Vacation Pics

Many more pics if you want to check them out, at www.picasaweb.google.com/postbetsyboop

Wedded Bliss

On Dec 7th my in-laws, Bob and Gail, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. To celebrate we went to Cool River for dinner, then threw a big party, complete with a bride and groom's cake.

From DC to NYC

Steven came home from Iraq so we went on a vacation before Christmas, just the two of us. On the chilly morning of Monday, Dec 15, we left Austin and flew into Washington DC. It was the first time there for both of us, and it was a beautiful, sunny, 65 degrees. We got our Metro passes and checked into our hotel in Alexandria, VA. We decided to explore Old Town Alexandria that evening. We walked down King Street, stopping for lunch at Pines of Florence, a cute little Italian place. The "Fresh Mozzarella Caprese" was a wonderful appetizer to our meal. Afterwards, we windowshopped and wound up at the pier on the Potomac. We had our "Monday Meeting" at Murphy's Irish pub--meaning we had our beers while our friends back in Austin were doing the same!--then had a wonderful dinner at the Chart House overlooking the river. By the time we finished we were thoroughly stuffed but managed to make room for a piece of chocolate Lava Cake. Tuesday morning--it is cold!!! The front followed us from Texas and now it's in the 30's. We slept in, then hopped on the Metro. We were serenaded by a trio of gentlemen in the train station singing Christmas carols. Then off for a quick lunch of kebabs inside the old Postal building--Steven made me try the lamb. After, we spent the entire afternoon in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Until they closed. They had to kick us out. He wouldn't leave!!! Then back to our Irish pub for a tasty burger. And a beer or two.
Wednesday we tried the breakfast buffet at the hotel--not great, but convenient. Then we went to the Holocaust museum for a couple of hours. So much history there; it was very moving. Lunch was chili dogs from a street vendor, then on to the American History museum. This museum is divided into East and West. Or the boy side and the girl side. To compromise we had to go to both. Steven got to learn all about the American wars, electricity, automobiles, and motors, while i got to see things like Julia Child's kitchen, Mohammed Ali's boxing gloves and Dorothy's ruby slippers. So much to see that again, they had to kick us out at closing. Later we had dinner in downtown DC at Elephant and Castle, a British pub that was recommended to us by one of the locals.
Thursday started with a great breakfast at a Waffle House in DC. Our waitress was the nicest person we met on the trip. We decided to brave the cold outside and walk the Mall. We saw the Reflection Pool, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, and Korean War Memorial. We were trying to find a route on the Metro to get to Arlington Cemetary and realized it would be faster to just walk across the bridge to Arlington. There we saw the Kennedy graves and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, along with the many rows and rows of all the others. Fortunately we were there to witness the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb. We took the train back to DC to give our feet a break and had a hot chocolate and biscotti snack at Cosi since we missed lunch. As we were leaving we saw a giant Gingerbread Woman and Christmas Tree walking down the street. So...we followed them! Straight to an outdoor holiday market, with food, art, music and more. We bought some pieces of art and a few souvenirs, then walked to the Gordon Biersch Brewery for a couple beers. Then, on recommendation from the girl at the art stand, we went to Kanlaya in Chinatown for a Thai dinner.
Friday we got up early and took the Amtrak train to NYC (not early enough--we barely got on the train in time!). It was more fun than flying because there's more room, and you can walk to the food car whenever you get hungry. We popped up out of the train station in New York, right into the middle of a blizzard. We walked to the hotel, and by the time we got there, my (non-waterproof) boots were soaked through to my socks. Got checked in and put on dry socks. Then grabbed a triple decker sandwich from the deli around the corner and went shopping for some cool snow boots for me! Walked past the World Trade Center site, then went to Central Park for a romantic walk/snowball fight! At this point we were ready to try our luck on the subway, so we bought an unlimited pass and managed to get going in the right direction. We made it to Times Square, where we found some pizza, and hot chocolate to-go. Our mission in New York was to find the best pizza. Checked out the giant Toys R Us in Times Square, complete with indoor ferris wheel, then walked to Rockafeller Center to see the Christmas tree. Had a beer at an Irish pub (notice a trend here???), but we were too tired to go back to Rockafeller for ice skating because they didn't reopen until 10:30 pm.
Saturday was the coldest day--it stayed in the 20's and snowed/sleeted all day long. We got donuts and hot chocolate and took the ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty. We walked up 156 steps, only to find out the observation area was closed due to ice. So, we walked right back down 156 steps and got on the boat to Ellis Island to tour the immigration building. Afterwards, we had pizza for lunch again. We were freezing so we took a nap at the hotel to rest up and get out of the cold, then went back to Times Square for dinner. Felt great so we went back to the ice rink around 11:15pm but found out they were only open at night from 10:30 to 11:30 so we were out of luck again. I am determined to skate under that Christmas tree before we leave!
Sunday we slept a little later, then went to the Empire State Building. We went all the way up, even though we couldn't see anything because of the fog. Went back down and had the best pizza of the trip at Little Italy. I think the secret was the garlic on the underside of the crust. Then a bit of souvenir shopping, and back to Rockafeller Center for ICE SKATING! Later we did a little more shopping, watched break-dancers perform on the sidewalk, then had dinner at Bloom's deli by the hotel.
Monday was our day to come home. We had arranged for a Town Car to pick us up and take us to the airport but were pleasantly surprised with a limo instead! Got there in record time--10 mins--it was 4:15 in the morning, after all. Steven was hoping his first limo ride could have lasted a little longer, but we were ready to come home.

The CORE

We rock.

Could i really be a biker chick?

After a long, but fun, 2 days, on Tuesday i graduated from motorcycle safety class. Lucky for me, it's a free class because of where i work! Now i just need to get the motorcycle endorsement on my license.

I Trotted

What a fun Thanksgiving! The only thing that would have made it better is if Steven had been there. Started out with an early morning run in beautiful downtown Austin at the Turkey Trot, in full costume of course, because we LOVE to dress up. Had to stop in the middle of the race for a photo op in front of the capital that was too good to pass up.

Then drove to San Antonio for a big dinner with my family, including the 3 little angels/nieces that were here all the way from Peoria. Texas girls at heart, they were all wearing shiny new cowboy boots.

Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Pinkerton Photography

The Countdown Begins

In exactly three weeks, my Stevie will be home!!! As much as he loves Iraq (ha!), i know he will be thrilled to be back.

Should I?

Thinking about doing another 5K with friends--The Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. Would make for a busy day, but it sure would take away some of the guilt of eating so much yummy food!

Twilight is Coming

I have succumbed to the Twilight craze. I am almost done with the fourth and last book in the series, and the movie comes out Nov 21! Yes, I have already bought my ticket online. I recommend the books to those young and old. It is a modern day romance between a girl and a vampire, with werewolves and a few other surprises thrown in. My heart aches when i'm reading it! Only 10 days to go...

Celebrity Spotted

On Sunday my friends and i ran the Run for the Water 5K. An older woman walking the 5K, coming towards us after the turnaround, was with a gentleman on a bicycle riding slowly alongside her, and a police car followed behind them. As they passed, the guy looked right at me and said "Good job!" The guy was Tom Cruise. Yes, he spoke to me. I didn't answer back, but he spoke to me!

Big Winner!

The pirates were back out on the town last night. We won first place in the Halloween costume contest! A $50 gift card to spend in the bar! Oh yea.

Quest for a better beer

I have been trying some new beers since i can't get my favorite, Honey Moon, until summer. I have stumbled across four that are quite tasty; one on recommendation from a friend, one on recommendation from the awesome beer/wine guy at HEB, one by accident, and one out of necessity.

The Pyramid Apricot Weizen has a delicious fruity taste but it's not sweet.

Landshark looks like Corona, but is oh so smooth. No lime needed, but it's good with one anyway.

Full Moon is a rich, hearty beer. Good, but I can only drink one.

Shiner Blonde is a tasty, lighter beer.

Ayyyyyy...Arrrrrrrrrr

We dressed up as pirates to attend the Halloween Crush Party in Volente

Cabin of Fear

The SCARIEST haunted house i have ever been to. In my life. And, there's a $1 off coupon you can print off the website. http://www.hauntaustin.com/

Pink Flamingos

Consequence of being the "biggest loser" at Bunko--custody of the flamingo for one month.

Seriousness

Recently told we are no fun to hang out with because we are too "serious". You want serious? You got it.

Painting=Fun!

Problem: Painting projects finished at my house

Solution: Start painting my parent's house

Orthodontic News

In July I finally got braces. What i thought was going to be a pretty simple process has turned into so much more. At the end of my two years of wearing braces i am getting three different surgeries. One, to expand my upper palate. Two, to straighten my upper jaw. And three, to pull my lower jaw forward.

As if this isn't bad enough, i was also told i have a tongue thrust and would have to wear an orthodontic device called a tongue crib. Or worse, tongue spikes. These keep the tongue in the right place when talking, swallowing, or just at rest. Sounds very medievel-torture-device to me...
Luckily, i visited with a speech therapist Thursday morning and found out my tongue problems can be cured with therapy only. No metal cage or spikes in my mouth!

Products That I Love

IVORY SOAP, BODYWASH, AND DISH SOAP

WHATABURGER HONEY BUTTER CHICKEN BISCUIT—tastes best after midnight

STUBB’S BBQ SAUCE

80% CLEARANCE AISLE AT HOBBY LOBBY

HALF PRICE BOOKS—can get a book in hardcover, cheaper than a paperback anywhere else

ORBIT SWEET MINT GUM—tastes like those soft after dinner mints people always have at weddings

WINDEX ANTIBACTERIAL MULTIPURPOSE CLEANER—will clean and disinfect anything in the house; can even be used to clean a spot on the carpet if you’re in a pinch

METROMINT WATER—bottled water with a hint of mint and either lemon or orange, with NO sweetener or sugar added

TRUDY’S MOJITOS—the big one that comes in a shaker

TRESEMME PRODUCTS FOR CURLY HAIR—must use all three in combination: Curl Hydration Lotion Crème, Bouncy Curls Defining Gel, and Curl Locking Styling Spray

Black and White

Theme parties are even MORE fun!

An Experiment with Faux Finishing

I decided my rust colored hallway was too dark, so i added a copper glaze.

Pardners

Fun night with an old friend in our hometown bar

Rockstars

Went downtown with my gorgeous friends to Spagetti Warehouse and Cedar Street in a LIMO for Brad's birthday!

Ready to Run

It's official. I am signed up to run the Run for the Water 5K on November 9th. I ran my first 5K in 2007, and a 10K in April 2008. So I felt a little hesitant about going back to a 5K. However, i really wanted to run this one and it goes from 5K to 10 MILES, which i know i am not ready for. GOALS: Next year...run 10 miles. This year...improve my 5K run time.

Must Read

Recently, i heard Gilbert Tuhabonye interviewed on a morning radio show. After hearing this story i had to order his book on Amazon, "This Voice in My Heart". He is a runner, a genocide survivor, and an inspiration to many. Gilbert escaped from a small village in Africa and now lives in Austin, TX. He has organized a 5K/10 mile run called "Run for the Water" to raise money to dig water wells back in Africa. I am participating in the event this year, along with any friends and family that wish to join me. To learn more about the run and Gilbert's foundation go to http://www.gilbertsgazelles.com/.

Summer's Over

Why does my favorite beer have to be seasonal?

Guilty Pleasures

Gossip Girl, Top Model, and 90210--These three shows currently have my DVR working overtime. Hey, we all need a little brain candy every once in awhile.