Friday, May 29, 2009

Friday's in the HIZZOUSE!

Well...it's been a beautiful week and it's once again time to enjoy the splendors of the weekend. Why is it, though, that this week seemed to draaaaaag on and on? I mean, it was a short week for me! It always seems like the short weeks take longer for some reason....I've never quite understood that....???

I must say though...it has been nice gazing out the window every day this week seeing a beautiful blue sky and sometimes even white fluffy clouds! I enjoy being on the 37th floor of an office building overlooking different types of architecture, trees and getting to watch planes fly by...(I'm such a kid..I'll just stare and stare...haha)

This afternoon, our church "change group" (each area has a different small group that gets together for community service and social events) is having a BBQ! And, it's in MY apartment complex! I may even throw on my swimsuit and take a dip in the pool!

Hope everyone has a spectacular weekend!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Fun at the lake...

I spent Memorial Day weekend at the lake with friends....We had a blast!

My friend, Allison and I, drove down to Austin on Friday afternoon...and, MAN, traffic was HORRIBLE! We got there around 10:30 and were just exhausted...only to find out that we were expected to be at a rooftop party in 30 minutes (I just turned 30...shouldn't I be banned from being out past 11 at night? Isn't that like a rule or something?....well...it should be...haha)

We only had a bit of time to "freshen up" before heading out, so we proceeded to check into the hotel.

Umm...did I just say "hotel"?? hmmph....Let me think about how I can word this.....the place that we stayed was a Red Roof Inn. When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised by the outside. It looked decent enough...grounds kept up well, exterior also well-maintained. Then. we. walked. inside.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! {gasp} {screech} ....losing...breath...may...faint....

When entering the building, we were greeted by the lovely smell of wet dog and mildew.....ahh..what a pleasant combination. Who needs aromatherapy when you've got these essential odors right here for the sniffing?

We get off the elevator on our floor, and realize they have placed us on one of the "Smoking Floors". Are. You. Kidding. Me? So, as we wheeze and choke our way to the room, we finally arrive (all the way at the end of hall....of course) and open the door to our own personal Utopia. {sniff} {sniff}...of course....cat urine....(I'm too stinkin' old for this...gimme the number to the Four Seasons, STAT!!!)

But, alas...everything else in town was booked up. Not only was it Memorial Day weekend, but apparently UT had their graduation that weekend as well. {siiiiiiigh} Mmmkay...looks like I'm makin' the best of it!

We immediately opened the windows to allow at least some fresh air into the room, and it did help...thankfully.

We didn't end up making this "rooftop" party, and just went directly to downtown. We ended up going to this place called "The Ranch" and hung out on the rooftop patio. It was a beautiful night out, and the city looked magical.

Allison and me...


The girls...



Allison, Maggie and me...



Allison and I called it a night around 1 and headed back to the sick and twisted excuse for a place to sleep hotel. We walk into the room (after holding our breath in the hallway) and realize that the air is somewhat fresher in here. At least the cat urine stench wasn't so overpowering now...........

What in the? OUCH! What's biting me?! UGH...WHO LEFT THE WINDOW WIDE OPEN BEFORE WE LEFT AND LET ALL OF THE MOSQUITOS IN??!!!! No wonder the air was somewhat fresher....sheesh....

The next morning, we all get up and throw on our swimsuits to head out to the lake for a day of fun in the sun!

Maggie and me on the boat...


We have about 10 people on the boat and two jetskis that our friends are riding also...so, there's about 13 total. We drive out to Devil's Cove(fitting name), where we intend to spend the day tied up to other boats, listening to loud music, watching all of the crazy people and getting as tan as possible.

On our way out to the cove, I saw this boat and just HAD to snap a picture. How cool is this?! Hungry? Well, let's scoot on over and hop onto this guys boat for some fresh barbeque! Yummmm!



Gettin' some sun on a neighbor's boat (you make friends with everyone within a matter of minutes)




See all the boats out there??!! It was madness! There were hundreds of boats...all tied up to one another...everyone trying to play their music louder than the next...


We were living it up....getting some good sun...making lots of new friends....ahhh...livin' the good life......HEY! Did someone just spit on me?! Wait...no...that's not spit...IT'S RAINING!!!!!! And, then..it started coming down in sheets! Thankfully, we had made so many friends that we had many with large cabins in their boats, so we hid inside for several hours...just chatting and hanging out. We eventually had to head back to the marina and it was still pouring...but, we made it....shivering and shaking all the way.

Needless to say....after a full day in the sun....we were all asleep by 8 pm....and none of us woke up until 10 the next morning! HA! The next day was a relaxing day and we went to dinner that night with a friend that lives in Austin.

Here we are at dinner at La Condesa...





We met lots of other friends out later on at J. Blacks, and then got a table at a place called Canvas...then hopped around to a few more places before finally calling it a night...


All in all, it was a fun-filled weekend and just about wore me OUT! I'm looking forward to a much more quiet and relaxing weekend coming up.

"Hello, couch...my dear, dear friend...I've missed you...Have you missed me?"

Monday, May 25, 2009

Long Weekend and Day to Remember...

This has been a fun weekend and I will post pictures and tell stories later....but, for now.....

I want to thank ALL of the men and women who have bravely served this amazing country...

"And I'm proud to be an American,where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died,who gave that right to me."~Lee Greenwood

So....Thank you and God Bless all of you......

Friday, May 22, 2009

Best Movie EVER!

Ok...so, I'm really bummed right now, because...for some reason...ALL of my favorites have been wiped out....(that stinks!)

But...on a positive note....I just watched a movie that ROCKS THE HIZZY!!!

"Taken" with Liam Neeson.....Oh. My. Gosh! ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES I'VE EVER SEEN!!!!!!!!

Seriously!!!! If you haven't seen it....see it NOW!

For all of you "daddy's girls" out there (I know you're out there).....this movie is for you!

It's how ALL of us feel about our dad.....how he will strike with a vengeance at anyone who tries to hurt us....and how we are ALWAYS safe as long as we have our daddy......

It's a kick butt movie with no apologies....and I LOVE that about it!!!! Ugh...I'm so pumped up right now about this flick!

Tell me what YOU think once you watch it!!?? Because, seriously.....if you don't like it....I may question you as a person.....LOL!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Calmness...

Lord, please give me the strength to keep my cool and turn the other cheek. There may be times where I can easily say something (that may be exactly CORRECT), but it will only cause hurt and will not end up helping any situation. Allow me to hold my tongue and remember to constantly project Your loving kindness to others....whether they deserve it or not (this is the key!). I should not ONLY show love and kindness to those who have shown it to me....but, I should give this willingly to every single person I come into contact with.

Please help me to live a life worthy of Your love. Please help me to live my life exuding Your word and hopefully draw people to a life devoted to You. I know that I make mistakes and slip up from time to time, but You are always there to pick me up and renew me with Your unconditional and irrational love.

Thank you, Lord, for giving up your only son, so that I may have You as my best friend and confidante. It is in His name that I pray. Amen.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

New Attitude

Ok, so I have only been in my 30's for 2 days now, but I feel as though my entire outlook on life has shifted somehow.....

I am saying "Yes" to doing things that, in the past, I would have probably passed on. I feel more adventurous and spontaneous! Perhaps, it's just that I felt as if I had all the time in the world to do things, see things, experience things...and, now that I've "crossed over" (hahaha...no, I'm not a ghost) I feel the urgent need to really LIVE!

**I'm not saying that I'm going to start cliff diving or anything...sheesh...I'm not crazy! But, I just want to get out there and really enjoy every minute of life!

In a way, I have always really enjoyed life...I'm a perpetually happy person with an incredibly positive outlook on life in every aspect. I guess I just needed to kick it up a notch, take some risks (that don't involve cliffs or sharks) and allow myself to let go of attitudes holding me back from achieving this feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.

Remember....it's day two.....perhaps it's not a new attitude, but merely hormones?? I'll keep you updated......LOL!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Birthday dinner with moms and pops....

My mom and papa took me to dinner last night...and we decided to go "low key" and have some yummy fried fish and shrimp with ice cold brewskies! We decided to go to a little dive down the street from my apartment....



We had some yummy oysters...


We sat out on the patio...it was a GORGEOUS day!


My beautiful Momma and me...


Mmmm....shrimp, hush puppies and fries!


My wonderful cutie pie pops...



After dinner, we headed back to my place for some traditional birthday cake (my parents have never let a birthday go by without a cake...it's VERY important in our family..haha)



...please come true....please come true.....(Tom Welling...are you there???)


I believe in magic!!!



As always, I had a wonderful day....and celebrated with my two favorite people in this world! Thank you mommily and papa bear! I love you both more than you'll ever know....

Monday, May 18, 2009

Birthday Party Madness!!!!

So...because my friends were taking a lot of pictures with their cameras, I only had pictures on mine from later in the evening.....I will post pictures from dinner later on when I get them...

So...without further ado....here are pics from my party at Suite....

Here I am taking a big bite of my birthday dessert at Trece...mmm...chocolate...


Me and my BFF Tracey (who planned my birthday extravaganza)


My dear friend, Jamie who is part owner at the club...(we went to high school together)


The girls...


Dancing it up...




Stacie and me...








Kerri, me and Erin...



LOVE these girls!!!



My darlin' Erin...



Blurry group pic...


Had so much fun that night....it was a great way to celebrate my 30th!

THE BIG DAY!!!

It's official....I am no longer in my 20's..........

does this mean that I have to grow up???? uh-oh.......

(I'll update with all the fun pics from my party later!)

Friday, May 15, 2009

My "Birthday Weekend" begins......

Ok...so, I'm looking forward to a spectacular weekend! (and, my birthday isn't even until Monday, the 18th..hehe)

Today, I'll be headed out of work early to go shopping for the most wonderful and perfect birthday party outfit EVER!

Saturday, I will begin my day with an hour and a half massage at 9 am....then, depending on whether or not I find something tonight, I may have to head up to the mall again to find that "wonderful and perfect birthday party outfit"!

Around 5, I'll head to Neiman's to have my makeup done by the lovely artists at the Bobbi Brown counter...Then, home to fix my luscious locks for my party!

8 pm....PARTY TIME! Dinner with about 20 or 30 dear friends at a very cool restaurant with our own dining room.....then, on to dancing and cocktails at an ultra-chic private club next door!

Sunday, I'm hoping to make it to the late service at church....but, we may be out quite late on Saturday (and, I may have a little "virus")...so, I may end up watching the service online (we can do that...pretty cool, huh??) And, maybe go to brunch with some friends.....

Monday, (my actual birthday) the girls at work are taking me to lunch. Then, I'm going to dinner with my amazing and spectacular parents that evening! I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than with the two people who are responsible for bringing me into this world.....

I'm sure I will bore you with lots of pictures and funny stories next week.............you've been warned......

Summertime Blues......

Does anyone else get a little down at the beginning of summertime, because of the dreaded "Season Finales"??? I certainly do.... :(

My favorite shows are abandoning me in my time of need....{sniffle}{sniffle}

But, I'll cope........somehow......

So, for anyone that watches "Bones".....OH. MY. GOSH! I was seriously picking my jaw off of the floor! I can't WAIT until the new season starts!!!!!

"Hell's Kitchen" - I was a little disappointed that Paula didn't win. I mean...she just seemed more polished and classy. And, definitely more professional! (I have a culinary arts degree...I get to judge them as harshly as I want...hehe)

"Smallville" - Another OH. MY. GOSH! What will happen next??!! Will Lois change everything? Will Clark come to his senses and just marry me already?!! (oh..wait...how did that last one get in there??)

"Friday Night Lights" - You can't just replace Coach Taylor!! His East Dylan Lions will kick the Dylan Panthers booties!!!

And...next week...the finale of "90210" (yes...you read that correctly)

What's a girl to do? What is a girl to do........

Oh..just remembered!!! I'll be ok!! Because......

"The Bachelorette" and "So You Think You Can Dance" are beginning next week!!! Yippee! All is not lost!!!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

I'm entering a plea of insanity.....

It's a nice Sunday afternoon in April. I'm walking through the produce section at my neighborhood grocery store. Ahh...fresh fruit and vegetables...nothing better...

Mmm...bananas....I LOVE bananas. I think I'll pick up a bunch of these yellow beauties....yep...sounds perfect!

Alrighty...home at last...put these golden treats in my fruit basket....boy, oh boy...I'll have to remember to take those to work for a snack.

Monday....oops, forgot bananas

Tuesday....darn it, forgot them again

Wednesday....goodness, I just HAVE to remember those tomorrow!

Thursday.....ugh, stupid bananas

Friday....well, looks like I'm making banana bread

Saturday....Hey..where did these annoying, pesky little gnats come from? Hmm...where in the world did these si-......Oh. My. Gosh! They're EVERYWHERE!!!

BANANAS ARE THE DEVIL!

Seriously, folks....these gnats CANNOT. BE. DESTROYED! I have tried everything I can think of!

First, I totally cleaned my apartment...top to bottom...thinking "Aha! Take THAT gnats! Now, there are no dirty surfaces for you to party on! (apparently, clean works for them too....hmph)

Then, I tried chasing the little demons around with my vacuum cleaner. (if anyone had been watching, I would already be in a loony bin)

After about two weeks, they seemed to become more sparse...so, I thought,"Hey..something I'm doing must be working!"

Ahh...I think I'll celebrate by enjoying a nice glass of merlot...just settle in here....turn on a good movie (aka, American Idol..hehe) and lazily sip on my velvety smooth mer-........ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?! (about 20 gnats are buzzing around my decadent treat...some have already dived in to taste it for themselves!)

ALRIGHT...THAT'S IT! .................No more Mr. Nice Guy...er, uh, Gal! You wanna play little bugs.....{whisper}let's play.......{evil grin}

So, my internet rampage search began......

"How to obliterate, massacre, destroy get rid of gnats"

So, I realized that they were incredibly drawn to the vinegar in my wine....so, I put together a little trap with a bowl of wine, tightly wrapped plastic wrap over the top, and itty bitty holes punched in the top. The goal is to entice them into the bowl and then they cannot get back out of the holes....(bwahahaha...this is sure to work)

......................................I caught 2......................WHAT AM I DOING WRONG!?!

Back to the drawing board.....

I decided that I was not going to let those monsters detract from my relaxing evening, so instead of using a wine glass (easily accessible), I brought the wine bottle over to the coffee table with the stopper in it.....and, I armed myself with my firm hold Biolage hairspray. (you can see where this one is going, can't you?) Needless to say, wine does not taste the same drinking it from the bottle as it does when you drink it from a glass.......and, under no circumstances does wine ever taste good a-la-hairspray. (foiled again......)


So, I pretty much gave up after that. At first, I pretended not to see them. Then, I shooed them away a bit....finally, I started naming them. I figured, if they're here to stay, I may as well call them my own....

It's been over a month now...and Vivian, Rocco, Charlie, Annette, Bubbsy, Swoozle and Spinny would all like to say "Hello"....

I'll keep you updated with their crazy and kooky antics....

Unless..........Is that a bug bomb in your apartment, Summer? Uh. Oh.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Mother's Day

Sorry about my blogging hiatus! I'm back and have lots to share!

Oh. My. Goodness! Can I just say that I only went about 3 days without reading all my favorite blogs and it took me about a day and half of reading just to catch up! WOW! You gals have a LOT going on! haha...

Mother's Day was a blast! We celebrated at my parent's house with mom, dad, Me-ma, Dad-dad, my aunt Connie and uncle Kenneth (aka, Kenny Wayne..are we Texan or what?!hehe)

As always, we shared old family stories, laughed heartily and ate lots of good food!

Here is me, my momma and Me-ma...(golf on in the background...always golf on when family comes over..ugh...)



My mom and dad put together this beautiful box with the plant for my Me-ma...it has old pictures of Me-ma and Dad-dad when they first met and also pictures when my dad and his sister were young...



And, because both my mom and I are BOTH obsessed with the Twilight series, I thought it fitting to outfit her with a cute t-shirt and tote!




Everybody had a really nice time....



Where would we be with mothers?? No place I ever want to go....I can tell you that!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Weekend.....Here I Come!!!

This week has been a zinger! I am just soooo ready to sleep late tomorrow, run around town doing fun things and spend time with friends and family.

My birthday party is next weekend and I just HAVE to find the most adorable outfit to wear! So, maybe I'll look tomorrow....I mean, 30 years old means I have to look absolutely FABULOUS! I hope I find the perfect ensemble...

I think, maybe, I'll get a massage tomorrow.....that might be my present to myself...haha...

Just 10 days until I am no longer in my 20's....the end of an era....

Thursday, May 7, 2009

National Day of Prayer

For those of you who are unaware, today is the National Day of Prayer. Their mission is to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America and its leadership in the seven centers of power: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family.

Here's a little history about it:

The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history, including President Lincoln's proclamation of a day of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.

It is truly unfortunate that our president will not observe this day...

*Washington Times article:
President Obama is distancing himself from the National Day of Prayer by nixing a formal early morning service and not attending a large Catholic prayer breakfast the next morning.

All Mr. Obama will do for the National Day of Prayer, which is Thursday, is sign a proclamation honoring the day, which originated in 1952 when Congress set aside the first Thursday in May for the observance.

For the past eight years, President George W. Bush invited selected Christian and Jewish leaders to the White House East Room, where he typically would give a short speech and several leaders offered prayers.

Obama White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Tuesday that the president is simply reverting back to pre-Bush administration practice.
"Prayer is something the president does every day," he said. "We're doing a proclamation, which I know that many administrations in the past have done."

Pressed by reporters as to the lack of a formal ceremony, Mr. Gibbs said the proclamation was Mr. Obama's choice.

"That's the way the president will publicly observe National Prayer Day - privately, he'll pray as he does every day," Mr. Gibbs said.

Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Committee, said the group was "disappointed in the lack of participation by the Obama administration."

"At this time in our country's history, we would hope our president would recognize more fully the importance of prayer," said Mrs. Dobson, who occupied a prominent seat in the front row for the ceremonies during the Bush administration.


I do truly hope that our president is praying privately and that he does make this an every day occurrence. But, it is quite disconcerting and disheartening that he chooses not to observe it publicly and show the country his faith. Is he ashamed? Worried about losing the atheist vote? Concerned about "offending" people?

Whatever the case may be, the president will definitely be in my prayers.

Thankful Thursday

As always, there are so many things for which I am immensely thankful. My Heavenly Father has blessed me with loving parents and friends, good health, a roof over my head, food to eat, a job, an amazing church family and...most importantly...His LOVE!

I have been struggling all morning about what to write today...and I'm just going to "wing it" and do my best to let Him speak through me.

Being able to share my faith with you, and not worry about being prosecuted is something that I take for granted almost every single day. We don't worry about practicing our religion in public for fear that the government will arrest us or worse...We live in a country (an amazing country) where every single person has the absolute right to believe whatever they want to believe and practice those beliefs freely!

As a Christian, and one who gets fired up when talking about my love for Jesus...I cannot imagine keeping my mouth shut or not being able to carry my bible and read it when I want. I cannot imagine not attending my church on Sundays and spending time in fellowship with my brothers and sisters.

We sometimes forget how truly blessed we are to have the right to worship with others and minister to those who are lost.

So, I will try to remind myself every time I open my bible, walk into church, wear the cross around my neck...and blog...that I am lucky to have such a freedom. And I should not waste this gift, but take full advantage by spreading His word every chance I get!!!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Ode to coffee.....



Oh, coffee...how you brighten my day yet stain my teeth...



I look forward to you every morning with sheer anticipation...awaiting my jolt of java to jar my jovial jowls.


(this picture doesn't really make sense..but, Hugh Jackman is such a cutie...hehe...)

You dust away the copious cobwebs from my misplaced mind with your brawny brew.




Sometimes, I over-indulge in your splendor making me jittery and jumpy.




Coffee....you ROCK!

(I never said I was a poet...don't judge...haha)


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

To-Do Tuesday

Well, here goes...


  • Workout:
    Tuesday
    Thursday
    Friday
    Saturday
    Monday
    Tuesday


    Give myself manicure


    Dust, sweep/mop


  • Blogging:
    Weekly Scripture (I need to actually start doing this...sheesh...)
    "Thankful Thursday"


    Organize reading "nook" in apartment (this area has gotten out of control!)

    Elliots Hardware-need hydraulic closer for new "Boot Box"

    Grocery Shopping


So, I now have nearly 10 weeks to continue working on my "bikini body"!!! Thank goodness for this extra time! I have been slacking HARD CORE!!!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

What an AWESOME gathering of FAITH!

Well, I'm home from the Speak 2009, Flavour conference with Fellowship Church and...

It. Was. AWESOME!

My mom and I headed over to Grapevine yesterday afternoon and checked into our hotel (yes, we decided to stay at a hotel 5 minutes away from the conference even though we only live 40 minutes from it...hehe) We headed over to the church and it was already packed! Here is a shot of the lobby....



We roamed around and did a little shopping....then, it was time to take our seat!



We got great seats up front in the action! Here's me and momma waiting for the fun to begin!!



We sang out to the Lord, prayed together and listened to some wonderful and timely messages. From the very beginning, I was in awe....the lights dimmed, this beautiful music began and as scriptures were being projected up onto the walls, these three women proceeded to come out and dance a beautiful contemporary number that had me in tears. It was so powerful and touching....

After hearing the amazing speakers, we headed out into the lobby for some much needed coffee, a fashion show and sweets...yummmm!


Then, this morning....we got to the church about 8:15 and...with coffee in hand....shopped some more.... :)

Once again, today, our seats were perfect! We got "warmed up" with a funny act that had everyone laughing and stretching.



Once again, the music was joyous and filled with the Heavenly Spirit!



The Lord's house was filled to the brim......


Everyone received a scarf for attending....all different colors...I chose blue.....


Of all of the wonderful messages and scriptures we discussed this weekend.....this one statement seemed to stand out as one of the most important.....spoken by Janay....

"You can't speak for God if you can't hear Him."

I will go more into everything we talked about in a later post....but, I wanted to share this much with you so far....

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend......love you!