No millions for us

We did not win the Powerball, we knew we wouldn't but it was fun to daydream about what we'd do if we were suddenly multi-millionaires.   First on my list, after getting set up with a lawyer and a money manager -- take a fabulous trip!  I do hope the people who won the money put it to good use for their community and that they are able to manage it well, its amazing and sad how many stories you see of people who become very wealthy and then lose it all through mismanagement and excess.

I'm getting sick, I'm trying to beat it but I am pretty sure I'm coming down with what K had over the holidays.  Sore throat, congestion, so far I have sneezing not coughing.....not sure if its better to know whats ahead of you or worse -- at least this time its not a stomach bug, those are the WORST!

The Christmas lights we put in the bushes make me happy, they are already on when i get home from work in the evening.  'Net' lights are the way to go if you want to put lights in the bushes.  They look pretty festive and keep us from looking like the Grinch of the neighborhood.  They are nowhere near as elaborate as many of our neighbors, but we like them.    For our own safety we'll probably NEVER have lights on the roof.  I remember walking around on the roof at my house growing up to help my dad, as a kid it was no big deal, now I'm like hell no...I'd fall off (if I ever managed to get up on it in the first place).  We'll enjoy their lights and put ours up where we can do so with 2 feet on the ground.

Thanksgiving recap

We had a good Thanksgiving with my family.  Poor Kevin hasn't been feeling well most of the weekend so it was more low-key than most years.

Kevin didn't start feeling bad until Thanksgiving day, so we were able to enjoy a great night out on Wednesday night.   I'd seen a sign that a Beatles tribute band would be playing at a bar near our house, and knew it'd be a great date night.   Kevin is a HUGE Beatles fan and the show was great to see.   We had no idea that it would be as popular as it was, we were lucky to get a table in the back.  The band was playing on the outdoor patio and we also lucked out that I had a couple of jackets in my car.  It had been warm that day, but cooled off once the sun went down.    We had a great time watching the band (and occasionally singing along) - they were in costume and had different outfits for each of the 3 sets -- to go along with the different time periods of the Beatles.    Houston area people - they are called the Fab 5.

We decided to have our Thanksgiving meal on Friday since we both had work on Wednesday and so that we could fully enjoy the Texans game on tv that day (overtime?!? again), it also gave us some extra time to get everything ready.   It worked out really well!   My parents came up on Thursday and watched the end of the game with us (we had a casserole -something easy since the main event was the next day) and we did a lot of the food prep on Thursday (including smoking the turkey), then while everyone else was shopping til they dropped on Friday we had our big meal.  It was 6 of us this year, my sister and her boyfriend drove over late Thursday after spending time with his family.  We missed having my brother and his wife with us, but completely understand why they couldn't make the trek - their work schedules just wouldn't allow it, and his school schedule is keeping him running as well.  We have fingers crossed that Christmas plans work out for us to all celebrate together.

We had a pretty lazy weekend, and ate more than our fair share of desserts....

grocery cart hospital

Yesterday morning I had to buy gas and so I went to my local Kroger (my gas station is in the parking lot).   Driving through, I saw that all of the grocery carts were gathered up next to a big truck and two guys were each working on a cart that was flipped over in front of them.   I'd never thought much about when or where they fix the grocery carts, its hard to find a time they aren't in use.   Now I know -- early in the morning, and right before Thanksgiving (I'm sure EVERY ONE of them will be in use today).  I hope that they fixed  the stuck wheels that I always seem to end up with....

I did my shopping on Sunday and went to another store to grab one item on Monday.  Both stores were busier, just put on your patience hat.  I really hope I can avoid the craziness of the grocery store today.

We're each working today.  Kevin is one of those mean professors, he's holding class today....but now he knows better for next year.   I'm hoping that it'll be quiet and I can get a lot of work done!


Our turkey is already brining and we'll be welcoming guests and fixing food tomorrow, and watching the Texans game!  

I probably won't get on much this weekend, so HAPPY early THANKSGIVING!

Color Run

I had a great time today at the Color Run.  It was my first ever 'color run' (or in my case: WALK) and I was able to participate with my sister and her boyfriend (aka gourmet and gamer).

We were a little unsure of the weather, since it was raining when we drove over, luckily the rain stopped and it was cloudy for the walk. Cloudy I can deal with, walking 3 miles in the rain I cannot.

The atmosphere was so much fun as we got ready to walk - music and dancing all around us - and the fun continued throughout the course.   I loved seeing all the outfits - tutus galore, and Laura surprised me with some fun socks.

Each kilometer was its own color and we would get doused with color as we walked through the color zone.   I went up to people to get sprayed/splashed with color, and we saw some people making 'color angels' -- I did not need that much color.  In the yellow section Chris rolled through the color -- very effective, if I tried to do that I'd somehow hurt myself.  We were towards the end of the pack of walkers/runners and so as much as we got i think the people at the beginning got even MORE (we had PLENTY -- they had so much they were picking it up with SHOVELS).

We were able to take some photos, ignore the really blurry ones -- Note to self:  you canNOT take a photo through a plastic bag if you want the photo to turn out.  Had the camera in a bag to protect it from the powder.

I was covered head to toe (even under my clothes) in color, and while it felt good to get cleaned up it was a little sad to wash it all away. 

Its been a great day all around - I made spaghetti for us for dinner and now we're watching the Texans on Sunday Night Football.  Beat those bears!  Kevin took it easy today since he's been feeling a little under the weather...

This day must be noted.....Kevin decided (on his own) to cook vegetables as part of our dinner, and not just any safe vegetable - butternut squash and green beans with pine nuts.   The green beans were good, the butternut squash was great!  They both accompanied pecan crusted fish.   Kevin outdid himself and I think he may need to become the cook of the house, though I'm not sure he'll go for it.

He baked the squash, scraped it (my contribution to the meal) and pureed it with some syrup and a pinch of salt.  We needed spoons more than forks to eat it, and he liked it!

We have such different approaches to cooking, he just 'wings it' and I want to try that approach more often..

He was inspired by his meal at Backstreet cafe a while back.   If this is the result of a nice meal, we may have to treat ourselves more often :)

Getting excited about the Color Run this weekend and the Texans on Sunday night football!

November

How are we already almost a week into November?    I'm in denial that Thanksgiving is in TWO weeks.....only partial denial since we're working on the menu (we're hosting!) but denial.

Its election day and so we are watching returns. I'm so tired of elections that I'm tempted not to watch it at all but have to see how it all turns out.

I have no real news to share, so here is a list of randomness


- putting our lamps on timers has changed my world.  Its not as big a deal since with the time change it gets light earlier, but Kevin's great idea and $12 mean the room is lit when I wake up and I don't have to creep through the dark to turn on lights. A good thing since I am clumsy.   I've been enjoying them for several weeks now.

-  whoever decided where light switches should go when they built our house was a moron.   The ones you come to first control the garbage disposal and dishwasher --- the first one should control LIGHTS, I shouldn't have to walk in the dark to the far side of the kitchen...

- the time change will probably get to me later, but for now I love that it is light earlier in the day - no more leaving for work in the dark.

- I attended my first Texans game of the year on Sunday, and loved it.  It was appreciation day for Veterans, a great game to attend.  They released an eagle that flew through the stadium and down to a handler before the game.  So majestic.   They also honored Veterans and active service members throughout the game.