-352- UV Ray Protection

I accidentally broke the frames of my sunglasses yesterday, so I bought a new pair today. You can't really tell, but they have cute floral designs and a few small rhinestones on the sides.

-351- Memories of 2012

That can up there is a memory time capsule, and I keep near it slips of paper and a pen. Whenever we experience something we want to make sure we remember at the end of the year, we write it down and put it in the can. We're going to open it on New Year's Eve this year, and remember what a great year it was.

-350- Garden

We went to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden today. It was so beautiful! It was like a really big park, with lots of extra flowers and trees and labels in front of them. The above flower was one of the stranger ones I saw there. I don't remember what it's called, unfortunately.

And since our visit was so nice, this post gets multiple pictures!

Justin got tired so he laid on the ground for a few minutes, and of course I joined him.

The Spring Festival was this weekend at the Japanese Garden, so we went and there were lots of interesting things for sale, as well as this show with some traditional Japanese dancing.

This just goes to show that even as beautiful as it was, there are still lots of holes to fill! Eventually those rosebushes will be bursting with blooms.

And of course Justin would find something random that he loves: turtles. We spent a while watching these shelled guys, some as small as your hand and a couple others almost as large as your torso (those ones are conveniently hiding underwater).

-349- Relay

Tonight we went to Relay for Life, at a friend's invitation. It is a fundraising event put on by the American Cancer Society and also a celebration of those strong men and women who have won or helped somebody win the fight against cancer. It was amazing to see how many people came out for it, and to think - it's just one of many Relays happening around the country! I am thankful for how ACS helps families afflicted with the disease, and was glad to support them. Plus, it gave us some exercise!

-348- I Need a Defroster for My iPod

So you may think that my iPod is just dirty and full of smudges, but really you wouldn't be able to notice them at all if it weren't for the heat. I'll explain.

It is always very cold at my work. Many people even have tiny space heaters at their desks to warm their feet (which occasionally results in a blown breaker). While I listen to my iPod in the car, it doesn't stay in the car when I go in to work; I place it in my purse just in case I feel like playing games on break or something. So on a day like today, which got up to 88 degrees outside, it was really hot in the car when I got off work. I pulled out my iPod to have a listen on the way home, and noticed it had fogged up on the screen in just the few short seconds I had been sitting there - thus, the very visible smudge marks.

-347- Watching the Game Together

Our little 3-creature family is in the living room tonight, watching the Rangers game. They did really well last night, thanks to a marvelous performance by their new pitcher, Yu Darvish. They're winning right now too... let's hope they pull it off!

And as you can tell, Chloe is thoroughly underwhelmed, regardless of the Rangers' lead. What a snoot!

-346- Blue Pen

It happened in slow motion...

My pen fell out of my hand... onto the desk... rolled to the edge, and...

Inevitably, ink-side down onto my light brown pants.

Yep, this is my blemished pants leg, wounded from my lack of dexterity. Hopefully I can get this stain out!

-345- Duck Sauce

I grew up eating my tacos and burritos - and basically anything homemade and Mexican - accompanied by this deliciously spicy hot sauce. I used to call it just "duck sauce" when I was little because "pato" is the Spanish word for duck (and, of course, there is a duck on the can). I have not had it in ages until tonight, when I made the fixings for tostadas and tacos. It was so wonderful to feel like I was a little closer to home. Food does that to you sometimes.

-344- Border Collie Mix

We almost came home with this sweet girl today.

Whenever we go to Petsmart, we always see who is in the adoption center. Usually it's me who wants to take one home, but today Justin saw this girl and was hooked. He was even trying to think of how we could pull it off if we did adopt her. Soon, however, our rationality took control and we realized that it just won't work for us right now.

One day.

-343- Organization

Our mail was taking over our table and it was driving us crazy! So we got down to business to defeat the clutter, and this is what we came up with: an In/Out pocket, a Bills pocket, and a Shred pocket, which is on another wall above our shredder. I also made a small Stamps pocket on the Out pocket. I am so excited and it has never felt so good to get organized... and that makes me feel old.

-342- Peeling

So I bought this neat glittery nail polish at Walgreens for something like 68 cents, and it has lasted longer than most of my nail polishes that I paid several more dollars for. Today, however, I noticed that my ring finger nail was actually peeling off in one piece. I don't think I've ever had that happen before!

-341- Smoky

While I was at the gas station this afternoon I noticed this billowing black smoke rising from the horizon in the distance. I still have no idea what happened, but it seemed to be the only photo-worthy event of my day.

-340- Cash or Credit?

We were at the mall tonight and Justin did a double-take when he saw this vending machine - and for good reason. Maybe we don't get out much, but we were surprised to find that it had a spot to swipe your credit card in addition to the traditional dollar and coin slots. Pretty soon all we'll have to do is put our thumbprint on a sensor to deduct money from our account and we'll get a Coke...

-339- Lunch With Me

It was a beautiful day outside today and I thought the salad I brought for lunch looked extra scrumptious in the bright daylight. I'm going to try to have us eat more salads of dark leafy types since they're supposed to be good for you. Also, we love them, especially with some hard boiled eggs and a little bit of cheese!

-338- Refrigeration

Getting back to work today was hard when I know that my dad is still recovering halfway across the country. However, I was quickly reminded that I am very thankful for my work and the people I work with. That made it a little easier.

I stopped by the grocery store after work today. Among many other things, I picked up two different kinds of tomatoes. I learned just last week that Justin especially likes grape tomatoes in his salads, so I bought those as well as a few regular ones. I was surprised to see "DO NOT REFRIGERATE" on the carton and mentioned it to Justin. Based on his experience working in produce, he said that tomatoes aren't supposed to be stored in the fridge. I grew up with them in the fridge, and just thinking about eating one warm makes my mouth pucker. However, I found a nook on the counter and set them there. We'll see how this goes.

-337- Blooms

Sadly, my golden poppy plant seems to be wilting and turning yellow. I don't know what's wrong with it, but it makes me sad. At least my snapdragons are actually flowering!

-336- Landed

We were sad to leave home today, but cheered up a bit when we were finally on land again. It wasn't that the flight was that bad; it's just always nice to feel a little bit more settled.

We spent a couple hours with my parents at the hospital this morning before heading to the airport. The pathology report came back and indicated that my dad will have to have more chemotherapy for about 6-8 more weeks. We were hoping for no more treatments of that nature, but it could have been much worse.

I'm already itching to go back!

-335- Love

My precious parents.

They have been through so much these past few years. I cannot begin to imagine how hard it has been for each of them. I know that this is what true love looks like.

-334- Healthy Breakfast

I don't know why people say oatmeal fills you up, because I always feel just as hungry after I eat it as I do when I eat cereal or a breakfast sandwich. However, I know it is so much healthier for you, especially with berries or other fruits, like I topped it off with today.

We spent the day again with my dad in the hospital. He was definitely feeling better, and tonight after we left my mom told us that he got up and walked around. It was also my sister's 30th birthday today, which was fun, but also a bit sad because Dad couldn't go to dinner or eat the cupcakes my other sister made for her.

-333- Some Comedy

Today, mostly we just hung out with my dad in his hospital room, and today he mostly slept. He's in good spirits though, which is so much to be thankful for.

Anyway, when we got home, Justin and I watched a favorite of ours, Get Smart. We love the comedic genius of Steve Carrel. I also love when Justin just cracks up and cannot stop laughing, as I captured him doing in this photo.

-332- The Long Wait

These are two of my beautiful sisters. In this picture we are in the cafeteria at the hospital we waited in all day long. My dad had surgery to remove his stomach, which was being attacked by a cancerous tumor. Praise God, initial reports are positive and the surgeon was very pleased with his work. Now we just let the medicine and nurses do their work, and hopefully he will be discharged in the next week or so. Granted, his dietary life will never be the same, and recovery will be a long, hard road, but my dad is the strongest man I know and I also know that God is a great healer. My mom will play a significant role in his recovery, but I know that she will have the strength and energy to take great care of him.

-331- Tourist at Home

We took a trip to the beach for a few hours with my sister, which I was hoping we'd be able to visit if even for such a short period time. It was surprisingly warm on the coast and the sand was hot on our feet. Embarrassingly, I wore the t-shirt Justin actually bought for me last summer at this very beach's gift shops, but I'm positive that no one really cared but myself!

-330- Horizons

I love the view from the top of our hill. When I was younger I would ride sitting down on a skateboard down this hill with the neighbor girls. Now I can't believe I was allowed to do that, since it's rather dangerous.

The thing I think I miss most about California (besides my family of course) are the hills and mountains. Ironically, one of the most beautiful things about Texas is the flat landscape that allows for such beautiful, full sunrises and sunsets.

-329- Let Down Your Golden Hair

Justin and I went to my sister's house today to pick up a few things for my parents. Of course, we spent much of our time there playing with my 3 nieces, who are just as adorable and rambunctious as I remember. They insisted I take a photo of Justin and his new Rapunzel hairdo. It's always a party with those girls!

-328- Home

We are safely at what I will always consider to be my home: California. Here is my dog, Kobi, lounging on the living room floor, just like she always did when I still lived here.

Being back feels almost like a dream - a really refreshing dream. Texas is not so bad anymore, but nothing compares to home.

-327- Relief

The tornadoes a couple of days ago devastated a few parts of the metroplex, and the American Red Cross and other disaster relief organizations have been pouring in to offer their hand at rebuilding the areas that were affected.

Tonight Justin and I are staying at a hotel in Dallas so that we don't have to wake up quite so early tomorrow to catch our flight to San Diego. This is the view from our window: American Red Cross vans scattered throughout the parking lot - and this is just one side of the hotel.

-326- Indoor Clothesline

Whenever I wash my work pants, I always air dry them by hanging them on the top of the patio door windows. They look kind of silly but it's the only spot I have!

-325- Calendar of Events

We got our April apartment activity calendar today! I'm not sure we'll be able to do many this month, but there's always May.

-324- Clementine

I love these cuties!!!

So does Justin, and we go through about this many in a week or a week and a half. This is the biggest batch I've ever bought at once, so I think this will last us longer!

-323- Keeps Me Clean

I had been wanting/needing an apron for some time now, and I mentioned it again and Justin busted out his old apron from a previous job he had. I am now the proud owner of a dirty old United Supermarkets apron! But I love it. :)