Adventure on a Boat

The neighborhood decided to rent a party barge last weekend. How come we didn't think to pay for it out of our HOA fees? Let's get on that next time, guys. We grilled, we boated, we drank, we swam... The crew that was working on the boat wore tshirts with a tux pattern printed on it - classy.

And for those of you who aren't curious or nosy enough, this is Mike. We started dating around Easter. Ok, fam, I know Lauren has already told you all about him, so I won't go on & on (except that I like the fact that he's a Hokie too).

Happy Birthday, Brad!

Today is my brother's birthday. Happy birthday, Brad! (Mom, Dad, Ali, or Lauren - I trust you'll show him this post while you're on vacation. Best of luck for sunny weather while you're in Hilton Head.) Sorry, I don't really have a recent pic of him, but I promise he's 28 today & not 3.

Brad likes to cook (and now emails us all about smoking pork butt), so to go along with this, I'll share my recent baking experiment. I bought a surplus of tortillas, sour cream, and salsa. What to do with these? Make my own tortilla chips of course! I cut the tortillas into bite-sized pieces and baked them in my toaster oven. The dips I have here are an enchilada sauce (from enchiladas 2 days prior) and a salsa made by a friend. Yes, I'm proud of my avocado garnish. Despite the now 90-degree weather, I'm trying to cook once a week. It's better than turkey sandwiches (which is my usual lunch) or cereal (which is my usual breakfast) for dinner.

Room 3: The Sewing Room!

First of all, my neighbors are great. I have to thank Mike, Tiny, Pops, Dallas, Josh, and Jeff for helping set up my heavy furniture in this room. My stairs (which might get a blog post of their own sometime) twist and turn. They're not that nice to heave a heavy 6 foot long table up. Somehow, they managed. I'm not too ashamed to admit that I've been promising manual labor for sweets. So far I've made cookies and mini-cupcakes. (They haven't done nearly enough to deserve a chocolate french silk pie yet.)

OK, first off, how awesome is that bookcase on the left?!! My old school stereo is taking up 3 cubbies, and the rest has boxes filled with fabrics.

On the other side of the room is a twin bed. I had the frame, so I might as well get the bed, right? Right. As you can tell, I have fabric for my current sewing project all spread out and ready to go!

I had my Cleveland Girl Scouts paint these for me before I moved to Austin. For the rest of the room, I might buy more for my Girl Scouts here to paint. I might even spread it further. I just love the idea of having these cover the walls, each representing a friend's personality.

Room 2: Guest Bath

Yes, I'm spreading this out as much as possible - can you tell? Room number two is the guest bath. I had two shower curtains to choose from, and thought the green/blue/brown would work well with the tan walls. Does it blend too much?

Also, what are your thoughts on the lights above the bathroom sink? I'm not a fan, and I've had to live with them in my past few apartments. Blah.

Room 1: Guest Bedroom

Alright, I'm going to clean my house from top to bottom. No more boxes after this weekend (I hope) since my housewarming party is next weekend. (Eek!) Slowly, I've been attempting to set up rooms.

The first room is the guest bedroom. I have some acrillic paintings from El Salvador and Guatemala that I'd love to hang in here. Ideally, the picture (that I now notice is slightly off-center) that I have hanging here will probably go in my bedroom.

There's not too much excitement that's going on in here. I'm using the closet (to the right of the picture above) as Christmas storage. The secretary desk in the picture below has stationary (some that I got when I was in kindergarten) and my office supplies.

It feels good to be crafty again!

Last night was a weekly neighborhood poker night. Now, my mama taught me not to gamble. I also inherited my dad's financially programmed brain. Why play if I know I'm going to lose? Last week, I joined the lot . This week, during poker night, I brought my yarn and a crochet hook.

So last night, I made a Virginia Tech koozie. I saw a technique on Create (a PBS show) to add designs onto your already-crocheted items. Experimentation is my middle name (not really, it's Frances, after my grandmother - hi Grandma!), so I decided to give it a try. And, boy-oh-boy, am I happy I did! The orange definitely pops off of the maroon so much more. Not only that, but it's easier! And it's definitely a better technique for shapes that I may make in the future that don't involve straight lines.

I'm working on the house this weekend. All remaining boxes will be emptied, pictures will be hung. It'll be great. Pictures to come soon.

The Kasiske Challenge - Q1 update

Q1 yields 1,466 points for me, which includes 4 points for 4 pounds. That's not too shabby for quitting the gym last month. Mom? Dad? How are you fairing? While you lay on the beach and sip your mojitos this week, I hope you remember to hit the gym. Thank goodness these numbers don't include anything from April - I've been too busy to do too much. And it doesn't help that my neighbors like to invite me to drink their keg instead of go for a hike.

On a blogging note, yes I've been scarce. If you don't know me by now, I'm a huge procrastinator. So there isn't a finished room in my house, and I haven't taken a picture since I moved. Ideally, I'd like to be done yesterday. Realistically, I'll have it done in 3 months. (Seriously, I'd like to get a lot done this weekend.) Apparently anyone I've looked at in Texas feels they are entitled to get a tour and thinks I should have a housewarming soon.