Sh*T Men Say

So, last night Joel and I decided we would take advantage of the extra light in the evening after work, thanks daylight savings, and go for a quick run outside.

When we go for runs, we drive our car down to the park and ride which is just across the street from a lovely little trail the locals like to call the Burke-Gilman Trail. It is a great spot to run because it has lots of shade, great views of the lake, and very few street intersections. We love living so close to the trail.

Last night as we started out on our jog, we approached the street where when driving we would turn left to go home. Joel turns to me and says...

Oh wow! Did you know there is a trophy shop right there?

Look at that.

It is called Mr. T's Trophy's.

Well, that is good to know.

I totally did the slow head turn with one eyebrow raised up, which is a bit trickey when you are jogging. Did you seriously not notice the two story, blue building with the giant sign that is on the corner of the street we turn down nearly every day? In four years, you never noticed it. I have imaginged Mr. T himself walking into this store and demanding a free trophy for Best Gold Chain or Best Haircut a millions times. That is how I entertain myself while waiting for the green left turn arrow at the traffic light. Seriously. Joel responded to my look with...

I'm guessing you have noticed?

 

Yes, dear. Yes, I have noticed. And I still love you.

 

Check out the link up to see what other crazy Sh*t men are saying!

 

XOJO

What a Wonderful Weekend

I had a very wonderful weekend. It started with a gathering at Mark and Andi's house to celebrate the start of their wedding weekend. Justin was in town and the party was started.

Saturday was busy with putting the finishing touches on the ceremony script, picking up the cupcakes from Anna, and getting a pedicure and manicure with the bridal party. Amy stayed the night with me, since Joel was off celebrating Austin's birthday that night. We stayed up way too late watching movies and drinking wine.

Finally, it was Sunday. The day of the wedding. I was so excited that I quickly forgot I had only gotten four or five hours of sleep. It was truly an honor to officiate the wedding of two good friends, two people who found their happily ever after.

The officiant, the best man, the groom, the bride and the maid of honor.
It's official!

First Dance

Joel knew which flavor he wanted, and so did Chris!

Even though this is a terrible photo of me and is clearly evidence of why I have several chins - those cupcakes were worth every single bite! My bestie Anna makes the best cupcakes ever. I had one of each flavor!



 

 

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Bailey!

 

Joel and I are so happy for you both!

 

XOJO

 

P.S. Can you believe that Joel and I didn't get a single photo of the two of us. I couldn't believe it. I officiated the wedding and he was a groomsmen. And we didn't get a single picture of us all dolled up. Epic Fail. 

She's Come Undone ...and maybe me too, just a little.

When I heard that Book-It Theatre was performing Wally Lamb's She's Come Undone, I knew I had to get tickets. I remember reading this book years ago and feeling really connected with Dolores Price, the main character. Sometimes a book will come along that really grabs me and this was one of them. I won't ruin the story for you, but basically you need to read it.

Since my sister Jackie wasn't able to go with me, sad face, I asked Joel if he wouldn't mind tagging along. Being the wonderful, loving husband he is, he said sure. Who knows if he said yes because he was actually interested in seeing a play, if he actually enjoys attending Book-It, or if he just knew it would make me happy... either way, I had a date. When I looked up tickets, it just so happened that Book-It was selling tickets to the Thursday night performance for $10. That's right, on 10/10 the tickets were only $10. Done and Done. So even though Thursday was our anniversary, we did something that clearly I would get the most enjoyment from. What a guy, right?!



I don't know why, but I just loved these little colored balls on a string... loved them.

I tried to make it up to Joel by picking a Thai restaurant for dinner before the show. That guy has a love for anything Asian, when it comes to his dinner plate. We went to Thai Heaven in Queen Anne, because well, when we were first dating we ate dinner here before seeing the Pacific Northwest Ballet perform the Nutcracker. That night, Joel finally got Thai food so spicy hot that he could not finish his plate. Not only does he love Thai food, but he loves it spicy. To the point of sweating and turning colors, people. So I knew it was just the spot for Thursday night.

Starters... um yes. Of course. I'm celebrating aren't I?!

Not very original order Pad Thai, I know, but it just sounded so good. And it was.

Pad Se Ew - A favorite of Joel's

Of course we finished off our dinner with coconut ice cream. So freaking fantastic.

After dinner we walked the few blocks to the theater and enjoyed a great show (I highly recommend checking it out). Joel even said he enjoyed himself. Once again, who knows if he really enjoyed himself, if he just had a decent amount of enjoyment or if he was just being nice to me, again. I must have told him a million times that night that I felt bad for scheduling something on our anniversary that was clearly for me alone, but he was really nice about the whole thing and said really nice, lovey-dovey stuff that I won't make you jealous with sick with.

A terrible photo I know. But it was dark in there. Also I meant to get another one after the show, but forgot because I was too busy telling Joel how he is the over-moon, wonderfully good to me.

So even though we didn't necessarily go out to eat and see a play in the name of celebrating our anniversary, we did have a wonderful evening together, where we reminisced about our dating years, we toasted to us, (with a Mai Tai - a reminder of our honeymoon in Hawaii where we drank way more than our fair share of those bad boys), and I was reminded of what a truly wonderful husband I have.

Life is so good.

XOJO

Four Years Today!

It was four years ago today that Joel and I said our vows and became husband and wife. Is it strange that I feel like I have been his Mrs. Odell longer than four years and less than four years at the same time? Love is a crazy thing... it makes time fly and stand still at the same time.

Happy Anniversary, My Love.

Reason Number 1,759 (and counting) Why I Love Joel...

I came home from planning Anna's baby shower the other night and I found Joel going through his dresser in the hopes of reducing the number of t-shirts in his drawers. As a result of having a house rabbit and wearing a lot of shirts, a lot of times, Joel has quite a few with little holes and worn out seams.

He was so excited to be purging his clothing of the items he doesn't wear anymore that he moved on to the other drawers. When he told me he was going to keep a pair of shorts, that came off without having to unbutton them, as grubby-work shorts, I asked him if he had a grubby-work belt to keep his shorts from falling off.

Joel said, "of course I do!", in this offended, I can't believe you asked tone.

This is what he showed me. This is a belt to him.

To be fair. It is actually a belt that came with a pair of his biking shorts that I bought him for his birthday. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time. Seriously. A nylon strap with a plastic buckle is a belt. Not in my house. Not on my husband!

Oh Joel... I love you!

Five Things I Heart About Joel Today...

I just wanted to share some random ways that Joel steals my heart each and every day. So please forgive me for a pretty sappy post, but what can I say, I heart Joel.

1. He makes heart shaped spills on the kitchen floor.

2. He says things like "look at me all fancy in my pantsy".

3. He emails me links to videos like this.

 

4. He tries to be healthy. He was pretty mad when they made him take it down, for safety reasons. So, lesson learned, don't stack your desks in the office, friends.

Joel's improvised ergonomic desk he made at work.

5. We have text message conversations like this:

    Me: "Can you pack a knife in checked luggage?"
    Joel: "Yes I believe so. "
    Joel: (15 minutes later) "Why are you wondering?"
    Me: "Because I might decide to do just that for our trip to Arkansas."
    Joel: "Really? What do you need a knife for?"
    Me: "Cutting things. It is going to be a long car ride and I might need to cut things."
    Joel: "(face palm)"
    Me: "I really like adding lemon to my water, so I was trying to think of how I would be able to cut up lemon slices while on our trip and I thought maybe I could pack a paring knife... if you must know."