National Harbor in D.C.

We started our evening at the National Harbor at a new restaurant called Ketchup. It is famous for its...wait for it..wait for it...KETCHUP! They have six signature ketchups: original, maple, garlic and herb, chipotle, ranch, and kickin. They serve them with a threesome of homemade fries. Garlic Parmesan, sweet potato, and Old Bay seasoning (a famous MD crab seasoning) fries. The sweet potato fries tasted best in the maple ketchup. I have officially found my new favortie eatary!!!!
This was such unusual art. They made it look like a giant was coming up from the sand. Odd, but kinda cool.


These were around the harbor. I took so many pictures that it was difficult to narrow it down!





My husband planned such a special date for no special reason! Those, to me, are the most romantic dates because you aren't expecting it. We found a new place to go to and enjoyed the Potomac River very much.

Tennis tomorrow! Hopefully we will be better than last week!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Personality Quirks

It never ceases to amaze me how different our cats personalities are. They say when you have children, no child is the same and I believe it. I was noticing some key similarities and differences early this morning around, oh 2 am!

Rocky is very rough on the outside but a big softy on the inside. He was an "only child" for about three years so he definitely learned how to entertain himself. He is very much the big brother! Rocky always played with Julio and I and very rarely plays with store bought toys. He is very gentle when it comes to playing. He never scratches and uses care when nibbling! He will eat anything (he ate a price sticker the other day) and loves to cuddle. He HATES to be petted unless it is on his terms which is usually only after he has just woken up or before he falls asleep but loves to be held. He, in a sense, is MY cat. Rocky loves other animals but doesn't like other people (we lock him away when company comes...who needs a guard dog?).

Parker....how to describe Parker. He is our trouble maker, little brother, mellow boy. Parker never tries to "escape" when we (mainly Juli) plays with him. He can be held for several minutes and he just goes limp! He stays very content. Parker, however, is our whiner. He cries for EVERYTHING. We always joke that Parker is in charge of getting more food and Rocky is in charge of water, because Parker cries when they are out of food and Rocky pushes the water bowl around when it is empty. Since Parker has always had a companion, he NEEDS attention constantly. He plays very rough with us when and if he does, which is rare as his favorite playmate is Rocky, willing or not. Parker is the pickiest eater I have ever seen. He can't eat anything dairy and he won't eat certain types of cat food. Parker is always rubbing up against something and has a lot of love to give! Parker gravitates more to Julio and is probably HIS cat. Parker loves people. He has not met someone he hasn't charmed yet. He is very reserved when it comes to other animals though.

But no matter how different they are, they both have one thing in common: They are loved with such a unique love that no pets could ask for more!!! They are our babies and I love each one with a special love.

Sorry for rambling on about my cats (I expect to become that crazy cat lady any day now) but you moms understand LOL!!!!

Whew!

I was in desperate need of a new water bottle. My husband being the wonderful man that he is, saw an opportunity to fill that need. He bought me this adorable reusable water bottle from Target. It even has a water tracker on the side so I can keep track of how many times I empty it! This could be a good or bad thing LOL!!! PLUS IT'S PINK!!!!!!!
This is a picture of my rough and tough 19lb street fighter and his blankie. He takes it everywhere! It is so hilarious to see him dragging it around. I am still trying to catch a picture of it!!!
Finally, an upload of our first tennis match. As you can see, my racket is a lovely shade of pink!!! Not the best picture of us, but it was hot, humid, and this was AFTER our game. *note to self: take public pictures BEFORE getting all sweatified*

Diet Update: Julio and I are doing great. Julio lost another 2 lbs that put his total up to 7. I am waiting till Saturday to weigh myself again so we will see. This is my "fat" time of the month so I am not going to beat myself up if I haven't lost weight LOL!!!! TMI I am sure but ...oh well!!!!

Where everybody knows your name

It's official!!! We are headed up to Maine the first week of October. Just waiting on Nicole to confirm her trip dates that way I can "kill" two birds with one stone! The only thing that would prevent this trip is Julio's swearing in ceremony date. We don't know for sure when it is and obviously that would be top priority.

I am so excited though! I haven't seen my dad in three years! I love him so much. He is always a comfort to me when things don't go as planned. My dad is such a wonderful man and anyone who knows him knows he would give you the shirt off his back if he could. (Providing my mom lets him *rolls eyes*) My dad and I always had such a unique relationship growing up and I owe my dad for a lot of life changing decisions I made. I can't wait to see him!!!

Can't wait to see all my Maine friends!!!!!!!

Who needs expensive toys?

I have always said that the best toys stem from imagination. Cats are no exception. Parker spent a good 45 mins playing in this old microwave box. He would play with the handles, try and pounce us from inside the box, he even got Rocky involved but Rock was being a cranky butt. I am a proud mommy to a very cute and imaginative kitty! I am still trying to catch a candid picture of him with what we call his pacy. Parker loves those rings that you get on the milk jugs. He gets a new one each week and carries it around with him from room to room. He even sleeps with it! Rocky has a blankie and Parker has a binky!!!! Ahh the joys of pet parenthood!!!!!

New Purse

Julio spoiled me today when I found this cute little purse on clearance at Target! A $40 purse for 10 bucks!!!!!! Yay me!!!! I love my husband!

Did a half hour of Billy Blanks Tao Bo Abs boot camp....phew! That is a serious workout!

Blessings come when you need them the most

Julio and I have been praying about a very serious financial situation for the past two years and today that prayer was answered. We have finally found some relief! I am still searching very hard for a job, but the need is not as urgent as it was in the past.

Also.........I lost another two pounds!! Julio lost two as well!! We did cardio jump roping last night and boy am I sore today! So excited and can't wait to see the results!!!!

Thank you all for the prayers. Please continue to pray that God blesses us with the perfect apartment and job situation for me.


On a different note, I was having a rough day. Julio and I are struggling with fertility issues as some of you know and a friend announced she was pregnant today. Don't get me wrong I am happy for her but you always have this pang in the back of your heart when you desire something that you can't have and so many take for granted. HOWEVER>>>>>>We got our insurance approval yesterday so I am just waiting for my card so I can go to a specialist!!!!!!!!!

Wimbledon Here I Come.....Eventually

Julio and I decided about a month ago that we were going to learn a new hobby together. We chose tennis. We love ping pong so we are hoping we will love this as well. We are also working it into a workout routine. So Saturday will be our first attempt at tennis. I got a cute pink racket today!!!

Diet update: I weighed myself and have already lost a pound. So total that puts me at 12 lbs. lost in the past two months!!!!! Yesterday I jogged for a half a lap and power walked for 2 laps! Julio jogged all three laps....show off!

All-New Hints from Heloise

Years ago, my dad brought home a box full of books. My dad is the yard sale king and anyone who knows him understands he is always on the lookout for the next great steal! Well he ALWAYS brought me home books and this time was no different. I pawed my way through ( I still get a thrill out going through "Boxes of Books" at bookstores and such) and came up with a great little treasure. It was my very first Hint from Heloise book. I wish I could find it. I think it got lost in the shuffle from Maine to Indiana or Indy to MD one of those times, such a shame. Anyways, I poured over that book. I found all kinds of helpful little tidbits that egged my domestic loving self on.

Yesterday I bought the "newest" edition, and I say newest because it was written back in '89 but was re released in '04. I already have found so many helpful, time-saving tricks.

The one I am going to try this week is the "Menu Box". I am stickler for planning the weeks meals before shopping because I find that no matter how many times I try, I always forget something or come up one meal short, things like that. Well Heloise suggest making a menu box. Write down each meal (main course, side dishes, desserts) on a 3x5 card. Then put all the ingredients on the back. Then at the beginning of each week, just pull out as many meal cards as you need. Now some of you ladies may already have been doing this, but I think this is just such niffty little idea and I can't wait to start my new project!

Oh and so far diet day one is going great. Accountability has always been my key to success so I weighed myself today and I am at 179. Now I will have to kill each and every one of you, but at least I am being honest with myself and others. My goal is to ultimately get back to 130 by October, 150 by the beginning of Sept. So here goes! My water intake is going great (I am getting rich on Mandy Moola *wink*) and Julio and I are already planning our workout for the day!

Happy Monday everyone!

Monday is the day

Julio and I decided that we would have what we call "Blow Out Week". We said instead of getting our regular groceries, we would get all of our take-out cravings out of the way. That is because Monday is the start date of our hardcore diet and exercise plan.....again LOL. It always works best when both of us are on it and Julio needed another week to get mentally prepared. So, Monday.........losing weight becomes number one goal again! Wish me luck! My goal is 2 lbs a week which is very attainable for me. We also have to get back in shape to be able to just survive our P90X workout system, so lots of cardio coming up. Oh Joy! Cardio is my second least favorite workout. Push-ups being my absolute least favorite activity!!!! I am so ready for this!

Someone Special

Yesterday was a very dear friends birthday! *I am the friend WHO remembers birthdays hahahah* Nicole is such a special person to me. She was a friend in good times and bad, a friend when I wasn't friend worthy, and faithful to this day. I practically lived at her house during high school and there were many things she helped me with even when she didn't know it.
Cole is one of the sweetest ladies you will ever meet! I have known her since she was 12 and each year brings a new found appreciation for such a faithful friend.
So Cole, if you are reading this, which I am sure you are because the Unimind signals have been strong, I appreciate you so much more now than ever before, even though we are all grown up and leading separate lives. you will always be one of my best friends. The Mtn. to my Dew, the Cabin to my Fever and all those other great things that we loved so much. May the penguins and hippos bless you with showers of sneezes!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-bbbQDjkTY

50th Seaon

Some of my greatest joys in life come from the New England Patriots. I will never forget their first Superbowl win. I believe God used that to build my faith in Him. I know it sounds crazy but it is true. For my 17th birthday, I made a "wish" on my candles that they would win the coveted championship. From that day on, I fervently prayed that God would allow them to win. (What other major needs does a 17 year old have LOL) I even had it as an unspoken on the prayer list ( so HA to those who prayed unknowingly for them to win :P) God answered the prayers of a silly teenager if not for any other purpose than to prove He gives you the desires of your heart. That was my first major faith-building experience. Yes I have heard that God doesn't "route" for teams, but it was something that changed my life. Hey if He can use something so little to most, imagine what He does for us when it is something we need!

That said, 33 days until kickoff and I am so stolked to see Tom Brady return!!!!!