First Day of School

The summer's coming to an end, although, you couldn't tell with the 100+ heat we've been having in Austin lately, and school is starting for Brad. Today's his first day, and I'm wondering how it's going so far...almost feel like a parent!

We decided to take a trip to Cancun before classes began, and it was exactly what we needed. It was nice to get away. Our resort didn't have free WiFi, so I was not on the internet or my phone the entire time, and it was actually refreshing. We also got to experience the bus system in Mexico, and I must say, it kind of scared me. The driver would take off with me just barely on the first step in, and without closing the door behind me! You also had to wish that people were at the bus stop you wanted to get off at, because that's the only way the driver would stop! All in all, it was quite an experience!

While on our flight to Cancun, there was this young boy sitting next to me who really wanted to sit with his brother. Unfortunately, they were separated because of their seat assignments. So, he was a bit bummed, more so because he had nothing to do for the next couple of hours. Since I wasn't using my Nintendo DS, I thought I'd ask him if he wanted to play it:

Me: "I have a Nintendo DS, if you want to play with it?"

The boy: "Umm...let me ask my mom." He turns around to ask his mom who is seating behind him. "Mom, this girl next to me asked me if I wanted to play with her DS?"

The mom: "What did you say?"

The boy: "I said I'd ask you. Is it okay?"

The mom: "Yes, but be careful with it."

The boy spins around, and says, "Yeah, I can play with it."

So, I get it out of my backpack, and tell him, "So, the only cool game I have is Ninja Turtles, is that okay?"

The boy: "Yeah."

I hand it over, and he takes it, starts it up, and in less than 2 minutes, he gives it back to me!!! I was surprised!! Apparently, he rather just twiddle his thumbs, instead of playing my "cool" game! Ha!

It also wouldn't be a beach vacation without Brad getting sunburned:) This time he took his favorite sunblock, Bull Frog, in spray form, and it seems to work only on the areas you spray, no matter if you've tried rubbing it around the area. So, after a day out, his chest and back was full of white polka-dots! I have pics...BUT I can't do that to him! He was calling himself the Dalmatian! Of course, we had to venture out and find a higher SPF sunscreen - we ended up with 50!

Some exciting news while we were away was that, our new niece, Lily, was born on August 17th, and we're so excited about meeting her very soon. We now have seven August birthdays in the family! Good times - it'll just be one big party all month long:)

Nasal Washing

So, the other day, I come home and see this odd little plastic container sitting on the kitchen countertop. I pick it up and notice the packaging right next to it: NasaFlo Neti Pot. As I continue reading, I find out it's the #1 selling nasal saline wash system with GRAVITY METHOD (this is exactly what the box says). I ask Brad about it, and he claims that his doctor recommended it. I have never seen or heard of this, so naturally I was curious to see Brad use it. It's quite a sight, I tell ya. I had to take a picture and share it with you:
Of course, I wanted to try it...good thing Brad didn't get a picture of it. I was an absolute mess! When I first attempted it, the liquid ended up going down my throat. Brad said I was leaning too far forward - "you have to bend over at a 45 degree angle". Okay. 45-degree angle. Got it. So, take two: I bent over, and started pouring the saline in one nostril, and immediately, gag. "It feels like water's going up my nose, like when you're swimming!" I said. "Um, yeah, that's the way it's supposed to feel," replies Brad. "Oh." All the meanwhile, we're giggling the entire time, making it that much harder for me to get it right. Brad decides that he can't look at me do it without laughing, so he hides himself from me. I finally get it, but then remember the giggling, and start laughing again...ah, the story of our lives.

Riding Lawn Mower in Action

Since Brad's outside mowing the lawn, I'm finally able to grab hold of the main computer and download some pictures, and therefore, update this blog with them:) Ever since we moved into the house, Brad had been thinking about buying himself a lawn mower. After he sprained his foot a few weeks ago, we finally got serious about it, and went shopping for one. Here's Brad within in the first couple of minutes of getting to the store:

It arrived about a week later, and while I was out, Brad took it for a spin, so I missed the first pictures. But since he was mowing today, I thought you'd like to see him in action:

Obviously, he's pretty psyched about his new toy, although we've both decided he's going to need some practice on trying to prevent the cut grass from flying into our flower beds and covering up the mulch:

Rainy Days

Texas weather makes me laugh. I've lived here my entire life, and it still surprises me. It's been warming up in Austin the past few weeks, but the irony is that it's beautiful during the work week, and just when the weekend begins, it starts to rain. I'm not complaining, though - rain is awesome, especially in Central Texas where it's hard to come by. I just wish it would fall on better days:)

We traveled to Eagle Pass last weekend to attend my sister's graduation, and while I was trying to take good pictures, I realized that I need to learn more about photography, so I went online, browsed around, and ordered a couple of books that were highly recommended.  I'm patiently waiting for them to come in - they're taking about two weeks to get here!  If anyone has any good tips, send them to me!

In the meantime, I've realized I need to get better about updating our blog.  I'm aiming for at least twice a month - and hoping I can stick to it...just like my exercising;)

Allergies - What Fun

Wow! I can't believe it's February already. Things have settled down with us a bit. We've actually been at home for a few weekends in a row, which has been nice and relaxing especially with the warm weather we've been having in Austin. I did, however, travel with Di, Shannon, Steph, and Lacey to Dallas last weekend to help celebrate Steph's and Lacey's birthday, as well, as Steph's pregnancy! It caught us all by surprise, but we're so excited and happy. I mean, we're going to have a baby in the family at Christmas this year!

With the weather changing in Austin, I started to feel really drained lately, along with the typical allergy symptoms, so Brad suggested I visit an allergist. I ended up undergoing the allergy skin tests, and realized how low my pain threshold is. First, second, and third pricks weren't so bad, but the longer the nurse kept going, the more I realized that I was going to be in some deep trouble whenever I give birth! And after the nurse was done, she turns off the light, and says, "I'll be back in 15 minutes. You can take a power nap, if you'd like." I'm thinking, "How can I fall asleep when my back's on fire?!"

The doctor walks in and says, "Oh, wow! You're really allergic. Well, at least that means you won't have many to do on your arm." I'm thinking, "Well, that's good. That means 4 or 5." Wrong. It was 20. All bleeding. I was NOT a happy camper.

So, I've discovered that I'm allergic to everything in Central Texas, including cats and dogs, which surprised me, because I grew up with pet dogs. Oh, well. I've signed up for the weekly allergy shots. I'll see how long that lasts;)

New Year Once Again

We've been pretty busy the past couple of months: From flying to Arkansas for Thanksgiving to returning December 19th through the 24th; to catching a red-eye to San Antonio to driving to Eagle Pass on Christmas Day; to returning to Round Rock on the 28th to celebrating New Year's in Austin; and then flying out on January 7th to Miami and returning the 10th. It's been a fun few weeks of traveling - we had so much fun, although, it would have even been better with the Sooners winning...but that's another story - I was so disappointed, that right after the game, I told Brad I didn't want to go to another bowl game again...'til they win, of course. Anyhow, here are some pics:

Football Season

If you're wondering why we haven't posted anything in the past month, it's because it's football season again! We've been keeping up with the Cowboys, who've turned out to be a bit disappointing and frustrating for our fantasy football team! We were 6-0 until Romo injured his pinky finger...and then it's been downhill after that! Oh, well.

Most of our weekends have been spent traveling to cheer for our Sooners, watching the following games:

• In Norman (five-hour trip from Austin, although I sleep most of the way - can't help it with the sun shining on my face!): Cincinatti on 9/6th, TCU on 9/27th, and Nebraska just this past weekend


• In Waco: Baylor game on 10/4th while getting a chance to visit with Brad's cousin, Lacey, by trying out Vitek's BBQ, which is really good (ask for the gut pack!).


• In Dallas: Unfortunately, we made this trip for the annual Red River Shootout. Needless to say, we left rather quickly after that:(

This weekend, we're off to College Station to watch the Sooners in action against Texas A&M. This will be our final game in attendance before OU makes it to a BCS bowl (fingers crossed!)

And for those of you who are wondering, yes, I still keep up with my little Owls - they're 5-1 in conference right now, with some history-makers on the team! So, it's been a pretty good season for both of us so far...we're hoping it continues!!