Night Of Storms, a.k.a., I Have Never Been So Scared

Tonight was almost a typical night for the McFaddens. Cary had school, and I was going to hang around the apartment. But tonight was cool, because 10 days earlier, I had been given a starter kit for Amish Friendship Bread and I got to bake tonight!

I had decided against making one loaf and sending out more starters, but instead bake all of it and deliver them to my family and friends. Maybe this is why we had the interesting night...

The weather forecast was monitoring terrible storms for the evening, and I was nervous about being home alone until Cary got out of school, so I was very pleasantly surprised when he called and said he was going to skip school and come home.

When we went to bed that night, I had the storms in the back of my mind, thinking that they were going to skip over us. And again at 3:00 a.m., when I woke up briefly, I thought very little of the storms.

5 minutes later, I was scared for our lives sitting in the bathroom. The wind had kicked up very high very quickly, so Cary had jumped out of bed and turned on the tv, only to see the meteorologist saying "If you are in this area, I advise you to seek shelter immediately!"...and the area he was referring to happened to be immediately on top of us.

The wind was very aggressive, and I just knew at that moment that we were going through a tornado. So we dashed to the bathroom, sat on the floor, and then realized that my phone was in our bedroom. What if someone tried to call me? So Cary got up and went to retrieve it.

And as I sat on the floor, observing our surroundings, I realized that there was a lot of glass/mirrors around us. So Cary jumped up to get our comforter to cover us.

Then my mind jumped to the upstairs tenants. Whenever storms come up, then they should seek shelter in the lowest part of the building. So Cary, the best guy ever, went to unlock the front door. Just in case they ran downstairs and tried doors trying to seek shelter.

They never tried our door that we know of, and the storm subsided a few minutes later. Cary checked the news again to find that the storms were now moving towards Lewisville, Plano, and Allen areas. I said a prayer for those in that area (our families and friends especially). Around 4 a.m., my adrenaline had subsided and I was able to relax enough to go home.

We woke up the next morning with memories and stories to talk about with our co-workers, and I was interested to see if there was any damage around me between the apartment and work. Boy was I in for more than expected!

As I pulled into the parking lot, our security guard was directing all cars to go to the other building around the corner, so I followed everyone, found a parking spot, and made my way to the break room. We were then told to go home and call back around 11:00 to see what we will do regarding working today because of the storms. Apparently the electricity had been knocked out of our building, and they weren't sure if it would be back on for the day.

So to kill the time I had until calling in, I drove around and took pictures of the damage. Here is what I found:





And these are just a few that I found in the mile drive back to my apartment! I didn't even think about going out further than that area, which now, I wish I did, just to see how the weather had affected our entire area, not just the close vicinity.

At 11:00 when I called my job's weather line, I learned that we still did not have electricity, so we were closed for the rest of the day. Whoo hoo!

The Yummy Surprise

Date night is Friday night. Most of the time it consists of going out to eat, then going to a movie, shopping, or perhaps trying to figure out a way to change it up.

Cary did a great job of changing it up for me this last Friday.

All week long he kept giving me 'clues' to what we were doing, a.k.a., dress casually, then dress nicely. Then for me to hurry home, and then asked me which exit I left my job to meet me.

And when I got home? I found streamers and a pinata hanging around the tiny apartment, 'Cars' plates and napkins, and food ingredients for pizza!

What a wonderful surprise!

Cary revealed that he wanted us to have a game night, and had out our Uno, Hoopla, and Zigity.


So we put together our pizzas with the ingredients we wanted and had quite an interesting time cooking them. As you can see in the picture, mine is a little scrunched up and doesn't look much like the typical pizza shape.

I made mine simple: Canadian bacon! Cary went a little more exciting with pepperoni, onion, and pineapple. Yep, that's right...I love simple pizzas!


But it was oh-so-delicious! We stayed up late playing games, running out for last minute ice cream, and just having a great time being together.








I love the surprise that Cary had for me! What a wonderful way to end another long work week!

1 Year Ago Today...

I nervously met my husband-to-be at an Italian restaurant in Coppell after baking some chocolate chip cookies from scratch. For those who don't know me, this was a big deal.

Attached to the jar was this:

Pretty cheesy, huh? But I got him anyways! ;o)

Making An Apartment Home

Cary and I've been married for almost 1 month, and so much of the time has been spent with us working, spending time with our families, interviews, and just adjusting to each other.

Today I didn't have to work, just goof off. I met SaBra for lunch at IHOP, where I presented her with a very valuable snowglobe from Vermont. It has a moose inside it, and that lovely moose got named Monty...original, I know. ;o)

But today I also had a follow-up interview with a company I have already once interviewed at early in the week. Ethos, is a very nice company. However, I just don't know if it is a place I could be happy at. The benefits include a 10 minute drive (cut the drive to Plano in half), and a more office-type job.

The interview went well, I spoke with Bill for about 45 minutes. Not bad! But again, I still left there thinking that it just might not be the place for me. But I was excited that there was interest in things other than veterinary work...

For the evening, Cary and I got to go to Baan Thai, and then off to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to return items and get exchanges. We bought a microwave dish cover (collapsible!) and a rolling pin; because I can predict my future as a baker.... ;o)

We spent the rest of the evening enjoying books at Half Price Books and visiting Petland and going ga-ga over the cute puppies and kittens. What a way to spend a night as a married wife!

I Have A Job Interview!!!

To some it may seem to be a surprise that I am really bummed about the current job that I have. I have been with Dr. Benjamin's for nearly 3 years, mostly as the main full-time technician (though that might not be true--he never officially gave anyone a title).

So, I have been getting my name out into the business world in hopes to have a change. Not just a change in jobs, but a change in careers. If we have the potential of moving up north, I think it would be a good idea to have flexibility, just in case I need to get a job but veterinary assistance is not needed.

I know that I have no experience outside of retail and veterinary technician, so it will be hard to convince companies to give me a chance. But I am determined to see what I can do, and not lose hope.

And it starts today! I have an interview with Archon, the company that Brenda works for, and that Cary used to work for before moving to Avelo. I know that it will be hard for them to hire on yet another McFadden, but I am hopeful nonetheless.

**Update: the interview was at 8:30, and I met Karen Pettie with AP and had a phone conference with David Stone. The interview lasted over an hour, including filling out an application, take a Zero Risk test, as well as a drug screening. I am one of 2 applicants!

Happy Christmas 2007!

This morning we woke up around 8:00, with Cary feeling worse than he did yesterday and started out the day with homemade waffles (the Christenson's recipe), which ended up being really messy, since neither one of us have ever used a waffle maker before. But to me, they were yummy!

Cary and I opened our gifts to each other. I gave to Cary a couple of shirts from L.L. Bean, one being a sweater and the other being a warm shirt. I also got him a pair of ice skates, which I was so excited to give him. We have been ice skating a couple of times before, and now it was time for him to upgrade from rental skates to his very own.

From Cary I received Gilmore Girls, Season 1, and Apples to Apples, which I had been told from Dr. B that it was a great game. I couldn't wait to test it out!

After opening our gifts, we got ready and went to Gary and Brenda's house to celebrate Christmas with them. We enjoyed lunch together, along with delicious Buttermilk and Chocolate pies (I love me some Chocolate pie--tastes just like what Aunt Ann used to make!!!)

Then it was time to open gifts. Cary is so child-like (in a good way) when it comes to gift time. He gets all excited and bounces around, waiting (im)patiently for his turn to open gifts. He cracks me up!

I received from Gary and Brenda a couple of really cute shirts with complimenting camisoles, as well as a gift card to go shopping at the Limited--my favorite store!!! We also received some additional towels for our bathroom (we registered for both blue and yellow for our wedding, but only received blue--they got us the yellow). Thank you guys! What wonderful gifts!!

After lunch we went over pictures with them, talking about the honeymoon and the funny stories that we had with it, and then played a game or two. Cary and I left at 6:00 that evening, taking home a lot of gifts and food to last us for a long time!

Christmas Eve 2007

Today is the day Cary and I visit my parents for Christmas. We head over early, as we needed to start the brisket and catch up on laundry.

Once we get everything sorted at my parents, we sit down to enjoy A Christmas Story. Dad got home not long after we were settling in, and reminded me that there were some gifts that needed to be wrapped for mom. So just as we started wrapping them, mom drove around the corner, coming home much earlier than we expected. Cary and Dad must have got a kick out of watching me run around yelling "Abort Mission!"

We spent the day looking through our 300+ pictures from our honeymoon (that alone took about 3 hours!) and recapping our trip. Dinner was at 6:00, and then it was time to open gifts!

I got a couple of movies (The Little Mermaid and Pirates of The Caribbean 3), some ornaments (a couple of joint ones of "Our First Christmas"), and more socks!

After opening gifts, Cary and I made a buttermilk pie for the gathering we had with his parents for tomorrow night. The entire thing was homemade, and it was the first time I had made something like this, and it turned out so great! We didn't have nutmeg, so we instead used cinnamon, which I think makes it so great (then again, I'm on a cinnamon kick right now!)

Cary wasn't feeling very well, so we were home and fell asleep early. Tomorrow is Christmas Day!!!

Sunday, December 23, 2007

This morning we woke up early and packed our things up to go to Sulphur Springs for the day. Today was for the McFadden Christmas, and we met at Gary and Brenda's so we could all ride out there together.

Cary and I were quite tired still after getting in last night, looking through pictures, and opening our gifts (so much for 'just one'!). The ride out there was full of recapping the honeymoon for his parents. And while at Mema's house, it was full of more recapping (and looking at pictures)

At the house for Christmas: Mema, Peggy, Chris, Bryan, Tressie, Faith, Brad, Helen, Brenda, Gary, Cary, and me: what a busy house!

I received a Women's 1 year bible and a journal that I kept with for about 6 months (until I started keeping a blog, and now I am looking through it as I pull out the memories), a cooling rack (which has come in very handy in the year!), and cake pans.

It was a very good day, and nice to see my newest family!

Songs that describe our honeymoon...

Frosty The Snowman

Oh Christmas Tree

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Jingle Bells

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Last night I didn't sleep very well for several possible reasons: we were going home today, but we also had directions to be out of the house by 9:00 a.m. so that the housekeepers could come clean up after us. I woke up with thoughts like:

Did I remember to pack this?

Did I wrap the souveniers ok for a safe journey?

Did I get enough souveniers for me and my family?!

Anyways, finally got myself out of bed at 7:00 because I just couldn't rest anymore. We had what was left of our breakfasts for the week: Eggos and Cinnamon rolls!!!!

After the last minute walk throughs and packing (I had to expand my huge suitcase!!!), we left the house, saying a very sad goodbye. For the entire week, the front yard was beautiful and the snow was untouched. I was going to make one last mess by running through it, but I was sad to see that someone (or something) already had... :o( But then I saw deer tracks on our sidewalk, and was quickly forgiving, as it was a Deer!!!! Not some silly mutt, or human ruining my fun!

Since it was fairly early and didn't have to hurry ourselves too much to get to Boston, we drove to New Hampshire, where Cary showed me the house of his dreams. It is in East Andover, and there are apple orchards, a barn (connected) and so much land with this beautiful white home. And the road that you take to it is a little country road, not well known. But this is my favorite part: there are a lot of trees on either side, so the seasons on this road is breathtaking!

After stopping and looking at this house (and daydreaming!), we got back onto the road again. We were just outside of Boston when we decided to stop and grab some food for lunch, and fill the gas tank. We stopped in Lawrence, MA at a gas station. We didn't know until we got there that it was a Full Service. And man, the attendant was busy!!!! The worst part about it though was how bad the traffic and roads were. We barely got out alive!!!

We looked everywhere for a Subway (which Cary said before was EVERYWHERE!!!!) but never found one. We settled for a hamburger joint called Mike's. By this time, we were getting tired, and I think Cary was starting to feel a little under the weather. The food was good, though, but we left with it only being 1/2 eaten.

We got into Boston with 4 hours to spare. Cary wanted to try to show me the town a little bit (he had lived there for a month while training with American Eagle) but I was nervous that the airport security would be terrible on the weekend before Christmas. Also not knowing whether or not we wanted to pull our luggage everywhere, we continued on to the car rental place and then the airport. Just my luck--I could have been in Boston, looking around and enjoying the sites, but we were through airport security within just a few minutes....I'm ready to go back and see the historical sites!

To keep us entertained for the 3 extra hours we had, we bought a crossword puzzle activity book from one of the little shops and found a row of rocking chairs that faced out towards the airplanes. Another way we stayed entertained was that Cary and I walked around the airport and he showed me how much it had changed since he had been flying in and out of Boston.

The flight was delayed about 1 1/2 hours, but we managed to stay busy with the activity book. One interesting thing I realized while there (and also quite depressing)--at least one flight took off from this airport with the terrorists on Sept 11, 2001. It was eerie when I thought about how those men sat in possibly any of those seats...

We arrived home about 10:00 that evening to my greeting parents. They showed brought with them pictures from the wedding, so when we got to the apartment, we opened the door to a bunch of gifts and pictures! We didn't go to bed until about 12:30!

What an amazing way to celebrate our new life together. The most perfect honeymoon and coming home to Christmas and family!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Our last full day in Vermont!

This day we took advantage of the last of our time and drove out to Manchester so that I can see more. On the way to the town, we found a Christmas store. My first one outside of a mall!!! It was cute, and I bought a couple of ornaments: a maple leave that was dipped in gold for mom, and a round Nutcracker Soldiers with cool clear beading around it for Brenda and Gary.

We finally made it to Manchester, where we parked and walked to a Christmas store in the square that was based in something similar to a house. But this house was wall to wall, super crowded, careful-while-you-turn-around-or-you'll-break-something closed in. And everything was so expensive! We found a Darth Vader nutcracker, but it was $375!!! Sorry, dad, I would have gotten it for you, but it was a tad too much!

After we finished checking out the things there, we walked across the street and ate at Christo's Pizza and Pasta. The pizza was so good, and we were so hungry, that we forgot to take a picture of the food before eating it (something we did while there...odd, I know--but memorable!).

After eating, we drove a little more and saw more shoppes, historical sites, and the SOX store!!!! Cary knows my love for fun socks, so he patiently followed me around as I ran crazy in the store--4 pair for $10!!!! I would definitely keep them in business!

Another store we visited was the Christmas store that Cary and his parents found our cake topper for the wedding cake. There was room after room of ornaments, trees, and decorations! That was my favorite store to visit (besides the SOX store, of course!)

That evening was spent cleaning up the house and making sure we were packed and ready for the travels tomorrow. I was sad, because it meant our honeymoon was coming to an end, and it was the most perfect time I have ever had!