And it's only Saturday....

The weekend isn't over, yet it has already been action packed! Friday, I couldn't wait to get off of work because my college roomie and her husband were in town. We decided to have dinner before they left for the weekend, so we met and took them to Hills Cafe.

Adolfo and I, just playing before we went to eat...

The Rosenbaums and The Castros...2009 Hills Cafe...

We had such a great time enjoying the weather outside, listening to live music, and eating great food. It is always fun getting to catch up with these two. I was so blessed to have a wonderful college roommate experience, and we are even more blessed with wonderful friends, can't wait to go visit these two again!

Like I said a few blogs back, our firm has joined forces with Austin CAFB, and in November they put on a great event, The Empty Bowl Project!

Just a little info about the project from their website:

Potters from all over Central Texas donate bowls of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Thirty restaurants and bakeries donate delicious soups and breads, while musicians donate their time and talent to entertain us. Then, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, friends and families come together to purchase a bowl for $15, have it filled with soup, and enjoy the music. The bowl is yours to keep, as a reminder of those whose bowls are empty. The proceeds go to the Capital Area Food Bank to help sponsor the Kids Cafe Program. Kids Cafe provides a safe, nurturing place where children receive a hot, nutritious dinner, as well as help with homework.

Our firm is one of the big sponsors for the event, financially and with our time. This weekend started things off with their painting party at Whole Foods, and we were volunteers....It was super fun, and I made it home in time to watch the 2nd half of the Texas Game.....

Just a little taste of some of the bowls that will be for sale!

I am so excited because our firm will be hosting our own painting party the last Wednesday of this month, and our bowls too will be sold at the event! Adolfo enjoyed the game with me, and then headed out to work on the deer blind, and spend the night at my Grandparent's ranch. Just another one of the million reasons I love him, he loves spending time with my family without me! I love his big heart and how he takes the time to love on, take care, and help my Grandparents when I can not be there....

I am staying back in Austin this weekend, because I have to get ahead in my class, and help decorate for all the wonderful festivities going on at work with our Office Olympics, I am super excited....soooooo Saturday is here, and what a weekend!

I will spend the rest of the day still excited about Texas' big win, missing my husband, and turning up the radio really loud to cleaning house, then off to Starbucks to do a little reading for class and cut out letters.....

Just another slow weekend, right? C.

Kitchen Closed...

Tonight, with the weather still being WONDERFUL, and inspired by my sister Claudia, I thought I would attempt a pot of my Mother's Chili. When we all were at home, and the weather started changing, we all knew what that meant, 100% agreement for CHILI!

Last week I was talking to my sister and her and Jaime made a pot, so I thought well, if I am ever going to learn why not now? So this weekend Mom left me with the recipe, and Tay went to the store today for all the ingredients and I think we were all pleasantly surprised, It was very yummy! We have so much left, so it will probably be lunch, and well dinner again, but no complaining because we love it!

I get so excited when recipes turn out for me, because I wasn't the strong one in the kitchen, Claudia got that award, but it gives me hope that one day I will be a good mommy and my children won't starve, at least they can have Chili night like we did growing up!

On another note, Adolfo has been pricing around for car insurance because we think ours is ripping us off, we have gotten a few quotes and are looking at a savings of about an extra $275 a year, every penny counts! I am so proud of him, and grateful he is so patient to do all the research and make all the calls, I hate the telephone, which is kind of ironic considering I love to talk! But anyways, thanks Babe for taking my stress away, I love you!

Oh, if you don't read my little sister's blog (Taylor) check it out, its kinda funny, and MAYBE she will share her new hair-do, ha!

Other than that just another crazy week at the Castros.....C.

Staying Cozy...

We really enjoyed our weekend! Saturday, Adolfo and I attended the Mullin's Wedding. I was so worried the weather was not going to cooperate for them, but Saturday was perfect, a slight overcast, cool fall weather and NO RAIN! It was outside at Arbor Inn down town, and it was so sweet and romantic. At one point when Adolfo and I were dancing, I remember saying Babe, I feel like I am in a fairy tale, the lights were twinkling, the weather was perfect, the music was so romantic, and all around us were trees, you almost forgot where you were!

The Castros enjoying our evening...And I got to see Adolfo in his cute sweater, I LOVE IT!

The girls with the Bride....Mrs. Mullins!

We had so much fun just hanging out with everyone, it was such a wonderful evening and are so grateful they let us be a part of their celebration!

Saturday morning, Tay and I had to run to the mall and Target because I couldn't wear my dress that I had planned because, at the moment, we are experiencing our Texas winter and it dropped in the 60's....so on our quick shopping trip I finally bought me my red umbrella and I LOVE it, it is definitely being broken in, it is perfect for me!

Other than that, things are pretty low key at the Castros. Today my parents came in after church, so Tay and I met them south for a late lunch and a trip to the GAP, Tay's heaven on earth! We watched the Cowboys play at Applebees and now we are back home relaxing!

Adolfo in his "stress free" zone...

Tay studying, listening to music, texting and checking email, what a multi-tasker she is...keep it up little sister!

I really enjoy our lazy days, and when the weather is like it is today there is no place else I'd rather be, than home wrapped in a blanket watching movies with my husband, which is how we will be spending the rest of our night! Oh I almost forgot, the whole reason for my parent's trip was to buy Tay her snazzy new glasses in the picture above. She's getting smarter already!

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend as much as we did!

Cozy with the Castros, A & C.

Where did the week go?

I can't believe tomorrow is already Friday, YEAH! Things are really just laying low at the Castro house. My test this past weekend took everything out of me, I think it's going to take a fun and relaxing weekend and a Longhorn win to get me back into a better state of mind.

I've been pretty much useless around the house this week, go figure!

Last night I did get to do something pretty cool! One of my client's that I have worked with my whole professional career opened their new Children's Facility. I was so honored to receive an invitation and share with them in their celebration! It was so inspiring to hear speeches from kids who were once in the shelter, and see how it changed their lives, and what they are doing now to pay it forward. I had a really great time and am actually looking forward to their audit this year!

I am mentally exhausted, I mean by 7:30 this evening, I wanted to get out of my class so bad and needed my bed. Don't get me wrong, what I am learning is super interesting, but 3 hours in one night, REALLY?

I just want to learn everything, and I am making myself overwhelmed, rather than just taking it slow, a little bit each night. Honestly, some nights I just need a break and I don't want to look at it!

So to help me refocus and change my attitude, I need to remember why I am thankful....(Ha this is my counseling/stress management that costs $0!)

I am so thankful I have the opportunity to continue my professional education. I am grateful God has open doors for me to use what I am learning and apply it in what I do everyday. I am extremely grateful for the people I have met in my class, and how each of us assist each other in learning the material better! I am so thankful for the energy, knowledge, and encouragement God provides on days I think I really can't learn anymore because I am so tired!

He is there with me, pushing me, and reminding me, Just a little bit more, I'll help you!

How blessed am I? No matter how difficult and frustrating this process might be, He is right there with me!

Happy Friday, I will definitely be enjoying this weekend!

C.

We LOVED our weekend!

Wow! This weekend was nothing like we expected. The Castro's plan was to get my test over ASAP and then make our way to my parents for weekend festivities. Well, not so much, but we adjusted. It has been so rainy, and cool, these past couple of days, we knew the rain was going to affect our decision about heading out for the weekend. I did not feel prepared Friday night for my test, so we decided to take it later Saturday morning. I was stressing out, imagine that, so I called my parents and told them change of plans....we were just going to hang out in Austin for the weekend and recuperate, and that we did!

Saturday, after my test, we just came home. The weather was perfect, a little cool, and rainy, we were in for the night! It was a lazy day at our house, me on the couch in a blanket and Adolfo on the recliner wrapped up in his blanket too! We watched movies on TV and fell asleep....I slept so much that evening, that I woke up at 2:30AM this morning, ha, full of energy.....well, I thought I'd let my sweet husband sleep but what to do?

I decided at 2:30AM I would get up and clean house, clean out the junk drawers, dust, and finish our little laundry we accumulated this week. I took my time and was done by 4:30! I just enjoyed the morning, took a shower and watched a movie on LMN.... last time my mother was here she left pancake mix, so I thought Hmmm, I'll surprise Adolfo with a morning breakfast, made by yours truly!

I wanted to say thank you to him for being so patient with me, allowing me my time to stress out about my test and waiting on me for forever while I took it! I made him pancakes and eggs, I have never really made pancakes before, ha, I always just buy frozen waffles....so I thought I'd give it a try....

Well, well, not so bad, huh?

We enjoyed our morning together, being lazy! This afternoon we just spent the day together. We needed new pillows, we are pretty picky but we decided on two new Sealys so I hope they don't let us down. I finally used my birthday present from Adolfo and bought me some new workout shirts and running shorts. We also bought a medic ball, since it is doing awesome things for Adolfo in his cardio class he decided we could do them at home together, so I am excited! Well, we are calling it a night early and just getting ready for the week ahead, using our new pillows in bed and excited to watch the season finale of Kourtney & Kloe, I don't know why but I can't get enough of the crazy Kardasians! So, although our weekend wasn't as planned we loved it!

Pleasantly surprised, The Castros.

Our Day of Service!

The firm I work at has joined forces with our Central Area Capital Food Bank of Austin. The next couple of months are jam packed with Community Service events and I couldn't be more excited.

Today we were able to volunteer, during work hours, for a day of caring. If you have never done this before, I am not going to lie, it is definitely hard work, but worth every second of it!

So this brings me to what I want to blog about today, and well probably for the whole weekend. It is so amazing how much they get in donations as far as perishable goods, but today I saw the other end, and it blew my mind how much of those donations never make it a home! Due to the strict regulations and quality of products donated so much can not be given out.

My job today was throwing out all the items that could not be kept, preparing boxes to be filled and lids to be used, but WOW, I broke a sweat walking back and forth to the dumpsters, and it broke my heart each time, thinking man think about how much more we could do if we could use ALL of this! The fight against hunger is huge, and everything counts!

I had so much fun with my co-workers, and our new friends we met. Together we were able to process and prepare a little over 4,000 meals! I am truly blessed that this is part of my job!

So, this made me really want to get a little message out, since Thanksgiving and the holiday season is approaching and there is usually a spike in donations, especially food...just some things to remember, so that every product counts....

1. Watch the dents, because if they are too big they can't be used

2. No open boxes or bags

3. Check expiration dates

4. Make sure both ingredients and nutritional facts are on each container you donate, or it can't be used.

5. No used products

6. No cans with air

Well that is what we saw alot of today, and it just hurt me that we couldn't use a large amount of what we were going through!

Humbled. C.

Its EXACTLY 11:11, I love 11!

Warning: Blog will be a little random in nature, but hey, it is what it is!

I have definitely had my fair share of studying and reading Accounting Literature this week for sure, and I will be so happy Saturday morning, once my test is done and over with. So before class today I had to run by Walgreen's for something, and I passed the magazine rack....I have 2 hours between when I get off and when my class starts, so I decided to treat myself!

I bought the October issue of REAL SIMPLE, I LOVE this magazine, my friend JJ brought it into my life in college, and I just love it! My subscription finally ran out, so I just get it when I remember, or am waiting in line at the store. I won't let myself stand in line and flip through it, I don't like spoiling anything. Haha, I mean I read every part of it, Table of Contents, letter from the editor, I love the monthly quote and life lessons and question of the month, oh the list goes on, but you get the picture!

September is so sweet to me, It really gets me in the mood for fall. I love October for all different reasons, because the cool weather is coming, we start thinking of our "cool weather" food, Mom's Chili (YUM), fall shopping, time change is getting closer! I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR....

Focus, ok, back to my magazine, so I thought I would blog about my month, as I go through my magazine. I don't like reading it all at once, I process it, and enjoy an article here and there and just enjoy the $4.99 I can't believe I spend on it, but hey I do pass it on, so I share therefore the price is allocated amongst all the lovely people in my life, it's a gift!

If you read the magazine, stop here, I don't want to spoil anything! If you don't care keep going...

The first thing I do when I open the magazine is read their "Thoughts" so hear is what it said....

"It's completely usual for me to get up in the morning, take a look around, and laugh out loud"- Barbara Kingsolver

I just love this, and I thought, hmmm? How do I start my mornings, not with laughter! Why don't I start my day with a good laugh. I mean it would completely set the tone for my day. Sure I am a pretty happy person, but oh I feel great after a good laugh. Laughter keeps us young, so why don't we make it a point in our life to have a good one everyday? I mean some days I speed out the door, complain on mopac, or listen to my radio, rush through my to-do's, move on to the next activity, dinner, clean up, homework, bed, and then we do it all over again.....UM!

When did I ever stop and just enjoy all that God's brought to my life? Where was my laughter for the day? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my life, I am blessed, and we do take time to do what we love. But to take the time to be still, appreciate life whole-heartedly, and just laugh, I don't think I take that time as much as I should! So now, thanks to REAL SIMPLE, I am thinking about it, and I am going to try and start my morning with a smile and a good laugh!

WOW! This was just 2 pages in the magazine, can't wait for more, no cheating ahead!

Happy October, and all the joy it brings! C.