back from banff

Josh and I had an awesome time at the Banff Mountain Film Festival last Friday. We were able to leave work a little early AND our friend Hef was able to join us! After making it up the mountain in the fog and rain, we stopped at Mellow Mushroom for dinner. YUM. Then we headed over to the ASU campus for the show-----with Josh recounting college stories the whole way over...."wow, that building wasn't here when I was here" and "that's the best place to eat on campus" and "that's where we lit a couch on fire and threw it off the roof"

We managed to push our way through to the 'will call' area and get our tickets. Josh led the way through the crowd and found us ten seats (we were meeting a group of friends there.) I couldn't believe that we survived the crowed of hippies and were able to breath, despite the heavy patchouli -scented air.

Josh ran around like a 30-year old back at his college campus that's surrounded by old friends that his 26-year old wife doesn't know. Well, we wasn't so much like that guy as he was that guy.Hef and I gaurded the seats while Josh and CT (her boyfriend) chatted up old friends.

The lights soon dimmed and the show began. We watched films about a red helmet, salmon, biking, skiing and some other stuff. But my favorite part was this: a giant Ugg. Because really, what mountain film festival is complete without a solitary large shoe?!

Josh and I are so crazy. We didn't get home until almost 1am. Soooooo crazy.

going to banff

Josh and I are headed up to ASU. Why? Because I surprised Josh with tickets to the Banff Film Festival. The Banff Film Festival goes on tour all over the world. It features the world's best films on mountain adventure, culture and the environment. The films are selected from thousands of entries from all over the world.

The festival in Boone, NC is today and tomorrow. We're just going up tonight to catch the shows with some friends. The schedule for tonight includes some independent films about the woods, backcountry skiing, sockeye salmon, snowboarding, bouldering, culture in New Guinea and mountain biking.

I'm not exactly the "outdoorsy" type like Josh is....so this is a nice compromise for us: watching movies about the outdoors while staying nice and warm/dry inside a theater!

Be sure to check out Banff and see if its coming near your town!

i'm on a boat

Ok, so I'm not technically on a boat. But I will be....in 54 short days!

I'm going to drive down to Tampa (still not trying to think about a 10-hour drive) and then spend 5 fabulous nights aboard the Inspiration. I'm going to be relaxing/tanning/dancing my way over to Grand Cayman and Cozumel before bringing my fantastic selves back to the 'ole USA.

What could possibly be more fun than cruising the western Caribbean? Cruising the western Caribbean with great friends!!! That's right; I'm going on this trip with Taylor (little sister), Chelsea and Lacey. I cannot believe that there is a boat big enough to hold all the fabulosity that we're going to bring on board!

This is proof that not only do white girls go to the beach (see Chelsea and Lacey's last beach trip as documented on facebook) but also that friends that cruise together stay together.

I heard that the ship has internet....so I'll be able to keep you up-to-date while I'm posting photos from our crazy adventures. I feel some cases of JITA coming on.....

1/2 Price Tuesday

1/2 price Tuesday, how do I love thee? I love you as much as the perfect pair of jeans, chanel perfume and free money.

Tonight is a date night for me and Josh. (collective "awwww!!" from the blogging audience) Since we just spent money down in Birmingham going out both nights, because we are major rockstars and all, its time to tighten down the 'ole spending train. All this combines for a cheap date night tonight. Here enters Pleasant City Wood Fired Grill.

Tonight is 1/2 price night at Pleasant City. Each pizza is half off. Which is just my price range. Last time, Josh and I were able to both get a pizza for $9.44...and have enough for left overs the next day for lunch. And if the price wasn't the kicker, the food will be. The pizzas are so unbelievable. They all use the freshest ingredients and are willing to make whatever you'd like. Tonight I'm getting a pizza with an olive oil, black pepper and garlic base that's topped with mozzarella, parmesan, gouda and goat cheeses. I'm literally salivating as I'm typing.

I've never looked so forward to dinner!

new to the collection

Josh and I went to visit Lauren and Jon in Birmingham, Alabama this past weekend. It was quite the haul for just the weekend, but we had so much fun. I got to borrow Lauren's clothes, have her make me breakfast and open the presents that she brought me back from her trip to New York. It was kind of like college flashback/Christmas.

On Saturday morning Lauren and I took Stella (her chocolate lab puppy) on a walk around the neighborhood. We stumbled upon a couple of yardsales (at least that's the story that I'm telling Josh. In reality, Lauren and I stuffed some singles in our pockets and walked straight to the yardsales.) And then I saw her:

At $20, I knew that I had to have her. I wasn't quite sure if my luggage or Josh would fit in the car on the way home, but I knew this baby was taking up the whole back seat.

I love the details of the carvings on the legs and arms.

I just need to re-tie the springs, add some foam and batting and upholster it. I can't wait to show y'all the finished product!

1998 Isuzu Rodeo--$2,750

Josh and I bought a car from Evan at Reborn Co last week. So, it is officially time to put the 'ole red Rodeo on the market.

Here are some quick photos at the car we love:

I know you are already writing me a comment asking for my phone number so that you can come and pick this baby up. But let me give you just a few stipulations:

Who is this car perfect for? The manliest of men (or women). This car was destined for the wild outdoors and won't know how to drive you over to the YMCA for a step-aerobics glass or to meet a few friends at Starbucks for a mocha-latte-half-skinny-sugar-free-hold-the-foam drink. This car wasn't designed to stand in the in a valet line or have three car seats in it. No. This car was built for that rough-and-tough guy who lives in the outdoors, only venturing into the city for the true necessities: a new shirt (after he used his to build a teepee from scratch) or dental floss (hey, tooth care is important!) Its for the guy who's only use for 2-wheel drive is his mountain bike and needs another car to haul around his enormous outdoor sporting equipment collection.

This car could be suitable for the manliest teenager as well. Remember, we all had to start somewhere. And while this beast of a vehicle may be too much manliness for some, there's a teenager out there somewhere that's ready to step up to the challenge. And who would that teenager be? Someone who can make a fire with their bare hands, walks with a Keifer Sutherland-like swagger and knows how to beat down Bear Grills. Yeah, he's that teenager. All that's missing to promote him to full-on manhood? This car.

So if you're interested in owning a piece of manlienessence, give me a call.

In the end, its a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo. Its got a manual transmission and it has 200k miles on it; we're asking for $2,750. I'll entertain all reasonable offers.

*Please note, I have to run all offers by my husband Josh. If it takes me a while to get back to you, its because he's training Lance Armstrong, shooting around with Lebron or hanging out with Yvon Chouinard. But don't worry, we will get back to you.

bring your own reading material

Yesterday I went to the dentist for a check-up.

Normally, I'm pretty nervous about going to the dentist. As soon as I start thinking about my appointment I immediately have a daymare (nightmare but during the day, duh) where the dental hygienist starts attacking my gums with floss with unnecessary force, asking me tons of questions while my mouth is full of her hands and her tools and then a dreaded visit from the actual dentist (who is only ever in the room for 2.5 seconds) and hear the terrifying words "you've got a cavity."

Most people haven't had a cavity or filling since childhood. I had two fillings the week of my wedding....four years ago. Add that to the 12 fillings and 1 root-canal that I had during my childhood years and you see where this totally rational fear comes from. (Yes, I did actually brush my teeth growing up. I have "spotty" enamel which makes my teeth more susceptible to stains and cavities. yum.)

But back to yesterday.....

My dentist is my friend Jim. I think its makes it easier to have a dentist that's your friend. One, because they are nicer to you. Two, they give you teeth-whitening at a great discount. So I guess I'm not really afraid to go to the dentist....I'm just scared of the hygienists.

So, I was waiting in the waiting-room before I got called back to the dreaded teeth-cleaning-I'm-going-to-see-how-much-I can-torture-you-with-dental-floss-all-the-while-asking-you-questions-that-you-can't-answer-while-bad-90s-soft-rock-plays-in-the-background room. I knew that I would probably have a while to wait, so I started surveying the room for good reading material....all that was left in the magazine area was Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest. Which, believe it or not, are not really my top magazine choices. And then I glanced to see what the two other guys in the waiting room were reading.....People Magazine. Both of the 50+ year old men were reading the two most recent issues of People. And I was stuck with Golf Digest?! A girl can't get a good gossip magazine because the boys are taking them all? Seriously, what is the world coming too?!?!

ready for the weekend

I drove in to work today nearly on time. I pulled into my parking spot and pressed the garage door opener. Which would have been awesome if my office didn't look like this:

That's right. I tried to open a regular door with a garage-door opener. I think its time for the weekend!

i've been sucked in

Is official....I've been sucked into into the "Twilight" series. When I realized that nearly every high school girl had seen the movie and was reading the books I knew it was a matter of time before I had to see what the fuss was all about. And then when the middle school girls were arguing over which book was the best...I knew it was time.

I started Twilight on Sunday night (I borrowed it from Sidney, one of the Wyldlife girls). And I finished it Tuesday morning. Yes, the books are a little long...but such an easy read. I called my friend Laura, she's Sidney's mom, and asked if I could borrow New Moon (book 2.) She laughed and agreed to let me borrow the book.

I am tooooootally sucked in. I'm tearing though every page to see what's happening to Bella and wondering where the heck Edward is. Could I sound anymore like a 15 year-old?!

So now that I've admitted my addiction, could anyone tell me if there's a 12-step program? Because I think after book 4 I'm really going to need one!

where did monday go?

Where did Monday go? Wait.....that's the day that Josh drug me all over Gastonia, NC.

Josh had rented some vans (for a YL trip) last Friday and we had to return them on Monday. He'd rounded up some other folks to take the other vans back, but he needed me to take one back with him on Monday morning. We returned the vans around 10:15 am on Monday and learned that our friend John was going to be picking us up at 11am. We didn't really want to stick around a car-rental place for 45 minutes....but we didn't see what we could do given that our location was right next to a major highway.

Josh decided that we should walk a few hundred yards down the road to a shopping center. I reluctantly agreed.

Tip #1: If you don't want to be asked about buying a car....make sure you walk up to the car lot. We couldn't figure out why no salesmen were approaching us....and then we realized that they noticed that we walked up to the car lot instead of driving up.

I literally squealed with delight when we found sidewalks! No more pretending like we were hitch-hikers!

And then the clouds parted, the sun shone through, I heard someone singing and there it was:

a mall.

A we approached the mall, got a call from John. It turned out that he was stuck in court (he's a lawyer, not a criminal) and that it was going to be closer to 12:30 before he could pick us up. He was so very apologetic on the phone....but all I was thinking was "Really? I've been stranded at a mall? OK!" Josh ended up buying a book at Books-a-million and I shopped around a little bit. I met him later at a little cafe outside the bookstore....he read The Screwtape Letters while I emailed and surfed the web. It was almost like vacation.....except we were stuck in Gastonia, NC. I think we might really need a real vacation if returning vans, walking down the side of a highway, outwitting car-salesmen and shopping at Old Navy feels like a vacation.

here comes the bride!

I'm sorry if you tried to get in touch with me last Saturday. I had an important party to attend. Look how dressed up I got:

Josh was so excited that I knew "coat and tie" meant that I wasn't allowed to wear gym clothes.

The party was an engagement party for my cousin Susan and her groom-to-be Ben (on the left in the picture below)

Doesn't Susan look so excited?! I love that! Another thing I love: the party was at the house she grew up at! I loved visiting my cousins growing up and was glad that the party was going to be at such a memorable spot. I was glad to finally meet Ben (he lives in Chicago), but I was more excited to hang out with Susan. Number one reason for that? This 5'10" girl can wear heels and still feel short. I love it!!!

Susan and Ben are both lawyers. Needless to say, I started practicing saying things like "Furthermore, my good fellow...." and "I object, to that foolishness..." when I got the invitation in the mail. I'm practically a professional at fitting in to various social tiers.

Being at my Aunt and Uncle's house brought back so many fun memories. Here are a few I'd like to share with you:

I love this calendar. They've had this thing for like 20 years. Basically, they were "green" before it was cool.

Ahhhhh. This is the same TV that we used to fight each other to play Tetris on. Gone are the sweet sweet days of 'ntendo, but here to stay is this TV!

Yummmy ham sammiches. I didn't let being a vegetarian keep me from these babies! I tossed off the ham and managed to eat 1 or 7 of these yummies.

Beer steins! My Uncle heads over to Germany every year for Octoberfest. Susan is really testing his love by having a wedding at the end of September!

Ah, the slots. One of the first games I learned to play. Another lesson that quickly followed was the good 'ole "how-many-times-do-I-have-to-tell-you-that-you-can't-take-the-money-home-with-you" lesson.

While the evening was filled with a lot of old memories for me....there were some new things as well:

I don't remember these guys, but I love them.
I also don't know what they are, so feel free to fill me in.

Meet the future President of the USA. This little boy wore a three-piece pin-stripe suit and worked the crowd like a seasoned politician. Love it.

Josh and I are so excited for you Susan and Ben!!!! We can't wait to see y'all in September!

the day i took a ton of pictures of josh and rachel

Its basically a requirement for Josh to drive around in the snow as soon as its dangerous to do so. (By the way, he's wearing a Mountain Hardwear ski jacket that we just got on Saturday for only $75!!)

We (barely) survived driving around in the snow on Sunday night....and this is what we woke up to on Monday morning:

So, yes...I was working on Monday. I didn't get to play in the snow one bit. (ok, that was a littttttttle bit of a lie.)

Josh felt that we had to make a snowman. I told him that since I wasn't 5 anymore, that I wan't going to participate. But once all the hard work was done, I did want to dress him/her up properly. Please meet our outdoorsy-cheerleading-type-posing-secretly-loves-the-70s snowperson (the jury is still out on if this is actually a snowman or a snowwoman.)

It was all fun and games until Josh and Rachel got into a snowball fight:

I did actually play in the snow, but you wouldn't really believe it since all I managed to get were pictures of Josh and Rachel!

I love love love this picture of Rachel!

yl interview

Young life interviews today!!

This is where I'll be sitting for all of today....at the coffeeshop interviewing potential YL leaders!

snow day

No blogging today, I'm out playing in the snow....I mean, I'm at work.....riiiiiiight, I'm definitely at work.