Having Our Cake and Eating It Too

Brady and I recently celebrated our one year wedding anniversary. In keeping with tradition, we saved part of our wedding cake to eat on our anniversary. It has been sitting in my parents' freezer for over a year. This past weekend, we finally got around to eating.

Here is our cake in all its original glory. It was a very simple white cake with chocolate mousse and fresh strawberries. The cake topper is the one that my grandparents used for their wedding, over 55 years ago.



Yup, I went there, I smashed cake in Brady's face. I couldn't help myself. He deserved it for taking all those jager shots before the ceremony.



How's that cake up your nose, Brady?



Here we are, a little over a year later with our cake. I must say I do photograph better when my hair and make up are professionally done.



Brady claims that he didn't eat any cake at our wedding except for the piece I shoved up his nose, so I let him go first with the cake tasting. He looks a little nervous about eating year-old, frozen cake.



And it's confirmed, year-old frozen cake is pretty awful. Actually it is downright disgusting. But we ate it, does that bring us good luck? A long, happy marriage? Or just a slight case of food poisoning?

Slimy

I hate lawyers, specifically male ones. Yes, I am aware that I am a lawyer and that I am married to a male lawyer but there is just something so slimy about male lawyers.

I had a trial today, it was the continuation of a trial that started last week. Last week the parents of the special education child were unrepresented, and that was fine. Sometime in between last Wednesday and last Friday, they got a lawyer. I talked to this lawyer and his associate over the phone a couple times before today. I was assured that they were not going to recall witnesses. We get to the courtroom today, and the first thing he does is recall a witness. So I object, tell the judge that I was informed that witnesses were not going to be recalled and this slimy lawyer basically calls me a liar. But he is the one that is lying! So the witness ends up getting recalled for rebuttal purposes and it was fine, but I cannot believe how slimy and untruthful this guy was!

The special education legal community is very, very small. It is the same group of lawyers that pretty much handle everything so you see the same people over and over again. You would think people would want to be nice and courteous because you know you are going to see the same people over and over again. This is the first time I met this particular lawyer, you think he would at least be professional and um, I don't know, not lie! This is particularly egregious in this area of law, this is all about the kids, kids with special needs, parents dealing with kids with special needs. Slimy lawyers who lie have no place in this area of law. They all need to go represent tobacco companies. That's where slimy lawyers who lie belong.

And that is the end of my rant. I rest my case.

Oops

Today I had lunch with a friend, and I pigged out. I had half a ham and swiss sandwich with dijonaisse and a bowl of beef chili. This is definitely pigging out by my standards. But I was hungry, no starving, and if I didn't eat something big and comforting I was going to die, seriously.

So after lunch I send this text, "I had lunch with [friend]. I know she was judging what I ate." But, I sent the text to the friend I had lunch with, it was meant for someone else, but I accidentally sent it to her.

She texted back, graciously, that she was not judging me. Feeling very embarrassed, I confessed to her that I felt really guilty about what I had eaten and that I know she wasn't judging me and I need to not worry about what other people think of me. We then had a very interesting conversation about eating, healthy eating, worrying about what other people think, jealousy, etc. What was originally an accident, turned out to be a very fruitful conversation of the pressures we feel in dieting and in everyday life. We lamented the fact that girls just worry about what others think of them and that boys are lucky because they just have technology envy and you can buy electronics.

So here are my life lessons that I learned from this little incident:

1. A good friend will, and does, understand all your insecure feelings and confessing these feelings makes you feel not so alone in the world.

2. Everyone, at some point, is jealous of someone else for something be it inconsequential or not. We are human, these feelings are going to happen and we should not beat ourselves up about it.

3. My friend really does not give a damn about what I eat for lunch.

Later in the day, I recounted this story to my sister and told her what I ate for lunch. Her response was "Damn!" So much girls not judging each other!

Housewarming Party

This past Saturday, Brady and I hosted an all day open house style house warming party. We had lots of friends and family over and it was loads of fun.

Here is all the food I cooked, breakfast hasbrown casserole, macaroni and cheese, baked beans:





Here is the awesome meat I got from Johnny Reb's:





Here is the gigantic University of Michigan wolverine that Brady blew up and stuffed into a corner of our house:





Here are friends and family:





What? You can't see the pictures? What happened? Oh yeah, I didn't take any pictures. Not one single picture. We had a totally fun party with tons of people that we don't see very often and I didn't break out my camera once. I, who takes pictures of absolutely everything, did not snap a solitary photo. In my defense, being a hostess for an all-day party can be pretty exhausting. Between talking to everyone, making sure the chips and salsa was well stocked, keeping the food warm, watching the bullies, I never got a chance to take pictures.

Despite the lack of pictures, I'm so glad we finally got around to having this housewarming party. We've lived in this house since last January so it was about time. I stayed up till 1am on Friday night getting everything ready, cooking, cleaning, etc. I had a crazy week at work and had done nothing to prepare for Saturday. It was a lot of work but totally worth it because it was a lot of fun. The Brady says, "let's have a Halloween party." I don't think so buddy, two parties in one month is so not happening!

Just Some Dogs

I am tired, so very tired. This week at work has kicked my behind. I have no energy to attempt to write anything witty or poignant. So here are some pictures of dogs.

This is Jack, he is Grandma Brady's dog. Brady's mom and his other grandma found him wandering the streets, all alone, when he was about 3 months old. He didn't have a collar or a microchip. After contacting the pound and not finding any record for him, Grandma Brady took him in.



Jack is crazy. He is crazy hyper. Mickey loves him. Frank just gets really tired around Jack.



It is really hard to take a picture of three dogs together.



Jack is such a sly little devil.

Spaghetti Pie

Today I had a very long, very tedious, very aggravating day of trial. Trial makes me hungry, like really hungry. But I had lunch with my client today so I couldn't really pig out like I wanted to, it's not very professional.

On my drive home I started thinking about the leftover spaghetti with meat sauce I was going to eat for dinner. And while that sounded good, it just wasn't enough. And that's when I had the idea to make spaghetti pie.

Here's what you need, leftover spaghetti, leftover spaghetti sauce, Italian blend cheese, and Italian bread crumbs. So deliciously simple. I love reworking leftovers. It's so yummy and economical.



I took a casserole dish, spayed it with olive oil Pam and spooned some of the sauce into the dish. Then I layered the leftover spaghetti, more sauce, cheese, more spaghetti, more sauce more cheese, and then I covered the whole thing with the breadcrumbs.



I baked it at 400 degrees for 20 minutes covered in foil, then uncovered for like 10 minutes, then I put it under the broiler for 5 minutes to get the top nice and crispy.




It was so yummy and comforting. A little spaghetti pie and a little wine and the stress of the day was melted away.



And now I need to get back to work, blah.

Anniversary Trip, Part Two

Brady and I continued heading North on the 101, we had passed Santa Barbara, Solvang, Santa Maria and I still had no idea where we were going. Then Brady pulled off the freeway at the Madonna Inn exit. He said he had to go to the bathroom. At that point, I knew it, we were going to the Madonna Inn! I have always wanted to go to this hotel. You can see it from the freeway in San Luis Obispo and it is fabulously tacky and kitchy.

This place is like Disneyland on crack, pink crack.

The best part about the Madonna Inn is that all the rooms are decorated differently I was so excited to see our room! Brady led me down a secluded pathway....

.....to the Hideaway!

It was so pink and plush and tacky and rocky...like the walls are made of giant boulders.

Even the shower was made of rock, it was like showering in a cave.

That night we went to the Madonna Inn Steakhouse for our anniversary dinner. It is so over the top. Everything, I mean everything, is pink and flowery.

The restaurant had super fun Halloween decorations. I heart Halloween.

I want this little guy. I need this little guy. If anyone can tell me where I can buy him I will love you forever.

One of the most famous things about the Madonna Inn is the mens' restroom in the main building. I made Brady take pictures for me. The guys pee in a giant waterfall! Brady informed me that there is a sensor and when you walk up to it the water starts pouring, seriously.

I also need one of these, this is a chandelier thing out by the pool. It is so freaking cool.

This place is so pretty and relaxing. We had a fabulous time.

Anniversary Trip, Part One

This past weekend was our first wedding anniversary. Brady took on the task of planning the festivities since I planned the wedding, it seemed only fair. Brady is a master of the surprise trip, so I had no idea where we were going.

Brady wanted to hit the road early, so we started off with breakfast from McDonald's.



This was good, because I was a tad cranky from having to get up early and I freaked out at the last minute about what to pack since I didn't know where I was going. My sausage breakfast burrito with no sausage and no cheese calmed me down. Yes, I order a sausage burrito without sausage. I've argued with many a McDonald's employee about this order but it can be done.



I was convinced we were going to the hotel where we spent our wedding night, the Laguna Cliffs Mariott. But then we got on the 5 and started heading North. Soon enough, we were on the 101 North. I was texting my sister about my whereabouts just in case Brady was planning to ditch me in the mountains, you never know.

So we pass Los Angeles, pass the Valley, and are heading towards Santa Barbara. Brady says, if you could eat lunch anywhere you wanted to in Santa Barbara, where would it be? Our first stop was Santa Barbara! I picked my favorite pizza joint from college and we headed towards UCSB.

Brady and I have never been to Santa Barbara together. It was so much fun to show him the campus, where I used to live, my sorority house. We walked all over the campus. UCSB is known for its students use of bikes, but I was surprised to see an actual lane for skateboarders. In college, I was afraid of the skateboarders, I could hear them coming from behind me and they are all over the place, I never knew what side I should step to or if they were going to crash into me. Of course Brady and I were the dorks who were the only people on the sidewalk and managed to walk in the skateboard lane and almost get run over.



Brady took me to the UCSB bookstore so I could get a license plate holder. My UCSB Alumni license plate holder broke off and I was totally bummed about it. But now I have a shiny new one. Now, I just need a shiny new car.

I posed in front of Storke Tower pretending I was a high school student looking at colleges. It was strange being back on campus, seeing where my classes were and my old dorm. I can't wait to go to Ann Arbor so that Brady can show me University of Michigan.



We had lunch at Gio's, my absolute favorite pizza in college. I was a rebel in college, I did not like Woodstock's. A slice of cheese and salad with ranch, sooooo good. The ranch is amazing. No wonder I was chubby in college.



So simple and delicious. This pizza place was across the street from my sorority house, I was seriously there all the time. Again, I was a little chubby in college. The year after I graduated I lost a ton of weight simply from not eating pizza and drinking beer everyday. Ah, college was fun.



After lunch we got back on the road. Our next stop was Solvang. I had never been to Solvang, even though it's really close to UCSB, and always wanted to see it.

Solvang is such a cute little town, it's full of windmills and little old ladies dressed up in Dutch costumes selling kitchy souveniers. Brady had me pose by the horses. I was a little afraid of them and they definitely could tell.

After Solvang, we were on the road again. We kept heading North, I still had no idea where we were headed!

Why I'll Never Make Partner

I'll never make partner because when I am supposed to be working I do things like make my bulldogs take pictures with me using my laptop camera.



Frank was less than cooperative, he kept trying to attack my ear.



I can't believe I actually got a raise this week. I better start doing some actual work.

It's Halloween Time!

Halloween is fast approaching and it is obvious in my neighborhood. My neighbors do not mess around when it comes to decorations. There are skeletons, pumpkins, cobwebs, Halloween flags, these houses are decked out. We moved to our new house in January, this is our first round of the fall and winter holidays. I decided I needed to step up my decorations game.

I went to Michael's because I had a 20% off coupon. Alas, my coupon was only good on regular priced items and everything I bought was on sale. But I did get some great deals. I love Michaels. Every time I'm there I have to resist buying loads of yarn, I have to keep telling myself that I have never finished knitting a scarf so there is really no need for additional yarn.

I picked this up for my door.



I love this so much! It is so perfect, especially since my neighbors think I'm a witch.



This little guy was a smokin' good deal.



Hello happy scarecrow, welcome to the neighborhood.



And my all time favorite, the scary, hairy spider in my tree.



This guy freaked me out so much, I almost couldn't pick him up to purchase him. I conquered my fears and put him in my basket. Now I think a need a few more spiders in my tree.

Introducing Sprout

My family is still reeling from the heart breaking loss of Maddie. In the healing process, my parents decided to open their house and hearts to another puppy.

Allow me to introduce you to Sprout.



Sprout is a fiesty, sweet, playful, scrappy little puppy. She already loves my mom, and whimpers when she doesn't get to sleep in the bed with her. Which means that she is now sleeping in the bed with my mom.

Maddie will forever be remembered in our hearts. Her picture is still prominently displayed in my parents' house. She was such a special little puppy and she will never be replaced. But I'm glad that my mom is able to have such a little lovebug like Sprout to ease the pain just a bit.

Team Brady's First Encounter with the In-Laws

After a bit of a rocky start, Brady and I became inseparable. We talked constantly via instant messenger when we weren't together, studied together, and were with each other during all our free time. Which actually wasn't that much seeing as we were in law school and working.

We started dating in our last semester of law school, there was so much going on. We were looking for permanent jobs, getting ready to take the bar, and getting ready to graduate! There were many parties, "bar reviews," ditching class to go to Dave and Buster's. Lots of fun to be had.

In the first few months we were starting to get to know each other's friends. And we had a lot of friends in common from law school, so that made the whole introducing your new boyfriend to your friends even easier.

So the first few weeks of our relationship are going great. And then, a huge obstacle is thrown in our road to true love....Easter. Now, I love my family, but my family can be, um, a bit much. They are fantastic people, but a little quirky. My plan was to get Brady to fall madly in love with me, and then introduce him to my crazy family. But then Easter reared its ugly head. I thought I could avoid the whole issue of whether we would spend Easter together. Easter isn't a couples holiday, it isn't romantic. There is no need for such a brand, spanking new couple to spend Easter together. But then, Brady asks about it and suggests we go to my family's celebration and then his family's party. Gulp, ok. I couldn't think of an excuse quick enough, so Brady was going to meet my family on Easter.

We go to my grandma's house on Easter, we walk in the door, Brady and my mom hug. My mom never hugs anyone. Things are looking promising, everyone is getting along. I was worrying about nothing. At one point, I'm standing outside on the patio, Brady is somewhere inside. My sister comes running out and whispers "Mom has Brady cornered in the kitchen, she's interrogating him about your ex-boyfriend." What?! Brady knew my ex, but that does not make it ok for my mom to ask my new boyfriend about my old, kicked to the curb, boyfriend. I freeze for a second in a state of shock and then start to sprint to the kitchen, hurdling a patio chair on my way. I find my mom, with Brady literally backed into a corner of the kitchen and she's asking him about my ex. Brady looks shocked and clueless as to what to do. I grab my mom by the elbow, drag her away, and give her a harsh scolding. I calm down, grab a mimosa, ok crisis averted.

The Easter festivities continue, everyone eats the amazing egg casserole that my grandma always makes. Everything is good. Brady and I are standing by the front door when, all of a sudden, I see my mom and dad charging towards the door. My mom has her dog Maddie tucked under her arm and is yelling at my grandpa, who is clutching his little dog and yelling back. My parents storm past me yelling, "we're leaving," and are gone. What the hell has just happened? Brady is looking at me like, "what the hell is wrong with your family?" Apparently, Maddie and Rosie, my grandparents' dog, were playing. My mom and grandpa thought they were fighting and got in a fight over which dog started the "fight." Which ended in the very bizarre fleeing of my parents from my grandparents' house.

The dog incident was our cue to leave. So we headed over to Brady's family's party. Finally, normal people. Easter was my first time meeting any of Brady's family. I walk in, wearing my best Easter dress, looking like all sweetness and good manners. Brady's aunt is working in the kitchen, so I offer to help. I get assigned the task of putting pie crusts in pie dishes, easy enough. Brady's aunt starts asking me questions, trying to get to know me, ok fine.

Aunt: "So how long have you known Brady?"

Me: "Oh we met at the beginning of law school but we just started dating."

Aunt: disapproving look down her nose at me.

Aunt: "So when, exactly, did you start dating?"

Me: "WTF, you nosy you-know-what, what does it matter?"

Me and what I actually said: "Oh about a month ago."

Aunt: another disapproving look, "hmmmm."

At this point I decide I've had enough of pie crusts and move on from the kitchen to try to get to know the other family members. And I am repeatedly met with cold shoulders. Seriously, no one would talk to me. Except for Brady's grandma and she basically wanted to know what my gpa, class ranking, job plans, credit score, etc.

So I politely eat my Easter dinner and we leave. I ask Brady, "what the hell was that?" He tells me, "oh you are just shy, you just need to open up a bit and they'll love you." Subsequent events with Brady's family were better and with time, I grew to be really close with these people.

A year later, at the next Easter, I finally found out why I had gotten the silent treatment. Brady's uncle pulled me aside and apologized for not being welcoming, and asked that I forgive their behavior as they were all in shock because they did not know Brady had broken up with his previous girlfriend and were very confused when Brady came walking up with a completely different girl on his arm. I told Brady's uncle that of course they were forgiven and then went to have a little chat with Brady. So, yea, that first Easter, Brady conveniently forgot to tell his family that (1) he had broken up with his previous girlfriend of seven years, and (2) he now had a new girlfriend name Courtney. Um, awkward. Only Brady's grandma knew that his previous relationship ended, which explains why she was the only one that would talk to me.

So, the first meetings of each other's families did not go smoothly. And there were many other subsequent awkward family meetings (Brady and my mother once got in a fight over a basket of tortilla chips at a Mexican restaurant.) But now, everyone gets along great, well pretty good, well as good as family can get along.

Crazy Legs

I am channeling Blair Waldorf today at work with my textured tights.

Sleepy Baby

Who needs a baby, when you have one of these?

The Beginning of Team Brady

Brady and my anniversary is this coming Sunday, October 11, 2009. I think that's a Sunday. I can't believe it's been a year since we got married. This past year was crazy, new house, new dog, new job for me, etc. It's been a great year though, and I'm looking forward to many wonderfully happy, blissful years of marriage with my fabulous husband. Wow, I just made myself throw up in my mouth a little.

In honor of our upcoming anniversary, I wanted to chronicle how Brady and I met, started as a couple and became engaged. This post will be the story of how we met and our first couple dates.*

We met in Fall of 2003 at Chapman University School of Law. During the first year of law school, the first years are divided into tracks, you have the same classes with your track for the entire year. Brady and I were in the same track. Chapman is pretty small and the tracks even smaller, so we became acquainted pretty quickly. I remember the first week of school or so, scanning the classroom seeing if there were any potential dating prospects. I thought Brady looked promising but then learned he had a girlfriend. Damn, the good ones are always taken! Brady and I started actually hanging out during our second semester of our first year, with our respective girlfriend and boyfriend. Yea, I know, awkward. But I can assure you, that there was absolutely no funny business going on, we were just friends and got along well. In fact, I remember telling someone, "It's so nice to have guy friends, you can't have guy friends in college because they just want to get in your pants. But look at Brady, he's my friend and he doesn't want to get in my pants at all."

Fast forward to our third year. Our respective relationships had fizzled out and ended (or imploded in my case). I know I've posted about how he asked me out, at least I think I have, anyways I can't find it so I'll recap. During our third year, I had been pretty much absent from the law school scene with the exception of going to class. One night, I ran into Brady who remarked that he hadn't seen me in a while. We chatted and it came up that I was single. It was within in days that he asked me out to dinner. My reply, "like on a date?" said with all possible shock and snobbiness. I told him I didn't think that was a good idea and didn't accept. The problem was, (1) we had been just friends and I truly was shocked that he asked me out, and (2) I actually wasn't completely single, I was seeing someone but it was not serious at all, I was more attached to the guy's DVR than the actual guy himself.

Brady and I continued to talk and he mentioned that the offer for dinner was still on the table. Two about-to-be lawyers dating, it's so romantic. Eventually, I asked him if he wanted to still have dinner and he did. We went to the Quiet Woman and had an amazing time. Although I ordered this chicken dish, simply because it came with stuffing and I didn't like the chicken which was obvious because I didn't eat any of it. Brady dropped me off after dinner and walked me to my door. And then he kissed me good night. I ran into my apartment, I was in shock and a little tipsy. We had ordered a bottle of wine with dinner, um yeah, Brady doesn't really drink wine. So basically I had a bottle of wine and some stuffing for dinner. I woke up my roommate, Annalise, yelling "Brady just kissed me!" And then I debriefed her about the date, probably over a glass of wine. I really liked my wine back then.

So we had a great first date, naturally Brady asked me out on another date. And I said no. Actually I said I had to "focus on school." Which was kind of lame. Really, what I had to do was get rid of DVR guy. And even though Brady just wanted to go on a second date, I felt that the decision to go on a second date was bigger than that, that if I was going to go out with him I should be ready to be in it for the long haul. We kept talking, he kept asking me out, I kept saying I had to focus on school. As we talked, I started to feel a real connection with him and wanted to explore it. But I had concert tickets with DVR guy and I couldn't get rid of him before that, I just didn't even know how to deal with that. "Um hey, DVR guy, can you give me back those tickets I got for you, cause I like this other guy better and you are kind of boring, and uh yeah, I'm going to need those tickets back." That was not going to work.

So about six weeks passed in between our first date and our second. The concert passed and I decided that I wanted to go out with Brady. He had sent me an email telling me that he thought we had a great first date and that he wanted to see me again. It was very well-written. My mom said, "he's either crazy or your soulmate, you probably should go out with him and figure it out." I agreed with her. We were talking pretty much daily at this point and he mentioned that he was going to Vegas for the weekend. By himself. So I slyly said, "I love Vegas, I haven't been in forever, I would love to go back." I pretty much invited myself to Vegas with him. After I said that, he officially invited me to Vegas and we had our second date planned. Crap, I still needed to get rid of DVR guy, who ironically was in Vegas. So Brady and I were set to go to Vegas that weekend, I think this was Monday or Tuesday when I talked to DVR guy. I called him and said, "so this isn't really working, I need to focus on school." The old "focus on school" works every time. And with that DVR guy was gone. And I stopped watching Lost, he had been recording it for me while I was in class. Moving on from DVR guy was a fantastic decision, I got a husband and Lost got really stupid at that point.

So Brady and I went to Vegas. He picked me up on Saturday morning. He even asked me what I wanted from Starbucks and brought it to my door. Back then my drink was a venti zen green tea, two bags with an inch of soy. A little complicated, but he got it right! Things were looking promising already. We had a fantastic time in Vegas. We stayed at the Wynn, ate dinner at Sushi Roku, shopped, had drinks, a damn good second date. The conversation was effortless, it just fetl really comfortable. That night, after a few drinks, I told Brady that I thought we were going to get married. And he didn't run! Amazing!

This is our first picture together in the gardens at Bellagio. This was about 3 1/2 years ago. I would like to note that dress now fits again. In fact, I wore it a couple of weeks ago.

So became the start of many Vegas trips, and the beginning of our relationship. That first trip to Vegas, Brady shopped with me for about 6 hours, that never happened again.

*Please note that this is the version of the story according to me. Brady maintains that I asked him if the offer for dinner was still on the table, implying that I threw myself at him like a shameless hussy. Please also note that Brady can be full of crap at times.

Back on Track, Again

Last Monday, when I weighed in I was 148 pounds. I finally broke through 150! I was so excited and proud of myself for sticking to my points, making smart choices, and exercising regularly.

To celebrate my achievement, I proceeded to eat like a pig for the next week. I don't even want to know what I will weigh tomorrow. I made so much progress, I'm really annoyed with myself that I just let it all go to hell last week. So this weekend, I've decided to re-commit myself to Weight Watchers and eating healthy.

Despite my mantra to not cook on a Saturday night, this past Saturday night I made vegetable soup. Brady was out of town, again, and I was bored. I figured I should put my time to good use so I made a Weight Watchers vegetable soup that is 0 points for one cup. I plan on eating it with a sandwich for lunch and having some before dinner so that I don't overeat.

The recipe is super easy, basically cut up a ton of veggies, dump in a big pot with 6 cups of vegetable broth, fresh tyme, and garlic. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.




I added some Cumin and Cayenne Pepper for a little kick.




I also used Rogue's trick of throwing the soup in the food processor. This way it won't be so sloshy, which is good because I'm going to take it to work.

This recipe makes a ton, I portioned out 0 point servings and put it in tupperware. Now I can just grab one and take it to work, so easy!

And then, on Sunday night, I made this, a cheesy, meaty lasagna:

Diet starts Monday right? Yes it does, I think I'll go have a cookie with my glass of pinot grigio.