History in the Making June 30, 2008

Court’s visit was awesome! We had such a good time! Friday she had some appointments in the morning and at lunch, then I drove her around this area of Houston (too bad my knowledge of the Houston area is sparce), and then it was time for dinner and the game.

We went to El Tiempo for dindin - a Houston classic / staple for Tex-Mex. And we ate our faces off! Margaritas, guac, queso, chip and salsa to start. I was stuffed before the main course even came. I had fish tacos, which are delish! Boom and Cour both got the mixed fajitas…

There was so much food - even looking at the snaps now make me feel slightly queasy. Ugh - we ate A LOT!

Then off to the ballgame - this was the first time EVER that Boston has played at Houston! A little bit of baseball trivia supplied by Boom. I guess they are in different conferences - in Houston, the pitcher has to bat, and in Boston, they do not (they have a designated hitter). And, it was the FIRST TIME EVER that I have sat and watched 9 innings of baseball (2 nights in a row)!

This was (clearly) the first time I had been to Minute Maid park. It is right downtown - we parked at Boom’s work parking and walked maybe 6 - 8 blocks to the “stadium” (which was great, as I need a little activity after the large dinner we had just consumed). We learned that it used to be the old train station, which explained why it looked like a train station:

The “stadium” from the outside.

and the lobby area before getting into the “stadium” area (this really looks like it was part of a train station, which it was)

Fun times! We had great seats on Friday - right (I mean literally directly behind the catcher) behind home plate. We were in the section just beyond where the Astro’s owner and wives were sitting. (you can see one of the little punks that was sitting behind us - there were 3 of them basically heckling us and all the Red Sox players. I wanted to turn and punch them in the face, but I restrained myself. They were so annoying! So glad the Sox won the game Friday night!)

This was our view! and I got lots of cool close up snaps of Red Sox players…

J.D. Drew Dustin Pedroia (thanks, Boom, for the correction)

Manny (Boom was all screaming, You’re the Manny!)

Cap’n J. Varitek (he was also my friend Jojo’s prom date down in Florida! Love that piece of trivia!)

Finally, I got what I really came to the game for:

Too bad I was still really full and couldn’t enjoy it fully. And, as a side note, candied apples are not offered as a delicious snack at Minute Maid Park. Highly disappointed.

The Astros have a player with the tiniest calves ever! So small they kinda make be feel sick when I look at them:

Actually, I can’t look at him or his calves. Good ole Hunter Pence…

And the actual “stadium” was very nice, but kinda odd. Since it is late June, the roof (which can open and close) was closed, and the AC was pumping - I mean, enough so that we felt a “breeze” and both Court and I were cold. COLD, in Houston, in late June at a baseball game. Very odd. And I kept thinking it was so weird that they were playing baseball “indoors”. I totally understand why it has to be able to be covered and air conditioned, but Friday night was actually a very pleasant night and would have been awesome to have the roof open.

After the game, we were all beat (and stuffed to the gills) so we called it a night and headed home.

Saturday, we got up a little bit later than planned (but we all needed the shut eye!) and went running in Memorial Park, the Central Park of Houston. After that, we had breakfast at the Buffalo Grille (pancakes as big as a steering wheel!). Court and I napped (the heat totally makes me tired) and did a little shop shop (Banana and Gap are having some fierce sales!) and then tried to go to the iMax Grand Canyon - but the showing we wanted to go see only had 1 ticket left. I keep forgetting that Houston is a HUGE city - so I need to plan better.

The game Saturday night started a bit earlier and we were sitting at the Club level (people take your orders and bring food & drink to you in your seats!) so we decided to forgo dinner and just snack at the ballpark. We were definitely sitting around better people Sat night - no little twerps heckling us! Boom made friends with the Astros fans sitting next to him - they were a jolly group! And the guy behind me was all, I like your French designer bag. And I was like, You must be dating a gal with good taste! Hehehe!

Here we are - so cute! And yes, both Court and I remembered to bring a little jacket to wear, just in case. Court didn’t need her since she was in pants, but I got cold. I am wearing my new cargo skirt I got at the Gap! (Many moons ago - in college - I had a very similar skirt, but from Abercrombie - I should have kept it! Little did I know it would be coming back into style…)

After the game, which the Sox lost (boo), we headed to the new swank restaurant, The Grove, and went to the rooftop bar - The Treehouse. It was a great night - breezy and not too hot or humid at all! We had a few drinks there and then headed over to Hotel ZaZa. Which is, evidently, a very fancy pants place. Due to the flipflops on Boom’s feet, we were not allowed in, as they do not allow men in sandals in their establishment. So note - if you ever want to go to Hotel ZaZa, be sure no men in your group are in sandals! By this point, it was past midnight, so I think we were all secretly glad that we were going home, since we were all tired. And Court’s flite the next morning was pretty early.

All and all, it was a great weekend spent with great peeps! We loved having our first official out of town guest, and she’ll just have to come on back down once the house is in better order. And we’ll be back up in the RIC in Sept, so it will be great to see folks then.

Yay! June 27, 2008

Despite a death in her family, a funeral and an extremely delayed flight, Court is here!  Yay!  We’re so glad to have her!!!

She is a hugely rabid Red Sox fan, so she and Boom are really looking forward the the game tonight.  I am excited to go to Minute Maid Park and see the Sox (and Astros) play live.  The only 2 MLB teams I have ever seen live are the Rangers and the Orioles.  Hopefully I can get some cotton candy and a candied apple - Boom is all, We aren’t going to the circus - I’m not sure there will be candied applies. But I am still hopeful!

She’s been filling me in on all the goings on in Richmond in between her work appointments - lots happening, and she seems to have a lot of info!  And she is just a great girl - so positive, fun, full of life.  She’d do anything for her friends.  Makes me miss the RIC, or rather, the peeps in Richmond.

This is gonna be a great weekend!

Cubby June 26, 2008

Yesterday was Cubby’s birthday.

Cubs - Boom and I hope you had a good one!

XOXO

San Diego, cont. June 24, 2008

Check out our first night activities here.

The next day, we went to La Jolla to check it out.

Dolphins frolicking in the ocean!

It was really quite beautiful! and the weather was unbelievable!

Boom got into town and we went to the Hotel del Coronado (or “the Del” as it is known), out on Coronado island.

Very glamorous! We then headed to an early bird dinner, as we thought Kandy A’s flight was getting in around 9pm. But there was some miscommunication and that was actually when the 2nd leg of her flight was leaving! So eventually Kandy A and Gretty got into SD - yay!

The next morning, for the 2nd morning in a row for Cubs and I, we went to the Mission for bfast. So delish! Everyone was starved, so it really hit the spot!

This is where we overheard other marathoners talking about wanting to go to the Olive Garden for dinner that night, but how the OG doesn’t take reservations… too funny! Gretty and Kandy A had the best tofu ever as part of their meal!

Then onto the race expo…

Here are the excited runners!

Since I didn’t have time to make my own sign, I at least was able to find the place where I could write on a sign. This side is for Boom, the other side (pink) was for Kandy A.

Then we met up with Gretty’s excellent friend, Kurt, who is a Navy SEAL! We headed back to The Del to let the others experience it and have some more lovely drinks.

Kurt was the instigator of getting fruity drinks… Twist our arms!

He was also kind enough to pay for all the drinks with a gift card that had been re-gifted to him. Niiiiiiice!

Cubs and Gretty stayed out that night with Kurt and his SEAL buddies - and hung as VIPs in a bar with bottle service! Those gals know how to live it up!

The next morning, I think they were hurting just a little bit. But they were good sports and got up early with me to go see Kandy A and Boom at the half way point.

Here we are on the trolly to get to the half way point. The trolly system there was very odd - buying tickets seemed to be optional, as there was no system that ensured that only people with tickets boarded the trolly.

Kandy A at the half way point - she zoomed by us really early on! (I guess that is what happens when you run a 3:25 marathon).

After that, we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting for Boom! So many green shirts - but no Boom. I was really getting worried, and rightly so.

When he gets to us, he can’t breath and really needs his puffer for his ashtma. Poor guy, ran 4 miles barely being able to breath!

After seeing him, Cubs and I dropped Gretty off at the 24 mile mark so she could run the last couple miles with Boom. We also go to see Kandy A at this point.

She definitely seemed less chipper, but who wouldn’t be?

Then Cubs and I proceeded to walk the rest of the marathon so that we could get to the finish area. This is slightly painful, as we were in jeans and flip flops and it had really warmed up. But what was worse was when we would pass folks on the course. I know how they feel and it just stinks!!!

We got to the finish area (Marine Corps recruiting depot - much nicer than we had expected!) and it was PACKED! Throngs of people. We finally wedged our way onto a fence that lined the course - and also met up with Kandy A. Kandy A and Cubs headed back to the hotel (as we needed to be checked out by noon - highly annoying), and I waited to see Boom and Gretty…

When I saw them pass me, I then made my way back to the actual finish line area. It was so crazy! So many people everywhere! I thought there would be no way in a million years that I would be able to find them. I saw them in the runners coral and I screamed and yelled to get their attention. Nada. So I then ran to where I thought they might come out, and they did. Thankfully, otherwise there would have been no way to find them!

I think that is a smile of relief, to be done! Good job, Boom! We took the trolly back and actually beat Kandy A and Cubs to the hotel room!

A post-race victory photo!

After checking out of the hotel, we headed to a beachy place called South Beach for lunch. Kurt met us there later… It was crowded and reminded us a lot of Sidewalk Cafe in Richmond.

We ate our fill, drank a little, Kandy A got picked up by her friend to spend the rest of the day together, and Boom and I needed to head to the airport. Kurt led us in a sneaky little shortcut, and Cubs and Gretty returned the rental car early (for a rebate of $100! Woot woot!).

When Boom and I landed in H-town, he said to me, “The gals haven’t even gotten on their redeye back home.” Crazy. It was a great trip with great friends. I hope we can do it again soon! I know some of the ladies are gonna sign up for the Houston marathon, which Boom is planning on doing. I may do the half or just be the cheerleader again!

Rockin’ Rock Band and good friends June 19, 2008

For our last night in Richmond, we went over to our great friends house for dinner and to just hang out. M and Boom used to work together, and started at the same time after b-school - so we had all moved to RIC at the same time and lived just a few blocks away. K is such a great gal - she has an awesome sense of style (I always take notes when I see her!) and just is funny and a lot of fun to be around. She also is able to entertain in a casual, I’m-not-trying-too-hard kind of way that I am envious of.

Their 2 bambinos are adorable. G-man and Ollie - M and Boom were actually out of town together on a business trip when she went into labor with Ollie, so I was the one who drove her to the hospital! I remember being totally worried and freaked out, and looking over at K, she looked so calm and pulled together.

Here are the guys. “We are NOT twins!” - G-man. Clearly Ollie looks like K and G-man looks like M.

After dindin, we rocked it out playing Rock Band. So fun!

K only sings, and I am best on guitar. Drums is super hard. I did try singing once - wasn’t very pretty, but I managed to get through.

It was apropos that we spent our last night with them. Since we all moved here at the same time - and we actually spent our first 4th of July in Richmond with them as well!

Speaking of good taste…

I was so pleased to see my hostess gift of a silkscreen of The Fan was hanging up in their kitchen! I really am honored that K put it up, since she is rather particular about stuff like that.

Couple friends, where both hubby and wife get along with other hubby and wife, are hard to come by. So I am really sad that we left K & M - for many more reasons than just we got along great as couples.

K was one of my closest friends in RIC, not that we were on the phone constantly with each other, but that I knew I could tell her anything and depend on her if I needed anything. She was really great during the tragedy and really helped me get through it, and over it (as much as you can get over something like that).  and she sometimes surprised me with how much she got about me - like this move to H-town… one of the added benefits of moving was that people wouldn’t know about the tragedy and I wouldn’t have to wonder if they knew or what they knew of it.  Not that was a driving factor at all, but K got that it would be nice to kinda start over in that sense.  and it was something that I thought only Boom and I had considered.

Anyway, I digress… Rock Band was so fun and we totally miss M & K!

Wow June 19, 2008

After a perfectly not-so-great-day (I only got 4 hours of sleep and cried about 5 - 7 times, long boring story - not all had to do with designer), I got this in the mail from my great friend Gentz:

So thoughtful! and kind and totally unnecessary! It really made me feel better - to remember my friends back in Richmond and to know that I am remembered as well!

Good friends are hard to come by. I am hoping that I can keep in good touch with those back in Richmond whilst having enough energy to make new ones here in H-town.

Beating Them Off with a Bat June 10, 2008

The trip to San Diego was great! That Thursday, Cubs and I were the only ones that came in early, so we met at the car rental place (which was off site and really far away! I was convinced it was in a different zip code) and got our brand new Suzuki SUV - kind of a random car, but better than a 15-passenger van, which is what they tried to give us at first.

Here’s our odometer reading only 6 miles!

We went into Little Italy for a snack pre-dinner / going out. Got a yummy cheese plate. Luckily for me Cubby had done some leg work before the trip. She had even gotten a book - and little did we know what we were getting ourselves into with the “Trendy Bars and Hip Single Scene”.

After freshening up, we went into the Gas Lamp district - started out at the rooftop bar at the W hotel that had actual sand. Too bad we increased the population at the bar by a third - it was also very windy and cold! So we only stayed there for a couple drinks.

We headed to where we ate dinner at the bar. Well, my dinner was the same as our snack - a cheese plate. Sometimes it is not so fun being a veggie. But the bar was cool - kinda deserted, but it was a little early for a Thursday night. By the time we finished dinner, there was a little scene developing. There was a DJ spinning, and lots of gals in short dresses or shorts. We started noticing a trend - that most of the folks there were Latin and the DJ was spinning dance music in Spanish!

I wish I had taken some snaps - they would have shown the men that were clamoring to meet Cubby! She needed one of those deli line number hander outers!  If they weren’t trying to talk to her, they were winking at her from a few feet away. It was great - and there was lots of cologne going on. One business card that Cubby got was from a guy who wanted us to come to his hotel pool the next day! HA!

When we decided this was not exactly our scene, we headed off to another bar - The Bitter End - which was the exact opposite of Confidential - much more fratty and mostly all home slice dudes. Still, the guys were all about Cubby - and who could blame them?! She is so cute and looked awesome in her DVF sting ray dress - love it! There were guys at this bar telling me that my friend was very attractive (duh) and begging her to dance! Finally, I convinced her to dance with one of the poor chaps - I am sure he was in hog heaven!

When this was all going down, a little guy was talking to me. Blah blah blah, whatever whatever whatever. But the great fun was that I had him convinced I was a 2006 college grad!!! That was a definite high light of the night - and he didn’t even blink an eyelash! So silly since I don’t even think I look like I am 23 or 24 - hopefully I can still pass for late 20’s but def not early 20’s.

We stayed until last call - around 1:30am west coast time, but that was 430 for Cubs and 330 for me. We were beat.

Here we are at the beginning of the night…

Here we are at the end of the night. Not too much worse for the wear, just really tired…

Fun times!  More SD updates later…

Team Sea Lion May 29, 2008

I am headed to San Diego today for the marathon this Sunday! Boom and Kandy A will be running. Cubby, myself and Gretty will be spectating (well, Gretty may run the last few miles with Boom). Kandy A will likely be running a 3:15 - 3:20. Boom, who really stopped training a while ago, says the writing is on the wall and that there is nothing else that he can do… so he’s shooting for a 4:00 time. Will just be great to take a little trip and see some of gals and hang out.

I had grand plans of making a sign and t-shirts for all of us, but being in flux has been much harder than I thought it would be. So none of that stuff this time (unlike Austin) - perhaps next time. I think Boom is going to sign up for Houston (which I did back in 2006) - it is a good one, and since we live here, it will be easy, in terms of logistics. I hope some of Team Sea Lion decide to sign up for it as well!

I haven’t been to SD since I was in lower school - going to Sea World and that sort of thing. With all the stuff that has been going on with the move, I really haven’t had time to do any research or plan anything out. Luckily, Cubby has been on the ball about that stuff. And Gretty has a friend who lives there that may be taking us around to the local spots.

Likely I won’t be able to post until I get back home on Sunday night, so wish Boom luck (Kandy A doesn’t need it) and ciao for now!

The Other Gals May 8, 2008

Last night I had dinner with Gretty, Cubby, Court and Ali. It was really great to see them, and I am proud to report that I held it together. No tears, though I was close to turning on the waterworks a few times (not sure if anyone noticed or not - I am not usually as smooth as I might think that I am).

I think I have a kinda uncertain, worried, stressed out vibe going on right now, and I don’t like it. I hope the gals didn’t pick up on it too much. I tried to push it down and be just regular Tingaling, like I prefer to be.

It does make me happy that I will be seeing most of them in the next few months (like Gretty said “The Summer of Us!” )- San Diego trip for Gretty and Cubby, and then Court is coming down for the Red Sox - Astros series. And I’ll def be back up to get the house packed up and Kandy A and Stevie’s weddings this fall, so hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with them all in person then. And I am promoting January and February for H-town visits, as it is so nice during the winter.

Gretty and Ali - so cute!

Court, Cubby & I - cute cute cute!

When I think about it, I met all these great gals through Gretty. Boy, am I glad I was in push up position next to her at Seals that morning! And I am glad that I basically forced her to be friends with me - I really don’t think she was all that fond of me in the beginning. But my perseverance paid off - she is great as are all the others.

Oddly enough, Cubs and I became closer when Gretty was on her 2 month adventure last summer between jobs. I guess we were both missing her, so hung out together. Which was great - as Cubby is so awesome. Sometimes (most times) I can’t believe that she is younger than me (4 years! born in 1980!!!!) as I usually feel like she is more mature than I (guess that isn’t too hard). I also think that since she is a big sis and I am a little sis, that somehow plays into the dynamic (perhaps subconsciously).

Court is the founder of wine club and a rabid Red Sox / Patriots fan, like Boom. So it is great because she and Boom have a real connection as do she and I - I love it when that happens! (and yes, Boom has a connection with the others as well: Cubs - their shared love of music / same sense of humor and wittiness, Gretty - they are great buddies - always have something to talk about, and he - as well as I - loves all the members of her family!) and she’s always up for having a good time, which is great.

{BTW - Ruby is tooting! Audibly! That dog…}

And last but not least, Ali (and Chuck). She is so great b/c she is always smiling and laughing, and just a great, genuine person. She and Chuck are one of my fav couples I have met in RIC. So nice, too, ’cause Boom likes them both - which sometimes can be tricky if spouses don’t get along. I wish I had had more time to get to know Ali, but I am hopeful that we can stay in touch.

I am really gonna miss everyone. But I guess we have to leave to move onto the next adventure…

Week of Friends May 8, 2008

This week has been great as I’ve eaten most of my meals (not bfast) out and with friends. So glad to get to see folks “one last time” before we drive off into the sunset. I realize that I have a random group of friends, but I have always been like that and I really love having all different friends.

Monday night I got to have dindin with Gentz (+ hubby) and Poindexter, two of my very dear friends. Gentz and I went to undergrad together, but really became close post graduation. Poindexter and I met through the Junior League - and as I always say, the 2 best things that I got out of the Junior League was meeting Poindexter and Stevie (another great friend).

Sadly, I was so beat down and discombobulated from traveling that I forgot my camera. Would have loved to have captured those two cats on film, but another time. Goodness knows I have many photos of them, so that is good.

Poindexter just started her new job and it is great! Which totally rocks and I am so glad for her. She is such an awesome person - so upbeat and always positive and ready to be your cheerleader. When her father passed away a year or so ago, I didn’t know what to do, so I didn’t do much and I feel like I was a bad friend during that time. Which stinks, as that is when people need good friends the most. Anyway, I jut was an idiot and wish I had been a better friend.

Here is a photo from a dinner out with Poindexter and her cutie pie daughter back in Feb. I meant to do a little posting back then about them, but never seemed to get around to it.

G-money is rockin’ it with her fine stationary and gift store. That girl is a hard worker! We weren’t able to get together as much as I would have liked (esp. for living in the same city) - but life and busy-ness always seemed to get into the way.

Here’s a photo of the 4 of us from our going away fete.  Gentz is looking stylish and cute as ever! She is always put together and just looks great. Gives me something to aspire to (I finally washed my hair Wed - hadn’t touched it since Saturday night! That may be a new record for me - and I really shouldn’t be repeating that anytime soon).

Tuesday lunch I had with Tucker. She is great. I haven’t known her for that long (met her at the job I took in Jan ‘07, but she was on maternity leave when I started - so she probably started back in April of last year). I remember asking one of our co-workers (who had worked with her) before she came back if we would get along (I was a little apprehensive, as the chemistry seemed to be working out just fine the way it was). And D was all like, Oh yeah - you guys are totally going to be friends. And he was right! She was the one that opened my eyes to the blogging world! And the rest is history

I think when you are seeing someone everyday, and you actually get along with that person, you end up sharing a lot. And she was there and in the thick of things when everything went down. She is really empathetic, among other great qualities. And the situation at work was less than ideal, so I feel like we really bonded under those circumstances.

Luckily today I don’t have lunch plans as I have lots I need to get done!  Of course it is raining, though, which stinks for running errands.  Oh well, what can be done?  I do kinda feel like a post Seals nap - will have to force myself to push on through!