Blue & White Rehab

I need help. I'm realizing, as I pack and pack, and pack, and pack...that I need to expand my color horizon. ...and these are only the button downs!

Ireland's Four Courts

Before we make the big move, we've been trying to visit all of our favorite local places.  Last Wednesday we had a delicious outdoor meal at Ireland's Four Courts, which is located just up the street from us.  They seem to do everything right - brunch, lunch, beers and live music every night of the week! 

I mean, seriously. 

Happy patron about to dig in!  This is actually the place where Wes played the djembe with one of the live bands, on a random Saturday night.

*memories*

Married Mondays: Big Transitions

Just about 2 years and a few weeks ago, we captured this photo on what would be the 1st of countless drives to Virginia.  We were going to drop off Wes' car and so that I could interview with about a dozen elementary schools, before we made the final move just a few weeks later.  It was our 1st really important transition as a couple.  We decided to go big and move out of state. :)  

Well, Wes and I are happy to officially report (to the blog world, at least) that we are about to make another really exciting transition - WE'RE MOVING BACK HOME!  ...and it's happening THIS WEEKEND!!!

While we sure are going to miss this place, we are absolutely thrilled to be moving back to our real home.  Before we leave, however, we'd like to take some time to remember all of the big transitions that  happened during our stay in what we fondly call, "home-ish."

We moved in together!  

This kind of goes without saying; it's not like we were going to/could ever even afford to, live in 2 separate apartments here in Arlington, but it's still worth noting.  After all, it is a big transition.  Luckily, Wes and I have a similar vision for decorating and share a strong affection for our beloved air mattress.  There's 5 nights left to come visit us and experience the joy that is our pillow-top aerobed!  

We got engaged!  

One of our biggest if we hadn't made the move realizations is this one.  Had we not lived in Arlington, a stone's throw from The Kennedy Center, we're pretty sure this moment would never have happened this way.  I have no doubt that Wes would have made it just as special if we were in Rochester, but I have to say that I am so, so, so grateful for this wild engagement experience!

I'm so happy that I captured this little detail - it's the 1st envelope addressed to us in this way, that we received after our engagement!  This one was from Wes' Aunt Sue & Uncle Dave.  They also gave us the sweetest card that had a picture of a little boy and girl on the front who looked very similar to the two of us - the little boy had a bow-tie on and everything. :)

We planned...

And planned our wedding...

And planned our wedding...

I digress.

We went ahead and got married!  

Quite possibly the biggest transition to date, but the happiest one at that! 

And finally, after a lot of hemming and hawing, we made another big transition decision:

To move back Rochester!!

We'd be lying if we didn't admit that these past 2 years have been full of emotional ups and downs.  With every exciting transition, came 5 emotionally draining decisions, but we honestly wouldn't change any of it, especially our original decision to move to Virginia.  Wes and I have grown together as a couple, we believe, more quickly than if we had remained in Rochester.  We've learned a lot about ourselves individually and as a team, and are excited to take our rejuvenated appreciation for family, friends and the familiar back home!  

Rochester, get ready - HERE WE COME! 

Let Something Go

This morning in my yoga class, as the teacher was leading us through our breath, I was struck by her word choice.  Typically, I hear teachers say, "let it go," when cuing an exhale, but this particular teacher replaced it with something.  "Let something go," is what she would say each time she signaled for an exhale.  It was amazing how a simple change in pronoun, completely altered my perspective on this common phrase.  One of the many things that draws me to yoga is that everyone can take from the practice whatever it is they need and that intentions can change from class to class.  I'll never know if anyone else took note of her word choice this morning, or was even phased by it if they did, but that doesn't really matter anyway.  Today, I needed to hear someone tell me to let something go!  With every exhale, I seemed to let a different negative or stressful feeling go.  It was really amazing.  

As we head into our last full weekend here in Arlington (more on that later ;)), I am going to try to keep her words in the front of my mind, so that we can take in as many happy memories as possible.  If you need to, go ahead and do the same; after-all that's what weekends are for anyway!

Happy Friday, everyone!      

Throwback Thursday: Old Photos

I've been sifting through photos recently, making sure that everything is backed up properly and organized in an easy-to-find way.  It's been fun to relive memories throughout the process.  I can't believe how young we look in some of these photos!  Check.it.out.

Here's Wes and Dan at a Bills tailgate back in 2010.

This photo was taken at one of the many "Game Night and Good Luck" evenings back at my apartment on Atlantic Ave.  I like that they're both wearing silly t-shirts.

Here we are at Christine & Brian's (my roomie from college) Christmas party in NYC.

We actually have this photo hanging up in our living room, we love it so much.  This was taken at an Amerks game, back when Karyn used to cheer for them (that's a true story).  Wes still has her programmed in his phone as "American Karyn."  I believe we were saluting her during the National 

Anthem.

Wes & Ryan enjoying a Good Luck cocktail.  Duh.  Ryan is married to Casey, who Wes became really good friends with when they both worked for CGI.  They are an absolutely fantastic couple and were actually just married on July 12th!

This shot was taken in Jersey, at Rylyn's final performance for A Chorus Line.

This picture reminds me of the very beginning of our relationship.  We used to have "Multi-Cultural Mondays" at my old apartment and I'd get so excited because Wes always said "yes" to coming over for them. :)  I believe this was an Italian night!

Here we are at a goodbye get together for Julie (in the blue jacket) before she left to work as a nurse in Boston.  Brit - look at your hair!

Vampire Weekend concert at the Main Street Armory.  I broke a flip-flop at this show and Wes gave me a piggy back ride all the way back to my apartment.  

*sigh*   

A Proud Moment

This post is a bit overdue since the actual event occurred back in the Spring, but it's quite necessary, nonetheless... 

I am proud to announce that I finally received my very first copy of Menu magazine in the mail!  I've been waiting on bated breath for this moment and am happy to report that it was everything I hoped for and more.  Getting the mail is one of my simple pleasures from life.  Seriously, I look forward to it each day and even get a little sad on Sundays.  And online shopping has become a slippery slope for this mail-getting lover.

Anyway,

on this particular day, I really wasn't expecting anything special to arrive, so as I reached my hand into our mailbox and felt the uniquely textured front cover, you could imagine my surprise.  Could it be?!  As my eyes met the bright colors of the beautiful fruits and vegetables, my heart did a little dance.  My status as a loyal Wegmans customer had been validated, people.  Some may say it's because I've spent a large amount of money at the stores and they're throwing me a bone in the form of a $4 recipe magazine, in hopes that I'll buy more, but I choose to think otherwise.  My love for Wegmans lives on...

Owasko 2013

It was another beautiful weekend at Owasko Lake this year!  Friday night was hot, hot, hot, but gorgeous on the water.  Unfortunately, Saturday was mostly overcast, but we made the most of our time with many rounds of Catchphrase and delicious white sangria! Luckily, things turned around in the evening and we were able to capture another breathtaking sunset.  

Backing up a bit, our trip started with a casual break-in through the kitchen window, since the renter forgot to leave the code for the door. :/  No big deal - where there's a will, there's a way.

That's Wes and I enjoying an early Sunday morning on the dock.  Causing the ripple in the water is Maddie, the neighbors dog, who basically acts as our adopted dog each time we visit.  She loves to play fetch in the water.   

We can't wait to get our own dog to do this with soon!! 

Erin and Enid are all smiles before one of our delicious dinners on the deck.

This year we did things a bit differently, by having each couple be in charge of one day's worth of meals.  There was a spreadsheet involved and everything!  We were in charge of Saturday's meals and chose to have a "Make Your Own PIzza" night for dinner.  We're happy to report that it was a success and also that Naan pizza's taste freaking delicious on the grill!  Come to think of it, what doesn't taste better grilled??

This year Wes and I decided to ramp things up a bit, by creating and bringing our very own "Mini-Engel!"  For those of you who don't know, the real Matthew ENGEL is the handsome man, wearing a totally rad Kashi t-shirt, featured on the far right side of this photo.  

Mini-Engel had an active and enjoyable Owasko weekend, as well!

We forgot to bring our camera and tripod this year, so we had to get creative with the annual group shot.  

Can't wait for next year!

Lake Bound!

Later this afternoon, we'll be headed to Owasko Lake to take in this view for the 3rd summer in a row! It's a fun little weekend tradition we've started with great friends!

Really looking forward to enjoying some early morning or late eveinging kayaking...

...being carefree and silly...

...complete relaxation...

...great conversations...

...with fantastic friends!

 Hope your weekend is naturally beautiful, too! Stay tuned for photos from our trip, next week!