About Valentine's Day...

My fiancee and I have pretty much decided that celebrating Valentine's Day in a big, expensive, flashy way just isn't us. We would rather spend every day showing each other how much we love each other and randomly surprising the other with special things. Not just one commericialized holiday from hell. (btw, in that article...I totally had a similar experience in a previous relationship as Galen under "make sure you are on the same page". Oooh I was mad. I think I will have to post that story later. Hmmm...)

However, with all the pink and red and doilies and lace and chocolate and flowers and stuff...I figured I might as well share a few of my favorite ideas if you absolutely HAVE to do something for your SO (significant other). Or...if you would like to do something for your friends or family (my Bacchus Babes usually do some kind of something to celebrate on that day...this year, we are riding bicycles - dudes included - to a biker bar/restaurant in Grapevine to graze on a buffet!), you may also incorporate some of these ideas into your grand schemes:

1. Customized Chocolate Bars: Link/idea Stolen from a great budget friendly V-day blog entry on Wise Bread - . Seriously...these look awesome. Price tag is a bit high for a bar, but I mean...go crazy, right?
2. This may seem lame, but stay home and COOK. If you like to cook, that is. We will probably make a fancier than usual meal and might even include BRUSSEL SPROUTS (since I recently found out I lurve them). My fiancee and I love to cook, so this is a great way for us to incorporate several passions at once. A cookbook to consider, and one that I love... The New Intercourses, An Aphrodesiac Cookbook. Sounds kind oogie right? Don't worry, aside from the sort of brazen photography (but tasteful!), the recipes are incredible. I love the stories too. Find a friend who has it and borry it.
3. Wash their car. Ok, this sounds even more lame...but dude, my car could use it. (Not hinting or anything sweetie!) Just sayin' A little love for your loved one's ride could go a long way....
4. Send them a letter or card to work. I have done this before, and got a very positive response. Not flowers! A card or a letter. Something heartfelt and handwritten, perhaps. Catches them off guard when they are knee-deep in crocodiles, fighting the good fight..then they see a note that totally elevates them into bliss. I dig this kind of stuff...bet your SO would too. ;)
5. Go do something active! Not just sex, yo! (Although, that could be a good warmup?) I am thinking a hike, bike ride, perhaps a friendly game of frisbee? Maybe go play laser tag or paintball. Get creative and let loose a bit. Endorphins are awesome!
6. Have a marathon day of watching your favorite movies or tv shows? All day Star Wars for your uber geeky boyfriend? All day Sex and the City for your faboo girlfriend? Maybe an afternoon of watching TNT re-runs or USA...or other shows that are your guilty pleasure? (Burn Notice or NCIS, anyone?) Indulging in a TV vice is not a bad thing on occasion, especially if you both enjoy it.
7. Don't buy flowers! Plant a tree or an herb garden! Now, I am no gardener...BUT...I think it would rock if on that day, you could dedicate some time to planting something that will bring you joy for months or years to come. I would like to figure out where to plant some basil...cause, I really like basil. Hmm...another research project!
8. De-clutterize your home. Romantic? Maybe? I always like it when we get rid of stuff. It is cathartic...and makes room for our Chi...or something. Anyways, V-day is on a Sunday, so why not take advantage of the time together and get to work on making your domicile more inviting?
9. Plug in an old radio, find an AM station that sounds good and kick back and chat. What? Talk to each other? Listen to music on AM? What is wrong with me? Nothing, well...not anything criminal. Mike and I used to do this on Sundays...we haven't done it in a while, tho...maybe we need to try it out again. Find a station that plays old Billie Holiday or Nat King Cole. MMMM
10. Volunteer - maybe donate some time helping out at a local pet shelter, soup kitchen or retirement center. You never know, you might be inspired to make it a regular deal. I personally need to find something that I can dedicate some time to. Working with Habitat for Humanity was a great experience, I would like to do something like that again.

I know, many of you are thinking "Dude, Becky is boring and old", but you know what...bite me. :) I am a big fan of living every day where your SO doesn't have to wait around to find out how much you care. Maximize the moments you have together. Unplug from your computer, smartphone and/or tv (unless you do #6, then feel free to stay tuned in) and just kinda get back to what makes you like each other. Not a faux interpretation of what you think you SHOULD do. Celebrate who you are, and revel in it. Just my $0.02. Discuss, enjoy!

Hugs, kisses and all that jazz...

Beckbee

The Best Weight for the Best Workout

The Best Weight for the Best Workout: "Gina Kolata explores how what you weigh can affect your workout in her latest Personal Best column."

Great writeup. For all my adventure pals, I think you will find this interesting!!

Rule # 32: Enjoy the Small Things

Last night, I had a myriad of options of things to do. Initially, my plan was to go hang out with my Bacchus Babes, but a late night at work and an out of office assignment kinda derailed that. Bummer, but I am sure my girls understand...and they MIGHT get to see me on the 14th for the bike to Wilhoit's. Just sayin'

 

Then I thought I might go crash a dinner for some people who were going to be lucky enough to have some AMAZING musicians entertain them. I wasn't going to eat, just stand back and listen to the genius. Weather, work and the call of home persuaded me not to do that. I have to say, the resulting plan worked out well. Although, I am still bummed I didn't get to see it. Sigh.

 

Final choice: Mike and I made an incredibly delicious meal and watched a very funny movie. He grilled some gorgeous, plump, tasty, tender, juicy chicken breasts. YUM. I sauteed some onion and garlic with spinach...mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Then, he pressure cooked brussel sprouts. Now, I know what you are thinking...."WTF Becky? That doesn't sound awesome!"  But you know what...they were INCREDIBLE.  We put a couple of pats of salted sweet cream butter over them, lightly sprinkled with salt and pepper, then dove in. OMG. Seriously. These creamy, little, delicate morsels opened my eyes to a world of veggie greatness that I didn't know existed.  While enjoying this tremendous culinary feast, we also allowed ourselves to indulge in a little Zombie genius.  We rented Zombieland from the Redbox (which we love, btw) and after getting over the initial gruesomeness (yeah, blood gushing, people smacking onto pavements, not child approved)...I allowed myself to settle into the "sprinting" Zombie fest that ensued.  I laughed, I giggled, I cringed. Woody Harrleson was AWESOME in this. So, if you are ever in the mood for a ridiculous Zombie-fest, rent it...on the Redbox...and be glad. :)  And have some brussel sprouts, yo!

 

Becky

SHEEX

Saw this on CNN. All my friends with performance wear will get a kick out of this. Plus, it sounds a little ooogie..."Sheex". Sheesh. ;) Might be cool, but I can't drop $300 to find out. And do they boost performance? (nudge nudge wink wink) Why do you need sweat wicking at night? Do they have a compression top sheet?... Do you have to wash it in a special detergent that won't mess up the fibers? Do you have to hang them to dry (cause we all know putting perfomance wear in the dryer will break it down faster)?? So many questions...so many questions.

er...yeah...don't get it

So I was driving to work this morning... (fantastic...incredible....)
On my way, there is a dry cleaner...just kinda tucked into this little, obnoxious shopping center. They now have a fancy, schmancy electronic sign with the flashing lights and stuff. You know the ones...black rectangles with red lights that will say whatever you want them to?
Anyways, apparently this one was REALLY fancy...cause it had the ability to make pictures out of all those little red dots.
What got me though, was not that they used a picture in their sign...it was the picture itself...or rather, the animated image.
They had, and I kid you not, crabs. Crabs that looked like they were crawling on the sign.
* scratches head *
Now.... I don't know what that says about the dry cleaners.... do YOU know?

Spin and spun out...

Last night after work, I rushed to the 24 Hour Fitness to hop in on the 6pm Spin Class.

I haven't done a spin class in a while, so I was a bit trepidatious...and anxious. I had to check in, which made me worry that the class would be packed.

It was pretty full, but not 100% capacity. Whew! The instructor, Kristi, was greatness. Good direction, motivation, and such. Before class she asked me my name and we chatted for a bit (she also commented on my dried up, muddy mountain bike shoes...lol). After she walked to her bike at the front, the girl next to me said "you never should have told her your name!". It is true...I was her comedic foil for the next hour. ;) Its all good, worked out well for me. Call me out, I will at least give you a good punchline.

 

After class, yes I finished the whole class, I took my happy (albeit tired) booty home. Mike was prepping dinner (he rocks) and I was drenched in sweat. He acknowledged that unless I jumped in a fountain first before coming home, I had most definitely had a good workout. :)

 

A short, yet satisfying shower was had then I pulled on my jammies and curled up on the couch with my favorite person. We had burgers and ranch style beans. YUM! (and the burgers were on these kickass little thin bun thingies that you can see HERE and they ROCK!)

 

Ok, so burgers...check. Jammies...check. 32oz Nalgene full of water...check.

 

Now it is time for 24!

 

What? 24?!?!?  It comes on Mondays, right? 

 

Oh my technology challenged friends, let me introduce you to the EyeTV. My incredibly smart fiance has rigged our tv in such a magnificent way as to watch TV from an antenna through a computer and through this software. Its like a DVR, but you don't have to pay a monthly fee...and since we don't have cable, we wouldnt' have the option without it. It is AWESOME.  This = HULU means regular tv is accessible even to people like Mike & I, who do NOT have standard schedules.

 

Anyhooo...we watched another 2 hr show and by the end of it, I felt even MORE spun out. Even though I left nothing in the tank when I did my spin class, somehow...24 actually made me more tired. But in a good way. It is this consistent BEATING that for some reason I love to endure. Spin class and 24 in one night? Masochistic at all? Maybe....

 

As Jack Bauer would say, "Dammit!".

 

 

Becky

just me, rambling...

I have had some thoughts bubbling around in my head about the whole wedding/marriage deal. So, I thought I would share them.

· It is a very interesting process. As I move through the planning of a wedding, I realize that when we shift the focus from what everyone else wants or expects to what we want to express about ourselves and our relationship, the stress starts to melt away. Honestly, I was getting a wee bit overwhelmed with some of the ideas and stuff that I came up with in this vision of what I THOUGHT I had to do for it to be a real wedding. Its kinda wild.
· Have you SEEN some of the cheesy crap they try to sell as wedding favors? Oh man, I mean…really. There is a some cheap, useless stuff out there. It is just a way to spend money on stuff no one wants or needs. And honestly, some of these wedding cakes and decorations are just…well…not my style. It is CRAZY. But, everyone chooses to express themselves in their own way….that is what makes life fun!
· I think anyone who wants to share their lives together as a married couple should be able to. They should be able to enjoy the legal protections, burdens and joy of anyone else regardless of what any particular religion says. I believe this, because once the government gets involved in “legalizing” a religious institution (such as marriage), it becomes a state affair…and frankly a constitutional right to all those who reside in the country that provides that public endorsement. If you want marriage to be a religious ceremony for only certain people, then don’t expect government recognition of it. Denying someone access to the person they love, whether in a symbolic way or a legally binding way (i.e. not being able to see or help manage the care of your partner in a hospital for instance) is wrong. Just my $0.02.
· Sometimes the most perfect ideas come out of stepping back and saying “what do we really want and what fits it best”. I may have had an idea of something, but it may not TRULY be congruent with who I am and who my future husband is. Finding a solution, however “out there”, is often the work of “why don’t we just do this?”. I have a great feeling it will work out beautifully.
· People have expectations and they have emotions. It is a human thing. Someone is gonna be hurt that they weren’t asked to do something, someone is going to be mad that they didn’t get invited, someone is going to be overjoyed to be included. I can’t change, expect or solve any of these things for everyone. The best I can do is be honest about what we are doing and why we are doing it this way. Those that love and know us will understand, and those that don’t will chalk it up to us being eccentric and slightly off balance. I am OK with that.
· At the end of the day, I know I am incredibly lucky to have found a partner who respects and loves me for who I am. We want to be together when the time to jump in a foxhole comes up. We want to share the fun and laughter of time with friends and family. We want to share adventures together and support and challenge each other in our life’s journey. I get to be married to that person, and that is all that matters.
· We feel incredibly lucky to have the friends and family that we have. Each person contributes to our lives in a rich and fascinating way. Thank you for being a part of our lives.

With all that being said, no we don’t have an official date or location set…but we’re getting closer. We are still planning on doing a destination wedding and having a reception in Dallas when we get back. (think big barbeque and laid back atmosphere!)