Pictures

Here are the links to our Thanksgiving Activities:

Pretentious Thanksgiving - Nov. 17 -
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZM2zlq3csVY

Gibbens/Anderson Thanksgiving -
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZM2zlq3csU-&emid=sharview&linkid=link4

Rices on Thanksgiving Weekend, Logan's 1st Birthday Party -
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZM2zlq3csUc

Call for Exceptional Websites

I'm designing a blog for our neighborhood, to go live in January. I've found some really cool sites to post on there, but I need more. Please send me links to sites that the typical American family may enjoy...things to do, vacations, home improvement, discounts/coupons, marriage, baby, shopping sites, etc. Give me your top three favorites, please!

Greatest Website Ever!

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time telling people what I would like to have for holidays or birthdays and I also have a hard time deciding what others would ultimately like to have. Today I found a tool that solves all those problems - http://www.wishlist.com/!

With wishlist.com, you can do the normal stuff like browse the website to save items, type in what you want, but you can also save virtually anything you find on the Internet into your wish list quickly and easily (I did find a few favorite stores that I couldn't save stuff onto my wish list), and the coolest feature is you can take a picture of anything with your camera phone and email it to your wish list. How awesome is that? I know - you probably all already know about this site - but I didn't and I'm hooked! I just want to "wish list" stuff because it is so fun! Now if only I can convince Ryan to use it....

Giving Thanks...

Thanksgiving is a time of reflection for me. I am genuinely so thankful for so many things, but I spend too much time complaining and wishing and not enough time giving thanks for all of the wonderful things in my life. Thanksgiving puts things back into perspective a little bit for me and it reminds me that I need to be more outwardly thankful everyday.

Just a few things I'm thankful for...

Family - I'm thankful for my husband, who loves me unconditionally, shows me every single day and makes me strive to be a better person; for my family who I appreciate so much, and have influenced my life more than they'll ever know; for the Gibbens and Anderson families who've opened their hearts to me and my family over the past 5 years...I couldn't ask for a more special family!

Friends - Old friends and new, I'm so thankful to have each and every one in my life; for Connie and Kate who are expecting...and expanding our friends.

Health - I'm thankful for the health of Ryan and I, as well as my family and friends.

Freedom and Knowledge - I'm thankful that I have the freedom and the knowledge to make decent choices and good sense to carry out my daily activities for the benefit of all.

Opportunity - I'm thankful for each and every opportunity that comes my way...in my career, my personal life and with each opportunity I get to spend time with family and friends.

I’m Thankful for You

Thanksgiving is the appointed time

for focusing on the good in our lives.
In each of our days, we can find small blessings,
but too often we overlook them,
choosing instead to spend our time

paying attention to problems.
We give our energy

to those who cause us trouble

instead of those who bring peace.
Starting now, let’s be on the lookout

for the bits of pleasure in each hour,
and appreciate the people who

bring love and light to everyone
who is blessed to know them.
You are one of those people.
On Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for you.

~Author Unknown

More Than A Day
As Thanksgiving Day rolls around,

It brings up some facts, quite profound.

We may think that we're poor, feel like bums,

insecure, but in truth, our riches astound.
We have friends and family we love;

We have guidance from heaven above.

We have so much more

Than they sell in a store,

We're wealthy, when push comes to shove.
So add up your blessings, I say;

Make Thanksgiving last more than a day.

Enjoy what you've got;

Realize it's a lot,

And you'll make all your cares go away.
~Author unknown

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Recap of Pretentious Thanksgiving

I guess it's been a while since I've communicated with outside world via this blog, but things have been a bit hectic. However, on Saturday we finally took a break from the daily grind for the most anticipated event of the year - Pretentious Thanksgiving.

Our good friends Sandi and Shawn began Pretentious Thanksgiving the weekend before Thanksgiving in 2005 and it has become a tradition. Sandi enjoys cooking nice meals, so they decided to host a several-course meal (with high end ingredients) with wine pairings for each course, and invite friends to share in the event. It apparently sounded a little pretentious in the planning stages because the name stuck and so did the pretentiousness, as you may notice in the pictures.

Shawn and Sandi just bought a house on Oct. 29th and have been moving in and planning this event in that short period of time. I have to say, you'd never know they pulled it all together in a rush, because it was sensational. This was the first year we've been able to attend...and we had no idea what we were missing! I put it on our calendar last year (literally) so we wouldn't plan anything. So, please don't anticipate us ever doing anything the Saturday before Thanksgiving, because I'm not missing out on this event again...

It was seriously phenomenal, like you'd get at a five star restaurant and of course the company was terrific as usual! Every morsel of food was scrumptious, but my favorite was the pumpkin ginger bisque with the Gewurztraminer. Ryan even said it was the most perfect pairing he's ever had. The Sweet Potato Galette with Viognier was great too. This was the first Viognier I've ever enjoyed. I wonder if I liked it because it was paired so well?

Check out the menu:

Course 1 - Pumpkin and Ginger Bisque. Pairing: Gewurztraminer, Alsace
Course 2 - Sweet Potato Galette. Pairing: Viognier, Virginia
Course 3 - Farm Raised Turkey with Wild Mushroom Stuffing. Pairing: Pinot Noir, Oregon
Course 4 - Haricots Verts with Roquefort and Walnuts. Pairing: Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington
Course 5 - Cranberry Orange Brioche Pudding. Pairing: Sauternes, Bordeaux

I will post pictures as soon as I get them off my camera, which is packed for our Thanksgiving weekend trip.

Week 2

I just got home from my Weight Watchers meeting. I thought I did very well, even better than the first week. I drank more water each day than I usually do in a week, exercised every day except yesterday, walked for hours on Saturday, avoided the Halloween candy, and avoided most of the bad stuff this weekend while my family was here (I did have two small pieces of homemade pizza). I only lost .2 pounds. So I guess it's a new goal for next week to get back on track and try to be more conscious of portion sizes, as I really think that's my biggest issue.

Family Weekend

We had a great weekend hanging out with my family. The weather was perfect, so we walked along the Mall for over 5 hours yesterday. Everyone was exhausted last night. When we got back to our house, we ate pizzas for over two hours. Maddi and Tori and I made cookies and Dylan helped with the popcorn. Poor Gabbi was exhausted - she was asking for pizza and to go to bed by 5:00pm, we hadn't even left the city yet. We watched Goonies later in the evening because the kids had never seen it.

We loved having everyone here - and the kids were so great! I really miss having my family around to hang out with on the weekends. The past 24 hours reminded me a lot of what it was like living at home. It was nice! Thanks for traveling so far to share the weekend with us, everyone!

Here are some photos, many of which Maddi took throughout the day - and some that I took of the kids acting silly: share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZM2zlq3csTA

It's So Exciting!

We are expecting visitors tomorrow...many of them have never visited us before, so it's exciting! My grandparents, my brother Evan (who've been here once or twice, but never to our new place) and my Uncle Todd and his kids - Tori, Maddi, Dylan and Gabbi are all coming tomorrow morning to visit for the night. We'll be packed to the gils, even rolling out the sleeping bags and air mattresses for the occasion.

Tomorrow afternoon, we're going to DC to see the monuments and museums, since the kids have never been there and Todd can't remember being there. After the tour, we're going to make our own personal pizzas. Then the "adults" can relax from the long day while the "kids" (ie. me, Ryan, Evan and the real kids) make cookies and popcorn, and allow the little ones to take over the basement, play some games and watch movies all night long! Sunday I'm making homemade waffles for breakfast - they're so yummy. We'll likely go to church together before they all head home.

I love entertaining (particularly kids, because they get so excited), and of course I love when our families visit! I'll post a synopsis and pictures on Sunday...

Week #2: Mid-diet-week Update

All is well this week with the new way of eating. It's getting easier every day. I'm not nearly as hungry as I was last week. I don't even need all the veggies I bring to work to keep me away from the junk food.

Before Halloween, I made Ryan put the candy away because it was too difficult to resist (except for the Candy Corn because I hate it). On Halloween, I ate a few small tootsie rolls and at first they were yummy. I didn't really feel guilty because I had a few points to use, but I quickly realized I didn't really want them. It was a great feeling - one I've never experienced before actually. We now have our left over Halloween candy sitting on the counter, and I'm not tempted to eat it.

I increased the water successfully, but I think I'm going to hurl after the third bottle by noon. Just this morning I figured out that the bottle I've been drinking from is twice as big as I thought, so I've really increased my water.

I still need to get more exercise...but I've spent the last three evenings digging out my winter clothes, packing up the summer stuff, and cleaning the house from top to bottom, so I'm sure I got some exercise since I never sat down. But I'll keep working on that! More after the weigh in on Monday!

Week 1

Today was the end of my first week of Weight Watchers. It was pretty difficult, but easier than I expected. I did well learning the plan, staying within my points (I even had a few of the weekly points left at the end of the week), choosing wisely when eating out, and cutting out unhealthy snacks (luckily I really like fruits and veggies). I was hungry fairly often, but not starving. My weaknesses were not enough daily activity (cramming it all into two sessions isn't ideal), happy hour last Friday (empty calories) and I can't for the life of me drink as much water as I'm supposed to. I weighed in tonight at 4.4 pounds lighter than last Tuesday. I was shooting for 5 pounds, but I'm happy with my progress. Next week I'm going to keep up with the things I did well and focus on portions, attempt to get more frequent and consistent activity, no happy hour, and increase my water intake. My goal is 4-5 more pounds. They say it is easiest in the first three weeks, so it should be attainable. I'll post another update on Monday Nov. 5th because I'll be out of town on Tuesday and Wednesday evening...so I'm hoping one less day in my "week" won't really show.

Weekend Update

It's been a fun weekend! On Friday night, we had some drinks with Sandi and Shawn and some of their friends in Old Town. We started the evening at Chadwicks with a light dinner and met everyone at Union Street Tavern. From there, the group was hungry so Ryan and I had a drink while everyone had dinner at Bugsy's. Our last stop was Murphy's where we listened to some Irish music for a while before heading home pretty early.

Yesterday, Ryan went to Rob's to watch some football and the Penn State game, and I joined some friends from work at Nightmare Manor in Leesburg. It was really fun, not nearly as scary as I expected. They had a few "haunted" buildings and a hay ride. Nothing too exciting happended, but Shira's feet were such a mess as she didn't expect to get messy and wore cute shoes. We stopped at TGI Friday's on the way home. Ryan and I got home within 2 minutes of each other and we watched SNL and fell asleep pretty early again, for a Saturday.

Today we were up early. After breakfast, we decided to go for a bike ride. We rode a total of 16 miles, to Ashburn and back. It is a gorgeous day, and it was relaxing until the end when I was exhausted. I did pretty well though, and Ryan always rides effortlessly. We're hanging out, watching the Steeler game and plan to do some chores later this afternoon. I love relaxing weekends!

Weight Watchers

Five years ago if you asked me if I'd ever be fat, I'd have said I would never let it happen, but I have let it happen. According to my research, I'm obese actually. So, tonight I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting. I'm finally sick of being overweight and have realized that I need to do something about it for my health, not just because of what I look like. I feel fine now, but how will I feel in five or ten years? I can't blame my thyroid issue completely, but I'm glad I know it is there because I know now that it won't be easy to lose weight. I need to take responsibility to change patterns before they really become habits. But, hard core exercise isn't my thing (I can't stick to it) and it doesn't work alone even when I do for a short period of time. I decided I need something that is a healthy response rather than the fad diets and quick fix pills that I've spent most of my life trying. I need to learn how to eat healthy and establish a reasonable exercise plan that I'll follow in order to achieve the overall health I really do want.

Today was really hard. I have to think about what I'm eating rather than just eating whatever I want. I looked up things before I ate them and I was shocked. I'm surprised I'm not heavier than I am. I did well though I think, a couple of points over my goal, but not terrible for my first day. I am pretty hungry right now, but that's probably a good thing and I'm counting on a cup of Green Tea to tide me over until morning. I am excited about this and I'm ready for a change. So why am I making this public? Because I need to be reminded and held accountable. I want people to ask how I'm doing with it, and I want to be embarrassed if I fall off the wagon. Maybe if I stop ignoring it and everyone else does too, it'll force me to start paying attention to what I'm doing. Nothing comes easy in this world...and I don't expect this to.

Happy Halloween!

On Saturday night, we had a Halloween Party. Ryan and Sandi did a phenomenal job designing a Murder Mystery to entertain our 30 or so guests. It was a lot of work for both of them to create the story line, character bios and a scavenger hunt to locate the murder weapon, but it sure was worth it. The story was pretty in depth. Two characters were 'murdered' at separate times and that left five as suspects. As it turned out, Sissy was the murderer. Her motive for 'shooting' Bunny Luce, Sissy discovered that Bunny Luce was a previously unknown heir to her uncle's fortune. Sissy's motive for 'poisoning' her uncle, Richie Bucks, was a need for his fortune to pay her gambling debts and fund her drug habit with the inheritance her uncle Richie willed to "his only living heir." The characters were Rob as Senator Richie Bucks, Justin as host and gun lover Marty Lesser, Shira as flirtatious new hill staffer Bunny Luce, Connie as secret love interest of the senator Foxy Harmony, Jelani as Foxy's jealous husband Sly Harmony, Sandi as spoiled, foofie niece of the senator Sissy Jones, and Shawn as Sissy's bumbling dufus of a husband Dudley Jones.

It was a long two hours of questions for the characters, but they were fantastic! The remainder of the guests were the detectives, and they really got into it. In fact, it got pretty heated when the solution and winners were revealed, as Ben and Gareth thought their teams should have won the game. Ryan and Sandi thought Andrew, Jessie and Erika had beaten them to the punch so they won the first bottle of ice wine. All was well in the end, no hard feelings, just some a good competitive spirits. Erika also won the contest for best costume, with the most votes for her outstanding Cruella Deville costume. It was great - no one debated she deserved that bottle of ice wine.

Thanks to everyone for contributing food, drinks, time and energy. We had a lot of fun and hope everyone else did too! We'll do it again sometime, perhaps a little less ambiguous and a little easier clues (except for Gareth, we'll spend the next year making his cryptogram, since he seemed to be a whiz at cracking that code).

Happy Halloween to all!

Check out the pictures here: shared pictures:
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZM2zlq3csSm

Pre-party Pix

Here are a few pix of the house before the Halloween Party/Murder Mystery on Saturday:

Annual Pumpkin Carving Party

This is the third year we have carved pumpkins with our friends (we actually missed it last year). Each year, we bring our own pumpkins and one of us hosts a night of food and games along with the carving of the pumpkins.

This year we went to Connie and Jelani's for the annual event. Sandi and Shawn and Jennifer and Chu also came for the fun. Connie made a yummy pumpkin punch, pumpkin bars, and had pitas, hummus, chips, salsa, and guacamole. The ladies had a chance to hang out a little while the guys finished watching some football. Then we all gathered in the dining room and carved our pumpkins, roasted pumpkin seeds, and played Taboo. Sandi and Shawn headed home, Jennifer and Chu headed to bed, and Ryan and I played a friendly game of Spades with Connie and Jenali before heading home.

It was a relaxing, fun night. I can't wait to do it again next year!

Ryan's Monster Pumpkin

Erin's Pirate Ship Pumpkin

Here are the pictures of the evening: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZM2zlq3csSE&notag=1

A sneak peak...

Ryan and I took the day off and headed to West Virginia to see if we could catch a glimpse of what is hopefully to come to Northern Virginia sometime soon...the changing of the leaves. It was a relaxing 12 hour day and we found a few patches of colorful trees - lots of brights reds this year.

We stopped at a pumpkin patch near Romney, WV. It was the highlight of the day for sure. We picked our own pumpkins off the vines. The first pumpkin I picked up looked beautiful on the top, but it was already taken - by a rat! I tried to pick up the pumpkin and the rat scurried around my foot. I was apparently stealing his dinner. I tried, but I couldn't scream...I must have reacted though because Ryan asked "what?!?" as it ran almost over his foot. We proceeded a little more carefully and found two perfect pumpkins. We left the place with 2 bails of hay, two large pumpkins (total of 34 lbs.), 20 gourds, nine pieces of Indian Corn and two cans of pop for $27. It was great! We couldn't even buy one pumpkin around here for that. The farmer and his wife were so nice - the wife took our picture as Ryan stuffed two bails of hay in the trunk of my Accord - guess they aren't too used to the city folk around there. It reminded me of how much I miss home (PA) and the the simple life there...and of course the friendly farmers who provide a days worth of fun for next to nothing, even though they've worked like dogs every day for the past year just to provide us with the experience.

I haven't quite had my fill of the foliage this year, so we plan to take a shorter trip once the leaves change around us. But it was so nice to drive around with no destination in mind, have time to just talk about everything and nothing, and stop to eat whenever we got hungry. I love days like today!!!

I love our neighborhood...

Over the past few months that we've lived here, I've learned just how great it is to be a part of a neighborhood where people actually care about one another and take time out of their busy lives to chat and even hang out. They are willing to let you borrow anything and just pop in whenever. I love this neighborhood...

Ryan and I were just sitting in the living room watching football at about 8:15pm and the doorbell rang. Ryan answered the door and this is what he found:

Greetings

The air is cool, the season is fall
Soon the Halloween Spirit will come to all
The ghosts are looking for things to do
In fact, a ghost has brought this to you
BOO is a shield from the witching hour
Just hang it up and watch its power
At your house is where it works
It wards off the creepy and scary who lurk
The treats that come with this note tonight
Are yours to enjoy with delight
Make two copies of this note for your friends
So they will have fuzzies that will not end
We'll all have a smile upon our face
No one will know who boo'd your place
Just one short day to work your spell
Quickly and quietly so know one can tell
Don't forget a nifty treat
Hide something cute or something sweet
Please join the fun, let's really hear it
Spread some fun and Halloween spirit

Directions:
1. Enjoy treats
2. Leave BOO on front door until Halloween
3. You have 24 hours to copy this poem twice and BOO two other people that don't already have a BOO sign

A plate full of cookies arrived with the poem - and I think I know by how good the cookies are, just who pulled this fun little trick. Guess I'll have to start baking and pass it on...

Check this out!

Gareth posted this site on his blog, and it is pretty cool so I had to steal it and post it here. It calculates how closely you relate to the 2008 Presidential candidates. I've never even heard of the guy I identify most with: Mike Gravel. But I guess I'll look him up!

http://www.vajoe.com/candidate_calculator.html

My #2 was Chris Dodd and #3 was a tie between Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton.

Ryan: #1 Mike Gravel, #2 Barak Obama and #3 Joe Biden.

How about you?

Trashy TV - My Favorite!

I don't like to get too involved in television. Ryan and I usually have one show that we watch together, and I find one other he's not so interested in. It seems, however, that every show we like gets cancelled. A few years ago it was the Apprentice (just too repetitive now), two years ago it was Joey and last season it was Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. Our absolute favorite show is Rescue Me, but it is only on in the summer.

I'm now without a show to watch faithfully. I hesitate to search for one because it'll likely get cancelled when I decide it is a favorite. I'm not too set on reality TV, but there are not many choices available. I'm not imaginative enough to stomach sci-fi stuff and game shows are only fun for a week or two. Whatever happened to all the great sitcoms?

Last night I watched The Bachelor. I always enjoy it in the beginning and then I get bored with the girlie drama. But I do like this season's leading man, Brad Womack. He's 34, a successful entrepreneur from Austin, and determined to find a "soul mate," which is doubtful, but you never know (I do like DeAnna so I have someone to route for, until she turns into the back stabber on the show). He's a cutie and a half, and is as genuine as one who chooses to participate in a reality dating show could be on TV. I'm sure it'll get too ridiculous and trashy in a few weeks and I'll lose interest.

Here's my pathetic potential line up of shows I'll likely catch every now and again (all of them are on ABC):

The Nanny - Monday @ 9 - don't make fun, this is a great show!
The Bachelor - Monday @ 10
According to Jim - Wednesday @ 8
Big Shots - Thursday @ 10 - only new one I'm remotely interested in so far

So, I'm asking for your advice...any great shows that you know of? I want a favorite, one I can watch every week - you know, something to look forward to vegging out to. Be careful sharing, because it is likely if I start watching it, it won't last!

Mr. & Mrs. Nick Pollock

This weekend Ryan and I traveled to Mercer PA for my cousin Tanya's wedding. I'm sure you all know by now how close I am even to so many of my extended family members. But this particular cousin (and of course her twin sister, Terah) is very special to me (and to my brother, Evan). The four of us grew up together just like brothers and sisters (poor Evan, always out numbered). We went to the same Elementary school, played together and fought with each other pretty much every single day, nearly every vacation we went on, was with the whole Rice family (and for many years we were the only four kids), etc. Even though Tanya and I don't talk every day anymore, we still share absolutely everything as often as possible. She is one of my closest friends/relatives. It was one of those events that you knew would once day take place, a much anticipated one for sure. Tanya and Nick have been dating for over 7 years...and we couldn't be more excited to officially welcome Nick into our family. It was so nice to spend time with my family. I really miss them and cherish those times we spend together! It was also nice to meet the rest of Nick's awesome family and their friends were great too. It was a really fun wedding, and I'm glad we got to hang out with everyone both nights after all the official events had ended. Congratulations Tanya and Nick - you threw a fantastic party!!! May you have many happy years ahead and make lots of babies to take on vacation with the family :-)

Link to the pictures: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BZM2zlq3csRq

Tanya and Nick on Friday Night

Uncle Terry and Aunt Robin

Terah, Tristan, TJ and Tanya

Tanya and I

The Ceremony

Cutting the Cake