New Things

So, this week Ryan and I have been hosts to my sister, who is now 15. It's been interesting to say the least and reminds us of a simpler time. Is "simpler" even a word? Anyway, the life of a teenager these days does not consist of going to the pool everyday, doing chores around the house to earn the privilege of hanging out with friends or completing summer reading. It now consists of sleeping until people get home from work, religiously checking myspace or facebook (like we don't do that??), and needing to be entertained every second. What happened to games like Kick the Can and Capture the Flag with neighborhood friends? My sister, who is relatively easing going, has proven that Ryan and I are not ready to be parents of a teenager. The attitude in itself is enough to make you need a shrink.

So, we tonite we took her out for sushi (yes, in Nacogdoches) and I colored her hair dark brown. I'm sure it will look beautiful. We have had a great time this week and I'm sure we'll make her visit a bi-annual event. Maybe when she is older the sibling relationship will prevail and I will try not to be her 3rd parent.......I'm not betting on that though.

LOVE!

Hey guys it's Ryan again. I never really pictured myself being the "blogger" type, but it seems that I have posted more than Michelle. Funny how that works. Anyway...I am sitting here while Michelle watches The Bachelorette. I absolutely loath this show, but I chose to stay in here and at least be in the same room as the dreaded show.
Last time I posted about some of the stresses in my life. I am still stressing about my future. I have made some decisions recently, which I will keep to myself for now. That being said, the future is still up in the air for Ryan. I don't know what I should do. I have talked to my major professor and some of my family members about it, but no definite plans have been made. That drives me crazy. I know what sort of situation would be perfect, but I am scared that the situation will not present itself.
Anyway on a lighter note, the 4th was very fun and exciting. Anna and Mike came up for the 4th and we hung out with them. On the 5th we went over to my major's professor's house for a little get together. On the 6th we went over to my grandparents' house and spent the afternoon/evening with them. It was a fun weekend, but we are both very tired. This weekend we get to go to San Antonio and see my parents, but I have to go to the Texas Trophy Hunters Association Hunter's Extravaganza. It is good though because I get to get some of my project done and spend some time meeting people in the industry.
Well I am going to go now. Marley needs to go out and you are probably bored. Have a good one.

Late Night

This is Ryan again. I know that Michelle just wrote a blog entry but I just thought you people might want another glimpse into "the life". Actually I know that nobody reads this damn thing, so this is really more of a vent. It is currently 9:52 pm and I just got home from class. That's right folks, my school day ended just shy of 10 tonight. Thursdays are like a never ending quest for knowledge for me. I start at 9:30 then I go to work from 1-4. I have class from 4:45-9:15 solid, but tonight we ran a little long. I will say that I actually get more out of these classes than I did at A&M. Maybe that's because the classes are better, or maybe it's because I'm not thinking about how to buy beer rather than focusing on class. Anyway, I digress.

Grad school is going great. Right now, though, I am kind of stressing about my future in the professional world. I know that I still have time to decide exactly what I want to do, where I want to work, and have any offers extended for gainful employment. I just want to be sure of the future and start providing for my family. With Michelle serving as the primary breadwinner, I guess I am just kind of feeling guilty about not "bringing home the bacon".

Anyway, enough of my incoherent rambling, time to trot off to bed. Adios.

Spoiled Rotten

I know we are not the only ones who spoil their animals rotten, right? Some dogs have clothes and little polka dot carriers. Some get groomed and manicured weekly. So what's the harm in our 60 pound dog sleeping in the bed with us. Granted, it is a king size bed. And that size was chosen so Ryan and I would have enough room. Our strategy was not that well thought out. We didn't plan for the PRINCESS. Marley chooses to sleep between us or on our sides as if trying to push us closer together. She will stand beside the bed if she wants to lay on the edge (preferably near Ryan) and whine until one of us moves over. And most ask "Why don't you just get her a bed?" Because she doesn't sleep on the bed when she stay at grandparents house. She even slept outside recently at Ryan's parents with no problem. Ryan and I have decided that we subconsciously want her to stay on the bed because #1 We love her. #2 We want to know where she is. She has gotten into the trash while we were sleeping and does not mind chewing up your best pair of shoes. Which brings me to the middle of the night... Marley has a bladder control issue. She seems to "need" to go outside every 60-90 minutes. She may pee, poop, bark, smell or want to play. Whatever it is, she stands beside Ryan's side of the bed and whimpers until he gets up and takes her out. She will not come to my side and try to wake me up...and luckily I don't hear her or she might get a little tap on her bottom. We put her water away early in the evening and we let her out right before bed. Nevertheless, she must go out.

And so she does. I mean who can resist this face?

Serpentine belts...enough said.

Hey what's up this is Ryan. I know that Michelle created this thing, but I thought I might give you a little taste of life as Ryan (be prepared to be underwhelmed).
So I have been enjoying the break from school, but I start back next week and I'm anxious to get back on track. Don't get me wrong, I love being in school and the people here are great, but I am ready to get out to the world and start doing what I have gone to school all these years to do. Anyway, I feel that this conversation is getting a little too deep for a blog.
So on Saturday Michelle and I drove up to Tyler to see Juno with Chance and Alex, and I must say that it did not disappoint. It definitely had some one-liner's that I won't soon forget, but it also had a good story. Then on Sunday, I took on the daunting task that gave this entry its title. The belt on Michelle's car had been making a little noise so I decided to change it. Now just a little background on my family's history with "little projects". Anything that is supposed to be simple will take anywhere from three hours to three days to complete if your last name is Hudiburgh. So I bought the belt, took the old one off, and I thought I had looked carefully at the pattern that the belt was routed around the pulleys, but apparently not. I spent the next three to four hours struggling, trying different combinations, cursing and looking up diagrams on the internet to no avail. Just when I had decided to throw in the towel, I guess I typed in the magical words on Google, because the proper diagram popped up. Michelle and I ran outside and put the thing on in like five minutes. I don't think I have ever been so mad and laughed so hard at the same time. I guess my dad was right, the curse of our last name will live on for a good while.
Well sorry that I rambled on for a long time, but I'm glad you read this.

The 1st One

So, this is the first blogging experience and I have to say it's strange to think people might be interested in whats going on in our lives. Blogging kind of forces you to be candid and honest about what is really going on in your life. So, here goes...

Ryan and I have been married for 2 1/2 months and it has been a whirlwind. Since the wedding we have been running crazy trying to get settled in our new home and learning how to cohabitate. 2 weeks after our wedding we were blessed to be involved in our friends wedding. Then we had Thanksgiving in Lufkin and my family came to our house. Everything was amicable. When Ryan successfully completed his first semester of graduate school, we went on a much needed extended weekend getaway to Georgia with one of our friends. We stayed in Savannah and as we like to say "ate our way thru the southeast." When we returned we were 1 week from Christmas and already exhausted. We spent 2 of four days in Tyler and the other 2 in Lufkin. My sister came home with us Christmas nite and stayed til the next Sunday. We had a few more days off of work and now we are back to "normal" life. As much as we enjoyed the holidays we are glad to just be home.

Now, Ryan is moving into his second semester as a graduate student and is so excited about getting this done. He is loving school and loves what he does. We are looking forward to this new year and everything that it will bring. Hopefully we can settle in completely to our new life together and enjoy every minute of it!