Caturdays and Instagram

Hello and Happy Saturday!

So, there have been some huge changes lately that I do think are going to end up effecting my blog and of course my family. First, let me just say with all of the events happening over the year, trying to post a Caturday each Saturday will be so tough!! So instead Niko and I have started a Instagram for him. WE LOVE IT!! As you remember, my main goal was to try and post photos of him each week and funny stories. With Instagram it's like we can share everyday with Niko!! Be sure to follow him @hellonikocat. If you don't have an Instagram, like Ben, then you can check out our daily Instagram photos in my blog too. I have him set up in the side bar so be sure to check his most recent photos out there.

Onwards and upwards is what I say! So...Ben has been thinking about a huge career switch lately and well, he just jumped in with both feet and landed on a sweet deal! I am so excited for Ben to begin this journey since I know that it means that he will be doing what he enjoys. Life is about to get much better for Ben!

In return, it is about to get much better for me too...well I assume....well I hope...umm yes it will!! With Ben's new career change, this will be the first time ever that we will actually hold the same work schedule. I am kind of nervous about spending so much time with Ben but at the same time, I am thrilled about the changes this will bring too. I mean, I could spend everyday hanging out with Ben and going out to do different things, but I know that he is an introvert and needs his down time to do "him-stuff" too. That will be the challenge for me, but I am sure it will be fine. The great part is that Ben and I will finally get the chance to start cooking at home together, hanging out on the weekends, and doing things that we have always wanted!

It also means that we may get to move!!!! I am so excited since I spend about 1.5-2 hours each day just commuting to and from work. I would love to live in Austin again and since Ben will be downtown now, let's hope we can get more central!! This will be a huge change but I am ready for it. Plus, let's hope that I can convince him to carpool. I cannot stand driving now a days and I just need a break-- I have some serious road rage now!

I know that we will be fine where ever we end up going, but we are hoping that little Niko will be okay with the move too. He has lived almost his whole life in our place now and I don't want him to freak out. I am sure he will be excited to see some new views from new windows though!

This is a huge change but we will keep you posted on the ride!

Until Next Time...

Caturday #12

Hello and Happy Caturday!

This week Niko started an Instagram! Please be sure to follow him @HelloNikoCat. Everyday we will be posting up some pics everyday through his Instagram. We look forward to seeing you there too!

Until Next Time...

Week Overview

Hello and Happy Tuesday!

Gosh so many things have happened over the past week that have really opened my eyes to many things around me. These things all may seem really random which is why I suppose it is best to just number the thoughts as they flow out of my brain.

By the way, you may or may not know (if not you will soon learn) that I do not think in clear thought pattern, rather I am a very random thinker, speaker, and life-liver...wait does that even make sense!?!

1. Ben's birthday was last week on April 10th!! Although I must say, I do love celebrating my birthday but I really enjoy getting to show Ben that he is the coolest guy (at least once a year)! So, the plan was that he was not going to ask off from work and I wasn't going to ask off. Instead we were going to plan a night of celebration for him. Well, once he found out his work schedule, he did have the day off which meant he got the whole day to himself....which I mean is great for him since he is all introverted and what not, but secretively(ish) I just had to ask off a little early. I mean how can I resist not spending a little more time with Ben....it was his birthday man! The plan was to go and get him a cigar after work and then to get home, changed, and take him out for a delicious meal. Reservations were set and I was on my way to Heroes & Legacies when I realized, I have no clue what in the world Ben may want or what he likes in a cigar! In the end, I ended up getting him up to Heroes & Legacies before dinner so that he could pick out a nice cigar. I am not quite sure if he has smoked it yet, but hopefully he enjoys it! Needless to say, dinner at Estancia Churrascaria was great and it was followed by wonderful drinks and laughs at the Cheesecake Factory. I hope that I gave Ben a good birthday celebration!



2. Work Realizations: Random Point 1-Assessing performance with measurable means is always best and will help you evaluate the actions to take next. Random Point 2-I have some really great co-workers. I love working with people who I can see their dedication, collaboration, sense of urgency, and attention to detail. One even thought of me after going to a conference all week--cannot wait to read this book signed by Dominique Moceanu!



3. I totally forgot about my blog last week and didn't post a Caturday. Okay, that was a total lie...I just was too lazy to post...this is what ended up happening before I just moved onto Facebook, YouTube, online shopping, Netflix, work stuff...etc. I can get distracted quickly when I am feeling bored or uninspired.

4. I cannot wait for MotoGP at Circuit of the Americas this weekend!!! Two more work days till I am watching the races. I have really wanted to see this in person and this weekend it is happening!!!!! I cannot wait...please let Friday come as fast as possible!!!

Until Next Time...

Caturday #11

Hello and Happy Caturday!

So, lately I have been noticing that Niko has a new favorite napping spot. If you don't see him napping in the windowsill or his bed in the bedroom, nowadays you will most likely find him in the closet right underneath my dresses.

When I first found him man was I irritated. I mean he has the whole closet but decides to best himself right by my longest dresses?!? Now when you look at the bottoms of these they are covered in white and black cat hair :/

The good news is that I don't tend to wear my long dresses anymore...that is at least not until summer comes along. Instead of be agitated about this, I decided to embrace it and give him a little napping blanket too.

Ah, the joys a cats!

Until next time...

Over Ten Years Have Gone By...

Hello and Happy Wednesday!

On Monday, April 1st, Ben and I celebrated our first decade together! A DECADE....Holy Cow! We have been together for a whole 10 years. It's strange to think that I have known Ben for so long. Gosh how things have changed. I mean to start we are married. Who would have thought it!?!

I suppose the best place to start is the beginning...Let's see, Ben and I met in school of course. I mean we are still young, so go figure that we are high school sweethearts. Even though we grew up in such a small community, I didn't even know who Ben was until I was a sophomore in high school. Actually, he was good friends with my best friend. It seems that they knew each other for quite some time which is weird that I had no clue who he was. Even more, I knew who Ben's sister was before I even knew Ben existed. Ben and I were also were in the high school band together for a whole year without even knowing about the presence of each other.

The good news in it all is that we met....finally! I mean it wasn't really that long that we knew each other before we started dating. Ben started the Spring semester in my theater arts class my sophomore year and that is when we first met. I don't really think we paid each other too much attention but on April 1st he ended up asking me "out." I say "out" because we had no plans to go anywhere yet...but you know the high school drift of things.

I think the weirdest thing is that we didn't know anything about each other. I just knew that he was totally playing an April Fool's joke on me; but after much convincing from some friends, I guess he was serious after all. That's just one of the things I have to love about Ben....he doesn't play any stupid April Fool's pranks. It's so juvenile and I just don't care much for them. Now, April 1st has a great meaning to it!

Of course we have so many funny and embarrassing stories over the years, but I thought I share this photo of a trip to the Carlsbad Caverns we took when we were still dating. Look at how young we look :)

When we first started dating, so many of my friends told me this wouldn't last long. I mean Ben and I were totally different...well let's be honest, we were complete opposites. Now, I see much of Ben's mannerisms and quirks in myself and vise versa. I can tell we have rubbed off of each other enough that I can say Ben is my other half. He definitely completes me and is the kimchi to my rice ^_^.

Ben and I have been married for about a year and a half now and things are better than ever. I am so glad that I listened to him read me the dictionary when we first met because look at us now!

Anyways, here's to our first decade and I am so excited for many-many more! "We're locked in time...let's rewind..."

Until next time...