A Blog Post

I am back!! Briefly!! I don’t feel ready to commit to regular blogging but I guess we’ll see what happens.  Since I’ve had writers block for about a year now I thought I’d get the juices flowing with the help of these fill-in-the-blank type questions.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy my mind vom!

1.  I don't get enough... this is a toss up between naps and hugs from my mom.  I’ll go with hugs.  Luckily my mom and dad are coming to visit me in two weeks!!!  My dad likes us to have a “Clipboard of Fun” prepared when he visits (channeling Danny Tanner) so I’m going to be sure to add hugs in several of the open time slots.

2. My favorite indulgence is... Oh man another toughy.  Now it’s a toss up between naps and Taco Bell.  But I have to go with Taco Bell on this one (can’t believe naps has lost twice in a row).  I have been obsessed with Taco Bell since childhood.  The addiction only got worse when the only way my dad could convince me to try out for the under 14 volleyball team was to promise me TB whenever I wanted it.  It worked and my love for it has never waned. 

Suddenly this Cambell’s Soup on the Go is totally unappetizing…If I’m supposed to be able to drink my soup out of this thing, then clearly there are not enough noodles!  Someone get me a bean burrito with no onions stat!

3. I made a major change in my life when... I moved to Upstate New York for James’ job almost two years ago.  I knew things would be different here than in California, but I thought most of the challenges would revolve around figuring out my way around and making new friends.  While those things were difficult, I just can’t get over how DIFFERENT this place is.  The people, the landscape, the weather…everything.  I learn something new about the area all the time.  For example, yesterday a friend told me about how she had seen tons of guys “trout scouting.”  What is this you ask?  A day or two before Trout fishing season, all the fisherman go stand out in the middle of the creeks and check out the fish…I guess to see which ones they want to catch??? I have no idea.  Makes no sense to me but it’s a thing here!  Who knew?

4. You should read... The most recent book I’ve read is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and I guess I would recommend it.  It kept me interested the entire way through, had lots of twists and turns and at the end had me yelling, “Noooooooo!”  possibly because it was over….or maybe because the ending was cray cray.  You’ll have to read to find out! Dun dun dun!!!!

5. My secret ingredient is... Naps!! If I don’t get a good nap in, nothing’s getting cooked!  Finally a win for naps :)  

That’s all for now.  Must finish drinking my flavored-liquid-called-soup lunch. 

A New Season

Fall has always been my favorite season.  The changing of the leaves, the cooler weather, overcast days, warm drinks, cider scented candles, pumpkin flavored pastries, pumpkin flavored...anything....ahhhh.  Fall is awesome.  But there is suddenly a new season in the running for the top spot, at least for me.

Spring

I never really noticed it before.  In California it would rain and be kind of cold for a few months, then it was summer as far as I was concerned.  Maybe it's because I have my own house this time around and I get to take some joy out of seeing the tulips popping up in our flower beds...or maybe it's the fact that I just made it through the coldest, most horrible winter of my life.  Yes, that's probably what it is.  Sunday I went outside without a jacket on for the first time in four months.  It was heavenly.  I've transitioned from these:

To these:

And I couldn't be happier about it.  Each afternoon I stare longingly out the window of my office and wait for the moment when I can burst out that door and spend the afternoon outdoors, walking Max or sitting on our back patio browsing a magazine while sipping a cool drink.  It's heaven, it really is.  I've never wanted to be outside so much in my entire life.  New York winter has changed me. 

However, this nice weather isn't without it's downside.  We have officially turned off the heat and opened the sliding door....but it seems our little doggie doesn't know what a screen is....

See the hole?? He ran full speed at the screen on Monday and ripped a hole with his face.  That dog...

Last night I woke up to thunder and lightening, and today is still dreary...but I know the sun will come back soon, and when it does I'm going to pounce on it, because I know before too long it will be so stinkin' hot that I will be hiding indoors again with my face in the freezer. Aaaah, New York.

Annoying Dog Post

Spring Wreath

Bang Bang

Hey guys, big news in the Smith household: I got bangs! I'm not sure how I feel about them yet but I was dying for a change and I sure got one! I held a photo shoot with myself a few minutes ago so... Here you go! Hope you like the new look!

Crazy Girls

Our first weekend with house guests was a success! Max didn't eat anyone so we were happy about that. Pics include our staticky couch, sandblasting glass at the Corning Museum of Glass, kiddies playing in empty boxes we haven't thrown away yet, and Violet just being cute. Good times :)

Family Room/kitchen

Soon our new house will be filled with our first house guests-- the Starling family!! Since we have sort of cleaned up in preparation for their arrival I figured it was a good time to take some pics. The first one is a before pic of the living room and the rest were taken today. We're not quite done decorating but I think it looks pretty good for now!! Also, the usual bonus pic of Max who doesn't know he's about to be invaded by three little trouble makers!!