Love and Lego (Weekend Update)

Where did my glorious weekend go?  Friday was a GREAT day at work--we had our Fall Forum to kick off the semester, two of my colleagues and I were awarded a grant for a leadership program we are starting, I was recognized for being a new (full-time) employee, and the week ended on a high note with a good presentation at one last Division meeting and emails to all of our new PASS participants.

We had a very relaxing Friday night, eating out and coming home to veg out.  :)

After work, we picked up some cupcakes from Bliss.  This time I went for Salted Caramel and Banana Pudding while Zach got a caramel one as well and Red Velvet.  :)

We had dinner at Dickey's BBQ.  I didn't really care for the BBQ itself, but the Onion Tanglers were AWESOME.  And I love any place with free ice cream!

Saturday morning, we got up and cleaned the house in preparation for the AFOLs of Arklug to arrive.  (That means Adult Fans of LEGO in the Arkansas Lego User Group.  I'm so cool to know that.  Right?  Riiiiight.  ;)  We were having a meeting at Crystal Bridges, so everyone could see it, and we wouldn't have to drive four hours to central AR.

Everyone met for lunch at Eleven first.  Zach got his usual War Eagle beans and cornbread, and I went for this Harvest salad I love (walnuts, blueberries, and apples on it).

Then we had lots of fun exploring the museum:

(Okay, so this was actually taken at the U of A stadium, but it was the only picture anyone has posted of Richard and Chris so far, and I didn't want to leave them out.)

On our way out, I finally saw where the LOVE sign is.  (We usually use a different exit.)  I told Zach we could get our photo taken by it, which was on our summer bucket list last year.  He told me, "We're so close.  We can do it later."  Thankfully, everyone insisted we do it, so I finally got to check that off!

This crew just celebrated their first year as a family!  Love them so much!

Then we came back to our house and worked on LEGO stuff.  Everyone ended staying for dinner, so we ordered Mellow Mushroom and pigged out.  :)  And then it was time for goodbyes.  :(

 Rob with a Heart is a hugger!

my Mechelle

Last time she and Rob were up here, I was in the ICU, so it was great to see them outside the hospital!

the girls

(I was getting squinty-eyed tired...and I didn't even have to drive home!)

Today, I got up and made breakfast, watched Extreme Couponing and Doctor Who (telling you--We. Are.  OBSESSED.), cleaned up the kitchen, planned the weekly menu, and took a nap at six in the evening and went grocery shopping at nine.  What a nice end to summer before the semester starts!

Be Grateful #5

If you thought last week was crazy, this week was crazy x infinity.  Whoop.  I am tired.

This is a series of photos from our celebration at Mimi's Cafe.  We never got a great picture, but I enjoy these.  :)  The food was amazing (though I didn't care for their mojito and they ran out of chocolate mousse), and our waitress even gave us free muffins!

I started my new job this week as well as continuing on with my three classes.  I am hoping that I will get back to posting sooner in the week rather than later although it may be better to move this to the weekend when I have more time to write.  *lol*  I've been working until six or seven each night to make up my hours in the classroom.  A stomachache also took over one night, so basically, I've been getting home, grabbing something quick to eat, and going to bed.  Here is a quick run-down of things I'm thankful for:

1)  I am thankful for my new job.  It has kept me busy but in a good way.  I feel like I am going to be making a valued contribution.  It's not that I didn't feel that way before, but now it feels even stronger.  I'm still getting my feet wet and imagine I will be over the next few months; I think I'm going to keeell eet.

2)  I'm thankful for my husband who refuses to take things lying down.  I'm also thankful he helps me and pushes me to get stuff done when I doooooooon't waaaaaaaaaaant toooooooooooo.  *cue whininess*

3)  I'm thankful I didn't kill a co-worked on my first day.  I brought a banana for lunch, and he's allergic.  Thankfully, things were so busy that I didn't have time to eat it!

4)  I'm thankful for how shocked and stunned and somewhat outraged my students were when I told them I was leaving.  They know how to make a girl feel special!  And I'm thankful that they are likely going to like the new instructor at least as much as me if not more.  (She has a nose ring and red streaks in her hair.  In short, she is COOL.)  Hopefully, this transition will be easy and smooth.

5)  I'm thankful that old students feel like they can reach out to me when they have an issue or question.

6)  I'm thankful for the support I've received from everyone at work, whether they were involved in my old position(s)  or are part of my new one(s).

7)  I'm thankful we got to celebrate my new job and his new job last weekend and that this weekend we enjoyed a fantastic lunch with friends and a night out at Crystal Bridges for the Black Hearts Ball.

At the Black Hearts Ball, they had funny conversational hearts around the entrance and cafe.  Zach took this one of the wall and tried to pin it to me because of my new job.  He hopes to Photoshop in an "S" before "HE" before I share it on Facebook.  *lol*  They also did a scavenger hunt based on whether or not you were single or taken for one free drink.  We were given clues about an artwork, and when we found the artwork in the gallery, there was a box with coasters for a free drinky drink.  :)

8)  I'm thankful for fun money!  And having a new job means more fun money.  Yes, sometimes I'm shallow, but I want to go shopping.  ;)

9)  I'm thankful Valentine's Day is this week and that we are going to Fred's Hickory Inn this next weekend for brunch to celebrate it.  I have part of Zach's gift, which he already knows about, but I am waiting for another part to come in.  He gave me sheets last month; they were part of my Valentine's, but he was afraid I wouldn't like them and/or would be disappointed on the holiday, so he gave them early.  Zach is giving me my birthday present this week because HE CAN'T WAIT!  I think I know what it is (as mentioned before).  I'm going to go ahead and offer a little something-something here to show him I can guess presents as well as he does.  *haha*  Here is a riddle to figure it out:

What sees, but never is in sight, closes but is never shut?

10)  I'm thankful that my colonoscopy is tomorrow and that I'll be eating some Flying Fish at some point.  Fingers crossed that all is well in Tummy Town!  It's not much of an extra day in the weekend, but I am going to make the evening--after I wake up and am feeling better--count!

11)  And I almost forgot:  I am thankful that Keegan arrived on January 30 at 9:15 p.m.  He was 7 lb. 2 oz. and 19 inches long.  I can't believe I forgot him!  It's probably because I haven't had a chance to see him yet and take pictures.  :(  BUT I am enjoying all of the ones I see on Facebook!  He is a beautiful baby!!

Be Grateful #11

1)  I'm ever so grateful I got to stay home today (especially since the sinus monster took up residence in my brain again).

We met our friends, Mervin and Teryl, at the Crystal Bridges party.  Little did we know that Teryl and I would have the same costume on!  And here we are with the other two Holly Golightly's (a.k.a. Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's) we found!

2)  I'm thankful we did so many fun things with friends this weekend:  the young patrons' Halloween party at Crystal Bridges, our Mustaches and Muah fondue party, and zombie paintball!

3)  And tonight, I'm thankful for our Fall Feast!  Every year since Zach and I started dating, we choose a night around Halloween to have a mini-Thanksgiving and to watch the Charlie Brown and Garfield specials.  I went all out tonight:  roasted chicken, mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows, green bean casserole, Stove Top (Zach's favorite stuffing--he's weird ;), buttered corn, tomato herb toast, spiced apple cider, pumpkin pie, and homemade Halloween sugar cookies.  I had fun decorating cookies this afternoon.  No wonder I'm stuffed!

4)  I'm pleased it will be an easy week at work (I think).

5)  How can I not praise the Lord that I have 11 Composition classes left and six Beginning Briting ones left?!  I love my students and I love teaching, but I will be so happy when Thanksgiving Break gets here.  :)

I just love this picture of Zach!

6)  And I'll be so happy when this election is over.  It has made people so angry and aggressive and divisive.  It's no surprise that our politicians can't work together when folks in the same family can't agree to disagree.

7)  I'm forever grateful to have a husband who knows the way to my heart at midday:  corndogs.

8)  I went to the doctor on Thursday, and he gave me a great report!  I am now cleared to have labs drawn every eight weeks rather than every month, and after I have my routine colonoscopy, I won't have to go back to the clinic for a year!  Dr. Stagg was amazed at how well I am compared to a year ago, and he even complimented my haircut because we didn't have as much to talk about.  *lol*  My sweet nurse Becky even hugged me when I was leaving because she was so happy.  :)  

9)  We have two beautifully carved pumpkins on our porch, there is a chill in the air, and I have a cup of spiced apple cider to keep me warm.  Thank you, Jesus, for this day!

Be Grateful #10

1)  I'm grateful I got to go to this lady's shower.  And I'm so happy she asked me to be Miss Autumn's "Lorelei Gilmore" (that's like asking to be the godmother of cool).  :)  It was fantastic to get to catch up with some great friends and to celebrate this sweet little girl who will make her arrival next month!

2)  I'm excited to hear today that another friend has some happy news that will come to fruition in June 2013.  ;)

3)  I'm happy we got to see Argo for free this weekend.  That movie is AMAZING. You should see it. I can't stop thinking about it and want to read more about the Iran hostage crisis of 1979.  I expect it will receive all kinds of nominations this awards season.

4)  Although my first stocking didn't quite turn out as a stocking (um, more like a Christmas bag), I'm pleased I got the right size of needles now and am a good way into the second stocking.  It is going well, and since I have an inkling as to what to do now, I think this one will turn out much better--and much faster, too!

5)  I'm glad we got free fries from McDonald's (courtesy of Monopoly).  They may not be too healthy, but they sure tasted great as we drove the four hours home yesterday.

6)  I'm thankful we got to go to the War Eagle Craft Fair finally, even if it was a bit disappointing.

War Eagle Craft Fair

7)  I'm excited to carve pumpkins, and make Halloween sugar cookies, and attend Crystal Bridges' Halloween party, and host our Mustaches and Muah Fondue Party this week!

Be Grateful #8

a portrait of George Washington at Crystal Bridges

1)  I'm thankful it's cooler in these parts (NWA).  It got down into the 30s over the weekend!

2)  I'm thankful for visits with family, even when it gets a bit stressful and chaotic.

3)  I'm thankful that this week will allow for some baking, some knitting, some Jack White, some time with friends before my husband goes to a conference for a few days next week.

4)  I can't life--I'm thankful we are at the midpoint of the semester!

5)  I'm thankful for friends at work who keep me laughing.

6)  I'm thankful my husband is a neat freak because it keeps me organized and clean.  ;)

7)  I'm thankful to live in such a beautiful area with so many opportunities.

8)  I'm thankful that I don't live in Panem.

9)  I'm thankful to begin my favorite unit in composition week--analysis (of advertisements)!

10)  I'm thankful this is my last week of Phoenix.  I'll get my Thursday nights back to snuggle with my husby and catch up on TV (and knitting).

11)  I'm thankful for Stephen's cocoa with bunny mallows.  Nighty-night.  :)

Summer Pail List

During dinner one night last week, Zach and I came up with a Summer Pail List of things to do this season.  (We decided that the word "bucket" was too negative and morbid.  ;)  Here is what we came up with:

1)  Go to a Naturals game (We are going to try to go to one this week if there's a home game.)

2)  Watch a movie at Eureka Springs' Movie in the Park

3)  Watch a movie on First Friday at the Splash Pad
4)  Watch a movie at the drive-in theatre
5)  View the Hudson River exhibit at Crystal Bridges
6)  Take a picture with the new LOVE sign on the lawn at Crystal Bridges

7)  Have a fondue party (We have one planned for the 14th!)
8)  Explore the new Bentonville trails or ones we haven't
9)  Eat A LOT of snow cones and share a banana split

10)  Use our grill (We only used it once last year.  *lol*)
11)  Take a two-person scooter ride (once I get a helmet and jacket).
12)  Ride the trail from Springdale to Van Buren (This is planned for sometime next month--we bought a package deal!)
13)  Make basil gimlets (We are planning to serve these at the Fondue Is Fundoings party.  :)
14)  Ride around town with Zach wearing his horse mask

15)  Watch Moulin Rouge
16)  Have crepes from the Farmers Market

I think it's going to be a fun summer!

What do you have planned or are doing?