non-humid weather and were actually able to eat outside!
Don't you love my new tote! I love bags. My sis Ting turned me onto Tory Burch. I bought a white patent leather tote for the summer and I bought this hot pink one in support of Breast Cancer. It's all for a good cause!

Photo of the Day

Two posts in one sitting...I obviously have some time today. We always have our running shoes right outside our front door, so we don't track dirt into our house. Seeing them always puts a little smile on my face. One, it reminds me of Joe and his love for running. Two, it reminds me of our early morning runs together (we don't necessarily run together but we wake up at the crack of dawn together). And three it makes me appreciate that I am fit and healthy and able to run. I want to appreciate the little things in life, the everyday routine stuff, because they may someday change.
I did a POTD album for Sept and am going to continue for as long as I can. We'll see how it works out!

A little late

We went to a fundraiser for an AIDS charity this past Sunday afternoon. The theme was white in Oct, which explains some of the white clothes. Marc and Richie were wearing white pants, which you can't see in the photo.
The party was held at this fabulous house just a few blocks from us. On the top floor they had a cool view of the city, so I took the opportunity to shoot some photos (surprise surprise). Unfortunately the sun was in our eyes, which is why my eyes look even smaller than usual.
The weather here can always be better, but I can't complain that in October I can still wear a tank top and not be too cold!

It never fails

Today was a day filled with scrappy goodness. I left my car at the shop, had the day off, so since I couldn't go anywhere, I just scrapped to my hearts content.
Now, as I am about to hit the hay, however, my allegies attack me all of the sudden. I have been fine all day only to start sneezing and getting a runny and itchy nose. I don't remember my allergies being this bad since I moved to Houston. I don't like to take Claritin before I go to bed because I am afraid it will keep me up, so I guess I will have to suffer. Wish me luck!

Life is precious

Our good friend Amy W is the youngest of 5 siblings. Her older siblings all have kids so she is auntie to many nieces and nephews. This past week one of her nephews, who was only 20 or 21, chose to take his own life. My heart and prayers go out to Amy and her family. Although I did not personally know this young man, I feel so terrible that he would find life so unbearable as to end it when he hasn't really lived yet. We are going to the funeral this morning to let Amy and her family know that we love them and suffer with them.
I think of myself as a pretty positive person but stuff like this always makes me sad. It also makes me appreciate what I have: a wonderful hubby, a fabulous (but crazy) family and friends I know I can count on. At the end of the day, these are the only things that really matter. And these are the things that make life worth living. Michael, wherever you are, I hope you are in a better place now than before and I hope you find the peace that you were searching for.

Breakfast of champions

In an attempt to be more healthy and not consume whole boxes of cereal at a time, I have changed my breakfast routine. Oatmeal with bananas and cinnamon are my new fare. I must admit that this is quite tasty although I still haven't gotten totally over my cravings for a large bowl of cereal yet.

Guilty Pleasures

I admit it. I love TV that a 14 year old girl probably loves. This is what happens when the majority of your friends are fabulous gay men - you can't let go of your youth!

Early birds

We are getting back into our routine of getting up early to work out. Joe is crazed and gets up at 4 am to ride his bike for about an hour; I woke up at 5 and we both went running. I think my body is getting used to the fact that the sun isn't coming up as early now as it did just last month!

Happy October

We finally have some pictures on the wall. After living here only two years. Yes, I am the world's worst procrastinator, as Joe will definitely attest to. I will post some photos tonight.
I can't believe it's almost time for Halloween! Time seems to go by faster and faster...

Tired

We ran this morning and also went to yoga. I love practicing yoga after a run because my muscles are more warmed up, which helps me get into the poses. But now my legs are sore and I am having trouble motivating myself to do anything productive. Sundays are meant to be lazy, right?

Just a tease

When I thought the weather was cooling off...the humidity was still high this morning when Joe and I ran. I have had a harder time getting up early in the AM because the sun is taking its time to rise - typically isn't coming up until after 6:45 or so. Joe rode his bike for 1.5 hours before we ran for 30 minutes. I think I was still asleep for most of the run.
We are planning a trip to NYC in Oct. I signed up for a CE weekend at SUNY optometry so will be spending most of the weekend in classes, but at least we have the nights to have fun! I decided this on Tuesday and was inexplicably in a much better mood afterwards. Having something to look forward to definitely makes life much sweeter. I am also planning a trip to SF in Nov to visit my best friend Shaila and her family. I can't wait!

Fall is coming

The leaves are slowly starting to turn. Houston never gets a real fall where everything turns golden, but the weather seems to be less humid. Of course it could be just a tease and we can get over-90 degree humidity at any minute.
Going through a rough patch right now. Life love the future...too many unknowns. I just need to take one day at a time, I guess.