I need to get massages more often!!

Joe and I did our annual anniversary couples massage today. 80 minutes of pure relaxation. LOVED it! Afterwards, I was a little foggy - like I just woke up or something. But it felt great.

Today is the first official day of my Art Journal. Mine is very simplistic, but that's ok. And of course I won't be home next Tues or Wed so I'm not sure how I should do it. I guess I'll play it by ear.

Overall it's been a good, relaxing day.

I have even got some scrappin' done. I made a layout for Joe for our 4th anniversary this Thursday. We have been keeping our celebration low key this year - no gifts and nothing too lavish. Just the massages. But I will probably buy some flowers on Thurs as well as get a card. That can be my project during my Austin trip.

So I am finally starting my 21 Day Art Journal Challenge. Just using a small Bazzill zippered scrapbook to make little notes on how I want to be neater by the time I turn 35. Tomorrow will be the first official day and it will end on my bday. We will be in LA at that time so I will probably have to finish it a bit early, but I thought this would be a good thing to bring in my new year with. I collect so much stuff and we have so much random clutter. The clutter has definitely been pared down - most of it is just scrapping stuff now!

I have really been inspired to scrap today. Probably the bad weather this morning. I didn't even shower until 10AM - very late for me! I made a layout for mom and dad for mom's and dad's day, respectively. I already finished a China layout for the 'rents. Need to do some journaling for it, but it's done otherwise.

I also got the QVC Heidi Swapp All About Me album. It's missing 4 pages but otherwise in good shape. Not bad for more than half price ($9.99 + shipping vs 26.99). I am feeling like working on it, even though I'm not in the mood for journalling yet. Update: I have every page. Found them as I was working on it. Even better!

That's been my day. Fairly uneventful. Like I like it!

Music memories...

I love VH1 classics. They play cool old songs. Some relatively common. But some are more obscure. I love knowing the obscure songs. I would really like to make a scrapbook/journal of the songs that I love. From my first Abba tape to my latest Shapeshifters CD. It would be more of a journal I guess. Too many songs to remember. But I associate many memories to what I was listening to. I guess that means I have an audio memory??

Shower Time!!

Today is the 3 week anniversary of my bunionectomy. And I took a shower for the first time since 3 weeks ago! It was bittersweet, however. I can tell I am entering the more difficult phase of my healing. I'm feeling much better and mobile first of all. But looking at my foot, which I can now do, I can tell it's not nearly healed yet. Maybe about 60%. But the skin around the stitches isn't fully sealed and the wound bled a little this morning. That just made it feel more painful. So in the shower I was standing very gingerly on my foot.

I know Dr. L would tell me to bear weight on it as normally as possible, which is what I have been doing. Still gimping along a bit but making progress. But just looking at my foot kind of grosses me out. I'm glad to be able to wash if finally! I just need to take it easy as much as possible now so that I will recover more quickly. I definitely don't like having to wrap it myself - I don't want to see it until it's fully healed!

No more stitches!

Yay! I got 11 stitches taken out this morning. And I am wearing tennis shoes again! Woo Hoo. My footie still somewhat swollen but getting better. And tomorrow I will be able to take a shower!! woo hoo even more!!! Taking baths is for the birds!!!

I may have to work in Austin in Sat. NOT happy about that, but not much I can do. At least I will have Sunday and Monday off. Work is not too fun these days. Struggling to make our numbers this month.

Mom is taking care of 2 little kids this month. Some friends of theirs in their choir is sick, got a liver transplant and is still in the hospital in Dallas. Hopefully she'll be able to give them back soon. Maybe this will quell her desire for grandbabies!!

Feeling kind of blah right now. Not bad just not feeling like doing anything. Lots of random thoughts in my head....

Unlikely inspiration...

...as I am getting ready for work this morning, it hits me. I am going to be 35 in less than one month!!! Good lord, where does the time go. I still feel like I am about 25 (except when it's after midnight. If I'm still awake, I usually feel like I'm 105!). So I thought I would collect 35 random facts (obsessions) about me. 5-9 per week until we are there.

35. I obssess about my eyebrows, or lack thereof. I am forever trying to shape them but it's an impossible feat, since I hardly have any to shape. What really kills me about them is that they grow DOWNWARDS. What is a girl supposed to do about that?

34. When I was younger I used to love keeping lists of everything. I still do, but most of those lists are in my head. Sometimes they get logged on the computer somewhere. The funniest thing I used to keep track of is what make-up my teen magazines where using. Maybelline, Revlon, etc. What color, etc. I was a weird, geeky child.

33. I have the worst handwriting in the world, bar none. Terrible. I can hardly read it myself sometimes. I attribute it to writing too much in optometry school. Looking at my notes the 1st and 2nd years, they were actually legible. Now, I have to write v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y in order to make it half readable. This is something I really need to work on.

32. I am terrible at keeping up with the news. US and world. History doesn't interest me at all. I usually just get annoyed when I hear about whatever is going on. I feel like I should keep better informed.

31. I have a million (well maybe not a million, but a lot) of different lipsticks, glosses, you name it. I rarely wear it daily. My go to is the blue Chapstick. Love it.

30. I often think of what I would do if we won the lottery. Mind you, I never actually buy a ticket, but I like to think of what I could do if money were not an issue.

All for now. Heigh ho heigh ho.

Update: I forgot, work doesn't start until 9 this morning! one more whole hour to play!

Ugh!

I went to the most BORING CE ever last night - about RGP bifocal fits - woo hoo. At least it was free and bring me 2 hours closer to finishing (I have done 6 hours now, only 10 to go!). But when I got home, the DVR didn't record AI!!! I was most distressed and didn't sleep very well (but I don't think that was because of the missed recording - it's difficult to sleep immediately upon returning home). Hopefully we can go to Richard's tonight and watch yesterday and today's episode.

I did see many peeps from Opt school there - all Asians of course. I sat and caught up with Doris Chao (although her last name may be different - she got married in October). Sweet girl. But it's weird, I just don't like hanging out with that many Asians. I have particular people I'm friends with who are Asian and at Cal almost my whole group was Asian, but I didn't think of them that way. It's a weird deal. Yes, call me a banana, Twinkie, whatever. Maybe that's what I really am (yellow on the outside, white on the inside - hee hee). Outside of school none of my friends here in Houston are Asian, except for Joey's girlfriend Linh, and do I really hang out with her? This was an issue I wrestled with a lot at Cal, but now it's like whatever. I'll hang out with you if I like you. I think Asians in big groups tend to grate on my nerves. I guess I'll get over it.

Got some pics in the mail from Snapfish. Need to scrap for Mom and Dad. Cathy Z had a good idea of uploading and printing pics once a month. I should do that so I always have some to scrap. Then no excuses. What I really want to do is use up some of my supplies so I don't feel bad for getting new ones!

Monday again

I just got back from a CE with Dr. C. Not too exciting, but I need to get those hours in!

Yesterday was a whirlwind day. After T made breakfast (scones and omelets, yum!) I actually got to the gym and lifted weights for almost an hour. It made me remember how I don't really like lifting weights anymore, but I felt kind of tough working out with my gimpy foot. And it was good to get the blood pumping. I probably won't lift again until Wednesday (maybe), when I have more time to come home and take a bath.

After Joe and T got back from flying with James, we went to the Astros game. The Enron tickets Joe wins are about 4-5 rows about the home dugout, so they are really good seats. We average about 1 game per season, which is enough baseball to last me for the whole year! We actually saw a home run and 3 runners batted in during the 2nd inning, so the game was pretty exciting.

We left the game after the 7th inning and made our way to Berry Hill. Many beers and crack-ritas later, we ended up at Hue before finally coming home around 9 pm. I was fairly grumpy by this point since we hadn't had anything to eat since lunch. After takeout from Barnaby's we crashed. Luckily I had 2.5 things of water at Hue so I was feeling tired this morning, but my head wasn't hurting at all.

Work was steady but not crazy today. I am worried about making our ###s....This is stressing me out somewhat and will probaby until the end of the week. At least I have next weekend off!

One more CE tomorrow night with Dr.C. Woo hoo - can't wait to learn about those rgps!

I did get some fun mail today. An invite to Seth and Jill's wedding in June. Unfortunately we probably won't go, but they sent a really cute one. And also the QVC ALL About me album. Missing about 4 pages, but at $10 + shipping, certainly a better deal than $27+shipping. Hopefully they will have all 4 albums on clearance!

Night night.

One more day...

until I get a break. Whew, work has been long. We haven't been crazy busy as usual, which is good in the sense that I don't come home completely exhausted. But which is bad because next week is the last week and we really need to kick it into high gear to make our numbers. We definitely need my bonus next month so we can play in LA!


I love CZ's new book. It's awesome. I love her design, her journalling. Everything. As much as I love Elsie Flannigan's look, doodling, etc, my real design belongs to CZ. I'm definitely a neat, clean line kind of girl. And that's ok. I would like to branch some more, but I won't forget my roots.

Over and out for now.

9.09 pm
I am officially old. It's only nine at night and I'm ready for bed. The day wasn't all that exhausting, but as I get older, I'm liking to sleep more. I really would like to scrap, but it's hard with Travis staying here.

I am also offically feeling like a slug. No workouts in TWO WEEKS!!! That's record for me (aside from being on vacation). I hope I'm eating a bit less, but that's doubtful. I really wanted to do a weight work out tomorrow but I don't know that I will have time. We'll see.

Travis did cook a yummy chicken marsala tonight. Man, we are getting spoiled.

I think it's time for bed...

One tired chickee

...is me. I woke up this morning around 4 am and my foot was killing me. The weather outside was horrible as well - storming like crazy. Joe said my foot was probably hurting because of the weather. Maybe so maybe not, but I took a vicoden tonight just to make sure I would sleep.

One reason I had a hard time sleeping is cause after reading CZ's book, I was thinking of all the scrap projects I want to do!

I am working on my A-Z album, but all that journaling is hard to do. I am going to be working slowly on that one.

Now speaking of vicoden, I am starting to feel somewhat groggy. I may just hit the hay a bit earlier tonight.

Travis made us a yummy tortilla soup. I was very impressed!

Part 2!!

I got my book today! I am SO excited about it. Cathy Z is probably one of the most inspirational scrapbookers out there, for me at least. I love her philosophy and her incredible design. I am most happy to get this book today. I will be devouring it shortly.

I also got my Scrapbooks Etc. mag today. (CK actually came around the 15th, a bit earlier this month).

Travis is in town tonight visiting, so the boys are off to the Social for a drinkie. So I have time to enjoy for myself!

Time to read...

I am so shallow

I know Ace wasn't the best singer, but AI won't be the same without him. I just like having a pretty face to look at. Is that so wrong???

Mom and me..

I thought this was a good blog challenge. 5 similarities and 5 differences between me and my mom. I find it funny that I can almost immediately pick out a million differences, but it's hard to see the similarities. For one, my mom is a neat freak and likes things to be clean and out of the way. I like things to be clean and out of the way, but I don't go out of my way to clean! She throws everything and anything out. I am such a pack rat. I think it's a result of Mom always throwing things out (and I get that from my dad).

Mom had no interest in scrapbooking whatsoever. I love it. I love taking pictures, preserving memories... you name it!

Mom had babies when she was 24. I can't even imagine it. I am ten years older than that and still no babies. I am working on Joe because I would like to change that in the next few years, but I still feel like a baby myself!

Mom is a get things done kind of woman. I am a procrastinator (again, like Dad). I need to work on that.

And lastly, running is my best form of cardio. Mom's got bad knees and can't run much. But she is insane about her workouts. I can be too, but definitely not like Mom.

Actually this is making me think of things that we are alike in. We both love to read. She's been doing a lot more now that she's retired.

We both practice yoga. She encouraged me a few years ago, but I haven't really been serious about it until this past year. Now I'm addicted.

We're both working woman. The one thing Mom drilled into Ting and I when we were growing up is that we needed to be self-sufficient and not depend on any person (i.e. man) to live. I think she saw a lot of our neighbors going through divorces (and mostly with the wives being SAHMs) and she never wanted us to be in such a difficult situation. For that I am forever grateful.

We both love to travel. I have been fortunate because I have been all over the world, thanks to my parents. Let's see, North America, Europe, Asia and Africa are the continents I have visited. I would like to put South America and Australia/New Zealand on that list!

And lastly we both love our families the most. She doesn't verbalize it in so many words, but my mom has always made me feel loved. I've tried not to disappoint her too much and sometimes not always succeeded, but through think and thin she's always been there for me. I can't imagine not having someone like her (and dad) to always count on.

I guess that was easier than I thought. I know she's not reading this right now, but I'll say it anyways. I love you Mom.

100th post!!

Wow, I think this blogging thing is kind of addictive.

AI was great tonight. Everyone did pretty well except Pickler. Ace was back - I really loved his performance tonight. So it's going to be a tough call....

We are having some drama about LA and the Madonna tickets. Cindy works for LiveNation, who is sponsoring her tour. She thinks she can get 4 good tickets, possibly even together, but we are torn whether or not to take the rist. We are trying to probe her for information, but it's hard to be subtle.

In foot news, I have actually walked a little without the damn boot on. That thing is hurting my heel because it's too big now! I will be looking forward to getting the stitches out, although I'm kind of scared how my foot will look.

Good night!

What to blog?

Nothing too exciting going on these days. We spent the better part of yesterday with James, Val and Lori. James was helping Joe get our TV and stereo hooked up correctly. Entertaining Lori wasn't too hard - luckily she likes to go outside and play by herself!

It's weird - all I think about these days is scrapping. When can I and what should I? I also want to participate in the 21-day challenge next time Rhonna has one. Right now I am planning some layouts for Mom and Dad's days. I also want to make a mini album for Joe for our anniversary. This year we are not doing presents, but making something doesn't count.

Work is busy as usual. We are having our CD/Doc meeting tonight so I won't be home until late. Blah!

Guess I better get to it...

Random

Me and tinger!

Your Hair Should Be Blue

Wild, brilliant, and out of control.You're a risk taker with an eye to the future.

What's" Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

The early bird....

is just up early. I'm surprised I am sleeping so well because usually when I don't exercise I don't sleep as soundly. I'm not missing the working out as much as I thought I would. A little rest never hurt anyone, I guess.

Today is going to be a pretty busy day at work. I'm not dreading it so much since I've only been back for 3 days, but by next week I'm sure I'll be over it. I think the main thing I don't like about having to work is that I'd rather be scrappin' - sounds silly, but true. I am working on my Random Me project but I have other things I need to do to. I guess my first order of business should be some layouts for Mom, for Mom's day. I should probably make some for dad's day too.

We're having dinner with our boys tonight at El Pueblito. Should be fun!

One week anniversary

Of my bunion surgery! I am walking with a slight limp because I am favoring the outside of my left foot and this is causing my left leg to ache in weird places. So I am going to walk on my WHOLE foot today (or at least try to!). I'm feeling really guilty for not working out, but am not feeling as physically gross as I thought I would. Maybe because walking is still a bit of a chore. And bathing is definitely a pain in the a$$.

Good thing is that I am getting a bit of scrapping done. I have finished my 3 year-in-review layouts that I planned. They are all fairly similar, but with tiny little twists. I am pretty happy with them. Now I have some gifts I want to make - a mini album for Joe for our anniversary, a few gift layouts for mom's album for mother's day as well as gift album for Ting's bday. That's a lot of stuff to do in a little time. Got to get cracking!

I am also doing a random me album as well as wanting to do the 21 day challenge, but right now am still short on time. I wish I could function on 5 hours of sleep, but I love me some sleep sleep sleep!

Getting better

I seem to be navigating better and better every day. Work yesterday wasn't too bad. By the end of the day my foot was aching pretty well, but otherwise I was ok!

This morning I am being inspired by my Random Me scrapping class. I really don't want to spend too much $$ but I need to buy albums for the book. I will probably get some cheap 2-ups from Target (love it!). But I am not motivated to go by there and look. Maybe over the weekend...

I would also like to make my sister something for her 30th (!!) bday. Haven't decided what or how yet...need to work on that as well.

Lots of projects on my mind. Now to actually do them is a different story!

Bye for now!

Hi ho hi ho, it's off to work I go!

Welll, the foot is feeling better...no excuse not to go back to work! I am dreading the walking a bit, but I think it will be ok. Having the last 5 days off has been very very nice, but I am feeling a bit stir crazy and sort of ready to get back to it! I will just be working the next 11 days in a row, which I am NOT looking forward to, but I think I will manage, as I always do.

Nothing too exciting going on right now. I'm not sure when work starts - I'm pretty sure it's 9 am, but I guess I should call Matt in a bit to make sure!

Hope it's not too crazy today...

2 peas challenge:
chocolate or vanilla? chocolate all the way
sandals or barefoot? sandals - preferably flip flips
basic grey or scenic route? hmmm, BG
primas or HS flowers? hmmm, HS
computer journaling or handwritten? computer - I have the worst, most illegible handwriting ever
Madonna or Gwen Stefani? as much as I love Gwen, I would never pay the $$ to see her like I do for Madge, who is fabulous
Leno or Conan? neither (I am usually asleep by the time they come on!)
Koolaid or Crystal Lite? neither- water please!
American Idol or Amazing Race? Idol Idol Idol!
catlover or doglover? doglover, although I do not have any pets and, with the arrival of our new sofa, probably never will...

Almost recovered

So I am walking better on my foot. It still aches, but I'm not quite as gimpy as yesterday.

I am so ready to take a shower - unfortunately that would be hard with my foot wrapped like it is. Mom washed my hair on Sunday and I have sponge bathed, but otherwise I think I am fairly dirty (eewww!!). I am going to take a bona fide bath tonight with the help of Joe. I think I am going to have to be a on an evening shower routine right now because I don't think I would have enough time to do it in the morning before work.

I am almost ready to get back to work. It definitely has been nice not doing much of anything these past 5 days, but I am feeling a bit guilty for being so lazy!

Mom bought us some Alaskan salmon that was just delivered today. Need to start eating more healthy...

I think that's all for now - I'm still feeling a little swimmy and I didn't even take any vicoden today!

NOT a fan...

of vicodin! It my dull the pain, but it makes me feel all groggy and swimmy.

So the doc today basically told me to suck it up and start walking normally on my foot. Apparently the way it's wrapped should be ok for it to hold pressure, etc. So I am gimping along. The hopping thing was working yesterday, but that won't be good for work. I'm glad I have another day off, although I am going a little stir crazy. Maybe I will try to do some laundry today and get something productive done!

I really would like to scrap, but it's too much work to get all the supplies out! I guess I can work on my creativity journal!

I also got an email back from Stacy J saying they are working on her library of memories class for may. I am interested in taking that!

I should work on my A-Z notebook! That's what I'll do!

on the injury list

So it's almost been 24 hours since my procedure. It was weird. Since I hadn't eaten in the morning, I was already feeling slightly light-headed beforehand. When they called me in to the surgery room, it all felt somewhat surreal. I met a few nurses and docs and they explained a few more things to me. Then the main nurse started the IV, which was the most uncomfortable part of the whole thing to me. I was a little grossed out by the sight of a needle coming out of my hand. The nurse anesthetist started a light sedation so I wouln't feel the injection of the local, but I was out before we even got to the surgery room! When I woke up, we were all done! Weird weird feeling.

I felt groggy pretty much all day yesterday. By later last night the effect of the sedation had worn off. My foot was also coming out of its numbness so I was starting to feel a little uncomfortable as well. luckily mom was here to help so Joe could have dinner with A+P, Ken and Peg and Chad and Amanda.

I slept fairly well, although my back was a little sore this morning. My foot definitely hurts when I put any pressure on it, which makes navigating the bathroom a little dicey. In fact, I kind of need to go right now, but i don't feel like walking just yet. So I may hold it a bit longer.

Last night I had some weird dream that Peggy was preggers. Hmm.. I should call her later!

I'm really glad mom is here to help. It's weird not being able to do anything. AND the cable went out AGAIN. What timing. Both the technician and billing peeps got an earfull from me this morning. Not a great way to start the day, but I'm over it! I need to look into a different company to get our cable from!

That's all for now!

This sucks...

no eating or drinking the morning of the surgery. I'm starvin'!!! And getting a little cranky because of it!

At least mom is here today! It's been wonderful seeing and talking with her.

Wish me luck!

One more day

...until I go under the knife!! I've been trying not to think about it too much. I think what stresses me out more than the actual procedure is not being able to work out afterwards! I hope my foot heals quickly!! Mom is driving in tonight with Mrs. Fan so I am excited about seeing her and showing her our new house. But being immobile will be a weird concept for me. At least I'll have more time for scrappin'!

Obsessed...

with scrappin'! I skipped boot camp this morning so I could surf and scrap. Oh well. Yoga tonight and boot tomorrow before the big surgery day!! I'm not really stressed about it yet. Just ready to get it done. It is going to stink because I won't be able to exercise like I'm used to, but conversely I will have more free time to cook, scrap, whatever!

I guess I should drag my ass to work now....

Blah

Still feeling kind of gross. Couldn't drag myself out of bed this morning. Ugh. At least I did make it to the g-store. And at least this is going to be a short work week. Surgery on Friday!!

Happy Monday

Joe and Marc had today off so I got to spend it with my 2 favorite boys! We met for breakfast (+D) at Baby Barnaby's. Then we saw V for Vendetta in the afternoon. After a quick trip to Z Gallerie for a lamp and some pillows, we stopped by Peg's to get my phone.

Joe and I ordered Niko Niko's for dinner and just watched last week's episode of Lost. It keeps getting better and better!

I am getting sleepy now so off to bed soon. This spring forward thing has got me off balance!

Madonna tickets on sale tomorrow!! I think we are going to LA over my birthday weekend - woo hoo!

Ugghhhh

The party last night was a success. Afterwards we all went to Habitat, so needless to say, it was a late nihgt/early morning. We spent most of today at Club Rue by the pool. Joe is still there and will probably go to SoBe tonight, but I just took an Ambien and am off to bed. About time!

April already???

The days go by so fast! I can't believe the year is a quarter done already. We have been gearing up for A&P's goodbye party. I finally finished the album. And I've done some scrappin' too! I am really likin' Elsie Flannigan's layouts, even though her style is the complete opposite of mine. I wish I could be so free-flowing - just need to work on it, I guess.

It's been a lazy day. I have been scrappin' to my heart's content. I did take a break for yoga. We had a little drama with the new gym so Yannis wasn't there. I didn't really get all that much out of it, but I did go through the motions.

Tonight may be a long one. I should take a nap, but I'm not really feeling tired. Feel like scrappin!