Day at the Zoo

After a big breakfast of eggs and pancakes, Ryan and I headed out to volunteer with our friend Dru and a group of other people from his church at the Central Florida Zoo.

Volunteer Group

We were initially told we’d be transferring sand into the tortoise exhibit, but since it rained yesterday and the sand was more like dirt, we were assigned a different task: demolition.

I think Ryan’s eyes lit up immediately when he heard he’d get to help destroy stuff!

Me + Ryan

We helped break apart an old reptile exhibit, stripping the wiring and tearing down the framework.

The final product:

End Result

It was quite chilly and my hands and feet felt like ice by the time we were done.

Fortunately we warmed up with hot chocolate and coffee before going on a tour of the zoo. It was neat to go on a tour led by a zoo employee who gave us the “inside scoop” and told us lots of funny stories about the animals.

Bird of Prey - Watch Out!

Jabba the Hutt the Toad

Beautiful Leopard

I’m not sure if it was the cold air or what but the animals were very active! 

Lunch

Our tummies were grumbling by the time our volunteer work and zoo tour were over.

Chipotle sounded like a great option and I ordered a big burrito bowl with extra guacamole.

Burrito Bowl

Yum

Ryan stuck to the traditional burrito with pork and let me enjoy a couple yummy bites.

Burrito Boy

Gossip Girl Marathon + Apartment Search

After lunch, I headed over to my friend’s apartment for a Gossip Girl marathon. We talked while watching a few episodes and muching on Girl Scout cookies, crackers and cheese, Valentine’s Day chocolate and fresh berries. I left quite full! 😀

I then joined Ryan to check out another potential house which also didn’t have a washer and dryer. C’mon! 😦 We ended up driving around different areas of Orlando we like looking for “For Rent” signs for about an hour. We have another appointment to see a place tomorrow and have a couple other possibilities we want to look into further.

Tonight we’re cleaning our apartment because our landlord wants to be able to show it tomorrow. I also see an ice cream break in our future… 😉

See ya tomorrow for Valentine’s Day!!!

Square Pizza Slices

After work yesterday Ryan and I went to see two different small houses that are were in the running for us to rent when we move out at the end of March.

First, I enjoyed a quick afternoon snack of a piece of EarthGrains wheat berry with honey bread, toasted and lightly buttered. I was excited to receive a package from EarthGrains when I arrived home with this bread and a nifty EarthGrains green bag. Thank you EarthGrains!

Woohoo!!!

Lovin' Bread and the Green Bag

After a quick snack, we left to check out the houses.

Unfortunately both places are no longer in the running. One didn’t have a washer or dryer (deal breaker for us). I loved the other one, Ryan didn’t like the fact that someone would live in a garage apartment behind us. Plus, we’d really like a place to have a fenced-in yard for Sadie which neither of these homes did.

Back to the drawing board!

Dinner

Last night the weather was cold and rainy. As a mini-surprise for Ryan I placed an order for a pizza for us to pick up after seeing the second house. (It’s the little things, right!? 😉 ) I honestly can’t remember the last time I ordered a pizza from a big-name pizza place! Clearly, it was time.

Pizza Hut has a promotion where you can order any pizza with any toppings for $10. I ordered the pizza online and selected the thin ‘n’ crispy pizza with all the veggies (except jalapeños) and light cheese. Then, to my wonderful surprise, under the box where you can type in “special instructions” the example provided was “cut into squares.”

I looooove pizza sliced into squares. I always associate square sliced pizza with living in Palatine, Illinois. Before we moved to Florida, my family would order square sliced pizza from a yummy pizza place and it always felt like such a neat treat. Who knew Pizza Hut offered this!? Not me, that’s for sure!

What’s your favorite pizza topping?

We swung by the ol’ Hut and picked up our pizza to bring back to the apartment to enjoy while watching a movie.

Smellin' Good

The pizza looked, smelled and tasted phenomenal.

Thin 'n' Crispy Pizza

Lots o' Veggies

Between me and Ryan, we managed to finish the entire medium pizza… Well, Sadie helped with a crust or two.

I’ve been in quite the pizza-loving mood lately. This is the third time I’ve had pizza this week (BBQ chicken pizza on Monday night, marinara pizza at La Luce Wednesday night and now this!).

Today

I’m off to make a yummy breakfast before Ryan and I head out to volunteer with our friend Dru from 8:30 a.m. to noon today. We’re helping out at the zoo, transferring sand from the tortoise exhibit, I think.

Afterward, I’m heading to my friend Merri’s to have a Gossip Girl marathon with her and my other friend Laurel. While I’m there, I will also be making Ryan’s homemade valentine. We’re making valentines for each other this year and I have a couple ideas for Ryan’s.

Yay for the weekend!!!