Will Bike for Pizza

Firas and I challenged ourselves to a lengthy Sunday afternoon bike ride, knowing that we would be rewarded with Salvation pizza once we reached our destination. When this Groupon hit our inboxes, we were quick to jump on it. I've been to Salvation twice before, and their pizza definitely makes the cut. As always, we waited until the last few days to use our Groupon... but we called before leaving to make sure that they were open on Sunday and would still be serving at 6 pm. They told us that they were open until 10, so we were on our way....

We rode from South Lamar to the 2nd street district of downtown, where we made a pit stop at Bar Chi's happy hour for a quick appetizer and beer. Call it halftime if you will. We continued on our ride through downtown, across UT campus, and finally to 34th street. At this point, I'm semi-exhausted. Sweating just a tad. We've just witnessed two cars have a nasty fender bender nearly seven feet from our bikes. But we know what lies ahead.... pizza and beer at Salvation. We traveled a short ways down 34th street, and pulled up to Salvation to find this pitiful note attached to their gate:

Are you serious?! We had just biked nearly ten miles in the September (think July for a normal state) heat, only to be greeted by this tragic handwritten note. We stared at it in disbelief for a good five minutes before we came to terms with the fact that we would not be enjoying Salvation pizza and beer on this particular Sunday evening. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Just kidding. Sort of. But in all seriousness, my "lower body" was ready for a break from the bike seat. Damn you, procastinators, for using your Groupon so late. We thought we were the only guilty ones...

I pulled Firas off the ground, wiped away his tears, and we made our way back toward UT campus. Lucky for us, they have about a million restaurant options. We first stopped in at Mellow Mushroom, a Charlottesville classic, but only ended up getting two tall-boy PBR's. We're classy like that. And I'm pretty sure they were $1.50 each... gotta love college specials. We ended up eating dinner at a little Greek joint, where we really enjoyed ourselves and our meal. Take THAT, Salvation Pizza.

The ride back was less exciting. And by less exciting, I mean that we tried to catch a bus home (don't judge) but right as we pulled up to the bus stop, a man swooped in front of us and placed his bike in one of the two racks in front of the bus. What a sweetheart. The next bus wasn't coming for another hour, and at this point we were ready to be home. We eventually made it back, and I must say that my "Wicked Witch of South Lamar" days are behind me, for the most part anyway. I might have made a few comments under my breath, but all in all, I'm becoming a better sport.

Let's hope for better luck next time. Or at least for better planning...

Welcome to the World, Charlie Hayes

People have always told me how exciting it is to have a niece or nephew, but it is one of those things you can't fully comprehend or appreciate until you have one to call your own. On September 27th, at 2:03 pm, I officially became Aunt Jaclyn... Aunt Jac.... Aunt Jax.... Aunt Jemima for all I care. I'm just excited to become an aunt! Charles Hayes Jones is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen, and I'm not being biased. He is near perfect. See for yourself... the many faces of Charlie Hayes.

And for one of the most special pictures of all -- Nana, Mom, Nicole, and Charlie -- Four Generations!

It is always good to be home, but having Charlie there with us made it the most exciting trip to date. I am so proud of Nicole for bringing him into this world with such strength and grace; I will spare the details of her labor, but just know that she is a champion. Seeing him for the first time when they picked me up from the airport, bundled up in his car seat between me and Nicole, I had no doubt that there is a God up above. He truly is a gift, and with Nicole and Tony as parents, Charlie is going to be very loved.

Out of the Desert, Into the Sun

Well this is definitely the longest I've ever gone without blogging. I guess I've been experiencing a similar drought to Texas. Only mine is a little less dangerous, I suppose.... it has just been a result of being preoccupied and not feeling the "itch" to blog. I've decided to care a little less about when to use a comma or a semicolon, and focus more on the material that makes up each post. I obviously didn't create this blog to be discovered by a publisher, but rather to keep friends and family posted on life here in Austin. I've been known to throw a funny story into the mix once in a while about one of my elderpals or a strange encounter that I may have had in this city that insists on "staying weird".

On that note, I will make a *cyber* (ha!) pinky promise to catch you up on the happenings of my life over the past two months or so.... most importantly, my new baby nephew who is the most perfect "bundell" of joy in the whole entire world. Along with my second (and better) ACL experience, our accidental 20 mile bike ride, my most delectable meals that I've enjoyed, and so on.

For now, I will leave you with a little fall treat from my residents. Some had no trouble using their imagination while painting pumpkins...

...while others just seemed a bit stuck. When I asked my football guy to sit with the group and paint a pumpkin, the conversation went a bit like this...

Me: "Ron, do you want to paint a pumpkin with us?"
Ron: "No, not really."
Me: "Well, give it a shot. We always enjoy your company!"
Ron: "I guess. What should I paint on it?"
Me: "Anything you want. You could write your initials, UT, maybe draw a longhorn..."
Ron: "Ok."
Me: "What colors would you like?"
Ron: "Red, white, and blue."

(10 minutes later = Finished Product = see below)

Me: "RWB....? OH, the R is red, the W is white, and the B is blue. Clever, Ron."
Ron, laughing: "Thanks."

(Fast forward 30 minutes later: I walk the pumpkin down to Ron's room after the paint has dried)

Me: "Here's your pumpkin!"
Ron, looks confused: "Great.... thanks! RWB.... what does that stand for?"

So Long Sweet Summer

so long sweet summer

i stumbled upon you and gratefully basked in your rays

so long sweet summer

i fell into you, now you're gracefully falling away...

Even though it doesn't feel like fall here in Texas, I would still like to take the opportunity to make a toast to my favorite season. I must admit that I was very jealous when Deirdre told me that she was in jeans and a sweater this weekend while I was still sporting my summer dress. But whether fall arrives this week, next month, or in November, I will welcome it with open arms. Open arms that are hopefully covered in a cute cardigan.

So long sweet (and sweaty) summer... looking forward to a few of my favorite things...

Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Thanksgiving

Pumpkin Frozen Yogurt

Pumpkin Pie... Bread... Muffins... Pancakes...

Fall Coats, Sweaters, and Scarves

Halloween Costumes

Falling Leaves

The Final Countdown

In 10 days (give or take a couple, depending on the Nugget's plan).... I will be a first-time Aunt! But what's even more exciting is that my sister will be a Mom. As she was always meant to be. I must give her credit for being the calmest, most relaxed pregnant woman in the world. She has only complained about being tired and having swollen ankles, but I had to practically pry it out of her. She has handled her pregnancy with such grace, and I am so proud of her.

We had her baby shower in early August and I believe it will always be one of our family's most memorable days. Dad was there in spirit, of course. Mom had planned out and perfected every little detail for the shower -- cheesy, I know, but it was evident how much love had been poured into this celebration for Nicole and Nugget.

Deirdre and I spent the day before the shower running around DC and taking care of last minute details. Best part of the day, besides spending time with my family, was definitely picking up the cake. I was making my way over from the champagne to the bakery when Deirdre shot me a, "Oh my God, get over here and help me" look. I understood her panicked expression when I made it to the bakery counter. Written on the cake was, "Girl or Boy, Bundell of Joy!" Seriously? Bundell? That's not even an easy error to make. We're not the most assertive girls, but there was no way of getting around this slight confrontation. I spelled "bundle" for the employee.... twice.... and we finally walked away with our neon yellow cake for Nicole and her bundell of joy. And why, why, why did they feel the need to write "BABY" floating in what appears to be a cloud? Couldn't they at least have written "Nugget"?

There's nothing like coming together to celebrate something so exciting... the first grandbaby of the family. We enjoyed a delicious brunch, played a game of "Name That Baby Tune" (thanks to DJ Deirdre), and helped Nicole open up her mountain of thoughtful baby gifts. The sweetest gift of all was a surprise to all of us from my Mom. She had a christening gown made for the baby out of her own wedding dress. They will have the baby's initials monogrammed inside the dress, and the initials of future grandchildren will follow. It was such a meaningful gift and a keepsake that will always remain in the family.

I cannot wait to be home to celebrate and meet my first niece or nephew!

We love you Nicole, and you too Nugget!

Bicycle Built for Two

You know those moments in life where you think, "I will never forget this..."? This was one of those moments:

The idea of riding a tandem bike had always seemed so simple to me. Socially awkward, but simple. If anything, I thought it would be easier than riding a standard bike because there are two people pedaling instead of one. Not the case for me and Deirdre. I think it was more of a balance issue for us... and the fact that the boardwalk was crowded with pedestrians, cyclists, and joggers, not leaving much room for our ginormous yellow tandem bike. Firas and Will found our situation to be very amusing, laughing at our multiple stops and my feet dragging on the sidewalk in fear of falling over. Once we got the hang of it, we were able to enjoy the ride alongside the beautiful Pacific Ocean. It is something that I will always remember.

You know those moments in life where you are laughing so hard that your body is almost convulsing? This was one of those moments:

...as if we were going to let them get away with taunting us while on the tandem bike. We quickly claimed the one-seaters, and left them with the bicycle built for two. I wish I could have filmed the attention that this special little bike ride received.... people were pointing, staring, laughing, shouting, and telling their friends, "OH MY GOSH, LOOK!!!" Deirdre sped along to keep up with them in order to document this glorious ride, and I rode behind shouting ridiculous things while trying not to fall off my bike from laughing so hard.


And the best part is that they totally milked it. I was proud of them for not being completely mortified and throwing themselves off "their bike" and into the bushes. When Firas's hands went behind his back and Will's legs went up on the handlebars, I knew that they weren't going to kill us for making them ride the banana boat. They clearly enjoyed it. Some girls swoon when given jewelry, flowers, or chocolate. I swoon when I see Firas on a bicycle built for two with my sister's boyfriend.

It was a biking adventure that I will never, ever forget.

Let There Be Rain

Thank you to all who have checked up on me during these terrible fires. It has been devastating to hear of co-workers or friends of friends who have had to evacuate their homes, or even worse, heard news that their house is no longer standing. I cannot imagine the feeling of loss that they're experiencing, but at the same time thankful that it was only a structure they lost and not a life. It always amazes me to watch a community come together during a difficult time with a common vision or goal. It's unbelievable what can be accomplished when people work together to help those in need. Witnessing a tragedy such as these fires, and with 9/11 upon us, changes my perspective on what truly matters. On living a life that counts.

Please.... pray for rain!