Midweek Randoms

• SO - Labor Day weekend is over. For many of us, that means the last "break" until Thanksgiving. Hmph. Did you have a good one? What did you do? I, for one, went on a mother-daughter-girls-weekend-trip-to-Branson with my mom, Aunt Cindy, and my boo (cousin Courtney). Courtney and I planned this as a 50th birthday gift to the two of them. The trip was fun (albeit interesting) but most importantly we got to be together and that alone was fabulous and priceless. =) More on the trip (with pictures) soon!

• On our trip we did some shopping. I found some great bargains. Looking at some of them now and realizing I need to branch out and also, I can be such a dude (look at all this green, blue, and gray!) Still, I'm excited for my finds (2 v-neck sweaters, a charcoal boyfriend cardigan, an awesome charcoal pullover, work shoes, and a pumpkin decoration for our dining room table for good measure.)

• I used the weekend to completely blow any and all efforts I've put toward losing weight the past couple months. I ate, and ate, and ate and ate and ate. Five jumbo points if you can tell me where that phrase was adapted from. (Can't believe nobody got my last pointless pop culture trivia question...After a tragical week spent in the total depths of despair... those thoughts were brought to you courtesy of Anne of Grenn Gables! C'mon people! Julie? Are you out there? I KNOW you know that one!"Anyway, the point is I feel like a total out-of-breath fatty now and it's time to get back on the wagon-o-health.

• I'm pretty sure work has swallowed my husband. Since I've been back I've seen him just a couple of hours. I actually had to take him a snack to work last night and actually help him work just to see him and say "hey, I'm back!" Then we met friends at La Fiesta for a quick dinner. Dac went back to work... came home for a bit, went back and then rolled back in around midnight. He's been putting in tons of overtime this past month - here's hoping that lets up real soon.

• Speaking of Dac, he attended a family reunion out at Camp Horizon this weekend. It spanned two days and he ate, swam, played games, played disc golf, etc... and he said he had a really good time.

Dac workin' those intense disc golf moves. (photo courtesy of Erica Wheeler.)

Dac's extended family on his dad's side. (Next photos courtesy of Darla Mann.)
Family from Grandma Jo's side.

• While I was gone, I received this in a text. It said "somebody misses you". Awww. =) Love that Charli.
  

• Now, just for kicks and giggles, let's go back in time. A couple months ago, Steve took charge of Wii night and created a Joe's Crab Shack-esque feast. He boiled crab legs, crawfish, shrimp, mussels, corn, and taters. He added some so-hot-it'll-melt-the-hat-right-off-your-head spice and we all practically burnt up just smelling it. It. Smelled. HAARRRIBLE. After gagging for a few, we settled down and ate. I vowed to try everything there. It was actually all really good (minus the awful mussels... they didn't necessarily taste awful but the texture did me in. Oy. ) I ate it up like a cajun champ. Here's a couple shots from that night that I forgot to post.

• Ooh, I realize I forgot to mention our most recent date night. I didn't get any pictures but I basically just planned for us to stay home. We got in lots of chatting while I made some fajita chicken tacos and we watched a couple episodes of 24 before breaking to pack (me) and work on photos (Dac). It definitely wasn't anything fancy but I'm so glad we made the time for it.
  

• I've decided I REALLY need to start planning meals and sticking to that plan. At this point, I'm not even talking gourmet awesomeness... I'm just talking about fairly quick, fairly nutritious meals on most week nights. I love to cook and even more, I enjoy eating home cooked meals. SO - I need to plan to make this happen. Like. Now. I also really want to get back in the habit of using coupons and saving some moolah. No extreme couponing or anything just a little savings here and there. Who's with me!?!?!
  

• On a final note - how is this weather!?!? Highs in the 80's... lows in the 50's. Sigh. Fall has arrived friends. Fall has arrived. =) I was made for this weather and I'm LOVING it.