I Got Your Back, You Got Mine

This year for Thanksgiving, my grandparents, further known as Nana & Pop, rented some condos for the holiday at Canyon Lake, TX.  It’s located right in between San Marcos & New Braunfels, TX.   They showed up on Tuesday, the same day as my parents and Kirstie, Robert and I showed up Wednesday.  My Aunt Mary Beth and Uncle Steve and there kids showed up Wednesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.  Even Jake’s girlfriend Jennifer showed up for a day & night.  Only my sister Kate was missing.  But, I reckon she had a pretty good reason… her very intelligent, good-looking boyfriend is at Harvard and she went to visit him too.  Considering she see’s him probably only twice a semester, I figure she has every right to go and see him.  But we sure did miss her over the week.

So… let’s just give a run down of all the people on this “little” family vacation.

Laura & Wayne = Nana & Pop

Steve & Mary Beth = Aunt & Uncle (Steve is son of Nana & Pop, brother to Mom)

Terry & Debbie = Mom & Dad (Debbie is the daughter of Nana & Pop, sister to Steve)

Jessica & Robert = Jess is daughter of Debbie & Terry, married to Robert

Katie, Kirstie = daughters of Debbie & Terry  (Kate couldn’t come)

Dena, Jake, Ann, Julia, Jane = kids of Steve & Mary Beth

Jennifer = Jake’s girlfriend

Scout = Mom & Dad’s Shih Tzue

Aggie = Steve & Mary Beth’s dog (some kind of Scottish Terrier I think)

Weldon & Rayma Jean = Mema & Pepa (Dad’s parents)

Vicki & Mark = Aunt & Uncle (Vicki is daughter of Pepa, brother to Dad)

On Wednesday, we unloaded all of our gear.  As you can imagine, three families can bring quite the amount of food.  My uncle & aunt had the Turkey and all the fixins’ with them, Rob and I brought some chips, and Nana and Pop brought the Ham and several other fixins’.  And everyone brought some, if not multiple, amounts of dessert.  Not too mention all our stuff.  I, myself, brought all the coupons and several magazines.  Had to prepare for all the big sales on Black Friday after all.  My fellow cousins also brought the Wii, and Rob and I brought our remotes too.

We all got settled in and let into the Wii.  I’d have to say my cousins were a bit more well versed at the Wii then the rest of us.  However, Rob definitely enjoyed the Wii.  I’m not a huge player, so he loved having Jane to play with.  Even though, Julia was pretty intense at Wii Tennis and really got into character.  I myself was not too good at anything.  I tended to come in last at Mario Kart and when trying to dodge in the shoes & other random flying objects on the Wii Fit, I was quite the disaster.  Unfortunately, the Wii board didn’t recognize when I was ducking.  Oh well.  I’m sure it was entertaining for everyone else to watch. 

Wii Gamers

We cooked tamales, chili, and had chips for lunch & dinner on Wednesday.  Rob had never had tamales before.  Not to worry, I let him know you have to take the husk part off.  But maybe we shouldn’t have told him because that would have been very funny.  But they were sure good.  It’s not often that we eat tamales and chili. 

On Thursday, everyone was decked out in their Aggie gear in preparation of the Texas A&M game and got busy cooking our big Thanksgiving meal.  Uncle Steve prepared an awesome turkey and everyone else pitched in to get all the sides together.  We had so much food it was kind of amazing.

Steve working on the turkey

This was also the day that it went from like 85 to about 35.  It was SOO freaking cold.  I only brought one long-sleeved item.  Thank goodness for family, or else I’d have probably frozen to death.  I did not pack according to the weather.

Pop and I set the table and he was sure to let me know that A) I missed three plates all together, B) Some didn’t have forks and then C) Some didn’t have knives.  So, I’m not the best table setter.  But, Pop kept me in-line.  Nana said Grace before we all ate and it was quite moving.  Nana can also say a good prayer.  The right things always to come to mind and she sounds so peaceful and blessed. 

Waiting in line for food.  Kids got first dibs this year.

Family enjoying their Thanksgiving meal.

This kind of sums up Thanksgiving Day. hehe.

After we finished eating we, depending on who you were, A) played the Wii some more B) rummaged through the Black Friday ads, C) watched the Dallas Cowboys game, or D) took a nap.  I personally rummaged through the Black Friday ads and then took a nap.  On a very small chair.  But, I managed to fall asleep.  I even woke up during half time and caught the best part of the game.  Of course, until the end.  The Cowboys couldn’t hold on.  I had such high hopes for them, but they just couldn’t pull it out.

The Cowboy game ended just in time for the Texas vs. Texas A&M game.  Seeing how as my ENTIRE family is A&M except for me and my two sisters this is a really big game.  Pop ran the concessions-- pop corn and Oreo’s for a dollar.  J We ate chips, guacamole, bean dip and leftovers.  The game was intense, lots of whooping, booing, and screaming.  But never fear, the Ags whooped up on the Longhorns and became a solid 9 and 3 team. 

Watching the A&M game.

Those that couldn't fit in the first picture.

That pretty much wrapped up our Thanksgiving Day.  It was a great day.  We were all together and had fun catching up with everyone.

Mom, Dad, and Kirstie got up at 3 AM to head out to Target and Wal-Mart.  I was supposed to be with them, but I just couldn’t do it.  I woke up and said,  Uhh…. Nope.  Not to mention, Rob says “Oh Love Bug, do we have to???”  How can you say no to that??  But anyways, I got a text from Mom at 5:45 AM with the word “FAIL.”  Meaning, they did not get what they set out to get.  Not too surprising, as what they wanted was  TV that was advertised on the front page of the ad which only EVERY AMERICAN also saw and wanted.  So, it just wasn’t meant to be.  They came back and slept and Rob and I, as well as everyone else, continued sleeping. 

Rob and I got up and found Mema & Pepa, Dad’s parents, were here for a visit.  We finished getting ready loaded up in the Suburban to continue a little shopping.  We stopped off at Dick’s Sporting Goods.  They had some deals on North Face.  I bought a new jacket for myself.  P.S.  Never go shopping for a coat when you are cold.  Stores must love it when tourists come in and its unseasonably cold because you will just buy anything.  So, that’s what I did.  I was cold and I bought a jacket.  It does look quite snazzy however.

We made our way over the famous San Marcos outlets and pretty much turned ourselves right around.  I had never really seen anything so amazing.  It was a sea of cars.  Little did we know they had been open since MIDNIGHT.  So, any chance we wanted was pretty much over from step one.  We stopped in at James Avery where mom bought Kirstie and I a Christmas present.  Then we left.

On our way back to the condo, we got a call from Steve to meet them somewhere and take some family photos.  But first, we stopped off at Whataburgher.  My dad has this intense fascination with Whataburger.  It’s crazy.  There were 7 of us in the Suburban and we decided to do the drive-thru.  But before I blame this crazy idea on my dad, it really was Kirstie’s idea.  “Yeah, Dad, drive through!”  That was a HUGE mistake.  And let me tell you HUGE.  THIRTY MINUTES later we got our food.  However, once we got them to repeat it back to us correctly, the food did come out right.  It was just getting it all down that was hard.  I can still see the lady behind us, “WTF, who is this guy?  Who in the heck orders food like this?  Why is this taking so long?”  As she calls her husband and says, “Sorry, dear, I’m behind this idiot moron in the drive-thru lane.”  It was kind of funny.  But we got everything down.

We headed to this location Steve & Mary Beth found to take family photo’s.  I look relatively terrible, I wasn’t really prepared to take photos.  But it’s cool.  It all worked out.  Steve & Mary Beth found this really cool place right down on the Guadalupe River and we took a ton of photos.  Even got in a big group shot.  I was in charge of setting the timer on the camera.  I think the group shot turned out pretty well considering I had only 10 seconds to run over and hop in and “look natural.”

The Atzenhoffers were quite photogenic.

Not quite as good looking as the first bunch, but I'll take it.  ;-)

We headed back to the condo where, depending on who you were, A) watched the Alabama, Auburn game, B) watched Shrek, or C) took a nap.  I personally watched the Alabama/Auburn game.  What a great game!!  I still can’t believe Auburn pulled it out.

Both Jake and Dena had to leave that day, so we all said our good-byes to them.

After that, all the ladies + Rob decided to play putt putt.  Keep in mind it was approximately 40 degrees outside.  Dad took Scout and Steve came later and kept us company around the course.  I think the only person to get a whole in one was Jane.  Of course, that was her mulligan shot, but a hole-in-one is still a hole-in-one in my book.  Scout absolutely loved the putt putt.  She wanted to chase after each ball.  She even picked up Julia’s ball and was able to drop it in the hole!!!  It was so hilarious.  We wrapped up our 18 holes and it was dark out.

Scout was MVP!

After we finished Putt Putt

Steve, Mary Beth and their kids headed somewhere for hamburgers and the rest of us heated up the ham.  I love ham.  Then, we watched Toy Story 3 and later called in a night.

The next day, the Hesseltine’s all got up early to be at the outlet mall by 9.  Steve cooked us breakfast and we said good-bye to everyone.  Rob and I loaded up in our car and mom, dad, Kirk, and Scout loaded up in the other.  We headed out to the outlet mall where we shopped for 3 ½ hours.  We didn’t even do a full quarter of the outlet mall.  That place is so huge!!  It’s awesome though.  We got in a full bit of shopping and then… I’ll let you guess… we went back to Whataburger.  The same Whataburger as last time.  Except, this time we went inside.  Then, we headed to my Aunt Vicki and Uncle Mark’s house in San Antonio where there were kind enough to host us for the night.

Once we got there, we chit chatted for a bit and then CALLED THOSE HOGS!  Just kidding, but we did watch the Arkansas/LSU game.  It was a GREAT game to watch, though the beginning of the game had me a bit worried.  But, we pulled it out.  Then, me, Rob, mom, dad, and Kirstie went and saw Jeff Dunham at the AT&T center in San Antonio.  It was very funny.  Robert and Dad laughed so hard.  Don’t get me wrong, it was very funny, but the guys definitely laughed harder.

Then we headed back to Aunt Vicki’s and where we went to bed.  My parents left at 4 or 5 AM on Sunday and Robert and I headed out of SA around 11:30.  Before we headed out, my aunt and uncle were kind enough to take us for some breakfast tacos at the Taco Garage.  Apparently this used to be an old car shop turned food place.  The lights were all made up of random car parts… hoses, mufflers, etc.  It was very cool and very good and filling.  I could only eat one taco!!!

And now we are back at our place.  All my Christmas stuff is out and set up.  The tree, garland, nativity scene, Christmas plates, décor, etc is here.  You name it, I got it up.  After reflecting on our week, I ultimately decided that family is the best thing you can have.  People will fall in out of our lives, but family will always be there.  I always love getting caught up with everyone hear about what they are doing.  God Bless my family… I sure do love them.

Group shot of everyone!

Family  =  I Got Your Back, You Got Mine.

Dinner for Two, Please.

No, not dinner for four.  Not dinner for three.  Not dinner for one.  I'm looking for dinner for two. 

Many people ask since, I'm married I must cook.  But ya know, I really don't.  Who's to say that once you are married you cook?  I don't really think it's fair to say that we eat out a lot either... only Friday & Saturday for dinner.  And we have a budget we stick to at those meals.

So, you may be wondering.. what do I eat for the rest of the meals??  Well, we will usually cook on Sunday.  We have time and the inclination to get a meal going.  However, we usually begin with "What do you want to cook?"  We both answer "I don't know.  I don't care."  Well, that's a great start to picking out a delicious meal, let me tell ya.  Your bound to come up with something creative then.  We usually cook spaghetti.  Its my specialty... and also happens to be my favorite food.

However, we usually have two days worth of leftovers after we cook it.  And Rob doesn't eat leftovers.  Ever.  I'm being serious here... I don't think he has ever eaten a leftover.  I will sometimes, but I'm not a huge fan either. 

Why does a pack of chicken breasts come in a standard size 6?  Hot dogs in a standard size of 8 along with the hot dog buns.  Same thing with rolls, hamburgers, any meat you buy, and all of the box dinners where you partly cook (add water, heat on stove sort of thing).  Anything we make always ends up feeding at least 4 people.  And then it all goes to waste.

Even if you decide to freeze it, I don't want to come home & wait for it to defrost in the microwave, look at it, and then wonder if it's even okay to eat.  After all, I just nuked it for 25 minutes.  And now I'm going to "cook" it.  I can't tell you the times that I've either: bought something again so I don't have to defrost, or just thrown away something I've defrost because I'm convinced I've ruined it in the microwave.

To keep going, I won't even tell you the number of times Robert and I have eaten a whole pack of dinner rolls (like 6) all in one sitting.  They come in the package, we bake, and then we eat.  Mountainous amounts of food.  We will stuff ourselves simply so we don't have leftovers.

I personally think there should be an aisle just for couples.  Even one person I think would appreciate that.  All my single friends complain just as I do that they don't cook b/c everything comes in size 4.  Wouldn't that be nice?  Picture, only needing a basket to carry b/c everything is so little. "Chicken tonight dear?"  "Yes, please."  Pick up two chicken breasts & then be done.  I can practically hear these individual chicken breasts saying, "pick me, pick me!"  No longer would I have to worry if I had a freezer bag, if I would eat all the leftovers the next day.  And it would be less expensive b/c it would only be for two... NOT FOUR.  It would take less time to cook.  Oh, if only.

I know, only in my dreams.  I would hate to be a family of 5 even... trying to stretch the family of 4 meals or end up having a meal for 8.  What a nightmare.  Now I know what my mom went through when we were all a family of 5.  Good thing my dad is the human garbage disposal... no food goes unwasted in front of Dad!

So, since you know we don't really cook... you may ask what we do do.  Well, I usually eat a bowl of cereal.  Sometimes I'll cook myself pasta salad.  We buy frozen meals a lot.  As a matter of fact, Rob eats a frozen dinner every meal of the night.  Does this make us an old couple??  I can't be sure.  We'll order pizza once a week too.  Usually Wednesday or Thursday.  This week it will be Thursday because we didn't have it today.  Today, I made myself a bean burrito.  Rob hates beans... so he had a frozen dinner.  But, get this.. he will make himself a salad for every meal.  He's such a healthy boy!!!  Not me, I usually load up on my carbs and cereal.  Forget the salad please.

These frozen dinners are pretty good.  Plus, they are only like $2-3.  After I buy 6 chicken breasts that I will later throw away, I consider this a moneysaver. 

The even funnier thing about Rob and I is that we don't like any of the same foods.  When I have a hot dog.. I want chili & cheese to top it. He wants ketchup... only.  When I have a taco.. I want sour cream and cheese only on top of it.  He wants lettuce, tomato, salsa, etc with NO sour cream.  Let's face it... you cannot buy sour cream for just one person (well, I mean, I do but I always throw it away after)  He wants salad, I don't like salad.  I want peas, he doesn't like peas.  I love beans, he hates beans.  He doesn't want cheese on his sandwich, cheese is a staple on my sandwich.  He hates mustard, I love mustard!

The other day at the store, I picked up some Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing b/c we were out and he picked up another brand of ranch dressing that he thought was better.  I looked at him w/ disdain.  Seriously, we have to buy TWO bottles of salad dressing.  This can't be true.  In the end, we stuck with the staple of Hidden Valley (I mean, who doesn't like that?!)  There are some battles I must win!!!  Really, I wonder why we ever married.  It's even harder to cook when we have to try to buy one of everything.

It's even hilarious to see our shopping cart on Sunday.  Loaded with frozen dinners, bagel bites, spaghetti, the most assorted condiments b/c we like nothing of the same.  We're just so opposite, it's hilarious.  Our grocery bill can pay the price for that too.

But it's cool.  Just don't judge us for eating cereal and frozen meals.  Who even has the time to cook these days anyways?  3 minutes in the microwave while you take off your work clothes and it's time to eat!  Yeah!

If we could only have dinner for two, please... that would be nice.  :-)

You & Me Baby, We're Stuck Like Glue

Two weekends ago, I decided Rob and I needed a weekend project.  And what's better than a little painting as a weekend project?  Looking back, I can probably think of a few better choices...

I left work early on a Friday to head to Home Depot.  Grabbed myself about 25 paint chips and came home and taped them up to the wall. Now, this is probably the time to tell you that I picked about 15 different colors of purple, 4 colors of turquoise, 4 colors of yellow, and a random looking orange.  So, you know this is going to be interesting.

I immediately x-nay most of them.  But I'm really tossing between 10 purples.  Who knew so many shades of the same color could really look the same?  Rob comes home from work... only to find 40 shades of color taped to wall... and we sit & deliberate.  In the end, we decide on "Purple Academy."  Yep, a nice, deep dark purple that has a hint of grey.  I mean, don't kid yourself... Rob wouldn't let me put up a bright purple... no matter how much I wanted to.  And there are just some boundaries I don't cross.

Rob asks.. are we going to paint tonight?  See!  Look how gung-ho he is!!!  I tell him, no, no... we will do it tomorrow (Saturday).

I guess this is where I should throw in... I was also getting my brakes changed on my car on Saturday.

So... to start the day right on Saturday I follow Rob to the brake place who has indeed promised us "...only for a $99.95."  Then, we head to Home Depot (insert hick voice here "...to get us a gallon of paint.  Purple Academy paint that is."

We pull in to Home Depot, take them our paint chip and politely tell them we need some paint to paint a 9 x 17' wall.  I'm really thinking... he's just gonna tell us we need a quart.  Surely, we don't need a gallon.  The salesman ponders this for a moment.. he's pretty sure we will need a gallon.  I said "well, what about two quarts?"  He responds with "well two quarts is the price a gallon"  Then I ask Rob... "does two quarts equal a gallon?"  He looks at me all weird and says "4 quarts equals a gallon, dear."  So, then I make the executive decision "Well, I guess since we can get more paint for the same price... let's just go with the gallon."

That's me.  I'm all for quantity.  More bang for your buck, that's my philosophy.  I even look over at the paint hardening stuff and tell Rob, "look, we can even buy stuff harden the paint if we don't use it all so we can throw it away."  Then I think to myself: you can't just throw paint away?  I didn't know that.  I think it is at this point Rob realizes what he is getting himself into.  But I regress, moving forward...

Then I calmly ask the paint man, "What things do we need to paint?"  Because, kid yourself not, we live in an apartment and own nothing in the way of painting supplies.  That's the beauty of apartment living-- people do stuff for you.  Other than a hammer, couple of screw drivers, an electronic drill (I'm sure once Rob reads this he will correct me on all the correct terms here, some nails, and a tape measure.  It all fits into this one tiny little bin.  It's really quite perfect.  'Rob's little garage.'  Again, I regress...

Rob goes into search for painting supplies with our little paint helper.. and comes back with well...  one roller.  With no handle.  I think it's at this point I realize what I'm getting myself into.  Even I know we need more than that.  So, we choose a handle, edger tool, and paint pan.  Amazingly, we leave the store having only spent $42.  (He wouldn't let me buy the paint hardening stuff)

I won't bore you with the entire trip home... and tell you that the brake people called and well, they just can't do it for $99.95.  I knew this was coming you see, because my sister had hers done and she has the same car as me (fully loaded however, with 4-wheel drive and leather heated seats... to be the youngest child *sigh*) and hers cost way more than that.  The brake guy wanted us to pay $450!  Heck, my car is probably only worth $450!  So, I tell Rob.. tell him we will pay $300 cash .. take it or leave it.  Well, he took it.  My first big bargaining win!  What What! 

So, now I'm pumped... I just saved ourselves $150!!!  Time to paint!!  We bring all the stuff in, move the couch, lonely picture on the wall, and a bookshelf.  Only then do I realize.. hmm.. maybe I should have bought that drop cloth after all.  I only have this twin sized sheet.  (The fitted sheet goes over the chair that we are using as a stool)  Oops!!  So, I lay out a twin size sheet, and four towels instead.  It'll do the trick.

Rob tapes up the wall.. I do a few warm up stretches.. just kidding!  I follow Rob while he is taping & really seal the tape to the trim & the adjacent wall.  Then I bring the paint can & container to pour it in to Rob.  Hmm... as he is prying off the lid (with one of our handy flat screwdrivers no less!) we suddenly realize.... we forgot to get a paint stirrer (is stirrer even a word, I can't be sure?).  Never fear... the Meier's can improvise.  Enter clothes hanger.  Yep, we stirred the paint with a coat hanger.

Uhhh Rob, quick I made a boo boo."  Picture Jessica jumping up & down holding her paint roller screaming, hurry.. there's purple where its not supposed to be.

Then, enter Robert... he runs like a lightening bolt to the sink.  Dampens a towel & heads to the wall that is NOT supposed to be purple.  He starts scrubbing.. and I'm like "wow, it's coming off!"  Rob keeps scrubbing.  "Uhh... Rob, I think its gone now you can stop scrubbing."  Rob keeps scrubbing.  "Seriously Rob, you need to stop."  Rob keeps scrubbing.  "I want it to be gone, no traces of purple."  Me:  "There's no trace of tan color either."  Then Rob stops scrubbing.  Yep, definitely so.  Rob has scrubbed so hard he took the original paint color off.  No trace of purple though.  Only big white splotch where tan used to be.  Go figure.

We continue on our merry business.  Rob finishes edging, and I've only rolled ooohh.... maybe a quarter of the wall.  This painting business is hard work!!  I tell Rob.. "You know Holmes says to take the tape off when the paint is wet."  Score HGTV (show Holmes on Homes if you still aren't following on HGTV)!!!!!  The things you can learn while watching TV is insane.  Rob's like.. "Are you sure?  I thought you were supposed to wait?"  Me: "Nope, Holmes definitely said to take the tape off when it's wet. I was secretly keeping my fingers crossed that I didn't just make it up.


At this point, I beg Rob, you have to take over for me.  I can't feel my fingers.  I think I'm getting arthritis at a early age, you know.  Rob takes over for me.  I take the tape off.  Of which, yes.. it did come off nicely.  However, the paint on the tape is STILL WET.  Which, coincidentally, means you will get paint all over yourself.

Rob and I continue to take turns painting. We finish... Rob dumps "a little extra paint to cover our missed spots" which means... BABE LET ME DUMP A GOOD QUARTER OF OUR PAINT INTO THE PAN & COVER OUR MISSED SPOTS & LET EXTRA PAINT GO TO WASTE.

Okay, we're done painting.  It's time to go get the car and the cold hard cash.  News flash:  the guy did accept our cash.  Only, Rob gave him an extra $20 on accident.  Bahaha.  Oh well.  Then.. I'm like..I'm going to garden ridge.  I need something to hang on my wall that gives it a little sparkle.  After all, I did paint my wall purple.

Head back to apartment:  Uh, oh.. "Rob.. is our wall supposed to look all splotchy like that?"  We both decide it's just because some places are dry and others are wet.  We decide to head to dinner.  Come back from dinner:  "Crap, we gotta fix this... it looks bad."  Rob:  "Alright, we'll do a quick, light second coat."  Me. "Deal."  It's like 8 o'clock at night by this time.  Run to Home Depot to get another roller because kid yourself not, I'm not going to be the main roller here.

Begin round two of painting.  Accept, remember how Rob dumped out an extraordinarily large amount of paint above?  Turns out we didn't quite have enough paint.  Good thing I bought a gallon & not the two quarts!!!  More bang for your buck you see.  The purple is great, but well.. we weren't really aiming for a pattern to appear as well.  :-)  To give Rob credit, his edges are quite nice.

So, end of story:  Wall looks a good bit splotchy.  But only when direct light hits it.  Love the thing I bought at Garden Ridge.  Really works with the purple!  I go to work on Monday and proceed to tell my co-worker who used to own a painting business in his prior life about our experience.  I begin with "So, Rob and I painted a wall purple this weekend. He immediately says "So, did you use gray primer and two gallons of paint for two coats?"  Crap, I think.. so that was the trick.

Lesson learned.  Good thing we don't own the wall.  Hallelujah!  So.. to take a phrase from Sugarland, Rob.... "You & Me Baby, we're stuck like glue."

The finished product (don't look too closely!)

Rob = Lucy, Jess = Ricky

Well, I did it.  I created a blog.  I've always loved to write, so I don't know why I haven't done this sooner.  I've always been incredibly jealous of my cousin's wife's (is there a better term for this?) blog that follows the two of them on their adventures in Scotland.  Of course, they are back in Austin now, but if you read their blog you would know that by now.  I've had more and more friends start blogging, and if you know me, you know I'm not trendsetter... I just follow the trend.  So, here we are.. me starting a blog.  Here's to it being interesting & fun!

You may want to know where I get the Ricky & Lucy title from.  But you will have to continue to read below to find the answer: 

Escapade 1:  Sunday Morning (November 7th, 2010) right before heading off to church:

I'm doing my own thing in our room and Rob yells from the kitchen.. "I'm starting the dishwasher!"  I yell back, "Okay, dear!"  I then continue to think nothing of this particular boring task.  However, a few seconds (maybe a couple of minutes) go by and I hear running, a small scream (completely manly of course), and more running followed by deep breaths & these gurgle sounds.

I'm curiously listening, but I'm thinking, what is he doing?  I think in my head.. he's started the dishwasher a million times before, it can't be that.  As the grunting and the small screams continue, I think to myself... maybe there's a fire.  I can't be sure.. so I yell out, "Rob.. what is going on?!"  He responds with "Nothing, dear.  Don't come in here!" I say, "Why?"  He says "You don't want to know....just don't come in here"

Break story:  you can already see where this is leading.

Continue story:  Well, do I listen?  Of course not.  I'm thinking some pretty serious things here.  Dishwasher is broken.. water pouring out everywhere, small fire, snake in the kitchen, tarantula about to bite.  Is it any of those things, you ask?

No.  It is not.  I walk in to find... MASSIVE amounts of bubbles.  Rob is currently trying to stifle them with a towel, running around almost like a crazy person torn between laughing like crazy & fear of what I'm going to do to him (as though I'm violent, as if!)  Yes.. I did just say as if.  But to continue on...

I'm like, "What happened?" Rob responds with "Well, love bug, I decided to sprinkle a little dawn in there too." Me: "Just how much Dawn dear?" Rob: "Just a sprinkle." (For those of you who know us, you know Rob loves to call me "love bug" why, I have no idea.  He just started saying it one day, randomly.  He is also very OCD about clean dishes).

And I'm not kidding about this... we are talking MASSIVE amounts of bubbles.  This only thing happens in the movies.  Did we miss church?  Yes... we had to stay on bubble watch.  I was too afraid to leave and then come home an hour later & find bubbles greeting us as we opened the front door.  Aaahh it's the attack of the bubbles!

Don't worry.. the bubbles did subside.  They truly only lasted about 15-20 minutes.  No major damage to my floor and I had just one mega wet rug.  Once they subsided, my Lucy decided to say, "Apparently dishwashers have a hole only for bubbles in them.  Because water doesn't come out... only bubbles."  He says this only after inspecting these "bubble holes" for 20 minutes (gotta love my engineer!).

Upon texting this story to my mom, she responds with "You guys are just like Lucy & Ricky!"  And I respond with "Except Rob is Lucy and I'm Ricky!"

She said it and I decided it was a perfect fit.  So, we aren't your traditional Ricky & Lucy.  Rob is generally Lucy and I'm generally Ricky.  I won't say that Rob is always Lucy or I'm always Ricky, because we definitely have moments where it is in the reverse.  Really, I think it goes with Rob wanting to be Ricky but he then always turns into Lucy.  I find when Rob behaves like Lucy the more hilarious the story is to tell.

So, that was escapade # 1.  I don't have a picture of when this was all happening.. because kid yourself not, I was behaving like Ricky the whole time who would never pull out a camera while this was going on.  I was too busy yelling "Robert, Robert, Robert....!!!!!"  Or, in our case..  "Lucy! You got some 'splainin to do!"

Our "Bubble Machine"!!!!

Well, I guess that will be it for now.  But, stay tuned for my painting the wall purple story.  It will be amusing, I promise.

P.S.  The story listed above is entirely true.