Fort Bend Library

The end of last week I went and checked out the Fort Bend Library in Cinco. It's been there for years... and I'd just never checked it out. It was such a fun experience. I forgot how relaxing library's can be when you're not having to go there to cram for a test or writing a 10 page paper in one night. Since it was just my first visit I just spent some time walking around and checking the place out. I didn't even get a chance to visit the children's section (my all time favorite section of a library). One thing I'll have to get use to is that a library is not set up like a book store. haha. I literally went up and down every aisle just to find where different genres are located. I ended up leaving with 6 books =) Not sure they are all applicable for "read 10 books" but there are def. a few that would work.

Austin...in the rain

A little over a week ago Josh and I made a weekend trip out to Austin to visit our dear friends Jacob & Rebecca (who are getting married in Jan.). Our trip started out with perfect weather, the wind was blowing, sun in our faces, our sweet new sun glasses on... but all that changed after being on the road for about 30 minutes. The skies suddenly turned a grayish-dark blue, clouds were low, and the rain and thunder quickly followed. It stayed like this for majority of our drive their, while visiting, and on our way home. So needless to say, we were unable to take advantage of the best parts of Austin... The OUTDOORS.
While there we had the opportunity to hit up some popular Austin Eateries:

The County Line: This is a BBQ place that was good. I had beef & turkey. I preferred the turkey- it was very moist and slice perfectly. I didn't really care for the potato salad that was served with it. We also had a peach cobbler for dessert. Again it was about average...but still good.
Kerby Lane Cafe: This was my favorite food place of the weekend. They served really fresh, local food. I had a combo that had Pancakes (I got blueberry), a meat (I had sausage), and eggs (so good and fresh). I also had a bite of Josh's potatoes which were also very yummy. It was a heavy breakfast but not greasy like most diners. I would definitely go here again.

Green Mesquite BBQ: This is J&R's favorite place. This is one of those "Hole in the Wall" kinda places. It was fairly crowded even though we were having a later lunch. We sat in a corner booth & started our lunch with a pitcher of Shiner (at a great price!). Jacob and Rebecca ordered their favorite "BBQ Tacos", Josh ordered a burger (he was still full from breakfast), and I ordered a 2 meat plate (Ribs & Brisket). I really enjoyed the ribs, and the brisket was OK ( a little too smokey for my preference). They had a variety of sides but I think the best was the fried okra. In general I thought it was alright... but def a great location in the city & good prices. Oasis: This is an Austin hot spot. Mainly because of it's amazing view & great outdoor seat. Unfortunately, like I already mentioned- the weather was terrible. But we sucked it up for a little while having drinks out on the patio (which is on the 3rd floor of this place). After waiting a good hour the 4 of us got seated. Unfortunately the food left a lot to be desired (which we'd previously heard). I had a large steak salad. And the food was fine, there was nothing wrong with it. But for their prices the food quality definitely didn't match up. I would for sure return to this location for drinks of the bar. But wouldn't choose to eat here again.

Next time we go I'm really looking forward to trying out some cool places we saw while driving around the city like Moroccan food, a good looking Thai place, and many more. There seemed to be some pretty neat places- but the weather just didn't permit us to try these sorts of eateries out.

Aside from eating we also did a tour of the capital building. It was surprisingly a really neat experience. The building was beautiful. The history was very interesting. And it was a really lovely experience.
Also during our visit we went and saw a movie. That is Rebecca & I saw 1 movie and the boys saw another. I cant remember the name of what the boys saw, but us girls saw "The Last Song". It really was a lovely movie. Great story. I can't remember what the boys saw... but R & I came in the last few minutes and it was terrible whatever it was. haha. So glad we opted to see our own movie.

Anyways, our trip was a really fun time. It was great to see our friends (that we haven't seen since the wedding). I look forward to our next trip. Maybe get a hotel in the hill country to be a little closer to some of the little towns surrounding Austin.

Just another Scout

Well as many of you already know, my family is VERY involved in boy scouts (sometimes a little OVER involved). For years I've been doing my best to dodge any large projects for BSA and just help behind the scenes... well this year I've bit the bullet. I'm all official (got cute shirts and everything... and not the regular khaki mess most of the ladies wear... haha). I am helping with one of the Centennial events this year, SHAC Jam. And I am in charge of a program neighborhood called "The Fun Zone". So you guessed it... I pretty much am planning "fun" activities for 500+ scouts an hour (expecting 15-20,000 scouts total). This has started taking up a good amount of my spare time, but that's ok for now.

Having been doing this for 3+ months I'd say I have another thing to check off my "100 things before 25 " and that is becoming a long term volunteer. I feel comfortable calling this a "long term" commitment because the event isn't until October... so I'll be keeping busy at least until then!

Got the Call

So it's official... I finally have a job for next semester. I will be teaching a Life Skills class here in Katy ISD (elementary level). This job is really the perfect fit for me. It's exactly what I was hoping to teach. The school is wonderful. Principal is very helpful. And the members of the special education team (the ones I met at least) were really nice. And a bonus to the job... I'll be at the same school as Lauren (she is Josh's brother's fiance) and she teaches PPCD.

Major WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!

** Lots to Update on**

I've actually been pretty busy this last week. But I'll be getting to it all very soon! Look for it later today & tomorrow.

25 Things

So an old classmate of mine, Rachel, did a post of 25 random things on her blog today and I LOVED it. So let's see if I can come up with some equally fun things to share.

1. I love "Everything Bagels". They are seriously my favorite bakery items.

2. I've recently had this desire to start sewing. When I was younger I loved sewing projects with my mom... but then I just stopped. But I'm ready to do it again. Last Thursday I actually bought some really fun fabric to make throw pillows for our bed.

3. I have a new favorite blog to read. Enjoying The Small Things. There is something about her writing style & photography that just make me come back for more day after day.

4. I hate regular coffee. Really I think it tastes terrible. I've tried many times, flavors, add-ins, etc. Too bad...

5. There is something about having a Perfect Day that makes me miss by best friends. I think it's because I wish they were there with me... but it's really kinda depressing when I'm busy having a perfect day & all of a sudden I get sad. But usually a few text messages make it all better.

6. My greatest wish in life is to be a stay at home mom.

7. There's something about David Beckham that makes me get weak at the knees. I think it's a combination of his bad boy look, then having a hot wife, and perfect looking kids, and an outstanding career. I wonder if his life is really as perfect as he makes it appear....

8. Someday I hope to go on an African Safari.

9. The movie "The Notebook" makes me cry (and not a good cry). I love parts of the movie but the parts that make me sad are just too numerous, so I don't like to watch it.

10. I think weddings are magical! But I don't like traditional weddings.... I like it when you can look at a wedding and say "Oh that was so them!!". My favorite part of our wedding was our ceremony. It was just so perfect & US!

11. I've always had a feeling that God wants me to adopt a child someday. It's an odd feeling to have, but I know this is a must do in life!

12. I've never traveled out of the country (other than the Mexican Border). I am actually in the process of getting a Passport.

13. I love listening to live music.... not like big concerts... but just a few musicians singing their heart out (especially with the guitar)

14. I wish I was a good photographer. I love the way that photos look with the perfect lighting, taken at the perfect angle. I'm just not capable of it (maybe someday).

15. Having backyard BBQ's are a favorite past time. There is something about people gathered around a table outside, enjoying company, laughing, talking, eating, drinking... It's just perfect! I can't wait till we get a back yard.

16. Something about turning 24 this year makes me feel old... I guess I just assumed I would have accomplished more by this age. Oh well... can't change the past, only the future.

17. I love antique styling. There is something about mixing antique white, with teal, and pottery, and flowers. I just adore it. I've been trying to figure out how to make my styling not so girly!

18. White Elephant Gift Exchanges are genius. There is something so liberating about being able to "steal" someone else's gift.

19. I'd rather be poor & happy than rich & unhappy.

20. I do not have an I-Phone and have no desire to ever have one! There is something about being connected to the entire world all of the time that is totally unappealing to me. I love the fact that my phone only makes calls & sends text messages (of course it can do more than that... I just choose for it not to).

21. My favorite city is Chicago.

22. Themed parties are simply the funnest things.

23. I have an obsession with stationary. I can't walk out of Target or Michaels without purchasing some type of paper product. I've got more cards, notepads, "lists", even pens than I could ever really need. But I do love that it makes me send my friends & family handwritten letters. B/c I know I ADORE getting things in the mail.

24. I think cats are better than dogs.

25. Sharing a funny story.... So on the morning after the wedding, at about 7:30 am, the fire alarm at our hotel went off. haha it was so funny. First we both thought it was an alarm clock. Then when we realized it wasn't we kinda panicked. Scrambling about trying to get dressed to head down the stair case (which thankfully was really close to our room). We were stuck outside for like an hour. So after the fire department got there and turned off a faulty alarm, we decided to just get dressed (for real... not just slummy clothes) & eat breakfast and then went to our morning after brunch..... So much for sleeping in our honeymoon =) This is a nasty pic of us from 7:30 am. hahaha

GAME DAY!!

Today's the day!! First home game for the Dynamos! We are so excited to be season ticket holders. And we are in the 4th row. Woo Hoo. Tonight Josh and I are taking his brother Dates & his fiance Lauren. I'm SOOO excited!!