Burning Down the House

So the weather in west Texas is getting chilly, especially at night. Last night I wake up at 11:30 freezing. My teeth were chattering. I get up and walk through the darkness to turn on our heater, and then run back to bed and jump under the covers. Just as I am dozing off again, our obnoxiously loud fire alarm starts blaring. Vic and I both jumped out of bed and ran into the kitchen to see if something was on fire. Actually we just kind of ran around in circles in the dark because we still halfway asleep and disoriented.

We don't see anything in flames and the alarm is still pulsing on LOUD. Even though nothing was on fire, it smelled like burnt egg noodles. Or maybe signed hair. It was really disturbing. By that time our neighbors were knocking on the door to check on us, and since I'm in my nightgown I have to lunge for the safety of our guest room.

Finally I remembered turning on the heater so I click it off, and two seconds later the alarm stops. I don't know why the heater freaked out on us, but today I have been very sleepy and our neighbors have been giving me the stink eye. Oops.

I'm just glad I didn't burn the house down!

Snowmobile Anyone?

I need your help. Since we have been so busy with work, we want to take a long weekend getaway in Yellowstone. Mississippi never gave us much snow growing up, and we've both always wanted to go snowmobiling. There are lots of snowmobile rental places, vacation packages, etc... so I am overwhelmed researching this trip.

Any of you been and would be willing to give me some tips?

Blessings

I was reflecting on the goodness of God today. Vic and I have so much to be thankful for! Our company holds a prayer meeting once a month, and they provide lunch for us. Not just employees come - people from all over the community. We had the prayer meeting today, and God's presence was with us. It was so fun!

It is a rare blessing to work with people who love the Lord. It makes for a great atmosphere. One of my favorite people I get to work with is my friend Kya. Her office is out of San Antonio, but she makes it to Alpine every month or so. It is so wonderful to work with people you enjoy being around. She is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside! She makes me miss all of my wonderful friends back home...I am counting the days until Christmas holidays!

Me and Kya

Oh The Places You Go...

Quick update: Vic and I are finally home after trips to Billings, Denver, Colorado Springs, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Vegas. We are exhausted! Most of these were work trips for both of us, and we are so happy to be home and together again.

Since we've been back Vic has been acclimating to his new job managing a ranch, and trying to stay on top of his construction company. The ranch is beautiful! I spent the weekend with him getting the lodge ready for hunters and checking on the new heifers. How awesome is it that "heifers" has become part of my daily vernacular? I tried to take pictures of the new cows Saturday night, but it had already gotten to dark by the time I remembered. Now I know you are all just dying to see pictures of cows, so I will paint a visual for you: they are black.

My job is going well. We're prepping for a huge company-wide meeting in a few weeks where we will unveil a total rebrand. Very exciting. Very busy. I am exhausted!

We've gotten lots done on our house - I will post pictures soon, and we are looking at a late November move in date. I hope we can move in before Thanksgiving. The guys are plastering the walls and laying tile this week. Yay! It looks completely different already. Although I am very thankful for our little apartment, I am looking forward to having more space and privacy.

More updates to come...

Can You Paint With All The Colors of the Wind?

I don't know. Ask Pocahontas. Or Claire Hardin. She was asking herself this very same question nearly 12 years ago as she practiced pirouettes in front of her large bay bedroom window one afternoon to the Pocahontas soundtrack. Mary Straton, was that you who caught her in mid air and watched, unbeknownst to Claire, her tumble to the floor?

Claire is the Richard Simmons double at the far right of the picture you see here. I am the blond bombshell sitting to her left.

As you can see, I've know Claire my entire 26 years of life. I knew her in her younger years when she and a friend tried their very own "experiment" where they trapped expelled gas (the human kind) in a milk jug, and all the way through college where we shared the same crush on a boy. She also convinced my cousins husband that she had a sister named Tabitha who was a rodeo clown. ....

Clearly, she's always had a vivid imagination. And she's made my life so much more enjoyable! She is one of my dearest friends. I like to label her "my most fun friend". I could tell countless Claire stories, but the purpose of the post is to say Happy Birthday! Claire, you are an amazing woman and you truly inspire me. I can't wait to see you!

Emily Is 24 Today!

Happy Birthday Emily!!! How are you just now 24, and I am creeping up on 30?!! No fair.

I'm sorry I don't have a catchy limerick for you. Not only am I older and more decrepit, but I'm also not as witty. So there you go.

I miss you every day, and I wish I were there to help you celebrate. You are one of my favorite people in the world. Love you!!!

I thought you would appreciate this photo.

The Graduate, The Working Woman, and The Birthday Girl

Wow! We have been so busy. But things are going great. We have so much to be thankful for. Here is a an abridged version of what's going on with us.

• Vic graduated! Yay for my husband. We are both so glad he is finally done for good. Very proud of him for finishing after all these years. He has done great. Even more exciting, he was offered his dream job this week. Details are still being worked out, but I could not be more happy for him. Two words: cows and hunting. And I will leave you in suspense for now...
  

• The weekend Vic graduated my sweet in-laws came for the celebration. We loved having them and had a great visit. Icing on the cake for the weekend was a visit from Laura Beth!!! I miss this girl like crazy. She was in Midland (the closest big city to Alpine) for a family wedding, and we were able to steal away for a 3 hour visit. It was a gift! Come back soon LB and Seth. Please?

• We bought a house. That was major. I've never signed my name so many times in one day. We are really, really excited about it. It's an old home, a little stucco cottage with 3 bedrooms and one bathroom. All hardwood floors that will look great with a little sanding and staining. It's perfect for us and we got a fantastic deal on it. It is a blessing! The rooms are small so we are making it a roomier 2 bedroom 2 bath. I ordered a beautiful double vanity for the master bath this weekend. Check it out below. Picking out colors, floor stain, appliances....it is all a little overwhelming but I am having lots of fun with it. There is much to be done - we are redoing EVERYTHING, but Vic thinks we might be in it by October. I will post photos soon, and I would love anyone's opinion on counter tops, paint colors, and kitchen floor plan. Also, we are in the market for furniture so make us an offer we can't refuse. Love it.

• Sadly, my days of being my own boss are over. I start full time tomorrow with Big Bend Telephone Company. Really I'm excited. It's a fantastic company with even better benefits. I could go on and on about the medical coverage, retirement and 401K. But let's face it, that is boring and no one cares. So, here are two of my favorite perks at work. 1.)Free burritos for all employees every Monday and Thursday! (random? yes. but who doesn't love a big, tasty burrito?) 2.) They've just implemented this new fitness program. If you pledge to spend 45 minutes exercising 3 times a week, you are allowed to either come in to work 45 minutes late or leave 45 minutes early three days a week! How cool is that? I start tomorrow, bright and early at 8:00 a.m. I think I'm going to like it here!
  

• Happy Birthday to Amanda! This mom-to-be has been such a sweet friend to me since we've been in Alpine. Amanda, I hope you had a fantastic day today!!

(I admit that using bullet points are kind of lame, but I've included entirely too much text for me to go without.)

PS- I miss everybody in Mississippi. Oh yeah, and I start school on Wednesday. YIKES!