Happy Howl-o-ween

Well, Darin and I are sitting here waiting for the last of the trick-or-treaters. Kids started coming about 7 pm, and I'm hoping for some more.

(I bought a lot of candy because I felt guilty about running out last year.)

I took some pictures.

(Of course.)

I hope you enjoy.

The candy.

I chose kit-kats and chocolate with almonds. I couldn't find the snickers. I totally miss going out and getting a wide variety of chocolate. We're just stuck with these two.

The greeter.



He's a shark.
(But not a very happy shark.)



Much better.
(Ski Patrol Dog Rescue.)



I'm a Lady Bug.



The Killer Lady Bug
(Watch out Jake.)

It was so fun to watch the kids - but man were they greedy. We had to move the candy up off the floor because they were reaching into the container to get more! How crazy is that?! No cute political outfits; I was waiting though. :(

Lots of princesses, witches, karate people, etc.

I was pretty proud of my lady bug outfit. Last year I think I was a bunny.

Hope you had a great Halloween!

Broccoli Surprise

Just a funny thing:

Last night I made some cupcakes because it's by boss' birthday today. I love to make cupcakes or anything that's sweet and bring them to work because my colleagues will eat them and I won't eat them all!

First I fixed myself some dinner (Darin was at his folks) and while it was cooking, I made the batter and got the cupcake cups filled.

For dinner I had chicken kiev (bad Dru for talking about this the other day) and broccoli. When I put everything on my plate to eat dinner, Kerry came into the kitchen and gave me a suggestion:

Why not put a piece of broccoli in the cupcake and try to get Darin to eat it later?

What a fantastic idea?!

So a piece of broccoli was added to a cupcake (after double checking we were sure which one it was in) and the cupcakes were cooked.

I ate dinner, iced up the cupcakes, and then put the special cupcake aside to wait for Darin to come home.

When Darin got home I told him I had made cupcakes and there was one there for him. He went about his normal stuff (playing with Jake, putting stuff away) - and Kerry and I were waiting for him to get the damn cupcake. Eat it already.

After what seemed like forever, I finally was like, "you need to eat your cupcake now". I guess I said it loudly and forcefully. I'm not a patient person.

So he started eating it.

I was in the other room peering around the corner, and Kerry was sitting across the couch from him. (Jake was right next to him on the floor trying to get a piece of the cupcake he was not allowed to eat.)

Darin was like, "This is weird tasting. What's different?"

I said it was a different frosting - cream cheese whipped compared to the normal just white icing whipped.

And then he got to the piece of broccoli.

Hee hee.

This was very funny because Kerry and I were just staring at him. Darin was very confused about what was happening and we just started laughing.

Hee hee.

Then he pulled out the broccoli from the cupcake. And looked at it.

Kerry and I laughed some more and told him we put the broccoli in the cupcake and how we're awful awful people, blah blah blah....

Then Darin was like, I told you it tasted funny...

And proceeded to eat the piece of broccoli.

Ick.

I guess I have ruined him forever when it comes to cupcakes.

It was definitely worth it though.

Joining Our Church

I wanted to write a quick post about Darin's and my big day on Sunday.

We decided to become members of the church we are getting married in - First Congregational Church of Winter Park.

We never really had the intention of becoming members - just started going every Sunday to try to get to know the Senior Minister - Bryan - better. (He's super funny and caring. Always begins his sermons with a stupid/silly/strange/funny joke.)

Both Darin and I were actually enjoying every minute of the service - and were getting up in the morning to go (this is important because it takes forty-five minutes to get there every Sunday morning and we are lazy people). People started remembering who were were, asking how we were doing, and we really felt as though we were welcomed.

This past Saturday night, we were invited to a New Member get-together. Had a blast! Ended up talking a lot about us; how we met, where we went to school, what we do, etc. Had a great dinner and talked to some fantastic people.

It was good for us to get out and met new people; people who we can be honest with and don't judge us. (Not to say that we get judged a lot, but just knowing that these people have similar opinions than we did.)

Talked a lot with Talia, who is the Minister of Arts and Education. She's my age and had just dyed her hair platinum blond with hot pink stripes. So cool!

Ended up signing up for some activities as well. We're excited to help out and make new friends.

It truly is a great feeling.

Sunday during the regular service, the new members were introduced - twelve of us. They said where we were from and what we did. Embarrassing. After the service, we stood up front again and people came to congratulate us and welcome us to the church family. It was plain nice. Many people asked us about our upcoming wedding and all that jazz.

It was really the first thing we did together as an 'almost' married couple. Something we decided together, to do together.

A good memory overall!

(And to celebrate, we went to Darin's all time favorite restaurant for lunch - the Olive Garden. Sigh.)

Scary Night: HHN

Last Wednesday, my friends from work Janice and Tony joined Darin and me on a wicked scary adventure at Halloween Horror Nights. Ohhh, scary.

Ended up getting there (Universal) early for some food/drinks - went to Margaritaville for a margarita. obviously. And then headed out to the park.

Ahh. Margaritas.

For some reason (Darin and Tony's fault, I believe) we decided to go on the new Simpsons Ride. Bad idea. Though I have to say that we had a good time standing in line and looking at all of the cool Simpsons stuff.

Waitin' in line.

I didn't feel too good after the ride. We went over to watch the Bill and Ted's Scary Halloween thing (that is definitely not the name of it... it had something to do with Hellboy. And was strange. Political stuff, and random other stuff.) Then went to wait in line for our first haunted house.

Side note: Do people know what HHNs was? Most Orlando people hopefully do. Basically, Universal Studios took their back stages and transformed them into haunted houses. Maybe like eight total? And in the park there were only certain rides open. And when you walk around, there were all of these dressed up zombie/crazy chainsaw/ghosts/etc people walking around trying to scare the bejesus out of you. It's fun. Oh, and alcohol was served. Alcohol = better zombies.

Back to the story - went to wait in line and I guess I turned green. It was a combination of a top shelf margarita, fish tacos (bad bad), and the Simpsons ride.

Ralph.

Ended up leaving Janice and Tony and going to the First Aid area. I honestly was afraid that I'd end up throwing up on some poor zombie. Ick.

Darin was a sweetie and took me. And made me lay down. I didn't want him to lose out on the fun night, so he ended up going on some rides while I rested.

Poor Del.

(I think the pepto bismol did wonders.)

About an hour and a half later, after some hot chocolate from Starbucks (inside Universal. really.), we met up with Janice and Tony and went to some houses.

So fun.

Well, some of them were. Some were stupid. Most were cool.

I end up laughing a lot because I think it's so funny. We all each screamed at least once from someone popping out on us or coming after us with a chain saw.

Janice and Tony with Jaws.



Del and Darin with Jaws.

Good times.

Must. Go. Next. Year.

On a sad note, we did not hear the Monster Mash once. It was sad.

The end.

A Wonderful Night

Saturday night, our very good friends Mike and Carrie held our First Orlando (third actual) Engagement Party.

First of all, let me thank them SO much. You both mean a lot to us and are the best of friends. Thank you for caring for us and being there for us. I hope you like your gnome.

The Gnome.

Darin and I had a great time. I can't even begin to describe how exciting it was to have a party for us! Our previous parties were really to introduce Darin to my incredible/large/loud/fun-loving family... this one was for us.

And it was a wonderful night.

Carrie had the best food. She got the sha cha chicken recipe from China in Epcot and had a chocolate fountain. With pretzels. And marshmallows. It was beyond good. And hummus. I forgot all about the hummus. We love hummus.

My baby.

We all ate and drank. Talked.

Darin, Del, and Kucku

Laughed. Told stories.

Goestov, Diana, Keay, Carol, Darin, and Del



Court, Darin, Daryl, and Mike

Ate some more. (The Chicken.)

Meet new people. (Well, Darin and I didn't, but a lot of others did...)

Opened presents. How great was this?!

And almost cried.
* Carrie had everyone send her recipes for a cookbook she put together for us. I knew if I would have read it right there I would have cried... so I waited until I got home that night. It was so very special. Thank you!

Thanks again to everyone who came and those of you who couldn't.

We had a wonderful night.

Urban Dictionary - It's all in a Name

My friend Kara did this today and I thought I'd give it a try...

If you go to Urban Dictionary and type in your first name in the box above:

Del -

1. "A very sexy, witty, and entertaining individual" - hmm. Is that not the best description of me? I don't really see myself using those adjectives, but what can I say. I can be entertaining though...

2. "Ruler of the free world" - Not yet. Still working on it. (Also, I am not old enough to run.)

3. "Part of the Alfredian language". Riiight.

4. "Del the funky homosapien". Heard that before. I AM funky, yo.

5. "Derived from the Welsh for sweet or cute. Used to describe someone or something that is quite cute". This is my favorite. Aren't I quite cute? I'm not. I don't think I've ever been described as cute. Maybe when I was little? Hmm.

Darin's turn -

1. "Tough guy". Ahh.

2. "One who can't finish watching the movie Congo because he cries". How awesome! I wonder where this one came from.

3. "a pimp by blood, not relation". I don't even know how to comment.

4. "a grown ass man". What? Like an adult who is an 'ass' man as apposed to a 'legs' man? Or Someone who has a pronounced butt? Darin really isn't either. Or at least I don't think he is.

And just for fun, my sister Dru -
(whose birthday was yesterday!)

1. "adjective describing one as: courageous, heroic, maliciously sly, witty, funny, outrageously good looking, OUTRAGEOUSLY good looking, apparently god's gift to the world". Ahh. I totally didn't make that up. The others are not appropriate for blog.

Have a great day!

Five Whole Years

Last Saturday, we celebrated Darin's (and my soon to be) nephew S.'s fifth birthday! Five.
How crazy is that?!

(Funny side note: S. is exactly 60 years younger than my Dad. How cute!)

Kevin, DJ, S., his sister, C., and their dog Daisy (Jake's cousin) came over from Tampa to party up the town.

Hmm. Can you party up the town when you're five?

We went and had lunch in the Village Center of Baldwin Park - it was a beautiful day!

Palm trees swayin' in the sunshine

Walked back over to Darin's parents' house to get some c.a.k.e. And open presents...

Daisy being so patient.



Checking out her other cousin, Lady.

Finally, had some cake and opened presents. We (mostly S. and C., well and me) had been eying that cake for the longest time.

Wow! The bounty!

Doesn't the long tube thing look like a pack of Smarties? It was a kite!

DJ and Kevin

We all had a super great time and devoured the cake. Darin's mom had made a bear cake - cut out different pieces of sheet cake to form a bear. Well, we all got to decide which part of the bear we wanted. I got an ear and a paw. So good. Poor bear. S. got the nose/mouth area. Don't remember what Darin got or anyone else for the matter - too busy enjoying the cake!

Maitland Greekfest

History:
When I lived in Tulsa, I would go to the Greek Festival there with my sorority sister Jessica and her family. I think we went three years in a row - we ate, danced, watching the hot guys dance on tables, and had a terrific time. It's one of my favorite memories from living in Tulsa.

Back to the present:
I was driving home the other day, I saw a sign for a Greek Fest in Maitland for last weekend.

Side note: I swear we eat other non-Greek food. Really.

Darin and I decided to go on Sunday, after church. That was why we're dresses up.

I had planned and knew where to go. Darin tried to get me to go another way, but I didn't listen. And I was right. Ha.

Got there before noon, and I was hungry... but we were waiting for our friends Brad and Karen to come before we could eat real food.

Got cookies though.

Cookies!
(Said in a cookie monster-ish way)
I got the one in the bottom left. Was proud of myself for trying something new!

Darin with cookie.

Brad and Karen came with their son, J., and we went right to the kids game area. J. had a blast.

J. on the bouncy pulling thing

And the other big 'boys' had a blast too.

One lady was like, isn't this for kids?

Sigh.

They were actually very popular with the older guys because you could just tell the other dads and grown men wanted to try. You could see it in their eyes... It was SO funny to watch them try to beat each other... Darin kept being snapped backwards and bouncing on his back. Hee hee.

We ate some good food and went on our merry ways...

Brad, J., and Karen



Darin and Del

But NOT before we got more dessert!

To be devoured loukoumathes.

Finding Our 'Song'

For my birthday, Darin got us tickets to go see Maroon 5 and the Counting Crows!

Super cool.

I used to go see concerts a lot (2003 was, as I like to call it, my year of concerts because I saw lots of people/groups). Every once in awhile we get to see some band play at the House of Blues in Disney that we like, but haven't seen all that many recently. Boo. Hoo.

And actually, I saw Maroon 5 in 2003 in Charleston with Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, and Ben Harper before the group (or any of them really) got too big and popular. So it was fun fun fun to see them again.

It was at the Ford Amphitheater in Tampa, and we had seats! (As apposed to the lawn.)

Our seats!

Wow!

Friday night was probably one of the most beautiful nights this year. So gorgeous. It's beginning to be cooler at night here - the reason why so many come down to Florida for their winter. Just just got to sit, drink our $8 bud lights, and relax. So sweet.

Both bands were great! The Counting Crows played all the songs we knew and were super mellow.

Love music. Always have and always will.

We had a good good time.

Found a possible (?) wedding song... any one guess?

The Engagement Story

Darin and I got engaged on April 2, 2008.

Six months ago. (Wow, time has flown by.)

I was thinking to share the story... or my recollection of it. I'll try to have Darin tell his view of things and add it to this post.

Here goes:

So I totally knew he was going to ask me. He's not too good at keeping secrets - neither am I for the matter. We really pick up on each others' vibes and can tell when some thing's up. It's good and annoying at the same time.

He was acting weird. I kept asking him what was wrong, and he would say that everything was fine. But I knew differently. I was worried about it being about his work (the stresses of being a graduate student) or some health related issue. I was worried it was something bad.

And then he asked me if it was alright to call my parents. He needed their number.

What?

I was like, ahh, sure. You can talk to them whenever. So he did. I asked my mom about it and she just said he wanted to talk to them and that it was strange, but good. I can't remember exactly why he told me he wanted to call them. Maybe he'll remember?

A week or two later, he went over to his parents house (by himself) to have dinner and talk to them afterward.

What?

He's not too slick.

Before I put two-and-two together, I flat out told him I knew something was up and to tell me about it. I don't deal with stress well, and I was getting frustrated/worried/annoyed/scared/etc.

So he told me that something was going on, but it was a good thing and for me not to worry.

See I told you he's not too secretive.

A lot of different options went through my mind at that. I'm not going to say any (because you'll think I'm crazy), but let's just say I'm very creative and have an active imagination.

And then I knew.

He'd been acting sweet/affectionate to me and just being his cute self. He talked to my parents and his. I was convinced.

So like a day or two later he told me that he wanted to go out to dinner the next week, somewhere nice.

Bingo!

Side note: So I called my sister, Dru, on April 1st to talk to her about this whole topic because she was the only one who I could think of that wouldn't think I was too weird about making this up. BUT it was April Fools Day. And my family had always done notorious things this day. So she didn't believe me. At. All. She kept saying, "don't talk to me about this today because I don't believe you. Call me tomorrow." Ha.

Back to the story...

We ended up going to this fantastic restaurant in downtown Winter Park called Bosphorous (which was a Turkish restaurant) and ate a fantastic meal. While I was trying to make small talk (and waiting for him to propose, mind you), Darin just sat there and ate his meal. I couldn't figure it out.

So we finished dinner and walked back to the car, so we could put the leftovers in the car and then walk around some more.

I guess now you need to know a little bit about the City of Winter Park. When I moved down to Florida, I lived officially in the city and was like a ten minute drive from Park Avenue, which is where you can eat lunch/dinner, walk your dog down the sidewalks, go to the Art Festival, go to stores. One of those avenues! I love it and always take people there when they come to visit.

After dinner, Darin and I walked around the Rose Garden - and he got down on one knee and asked.

He said how much he loved me and other stuff I don't remember because I started crying.

And I said, "yes!".

(He can tell you what I actually said. He thought it was cute.)

And that's it!