Ski Bums

Well, as always, Colorado proved to be fun, relaxing, stressful and beautiful all in one (or rather, four) days.

Saturday, we woke up early, traded Valentine's Day cards and candy, ate some cinnamon rolls, loaded up the VW and headed to the airport. This past year, we've flown American and Southwest and this time opted for United Airlines because they offered the cheapest ticket. Their Economy Plus seating is the BOMB! An extra 5 inches of leg room? Sign. Me. Up. Other than that, it was a pretty uneventful flight from sea level to the mile-high city. We spent the rest of the day renting our Subaru Outback station wagon, complete with heated leather seats and dual climate control settings (a must-have for the next car we purchase), buying lift tickets, finding the condo, meeting up with Steven and Tricia, grocery shopping and eating. Carbed up with some pasta for the upcoming days.

It snowed both Saturday and Sunday nights so the snow conditions on the mountains were glorious. It was also sunny both days, which made the 20* weather tolerable. I must say that I was the least experienced skiier of the four of us and it was really nice for my fellow travelers to be patient with me taking 15 minutes to get down the mountain to their 5.

Monday was much better since I'd gotten back into the groove of how to work my skis. You should ask Brad what happened on our next-to-last run before lunch. The 40-year old man yelling at me was a less than desirable end to a really good ski day.

And nevermind the fact that we missed our flight home because we lost track of time elsewhere. Luckily, UA had a later flight to Houston and we made it back home around midnight.

We had a blast and have already started planning for next year. Any takers? :)

P.S. The picture above was taken from the ground (thanks, Brad) and is NOT a very large pine tree. It is, in fact, a very large cell tower at the top of one of the peaks made to LOOK like a very large pine tree.

Life, Love and Learning to Adjust

Lately...

LIFE:

Brad is b-u-s-y at work. He's consistently done >60 hours of work every week this year, with last week's total reaching 80+. On top of that, he's going to physics two nights a week and also does some work for online government. Needless to say, he's exhausted and looks forward to the weekend more than anyone else I know. Of course, he deserves it more than anyone else I know.
Me? Well, I need a hobby. After spending the majority of my free time planning the wedding last year, I've got a bit more of it on my hands. I'm still working a little overtime, and have considered picking up another shift every pay period. However, I don't really like my job THAT much! It's wonderful, but we all need a break. So instead, perhaps I'll finish at least one of the three scrapbooks that have been started and are now collecting dust on a book shelf...


LOVE:

Brad and I decided to forego the highly commercialized Valentine's Day that we've participated in the past two years. First VD together = Houston's Restaurant. Last year = Capital Grille. While the food was great and the atmosphere was romantic, this year trumps all. Instead of dining with a hundred other couples and choosing food off a fixed menu, we flew to Colorado and spent an extended weekend skiing with some friends.

I'll fill you in our the daily details of the trip in a later post. For now, just know that the time away from normalcy was MUCH needed (see above on "Life" for Brad) and was spent with a great couple of sweet people.


LEARNING to ADJUST:

Some things I've learned since living with a boy, ahem, man:

1. When making the bed, always give husband 2-3 inches more sheet length than my own side. Apparently, I steal the covers. This is evidenced by the fact that in a corner on Brad's side of the bed are two blankets "just in case" he gets cold.

2. When folding laundry, I've learned Brad's "Corps Days" way of folding t-shirts. Instead of being folded in half, then in half again like I've always done, his shirts are done in a more intricate way such that each one become a rectangular lump of cotton measuring 6 inches by 4 inches.

3. Brad's [almost] as neat and tidy as I am. Despite the dishes not always making it into the dishwasher or the inevitable presence of dirty clothes next to the dresser, he's been found to clear clutter from the cabinets and putting them in nice, neat, organized stacks of stuff. His desk and file folders are much more tidy than mine.

4. "Boy" shows aren't all that bad. I've learned a bit from seeing "Modern Marvels", "How It's Made" and other various history and discovery channel specials. And I've learned to enjoy them. Almost as much as he enjoys "Ace of Cakes", "Jon and Kate Plus 8" and "Grey's Anatomy/Private Practice" :)

5. He makes a better cook than I do. So I let him and stick to baking!

6. We balance each other out. And that's why we fit so well together.

A Good Day

What exactly defines a good day in the life of Megan?

1030 -- roll out of bed. this is when being a nurse ROCKS!

1045-1300 -- eat breakfast, check email, read updated blogs, check Facebook, a few chores (not too many or this ruins the good day)

1300 -- shower

1400-1600 -- run errands leisurely. no time restraints = tolerable errand-running

1600 -- get home. check mail to find two new magazines and some personal mail.

1600-1700 -- do something that requires creative juices

1715 -- brad is home!!!

1730-1815 -- run 4 miles. that's right, folks, i made it FOUR MILES during our run today!!!

1815-2130 -- cook dinner, pour a glass of wine, chit chat with my hubby, watch my favorite tv shows

2130 -- get ready for bed and snooze :)

Random Thoughts v. 2

Some of these were seen on my Facebook's version of "25 Things About Me". Some are new.

1. I'm picky about the way my groceries are bagged. I mean, milk jug with bananas? Cans of Rotel with bread? Yogurt with cleaning supplies? C'mon, people!

2. I believe in miracles. They happen every day in the deep, dark dungeon that is the PICU. Trust me, no doctor could do some of the things that come from my place of work.

3. Brad is simply perfect for me. End of discussion.

4. I want kids one day. One boy, one girl, in that order and perfect little angels. ;) Actually, I just pray that God will bless us with healthy children.

5. I would love to live some place that actually saw four seasons. 70-degree weather in January is for the birds.

6. I love spending time around other people, but I'm not really that good at creating conversation. So really, I just like to hear how other people's lives are going.

7. My secret dream job would be an event planner. Weddings, parties, showers, etc. How fun!

8. Europe before 30.

9. Marathon before 30.

10. I have no will power if there are sweets within a 100 foot radius of me.

11. I like to think I'm crafty, but really, I just like crafty things. Especially when other people make them.

12. To be so Type A, I think I'm ADD. That's why I'm an ICU nurse -- multi-tasker!

13. I used to have a things with feet. Nobody could touch mine. If you ask Brad, he'd tell you that I now have a thing with my stomach.

14. One of my favorite things to do is: pour myself a glass of red wine, help Brad cook dinner, sit down and eat that dinner with no distractions, then go grab something sweet and cuddle up in front of the TV.

15. One of my other favorite things to on Sundays is to drive around the ritzy neighborhoods of Houston, look at the gaudy houses and wonder what kind of lives the people who live in them lead.

16. I married my very best friend and he loves me just the way I am...moody or not...patient or not...good cook or not.