A Lot of Love

A little reminder to myself of this love of mine. My new desktop background. Ahhh, the love that flows through my body when I see this handsome one. And oh how I miss him!

The man that belongs to the two human legs in the background isn't so bad either. ;)

Here is a reminder as to why I'm not there right now.

Luke's Second Post: The Other Halves

Yay! Guest post numero TWO from dearest Luke. He has a lot to share and its pretty cute if I do say so myself. Go on now, read it.

Greetings all from the other side of the world (aka home). I thought you all would like to know what’s been going on here while Rachel is in the UK. She’s been gone almost 3 weeks already! Wow, it has gone by pretty fast but on the other hand to she can’t come back soon enough because I miss her and worry about her. Caboose and I are glad she’s having a good time though!

Caboose and I have been getting along pretty well. It is nice to have each other for the company. It hasn’t just been the two of us the whole time though. My sister Beth stayed with us for about a week after her apartment lease was up while she finished up teaching school. It was nice when she was here because, I have to admit, she took good care of us making supper, doing dishes, etc.

Caboose and I have had a few of our own adventures in the last couple weeks…

We took a ride one Saturday afternoon to a race track that I was going to race at that Sunday night. Caboose was either shocked or amazed. Or maybe he was meowing and I caught the photo at the right time. Needless to say, my race wasn’t the best. It started with a broken throttle cable, which led to missing one of my heat races while changing the cable, and a fair performance. It was fun though. It was my first flat track of the year so I wasn’t planning on setting the world on fire. Now that I have a race and some practice under my belt, hopefully this weekend will be better! Caboose was pretty amazed by the race track and can’t wait to get his own bike and gear!

We also took a trip home for the Memorial Day holiday. Caboose stayed with Rachel's Mom and Dad and I went to my parents to work on my bikes and hang out with my family.

Cell phone quality pictures...gotta love 'em.

It’s been going pretty well at the apartment so far. There has really only been one little incident... Before Rachel left, she had a plant that was looking pretty tough. It needed to be replanted and probably didn’t need the extra water I gave it. Long story short, it didn’t make it. I gave it a proper burial and went to Walgreens and found us a new plant! I had no intentions of buying seeds at Walgreens. I went there for milk, saw they had seeds, and found one that looked good! I wanted to surprise Rachel with a new beautiful flowering plant but that plan didn’t work (yet).

I was amazed when the sprouts came up! I was a little unsure at first but, as you can see, I had nothing to worry about. The seeds are growing like wildfire! It will be pretty sweet once it flowers.

I have to throw in this last pic just because caboose is in it! (We all know how much he is loved around here.)

Well that pretty much sums up the last few weeks in the States. All is good on the home front and I will try and keep you updated. Until then, we (Caboose and I) will be here waiting and missing Rachel. It’s not the same without her here. We love her with all our hearts and pray for her safe return.

Love you honey! (Sniffle sniffle) ;)

Days Before Travelling to the UK

The two weeks leading up to my trip to the UK was bittersweet. Luke and I spent a lot of time with both our families and with each other (obviously). I felt like I could cry at any moment because I was thinking of recent events and how much I would miss each one of them while in the UK. I took a lot of pictures at this time, not necessarily with the thought that I could have them while I was here, but because Marissa had just given me her camera and I hadn't used it much before so I wanted the practice. The weather was also beautiful and we couldn't resist being outside. Its fun for me to look through the pictures while I'm here because the memories are so sweet. :)

Thank God for pictures!

A Temporary Change of Residence

I'm taking up residence in the United Kingdom. Yes, you read that right, working in the UK for two whole months! Can you believe it?! I hardly can't either. The only reason I do is because I'm here already! A coworker and I arrived earlier this morning and are just getting settled in.

I've been awake for nearly 31 hours and for some reason I'm not horribly tired. Can't believe that one either. I'm sure I'll crash real soon. I wanted to talk to Luke before going to bed, which I did, and have been waiting for my mom and dad (lucky ducks, they're fishing instead!) but I think I'll be zoncked by the time they come back...

In the meantime, here is what I'm really missing. My dear loved ones, too, of course!

Cool Cat

My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades.

April May Bring...

Quality time with one of my all time favorite four legged friends.

Let's just say 'Over the Hill..."

Easter egg hunt with the fam. Oooh, last year we did egg on spoon races with our parents, Luke, and Aunt Steph and Aunt Cheryl. Hope we can look forward to that this year!

Maybe some bubble blowing or chalk drawings. Yep, we can still be kids and enjoy the joys of life.

Maybe some of this, minus the snow of course.

Hopefully some of this! My very own bike/scooter/moped and its awesome! Just needs a little loving before she hits the road.

Hopefully some beautiful flowers, colors and fresh air.

Probably none of this for me. Its still a little early yet and April is already packed to the brim with plans of all sorts.

If you haven't already guessed it, it will be filled with family, family and more family! Yayy I can't wait! Love, laughter, Spring, and the outdoors in many ways.

What are your plans for one of the greatest months of the year? Yeah, I think I might be a little biased. I must admit, the good ones are born in April.

Warning, This Might Be Gross

A Fun Fact and Get To Know Caboose

My cat goes to the bathroom in the toilet! No litter box exists in my house! How awesome is that?!

When I got my cat, I knew I wanted to try and toilet train him because the stereotype I had of cat owners is that they always smelled, or stunk rather, like their cat. Cat owner's houses always smell gross; as soon as you walk into their house it stinks like a litter box. There is cat hair all over the house and the person's clothes. I could go on and on. While this isn't really true, its what I thought was true. I think because I'm more of a dog person too. The only reason I have a cat is because I can't have dogs in my apartment building. Regardless of why I got my Caboose in the first place, I love him tons and he makes me so happy.

Back to the reason for this post...he's toilet trained. I realize you may never read this again but I'm willing to accept that (no one reads this thing anyways). If you've never seen a cat go to the bathroom on a toilet before, behold!

I know, I know. Just look away if you can't handle it. You're lucky I took the picture with my phone with its poor photo quality.

We endured a few obstacles throughout the training process, and sometimes still do, but I think its totally worth it. I don't have to scoop poop or pee on a daily basis! How can you dislike that?! I guess I'll spare any more details.

If you want to learn how just google "how to toilet train a cat" and you'll figure out pretty much everything you need to know from there. Good luck to you! Keep up the good work Caboose!

Pssst... If you're so outraged by this grossness, what would you like to read about instead? Ideas are welcome. :)

I Believe in a Thing Called Love and Project Complete - Numero Uno

Meal #2 of Valentine's Day weekend was prepared tonight. Shrimp and Chicken Jambalaya. Nearly as tasty as I hoped it would be. Mr. Luke even liked it. He's not a picky eater but is sometimes hesitant when it comes to trying new, home-cooked meals.

The peppers and onions smelled wonderful!

The recipe (from Mark Bittman's How to Cook Everything) didn't include chicken but Luke wanted to have more meat than just shrimp so we some.

The finished product. It looked better in person and definitely tasted better!

Caboose has been having a great Valentine's weekend, including trying to drink out of the water faucet. It didn't work out so well in the end so he gave up and just laid low.

Luke and I made cards for each other...but we didn't exchange yet. That's for the actual day, you silly. We (and by we I think I pretty much mean I because Luke probably doesn't care much either way) like to make cards for each other instead of buying them because it shows a little more love and effort when into picking it out/getting ready for whatever you are going to celebrate. And its cute to see what someone comes up with (except that my cards are not cute - they look like they were made by a 2nd grader).

My parents, Luke and I put together a little box of goodies for my sisters for the big day. Pictures, a semi-homemade picture frame, chocolate, candy hearts, nail polish and homemade cards made two girls pretty happy (so I heard). It was a lot of fun to put it together in hopes they would feel special. Something nice goes a long way. Just remember that. (I just might consider those semi-homemade picture frames for my one masterpiece this month thing...how is that cheating? Its not. Exactly.)

Valentine's day doesn't have to be mushy lovey dovey. It can simply be a day you let those you love and care about know you love and care about them. Remember? A little something nice goes a long way.

Hope you enjoyed the weekend. And the Grammys!

Super Bowl XLV

Its the big game! I can't say much except "Go Packers!" I am more than excited for this game. It seems the actual Superbowl came out of no where. The Packers were just playing games, one at a time, winning and winning, then all of a sudden bang! Super Bowl! And the crowd goes wild, "Aahhhhh!" :) Can't wait!

Here's Caboosey with his Packer gear on. He is thrilled for the big game, too - can't wait to wear his gear.

I will be spending my pre-Super Bowl morning with Luke and his dad at Luke's ice race - more on ice racing later. It will be a busy day but totally worth it.

Here's to hoping the Packers play like they have been the last half of the season. Aaron Rodgers is my hero. So are all the other players. If you need a little something to get you motivated, search "I'm a Cheesehead Baby" on iTunes. Guaranteed to rock your world. :) I'm definitely a cheesehead. So is Caboose.

Cheers!

Coming Soon...

A little about me...there is this boy. His name is Luke. He is my beloved boyfriend. I won't share too many details because I am told that is what he is sharing with you all. He is my first Guest Post! Hooray! This blog is going places...slowly but surely. Originally he was supposed to share his New Year's Resolution (of which he never made, but that's ok!) but since that was a few weeks ago we/he changed the plan, which is also perfectly fine with me.

So, sometime in the near future, lets hope a few days, you will be hearing from him. About us. Keep your fingers crossed, I know you are squirming in your seats waiting for the story. Here's a sneak peak I just couldn't resist:

Ok, two sneaks.



Until next time...

Jump In

So just like that, I have a blog? I like to look at all the little options and ways to customize things (I read the entire Owner's Manual to my first car) so its not just like that.  More like finally I'm ready for this thing. But now what?

An introduction. One of the most important, one that does not require pre-approval, is Caboose.

As for the rest, I guess you'll just have to wait and see. Eeek, here we go!