Six Solid Months

Today, Gareth and I celebrate six months of marriage!!

We are spending a quiet, lazy day together. Just back from the gym, already a few chores and projects completed. Leftovers eaten. We have a football game on the TV. There is nothing especially remarkable about today... except that we are together. Loving each other.

A look at our first six months...

just back from Colorado in June... what a chivalrous husband?! :)

our favorite thing!! snuggling on the couch

Halloween Poker Bike Ride (Cowboy and Barbarian)

San Antonio Half-Marathon... with my favorite cheerleader :)

a night on the town... where else?! LL!

We decided to postpone the St. Lucia Honeymoon we had planned to take this month. Instead, with Dave Ramsey's help, we set financial goals as a family that doesn't include a trip to St. Lucia this year. Soon though, we hope to be able to Live Like No One Else.

...which will include packing our bags for the Caribbean!!

Winter Solstice with the WP's

... Chili Cook-Off style!

With a gift to deliver to Tim yesterday, I stumbled upon some dear friends in the midst of a contest. I love it when a quick trip leads to an entire afternoon spent with good people!! It's my favorite kind of day, in fact :)

There were laughs, controversy, beer, sun, friends (old and new), cupcakes, apple crisp, and a bunch of chili. Here's a photo of Kenny, the winner... although, rumor has it there will be an asterisk by his win?!?


Shhh... it was still my vote for #1! ;)

What to Write?

I've been away from my blog for awhile.

I'm guessing my fellow bloggers can attest...the longer you are away, the harder it is to come back. I've been meaning to post for a few weeks now and just couldn't seem to find a good story..

Would I write about the wonderful time I had at Thanksgiving? When Gareth and I shared the day with some of our dearest friends, then cheered on the Horns with a room full of fans? About our "pretend camping" excursion in our own backyard the following night and how much fun we had laughing, drinking, and eating s'mores?

Or, what about my new goals for my Arbonne business? That I've found renewed belief and vision? That I have more momentum that I've had in a year?

I could mention that I am coaching volleyball again. That I've been placed with a team that I did not choose, but am finding in the first 1 1/2 weeks it is a perfect fit. That it feels so good to be around the sport that I love...even if I had forgotten how much.

Maybe it's time to write about massage therapy? How it's something that I've pondered in the back of my mind for years. How I never thought it would fit into the picture I had for my life. How I'll be starting school here in February and could not be more excited!!

Hmmm...

I think instead, I'll just share these two thoughts (and images)...

Last month I had the chance opportunity to meet one of my heros. For those of you who do not know this man, Tom Osborne was a legendary football coach for Nebraska at the time I was growing up in Omaha. I met him at the UT vs. NU volleyball game in Austin, while he was attending to his duties as Athletic Director.

taken at Gregory Gym...in the line for popcorn :)

Texas has two teams currently in pursuit of their respective National Championships: Volleyball and Football. I am following both teams with pride! I am also remembering my own pursuit of the National title, now 14 years ago...

celebrating a Regional win against Florida, which sent us to the Final Four in 1995

Someday

loving this song right now...













listen here. (click 'someday')

you can go
you can start all over again
you can try to find a way to make another day go by
you can hide
hold all your feelings inside
you can try to carry on when all you wanna do is cry

maybe someday
we'll figure all this out
try to put an end to all our doubt
try to find a way to make things better now
and maybe someday
we'll live our lives out loud
we'll be better off somehow
someday

now wait
try to find another mistake
if you throw it all away
then maybe you can change your mind
you can run
and when everything is over and done
you can shine a little light on everything around you
man it's good to be someone

i don't wanna wait
i just wanna know
i just wanna hear you tell me so
give it to me straight
but tell it to me slow

maybe someday
we'll figure all this out
we'll put an end to all our doubt
try to find a way to just feel better now

sometimes we don't
really notice
just how good it can get
so maybe we should
start all over
start all over again

Oprah - Black Eyed Peas

Sunday Routine and Secrets

I am loving the routine I've started putting together for Sundays...

sleeping late
pho with good friends
couch time
running (maybe)
movies

One thing I never miss on Sundays is PostSecret.

As you will read on the site, PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. Each Sunday, a batch of new secrets are posted.

I read each one, savoring the beauty and truth. It always makes me sad when I can see that I'm almost to the end of the page. I find it therapeutic to read these, imagining the author's story. Sometimes I see myself in the secrets of others.

Each one is a stranger to me. Yet, we are somehow linked through this beautiful project. Here is my favorite secret this Sunday...

Two Fun Months

Gareth and I celebrate two months of marriage today!

We've been asked quite a bit how our relationship has changed since we've been married. The answer is that it has changed in some small, practical ways and some sweet ways...honestly, though, it's not terribly different.

Practically, we have spent time joining our lives together. Communicating with one another about finances, futures, goals, dreams. But, we are still getting used to calling each other "husband" and "wife" and working on being a team.

So far, our favorite thing to do together is PLAY (and this is not new)!

After spending 10 days playing in Colorado, we returned to the (record-breaking) heat of Austin. We've been riding bikes (Gareth), running (Jane), playing volleyball, hosting parties, spending time with friends, and making new friends since our return.

Marriage is work. I know that it is, in fact. At two months, I'm hoping that we will always play...to make our marriage work!

Hiking in the Flatirons (Boulder, Colorado)

Beer tasting at the New Belgium Brewery (Fort Collins, Colorado)

Rocky Mountain National Park

Couch Time

Wrapping up a weekend filled with dress-up, pub runs, douchebags, cleaning, white, birthdays, buffalo chicken dip (yum!), scheming, dancing, cupcakes, and late nights.

Today, we are treating ourselves to a lazy Sunday...


LOVE the weekend fun!! But, SO loving our couch right now.

Banana ♥'s Panther

I ran my first marathon in February 2006.

It was six months prior to that, though, when I met my running coach (Panther) for the first time. He trained me, encouraged me, and...yes, nicknamed me!

You can call me Banana if you want, too. I'll answer.

I gave up running last year, when my job became too demanding. I didn't actually miss the running, but I did miss the team and my coach.

I decided to get back in the game just recently. I started running with Panther two months ago and am training for the San Antonio half marathon in November.

I still have a hard time with the early mornings and the heat, but I'm getting back into it, and...being a part of Riff Raff helps!

Panther is featured here in the Austin American Statesman today.

Check him out. You'll end up wanting to run and/or drink with us, too!

An Old Friend

Friends...People that increase our joys. Share our sorrows. Challenge us. Comfort us. Inspire fun. People we laugh with. Drink with. Dance with...

I have met some fantastic new friends in the past couple of months. Friends that I am so excited to get to know better in the months and years to come.

Friends that I love! Already.
Each for a different reason.

I found myself reflecting on these new friendships over the weekend, and it made me smile.

It also brought an old friend to mind...

Almost 7 years ago now, I met a new friend when I started a part-time job. I was in the middle of an exceptionally difficult time of transition in my life.

Somehow, Michael knew exactly how to be my friend.

He could tell when I needed to ask for help (but didn't) and he helped me. He never offered. He just helped, never giving me the opportunity to decline. He called to check on me. He talked to me.

Sometimes, he just sat with me.

We had conversations about literature and life. Always without judgment. I started to discover myself in the course of our friendship.

I loved him. Though, not in a romantic way. I know that he loved me too.

It felt like we were family.

Due to other commitments in Michael's life, our friendship ended...only a few short months after it began. I respect the path that he took. I regret losing him, though.

It was such a short friendship. It surprises me that I still miss him.

I wonder where he is now.
I wonder if he ever thinks about me.
I hope he is happy!...

I wish we could be friends again.

Picture Perfect

So many things about our wedding day went...

Just. Right.

The friends. The family. The flights (just barely).
The support. The weather. The promises.
The champagne. The music. The love...

The fun!!

Our photographer, Julie, was just right, too!

She was the perfect balance of take charge and blend in. I L-O-V-E-D the way Julie interacted with both Gareth and I (and our crazy crew of family and friends!) on our wedding day...we hardly had to think!!

The best part, though...is her work. Take a peek here!

If you'd like to see more photos: visit Julie's website, click 'Client Proofs', and enter the Passcode: janeandgareth. There are more photos when you 'Enter the Gallery'.

Join the Revolution

Dashboard Confessional - Stolen

One of the things I learned about Gareth early on in our relationship is that he is a Dashboard Confessional fan!

He took me to an acoustic set of theirs at La Zona Rosa and was sweet to tell me that one of the songs reminded him of me...

We chose that song for the processional at our wedding a few weeks ago...including the bride's walk down the aisle!!

It still makes me cry. Every time. ;-)

NCAA Football Night

It's a BIG DAY in the Sampson household!


For those of you (like me) who might not know what is so exciting, you're looking at NCAA Football 2010. It has been suggested to me that I make plans with friends tonight. It took about 2 seconds to solve that one!!

Now, Gareth is happy to have the video game AND TV to himself!

Thoughts on Love...

I read an article yesterday.

I have not always been in good relationships, romantic or otherwise. And so, this piece of advice especially resonated with me...

This is the bottom line: you must love yourself well enough not to let love for another person cause you to accept mistreatment in a romantic [or any other] relationship.

I am thankful, though. Today, I have some of the best relationships that I have ever had...and I think it is because I have become better at loving myself.

Our Wedding Day

Friday, June 26, 2009

Our smiles couldn't get any bigger. The happiest day in our lives!!

With 100 of our friends and family who joined us in Estes Park, Colorado, at The Stanley Hotel, we celebrated the start of our lives together in style!

We could not possibly capture all of the love and all of the FUN...

but we have tried to remember some of our favorite moments.

Please feel free to add your favorites to our list.

xoxo.
Dr. and Mrs. Sampson


ghost tour with scary mary! my cousin Ava is the star :-)

our awesome 'set up' team! the room was beautiful because of all of you.

bad weather blowing through. reassuring words from Gareth.

sun at just the right moment for an outdoor ceremony.

elk and rainbows for the reception! wow!!

relying on the wedding party. being so organized before the wedding day that I could be scattered on the wedding day. thank you to everyone who answered a phone call to 'please, bring Jane _____.'

getting notes, texts, and posts all day long - filled with love!

seeing each other for the first time all dressed up!

getting my hair done with Tiff and Sarah! visits from Susan and Kim.

Photographer: that's the beauty of taking pictures before the ceremony.
Jane: you mean we can drink a cocktail now?! woo hoo!

getting ready with my girls. such beauty all in one room!

kind words from strangers as I was waiting in my wedding dress...prompting a conversation with Lindsey in which I am considering wearing the dress again -- on just a regular night on the town.

champagne, poured by Michelle!

discovering that Red's drunken super-power is dipping people.

Jane: I think Red dipped me last night.
Gareth: Yea, he dipped me, too.

dancing with my Mom and Aunts! all of my family rocked it!!

Clyde (to Jane): We need to do this every weekend!

Sharon and Nicole doing the jump rope.

pulling everyone out to dance. no one refused!

high-fives with my AWESOME wedding coordinator when we figured out we could get everyone on the dance floor with a well-timed song and better lighting!

Molly (to Gareth): please stop playing Journey. I've seen a side of Kevin that I never want to see again.

Mark's bug-eyes and goofy faces.

amazing soup! seriously. it was SO good.

where did you get your music?! (shhh!!...DJ Kurv, Red Fez)

Bart (to Gareth): I will PAY YOU for that music!!

an impromptu Michael Jackson tribute. lots of love.

waterfalls of tequila. whoospy!

a private photo shoot and hike to the ruins, across the street. feeling like Gareth and I are the only two people in the world.

meeting Gareth's college friends: Juan, Bart, and Brian.

seeing my cousin, Heather. feeling her Mother's presence and love.

blinded by the 'strobe light' of flashing cameras on the dance floor.

Sebastian's awesome dance moves!

a complement to Gareth and I that also complemented my brother and his wife.

being surrounded by so many people we love that we couldn't wipe the smiles off of our faces if we tried!!

Lonesome Dove

I watched this show for the first time more than 15 years ago. The entire 6-hour mini-series in one weekend, maybe even one Saturday.

It played on TV last night, so Gareth and I stayed up together to watch.

I'm not normally a fan of western movies, but this is my exception. Gus and Clara's love story pulls at my heartstrings every time.

Here is my favorite scene (the first 1:20 or so)...

Perfect Austin Date

Just home from a perfect "Austin Date" with my soon-to-be hubby...

Rode our bikes to the IMAX theatre for the new Star Trek movie. A GREAT movie...(except for the two teenagers who would NOT stop talking behind us). Don't you think Captain Kirk is SO dreamy?? :-)

Pit stop at Red House on our way home for a glass of wine to wind down.

Beautiful weather. Wonderful company. Spontaneous. Fun.

Thought for My Day

Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.

-Thomas Merton

Girls' Night

I have such great girlfriends!

We had a fun time catching up with one another last night. I realized how much I missed seeing all of them more often...and how lucky I am to have such a beautiful, positive piece in my life!!

The photos are not from last night, but these are some of the girls...

birthday soiree for Bochi

party boat with Lindsey

Bullies

Wow, I thought bullies and cliques were left behind, long-ago, in high school. Sadly, this is just not so. It's shocking to find both of these - still - in my adult life. Thankfully, I can choose not to participate.

I choose maturity.

Some Things

I have a bunch of things on my mind and I can't seem to complete a single thought, which leaves my blog empty. Instead of complete thoughts, here are some of the pieces...

~ I am leaving my full-time J.O.B. on May 22. I can't wait!!

~ Gareth and I have sent out (most of the) invitations to our wedding. We went to the post office together two weekends ago. Each of us dropping a handful into the slot. We didn't say a word to each other on the way in. As we were hopping back into the car, Gareth looked over at me and said, "I guess there's no going back now." The truth is, we can't wait!!

~ I am learning about boundaries. I've discovered that setting boundaries is not something I've done very well in my relationships. It is also not something I've done very well in my relationship with work. I'm starting to set them, now. It's awkward, but it is awesome!

~ I had a fantastic weekend with friends. Happy hours, dinners, dancing, live music, fun times! I'm looking forward to another one. High school friends in town, birthdays to celebrate. Kick ass! :-)

~ Gareth and I are learning how to talk with each other. It's pretty awesome. We're still learning, but it's getting easier and better! I knew this guy was good for me!!

~ I love the business I've started with Arbonne. I'm still just getting my feet under me, but every time I think about the products, the people, the rewards, the recognition...it truly amazes me! I am so happy that I listened.

~ I've had one person, a friend in high school, on my mind quite a bit lately. My friend, Mary, tells me that I'm trying to "make amends". The way she said it sounded like she was proud of me. The truth is, I owe the guy an apology. I hope I get a chance to tell him.

~ I went for a walk this morning! It feels good to be active again. I'll hit the gym on Wed and on Fri this week, too. Time to get up off the couch and shake off the funk.

Don't Hate

I met my friend Lindsey for breakfast this morning. We haven't seen each other in a while and needed some time to catch up! Our plan was Trudy's.

We stood at the front for some time until one of the few employees had to tell us that we should seat ourselves...and order at the bar. So, we found a seat, spent a few minutes figuring out what was going on and settling in.

We found the breakfast menu on a board behind the bar and started to ask one another the standard, "What are you getting?"

We were just fine.

Before we knew it, the woman behind the bar begins barking at the kind employee who helped us to our seats, "You better go hand those two these menus! They're just staring at the menu and will never figure out what they want!"

She was clearly intending for Lindsey and I to hear her disgust with us. Honestly, she was being a bitch.

We couldn't decide if she was angry with us for not knowing what was going on OR if she was angry with the employee for who knows what? Either way, she was rude.

The young man she was harassing brought us the menus. We let him know that we were sorry, but didn't know what we were supposed to do.

He apologized.

It didn't take us long to decide that we weren't going to put up with her rude behavior, so we walked out of Trudy's and ended up having a very nice breakfast at the Red River Cafe.

Very courteous waitstaff and delicious food.

I am sorry if the woman at Trudy's was having a bad morning. She may have had car problems on the way into work or a sick kid at home? I don't know. What I do know is that I don't need someone treating me like that, especially first thing in the morning.

Don't hate. You'll lose business. You just lost mine.

More Than Ready

I have been out of things to say on this blog lately. Discouragement has left me short on stuff I want to post here.

Believe it or not...this past week has changed that!

Some how. Some way. I have been reminded of the GOOD I have in my life, and...the good that I am striving for in my life.

I spent three days in Las Vegas learning about my new business. I attended the annual National Conference, with over 8,000 in attendance... including my sister-in-law. We pretty much took over the MGM Grand.

It was PHENOMENAL!

Inspired by the men and women (my new friends) working their business, encouraged by the programs issued to reward hard work, and motivated by seeing those who have already found success!

I am ready to make this happen. More than ready.

my team

*next year, you will see a MUCH larger team!!

Town Hall For Hope

Check out me and Piwetz at the Town Hall For Hope Blog! :-)

Late Night Conversations about Money...

Jane: (giggling to herself) hey honey, listen to this!

[from Dave Ramsey's The Total Money Makeover] So, my Total Money Makeover begins with a challenge. The challenge is you. You are the problem with your money.

Wow. That is so right. Noone has ever said that to me.

How did he know that?!

Gareth: Yea, that is good. (looking at Jane sheepishly out of the corner of his eye) Does he know your other problems, too?

Jane: Huh?! Wait a minute...what problems?! That's not very funny!

Gareth: Then why are you laughing?

I guess I was laughing.

Dave's right, too. I'm making a change, though, and my money is going to start working for me -- instead of the other way around! Look. Out.

Well, Well, Well

Did you miss National Grammar Day this year? Me too. Thanks to a diligent tutor, these Top 10 Grammar Tips just came across my desk to remind me.

Because I had a friend who never missed an opportunity to correct me on this particular grammar usage, here's my favorite. (That corrects him right back. ha!)

Enjoy...

Is it "good" or "well"?
There are people out there who insist that "I am well" is the only acceptable answer to the question, "How are you?"

They are wrong, bless their starchy little hearts.

It is true that adverbs modify verbs, and "am" is a form of the verb "to be." This is a special kind of verb. Called a "linking verb," it connects a subject to additional information. It's not an action verb.

Just as the sentence "Kermit the frog is green" is correct, while "Kermit the frog is greenly" is not, "I am good" is a correct way to answer the question.

Here's the kicker, though. "I am well" works, too. It has a slightly different meaning, and describes your state of health. So, if you want to reveal your glowing physical condition, by all means say, "I am well." If you merely want to say stuff in your life is hunky-dory, "I am good" is just fine.

Who's Too Busy?

It has become a favorite of mine to frequent Vivo with good friends for a happy hour -> dinner on Fridays after work. These friends are favorites, too, and I love sharing margaritas and queso with them!

Two Fridays ago, Lindsey told me that she's been REALLY busy at work these past couple of weeks. Her eyes got wide and I could see in her expression that she was about to launch into her tails of an inbox overflowing with emails, tasks to numerous to keep track of, and a project that demanded far too much of her time and energy.

All that came out of her mouth though were these words...

"I'm as busy as...YOU!"

The truth is, she's right.

You know what? I don't like that about myself, anymore.

Twilight Addict

My friend Marietta told me about this series for the first time just a few months ago. Michelle was the second friend to get hooked.

When my book club chose Twilight for last month's meeting, I picked it up for the first time during the last week in January.

I read Twilight in about 3 days (450 pages or so). New Moon over the following weekend. Eclipse the next week. I'm about to finish Breaking Dawn (700 pages) this weekend -- and can't get enough of this story!

If you're a sucker for a good love story (like I am!), and you haven't picked up this book...you should! Do it today. Or borrow my copy.

Change

Wow Erin!...I couldn't have said it better myself. Thank you for your Somewhat Preachy Post on Change.

Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.

-King Whitney, Jr.

All Your Reasons

What. A Weekend.

I had one of the laziest weekends that I've had in a long, long time. Even with my sleeping in, naps, and general laziness, I still managed to accomplish several things. Most of which, I'm proud of...

1. Finished reading New Moon (from the Twilight series)
2. Registered, with Gareth, at Crate & Barrell
3. Enjoyed a LIT from TGIF with my girlfriends
4. Caught up on all of my shows (Chelsea Lately, AC360, and...wait for it...Supernanny)

It's another action-packed week ahead. Makes me thankful for a lazy weekend!

Thoughts on Fathers

I have been thinking a lot about Fathers in the last few months. About my father. About the father I hope Gareth will one day be...

One of the people I look up to recommended the book Strong Fathers Strong Daughters. So much so that he actually purchased a copy for every man in his office with a daughter. Hearing this made me curious, so I requested a free chapter here.

Below are a few lines that most resonate with this daughter...

I have watched daughters talk to fathers. When you come in the room, they change. Everything about them changes: their eyes, their mouths, their gestures, their body language. Daughters are never lukewarm in the presence of their fathers. They might take their mothers for granted, but not you. They light up - or they cry. They watch you intensely. They hang on your words. They hope for your attention, and they wait for it in frustration - or in despair. They need a gesture of approval, a nod of encouragement, or even simple eye contact to let them know you care and are willing to help.

When she's in your company, your daughter tries harder to excel. When you teach her, she learns more rapidly. When you guide her, she gains confidence. If you fully understood just how profoundly you can influence your daughter's life, you would be terrified, overwhelmed, or both. Boyfriends, brothers, even husbands can't shape her character the way you do. You will influence her entire life because she gives you an authority she gives no other man.

An Intention

One of my beautiful co-workers has started a routine in our office.

Once a week, she walks through our office with a deck of cards. Each of us pulls one card at the start of each week. It is random, like pulling from a deck of cards for a magic trick. Going on my third week, and so far, I seem to pull the exact intention that I need for the present. Here is the one I have been meditating on for this week.

Loving others is easy when I love and accept myself.

My heart is open. I allow my love to flow freely. I love myself. I love others and others love me.

A First Step

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

It Doesn't Take Long

I've only been back in the office for a week and a half. I'm already exhausted...and think I need another vacation.

Tagged

I've seen this one on a couple of blogs, but my beautiful friend Jessica was the one to call me out by name, so here goes.

Go to your fourth picture folder and select the fourth photo. Here's mine...


We have my dear friend, Michelle and her husband (fiance at this point, I think) Jon. We're trying to keep cool at the Austin City Limits Music Festival, circa 2005. It was a hot one!

Now, Joni, Mel, Katie, and Erin...you're tagged.

What To Do?!?

I think that I'll take Will Muschamp's advice on this one.

"I'm not rooting for them," Muschamp said. "I might watch the game but I'm not rooting, I guarantee you that."

I even sent my OU SUCKS pin with Lindsey to the game for good measure.

Dave Ramsey

I was introduced to Dave Ramsey about six months ago. I wasn't actually introduced to the man, but introduced to his message. I watched the documentary Maxed Out and Dave came on at the end to share his Baby Steps toward Financial Freedom. I bought in and it seemed easy...until I tried it. I didn't even last through the first month. It was H-A-R-D!

I am in his online class right now. Only on the 4th lesson, but already I am learning something. These are some of his one-liners that are my favorite...

"Live like noone else, so that later you can LIVE like noone else!"

"I want to find out what rich people do to get rich. Don't tell me what your broke friends think you should do. They're BROKE!"

And today, with tears in my eyes, I listened to his lesson on paying off debt. He was talking about "Gazelle Intensity". He was running around the stage like a crazy man describing the attitude needed to kick debt (imagine National Championship passion). He said, "You have to sell stuff, you have to change your thinking, you have to kick it! That's how you get it done. RUN! DO IT! TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK!!"

Maybe I'm the only one in this situation, but I don't think so. Either way, I'm taking my life back. I'm doing it Dave's way -- and I'm going to scream, "I'M DEBT FREE!" sooner than anyone thinks (even me).

This is my New Year's Resolution.

Sunday Secrets

I read PostSecret every week. When I do, I always look for the one I wish I had written. Here is my choice for this week...

Maybe someday I'll have the courage to write my own.