memorial day

This weekend rocked. I love 3 day weekends. I love when friends come in town. I love going to the lake house. I love playing in the sun. I love floating the river. What more could a girl ask for?!

Friday- Mary, her boyfriend Craig, Meredith, Jessica, Dubie, and Lauren all came in town. I love it when friends come visit! We went over to a friend's house and watched some of the boys make jello shots for the upcoming float trip. The girls were not allowed in the kitchen, and were not allowed any input on what was going in the jello shots. (I think this was a wise decision and I am not sure I want to know what was in them). They came up with crazy names and weird things to put in them. Boys will be boys.

Saturday- 40 people. 1 party bus. 1 rockin party mix. Need I say more? It was a blast. The Comal River was packed, but it was perfect! SO MUCH FUN. The weather was amazing. I got myself settled on my float and didn't move for the rest of the day. AMAZING. After the float trip, a few of us went to Maudies to dominate some mexican food. Hello heaven.

Sunday- Brad and I gathered up a group of friends and went to the lake house for the day. The day included a rowdy volleyball tourney, jumping off the dock and laying in the sun. I don't think I could have asked for a more perfect day. Sunday night, we went to Maiko, a yummy sushi place that has a great Sunday happy hour. Are you jealous of my weekend yet?

I wish every weekend was like that! Can we have 3 day weekends all the time? It would make life so much better. I need all of my friends to move to Austin so we can spend our life outside in the sun. GREAT. GREAT. WEEKEND. Friends- please come back soon.

rebecca is all grown up.

I can't believe Rebecca is graduating. Seriously. It blows my mind. Not because I never thought she would be able to graduate, but because I can't believe she is old enough to be graduating from college. Rebecca and I are about 4.5 years apart, which means that I am lucky enough to be able to remember bits and pieces of her growing up. I have a vivid memory of the day she was born. Allison and I were with our grandparents driving to the hospital to meet our new sister. We were struggling with her name... for some reason Rebecca just wouldn't stick with us. I remember we parked in the hospital parking lot and Mimi started to clap out her name. RE.BEC.CA. We joined in and finally got it down. RE.BEC.CA. Boom. We semi-learned our little sister's name. I remember seeing her for the first time. I don't remember everything about those years, but that one day is such vivid and wonderful memory. I had 2 little sisters. Rebecca was such a sweet and innocent little baby... little did she know what she was getting into with Allison and me as her older sisters!
Now, that little baby sister is all grown up, and she has turned into a beautiful Godly woman. She graduated from the University of Texas on Friday, and, in 20 short days, she will be getting married. (Wow, don't I feel unproductive and old.) From the day she was born, she has known who she is. She wasn't swayed by peer pressure; she knew who she was and what she wanted- and she went after it. She never swayed from her beliefs. My goodness, I am so proud of that girl.

If you don't have a younger sibling, then you might not understand where I am coming from. It is a weird feeling to know that one of the people, who you have tried to look out for and protect their whole life, doesn't need you to do that anymore. She is all grown up. She is getting married.

I was lucky to have 2 younger sisters around when growing up. Even though they are both adults, I still consider them my "little sisters." I will always be there to bug them and try to look out for them. And if they don't like it- TOUGH COOKIES.

walking through the drive-through.

Preface- Brad and I walked to the bank. After his banking experience, he said he was scarred for life and told me I should blog about this. Read on....

I used to work in the old Chase Bank building. For those who don't live in Austin, I am fully aware that means nothing to you, but just go with me here. The building still has a drive through where bankers can go to the ATM or deposit checks.

Picture this:
Ground floor- Chase drive through
2nd-7th floor- parking garage levels
8th-11th floor- office buildings

OK, so now you have the basic idea. If you work in the building, you have a few options for depositing a check or getting some cash monies.

Option 1: You can go in the parking garage, get in your car, drive all the way down, do your banking business, drive back up, find a parking spot, and go back to work.

Option 2: Take the elevator downstairs to the bottom floor, walk through the drive through, do your banking business, walk back to the elevator, ride to your floor, and go back to work.

WHICH ONE DO YOU DO?!

I ask this because I decided to do option 2. Why waste all of that time getting your car and driving when you can get some fresh air and walk through? I don't understand why anyone would pick option 1.

Yes, it is funny/awkward/ridiculous/awesome when I am in STANDING in line (in between the people who are SITTING in their cars), but who cares? It is ten times easier.

So, I ask you- which option do you pick? Do you go with the one that takes much more effort and time, but it is less awkward/normal? Or, do you pick the second one that might be a little weird, but it is a million times easier and quicker?

PS- Now you can see why Brad was scarred. He also said he would never go to the bank with me again. Clearly he would have picked option 1.....lame.

Follow me. Do it.

If you don't already "Follow Me", you should.

Just sayin.

book worm

I am a book worm and proud of it. At least 2 days a week I close my office door during lunch, eat my Smart One and read my book. (Should I be embarrassed to admit that? I'm not.) I came across 2 new authors, which is always fun. (New to me, that is.)

Have you read any of Catherine Coulter's books? She has written a ton, so I have a bright reading future ahead of me! I have read 2 of her FBI Suspense Thriller Series, and have more coming in the mail this week. If you are looking for a new book, I recommend Tailspin and Knock Out. (I liked Tailspin more.) Follow the link in my book list to purchase it.

I also read The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly. I came across it while playing on the Barnes and Noble website (don't judge me). I enjoyed meeting Mickey Haller (the main character). By the middle of the book, I couldn't put it down. I am itching to see the movie with Matthew McConaughey. Lunch Box on the Bobby Bones show was talking about the movie this week. He was saying how much he enjoyed it. If LB likes it, its gonna be good... right?! I am anxious to read the second book in the Series.

I have 2 Catherine Coulter books being mailed to me. I want to order the next Michael Connelly book, but is it too aggressive to have 3 books mailed to me at the same time? I can't decided...

birthday weekend for my man friend

This past weekend Brad turned 27. But, if anyone asks, he only turned 25. He is having a hard time accepting the fact that he is 27, so he is telling anyone and everyone who asks that he is only 25. On Friday night we went to one of his favorite restaurants, Moonshine. It was my first time to eat there, and my goodness it was good! In case anyone is interested, I had a Texas Flat Iron steak with blue cheese butter and wine sauce on top, broccoli, carrots, and a salad. Yes, it was as delicious as it sounds.

*Side-note- Moonshine is known for their mac and cheese. I tried it, and it was pretty tasty. However, I found it to taste a lot like Luby's. I love me some Luby's, so I was fine with that, but it was definitely not what I was expecting. I wonder if anyone else has noticed the similarities...

Saturday, I got up and worked out, and then Brad and I headed to the Outlet stores in San Marcus. I got some work clothes, and he got some fun birthday goodies. Saturday night, we joined some friends at Maudies for some dinner and margaritas. Then, we headed downtown to meet up with more friends and visit some of Brad's favorite bars. I wish I had gotten a picture of the group who came out with us! (Boo. That was poor planning on my part.) Anyhoo, that was my weekend. I know everyone was desperately waiting for me to post about what I did. It was fun to celebrate the life of Bradley Michael Baroch.

isn't my sister pprreeetttyyyyy?

frat-tastic.

bandana ball

This past Saturday I dusted off the ole cowboy boots for the Bandana Ball. The Bandana Ball is an annual fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House here in Austin. My good friend bought a table and asked if Brad and I wanted to go. Of course we said yes! Heellllooooo cowboys! I am sorry, but is there anything better then cute boys in cowboy boots? I don't think so. They had a silent auction, live auction (with awesome trips), great food, and of course a rowdy dance party. I wish I was made of money so I could have tried to win the 4 night vacation to Antigua. After checking out all of the silent auction items, Brad and I bid on a few, and even won something! We won a wine pairing for 2. I am super duper excited about it (more excited then Brad is). We get to go to a wine bar and have the head chef pair their top wines with different dishes. YUMMY! After the auction and dinner, everyone moved to the dance floor. Don't worry, we busted a sweet move. The band was great (Radiostar) and absolutely rocked the place. All-in-all, it was a super fun night! It was fun to mix it up a little and do something different.