Wales

Wales was so beautiful and a made for a wonderful weekend trip. I don't know why Brandon and I didn't go there sooner! Go here http://picasaweb.google.com/Lee10383 to see some fabulous pictures we took. I only posted one as a teaser. :)

We drove 3 hours to North Wales Saturday morning. We started out by going on the Snowdon Mountain Railway. http://www.snowdonrailway.co.uk/gallery.html A 30 minute train ride takes you 2000+ feet up the mountain for some incredible views. You stay at the top for 30 minutes and then head back down. It was great; I love trains. We then went to a cool waterfall nearby, and then headed back to our hotel to freshen up for dinner. Later that evening, we enjoyed free entertainment provided by our hotel. It was some Welshman, that I named Sam, singing and playing the guitar. He played a lot of Oldies. I was a big fan.

The next morning we went to the Caernarfon Castle and took a 45 minute tour learning all history and details of the place. FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caernarfon_Castle It was probably the best castle we've been to yet! After the castle, we drove to another little village and got some ice cream and walked around. By this time, it was getting late and we had to head home. First impressions: I think I embrace the Welsh and their home more than the English. Wish we had more time to go back and see more!

T H E . U P D A T E

9 days ago we safely arrived in Harrogate. The trip out here was very pleasant. The best yet.

Lots has been accomplished over the past week. The highlights being: curry night at Wetherspoons (a favorite spot in Harrogate), Thai food twice, we went to London for 2 days where we met up with a good friend Nate Ridderman, we walked along Abbey Road and have a great picture to show for it (see our Picasa web albums), attended a BBQ and watched American football with friends, I went to York for an afternoon with the ladies, I shopped at all my favorite stores in Harrogate, watched lots of episodes on DVD of some of our favorite tv shows (The Office, 24, and Friday Night Lights), ate ribs cooked by a vegetarian with a group of 6 engineers + me, played my very first game of darts in which the Rigg team came in second place (out of 3), tonight is game night, and a trip to Wales is planned for tomorrow and Sunday.

There you have. We've been busy.

Works been going well for Brandon, and play has been going great for Lisa.

I'll let you know how the Wales trip is next week; I've heard good things about the place. :)

The fitness ball.

About one week ago, Brandon and I were shopping at Target when we decided to buy a fitness ball on sale for $13. It was 29" in diameter and was supposedly unpopable. It was a purchase for Brandon. He wanted it to "strengthen his core" or whatever people do on those balls. Shortly after our return home, Brandon was being consumed by the computer, leaving me pretty bored. So I decided I wanted to play with his new ball. In my mind, it was much more of a toy than a piece of exercise equipment. I had him blow it up for me because I failed in my first two attempts. I started by just bouncing up and down on it... It was fairly entertaining.

Then Brandon asked for a turn. So I gave up the big, gray ball as I watched him do a series of 10-15 situps on it. Oooh, that looked kind of fun I thought to myself. He's good. "Can I try?"

Brandon willingly shared his new purchase. I plopped my butt on the ball, planted my feet securely on the ground, starting out in an upward position as I slowly leaned back. Here's 1... As I attempted to sit up, I realized that 29" was a little too big for my petite size. Instead of my abs pulling me back up, my feet came off the ground, the ball began rolling backwards taking my body with it. Within seconds... BAM! My head just barely missed the desk, but my legs weren't so fortunate. The momentum stopped. I lay there on my back, my neck all scrunched up, legs sprawled up in the air, and my right leg throbbing. Brandon was just staring at me speechless as this all happened. Both of us were frozen, not able to react fast enough. I eventually brought my legs down and was curled up in the fetal position. I shed a few tears before the hysterical laughing came. I couldn't stop. Brandon couldn't tell if I was laughing or crying because the sounds coming out of my mouth sounded like I was doing both at the same time. He went and got me ice as my ankle started swelling. It turned out to only be a minor injury although I was hobbling around all night and the next day.

That night while laying in bed trying to sleep, I kept replaying the incident in my mind and couldn't stop laughing. Meanwhile, my husband is not reacting in the slightest. Not even a chuckle. In the dead silence of the night, hysterical laughing spells kept coming out of me; it was uncontrollable for several minutes. Brandon finally rolled over and said out loud, "I know, I know... you fell off the ball." One last series of laughter came out of me before the sleep took over.

To this day, my leg is still a little tender above my right ankle...

Husband & Wife Dialogue

Conversation shortly after my return home from a friend's baby shower.

L: I have a headache.
B: Why?
L: I don't know why. I just do.
B: Maybe you're stressed.
L: No, I'm not stressed. I have nothing to be stressed out about. Why would I be stressed?
B: Maybe you're stressed because you knew when you came home I'd be on the computer reading... I don't know.
L: (Hmmm... interesting thought. I am amused and confused at the same time.)

Conclusion: I truly love being married. Brandon brings me so much joy and entertainment. :)

Haircuts.

Curly vs. Straight



Thanks Floyd's, our new haircut destination, we're enjoying your handiwork.