holla at a hump day

Whoa, hey Wednesday night, where'd you come from?

Has this week been super screwy for all of you too? Sunday I thought it was Monday, Monday I had no clue what was going on, and Tuesday and Wednesday have completely smooshed and become one, so I am ridiculously behind. 

I love this little dog. She's an amazing dog. She loves going on hikes, and has proven herself to be an awesome running buddy, keeping up with me on my 3 and 5 miles runs so far. 

On a more morbid note, while coming home from my 5 mile run on Tuesday, I noticed a helicopter circling the area, and the 5 police cars I had seen on my way out were joined by far more. There was also a a news van and crew with their camera pointed at the percolation pond...at the end of my street. Creepy right? I found out later from Ashley, who actually watches the news, that the police pulled a man's body out of the pond. Later I asked my apartment management what happened. It seems that an intoxicated man decided to go for a swim, and that didn't turn out so well for him. It's very sad, but I was glad there was no nefarious reason a body was dragged from the pond literally a block from my apartment. 

 There was a small motor boat that belongs to the Sheriff's dept., as well as a load of people on the side of the pond while they checked out the area. 

One of the local News station vans was on scene filming the body retrieval.

Later on Tuesday, I picked up the newest book of the Starcrossed trilogy by Josephine Angelini! I read Starcrossed back in September, and loved every page. I was so bummed I would have to wait until May for the next one to come out because I needed more of the story right away! 

The wait was surely worth it. 

Dreamless is book 2 of the series, and oh. my. god. I couldn't put it down! The entire book was action packed, the pacing was superb, the characters are so real and well written you feel everything they are going through. I finished it in two sittings, busting through 300 pages the first day. Truly a great series by a super sweet author. Every time I have tweeted about the books and included @JosieAngelini, she has responded or favorited my tweet! There are not many authors who have the time, patience, or desire to answer their fans, and I just love that Josie makes that extra connection. I recommend these books for sure!

Dude, the shine on my face from oil and a camera flash is ridiculous. You would think I would start carrying a pressed powder compact with me or something, right? lol

Friday's Letters

Happy Friday lovelies!

Linking up with Ashley at Adventures of Newlyweds for Friday's letters!

Dear Billy, thank you for being such an amazing husband. It was wonderful to celebrate another anniversary with you, even if we really don't "celebrate anniversaries" much :) Also, thank you for putting up with my "needs" lately, and for not letting us act on them in fear of an unwanted pregnancy with my super eggs on the loose. How you stopped my fervent advances, I will never know, and now I realize you have the restraint of a saint!

Dear Sadie, how are you so cute? Even when you ran away from me at the park and headed straight to a BBQ, I couldn't get mad at you because your full on sprint is pretty amazing. I love how much you cuddle too! Your morning ritual of squirming and rubbing yourself all over me is ridiculous and so sweet. Every time I come home, no matter how long it's been, you make my entire day with your enthusiasm and joy!

Dear weather, please don't freak out and send in rain and thunderstorms as forecast. I am really looking forward to an afternoon run and par course exercises with Ashley and her friend Kate. Thunderstorms would really put a damper on our excursion. 

Dear Ashley, thanks for hosting, yet again! You are such a sweetheart, and it's been great hanging out with you! Having someone to hike and hangout with during the week when everyone else is at work is awesome. I am stoked about our upcoming photoshoot, it's going to be fun!

8

8 years ago, on the evening of May 23, 2004, as I was sitting next to my best friend Billy, a thought struck me: 

I don't want to be with anyone else. 

I would never find another boy who was man enough, perfect enough, for me. Gathering my courage, I looked at him, and in a rush of words I asked him to not only be my best friend, but to also be my boyfriend. As I continued to stumble on my words, fighting a rising tide of embarrassment, a huge smile broke out on his face, his eyes lit up, and softly, he said "yes, of course." 

***************************************

8 years later, I am married to the person who is still my best friend. We still laugh together all of the time, geek out over our hobbies and interests together while politely pretending to care. He is still the person I immediately go to with a troubled heart or problem, and whether or not it can be fixed, he always listens intently, and gives me such solid advice. We still cuddle, walk hand in hand, and give each other hugs and kisses before either leaves for the day, then again when we come home. 

I can't wait to grow old with him.

Over 8 years ago I told my family "I'm going to marry Billy."

 "Are you even dating him?" was their response. 

"Nope, but I have the rest of my life to date him, I am going to marry him."

Here's to the rest of our lives, my love! 

I fully delved into photo albums to find the prints above. It was before digital cameras were all the rage, when Kodak disposable cameras, and developing film, was still king. 

Me llamo Adriana

"Only fools live in the past or carry envy to the present." 

--Chi Chi Rodriguez, Puerto Rican golfer

"Bigger than life is not difficult for me. I am bigger than life." 

--Rita Moreno, Puerto Rican actress

The reason I used the above quotes is solely because the people who spoke them are Puerto Rican. 

Because....

I'm going to Puerto Rico! 

But not until November. 

(ahhh phooey, I hate waiting!)

I bought a Groupon for a 5 night stay at the Water Beach Club Hotel in San Juan...

Hello, lovely rooftop pool and lounge where I shall be spending some time!

...and I just can't wait to see the beautiful island my wonderful husband's family is from! When Billy told his dad today that we are going to PR, he got teary and said "you really want to go there? That's wonderful!" I think both he and my mama-in-law miss their island home, and the rest of the family that is still there. I am very much looking forward to meeting a few of Billy's relatives, though he says he won't let them all know, as we would need to stay a long time to see them all properly.

I need to brush up on my high school Spanish, what I do remember won't get me far! I took two years of French, followed by two years of Spanish, and only vaguely remember either. I sometimes mix the little French I know with my Spanish. I used to get in trouble by my Spanish teacher for using French pronunciations {Hablo Anglais...no, Ingles?!) Confession, I had to ask Billy how to say my post title!! I think Rosetta Stone is in my future, geesh.

Have any of you been to Puerto Rico? What are some must-sees? 

Sadie's thoughts

 Humans are to pet me, at all times. Should you stop petting me, I will bury my head under your hand so at least you are touching me.

I love playing tug-o-war and chasing after my toys, but I will abandon my games to dive bomb your hands if I  think petting would be better. 

Squished up next to you is my place. That's where I will be anytime you sit down. Bonus if I can snuggle under a blanket. 

 Food is for the weak. I eat when I want, and however much I want. My food bowl will eventually get cleaned over the course of the day, but you won't catch me eating it all at once like a glutton. 

 The kitties are peculiar playmates. They don't want to play tug, or chase, but at least they keep me company sometimes. They should be more dog-like.
Car rides are THE BEST! Bonus if I get to sit on your lap and stick my head out the window.
I like hiking with other doggies, and in a moment of extreme braveness I may run after them into a creek...until I realize it gets deep and scary, then I'll come back and not want to go  in again.
I like to smile.
Belly rubs are divine.
I've made the living room into my very own extreme sports gym. I love doing laps around it, bouncing off all of the furniture, and sometimes the people too!
I would really like it if mom and dad let me sleep in bed with them. Mom has been extra generous this week after her surgery and let me snuggle with her while she naps, but night time they still won't let me in.
I prefer beef flavored soft treats. Those hard biscuits are not as good. More treats!
Squirrel!

recuperating

Hi friends! Just wanted to give you a quick update on my latest egg retrieval surgery. 

Monday morning bright and early my mom came by to collect me, and we headed off to the fertility clinic surgery center. I was all prepped for the procedure, and got to chat with my mom for about 2 hours before the doctor was ready. This time around I had the head honcho working on me. This doctor owns the whole fertility practice, as well as the ambulatory surgery center where I would have the procedure. He is very nice, but has a lot of responsibilities, which made for the slightly longer wait time than usual. 

The procedure went as planned and I spend some time recovering, falling in and out of sleep, and asking my mom the same question about 3 times: "How many eggs did they get?" That would be 26, the exact same number as the 3rd cycle. The nurses had mentioned before surgery that it is common to see a decrease in the amount of eggs each cycle gets, but I guess that's not the case with my hyper fertile self :)

I was released about an hour or so after surgery and was able to go home. I munched on a few saltines and had some vitamin water with a Vicodin before heading off to nap. I woke up about an hour later, and called Sadie into bed with me, so I had an extra snuggle partner, as my cat Hemi was already curled up with me. Sadie was in heaven, as she never gets to come to bed with us. 

A few hours later I woke up, ready to eat. I grabbed a bowl of fruit from the fridge and a couple of cookies my mom had brought over and munched while watching TV with her. I started feeling nauseous around 6, so I took some anti-nausea meds, but that didn't stop me from being sick right as Billy came home from work. Welcome home, baby! About 2 hours later, after scarfing down some burritos my mom made, and probably eating way too much, too soon, I started feeling sick again, so I took more anti-nausea meds. They made me extra sleepy, so I just went to sleep. The nausea is something new for this cycle, as Billy usually tells the nurses to give me something for it while I am at the hospital, and I've never been sick before. 

Tuesday I felt way better, though still tired after 10 hours of sleep. I took Sadie for a very slow walk when I got up, and had a few cookies for breakfast, because what better excuse than having surgery can I use to get away with that?! I fell asleep on the couch, then decided to go back to bed only 2 hours after getting up, and slept for close to 4 hours, easily. I am extra sleepy this cycle it seems. Thankfully no nausea was present, so I feel it was just a reaction to the anesthesia and the Vicodin.

I've been catching up on TV, and reading 50 Shades Darker, which trying to keep still and relax. 

What have you been up to this week?

Tasty Tuesday {Tomato and basil recipes}

Hello! My friend Cassie, whom I have known since high school and just love, has a weekly blog feature called Tasty Tuesdays that she puts out to share her wonderful food creations. Every week I am left craving whatever she has posted, so I thought I would link up this week for the fun!

I don't know if it was because of my hormones, or more related to the farmer's market produce I picked up, but Sunday after work all I wanted to do was make appetizers to eat. I had bought a bunch of basil while the market was in full swing outside my salon, and had the idea that I wanted to make easy caprese skewers when I got home. As I shopped for the mozzarella at the store after work, my one dish idea turned into three! Because of the basil and tomatoes already on the menu, bruschetta was definitely in order, and then guacamole became a necessity also. 

Yup, two dips and a skewer. It's the first time all week I have wanted to sort of cook, so I went with it. Thankfully we headed over to Billy's family's house to celebrate mother's day and I was able to take my dishes to share. The last time I made guacamole I ate the whole bowl in an afternoon. Probably not a good idea. Lucky for you, I am sharing the recipes I used to indulge my cravings! 

Caprese skewers

Ingredients:

1 12oz container of small marinated mozzarella balls

1 container of grape tomatoes

1 bunch of fresh basil

Directions:

Starting with large basil leaves, thread a toothpick through one end, and add a tomato, follow with a ball of mozzarella, and bring the other end of the basil leaf around and thread onto toothpick. Repeat as necessary until you have assembled as many skewers as you would like, or run out of any ingredients. Easy, and so fresh and tasty!

Bruschetta

Ingredients:

7 plum tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

8 basil leaves, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

1 baguette French bread or similar  

1/4 cup olive oil

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 450F. Slice tomatoes in half length wise, and remove seeds and juice. Chop finely and place in a medium bowl. Add minced garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and chopped basil. Give a good stir to combine, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Slice baguette on the diagonal. Brush with olive oil, and place oil side down on a baking sheet. Bake for 4-5 minutes, or until just golden brown. You can top the baguette slices with the bruschetta mix and serve, or allow your guests to spoon the mixture on themselves. 

Guacamole

Ingredients:

4 ripe avocados

1 lime, juiced {about 2-3 tbsp}

2 plum tomatoes, deseeded and chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 bag Tostitos scoops or other tortilla chip of your choice

Directions: 

Halve each avocado, remove pits and scoop flesh into a large bowl. Add lime juice and toss to coat. Add salt, cumin, and cayenne, then using a potato masher or a ground meat mixer, smash the avocado flesh until it's mostly creamy with some chunks, or to a consistency you enjoy. Fold in tomato and garlic. Serve with chips.