Before & After

Before moving we watched a lot of HGTV and were anxious to have our own before and after projects projects. Now we're tired of the projects but at least we have something to show for it....

Before - A dirty front door that the previous owners got paint all over

Dull and dirty

After!

Before - Shower had lots of stains (don't know if you can really see them here...)

After - the shower's worthy of my family's visit (I hope)

Engagement Parties

Another round of engagement parties! This time with Sohail's Mom's side on Friday and and with our friends on Saturday. It's been such fun celebrating with everyone.

A video from the last engagement party with Sohail's Dad's family. Such excitement!

Sohail's Mom's side (with a few missing).

Sharzad (Sohail's aunt) and Alyssa (Sohail's cousin)

Sohail and Daniel (a cousin)

The cake and engagement gifts - including mirror and candle sticks for the wedding.

Sohail's uncle and grandfather playing after dinner.

The concert

Nate, Siobhan and Sully

Amazing cupcake tree made by Luna
Kwame and Kim - our salsa partners
Siobhan and sleeping baby
Sohail and Jordan
the Asian spread

Last night's party

Our view from the new place

post-move life

if i had a picture of the container store or home depot i'd include it. my post-move life has become so suburban but we did have drinks with tim tonight who's in town from mexico.

the car wash was a highlight of the weekend

Moving Day

Yesterday we moved all day and celebrated with Nate & Alicia who came by after work. As the night progressed we started exploring all the treasures that were in the boxes and landed upon my grandmother's art supplies. Nate, an amazing artist, instigated a drawing session which hopefully will be the first of many.

High School buddies catching up

Alicia!

Art supplies

Nate's drawing of Sohail and me

My first attempt at drawing Alicia with help from Nate

Round 2 - this time Nate only gave me 13 minutes. I think he was worried Alicia's may get a cramp in her neck... But it turned out better with some time pressure, I think.

view from my couch

those of you know know me well know that living in these circumstances is my nightmare... just one more day.

Renovations!

Two exciting updates: 1 - we're homeowners! and 2 - we get to update our condo as we wish which is what we did all day yesterday and will continue doing today. It's already looking much better.

Before

During

A break for lunch

Yum!

Some late night visitors

Sohail's Mom was thrilled with the visit.
The painting continues...

LEAF

We just got back from celebrating Sarah's 30th birthday at Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) near Black Mountain, North Carolina. It was a weekend of camping, dancing, concerts, poetry slams and other fun with my high school and college friends. I went twice a year with my family growing up but hadn't been back since high school so it was great to see it through an adult's eyes - it's just as fun as through a kid's eyes actually. This was Sohail's first time and he had a great time especially seeing Zap Mama play.

Lake Eden

A slide they've put in since we used to go that kids can use to slide from the mountain in the lake.

Spending a wonderful weekend with my fiance.

The Zap Mama concert was amazing!

With Sarah and Shirin - two wonderful college friends.

Beth - Shirin's friend from vet school. It was wonderful seeing her again.

Julia, a high school classmate of mine, with Lyndsey's son. He was a trooper in the cold weather.

Happy birthday Sarah!

We also visited Sarah and Barney's wedding location. It's beautiful.

Sohail watching a Los Amigos Invisibles concert with Sarah and Barney.

Shirin dancing Zumba Sunday morning with Sarah and Kathy.

On the way home... well before making to to DC.

Engagement

We're engaged!

Right after the most perfect engagement at Haines Point.

A private celebration at home.

Last night, Sohail's parents organized a dinner for some family that was visiting from Canada and then surprised the family with the good news via a cake after dinner.

Everyone was so excited - clapping and kissing us.

With the parents / future parents-in-law

With my new Persian family!

Dancing to celebrate.