Yoo 532 - Clothes Shopping

^^ those heels are actually filled with water and plastic fish. darn shame they weren't my size. ^^

I hate clothes shopping.

First, I have a weird body to fit. I'll walk into a dressing room with 10 different pairs of jeans and then an hour later walk out of that same dressing room with 10 pairs of jeans to return to the fitting attendant. It doesn't make me many friends.

Second, women's clothes are COMPLICATED. My mind can't piece things together past the basic shirt and pants. And now even pants come in a million colors and patterns! Have I ever bought accessories? Not on purpose.

Third, on the off-chance that I do find something I like that fits and has passed my durability and wrinkle-free tests, it costs waaaaaaay more than I want to spend. Even on sale. Spending money on clothes just never tops my financial priorities.

Also related, I have no sense of style. At least for myself. I can look at clothes on mannequins and people who know how to dress and see things I like and don't like. But when it comes to picking things out for me, nada. Unless it's sports clothing.

Hence why the last time I bought anything to wear on my person, it was a nice rain jacket over a year ago. I do not exaggerate.

Greg left the window open and now there's a huge bee in my house. Hold tight.

Ok. There's still a bee in my house but at least it's contained.

So, last night, being in a particularly down mood at the news that a certain actuary exam did not go as hoped for, I decided it was the perfect time to go clothes shopping. My morale couldn't possibly dive any lower and I had just ripped the crotch on yet another pair of pants. That sounds really bad, I know. It's a fat person problem.

The night began at a discount clothing store. I tried on jeans and dresses and shoes but instead walked out with two new dog toys for Roscoe.

Success!

Another cheap store. Nothing. An expensive store. Very motivated yet unsuccessful sales people. Goodwill.

Ah, Goodwill. We had all night and spent a long while in Goodwill, sorting thru every rack of jeans and colored pants. Even made a few friends. We'd watch out for their sizes and they'd keep an eye out for ours. After being at the shopping thing for over 3 hours, I DID find ONE pair of jeans I could live with.

But just a pair of jeans. And a hockey stick for 2 bucks.

I'm well into my twenties. Will this clothes shopping thing ever get any easier? I think I need to consider a nudist colony or find a job with a more casual dress code. Like basketball shorts and t-shirts casual. With the same pay, of course.

I'm being serious.

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 509 - On The Bike Again

The weather was favorable Saturday evening and we finally went on our bike ride! We were really pathetic but it was so much fun. Stealthily changing from church clothes to padded spandex in the car, practicing with our clipless pedals in the parking lot to prevent a crash landing, and taking turns announcing how much we hurt every mile.

Ahhhh, on the road bike again.

We just rode along the greenway trail to avoid hills and so we'd be closer to our dinner after. Like I said, pathetic.

But it was beautiful. Golden hour and my favorite person leap-frogging on a bike with me.

We tried to make "fancy" New York-style pizza after. This required making the dough before and letting it sit over-night. Can you believe my resolve??

I still need some practice with the crust and we both agreed it needed a lot more cheese, but like most things after a bike ride, it was edible.

I'm toying with the idea of getting one of those Springer bike attachments so Roscoe can go along with us. But I have my doubts on how well-behaved our crazy puppy would be...and neither of us is volunteering to be on the bike to try it.

More stories from a canoe trip with dork dog later.

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 464 - Big League Weekend

Once upon a time, my Greggerly lovest took me to a professional baseball game for Big League Weekend in the Alamodome. He was super excited about it and so I tried to be super excited about it and moral of the story is, I can't act.

THE most exciting part of the game was when the wave took 7 rounds to die down. Why is that such an adrenaline rush?

It made me giggle every single time.

The second most exciting part of the game was when some hitter broke a bat.

And the third most exciting part of the game was when the HEB green, red, and blue dots were racing around the field. Even though my green dude lost.

Eavesdropping on the people around us filled the gaps for me, not necessarily the game below.

Maybe if the players would go back to wearing those tight pants instead of the baggy ones that they step all over! Some selfish man made a depriving decision...

Oh! Let's not forget my rousing rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". That turned a few heads.

But mostly I just whined that I'd forgotten to wear my baseball glove and how that had to go on my bucket list because one cannot live a fulfilled life without having worn a baseball glove to a professional baseball game and at least been prepared to catch a foul ball.

Sum total of the night:  "From this day forth", decreed the husband, "you are no longer my baseball game buddy of choice!" So let it be written, so let it be done, I guess. Unless it's the All-You-Can-Eat seats at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. I have added a wife exception to that decree that prohibits him from attending under those circumstances with anybody else.

Lastly, these flowers. I picked them and placed them in a mason jar on my table and it's one of the most hipster things I've ever done. Do we consider that hipster? I feel like I would see this on a hipster blog.


Anyways, they make me hope for a future filled with adventurous children that play away the day and then bring me home a handful of dandelions to perch on the dinner table.

Maybe after a baseball game where they chased butterflies around right field the whole time. Lord knows that's where I spent all my softball-playing days...

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 424 - He Won Gymnastics Tickets

There was a bit of excitement and pride felt on Friday morning as the Gregcontestant proudly texted:

"I'm about to be on 1200"

Radio station 1200 for Charlie Parker's "Flashback" contest, that is.

I excitedly put my headphones on and tuned in. And then I got nervous. My husband was about to be on the radio! What if he messed up? What if he sounded like a dork? Ahhhhh!

Oh me of little faith.

The radio fairies played a bunch of sound snippets from presidential speeches and songs and other odds and ends from a single year and then put the pressure on my Gregman.

"Which year? 1961, 1962, or 1963?"

And do you know what happened? Probably but I'm going to detail it anyways. That history-nerd-husband of mine, without so much as a pause to ponder, boldly answered: "1963" (see how that's bolded? i have so many tricks.) And then Charlie Parker stopped the game. There were two other contestants but they're kind of pointless after someone gets the answer right.

And the Gregcontestant got the answer right. Clearly.

So he (we) won GYMNASTICS TICKETS*.

That's actually kind of funny if you think about it. I was all excited when he won, thinking it was going to be some grand prize...and then it was...gymnastics tickets. Not to discount the gymnastics tour! It was cool! But they gave me a whole 3 seconds to fantasize over the possibilities and my wishful thinking jumped right over gymnastics tickets, go figure.

I mean, I was sure we'd won a vacation. <-- joking

So there we were, at the "Tour of Gymnastics Champions" Friday night. I thought it was going to be like our Disney on Ice date where we partied it up with a bunch of preteen girls and their parents. But luckily there were enough adult gymnastics enthusiasts that we could blend in.

It might have had something to do with the men. If cheering levels are any indication of gymnastics approval ratings, they definitely went up when these dudes took the floor.

Jordyn Weiber. Still my favorite.

Tron meets trampoline. Awesome.

A diapered man on the parallel bars? Yes.

Blurry...but gets the point across.

Same.

I hate to think what awful things fluorescent pink, yellow, and blue pants would do to my legs and rear. Gymnasts really can wear anything.

***** INTERMISSION *****

Surprisingly, the rhythmic gymnasts had some of the best routines. I never watch them in the Olympics. But live? Jaw-dropping.

And then the men got hoisted up about 20 feet in the air. On the rings. And they did stuff like that ^. Maybe it was a little more impressive.

They were being lowered when I snapped this. So it doesn't do their actual distance-from-the-floor appearance any justice.

But still. That ^ is a man flipping a woman from a handstand on his hands. Not really something you'd yawn thru.

Lights and disco balls. Win.

A blurry Gabby Douglas!

A leotard-signing Gabby Douglas! (everything you do is exciting when you're the all-around gold medalist, i guess).

The women's Olympic team. Also, Nastia Liukin is in that mix too.

And now to the point.

The men's Olympic team.

No, they didn't win a gold medal.

And this might be a bit excessive.

But are you complaining? Ok, the Kyoo dad is probably complaining.

I'll stop.

After this.

The Kyoo sister scolded me saying the show was wasted on my married eyes. She's probably right.

But it was still a great show! Gymnastics continues to inspire and wow me. The stunts they train their bodies to perform??

Kind of awesome.

*(the gregwinner wants me to note that the tickets were worth $80 a piece. something about making his winnings sound more legit?)

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 409 - Subaru Love and a Date

Pardon the horrible embedding on my part, but I had to share. This is my new favorite commercial. I rarely have favorite commercials but I saw this gem today while putting some serious time on the treadmill and it just stole my heart.


I love Subaru. I love the finish when he's sitting there with a box of pizza. I love the whole commercial.

My Greggly man has supported me thru more than one crazy effort and he'll be there for many more. We're hoping to add a Subaru to the family as soon as we can afford one so I guess you could say this is a bit of our dream commercial.

Go Subaru.

In even cheesier news, a spontaneous date night once upon a yesterday. Whilst drumming my fingers on the counter and ho-humming thru restaurant ideas, my phone reminded me that Cici's was appreciating customers with a $2.99 buffet. "Holy macaroni we could eat cheap cheap pizza AND be appreciated Boo!". Sold. Until we rolled up to the nearest Cici's and saw the line was out the door and around the corner.

One of the first times in my life I've turned down a deal because of a wait!

(let me reminisce, for a moment, on the night i slept outside of an einstein bagels with some close friends to get free bagel sandwiches for a year...)

(worth. it.)

But, hello, Costco has even cheaper pizza PLUS you can play with all of their electronics, sample fine cuisine, and try out rows of furniture.

So Costco happened and then a tour of UTSA. Because the Gregstudent wanted to show off his campus and I wanted to see where all my money is going.

We ate Skittles and I started to miss being a student and the excitement of a new semester.

That is, until I saw an assignment left on the board in one of his classrooms.

And remembered how fond I am of payday Thursdays.

How's THAT for a date night?

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 364 - ZOOfari

The Kyoo employer holds a "ZOOfari" or "Zupper at the Zoo" every year to thank employees who volunteer in the band and chorus and a few other groups.

I only slightly exaggerate when I say I live for this event. Maybe not live for, but it is a major incentive to stay in the band and give up my Tuesday nights for rehearsals.

Mostly because it's the best way to see the San Antonio zoo. After-hours. Just a few handfuls of people. Dinner and icecream included.

And fish food. They give you little containers of fish food! It's my favorite part.

Them fishies are crazy about their food bits.

I strategically place each sprinkling of pellets so they have to move all around the pond in great circles, usually right next to the ducks. The ducks just love it when the fishes suddenly converge under their bellies, flopping violently around.

"Tehehehe!"

The Gregoodle just dumped both of this food piles in and let them go to town. His 10-second approach saved him exactly 19 minutes and 50 seconds compared to my approach.

This duck dude was my favorite. His wings were permanently outstretched like he was an airplane! I loved that duck. He got most of my fish food after we met.

The hippo was getting fed too. She was a cutie.

I love their mini legs and feet!

Speaking of hippos, there was an awkward moment when I overheard a nice gentleman standing nearby ask, "Do you think hippos are friendly?"
To which, without a pausing moment to reflect, I flabberghastedly responded, "Heck no! They can be some of the most territorial creatures!"

Milliseconds later I realized he had posed it as an educational, thought-provoking question to his young daughter.

Doh!

Turning around and shoving my hamburger back in my mouth now...

My Gregman had a moment with the elephants.

They were super active. I could stand there for hours watching their trunks. They're so dextrous! It's pretty incredible. And weird.

(please appreciate the fact that i correctly used their, there, and they're in just a couple sentences. that took more than a few proofreads to ensure grammatical accuracy...)

In conclusion, the ostrich. Whose peculiar behavior gave me the haunting impression that he was gouging our eyes out in his mind...and enjoying it.

Creepy fellow.

Mostly I'm a big fan of zoos. So many interesting animals! I didn't even tell you about the wiener-dog deer! Next time...

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 347 - Going to Miss My Boyfriend

I mean, he has been the Kyoo boyfriend for the past (going on almost) 2 years. This time back in 2010 I was texting the Alishafriend about how a certain GH at church needed to ask me out. She agreed.

I had to resort to some pretty drastic measures to get him to notice me though (ie take a day off work to volunteer at youth conference after i noticed him volunteering...) but in the end it was a success. I started hanging out with him and a few of his girly friends and eventually we both figured out we wanted to be more than buddies.

On the 4th of July, no less.

But now here we are, at the end of a good run. If there's one thing distance running has taught me, it's that everything eventually ends.

I've reached a finish line with the Gregboyfriend.

Because he's kind of my fiance now.

How weird is that??

Weird but true.

We found ourselves lost on an evening hike in Friedrich Park just this last night. The weather was beautiful, the setting was hilly and remote, and the conversation was kind of apprehensive and awkward.

A girl I knew in passing at church had died tragically in a car accident just that morning. I wasn't real close with her but she sure was an amazing, inspiring lady. The kind who could light up a room with her smile and strengthen you with her faith and example.

Events like that have a way of reminding you how precious this life is and how quickly everything can change.

So my mind was caught up in a pondering journey of the deepest, most meaningful sorts while the Gregbeau was lost in his own dilemma.

"Should I propose to her now? She seems a little down. This probably isn't the best time. But I have the ring! If I don't I'll have to wait two more weeks! Is it right now? It sure is an ideal setting..."

That kind of dilemma.

We continued hiking with casual conversation while our minds were quite separated, fiercely trying to process their independent troubles. Beautiful vista after beautiful vista passed with no declarations of love or significant questionings.

Also, we got a little lost and this map was entirely unhelpful. That deserves mentioning.

It was at the end of this foray, on a bench very near the parking lot, that the Gregdude and I synced back up. Conversation began to flow again and the timing felt right.

That's when we waited for a handful of joggers to pass.

And then, finally! He fumbled around in his pocket and asked if I'd stay with him forever and be willing to have his 13-pound, bowling-ball-sized-head children, among other, mushier things. Yadda yadda.

I told him he was a dork, that the potential size of his offspring was still off putting, but that it'd make me one happy lady to marry him!

I think I also agreed to take his last name...though I was kind of preoccupied in a stare with the coveted foreign object boldly clinging to my ring finger.

And so it is we're officially engaged and I have myself a fiance! Pretty excited about that! Though all these impending wedding decisions are a little overwhelming...

Here's a few close-ups of the bling for the interested family and friendly people.

He picked it out himself.

We went shopping together a couple times. But of course I could never single down case after case of shiny objects to just a few I liked! I'm not particular...they're all sparkly and pretty to me!

Luckily the Gregdude's got a good eye. I love it and can't stop staring at it like a typical girl!

I guess he comes with it?

Hehe, just kidding. I love him too! Going to miss having a boyfriend but word on the street is marriage is better? We're going to test that theory out...

Have a great day :-)

Yoo 344 - A Miniature Golf Tantrum

Usually, the Gregbeau and I have a pretty amiable relationship. I love being around him, he loves being around me (greg, don't try to deny that...), life is happier together. But sometimes, when we both get really busy and don't make time to date and see each other, I start acting a little like this...

via

That pretty much sums up several conversations the Gregbeau and I have had over the past couple weeks. It was time for a date. And to celebrate the close of another semester for him!

So date we did this past Wednesday night.

Indian cuisine at Mela. Groupon, of course. But I'd go back sans groupon. The food was different but quite delicious! One of those restaurants where you don't order anything by name...you just kind of point and wait for the waiter to pronounce it. At least that's what I did.

They have a delicious buffet but we did their 3-course meal. Some kind of lamb for me and some kind of chicken for the Gregeater. Don't remember the names...

The milkshake tasted like the smell of roses though!

Glow-In-The-Dark Monster Mini golf was next. 

With a soundtrack of 80s and 90s pop music and colorfully painted glowing ghouls, it was a unique spin on the game. We decided it was in the best interest of the night to not keep score though. Mostly because of an incident that occurred the last time we played miniature golf.

It wasn't really my fault. Hangry Kyoo showed up to the date. And all was going well, we were neck and neck, until hole 14. Hole 14 was on top of a stupid hill. The kind of hill where if you don't hit the ball just so, it will glide over the top and back down.

Still hating on that hole!

It was after about my tenth or twelfth swing that I gave up. Gave up in a grand flop on the ground into a mini tantrum.

"I hate miniature golf! I was doing so well! This hole is impossible!"

Though really it wasn't because the Gregputter pretty much birdied the same hole 5 minutes ago. But still, I was hungry AND losing AND basically my life was over therefore rash accusations were justified.

It was in the midst of this fish-flopping and utter ridiculousness that the Gregman looked at me and simply asked, "Have you had dinner?".

I stopped. "No...."

"Ugh, why do you do this? Let's get you some food."

And that was that. Now, I realize this story makes me sound more like his child than his girlfriend. But let's overlook that, shall we, and just say he's really super cool like that and sometimes knows me better than I know myself?

And we've since learned from that experience and now take precautions. Like eating dinner first and not keeping score.

This mini-golf excursion passed without incident.

Also, thought this was funny because it's kind of how I pack when I go camping...or anywhere in general.

We ended with a nice sunset stroll thru Phil Hardberger Park. Now isn't that just romantic?

It was until we hopped on one of the spinning playground toys and made ourselves sick. My body doesn't handle those like it used to!!

Have a great day :-)