Wining and Dining my Man

Kitchen "Before"

This is a very important thing. I love doing it and he deserves it.

However, this weekend he really deserves a special 6 pack of beer- must remember to get!!

We had a faulty disposal. Like really faulty. It started leaking and the we realized we had a problem. However, when the house started to smell we realized we had a BIG problem.

But, the disposal led to another conversation- the sink. We hate the sink that we have. Its an 80/20 sectional sink with the 20 percent side having the disposal and being the "washing side". I have been cleaning plates vertical for years now and I am over it! So, that led to sink ideas....

Uh-oh.

The sink we have now is over-mounted on top of our solid surface counter top. I really don't care for this look- but if we stick with our budget of a new disposal and possible new sink plus installation- what choice did we have...well, there are always options and this girl can dream BIG!

We have been back and forth on granite since we moved in the house. The solid surface is fine- and the question- do we really want to put more $ into the house. Will we stay here long term? We will get the $$ out? Do we have the $$? Are we willing to give up a trip? You know- all those questions that have always led us to NO. But- at this crossroads with a new sink in the horizon- we decided to take the plunge.

So, from a faulty disposal 2 and a half weeks ago to a new disposal, new under mount sink ( I wanted farmhouse- but it wouldn't fit), new granite counter tops, and a new back splash.

Yep, he definitely deserves that 6 pack. And heck, I may need one of my own!

Pictures to come!

Here is how it looks now

Counter tops

Walking in

Hate This sink

A lifetime is never long enough...to love

I needed an outlet. Yes, this is supposed to be about cold beer and finding cold beer and sometimes about my unique experiences - but today is about something different.

Today is about a man.

I am blessed.  Many days I am ungrateful and feel like God has handed me a raw deal- there are things that are hard, things that I want- and obstacles that sometimes seem too much to bear.

But- when I come to a week or a month like this- I feel like my cup runeth over.

Once upon a time there was a poor paper boy who fell in love with a star pupil in Chicago. They went to a party after a minstrel show and the rest is history. They fell in love, got married, had 2 children and lived happily ever after. 76 year dating, and 71 years married! Woo-hoo!

However, there are things to note about this special couple. This man went to war and came back wounded- very wounded. He was in the hospital for weeks. His story is below- and its quite a tale. I mention this esp because this is the ONLY time he has been in the hospital in his entire life- until now.

A GI's WWII Experience


They worked very hard- both coming from poor families, no college degrees, and his wife never worked or drove a car.

I have memories beyond memories of these two. Quite a pair- they never, ever stopped giving.

Favorite quotes:

"Many hands make light work"

"Give it with a warm hand"

"Cur non" - "Why Not"

Its never about the money. I don't care about money- its just a thing- but my grandparents changed WORLDS with their generous hands- and the most generous part is that they never had it themselves.

They paid for my college. Part of my sister's college. They contributed towards our wedding. And the most giving thing of all- random love notes filled with a 20 or a 10 or a 100 to let us know he cared.

I've wanted to share for a LONG time (well, 3 years) the most moving thing he has ever done. Well, never mind- he moves me everyday- but something for the books.

Their 90th birthday party. he had it all figured out. He booked the hotel, restaurant, the band, everything for the best party in 90 years. And let me tell you- it was! We had a blast! At the end he passed out each family- 12 envelopes total and said there was a check inside that he wanted us to spend. But we could open the envelope till Tuesday (it was Saturday night) and he would know if we did. But first, we had to write what we would do with it- and send it back to him that Monday. No saving- just spending!

And- of course- he matched the church


I wont tell you what was in it- but it changed all of our lives.

That's just what they do. Its just what He does.


I love him, I honor him, I cherish him. He's still here tonight and I pray one day I will have a son to honor him for my lifetime.

****forgive me for a rambling post about an amazing man I am not quite ready to lose to heaven****

10 things I have learned in 10 years

Wow! As the countdown to my 10 year college reunion begins...its officially 10 days away- I am reminded of just how different things are, how different I am, and yet all still the same.

10. "Top 40" can be popular at any age- even when you are too old to be a BIG fan

9.  Losing weight was a LOT easier at 21. And 25. And 30.

8. 10 years ago, beer was gross- but it was the cool thing to drink. Now- beer tastes good...and well, its still cool to drink

7. Nothing good happens after midnight- including my singing on a stage at karaoke. I'm much better at 11:59

6. Friendships really can last a lifetime! (or at least 10 years and going strong)

5. PJ pants never look good out in public- who made that look popular to go to class in?!?!

4. Driving around on a gorgeous day listening to awesome music really can turn a day around

3. French fries are a major food group. Could #9 have anything to do with this??!

2. Parties are a blast- but some of the best weekend nights are at home with my family

1. College really was a blast- a time I loved, friends I cherish, and memories that make me smile. However, where I am today- is my favorite place to be.

(that's at a bar, with my husband, drinking a cold, draft beer)

Oh, the Places You'll Go!!

I never thought that when I received this book for my high school graduation from my dear friend, Emily, that it would refer to the summer of 2012. Wow, it has been a busy one! I counted...from May to August- I haven't been home 37 days!!! That's a LOT!

I kicked the summer off with a trip to France and Belgium. I ended the summer with a trip to Norway and Ireland. Throw in helping my parents pack in Nashville, traveling to Phoenix to meet my niece, going to Florida to celebrate July 4th and Father's Day- plus construction in our backyard, a lake trip, mother in laws knee surgery, and our anniversary----wowzers! No wonder I haven't had time to blog! Forget blogging- I haven't had time to drink beer!

But.... I'm BACK! For now anyway...and ready to relax, watch football, and enjoy fall! And of course, drink cold beer!

Sisters make the best of friends

I am pretty lucky. I have 2 fabulous sisters that I love, respect, and get along with....most of the time. I hate that one lives so far away in Arizona- but I think we work pretty hard at seeing each other 3-4 times a year. And we talk- almost every day- so that helps :)

I am super lucky and love that my other sister lives only 30 minutes away. This makes for a lot of fun evenings, tons of laughter, and a guy for John that can relate to the Reynolds girls. (this is a MUST).

Great views!

Yesterday Terri invited us over for a swim and a cookout at her apartment. We had the best time - enjoying the sun, meeting new friends, and grilling out. Here are a few pictures of what the days activities entailed.

Bud Light yes! The other beer- not mine! Ugh- who drinks that stuff?

The grill master- Yummy!

Gotta have your pool pass!

some volleyball action

Some pool action

Saw this walking out- called a beer-a-mid- impressive

As you can see-, the Venetian- Las Colinas, really has it going on. What a great day! Thanks Terri- see you next weekend!

Dutch's: Coldest Beer on the Block

Last night I cooked. That is a BIG milestone for me. I am not really a cook. I like the idea of being one, I pin LOTS of recipes (everyone probably thinks from Pintrest I cook every night) and I think about cooking all the time. But, then, I get home from work, and I am tired, and we need to work out, and the evening slips away and once again, I have not made a meal.

So, last night I cooked. It wasn't a crazy, gourmet meal- but it was healthy, light, and my husband liked it. So, guess its a win! Adding that meal to the rotation.

After dinner, John wanted to grab a beer on a nice Friday evening- and I was happy to oblige. We wanted somewhere close- and let's face it- somewhere quiet where we could talk. So, we picked a local restaurant to grab a drink at the bar. Its not really a big bar, and the restaurant is more geared towards TCU students and families- but it fit the bill for us for last night.

Dutch's. That's the place. It's a hamburger joint that is really, quite good. My weakness there when we go to eat- Tater Tots! I LOVE tots and they are just hard to find. They remind me of my childhood when we would have them with hotdogs or hamburgers on the weekends.

Anyway, last night we just went for the beer- and wow, was it cold! ( This could possibly be because they don't change out the kegs very often- its really not that kind of place). But, it was sooo good and soooo cold- I really regret not taking the thermometer.

Happy John with cold beer

So, when you are in need of a good burger, some good tots, or just a good, cold beer- this is the place for you, and me, and John, and all of our friends, and family...

Being an Aunt....RULES!

This past weekend John and I ventured out to Phoenix to visit my sister, her husband, and my new (well 8 week old) niece, Marguerite Anne- aka Margo. I was so excited to meet the little beauty in real life- and it was an amazing weekend. This is the first grandchild on my family's side- and if you couldn't tell- we are all over the moon.

She's real cute. And by "real cute"- I mean cutest baby EVER! She's sweet, cuddly, giggly, smiley, with minimum fussiness- or at least that's what this aunt experienced. :)  We had a great weekend hanging out, taking LOTS of pictures- courtesy of John, and even went out for sushi. Margo is so well rounded- she's skipping McDonald's and heading straight for the fancy stuff!

*** Note- these are not the pictures John took- these are courtesy of my handy, dandy Blackberry that I love and everyone else hates.

Meeting Miss Margo for the 1st time

Look at that little smile

Sisters and baby

John with Margo- so sweet

Pretty in Pink- courtesy of Aunt Terri

Too cool

Little Diva

Cheers! Celebrating babies is fun!

Of course- it wouldn't be a proper welcome into the family without some toasting...and some cold beer.