Arizona and February Miscellany

HOW is this year already a sixth of the way over? All of these things that I want to get done and it seems like every day goes by faster and faster. I still haven't completely unpacked all my boxes. I promise once the house is clean and somewhat orderly I'll post some pictures. We're loving the house and are feeling really settled, but man does time fly!

February was a great month. We traveled to Phoenix for my Grandpa's 80th birthday. It was so great to see my grandparents as we don't see that side of the family often. My grandparents are really amazing people. My grandpa came over to Toronto from Switzerland right after WWII with very very little money and has made a beautiful life for himself and his family. I really wish we could spend more time with them. And the weather in Phoenix was phenomenal. Sure beats the crap weather we've had in Dallas this winter. Where the heck is spring???

Grandma, Trish, Scott, Grandpa

And then of course this month was Valentine's Day. Scott and I went to Del Frisco's Steakhouse where we devoured the most delicious meal ever (maybe not ever, but pretty dang close).

Perhaps a little bleary-eyed from the wine? Bundled up from the cold.

Scott's mom's birthday is on Valentine's so the next day we headed out to the ranch (central Texas) to celebrate. Eileen was also holding a dog trial that weekend, which was fun and different as I've never been to one before. Those pictures are on a different camera, so I'll try to do a post about that later as I hopefully got some good shots.

A strangely beautiful landscape (in my partial eyes)

Niece Gracie: Gotta watch her every moment, but so precious!

Scott's brother Rex. He'd kill me if he knew I posted this picture. He's 16 and does not normally dress like this. :P

Scott, Cristen, and I cooked dinner for Eileen and the family. It turned out to be somewhat of a disaster but we still had a lot of fun. And if it looks like a lot of candles on the cake, it is. Trick candles at that. I think we ate more wax than frosting.

Eileen bought me the below pink motorcycle jacket. Unfortunately it's a bit small for me, and definitely too small for Scott. Always a ham.

Even though I'm sad this month went so fast, I'm welcoming March with open arms. I'm really hoping we'll have some early spring-like weather! I can't wait for sunshine and a little bit of warmth, although I'm predicting a wet and cool spring. Global warming, what? And in two weeks it's another trip--this time to Salt Lake to see Grandma and maybe even sneak in a day of skiing. Can't wait!

Off to help make Emma's 1st Birthday cakes!

Self Reflection

Would it surprise you to know that I struggle with self-confidence and self-esteem? Somewhere along the way I learned to fool everyone into thinking that I was self-assured. Ha! I'm a better faker than even I realize. Granted I've come leaps and bounds since I was in high school when I continually allowed people to walk all over me but there is still nothing more petrifying to me than walking into a room of people who I don't know. Serious cold sweats.

I don't really have a point to this post but recently I've been taking a lot of evaluative tests at work to determine my leadership skills and areas I need to focus on. It came as no surprise to me that my biggest weakness is self-confidence or lack of assertiveness, but it irked me a little when the test/program administrator literally laughed at me. Out loud. Lack of self-esteem? She said. Well, you certainly don't show it. Um, hello--story of my life, lady!

But all of this has got me thinking about the repercussions of feeling one way about myself and portraying a completely differently story. And when you've been thinking about yourself in a certain light for so many years (I'd say 28 years, but how old are you when you really realize "self"), how do you close the gap between who you really are and who you think you are? How do you walk into a room not just showing confidence but actually feeling that confidence?

I've got some work to do and it scares the crap out of me. Scott tells me over and over that I'm not who I think I am. I'm who I act like I am. What the eff does that mean? But my new goal is to own up to my weaknesses and realize that I have a lot more confidence than I think I do. I think the test will come in two weeks when I head to Salt Lake and am faced with the relatives, a place where I should feel comfortable but always retreat into myself.

Haha--really I just wanted an excuse to post something. Or this has been weighing on my mind. Or I'm just bored. Who knows.

A little blurry around the edges,

(Picture from honeymoon--May 21, 2006. Out of focus but one of my favorites)

Classics Challenge 2010 is BACK!

YAY!!! I did it! I hope you'll sign up with me! :) Details are the same as last year--all can be found on the Classics Challenge site.

BIG Thanks to Veens for making me these beautiful buttons!

Hmmm, going to go stare at the shelves for a little...

Canadian, What??

Ok, so most of you know that I've got a little Canadian blood coursing through my veins. Half of my blood to be exact. :) I even have a citizenship card, although the US doesn't recognize my Canadian citizenship. One of these days I'll figure out how to scan the picture on my ID card as it is absolutely hilarious.

With the Olympics going on this past week I've been begging Scott to move up to Vancouver--it's just so dang beautiful. But despite our wretchedly long winter I don't think I could ever leave Texas. But I couldn't resist posting my favorite youtube video. LOVE IT.



Have you guys been watching the Olympics? I'm looking forward to the Men's Figure Skating finals tonight and hope that Evan Lysacek takes the gold! And Shawn White yesterday--holy moly!!! Very exciting Olympics so far.

Much Love From The Half Canadian,

Non-Fiction Five Challenge Button Help

Yes, you probably are thinking--what? She's still hosting the NFF when she hasn't regularly blogged in months?? Ya well... :D Who can resist a good challenge?

I need some help. I don't know how to make buttons and two very lovely ladies provided me buttons for last year's challenge but I didn't want to pressure them into it this year if they didn't want to. So...is someone willing to make a Non-Fiction Five button for me? Pretty Please?? The challenge will remain the same--May through September 2010.

With sugar on top?? If you're interested, you can leave a comment below or get in touch with me via email.

Edited Note: Thanks to those who offered! I think we've got NFF buttons covered!! :)

(who is convinced that one day she truly will be caught up and back in the game)


Incidentally--the plan is to get the Classics Challenge sign ups posted this weekend so watch for that at http://classics2008.blogspot.com/

Snow Day!!

Yesterday Dallas/Fort Worth received more snow in one day than any other in history. When I went to bed last night DFW airport had 9 inches and the snow was still going strong. This has been an abnormally cold and wet winter for us (I called it!), and since we usually get most of our ice storms in February and early March I have a feeling we're not done yet.

I'm not sure if we'll ever see this much snow again (I've never seen this much snow in Dallas in my 20 years here), so I thought I'd snap a few pictures before our temperatures rise to 40 this afternoon. Plus you've been asking to see the house, and since the inside is still a wreck I thought I'd start with the exterior.

One of my favorite things about the snow is how it will just blanket the tops of the tree branches creating such a stunning contrast between the white and brown. Love love love. Below is our Crepe Myrtle, which is not a good example as the snow is clumpy and weighing down the branches. I hope our plants make it through the winter--our Magnolia tree looks absolutely crushed by the weight of the snow (not pictured).



Not my tree--it's my neighbors', but I love this:



Now, what to do with myself since I'm not planning to brave the roads for a few more hours? The shoulds (clean, clean, workout, clean, unpack) or the wants??? What would you do if you had an unexpected morning all to yourself?

Trying to stay warm,

Hot Yoga Exercise

So by now you all know about the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge that I've been doing for the past year (online for the past four months). Blah blah blah, yadi yadi. :) Sometimes I feel like I get into a workout rut doing the same exercises every week--running, maybe the bike, pilates, step, kickboxing--and I tend to get a little bored.

Since I was finally able to start working out again this week after a few weeks hiatus, I agreed to go to a yoga class with my mom. Sunstone Yoga (not sure if they're everywhere--we have several in Dallas) is offering a promotion of $10 for 10 days. I thought, why not! Well, I didn't realize that it was going to be HOT YOGA.

Last Saturday, mom and I went to our first class. The classroom was packed--maybe 40 people with mats--and the room felt like a sauna (learned later they keep the room around 98 degrees). The classes run from 60-90 minutes and of course we started with the 90 minute class. I have never sweat so much in my entire life. Seriously. But after attending three classes this week I feel great. I'm sore and frankly worn out but what a great way to shake up the tired old routine. Our last class is on Monday and I'm kind of sad it will be over. The studio is pretty pricey so I'm not sure if I'll commit to it on top of my regular Y membership, but it was definitely a great experience.

I'd definitely recommend hot yoga. And below I'm doing the Eagle pose. At home with Scott taking a picture from my phone. I'm wearing socks, laughing at Scott, and not really concentrating but it kind of gives you an idea. :)


Have you tried any new or different exercise regiments you'd recommend?

January Birthday Fun

January is a big birthday month in our families. Brooke starts us off on the 10th. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures from her dinner but I did manage to take pictures of the yummy cupcakes I made for her. Who says that cake decorating class didn't pay off!

Since we moved into a new house this past month we had some visitors. Since Cristen, Reese, and the kids came up to visit, Scott and I had an early birthday celebration for Ty and Cayson. Not sure it is a good idea for Scott to use my creme brulee torch to light the candles, but eh... (Store-bought cake. I was sick that weekend and not up to baking).

I can't believe the boys are 5 already!!


And then there's Mom's birthday--but before the celebration Scott and I had a little prep. I'm thinking Scott approved of my chocolate icing?



And I show off my cupcake handiwork.


No flowers this time but they tasted just as yummy!


Scott gets cooking on the grill. It sure is nice having a patio...finally!


Finally the guests arrive, and Emma gets into the cupcakes early.


Emma LOVES Lexi (and all dogs). Scott is helping her ride Lexi like a horse. Luckily Lexi loves kids and doesn't mind the torture. Besides, who can resist that little lovebug!


Mom/Grandma and Emma prepare to blow out birthday candles


The World's Largest Reese's Peanut Butter Cup! Nick, Chaz, and Scott can't wait to devour that thing.


The girls of the party: Brooke, Trish, Mom, and Emma


Scott hates taking pictures so he always hams it up for the camera. Looking back these pictures don't seem that funny anymore but you can tell I had a good laugh at the time. Still waiting for that good picture, though!

I can't believe that January is gone and February is here. I'm ready for life to slow down a little bit, but here's to enjoying the time being...

Much love,