A couple of weeks ago I was doing the grocery shopping at HEB (yes Russell grocery shops) and I spied some tomato plants sitting out front. I thought how nice it would be to have some of those babies pumping out tomatos for me. So I bought a couple with the idea of planting them in some pots on our balcony. I called my sister about the idea and she told me to get a topsy turvy. I had no idea what this was, so I googled it and found this.

If your reaction was the same as mine, you felt that no greater thing could have been invented and you had to get one right away. I first thought of staying up real late one night and waiting for the infomercial to come on to order it because you know there is always 'more' if you order one now. I couldn't wait that long though, so luckily the Walgreens on the corner had one available for $9.99. So I got some potting soil, a topsy turvy, and a pot and have officially begun my great experiment.

Exhibit A:

This is an Early Girl, and she already has blossoms.

Exhibit B:

This is a Celebrity with a tomato cage around it to help it grow up.

They get about 5-6 hours of sun and are potted in Miracle gro potting soil. I will keep you posted on how they do. Submit your vote on who you think is going to win by commenting below. :) As for me, I'm pulling for the Topsy.

Feliz Cumpleanos Suegra!!

I wanted to take a moment and say  FELIZ CUMPLEANOS to my favorite Mother-In-Law, Argelia. Not only am I so blessed to have Russell as my husband, but I am even more blessed to have married into such a wonderful, kind, generous, and amazing family. 

Thank you, Argelia, for welcoming me with open arms into your family, and for being the mother and friend you are to all of your beautiful children, and to me, a new member of the Lewis clan. I look up to you and everything you have accomplished in your life. I have loved the time we have spent together thus far, and look forward to an eternity more of memories. Happy Birthday! I love you!

This is Argelia with three of her four children (and me). Isn't she beautiful?

I hate spring break

So if you are feeling as though your Monday has been less than optimal, here's a story:

As mentioned in the previous post, Russell and my Harry Potter lunchbox were supposed to return home to me last night. Ah ha! Not so fast. Once he boarded the plane in Salt Lake, they tell the passengers that the toilet is broken and they cannot take off. Russ is starting to worry he will miss his connection in Denver. He politely asks the stuartist if she thinks he will make it, otherwise he will stay in SLC with his family rather than a lonely airport hotel room. She assures him he will be fine. Well over an HOUR LATER, they take off, and once landing in Denver, the SAME stuartist tells all San Antonio passengers to go to the customer service desk. They have missed their connection. Are you serious lady? What happened to your calm assurance from earlier?

After much discussion with the oh-so-friendly airline staff last night and today, Russ learns that the soonest they can get him on a flight to San Antonio is Wednesday. Why, you ask? Oh, because it's SPRING BREAK. Everything -- on every airline -- is booked out, or should I say over booked. Why has it become Russell's problem that every airline over books their flight? It's not like he doesn't have a job to attend, a wife to come home to, and last but not least, jury duty to attend this week. Does someone get arrested if they don't show up to jury duty? No, I'm not going to go there.

Well in fear of rambling, I will just cut to the chase by telling you that he has been sitting in the airport all day, getting denied as a stand-on passenger time and time again. I just heard word that he got on to a flight to Austin (not the destination he paid for), and will have to rent a car and drive to his intended city.

Point of the story?
1. Buy direct flights in/out of San Antonio (this is our second time learning this lesson...)
2. Spring Break is not fun for those who don't actually get to be on a break.
3. All airlines, in some way or another, are corrupt.
4. This whole ordeal is because of a broken toilet.

The end.

Because it's still the weekend...

I will post this picture. Cracks me up.

If you can't tell from the far right hand side of the picture, those are Utah mountains. Russell left poor ol' me here in Texas to prepare taxes as he went on a "business trip" to Utah. It was just so convenient that his whole family lives there! He had fun planning this weekend, as it was a surprise to most of his family besides Marcella.

Now you may be wondering why he is so animatedly showing off a Harry Potter lunch box that I know you are all envying. Well back off, it's mine. My friends from an internship I did a few years ago  gave this to me as a goodbye gift (shout out to Randi!), and it accidentally got left behind in our move, along with a bin full of other things from my old apartment. I leave for the airport in a few hours, and all I can say is I'm so glad to be getting my husband ... and Harry Potter lunch box... back to where they belong.

SXSW

People. Music. Lights. Food. Hipsters. Energy.

All things that define South by Southwest.

5 points for finding Stuart

I drove up to Austin last night after work to hang out with Brittney and the band at SXSW. Dinner at Annie's restuarant, walking around in the cool evening, and people watching like it's nobody's business. I don't think I've ever seen so many hipsters in one location. Next time I go to SXSW I'll be sure to wear my gold spandex pants.

All kidding aside, it was pretty dang awesome. This is such a huge production -- bands come from all over the world in hopes of being discovered and meeting the "right" person at the right time. The city closes the roads to cars and opens every club, restaurant, and store. Music literally comes from every doorway in Austin.

There was also the obvious perk of hanging out with my sister one last night before she went back to Utah. It's like we miss each other or something.

On Winning Things

I won something today! In the midst of preparing millions of state returns for some ginormous law firm, I got a call from "Thai Chili" telling me that I won a free lunch! Last week when Russ and I tried out this restaurant (which was amazing, by the way), we thought it'd be fun to throw our business cards into those business card raffles. First of all, kind of cool that I have a business card to give away, and second of all, why not? Who doesn't love getting something for nothing? Winning is such a fulfilling feeling.

I'm honestly just relieved to know my good luck has not completely worn off. For a few years I won all sorts of drawings, but I have had a slight 3 or 4 year drought. One of the most exciting nights of my life was my High School all-nighter. Yes, I said it. At this little shin-dig I won the following:

• $150 cash
• Gym membership, combined with a basket full of exercise goodies (weights, exercise ball, yoga mat -- which I still use)
• Blanket -- which still keeps me warm
• Lamp -- which still gives light
• Car 

Yes, I won a car. It was a '78 Ford Tempo in the most horrid color of maroon, but I still won a car. I ended up selling it to a friend for $1,000. So really, I won $1,150. 


In other news, I saw the most beautiful sunrise on the way to work today. You know the kind where the sun looks absolutely huge and everything is an incredible mixture of oranges, reds, and yellows? Yeah, it kind of took my breath away. Also, I got to read a letter from my brother who is IN the land of the rising sun, so that is cool, too.


I also must say Happy St. Patty's day my friends. Did you know Leprechauns are REAL? I need to pull out my flute to help homeboy find the gold. Confused yet? Take a look:

Sister sister

Sister time. There really is nothing else like it.

I love having my sister here in Texas. Brittney flew into Austin yesterday for business (she's attending South by Southwest for all you tech/art/music junkies out there). Because he has sisters of his own, Russ is well aware that there really is nothing like sister time, so he kept himself busy at home while I drove up to Austin to stay at her hotel with her for the night. It's not too hard to guess what we did...

Shop (San Marcos Outlets -- huge success)

Eat (umm... discovered Wendy's twisted vanilla frosties. We chose to twist it with cookie dough.
WARNING: may be too good to resist)

Talk (We used to live five minutes apart. Three states is rough.)

One thing that I love about sisters is how we have each others backs. Like how I wanted some new shoes, so when I found some I liked and was about to check out, Brittney tells me she'll be in the shoe store next door. Right as I hand my card to the (already grumpy) cashier the doors fly open and with big eyes Brittney shouts "DON'T BUY THE SHOES!!!" I ask why, and she hesitates, but says "they're $10 cheaper next door!" Well, duh. That's a no brainer. I look at the cashier and sheepishly ask "can I have my card back?" She puts on an even grumpier face, hands me the card, and when I apologize she simply says "whatever. Just go." Hey you know what lady? You would do the same thing. $10 is like, 3 more twisted vanilla frosties. Thank goodness I have my sister.

Sunday ramblings.

There is something soothing about the cloudy sky outside of our window as we lazily lay around on this Sunday morning. I love Sundays.

I worked my first Saturday during tax season yesterday. I liked it only because I got to wear jeans and converse to the office.

So happy because after a week of resting and icing, I was able to run 9 miles again yesterday. Hooray for bodies healing themselves. Even happier because Russ ran them with me.

To accompany the cloudy sky outside, I am going to make THIS SOUP since my awesome sister-in-law recommended it so highly.

I think we found one of Russ's new favorite restaurants -- Ruby Tuesday. It's amazing how something so simple as a cherry coke and "triple prime cheddar burger" makes a man so happy.

I can no longer stay awake during movies. I only made it half-way through Sherlock Holmes last night. Wimp.

I miss my family, but am so happy that my sister is coming in a few weeks.

Sea World has opened again. Must visit ASAP.

Sometimes I wish I could see what I would be like if I was a cartoon. My brother-in-law, Stuart, just got made into a cartoon. It's totally awesome, and I'm slightly jealous. See for yourself:

...Take It Back to the Start...

I've never really been into this show in the past, but I am this time. I keep hearing a lot of my favorite songs... which might be part of the reason I am locked in. Last night Ms. Katelyn Epperly totally won my vote when she sang "The Scientist" by Coldplay, a song with so many memories for me. Her voice rocks. She almost brought me to tears, which would have been embarrassing, since I was definitely watching it in the gym. Go Camille.

Anyway, take a look at this girl and her white piano.

(Click HERE to watch Mr. Chris Martin sing it himself. Totally captivating.)

Limited

As some of you know, I have been training for my second half-marathon that's quickly approaching (about 6 weeks away). It will be my post tax-season "celebration" and "happy birthday me" event, as I run the Salt Lake City race on April 17th. I wanted to push myself to stay in shape during this busy season, when it is oh-so-easy to put such activities aside.

I wanted to set a goal and reach it.

Then why, why, WHY am I limited?

Training this time around was going awesome. I felt stronger and faster than before. However, lately I have been having some extreme pain in my leg -- I think it's an injury that stems from my knee (no surprise), and is affecting my hip flexor. I had to quit my long run on Saturday at 2 miles, when I was supposed to have run 9. aaaaargh.

There really is no point to this post, besides letting off some steam. I know I have some awesome friends out there who are amazing runners, so if you have any advice or experience with these kind of injuries, I'd love your help. Until then I will continue to send healing vibes to my hip flexor. Your vibes would be great, too.