Love the Car! Hate the Smell!

I have been told that the smell of a brand new car is the best smell in the whole world!  Really!?  I personally feel this is a loaded statement.  You love the smell of a newly manufactured vehicle, a product which is merely made of chemically pumped plastics, fabrics and metals, more than any other scent this world contains?  Last time I checked I was getting massive headaches in my brand new equinox I just got due to the new car smell.  WHOA!?!? WHAT!?!? Yes folks...it is true, it was finally time and I purchased a new vehicle!! 

Me and my new golf ball.....I mean car!

Other than discovering my hate for the new car smell, I couldn't be happier with my decision.  I was not planning on getting a car until the end of this year so I could save up more money for a USED car.  However, there was a terrible hail storm not too long ago here and the opportunity arose.  I bought a car with some pretty good hail damage and because of that it is technically considered used in the eyes of the dealership.  Long story short I bought a "used" chevy equinox with 55 miles on it. I'm not too self-conscience about the cute dimples on the drive side, so figured why the heck not get a car that is running beautifully? This is one of many good things that has happened since the last post! 

Kyle also received a promotion since the last post!  I've never meant anyone so committed and determined when it comes to their work.  His hard work has certainly paid off and I am so proud of him!   Along those lines, I've also heard some great things for Kyle's sister, Beth, who just switched to a new job!!  Good things are going on work wise for her husband, Mark as well.  And now that I really think about it the same goes for my cousin, Chris.  Golly, and if I keep thinking of people doing well with new jobs or their current ones, Claire just moved up to northern Minnesota for a new job, too! Ahhh and then there is our friend Emily Brake...good things good things. Okay okay I'll stop.  Either way....people in my life are doing pretty darn well in the working world :)

Here are some other great things (in bullet point form) that have been going on as of late for Kyle and I:

• Kyle and I visited the Gallmore's (Lindsay's fam) in Katy, TX for Easter.  They are THE SWEETEST family ever and I am so thankful the let us be a part of their family for the Holiday.  It was a wonderful time.  Lot's of confetti egg craziness!!!  

  

  Easter Fun!

  
    
• We both completed the Cap10K in Austin!  Kyle kicked butt and let's just say I meandered right on over that finish line!  This race was incredible...about 5 bands performing along the route, a giant trampoline in someone's front yard for a "running break", a beer station (duh), a good friend handing out water with coconuts and a hula skirt (duh)...and the list keeps going!!
• Becky and I are doing weight watchers together and by golly we are actually doing it!! WOOT!
• We checked out the bluebonnet festival.  Mind you, we never actually saw legit bluebonnets at the festival...weird.  However, in honer of Mark, Kyle and I made sure to stay for a couple of the weiner dog races.  Yep...that's a thing out here.  Once again, altogether very weird. 
• My good friends Kate and Tyler adopted a baby girl, Olivia Joan!!! She is soooo beautiful in all the pictures I have seen, and I hope I get to meet her sometime in the near future!!  Congrats to you both! 
• Our other good friends, Carolyn and Jack are going to have a baby later this year!! WOOHOO!!  YAY babies!  I am sooo happy for them!
• AND I'M NOT DONE WITH THE BABY THEME YET!!  Our other close friends, Maggie and Nate are going to have a  baby too!!! YAY!!! 
• WAIT I'M STILL NOT DONE.... I don't believe I mentioned in my last blog about my new neice, Anna.  Becky and John had a baby girl, Anna, in mid-february.  I am so exctied to meet her this summer and give her a big ol' hug and kiss!!!
• Moving on from babies....Beth and Mark have booked a trip out to visit Kyle and I this summer!  I'm so excited, but I'm pretty sure with all the planning Kyle has already done for their visit his excitement completely exceeds mine!!  Needless to say...we are counting the days down. 
• A couple days ago...I discovered that Theresa and Brigid are also planning on visiting just a couple of days before Beth and Mark's visit!  Ahhhhh I cannot wait to show those two Austin.  Theresa and I have been talking about this visit ever since I moved here, so this is a pretty big deal to me :) 
• I want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to everyone you had birthday's in between my posts!  Some of you are: Pat Burnside, Beth Peluse, Tracy Amoroso, Becky Nachman, Greg Johnston, Brigid Kissane, Becky Ryan...oh goodness I believe I am not mentioning a lot of people....if you had a birthday in the last 2 months....HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I'm sure I am missing some wonderful things that happened in the last couple of months.  Hopefully, Kyle will fill in the missing pieces with one of his upcoming posts* :) 

Before I end this particular post I did want to take a minute to address the ridiculous week that has just occurred.  My thoughts and prayers are with all in Boston and those connected in any way shape or form to that particular tragedy.  Boston Strong!   My thoughts and prayers also go out to those in West, Texas and once again anyone connected to this tragedy.  I'm so grateful Kyle and I live far enough that we experience no impact from this at all.  My thoughts and prayers go out to those in the Chicago area and all those affected by the flooding.  Some of our loved ones lost precious possessions and I am so sorry and wish I could turn back time for you.  But in the end I am so happy everyone I know is safe and out of harm's way!  Sorry, to make this a little more somber but I really felt like these were important events to acknowledge. 

*I'm sure there are so many fantastic things that have happened to people in my life these past 2 months that I am not mentioning....If I missed something, please feel free to comment and mention it so that we can take the time to celebrate you!



Weiner Dog Pep Talk..Duh.

I apologize for this posting being so disorganized and off the wall, but there are so many thoughts swirling around in my head.  I hope to actually collect my thoughts and organize them next time.  But for today let's just enjoy the madness :)  Hope everyone had a splendid Earth Day and I hope you all have a wonderful week!!! 

xx
Madeline

P.S.
Recipe of the week  (I, personally, omitted the black olives)......

Greek Salad

2 tbs. extra virigin olive oil
2 tsp. red wine vinegar
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
salt and black pepper
1 c. grape tomatoes (quatered)
1/2 c. sliced unpeels cucumber (1/2 small)
1/2 c. sliced green bell pepper (1/2 medium)
6 pitted large black olives (about 1 oz)
1/4 feta cheese

Whisk in a small bowl the olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice.  Mix in the oregano and season with salt and black pepper. In a separate bowl combine the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper and olive oils.  Pour the olive oil/vinegar dressing over the veggies and toss well.  Add the feta cheese and ENJOY!!!  This can be eaten alone as a salad, or with romaine lettuce OR in a wrap.  Yummmm! 

- I got this recipe from my Pink Ribbon Diet recipe book.  Super Healthy!