Avenue Q (July 30 2013)

Hello friends ::waves:: Last night Craigy B and I went to a theater performance called Avenue Q. For anyone who didn't hear how I got tickets please read What a Weekend post.  The Assembly Rooms Theater is an historic 220-seat proscenium arch theater in the heart of Durham City. We were about 4th row from the front.  For those that don't know Avenue Q - it is music but also with puppets! This is not a show for children. After the performance was over friends on their FB page had the opportunity ask members of the cast about their experience with the puppets etc. I had a blast! We are actually going on Saturday night (Craig purchased tickets actually before we won the scavenger hunt)

Update on Life

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged lately - just been busy with looking for a new job and daily life! Since mid June I have lost now a total of 10 pounds! So I am very happy about that. I feel so healthy increasing my veggies/fruits + I rarely eat red meat :) (ok they had burgers at this wedding I attended, and I had a burger a few days ago when Craig was defrosting the freezer). Also I am going every day to the community gym, which is great as it gets me out but I really get along with the volunteers.  It is funny when I came here last May it was hard making friends/acquaintances, and now I feel a part of a community :)

I am not sure if I have announced this to my readers but I am taking Craig back to Minnesota August 27-September 9th to see 'my life' and show him around. We already have a few things planned on the calendar such as a Twins game, State Fair that are set in stone! I am hoping he doesn't get jet lag because I will be ready for the go the following day! Oh and for sure we will be making MANY Starbucks visits (he likes his coffee!).

Bye for now ::waves::

Fashion Catwalk

As a woman I would say I am fashionably challenged.  I buy mostly comfortable clothes that fit good - but aren't super stunning.  Craigy B held a photo shoot this evening (no music included) of the various tops he has chosen for me in the past year. He may not admit it - but he is my fashionisto!
Photos are taken by Craig and you can view his blog at www.craigbutters.com

June 20th 2013 - Wedding Bells are Ringing......

Hello friends! Sorry for the delay post but I have been busy lately working my temporary job, watching video lectures for my Nutrition Coursera class and just random other things.

Saturday was a fun filled day for both Craigy B and I. The morning to early afternoon we spent in town because I wanted to get my haircut, get my makeup applied and look for tights - This is all for a wedding we attended. A good friend of Craig's - her name is Christine and they met in college (For my USA friends it is like technical school equivalent). We also took time out of the day to do a little bit of shopping (Craig did exceptionally great as he found bargain items on sale!)

The wedding was at High House Farm Brewery. It took approximately 40 minutes to get there. Really nice location - out in the countryside where you can see sheep and cows.   When we arrived there were people inside and outside.  We walked up a set up of stairs and the Bride immediately greeted both of us - and her husband. Both were amazed (I guess interested) that I am American - he was playing music by Darius Rucker (formerly Hootie and the Blowfish) and he said I was the only one there that knows of him. They didn't really ask for presents (like most weddings) but to visit their honeymoon donation website (they are wanting to travel to Nashville and go to North Carolina).

For people that were arriving for the reception we were greeted with an array of candy - and cute pink striped bags that said 'Christin and Gareth 20th July 2013' and there were a bunch of cupcakes.  Because we have been eating so smart lately and losing weight, we had a little big, but DID NOT over indulge.

I didn't really know anyone at the wedding reception and thought I would get bored - but it was the exact opposite.  I met his friend named Scott and his wife Tracy and son James.  We sat at a table together for the night - enjoyed burgers and various beverages. Yes I guess people thought I was awkward asking for still bottle water.  

There were two bands that performed - The first was actually a band Gareth is in.  I forgot to mention after a few of their 'first dances' he sang a song to her - and presented a frame of 'her song' as a gift.

I had the best night of my life! Dancing too :D

Here are some photos from the night

This is not from the wedding night, but rather their website

 

The first dance'

This is James, he is 3

Scott, Christine and Craigy B

Christine and Craigy B

Orange Wednesday

Wow! I can't believe July is already half way over. Tonight Craig and I saw Monsters University. Really fun video - I was a bit teary. Gave me a flashback about my Augsburg days - and how I wish I was apart of more groups.

I strongly recommend this movie to kids and adults. I mean Billy Crystal and John Goodman's voice!

What a Weekend.....

Greetings everyone! What a jam packed weekend I have had these past 2 days.


Saturday July 6th 2013

• Got up - Had breakfast and cleaned house
• Joe (a senior citizen who is one of many volunteers at the gym - opened the gym today for me :) ) 
• Craig watched F1 qualifying from 11 am to 2pm
• Had omlette for lunch
• After F1 was over we went to Dalton Park (similar to Albertville)  to buy me some new sneakers (well more to replacement my old New Balance Pair)  
• We then went to Cineworld to see The Internship. Really great film. I laughed and so did Craig. 

July 7th 2013

• Woke up - got dressed
• we decided to head into Durham for a nice cup of Starbucks along with eating various fruits.
• Afterwards we headed to BHS - where I tried on 4 different style dresses because I am attending a wedding outdoor reception with Craig July 20th.   A funny moment happened after I left the dressing room wearing Dress #1 - When I came out to show Craig my dress - another woman also came out of the changing room wearing the exact same dress as me.  We looked at each other and laughed it off.  Craig said the dress looked great on me! But the other woman's husband said - that it didn't suit her.  Craig commented to her that he thought it looked good and she agreed with him.

 Here are two photos Craig took - he said this

dress looks sophisticated on me and he picked it!

After we left BHS we walked around town.

• I mentioned to Craig earlier today (while in Stabucks) there was going to be a scavenger hunt today for 2 free tickets to see Avenue Q (I love this musical!) at Oil Lamp Productions - he wasn't 100% certain that he wanted to stay around in Durham as today was also F1 in Germany.  Though we waited a little after 11:40am and the first clue came out! He then decided he wanted to participate and the hunt was on! 
• The first clue said - knock 3 times for sanctuary
  
  and Craig immediately figured out Trekkie (one of the characters) was at the Cathedral.  He was on to them! We reached the front part of the cathedral and I thought I would ask these volunteers if they had seen a man with a puppet. They said they hadn't seen them and we resumed searching in the Cathedral.  
• We eagerly awaited the 2nd clue - and read this message on Craig's twitter stream:  We've been rumbled the hunt is on. (Apparently these volunteers I asked had Trekkie and I never knew nor did Craig see the puppet.   We thought it was on one of the bridges - and later found out we got it wrong.
• Clue #2 - The kings gate over looks the river. Be quick he won't stay here for long.
  
  We immediately thought of one of the bridges near the Cathedral and later to find out he wasn't there. Oh do I also mention it was nice and hot outside and Craig and I were wearing jeans - ya I was sweating for sure! Then we decided to walk alongside the river and back into town.  I forgot my phone and Craig's battery was nearly dead - so we hurried to find a place where he could get signal. We waited at the top of the market place in a sweat waiting for the next clue. 
• Clue #3 - All assemble at avenue Q. 
  
   Note: All photos are property of Oil Lamp Productions Twitter Stream

 

• This is where the performance will be - The Assembly Room.  Craig and I started walking at a fast pace - I wanted us to be quick because he could move once we got there! I could see him and started sprinting and yelled "I am not wearing underwear" that was what we had to say! And I won! We won!  
  

Happy 4th of July

This is my 2nd 4th of July in England - I don't think I celebrated last year.  Here are a bunch of photos of my BBQ with Craigy B

Note: Also decorate colored by me - as well the one in the vase and candle holder I used shredded color paper

BBQ in a Box

Craigy B slicing the sweet potatoes

Patriotic Angel Food Cake made by Craigy B

Grilled Asparagus and shish kebabs

Sweet Potato Fries

Craigy B enjoying Angel Food Cake

EE Wednesday (July 3 2013)

Hi friends! It has been awhile since I have posted. All is well with me. I start a temp job this upcoming Tuesday at Durham Business School so that is good. Can't believe we are in July.
I have lost a total of 9lbs so far! YAY for me!

Tonight we went to Now you See Me - I really loved this movie! Funny enough after one part in the movie - the movie shuts off. Power Outage.

Craig tweets:

craigbutters Jul 03, 3:40pm via rowi for Windows Phone

#NowYouSeeMe....Now you don't! Power out @cineworld

Update

Hello friends! This is a quick update to let you know I am still searching for a new job, my diet is going strong (I have lost 7lbs), Craig and I are celebrating the 4th of July together so will upload photos of that (though I don't know where I will find an American flag hmmm) and I am still going to the gym (actually I am trying to coordinate a date this month to hold a social gathering for all gym members.

Also I am on my 2nd week of my Coursera class on Nutrition. This week we talk about Heart Disease and various diets that can help reduce it.