St. Louis Getaway

 For our first vacation together, Louis and I chose a simple and free/cheap trip to St. Louis. We chose things that we could do fun and just enjoy our time together. The zoo was first. One of my favorite things about the zoo is that it's FREE! We had to pay $3.00 to feed the stingrays, but other than that, it was free. Kansas City zoo--take note! My other favorite thing about the zoo is that I have an unlimited photography audience. The animals don't care that I'm taking their pictures, and so I go crazy! I think I took 15 pictures of the gorilla above just to get the perfect shot, but it's my second favorite from the day. (The first is below later on...)

 These tigers were just hanging out together in the shade and all of a sudden, this one puts his leg around around the other. Several of us gave a collective "Awwww..." when he did that. :)

 This turtle picture is my favorite from the day. Several ginormous turtles were gathered by the fence where we were standing, and this one took this opportunity to stick his head out and say hello. So I did the only natural thing I could do--I took his picture!

 After the zoo, we drove over to a Putt-Putt and batting cage place. I'd like to say I beat Louis in both sports, but sadly, the answer is no. I did beat him by a few strokes--maybe 3?--in Putt-Putt, but the batting cage got the best of me. Not only did Louis hit way more than I did, the balls actually tried to kill me!

 Don't laugh at my form here. I was too scared to get any closer to the base. I was too far at one point, and Louis gave me this great advice of stepping up to the plate. Apparently I stepped too close because the next ball hit me on my left knuckles and left a baseball size goose-egg on my hand. Ouch!

Our biggest expense for the weekend was the Cardinals' game, and our seats were WAY UP at the top--second row from the top to be exact. Our seats were great, though, and we had a blast! This was Louis's introduction to the best team in the country, and I know we will be back for more.

 The view from our seats.

 I love this picture and will probably end up framing this one! :)

 Pujols ran in for a homerun, and then in the next inning, he was hit and taken out of the game. It was unfortunate, but I love his spirit. He knows it's just a part of the game.

 Cardinals win and we enjoy the scenery. I may have this picture framed too! :)

Okay, I feel the need to explain these pictures. As part of Louis's souvenirs from the zoo, he picked some actual crickets and mealworms for snacks. Yes, you can eat these, and yes, we have. We only tried one mealworm each, and it just seemed to disintegrate in my mouth. Kind of dusty and no real texture (my biggest hangup on food), but I just had it in the back of my mind what it was. At least I can say I've eaten a worm now. Maybe one day we'll try a cricket, but for now, they are on display in our china cabinet.

May = New beginnings

May usually means the end of something--the end of a school year, the end of spring, etc. This year's May, however, brought a something new to my life--Louis! After dating since October and spending time together every weekend, it was time. I know it may be "frowned upon" by some people, but I always knew I would want to live with him before we ever got truly, truly serious, especially after my divorce. I don't want to marry someone and not have any clue how to get along with him residing in the same house. It's a different relationship under the same roof than it is just seeing someone a couple days a week. So far, so good!!! We are taking our relationship one day at a time, being open and honest with each other, and just having a good time together. He loves Soze, and she LOVES Louis!

 When Louis moved in, he took over the old office room and turned it into his den, or Man-Cave. This is his spot to play video games, work on his guns and knives, etc. Just be a man. To keep my space, I took everything downstairs and created a little library down in the basement corner. I think it turned out fabulously!

 I still want to buy some kind of picture to hang over the electrical box. It's just too ugly to stick out on the wall by itself.

Louis had both fish and a cat at his old place but let his cat stay with his parents. He also had a problem moving his fish, so we just started over with new ones! I chose four of them--two Mickey Mouse Platies (hmmm...I wonder why) and two Black Mollies. Louis picked out three little bitty ones, but I don't really know what they are called. I do know all the fish are really good eaters and will come to the top when it's breakfast or dinner time.

Celebrating my birthday with Princess Diana!

 

Mom came up for my birthday weekend at the end of April, and we drove downtown to see the Princess Diana exhibit presented at Union Station. The Diana Foundation did an extraordinary job displaying her personal effects and giving those of us who never got the chance to meet her a little glimpse into her life.

 My nutritious lunch at Union Station consisted of Diet Coke and a Rice Krispie treat.

 Since we weren't able to take pictures at the actual exhibit (I don't blame them...), I bought a book and took pictures from that. Of course I'll have to scrapbook those! :)

 This trip to the exhibit was the week before William and Kate were married, and everyone was buzzing about their upcoming wedding. It was very cool to be able to see Diana's actual wedding dress and think of what Kate's might look like in comparison.

The most emotional part of the day was seeing and hearing moments of Diana's funeral. Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" song played over and over as we read Diana's brother's memorial to her. Needless to say, I was not the only one in tears that day!

 Mom took Louis and me out to lunch at my favorite birthday spot--the Cheesecake Factory at the Plaza. Since it was Easter Sunday, everyone was dressed in their Sunday best. Unfortunately, I had just bought new shoes to wear with my new dress, and the shoes didn't fit. I had to settle for my silver flip-flops instead. :/

 This is the best of best--our cheesecake desserts! Mom ordered her usual Strawberry cheesecake, Louis ordered a double or triple Chocolate, and I tried something new--Red Velvet/White Chocolate cheesecake. It was super duper rich, but it was soooooo worth it!

Summer vacation is finally here!

I can't believe I haven't blogged since April, but the end of the school year usually wipes me out. Then summer school started with no days of space in between, and some other stuff came about, and now I can finally breathe again. So, here's a rundown of my life since April:

*School ended. Summer school began.
*Louis moved in with me.
*We became parents to fish.
*We traveled to St. Louis for a weekend getaway.
*Summer school ended and I had to pack 11 years of teaching and bring it all home.
*Louis and I became parents to a 2-month-old kitten. Soze has no idea she is even in the house.

That's about it. I want to blog about some specifics, so I'll do that next. It's hard to concentrate though when the pool is calling my name, along with the new kitty, bookshelves that need to be put together, and my need to just veg and sit in my chair.