Flowering Tree of Queens Blvd

Here is a photo I took with my Blackberry of a tree that was in full bloom as I walked home from the Forest Hills JetBlue office.

Even though they are pretty, I know behind all those colorful petals and blooms, they are the cause of my sickness. *shakes fists* damn them.

Tomorrow Vanessa will have to walk me to work so I can show her this flowering tree. The one right next to it is much prettier. However, it was not wanting to be photogenic. But trust me, it was cooler. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone - From a Couple of Displaced Texans in New York!

Justin and I made our first official, traditional Thanksgiving dinner! Check out our photos:

Thanksgiving - November 2007

Forest Hills, 11375

We are finally completely moved in to our new apartment. Today was the first day we were able to relax and not have to bother with U-HAULS and the like! It is prettier inside, bigger, and right next to amazing shops, restaurants, and an express train to the city, not to mention Justin's work, and Jamaica station - the lifeline to JFK and the LIRR (Long Island Railroad)!

I like being here, but there is still so much unpacking and decorating to be done. I'll enjoy it even more once the new apartment is ship shape. Still, it was nice to walk one block to a movie theater and watch a show last night with Val! and Justin. I really liked 30-Days of Night. As Val! pointed out - I screamed more than anyone in the theater. I also laughed and cried during the movie. I know the fact that I was sleep-deprived from the move and about to start my period contributed to it, but I am glad it made me appreciate the film more.

At any rate, I hope you enjoyed the recent photos I posted from Salem. I will try to get my photos with Justin up from our anniversary trip to Vermont soon.

I have been so busy with my new job, but I am enjoying it. :) I probably should write about it more and describe what I have been doing. Please check out our (new!) website here: Austin-Lehman Adventures.

Talk to y'all soon. Would be nice to hear from those of you I haven't (in a while or ever)!!!

-Ness

Sunday has come at last ;)

Strange, isn't it, that Sunday is my favorite day of the week? It usually means sleeping in all morning, lazily getting up and getting dressed, discussing where we want to go have brunch or lunch, then finally making it somewhere. For a couple of weeks we came home and worked on the lawn/flower beds, sometimes we do a little random shopping or walking, other times we just come home and watch TV or play with the puppies. Today was the last day Justin's mother, sister, and nephew were in town. Justin and I woke up by having puppies unleashed on us by his 6 year old nephew, Christian.

After seeing them off, we made our way to Rouge Bistro for brunch. This is the second Sunday in a row we've gone there. I really liked it the first time. I liked it this time too, but Justin was not as relaxed as last week. After eating, we wandered around and wound up watching The Brave One. It was entertaining. It wasn't an excellent movie, but there were some neat twists to it. We got home about 2 hours ago and let the puppies play in the backyard, put together our new fire pit (on sale from $50 to $10!) and then Justin watered the lawn. We already have some beautiful bright green blades of grass randomly sprouting up!

We just gave the puppies a bath. Justin is watching TV. We are going to plan our week-long vacation tonight. I am really, really looking forward to a week worth of relaxation, hiking, and sightseeing. I've heard of the glorious, vibrant fall foliage of the northeast, and this year I am actually going to see it!

Cuteness Overload!!!

Ruby & Eve

I don't know if you can handle this level of cuteness! We have pix from when Ruby and Eve joined our family, their first day at home, random playfulness, and their bath last night when they wore their new ducky robes.

Life is all about decisions...

And that is not usually a problem for me. I am certainly not the most indecisive person in the world, yet recently (like the last few weeks), I have felt emotionally and pathologically torn in several different directions. What is best for my future, career, happiness, life? Agh!!! I am driving myself crazy looking for a clear path. If only it were all about money, that would make things SO clear - so EASY.

I just want to do my best.
I just want to make a difference.
I want to feel happy, important, and have FUN at work.
I want to truly enjoy what I do and look forward to getting up everyday.
Oh, and be paid fairly. Which doesn't mean get rich (well - one day). I just want to be treated fairly. I wonder if I complain too much.

I am going to snuggle with the babies.

Happy Thoughts: Texas two weekends in a row with friends from work! Yes! AND I get to see my Dad this weekend. Score!

Brief Update

I had a terrifying moment this weekend... And it is all Sha Sha's fault!!!

I love playing the blame game. J/K! But seriously, I was heading out of the apartment, with Justin a few paces behind me, when I turned on the landing, facing the stairwell and my front door directly below me. There is a windowsill immediately to your left as you descend the stair. On this sill for the last couple of days has been resting the invitation to Sheila's bridal shower, sent by my lovely Aunt Sha Sha. Oddly, when I first opened it on Thursday night, I paid no attention to the address. However, as I began descending the stair yesterday morning, I happened to glance at the front of the envelope.

"What the fuck?" were the only words I uttered as I attempted to turn around, missed grabbing the sill by a good 6 inches, and plummeted to the base of the staircase, straight into the door and smacking my hip and ankle incredibly hard into the bottom of the stairs. Hence, don't look at anything else around you when you've already got a lot of momentum and are about to walk down a set of stairs. I was in shock, hurting, and scared when Justin rushed down the stairs and grabbed me. "Are you OK!?" He screamed.

"No I am NOT ok!" I shouted.

He begged me to stand up. I didn't understand why at first. I was hurt! I was crying already! Fine, I will stand up. And so I did. And he began asking me what hurt, if I could walk, etc. Luckily, I'd only hit my ankle and bruised my hip. Nothing broken, and I could walk.

Finally, after my fit of crying and lamenting my own stupidity for completely plummeting down my staircase, we got around to him asking me what in the world had caused me to do that. The answer? I was looking at the address on my letter, which said "Rego Park, NJ" with the original 'NY' having been written over to make room for a 'J.' Completely stupid? Yes! But I was caught of guard and fully intended to investigate further. Thankfully, I lived to do so.
Ergh!!!!