hunker down

First off, those who know me well KNOW I do not sit still very well. We don't own a TV and I am okay with that because I don't care to sit still long enough to watch any of those shows. I rarely watch movies at home and honestly can't stand sleeping in all morning. 

This weekend has magnified my need to be "doing" all the time. 

After work on Friday, I went to the grocery store to "stock up" on some delicious canned food options, water and other needs, assuming we will loose power for a few days when Hurricane Sandy hits later this evening. I didn't get home till 9-ish so we stayed in for the night and went to bed early.

Saturday I was planning on getting out and enjoying the beautiful fall weather but Colton ended up having a service activity with the Young Men / Scouts so I stayed at home and finished my fall project of making pillow covers!

I was so happy with how they turned out but was ready to climb the walls of our condo by the time it was all done! I only have the patience to sew soo many times a year. 

Well - now I am regretting I didn't wait to do that project. We have been told to stay home today. The metro is closed, Schools are closed, Federal Government is closed. Hurricane Sandy is supposed to hit the DC Metro Area by 5pm with wind gusts as strong as 80 mph. Everyone is saying "hunker down" "stay home" "don't do anything". Worst words ever. What am I supposed to do all day?!! 

Colton didn't listen. At 4:30 am he was off to work like usual. The man never stops working for ANYTHING. 

I am quickly trying to get the laundry done, and do anything else to prepare us for not having power for a few days. Can't wait to sit in the dark!

Only a few days ago I was out for a morning run enjoying the beautiful fall leaves...glad we were able to enjoy them for a few days before they are blown off the trees tonight!

I guess it is time for me to "bunker down" and learn how to relax / sit still. Should be an interesting next few days....

a baby shower for Destiny....

On of the many great things about being married....I inherited all of Colton's great friends! 

Colton and Destiny have known each other for years. I first met her when I was out here visiting Maryland for the first time while we were dating. She was newly engaged, to Bryson Bachman.... well time has obviously gone on, and now Destiny is expecting! 

Lucky for me, Rachel (another fabulous inherited friend) and I were able to throw her a shower...

 

Rachel scored all this fabric and trim at a local garage sale....

And had the genius idea to decorate Onesie's...

Prego friends...

 

Destiny is waiting to find out if it is a boy or a girl until the baby is born, so we made plenty of options for boy or girl...

 

Can't wait for baby Bachman!

the rest of september...

September turned out to be a busy month. 

My best friend Amy from the younger years came to visit from Korea! She has been out there for the past couple of years teaching English. I was soooo happy when she decided to come state side for a visit and stopped by DC to see me! (and meet Colton for the first time)

Being the vintage shopping lover that she is, we had to do some Virginia antique shopping...

...and I was her escort when she went through the temple for the first time.

September was also filled with apple picking in Maryland with my friend Shannon and some of my favorite little people out here...

We picked them right off the tree and took a bite... BEST FUGI APPLES I HAVE EVER HAD.

THEN... I headed back to Cali to help this girl and this guy....

...with their wedding! 

Spent some time with old roomies, and good friends.

 

After the temple ceremony they had and In-N-Out food truck. Best idea ever. 

After the luncheon, we quickly rushed over to the reception location to set up everything for the big night! ( I can't wait to see the professional shots, it looked incredible)

She has the vision, I just helped execute. 

While in Cali I also spent a lot of time walking Balboa Island, hanging out with Grandma, enjoying the fresh ocean breeze and catching up with old work friends at Butera. It felt good to be back.

Miss this place. 

Busy month, but a great end to summer.

tough mudder

Colton and his buddy Logan had been anxiously awaiting this day for months.

The day they would show the world their man strength by participating in a marathon / obstacle course called Tough Mudder benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.

The video that sold them on it... 

This twelve mile course included military training obstacles like jumping into a pool of icy cold water, then crawling through mud while trying not to be shocked by random wires hanging down, or crawling under barbed wire, or how about running through some fire ... sounds like fun right?

They thought so. 

So being the supportive wives we are, Janelle and I went along to support.

Within MINUTES of them starting their marathon the heavens opened up and BUCKETS of water came pouring out of the sky. I guess we were so focused on being supportive (and cute) we forgot to wear our rain jackets/ pants / closed toe shoes or bring an umbrella.....

 

I would have been drier jumping into a swimming pool.

So needless to say, we didn't last long on the sidelines. We hiked our mile back to the car, drove to the nearest target, sloshed through the aisles until we found some dry clothes, and then headed back to the race to wait in the car until  they finished.

Due to the rain...the course that was only supposed to be 3 grueling hours, turned into 5.

They did successfully complete it and were surprisingly talking about doing another one next year!

We promised to be better prepared in our apparel for next year :)

bikes and barges

The month of September was kicked off with something I had been wanting to do all summer...bike rides! 

We started the Labor Day weekend riding along the C&O Canal.... (17+ Miles)

I loved the locks - overgrown with the most electric green plants...

I look like an old lady riding a bike at the gym in this one....attractive.

And then we were soo hooked - we woke up early on Labor Day and rode the Capital Crescent trail from Bethesda to Georgetown - and back.... (20+ miles)

Still working on our photo poses.....

My bum was bruised and numb for the next week but well worth the trip!