Hubby is 31

Yesterday was Hubby's birthday. He is officially 31 years old and for at least a month and a few days we are 5 years apart and I find that fabulously scandulous for some reason! He celebrated by working from home and feeling like crap...which stinks BUT he is doing much better today! YAY!

My parents and I took him out to dinner at Mi Chula's in Southlake. Everyone enjoyed their dinner but me...BUT their chips and salsa ROCKS so I am okay with my enchiladas being unenjoyable and unnecessarily spicy.

After dinner, I told Hubby my mom had made him a cake so we had to stop by their house. It was a lie to get him there because his present was there. Turns out my mom really DID make him a cake...a wine cake...which is my absolute FAVORITE...so we even got cake out of the deal.

We opened presents, his surprise was a grill, and ended up heading home early because he wasnt feeling well. I was in bed by 9:15...watched a little Desperate Housewives (yes I still watch and LOVE that show) and was asleep by 9:45.

All in all, despite him not feeling good, a pretty good evening!

Happy Birthday Hubby!

My legs finally work again!

So after watching The Biggest Loser a few seasons ago, I got inspired to start walking. I started walking after dinner and on the weekends and started going pretty far distances. This lead me to the idea of walking a half marathon (13.1 miles). I asked around and found a few friends who said they were willing but I wasn't sure if they would really do it. Life can get in the way, I understand that, but I wanted to train and do it with someone who was just as serious as I was. Well the White Rock Marathon came and went, but the idea never left. Well around summer time of this year, I decided that I was going to do it. I asked Hubby if he would be willing to participate with me, and probably thinking that I would change my mind by then, he said yes. So I signed us up, paid our fees, and printed off our training schedule that we would start 14 weeks before the race.

We started training and of course, just like everyone else, life started to get in the way. We found out we were having a "punkin", the holidays rolled around and we were out of town every weekend for three weeks and before we knew it, December 13th was knocking on our door. The longest we had walked prior to last Sunday was 6 miles. It is exactly 3 miles to my parents, so we had walked there and back but since we didnt die, we figured we could push and surely do another 7.1....

We arrived at American Airlines Center at around 7:30 after parking across the street. I was cold and terrified as you can tell by my face.

But we had our numbers and we were committed.

There were 20,000 people....let me say that again TWENTY THOUSAND PEOPLE participating in the 5-person relay, the full marathon, and the half marathon.

It was INSANE. Hubby and I were at the very back of the pack (you have to enter your time when you sign up and they section you off accordingly) and in this picture, you cant even see the start line, it is actually around the corner.

The race started at 8:00AM and at about 8:15-8:20 we crossed the start line (under the balloons).

Once we hit that start line, we started walking...

and we walked....

and we walked some more...

through neighborhoods were people were cheering us on and bands were playing...

and over major freeways...where bands were playing.

It was tough. I would be lying if I said it wasn't. By the end my hips were hurting, my feet were hurting, and although I wasn't tired cardiovascularly, my body was beat. But soon we were at mile 8...

and then mile 10...

and before we knew it...12...

and then...together...we ran over the finish line.

It was an AMAZING experience and I can't imagine doing it with anyone else, "punkin" included!

Happy Feet Soaking!

Howdy Folks! Welcome to the State Fair of Texas!

Hubby and I typically make it to the fair about every other year. This is just long enough for us to remember why we don't go every year and why it is so unfun. This year was our year to go and I am excited to say that it was actually fun, I am so glad we went, and I can't wait to go next year!

It was a spur of the moment decision to go this weekend because we realized that next weekend was not only the last weekend, but Texas vs OU weekend and let's be honest, my heart can't take that kind of stress.

We headed towards Fair Park around 1:30 and although it took us quite awhile (about 45 minutes) to find a place to park, we found a lot that looked legit, and there was more of a possibility that our car would be there when we got back. $30 later, we were officially enjoying the State Fair of Texas!

We checked out the 2010 Auto Show, the Food and Fiber Exhibit, and of course the Dancing Dog Show!

We even stopped and shared a corn dog! (The line for fried butter was literally 36 miles long...I was good.)

Borden brought their mascot. This is Elsie.

I wish I could have cownapped her. I think the dogs would love her and we have lots of grass that she could enjoy!

It started raining towards the end of our visit. Hubby wasn't sure what he wanted to try, but we finally decided to spend our last 14 tickets on a GIANT pickle (I have a picture but let's be honest...who wants to see me chowing down on that...) and...

FRIED CHEESECAKE!

I don't like cheesecake really BUT I can appreciate it for what it is. I tried it and I have to admit, it was pretty freaking delicious and a good portion size! No skimping here!

As we were checking out an exhibit on organic lawn care, we couldn't help but notice the 5 SUVs lead by motorcops and followed by screaming people with cameras. I happened to glance over and see a familar  hand hanging out the window...it was...OPRAH! I saw Oprah's hand people! I knew it was hers the minute I saw it. Based on this encounter, I feel that Oprah and I are pretty much BFF.

Okay okay...I heard rumors that her show was taping there...probably to show American how glutenous us Texans are with our fried butter! If I hadn't have known that, I don't know that I would have put two and two together. But regardless...Oprah and I are soul sisters at this point.

I am so glad Hubby and I went. It was fun to spend time with him, see lots of cute dogs "dance", and run in the rain with our GIANT pickle and fried cheesecake in tow.

Happy Fair Day!

The Skinny Jeans Tour - 2009

Last night Hubby and I spent our Wednesday evening watching All-American Rejects, Fall Out Boy, and Blink-182. This was actually my third time seeing Blink-182, but the first time since they have reunited after a 5 year break up.

The last time I saw them was on their last tour and you could tell that it was the end. That album was really mellow and reflective and frankly somewhat depressing. They were not energetic or enthused during the concert, and it was just apparent that they were tired and done with each other.

This show on the other hand was amazing. It might have been because it was a PACKED house. I mean PACKED and therefore Mark, Tom, and Travis just saw dollar signs above all of our heads but regardless it rocked. They were on their game. Travis had a ridiculous solo that involved being strapped to his drum set and being hoisted in the air and spun around on a rotating drum set. WHAT?! I know...

Within the sea of people must have been at least 3 generations, and although the crowd was definitely diverse, I felt old. At least 100 years old. MOST of the attendants were high school age, which makes me think that they were 11 - 13 the last time Blink was together and I am just confused by that completely but whatever. Half of the fun of the concert was oohing and ahhing at "that guy's rockin' 1980s mustache despite being 19", "those girls wearing colored fishnets, fingerless gloves, and high-tops", and the skinny jeans. Oh the skinny jean...how I will never understand you...

Leaving was a bit of a challenge, but Hubby took me on a tour of Fair Park, which was...awesome. Thank God for GPS...

Overall it was a fun night that involved my Hubby, a 16-inch frozen wine-a-rita, and a great concert. I did keep my bra this show, just in case you were wondering.

Happy Punk Rock!

Labor Day = day of manual labor

Rather than sitting around sipping cocktails last weekend, Hubby forced me at shovel point to help him in the yard. It was hot. It was yucky. It was sweaty. But now...it is finished! Here is how it unfolded....are you excited?!

Friday night...we did what every normal couple does on Friday...we tore out the other half of the deck.

Throughout this process, Hubby also decided that this would be an opportune time to install some drainage, which was much need in our yard. So...after ripping out the rest of the deck, we decided to get started and began digging. This side wasn't that miserable since it was already slopping down hill.

The dogs were kind enough to help!

This side on the other hand was...ummm...HELL! Just saying.

Oh and there is Hubby "socking" the drainage tube/pipe/thing. He's so cute.

Trench filled with gravel (which we bought WAY too much of but were able to take it back so it saved us some money), drainage, and dirt. Then the grass was put back. YAY! Almost done!

Yesterday Hubby went and bought grass to cover the mud pit! Now it is time to water like crazy and hope it doesn't die!

All in all, this was a labor intensive project but I can't complain TOO loud since it was my whining that finally drove Hubby crazy enough to suggest taking out the deck. Also, it saved up quite a bit of money doing it ourselves...and I guess it was kind of a bonding experience for us...I guess. : )

Our patio space is much smaller but I think it is going to save me from going insane and who doesn't love more grass! Just more opportunity to watch Hubby mow!!

Happy Yard Work!

NO MORE ANIMALS!

This is the pile that is sitting in our front yard this morning. Wednesday is bulky trash day. I hope this qualifies.

This is what is left of part of our desk as of 7:30 last night.

This is what it looked like at 5:30PM yesterday afternoon.

You can't see them but it has been rumored that there are animals living under there. This was confirmed by Hubby who walked out the other day to find Bubba underneath it, up to his shoulders.

After 2 years, it was decided that it had to go. Don't get me wrong, it was great to have the extra space, and it was EXTREMELY well built (which we found out after the second or third board we pulled up) BUT at the end of the day, my sanity was more important.

We are planning on putting in some drainage and adding additional sprinklers and then grass.

The other section will come out next week, I assume. Just in time for bulky trash day.

Happy Demolition!

How did I get so lucky...

So Hubby and I were laying in bed last night talking football. Nothing detailed because don't get me wrong, I can follow a game but usually end up getting so anxious that I can't watch all the way through.

He had made mention that he was going to try and watch more college football this year and that he wouldn't be watching NFL. I asked him why.

He said because of Michael Vick....

How did I get so lucky?

Hubba Hubba Hubby!

I have decided that there is nothing sexier on the planet than my husband mowing the lawn. I have seen him do it on a weekly basis and it gets me every time!

Yesterday, Saturday, was chore day at the Holladay home. We stuck to our agreement, I scrubbed toilets on the inside while he tackled the jungle outside.

As I walked from the bedroom to the laundry room with laundry basket in hand, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of him manning the helm of his riding lawn mower, sweeping from one side of the yard to the other. It was roughly...175 degrees outside so his shirt had come off and sweat glistened from his brow, and I tell you I actually stopped in my tracks and starred.

Who knew that yard work could be so enjoyable!

Happy Mowing!

My Wonderful Evening.

Okay so I know I haven't been blogging much lately and I think it is because I feel like I have to include pictures with each post. I am going to overcome that today so if you are looking for pictures...check back this weekend...if you are ready for some wit...keep a readin!

Last evening was spent with Hubby running errands. I don't know what it is but I just LOVE being with him! I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, we are the HAPPY HOLLADAYS! (*insert cough and lack of laughter) We seriously went to PetSmart, Lowe's, The Post Office, Home Depot and Dickey's BBQ (I didn't feel like cooking), and I just had so much fun.

We picked out on sale toys from PetSmart. We take our time. Choosing the appropriate dog toys is not something that can be done on a whim. I have to squeak each prospect at least three times, I have to feel from the amount of stuffing that will eventually be spread all over the house, and I have to contemplate if it is capable of breaking anything when being tossed in the air by Vegas or violently destroyed by Bailey. We left with three different toys, one of which was a 4-pack! SCORE! (I realized this morning that I had a PetSmart gift card in my wallet...DAMN! That would have helped with the $65 bill...we had to get dog food too).

Then to Lowe's. Oh Lowe's. How you drain our bank account so easily!

Bailey decided to use the landing that is the midway point from downstairs and upstairs as her personal latrine. DELICIOUS! Since we also have a skylight there, the sun bakes that area and therefore the pee smell has become more than the both of us can handle. We borrowed a carpet cleaner from a friend but it just didn't do the job that we were hoping for.

We have decided to replace that carpet with wood, since it will tie the downstairs with the game room...BRILLIANT! We have the wood, we just need the glue...hence the trip to Lowe's. Didn't find it there, who knew there were so many different options?! Hubby...that's who!

Then to the post office...nothing exciting there except for a girl who had parked in the middle of the parking lot. People are so random.

Then Home Depot to look again for glue...no dice...Hubby has decided to order it from work. Good call.

Off to Dickey's. Not the best BBQ in the world but Hubby wanted more of those signature GIANT yellow cups. That's right, we ordered to go and left with 4 new cups. (FYI...$.50 each) He uses them for coffee. Yes, for coffee. To the top mind you. No judgements.

Hubby was such a good sport and watched all but the last 15 minutes of So You Think You Can Dance with me. Then at 10:00PMish he began removing the carpet from the landing...he picks the most appropriate times but he is so dang handy that I can't complain TOO much. Got everything up. Every last stinkin' staple and there is now a palm tree rug in it's place. Perfect.

I'm sure this weekend he will break down and buy glue because he just can't help himself but we shall see. I will DEFINITELY post pictures of that.

Happy Stinky Carpet!

Cake and Hubby

On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend and make the cake for my boss's wife Jennifer's baby shower!

You might remember her from the cake class!

Her and her husband are having a little boy any day now, and they are decorating his room with a nautical theme, therefore what more fitting than a sail boat cake!



Now the story for this festive cake!

An old friend (well she isn't old but we have been friends since middle school so you catch what I'm throwing) and I made plans to go to dinner last Friday night. I NEVER get to see her so there was NO way I was canceling once I realized I would be making the cake for the shower I was attending the next day.

I had the cake baked and ready to go by the time I left for dinner, and told myself that I couldn't stay TOO long because I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me.

Well...when I walked in the house at 9:00PM...I knew it was going to be a long night. I just went ahead and rolled up my sleeves and got to work.

After cutting the cake into the shapes I needed, I was quick to realize that...
A) I think I misjudge how GIANT my cake pan was and therefore how GIANT the cake was...
B) I don't think 156 people would be attending the shower
and
C) I had nothing big enough to put the cake on!

I ended up taping 2 boards together to make a GIANT cake board and again...started to work. Looking back, I think I was just a titch over confident when thinking about this cake. I thought it would EASY PEASY...not so much.

This is where my knight comes in! Hubby is the calm one. The one that brings back to the ground when I get out of control. The one who always knows what to do. This again, is why I adore him.

By about 10:00PM he had helped me cut and stain the mast for the boat, gave me ideas on shapes and sizes, and eventually had to get to bed because he had to work the next morning. It was probably for the best, because when I had to make another batch of icing at 11:30, I might have cried if he was watching.

At about...

Hubby realized that I was still working on this damn cake!

He came out of the bedroom to help me keep my cool, give me some ideas,

help fix some corners, and tell me everything was going to be okay.

He stayed up with me until I was done, and then got up at 6:00 the next morning. He is pretty much amazing.

Overall I think everyone liked the cake, and so did Jennifer which is most important. The shower was great and it was so exciting to be apart of their special event!

Happy Decorating and Happy Marriage!

Handy Husband

Sometimes I think I take my handy hubby for granted. I just assume that all men are born with the ability to build a table and chair set out of Popsicle sticks and glue....

I always thought my dad was handy when I was younger...as I get older, I have come to realize that I think he just liked all the "toys". Don't get me wrong, he is handy...to an extent, be he has no problem handing off the task/issue/exploding pipe to the professionals.

My husband on the other hand, likes to figure things out. When we moved into our first house, I decided I didn't like the faucets in our bathrooms and we needed new, more up-to-date ones. He said no problem and let me pick out exactly what I wanted. As he is crawling under the cabinet in our bathroom with a wrench in hand, and instructions thrown to the side, I politely asked him..."so you have done this before, right?". From the hole now gawping from our counter top, I hear "nope, but I will figure it out!". This confirmed my ever growing love.

Oh yeah...and he installed the tile too. Not bragging...just sayin'! : )

Then there was this project when we decided he wanted to replace our rat infested (seriously...there were nests...SICK) railroad ties with a stone wall...
BEFORE (during demolition)
AFTER
(Obviously it didn't take him that long, but this gives you an idea of the work he had cut out for him. Each one of those stone/brick things weighs like 80 pounds...we had 2 pallets...I supervised and supplied the lemonade.)


What is the point of this post you ask, well let me just get down to it. My parents recently (as of yesterday) took over ownership of our hot tub (aka they got it out of our backyard...thank GOD). We have two sets of usable steps (that you use to get in and out of the hot tub) left that are currently being utilized by the dogs to get up and down The Great Wall of Holladay. I told my adorable husband that we would need to soon part with at least one set to give to my parents. He protested saying that the dogs needed them, and while I agreed 100%, I just couldn't bear the phone call from my dad saying that my mother pulled a groin muscle trying to hoist herself in and out of the hot tub because she didn't have these exact steps.

After some bickering back and forth, I dropped the discussion. You can imagine my surprise when I came home from work to find my husband building...YES LADIES, I SAID BUILDING...a new set of steps.


Nothing like the smell of sawdust on a warm, Texas afternoon.

I proceed to watch him build these steps and I was just in awe. He had looked at the others, figured a plan, bought the wood needed, and began to construct all in about an hour. Amazing.

And yes, he is still wearing his work clothes!

And after about 30 minutes...

I had a brand new set of steps...

or I guess I should say, Vegas has a brand new set of steps!

Signing Off to give my hubby some sugar! Happy Building!