Sunday, November 30, 2008
"home"
The day we got back from our honeymoon we had no power. Then the week after that they painted all week so we couldn't even unwrap our new furniture. We had boxes everywhere. Even once we finally unpacked, we had very minimal furniture. The place just didn't feel like home. For weeks after we moved in, I would need to get something from my parents and tell Patrick I needed to "go home". He wasn't a fan of that; this is our home. But it sure didn't feel like it. It has since grown on me, but especially this weekend.
Patrick did a LOT for me this weekend. He helped me put up the Christmas tree, climbed on the roof to put up the lights, decorated our small back patio, built me a butcher block to add to the counter space, and tried a number of things to finally successfully hang a shelf on our wood-paneled wall. It all looks very homey. We have lamps in our living room that at one time had no lighting. I no longer have to put food on top of the washer and dryer because it is no longer the only available "counter" space in the kitchen. We have a little table in our breakfast nook. We have a bedskirt to hide the storage under the bed. We have a coffee table. We have very cozy Christmas decorations and a tree full of ornaments that all mean something to us.
It's not at all perfect, but it's home. Largely in part because Patrick worked all weekend to set things up for me and make it home. I love him.
Also, on a side note, we spent lots of time with our family this weekend. It was nice. I saw my grandmother and we had two Thanksgiving dinners and then tonight we got to spend the evening with our wonderful small group. I also talked to two of my former roommates. Oh, and we didn't work for four days. I am ridiculously blessed.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Two things real quick
It's also worth mentioning that Jon somehow convinced Bonnie to marry him while looking like a homeless man.
Here are some pictures:
Friday, November 28, 2008
Yeah, I'm pretty handy....
Thursday, November 27, 2008
The Gilgour Family First Annual Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God Christmas Tree Setup and Decoration Extravaganza Event of the Year!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Here's a tip...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Trunk or Treat
Saturday, November 22, 2008
What makes a great day?
Second, eat a good breakfast. If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then Saturday morning breakfast is the most important meal of the week. You should do pancakes and orange juice or something healthy.
Third, laugh. Find something to laugh at. Read a book, watch a movie, enjoy life. Your quality of life is directly correlated to your amount of laughter.
Fourth, execute your to do list. Life is only so long. You have to get some things done and Saturday is a good time to do it. Make a list of things you need to accomplish and follow through on them. To make your Saturday perfect, avoid Target, and do all your shopping at REI.
Fifth, and maybe most important, find someone special to share all of the above steps with. If you really want to have a wonderful day, have that person make you breakfast. Laugh with them, enjoy life with them.
Becky and I had a great day today. We did all of the above. In that order, too, so I can vouch for its effectiveness.
We took care of some post-wedding activities, returned some things we didn't need, bought some things we did, and laughed the whole time. We even bought a really awesome pub table with stools. It sits in our little breakfast nook looking out the window. It's awesome. It's going to be a great place to work, eat, and play. We could put our Macs on it and blog. We can eat here, read together here, and do many exciting things. It's very fun. (I put it together myself, so I'm also a carpenter.)
From Blogger Pictures |
Also, I joined the gym today. I need to get in better shape. There's this really good picture of Becky and I at youth camp the summer after my freshman year in college. It was "hoe down" night. Becky has her hair in pig tails and little freckles dotted on her cheeks and I'm wearing a tank top style undershirt. It's a great picture. In this picture, I am tan, thin, and muscular. I was just what the ladies wanted. I am no longer tan, thin, or muscular. I am not what the ladies want. I hope to regain my physique. Maybe I'll blog about my progress. (Read: If I'm not blogging about my progress, assume no progress has been made.)
Finally, tonight we're going out for Becca's birthday. She's a Rockets cheerleader and super cool. Becca and Becky were best friends growing up, until Becca fell in love with me. Then they had a falling out period for about two years. I finally had to sit them both down. We had a long talk, lots of tears, and some real breakthroughs. Now things are much better. It was terrible being between those two*. Anyway, we're going to get sushi tonight. Sushi is bascially Japanese bacon, so it's awesome.
(*Disclaimer: This story is false.)
The beat goes on and on and on and on!
Dum-dum-dum-dum---dum--dum.......pause.......dut-dut--dut-dut--dut-dut......pause.....
The little drummer could really sprout an even roll. It was smooth, but solid. He could rock! Suddenly, I feel my foot tapping to his work. I didn't want to tap my foot, that would certainly draw too much attention, but I couldn't help it. You get sucked in by his beats. Its like a bad car wreck: you just can't look away.
Tat tat tat tat tat tat......pause......doot, doot, doot, doot, dootdootdoot, doot doot.......
His only flaw.... a complete lack of confidence. Just when he found his unique groove, he stopped, ashamed of his work. He thought for a bit, then got right back to it. While too shy to keep the beat going too long, he was too afraid to keep silent.
Pop, pop, pop, ding ding! Pop, pop, pop, ding, ding!
Who is this mind-numbing percussionist?
Our ceiling fan in the middle of the night. Not exactly the beat you want to hear all night long.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Bonfire Remembrance
Below are some pictures that I took at Muster and the Bonfire Memorial in College Station last year after class in the Spring. It was the first time I had taken pictures of something memorial-like. I hope the pictures make the feel something.
If I must post, I must post about bacon
I made dinner on Monday night before going to have pie with my friend Travis. I cooked a pasta-based goodness. This dish works best with a short, empty pasta, like bowtie or penne. Those would be the two I would make it with. I used a ravioli at home, but only because its all we had. Step 1, get that going. I'll assume if you're smart enough to read our blog, you're smart enough to cooka tha noodla. Step 2, take a frying pan/ skillet/ omlette pan. Turn the heat up. Add some olive oil. Place baby spinach in heated pan. Let sauté. Step 3, cut up some bacon. Becky and I use the pre coooked variety because we can buy about 12 pounds of it at a time at Costco. Don't use Canadian bacon, it's a fraud. (No offense, Chelsea!) I usually cut up enough to make my cardiologist cringe, then add two more slices. Rule of thumb: If it's less than a handful, it isn't enough. Step 4, cut up pepperoni. I mean, you only live once. Step 5, add meat to spinach and cook/ heat. Step 6, add a creamy alfredo sauce and simmer. Step 7, add pasta to rest of ingredients. Try to time everything so everything flows. I guess that goes without saying. Step 8, after the pasta and everything mixes, it doesn't take long, serve up.
I don't use measurements or times. I've watched enough Iron Chef in my day to know that's for rookies.
I just thought this would be good. Who knows, they might sell it at Olive Garden. However, when you read our blog, you're family! Its delicious.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Holiday craziness
9 days until I can put up the Christmas tree!! We saw the first house with Christmas lights up in Copperfield when we were on our way home from small group on Sunday night. We drove down the street to check it out of course. And we drove around a little more to see if anyone else had followed suit but so far they haven't. Hot chocolate and Christmas lights, here we come!
Seriously, I have to get better at posting pictures. My camera was dead at the wedding this weekend! Bummer. I took a picture at the rehearsal dinner though, I'll post it later.
Happy 37 days until Christmas!!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The only thing better than my friends: Cooler Ranch Doritos
Friday we left work early to head up to C Stat for the Gilbert/ Hokanson wedding. I was an Usher, which is kind of the most important job in the whole wedding. You are the first flower-donned person the guest will see. I can be rude or tell you that you look beautiful. See how important my job was? I mean, I could say to you, "This minister sucks" or "Just wait until you see the maid of honor, what a fake tan" and completely change your view of the wedding. I'm kind of a big deal. Anyway, I was pretty excited to get up there and receive my orders.
Also, Elijah was coming. Next to Becky, he's my best friend.
Saturday morning I went and had breakfast with Elijah, Jon, Cowboy John (or Brent, whatever), and Daniel. This was the first time I had been in the same room with all these guys since my wedding. The thing I love most about spending time with them is that it doesn't matter how long it has been since we've last seen it each other, it always feels the same. I waited a long time to have friends like that, so you better believe I was beyond excited to see them.
After a wonderful breakfast (with enough bacon to make your heart skip a beat, permanently) Brent and I ran to TMW to get a new tux jacket. This one was too small and apparently they guarantee I'm going to like the way I look? Then we headed to Gander Mountain because every mandated man-date includes an obligatory shotgun lust fest.
After the wedding we blew bubbles. Elijah and I embraced in a man hug with the non-optional "I'm not gay" three-pat back slap. We went back the Kelm's, changed, talked for a bit, and then took Michael to dinner at Blue Baker. It was fun. I miss college. Becky said she would let me wear Chacos everyday if it meant she could go back to college. I want to wear Chacos everyday.
Well, we didn't sleep a lot last night because we were so sick, so I'm going to hit the hay!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Fun and Friends
Tuesday I did absolutely nothing. I came home and wanted to be totally lazy, so Patrick made me a hot dog and I watched TV. Wednesday was church and it went REALLY well. The girls are taking turns leading our group, and the first one went so well. I am excited to see the rest of them. Then last night I met Claire at Starbucks and we had a long time to catch up and have some girl chatting time. It was nice. AND she gave me the first Twilight book to start reading. I am really excited about it. I needed a new book to read in the bath; the one I have been reading is not cutting it. Everyone seems to love the books, so I can't wait to get started. I only got the first one from her, so when I need the second one we will have to meet again!
I get to leave work early today at the end of this really busy week. I need to go home and finish packing real quick, put everything in the car, head to College Station, go by Men's Wearhouse to pick up Patrick's tux, go by the Kelms to touch base with them, and get to a rehearsal dinner by 7. Phew! Then Candice and I are going to do some shopping on Saturday morning while Patrick is having breakfast with friends, and then we have wedding festivities in the afternoon. And I'm sure we'll try to see Patrick's brother on Saturday before we come home.
Oh, and I bought a shirt from Ambre today that she was going to return to Banana Republic that she had gotten some kind of member discount on so it was a good deal and it's super cute. See? Such a good week!
Alright, I need to work for a few more hours. Happy weekend!!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Gilgour happenings
I get to put up the Christmas tree in 16 days. I spent a little bit of time on facebook tonight, and noticed how excited everyone in college was that the semester is winding down. The weeks before Thanksgiving in college are so fun. You're so close to going home for the holidays, and then a couple weeks after that you get a month off for Christmas. Who doesn't love going home for Christmas? I did. My roommates and I put up a Christmas tree and lots of Christmas decor even though it wouldn't be up for very long. When I was a sophomore, we strung popcorn. That's actually kind of gross. But it was always fun and my college memories are almost all amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and made wonderful friends. I am blessed.
The year we had an ice storm in College Station was also good times. Texans are totally thrown off by ice. We are incredibly dangerous on the road. So the university was closed because they didn't want people trying to drive back from Christmas break in the ice. So Lindsay, Thomas, Patrick and I were already back and stuck at home in College Station. We made s'mores in the fireplace. It was fun. I tried to convince Patrick to take me by Beaver Pond last weekend when we were up there, but it's a little bit out of the way. And my wonderful roommates are all gone. But back then, it was home and I loved it. Now this is home and I love it.
We are trying to plan out our vacations for the coming year. We will head to Missouri sometime in the spring to see Patrick's family. That will be fun. Then we will possibly stop in Florida at some point to check out my grandparents' new house. But as far as a summer vacation we don't know. We would totally go to Hawaii again but you know.. it's a little pricey. We are beach lovers, but Patrick is a serious mountain lover. But he's probably going to hit up the mountains earlier in the summer and probably also in January so we may get to do another beach vacation. YES! It's so much cheaper to drive, especially if you want to have a car while you're there. So we're probably looking at a gulf coast vacation. I'm pretty excited and it's super far away. Or who knows, maybe we'll do something totally different. We shall see. Yay vacations!
Speaking of vacations.. only one more full week of work after this one before Thanksgiving. Then 3 weeks of work before Christmas!!! You better believe I will force some pictures on the blog once we get the Christmas stuff up. I can't wait.
Ok, well I rambled a lot. The rest of the week is booked. Tomorrow is church. Thursday Patrick has a bachelor party and hopefully Claire and I can finally catch up! Then we are off to College Station for the weekend. I really need to get better at getting things done during the week.
Now if you'll excuse me, Patrick promised me a back rub!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Time's "Duh!" of the Year: Married life is different than single life
Being married is different than being single. Duh...
However, I'll start with the similarities:
1) Regardless of my marital status, I have to take out the trash and clean the toilets. This did not change. I don't mind taking out the trash or cleaning the toilets, but I don't really get much of an option. I'm not upset, but I found it worth mentioning.
2) Your joy comes from yourself and God. While Becky makes me happy and I make her beyond happy, we still have to make ourselves happy first. Becky does things that I enjoy and they make me happy, but my joy isn't dependent on her actions. We tried this. It doesn't work out well for very long.
3) Becky (to Patrick): I still love Christmas, with or without you. Ouch Charlie! That really hurts!
Patrick: Pie's sweetness is independent of your tax-filing status.
There are differences to being married:
1) While I still take out the trash and clean the toilets, the frequency of which these actions are performed has increased dramatically.
2) Becky makes me happier than ever. The satisfaction I get from our relationship is infinitely more now than it was before. We really get a joy from serving each other however we can. That means cleaning the toilets (for me) and making dinner (for her). Yes, Becky does make dinner and it (usually) tastes good.
3) We see each other more often. This is because we live together. Waking up to the same face everyday is a good sign you spend a lot of time together.
4) We have more family to spend time with. You feel like a part of the family and not an outsider or a guest. Ha! They have to like me and feel obligated to laugh at my jokes! (Unless you're a certain brunette cousin who sells out your Berger Cookie stash!)
Well, that's just a small example of how marriage differs from singleness. They are different, but one is not necessarily better than the other. God certainly has a plan for each of us and you should strive to please the Lord whatever your relationship status is.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Let's use this blog for what it was intended for...
I have been using the blog of personal gain lately. While I'm not apologizing or in any way remorseful of my actions, I thought I would return to what it Becky originally intended it for. However, since Becky has been an infrequent contributor she can't stop me.
9:00 AM Wake up. Do not get out of bed. Its too cold. Lay in bed for another half-hour. It is Saturday morning. Why would you get out of bed if you don't have to?
9:30 AM Remove self from bed. This is initiated by Becky. I am against this. My cries go unheard.
9:45 AM Breakfast is being prepared by me. Of course. That's why Becky was so involved in getting me out of bed. She was hungry and, to be honest, her pancakes aren't as good as mine. Probably because she has never made pancakes. I always make the pancakes.
10:00 AM Breakfast is served. Pancakes, scrambled eggs with cheese and bacon, and coffee. I refuse to acknowledge that there are dirty dishes in the kitchen.
10:15 AM Breakfast is complete. Television is watched.
11:42 AM Becky takes a bath. Patrick goes to the park to ride his bike.
1:00 PM Patrick returns. Dirty dishes are missing. I assume Becky did them. I am thankful that is my assumption.
1:30 PM Becky goes to get her eyebrows threaded. Patrick goes to the dress shirt store. He was able to get two Jos A Bank dress shirts for $29 (for both), normally $80 a shirt. No theft was involved. A pair of shoes was returned.
3:00 PM (Approximately) Watch Aggies play OU. It doesn't look promising.
4:30 PM More errands are run by both members of the Patrick Gilgour family. A lampshade is returned, a child's Christmas gifts are purchased, and choice beef is selected. A trip to Target was required. Target is terrible. I hate Target because Target hates good Americans who work hard, achieve, and believe in God. Not really, but that sounds good.
6:30 PM Dinner is being prepared. We are hosting a guest, Meghan, who Becky met in college. Her husband is away hunting. I am jealous. The only thing I have hunted for today is hair ties. No camo involved.
7:15 PM Steak is enjoyed. All steaks are cooked to (near) perfection by yours truly. I believe grilling is a gift God has blessed me with. My father is also blessed with this gift. I should post about this later, but my father's so gifted many a cow, while going to the slaughter, has requested for my father to cook them.
7:45 PM Brownies are cut. I am happy. Its not pie, but hey, I don't look like Brad Pitt, either. Meghan and Becky talk. I interject with comments I find funny. Meghan laughs. I'll cook her a steak again.
9:30 PM Becky and I do the dishes together.
9:45 PM I watch TV. I don't care for Texas Tech much.
11:55 PM I'm going to bed. Have a great night.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Burger Tyme
I'm a member of secret, high society club that can trace its roots back farther than The Skulls. We are a group of professional, educated, and respected men with a strong enthusiasm for their passions. Our passions are simple, our palates are not. We love juicy, red meat. I belong to Burger Tyme.
Today I ate at Otto's Barbecue and Burgers. It is known for its BBQ, but they did put burgers in their name so they technically call themselves a burger place. Here is my review:
2 Gillies (out of 5)
Unwrapping an Otto’s cheeseburger is like unwrapping a gift that’s almost what you wanted. You’re thankful, but left with doubt. You wonder, why couldn’t they just get it right? Right away I knew I would that this would not be my favorite cheeseburger. Their problems: a misrepresentation of beef and non-fresh toppings. The rest of the cheeseburger looked decent. The condiment variety was well spread, lettuce nicely chopped, and onion well placed, however the tomato was from last week. It was soggy like a wet gym sock.
More importantly, it is as if the meat truck driver delivered the wrong patties. Surely a place like Otto’s, known for finger licking BBQ, wouldn’t insult me with a piece of meat that looks as if it belongs to the golden arches? (I have nothing against McDonald’s, and I’m willing to give Ronald his due, but it’s like comparing a Civic to a Carrera. They both drive, but that’s where the similarities end.) The patty lacked all types of freshness, definitely a frozen meat product.
The verdict: Otto’s is a respectable BBQ joint, but this cheeseburger was well below par. If they're trying to be a cheeseburger joint, as their name implies, they just aren’t there yet and I’m not sure it is on the right path, much less using the right map. Even a meat upgrade would barely put Otto’s into chain restaurant land.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Fourth Monthiversary
On a WAY more exciting note... tomorrow, November 5th, we will have been married for four months. I know, that's not very long in the grand scheme of things. But I think it's pretty great. Patrick's working really late tonight, and it's so weird. I'm used to him either being home or close to home when I get here. I miss him! Things have been REALLY good! At first it was kinda weird, adjusting to everything. But now that we're past that part, it's on to the fun! We've had a lot going on, and we've cut back a little bit recently. But it's been great. Coming home to the same house, waking up at the same house. Having lazy Saturday mornings, pancake breakfasts. Watching a lot of Law and Order and Jon and Kate Plus 8 (yes, that one is my preference. But Patrick has to pretend not to like it.) Dinners with friends, seeing family. And of course, we are counting down to our first Christmas as a married couple. I'm ridiculously excited. 51 days, by the way!
The picture is from the day we got engaged. I can't believe it was over a year and a half ago. And at the same time, it seems like SO much has happened since then. I've been working for almost a year and a half also. That's so weird. I can't believe it's been that long. I had no idea what I wanted to do when I started working. And here we are, a year and a half later. Funny how fast time goes by. What should I be when I grow up?
On a not so fun note, I've been feeling kinda crummy lately. Hopefully everything will be better tomorrow. Doctor's appointment on Thursday. Next week should be much better.
Happy fourth monthiversary, Patrick!
Monday, November 3, 2008
I'd do (almost) anything to get her back
Today I got to the Park & Ride and stood in line at the "slug stand". I waited for my informal chauffeur to whisk me away to the halls of boredom/ unstaffed consulting work. On a side note: its really quite amazing what people will tell you about their personal lives when they don't think they'll see you again.
So I'm riding with these two ladies who are complaining about everything. She drops me off. I grab my briefcase (only my briefcase), step out of the car, close the door, and then had an epiphany. My lunch was still in her backseat! I scrambled! I yelled! I waved! It was like a scene from a terribly depressing movie when somebody leaves someone that cares about them dearly. She noticed not. I stood there, depressed, with an empty hand that should have been holding my noon-time meal.
My lunches are special to me because Becky packs them every morning with love. She knows how much I like to eat and I know how much she likes to sleep. She gets up earlier than necessary to make me a lunch of perfect proportions. Its never too much and never too little. Its just enough to keep me going. I look forward to sinking my teeth into the soft bread, tasting the mayo and mustard, pushing the deli meat and cheese off the roof of my mouth, and smiling from ear to ear. I love crunching unashamedly on my Dorritos Cooler Ranch chips one at a time. And who doesn't eat a bag of peanut M&Ms at 4:00PM everyday?
And today I would not. In my sadness, I wrote the following.
Ode to Roast Beef
Roast beef with mayo, mustard, and Swiss
Blue dorritos, peanut M&Ms, and cookies I'll miss
Packed with tender love and care
Now with a stranger your goodness I'll share
I sat and listened to them complain
Not knowing our time would soon wain
I grabbed my briefcase and opened the door
Stepped on the street and held you no more
At 12:05 I'll miss you the most
My stomach on empty, no lunch to boast
Mid-afternoon snack stolen from me
By the black woman who's voting for Obama because he was endorsed by Oprah Winfrey
Why did I leave you and where did she go?
Why I've forsaken you I do not know
But let me assure you that tomorrow's meal
Will not take your place, my heart will not heal
For you were my lunch on this day
Your meat will not spoil, this I pray
My brown bag friend it was a pleasure
My heart longs for my roast beef treasure
Taken from me before your time
Your packages value around 40 dime
Your aroma of wheat, condiments, and cheese
Take care of my sandwich please!
If you must eat her, do so with glee
Thank the Lord for this meal and think of me.
I'll be alone when the clock strikes one
A lover left too soon, a life left undone.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The news you've been waiting for
About 4.5 months ago Becky and I started taking Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. If you haven't ever heard of Dave or heard any of his lessons, I highly encourage you to do so, regardless of your financial situation, I promise you can learn something from it. For me, it completely transformed my way of thinking. I no longer care about the car you drive or the TV you have or the furniture in your house. I don't have to keep up with the Joneses. And I pay cash for everything.
This post wouldn't be complete without a quick shout out to our parents who did the best they could to get us through school and encouraged us to get in the "black" as soon as we could.