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.