Fun with Photos

One of my Christmas gifts was Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac.  I didn't really have a chance to figure it out until recently.  I bought a "how to" book and I have been reading a lot on the internet.  Here are some of my edits. 

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

My Grandad's Shed in New Braunfels

Bunco Cake

I made this Bunco Cake for an FRG meeting last week.  It was a sour cream vanilla cake with buttercream icing and fondant accents.

Going to the Chapel

Hilary and Ryan got married this past weekend and I made the trek back from WA to TX to be the Matron of Honor!  It was a fun filled weekend packed with wedding activities galore.  Hilary was a beautiful bride and the wedding was really fun!  If only Mark could have been home to go with me... My favorite part of the weekend was getting to catch up with all of my Pom girls from Tech.  They are truly some of my best friends and I miss seeing them on a daily basis.  Here are a few pics from the weekend.

All the Tech Pom girls

L.O.V.E.

I am loved!!!!!  I always knew that I was loved by my amazingly thoughtful husband, but he took advantage of Valentine's Day to really show me!  It all started with Lishy Lu day on Saturday when a dozen and a half gorgeous red roses were delivered along with some Godiva chocolates.  And, my Dad also joined in on the L.O.V.E. and sent me one dozen delicious chocolate covered strawberries...and that was just the beginning!

This morning I awoke to an email in my inbox from the husband.  It had a hand written note scanned and attached and it was by far the most touching letter I have ever read!  It also had the most adorable poem on it!!!  He just melts my heart!  Then I was able to open my Valentine's gift that looked something like this.  

Every girl knows where a box that looks like this came from!!!!  This was my first little blue box and opening it was pretty exciting!  It was a beautiful and dainty diamond necklace.  Unfortunately, the chain was tangled and knotted up.  :(  Luckily, the customer service at Tiffany & Co. is amazing and they are picking it back up on Tuesday to exchange it.  I guess I will have to wait a bit longer to wear my new bling.  

Tomorrow is the last day of this little tri-fecta holiday and it is called Lulubelle day!  Mark is treating me to a spa day...complete with a massage, facial, pedi, mani and lunch!  OK, I admit it....I might be a little spoiled...or just extremely loved!!!!  

Spin, Swim, Run, Repeat

I have finally settled into a little rhythm here in the Pacific NW.  I'm loving my new workouts!  Spinning is really great fun and burns tons of calories.  And by tons, I mean around 400, which is A LOT for 45 minutes of exercise.  I really enjoy the music and keeping to the beat with the bike.  It is like dancing on a bike!  I have also started swimming, which I am thoroughly enjoying.  It is so much easier on my joints than pounding the pavement.  My shoulders are pretty sore from it, but that means it's working, right!?  And then, I am still running.  Only twice a week and short distances...around 2-3 miles.  I just don't think I will ever LOVE to run, but I'll keep on trying.

Other news:
Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist:  I think it might be the worst movie I have ever watched.  An hour and a half of pure torture.  Take my advice and DO NOT subject yourself to this movie.  I am officially dumber after watching it.

Tomorrow is Lishy Lu day!  This is a holiday that my husband created in 2007.  It is the day before Valentine's day.  You see, everyone gets flowers or gifts or whatever on the official day, but very few get flowers and showered with love the day before!  So, I have been told to stick close to the house tomorrow because there might be a special delivery...Stay Tuned.  Oh, and I have a lovely little box sitting next to me that I'm not allowed to open until he says to....Patience is not one of my strengths.  :)

My Official Countdown

Check out this adorable counter that my dear friend Ashley made for me.  She has been making them for other occasions, but I thought it would be perfect for a deployment count down.  I just love it!  I will display it proudly and I will watch the days tick away.

Things to Ponder On a Monday

1.  Why my blender insists on making chunkies instead of smoothies.  Seriously, it is a nice Kitchen Aide blender that has not been used all that much.  The moment I turn it on, it flings all of the ingredients to the side of the pitcher and just spins.  It spins so hard without chopping or mixing items that is manages to unscrew itself and the ingredients of my smoothie begin to flow out of the bottom of the mixer.  So, not only is it a waste of perfectly good and expensive organic fruit, it is very frustrating!!!  I might have to break down and buy a new one soon...

2.  Why the post office workers move at a snails pace when there is clearly a line out the door and practically wrapped around the building.  I waited just at an hour to mail a package today!  BRUTAL!  I would assume that the workers would see that the line is getting longer and longer...children are screaming...people are sighing...and they would kick into high gear.  Wrong assumption!  It actually seems that the longer the line gets, the slower they move.

3.  Why kiosk people in the mall feel the need to annoy me every time I walk past...especially the guys with the hand scrub/lotion.  Obviously, if I needed your special lotion to make my hands soft, I would spot and ask.  I understand that they are just trying to do their job and make some money, which is great!  But, I think that their boss should inform them that harassing the mall patrons as they walk by isn't a great sales tactic.

That's all for today....

Concerns about the Triathlon

While having coffee with my dear friend Amy yesterday, I began to express some of my concerns about the triathlon.  They are really minute details that I really shouldn't be concerned about at this point, but I just need to make sure I have the proper gear to perform at my best ability.  Ok, so...First the swim...I do have a bathing suit, but apparently, I will need a wetsuit because it will be rather cold in the lake.  I know that we have several wet suits at my parents house, I just need to find the perfect one.  We all know that wet suits do not make you warm.  You first have to submerge yourself into the frigid temps to get the cold water into the suit.  Then, your body heats up the water inside the wet suit to keep you warm.  Whatever!  It does not keep you that warm.  How cool would I look in a dry suit?  Another issue about the swim...a cap.  To wear one...or not to wear one.  I know that fashion isn't the top priority, but seriously!  Who looks good in a swim cap?  

Ok...so after I successfully don't drown and get out of the icy water then what?  Do I bike and run in a wet swim suit?  Or do I wear a jog bra underneath the wetsuit, take off the suit and put on a dry t-shirt and shorts?  And what about socks and shoes?  Where are those hanging out while I am swimming?  Once, I finish the swim/transition, I feel like I will be OK.  Seriously, I use to ride my bike for hours on end as a kid....how hard can it be.  And then the run?  Well...I did 13.1, pretty sure I can run 4.  

Doppleganger Week

Here is my look-a-like according to myheritage.com.  What do you think?