Our Journey: April 2009

4.27.2009

Book Review - Something Borrowed

This was my 3rd Emily Giffin book, but it was actually the first book she wrote. It tells the story of Rachel, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the ultimate good girl---until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend, Darcy, throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up sleeping with Dex, Darcy's fiance. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel ends up finding out that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. As Darcy's September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren't always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness.

I thought this book was great and give it another A!

Next book by Giffin on deck: Love The One You're With!

Found; One Green Thumb

I have really found a love for flowers over the past few years. Picking out some plants to display in pots is one of my favorite things to do early spring. I have to go by myself so that there are no distractions and I spend a lot of time thinking and planning.

Before the planting festivities began this year, Derek and I got up super early Sunday to run the 4-mile Trolley Run. Derek finished in under 30 and I finished in under 40!
As soon as we got home, the rain was nowhere to be seen and I was off to my own little flower-finding adventure at my fav location, The Grass Pad.

This year, I brought home and planted an entire trunk full of begonias, geraniums, dahlias, and a few other unique looking flowers that I don't remember their names!

With a manicured lawn (thanks Derek!) and flowers galore, everything looks great and I couldn't be happier. As my mom puts it, "Flowers are Nature's Smiles!" and I couldn't agree more. :)

4.24.2009

Ford Flex

So we had to take the Explorer in this week for it's 60,000 mile tune-up. Seeing as how it took all day, Derek was given a Ford Flex to temporarily drive.
I pretty much think this car is the most hideous thing out there. It belongs at the beach, with a huge surf board on top and the driver singing to "Summertime" by Will Smith.

Derek does, however, have an awesome talent of making anything look amazing with his playgirl-ish posing and studly good looks. See below for what I mean.

PS - Yes, those are Bob Allen stickers and they were all over the car!

4.18.2009

Mulch, Mulch and more Mulch

Before the weekend mulching festivities began, I went to a wedding shower for a friend from work. Erin's wedding is about 5 weeks away!!

After the shower, Derek and I headed to Lowe's to pick up the first round of mulch. Once we had picked weeds out of all the landscaping, trimmed some bushes and sprayed the yard, we put down the first batch. We must have a lot more landscaping than we thought as the original 15 bags didn't cut it.

The yard was only about half mulched when we had to stop to get reach for our 2nd year attending KU's Rock Chalk Ball!
Sunday morning, however, we were back at Lowe's to grab another 15 bags of mulch!

You guessed it.... it wasn't enough! After a few more errands, we went back for the final load of mulch. Our yard now looks amazing and it was well worth all of the trips!

4.14.2009

Strawberry Spinach Salad

BEWARE - The recipe below is VERY easy to make and VERY healthy.
Proceed with caution. :)

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
10 oz fresh spinach
1 pint strawberries, halved
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (recipe said almonds - but we like walnuts better!)

DIRECTIONS
1. Whisk together the sugar, sesame seeds, sesame oil, poppy seeds, dried onion, paprika, oil and vinegar. Refrigerate until chilled.
2. In a salad bowl, combine the spinach and strawberries. Drizzle with dressing, toss lightly and serve.

4.13.2009

2009 KU Men's Basketball Banquet

Last night was the final time that Derek and I will be sitting in a room with an entire KU basketball team and their families as well as most of the 'big donors'. It was a good time with good people giving great speeches.

The best news though, was hearing Sherron and Cole personally say that they'll come back for another year! National Champions 2010 here we come!

Senile Talking Cat

This video made me laugh so hard! It sounds like one cat trying to have a conversation with another.

4.12.2009

Black Jack Luck

Derek and I have always loved a random Casino night where we can enjoy a little Black Jack. We play smart, generally take home money and then realize how much casino's hate people like us! Our strategy is to only take in like $100 and to NOT take out more at the ATM inside. We play just $5 or $10 hands until we get up to about the $70 - $80+ range. Then..... we walk! We figure if we end up making $75+ each time we go, then we're up overall in the long run and it's a win/win deal.

Last night we headed down to Ameristar (our favorite)and was joined by both of our brothers. We ALL ended up walking away even, or up some money. It was Matt's first time gambling ever in a Casino and we're glad that he didn't lose any money!

4.09.2009

Baby Malayan Tapir

Sometimes I run across an unusal animal online and end up falling in love. Below is my new favorite obsession..... a baby tapir! Isn't it just the cutest thing ever?!

Facts: The tapir is from Asia and grows to between 6 and 8 feet. They have four toes on each front foot and three toes on each back foot. The Malayan Tapir has rather poor eyesight but excellent hearing and sense of smell.

4.06.2009

Baby Shower Fun

This summer is full of baby showers, wedding showers, bachelorette parties and weddings! To kick off the season, I attended the first of the baby showers this past Sunday. Beth, a high school friend, is due in less than 2 months and it was great to see her and some of my other good friends from high school as well!

We played a fun memorization game and another fun (but kinda gross) baby food game where you had to guess each flavor. Needless to say, I won't be snacking on that nasty stuff anytime soon. Beth's cake, however, was worth the extra mile on the treadmill as it was very moist and yummy!

Can't wait to meet baby Lotus!

4.03.2009

Little Madeline

Derek and I took on a babysitting challenge Friday night for my friends 6-month old little girl. I'll admit, I was pretty much nervous ALL week as I can't remember the last time I changed a diaper before her! Madeline was such a good baby and my maternal instincts kicked right in to change that diaper. She even fell asleep on my shoulder and was so warm and snuggly!

Her she is in her favorite jumper!

Isn't this the sweetest face ever?

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