Sundays.

I love Sundays so much. It's always been my favorite day of the week and sometimes I forget why, but this past Sunday morning I remembered. I had the sudden urge to make french toast. (We had to take Rupert to the vet this afternoon, and you need your strength for that.)

So french toast. Growing up, Sunday was always the day we would wake up to smells coming from the kitchen: maple syrup or eggs or gravy and coffee. Saturday was a toss up because we had a lot of cheerleading practices and other extracurricular activities, but Sunday was always church day and so breakfast as a family happened. Along with the wonderful breakfast smells, there was also always music in the background. I've gotten so used to laptops being the only way to play music, that I almost forget what it sounds like over a nice speaker system, but it sounded wonderful. Probably 70% of the time, it was bluegrass music. That's what my grandfather, and consequently my mother, grew up playing and singing and so my sisters and I grew up listening to it. The other 30% of the time it was some sort of religious music. But it always set the tone for the day. There was also always light streaming in through the kitchen window which faced the East.

Sun rays and music and good smells.

I keep trying to tell Mike that my strongest memories are stored as music. Food/smell are probably close seconds, but music undoubtedly wins out. Mike recently made (created/built/crafted) a speaker system. I gave him a pretty hard time about this project. Because I'm pretty sure his alternative project plan was to build his own computer and speaker was definitely the cheaper option, I tried not to give him too hard of a time (even when he did use our dishwashing sponge as a 'soldering sponge'). I still never saw the point of the speakers because we have our laptop and TV speakers. When they were finished, we may have started playing some Christmas music (Mike will be gone during the majority of acceptable Christmas music season!) and listening to the great quality made me nostalgic for Sundays growing up.

I like things with meaning and this is why I'm so glad it worked out for us to get married on a Sunday. We will definitely have lots of good food, music, and although we'll be short on the sunshine on the shortest day of the year, we'll have lots of family love to make up for that.

AH IT'S OCTOBER! (And I've gotten things done!)

So just like that September is gone and, because a lot actually did happen this month, I wanted to take the time to appreciated the things I was able to cross off my list!

1) CLEANED OUT CLOSET: I cleaned out my closet and consigned/donated some clothes! Of course, I also bought some new fall clothes, but I feel like I was overdo for an update since my job is more casual than my wardrobe was prepared for.

2) SIGNED UP FOR ANOTHER RACE: Mike and I signed up for another 5k in October that our friend Sarah is running in and also I'm planning on running a Christmas 5k in December. With our 10k in November, we're pretty booked on races.

3) GRILLED OUT: We made bison burgers one night which were delicious and also attended an outdoor pig roast on a roof this past weekend!

4) TOOK DRESS FOR ALTERATIONS

5) I MADE CHILI AND (pumpkin) CORNBREAD! It was delicious.

6) STARTED READING AGAIN. I finished The Goldfinch and just started Gone Girl. 

7) FAMILY MEETING. Mike and I had a "family meeting" about the wedding. Family meetings are my designated weekly times to bring up all the ideas/questions/concerns/random thoughts I have during the week that aren't exactly helpful to bring up THAT SECOND and might require a lot of discussion (my strength, Mike's weakness). We like to pair them with food and a beverage and actually got a lot of small (but IMPORTANT!) decisions taken care of:) All chores are easier with snacks.

I've also had a ton going on at work (listen to one of my students in this NPR story that my organization was able to connect him to: http://www.marketplace.org/topics/education/learningcurve/how-small-financial-setbacks-can-derail-college-plans) and so I'm sure I can also add spending a ton of money on coffee to this list, but coffee is more enjoyable in the Fall:)

During October, I'm looking forward to a visiting family on some weekends (Ashton is almost kinda walking!), seeing Gone Girl in theaters once I finish it, seeing some shows with friends, . Still trying to figure out costumes, though. Can 't believe it's only a month and a half till MJ leaves for ODS!

November 1st, I also have my 2nd (and possibly final) dress fitting, so October will also be filled with lots of healthy eats and working out:)

Still accepting blog names and will be deciding on one maybe at our next family meeting:).

Call for Proposals

I realized I haven't blogged a lot lately.....like maybe this month. I'm not sure. Is it October yet? Oh good, no. If it was October that would be very scary indeed. Still very busy with the beginning of the year transitions for students and my workplace recently hired two new additions to the team....so I'm pretty sure we can count on work being busy until....December...rounded out with a nice little break for when we get married:)

I have another excuse though for not blogging! And it involves Mike! I try to keep around a 2:1 ratio for our blogs. I allow myself to post two times for every one of Mike's posts because I know I have more feelings that need to be expressed and also he is usually the busier one. But things are getting wonky now. There is blog silence on his end and I can only attribute that to the fact that he's really looking to moving forward in our new joint blog, but can't because we don't have a name.

That's where you come in. "Buzzsaw" was about Mike's journey throughout law school. "Pencil" was, I believe, mostly my random thoughts, feelings, and recaps of our weekends. Rest assured, you will still get my ramblings. We want this new blog to be about our adventures as a Navy JAG family, but also just a family. Although we'll still be in the DC area for the next few years, both of us will be starting a new journey together.

If you have any great name ideas for our new blog, please comment here OR just let Mike or me know. It can be a play on our names, have something to do with the navy or nautical sayings, or whatever you think. The winning contributor will get credit for naming our future.

Making the Most of....September

One of my favorite bloggers recently posted a list of ways to make the most of September. She does one for every month, but this month I was really inspired by how her list fit some of my own personal goals for this month: http://fitnessista.com/2014/09/10-ways-to-make-it-a-stellar-september/.

1) Streamline. 

I REALLY need to clean out my closet, donate some items, consign some others, and make space in my life for the person I am becoming. Holding onto clothes from college that I don't wear anymore seems less practical every day.

2) Sign up for a new class or fall fitness event. 

Mike and I signed up for a 10K in October. I would like to ACTUALLY train for this one...meaning run more than 3 miles before the race day. (<<Hold me to this, MJ!) I would also like to make time for different group fitness classes, including zumba, kickboxing, and yoga.

3) Determine your personal abundance block, and brainstorm strategies to turn over a new leaf this fall.

I realized the other day that I have a really hard time focusing due to trying to do too many things at once. I kept asking Mike to diagnose why my computer was so slow and he ended up telling me it was because I had two different google chromes profiles with no less than 8 tabs each open, as well as 7 different applications running on my computer at once. I cannot multi-task and I'd like to simplify my work computer this month in order to simplify my thought process.

4) Enjoy an outdoor dinner party, long walk or picnic. 

September has turned out to be pretty humid and hot so far in DC!, but Mike is so awesome at grilling that I'd like to take advantage of that for as long as possible before it gets cool out. I'd also like to try hiking nearby one day.

5) Join a cheering squad. 

This time of year is really stressful at my job and sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in 'busy' without stopping to recognize the achievements of my coworkers and students. I'd like to make more time to show appreciation for others.

6) Hit up the farmers market and make a new recipe with your findings. 

I love farmer's markets during the Fall and heard we have a good one near us. I'd like to explore what it has the offer.

7) Make this cornbread 

I want to make it with chili too! Football, cornbread, and chili are perfect together:)

8) I didn't want to follow Gina's fitness calendar, so my #8 is going to be "learning something new". 

I'm using Duolingo, Memrise, and some quick study guides to learn Spanish. Hopefully, I can talk with my sister, mom, and students to practice!

9) Plan a date night.

I'd love to have a farmer's market date, try out some new restaurants near us, see some more movies, and cook more....both with friends and with Mike.

10) New candle.

I'd love a new fall-scented candle!

6.2 Awesome Miles & Mount Vernon

South Lakes 10K

Last weekend Mike and I ran a 10k in Reston to measure our progress after weeks of working out. (Mike got a gym membership from August to November and we've been taking full advantage of it.) We both did really well in the 10k. I averaged 8:50/miles for a finish time of 55:00 and Mike averaged 8:09/miles so we was quite a bit faster. Our new 3 mile loop route near the house is full of hills so I credit that for our fast times despite not running any training runs over 3 miles. Mike also made a playlist for us to both listen to full of songs from the Guardians of the Galaxy movie which just came out recently. If you haven't seen it yet, it has an awesome old school soundtrack.

Mike has another 'ruck' coming up this September and then we both signed up for The Parks 10k in the city in November. That route is supposed to be a lot faster and flatter so we're hoping for a good showing then.

We were both INCREDIBLY sore after the race and stayed dormant a few days to recover. I know I used to run half marathons, but right now my body can't handle the thought of 13 miles, for some reason.

Georgetown and Indian

This weekend Mike's mom came to stay with us and we had a great time showing her our new stomping grounds in Northern Virginia. We got to spend the better part of Saturday hanging out in Georgetown. Mike got to explore the apple store while Leslie and I looked around in BHLDN (Anthropologie's bridal shop where I had bought my wedding gown online). I felt affirmed in my purchase when all gowns comparable in style to mine were marked up far more than what I paid. They were all absolutely beautiful, though.

I got to have a little bit of the in-store bridal shopping experience via Leslie who was looking for dress to wear to the ceremony. There was even a "this is the one" moment and everyone kept congratulating her on the perfect dress find even as we were leaving the store! It was so much fun.

Before we left Georgetown, we of course had to stop and get some Pinkberry which I maintain is, yes the most expensive, but best yogurt I've had. I went for my normal combination of strawberries/almonds/coconut with tart yogurt.

Later that evening, we ventured to a place Mike and I have never been before for some Indian food. (We don't yet have our regular joints in Nova.) We shared champagne (celebrating the everyday!), goat curry, tandoori salmon, and salmon tikka masala with garlic naan and some pistachio/rice frozen dessert. Mike and Leslie both wanted to mango mousse, but I whispered to Mike that I actually don't like mango or mousse so they were nice enough to brave unknown frozen pistachio dessert for me:)

Mount Vernon and Thai

Mount Vernon estate

On Sunday, we had tickets to see Mount Vernon which was a wonderful way to spend a day! Although quite warm with an unforgiving sun, the breeze off of the Potomac River was cooling and the day was beautiful. We learned much about the founder of our country and that his integrity was probably his most valuable leadership trait.

Later that evening, we went to dinner at a nearby Thai restaurant with great reviews and had a fantastic meal of sweet & sour tofu, crispy basil duck, and chicken panang curry. It was great to have Leslie over for a few days to be able to show her around town.

Finishing The West Wing

Mike and I finished The West Wing and have a newfound void in out lives which we are trying to fill with new episodes of Once Upon A Time. But there is no replacing a Leo McGarry and let's just say that, for a while, I was trying to feel out Mike's thought incorporating the name Leo into a future child of ours.

I'm sure we've been watching The West Wing ever since shortly after we started dating and now just finished it. Because getting through series takes a lot of time, I've also recently ordered the book "Scarcity" for us to read together and share our perspectives on.

This Week!

I can't believe it's September. I really can't. This week marks the "official" start of my travel schedule to college campuses. Last week was basically triage time at the community colleges. Where did August go? My favorite season Fall is right around the corner and there are less than 4 months until Mike and I get married. Eep.

This week I'm looking forward to finding my new work groove for traveling and checking in with my students, having a lowkey Settlers, burgers, and beer night with Alex and Kelly, and having some quality date time with Mike. Fall always makes me want to go on dates:)

MY DRESS

For those of you who feel a little blindsided by the fact that I have a dress...you know me well. Obviously, if I had looked for a dress, tried on dresses, or bought a dress...I would have blogged every second, every pro/con, the entire process. You would have known more than you ever had wished to know about dresses. Why? Because, even if we were having a big wedding, the dress is probably the only thing I would really care about wedding-wise. Well...and the cake.

In case I haven't announced it on the blog yet, Mike and I are having a small family-centered wedding ceremony in December that breaks tradition with what most weddings look like. Back when we first started talking about getting married, the idea of a traditional big wedding overwhelmed both of us and didn't feel true to ourselves so we briefly thought about elopement. However, remembering the fact that weddings really are just getting married and celebrating that fact, we decided to try to craft our own experience based on exactly how we would like celebrate our marriage:) We want our families there and we want our good friend Josh to marry us. We want great food and cake, but no "reception". We want to celebrate the occasion with our friends, but not limit that celebration to just one day where we don't really get to spend quality time with anyone. After all, it will be the holiday season and the anniversary of when we first met on NYE:) It's been easier than I thought explaining to people that we are having a small non-traditional wedding that is going to happen by the end of this calendar year. Families and friends have been very supportive and my friend Kelly and Mike have been really helpful with the few things we had to plan.

A few weekends ago Mike's mom introduced me to BHLDN which is Anthropologie's wedding line. I hadn't been planning on buying a 'traditional' wedding dress, but I did like a lot of the dresses on the website. One in particular really got my attention so much that I made a bridal appointment at the store in Georgetown with the intention of trying it on. Well, my appointment ended up being a month later in mid-September and, when I noticed the dress was actually sold out online, I called their customer service on the whim to inquiry about what sizes they had left in stores. It wasn't a very traditional dress so I assumed it would be available. Turns out stores only carry sample sizes and it was sold out in everything except for a size 0. :( I was told by customer service there might be one size 10 left and to call a specific store in the morning. When I called, they had just sold it, but told me other stores may have had dresses returned to them that were not updated in inventory.

At this point, I was a little obsessed about finding a dress in a wearable size for me. Mike knows that I do NOT like being told that I can't do something. I become stubbornly motivated to prove people and myself wrong so I ended up calling every single BHLDN store and asking them to check their back rooms and see if they might happen to magically have a dress there. A few times I was told they had one and then they found out that had just sold it. At this point, I said I'd take anything from size 6-10 (I guessed I might be an 8?). Anyway, at the very last story I called in Boston, someone checked the back room and told me they had a sample size 4 left that needed some bead repair done and they could mark it down for that. I DIDN'T CARE. I WAS ECSTATIC AND FELT LIKE IT WAS FATE! The ONLY snag was that it was a final sale item and they couldn't even transfer it to Georgetown so I could try it on. I was so afraid of them selling it that I took a gamble and bought the size 4. (Some people had said the dress ran big in reviews, right?) I figured that, worst-case-scenario, I could always re-sell it online if it didn't work out.

The dress came shortly after and was even MORE GORGEOUS in person that it was online. Because it was a size lower than I had wanted and it was incredibly beautiful and fragile looking, I wanted to wait until my in-store appointment to try it on there. To be honest, I was also kind of nervous it wouldn't fit and then I would feel silly for taking such a risk and getting my hopes up. I spent a good two weeks trying to wait until my dress appointment and then one day...I couldn't wait anymore. I made sure Mike was playing a video game, then snuck into the room and pulled the glittery gown out of it's safe spot. I gently took it off the hanger and pulled it over my head in order to shimmy my way into it. It fell around my hips and I zipped it up. It fit. All of my planning, then impulsivity, then trying to manage my expectations and this dress fit like it was made for me......just as I am....right now.

Now that the sheer joy of having the exact dress I wanted work out has been processed, I'm trying to glean a lesson from the experience. I think that it's okay to take risks. It's okay to go after the things that you want even when you think it may seem silly to others. Make YOUR wedding, YOUR dress, YOUR life work for you.....not the other way around. Don't be afraid to go after what you want even if there's a chance you won't get it. I love being cautious and practical, but sometimes the best things in life don't come after careful calculations.

Feel free to stalk the website and reviews, but can't wait for you all to see it in the wedding pictures!

Virginia Is For Lovers

Cumberland:

Two weekends ago, Mike and I celebrated his finishing the bar with a trip to his grandparents' house in Cumberland, MD. Turns out the Friday before that we found out we had another thing to celebrate: we got word that we are staying in DC for his first station!!!! This means: I GET TO KEEP MY JOB, WE GET TO STAY CLOSE TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WE CAN NOW PLAN OUR FUTURE! We also found out when Mike's ODS dates are which means we basically have an idea of when we're getting married. It now looks like December 21, 2014 (also the winter solstice).

We got to celebrate this news with Mike's mom, sister, aunt, and grandparents. I also went on a shopping trip (I may have unofficially (just for fun) tried on a wedding gown with feathers hehe). I can't remember the last time I went shopping with just the girls so I may have gotten a little too excited to and bought several new socks, underwear, and workout clothes. I don't know how I went this long without an underarmor sports bra! (Thanks Frances and Papa Buck!)

Other highlights of the weekend included: spicy shrimp, quesadillas, snickers ice cream cake for Mike's mom's birthday!, cheesy olives, and of course my favorite saltine cracker toffee! I was so excited to be able to take a recipe book home of many of these recipes and a jewelry chest from Frances.

I realized I forgot to get the story of Papa Buck and Frances's courtship, but I hope to write that down next time we visit.

We also stopped by my house on the way back home and were able to babysit Ashton (see video below) and load up on some pasta salad and more tomatoes to take back home, along with some of the most delicious spicy sweet pickles my stepdad made.

Officially VA residents!:

This past weekend, Mike and I had the DMV on our To Do list. It only took us about two hours total there and now we are both VA residents and my car is registered/titled in VA! I'm hoping this is my last time switching everything over since we'll have military status next time we move, but if not, I trust myself to be an expert at it by now.

We are finally settling in to our new place. We have acquired last-minute pieces of furniture and I even tried to get a plant to make it more home-y (which Rupert immediately tried to eat so I'm going to have to give it to our upstairs roommate).

Mike and I have also been enjoying our close proximity to two different gyms. Because he's trying to get in post-bar Navy shape and now has a 3-month membership to my gyms, I've had an extra incentive to not skip workouts. :) It's always been really hard to workout after work for me, but he has been really good at helping me find some more energy after work.

When Mike and I went to a fancy restaurant to celebrate staying in DC, this was our "compliments of the chef" amuse bouche. It was so miniature that I laughed/cried for about 5 minutes and still was unable to look at it without laughing. I hope someone out there understands.

A cute video of Mike feeding Ashton. Don't listen to me in the background. Seriously. My style of videography involves telling people to do more exciting things.