Doing my civic duty

I have a jury summons for this afternoon. While it is a little of a pain, I do get to miss work for a day (and hopefully only a day) and participate in our legal system. While I think being on a jury would be interesting, we have too much going on at work for me to miss more than a day. So we'll see!

In other news, I am finally recovered from my drunkeness this weekend. Marc, Darah, Richard and I met up with Amy and Co at a newish bar called Etro, located right behind Sliders. They played cool 80's music all night (Hold Back the Rain (Duran2), Have in Mind (Cetu Javu) were two of my favorites) and we had many drinks and a couple of redheaded slut shots (Jaeger and red bull). Those shots are what did me in. And not drinking very much over the past few months. I yakked outside of Marc's car (while sitting in the front seat - at least I didn't yak in the car!) and I also yakked when I got home, but that definitely helped my feel better-ish the next day.

I also got some happy mail yesterday! My Poppy Ink Kit and add-on, Cafe Prima flowers and the June CK. Fun fun fun!

When the cat the away

the mouse gets very lonely! Joe with his mom in Phoenix visiting his Gram, Grandpa and Aunt Nancy. They left Wednesday night and he will be back Sunday afternoon. So I have been working, some scrapping, watching TV, and generally making a mess of the house. Luckily we are only working half a day today so I have time to clean up before he gets home.

I found another cute Q+A during my blog surfing. One day I may put some of these onto a scrapbook page!

Two Names I Go by: e and yarbs (nickname from my sister, don't ask)
Two Things I am Wearing Right Now: nightgown and Crocs
Two Things I Want (or have) in a Relationship: laughter and honesty
Two of My Favorite Things to do: scrap and visit with friends and family
Things I Want Very Badly At The Moment: shhhh....don't tell Joe, but I have major baby fever
Two pets I have: none...maybe we should get a furbaby first?
Two things I did last night: ate dinner at Collina's with Marc and Darah; laughed until I almost cried
Two things I ate today: since it's very early, I have had 2 pieces of toast with butter and jam
Two people I just talked to last: Joe and Marc
Two Things I'm doing tomorrow: working and kissing Joe when he arrives home
Two longest car rides: from Arlington to Angel Fire, New Mexico and From Arlington, TX to Colorado; both for ski trips with my parents when I was a mere teenager
aTwo Favorite Holidays: New Year's Eve and Memorial Day (spend fun times with friends)
Two favorite beverages: Propel and Absolut Tonic

This is fun stuff!

Back to the real world

Our vacation in Cancun was fabulous! We played in the ocean, napped on the beach, hung out by the pools, got massages and facials, ran, ate yummy food, watched the sun rise and set, shopped, worked out, parasailed and snorkeled. A whole lot of nothing, really, which is the best kind of vacation.

The best part: hard to say, but I was most surprised when we got on the plane and our seats were 3A + B - in first class. I wish I could fly first class all the time!

And we're off!

Of course Joe got up at the crack (before 5am!!!!) to ride his bike. And I just lazed around and surfed the internet. But we're on vacation - woo hoo! I have just an hour to get ready so toodles until Monday or Tuesday!

5 Years ago my Joey and I gave ourselves to each other! Yay us!

One more day

I know I'm supposed to appreciate the little things in life and take joy in the mundane. And overall I think I do (except those times when work stresses me out - but that happens to everyone). But I am so excited to take this little getaway with Joe - I hope this helps us reconnect some more. Between work, school and training we don't just hang out and BE and this is what I want to do over the weekend. No plans, no agenda, just the two of us on the beach! And just one more day before we get there - woot woot!

Tired today

My allergies are making me feel very run down today. I skipped yoga because I just wasn't feeling it. All I really want to do is go to sleep. But I haven't finished packing for our trip yet so maybe I'll just take a little nap before Joe gets home.

One word at a time

Found this on some random blogs as I was surfing. Fun stuff.

1. Yourself? Sleepy
2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend? Husband
3. Your hair? Short
4. Your mother? the best
5. Your father? quiet
6. Your favorite thing? chocolate
7. Your dream last night? deep sleep
8. Your favorite drink? Propel
9. Your dream car? BMW 5 series
10. Room you're in? stuffed
11. Fear? illness
12. What you want to be in 10 years? momma
13. Muffins? blueberry
14. Who you hung out with last night? Joe
15. What you're not? Organized
16. Time? 8:43 PM
17. What you're wearing? shorts
18. Favorite weather? spring
19. Favorite book? Lord of the Rings
20. Last Thing You Ate? Cliff bar
21. Worst vice? procrastination
22. Best friend(s)? Joe and Ting
23. Thinking about right now? need to stop surfin'
24. Car you drive? BMW
25. Your life? Can't complain

A month to remember

Yay - it's May. My favorite month of the year, mostly because it's my birth month and it's my wedding month. Woot woot! We are off to Cancun on Friday so I am going to be positive the rest of the week and not stress about work too much.

We partially made our goal this month - the first time this year! So at least momma will be getting a mini bonus to help pay for the Tory Burch Patent Leather totes she just purchased! I bought one in black and one in white - one for Tinger and one for myself. I missed the UPS guy yesterday but called them and they will be delivering to work on Wednesday.

I got some happy mail last week and yesterday as well. My second Heidi Swapp package with lots of yummy goodness.

I also got the Ali Edwards KOTM fro CK, last week. I've read some negative stuff about the cute stamps so I think I will try them out for myself.

Too bad we will be gone for National Scrapbooking Day this Saturday, but I think I'll take Cancun. :)

The end of the month blues

The last week of the month is always crazy busy at work and when I really dislike my job the most. I need to keep reminding myself that it works in phases and is not always so bad. But of course today is going to be a hectic day and 1 - I didn't sleep very well and 2 - my throat is killing me. I'm hoping it's just allergies and I can pick up some claritin at Walgreen's to make me feel better. But I want to be good by the end of the week, when we fly to Cancun - woo hoo! (I need to keep reminding myself that good things are around the corner and make this a year to remember!)

Madonnarama

Billy Boo was in town this past weekend! We went to the Madonnarma at South Beach Saturday night.


We danced the night away. I MAY have had a little too much to drink (those redheaded sluts will do it to you every time!).

Here are me and some of my favorite boys. Aren't we cute!

Addicted to LOST

I still love this show although nothing seems to get resolved and things get more twisted. I love it love it. I think I enjoy the process of learning about the characters more than anything.

The end of an era

Sanjaya is gone! Thank goodness - he was a sweet kid but man he needs some more practice! I was worried vote for the best would win and that would be the end of Idol!

Stuff of Life

I'm taking yet another online class. This just direct thru scrapper Nichol Magouirk. She designs for KI Memories, Creative Imaginations and others. I was immediately attracted to to colors of the mini book she had on her blog and since she was offering at a class, signed up immediately! This class is different from BPS in that she sent us a class kit to make exactly what she made, which I love. So I am going to be having fun creating this book this month!

On a random, sad note, my heart goes to the families to lost loved ones at Virginia Tech today. What a waste of life. I can't believe something like this still happens - what would possess a person to shoot more that 30 people before taking his own life. I just don't understand it. Cherish the life you have and live every day to its fullest. Things can always be so much worse.

Yesterday

was a beautiful day. After going into work briefly, Joe and I made our yummy breakfast

of eggs with veggies and steel cut oats with blueberries. Then I went to the museum with Marc and Richard.

We spent about 2 hours there, just tooling around. Marc bought me a McFlurry for a snack - can't go wrong with chocolate and soft serve!

We dropped Richie off at home and met Marc W and Joe for lunch at Mission Burrito. D met us there for a little bit. After lunch we met up with Ken, Peg, Chad, Amanda and Johnny at Onion Creek in the Heights. So we saw a little bit of everyone yesterday.

The humidity is very low these days, which is why the air feels so good. I guess we should enjoy it before summer hits us full force! I'm hoping this weather will keep up through next weekend when Bill is in town and we go to the Madonnarama at South Beach!

My new thing

I traditionally wear brown eyeliner, blush and maybe some lip color over my chapstick when I go to work in the morning. But this new mascara I bought a few months ago is fabulous. I have short stubby eyelashes, but this actually makes my eyes pop a little. And it doesn't smudge, even after a hot, sweaty yoga session, yet it comes off easily with make up remover. So here is my plug for the day - Cover Girl Volume Exact Mascara ROCKS.

Joe is crazed.

This photo is not from today, but it might as well be. He woke up is morning this early to run for 1 hour. This is so that he can get to UofH to swim by 5:45. Then he will be at work in the morning and golfing with Mike, his former boss, in the afternoon. I should have taken a picture of everything he brought with him to work. Like 4 bags (swim bag, accessories bag, work bag and golf bag) and 2 lunches. Good grief. This working out and eating right requires a lot of energy and bags (apparently)! It's enough to make me want to eat some chocolate and go back to bed.

Sanjaya!

Still lives! He may actually make it to the top 5 - I cannot believe this! Is America great :)!!!

Scrappy mood

I have so much scrap stuff - I have probably been hoarding for at least 3 years. So I am finally learning to use all those embellishments I got in my kits (KNK, Scrapbook Obsessions and AMM). I have enough paper to make a thousand or more layouts, probably, and yet I still buy more! What is wrong with me?!?!

Monday is movie day

over at Kurt and Mike's. Apparently the boys had a crunked up night at TMC. I wished I had been there just for the photo ops!

We watched Children of Men (very good, although a little heavy and depressing) and Eragon (entertaining, but predictable) but had to leave abruptly because the alarm was going off upstairs. But it was a false alarm.

I got some happy mail from my Stuff of Life class today. Looks like fun! I may post pictures tomorrow.

Good night for now :)

Catch up Sunday

How did we spend our Easter? Relaxing at home and catching up on our, well, my favorite tv shows. Sundays seem to go much slower when we are not at Berry Hill!

Brrrrrrrrrr

The temperature is around 41 degrees today. What happened to spring?!?! Joe and I got manis and pedis, bought a noise machine from Sharper Image, bought house stuff at Target, bought flip flops from J Crew (me), Chuck Taylors from the Gap (J), shorts from Nordstroms (J), face stuff from Lancome (me) and Clinique (J), ate lunch at Brown Bag Deli and grocery shopped. And we were home by 1:30 pm. That's a productive morning!
I skipped yoga this morning because I am having issues with my right hamstring - it doesn't want to stretch. Ugh.
Now we still have to whole afternoon to goof off. Joe is taking a well-deserved nap right now. I am debating on joining him or scrapping...I think I may get some paper and glue out right now!

I love spring

and getting to leave work early!

Today was a pretty slow day so I got to play hookey - woo hoo! I feel like it's a well-deserved break.

We're having sushi for dinner tonight - yums!

Now, off to play :)

This photo of our house was taken this time last year, but the sentiment is the same. Leaves are growing, days are longer...life is good.

I love my mom...

But she sometimes stresses me out! We made plans for a girls trip to Montreal the weekend of June 8th. Apparently that weekend happens to be the same weekend of some Formula One race, so EVERY SINGLE HOTEL in town is booked up. The natural course of events is to change weekends, which is what Ting suggested we do. Mom freaked out, saying it was impossible and that we wouldn't be able to. So I called AA and got the same flights, just the weekend before. Since the tickets were less expensive, we ended up breaking even. At least that little drama was taken care of! I am looking forward to the summer. We have lots of little weekends planned.

Now it's time for bed!

Digital is great...

...but nothing beats having photos in your hand. Maybe it's the tactile sensation, but for me looking at photos on the computer still doesn't compare. When we bought our first digital camera, this huge Kodak, I remember thinking, now I don't have to have any prints and we can just look at the pictures on the computer! Unfortunately one of our hard drives crashed and I have lost many photos some certain events (a birthday at La Strada, a visit to Phoenix). That, and re-discovering my love of scrapbooking, has brought me full circle.

Yes, take as many pictures as you need to with the digital camera (I have since upgraded to a Nikon D50 - love it! as well as a Canon point and shoot) but get those photos printed. Not every single one, but lots of them. You don't need to scrap all of them, but I always like browsing through photo albums.

















I love this photo of my parents from their wedding. They look so young. Well, I guess they were so young! Digital has made it possible for me to save this picture well into the future, but I still had it printed out. This is definitely one for the favorite photo scrapbook.

Fun mail

I am addicted to scrapping supplies. I have done good and not joined any monthly clubs for almost a year (I broke down and finally got on the list for Poppy Ink - they have the cutest kits and I couldn't resist). I also loved this flower kit from Cafe Pima, so I joined for 6 months. Fun stuff.

I have been inspired by this two pea, Subbacultcha, and she uses lots of flowers and embellies, which is what prompted the buy. That, and I love to shop. The internet makes it too easy! But hey, what's a little flowers to make someone happy?

Iron Joe!

We have had a long but exciting day today. As you can see, we were up at the crack of dawn to drive to Galveston for his half-Ironman. Although the conditions in the water and on the bike were windy and rainy, Joe raced a record day! He was 7th out of the water at 30:56, with a 2:19 transition onto the bike. He finished the 56-mile bike route in 2:33:55 with a 1:05 transition to the run. He completed the half-marathon in 1:40:04, a record time for him!

His finish time was 4:48:22, placing him 6th in his age group out of 66 total competitors and 19th place overall out of 417 total competitors! I am so proud of him. I guess his hours of training, strict diet and no alcohol has really paid off!

TGIF

...even though I must work tomorrow - blah!! My back/butt started hurting again yesterday - must pay attention to posture and stretches!! I am enjoying yoga again so I don't want to stop but I just need to be more careful.

Joe and I have been getting up at the crack to run in the mornings. He is a crazed, obsessed boy. I am anxious for him to do well on his half-Ironman in Galveston on Sunday. THAT would be very good positive reinforcement that NO DRINKING is a good thing! I am so proud of him this month - I need to go pick him up a little surprise for his race and for his dedication.

That's all for now. I am just gearing myself up for a crazy busy day.

Yoga does a body good

Today was the 4th day in a row that I practiced yoga. A record for me! And I feel pretty good. My back definitely isn't hurting as much, if at all, and I was finally able to get into some twisty poses myself today. I am back!

Paper junkie

I think I have more patterned paper than I could ever use in my lifetime. In multiple lifetimes. And I want more! My problem stems from the fact that I love pretty colors and patterns but I want to use them for the "perfect layout." Unfortunately none of my layouts are perfect so I just end up hoarding the paper. I need to use what I have.

I promised myself I wouldn't buy any more paper or embellishments until I made 50 layouts. That promise has be (somewhat) kept. Now, really NO MORE PAPER until at least 100 layouts/projects made. Now that I have this in print somewhere, I need to be honest. (And the no more paper doesn't count the new Love, Elsie papers I just preordered ;) !!)

Fun stuff

Photo a day

My goal this month has been to take a picture of me and my sweetie every day. We've done great so far - it helps that we've been working out together some mornings so we have been having breakfast together and leaving for work together. Although you don't change very much in one month, I like to see how we just slightly different everyday.

good times with good friends

My good friend Cindy is in town this weekend. She flew in 'cause she got some free tickets to the Scissor Sisters show on Friday night. Unfortunately I couldn't spend any time with her yesterday because I worked all day (blah) but we did have dinner with 15 of our closest friends at Dolce Vita. After much food and drinks (they have the BEST chocolate espresso martinis there - I actually had 2!), we went to The Flat for a drink. The bar was a little slow but we got to catch up some. Darryl and Cindy went home and Marc, Matt and I headed to Guava Lamp for more drinks and merriment. The boys dropped me off at home around 1:45 this morning; Joe actually woke up at 4:45 to get ready for his half marathon (ugh - better him than me!).

Unfortunately I am definitely feeling the effects of the glass of wine, 2 martinis and 2 vodka tonics I had last night. I am drinking water and trying to get my a$$ up and going - need to hit the grocery store and yoga before Joe gets home. I hope I can make it through yoga - I think an aspirin and some coffee should be the answer!

Losing my mojo

Don't know why

Haven't been feeling like bloggin' lately

Still reading all my scrappy blogs

Those girls are so clever and witty

Me, not so much.

But it's all good.

I'm having a year to remember.

U and ur hand!

My new favorite song by pink!

Not everyone understands house music

It's a spiritual thing

It's a body thing

It's a soul thing.

This is me, shakin' it at our first visit to the Roxy in New York. Got to love those zebra pants and the platforms!

I love AI

Although the boys were kind of sucky last night, the girls rocked it tonight. Last year I loved the boys much better. This year the girls rule!

Bad blogger

I am so lazy - I get out of the habit of doing something and it's hard to get back in. I think it's the guilt thing. So I need to let go of the guilt and just DO IT!

I am (finally) working on the journaling class that I took last year at BPS. I really would like to add more words to my scrapbook pages. Although I love just creating a fun layout, I want to leave a little something behind. If anything were to ever happen to me (knock on wood), I want to people I hold nearest and dearest to my heart how much they mean to me.

My first is to scrapbook this photo. I love this photo. It reminds me of more carefree days, with some of my best friends in the whole world. I don't get to see Shaila or Varsh enough (luckily I see Bill at least once or twice a year) but I love them forever. We look so happy and carefree, but why are we wearing those ties??

Procrastination

should be my middle name. I am THE worst at getting stuff done. Whether it be house chores or stuff I like - I have good intentions in my mind but sometimes they just never get done!

In my choose joy class, we are making a layout about 100 things we are grateful for. I am currently working on that list. But she also wants us to keep a gratitude journal and write a sentence or 2 about what we were grateful for that day. So my gratitude for last night (for some reason I was totally grumpy yesterday and couldn't fall asleep) is the ice pack that makes my back feel better. I slack on the stretches but I like the feel of cold on my back.

Today I am going to CHOOSE JOY and be a more pleasant person at work. (I think it's hard because sometimes, like today, I just dread work!! Ugh!) Wish me luck!

Scrapaholic

I am obsessed. Really I just want to make layout after layout. I put myself on a spending freeze, but that really didn't work out. I have been buying a lot of stamps - I am addicted to clear acrylic stamps. I trekked out to Archiver's in Katy yesterday. Bought 2 sets of fun stamps. I haven't been buying any patterned paper because I REALLY need to use up what I have. And when Elsie's stuff comes out I want it all!! It's too cute - especially her skull stamp. Can't wait for it to be released!
I think scrapping is like therapy for me. Even better because it is (relatively) cheaper and I have a finished product at the end!
Now I'm going to my other obsession - American Idol!

Day off

Today is gong to be a shopping and scrapping day. I already finished one layout about my trip to NYC with Tinger. Fun fun fun!

It's a vicious cycle

I have fallen out of blogging lately. I find that the less I write the less I feel like writing. And the less I feel like I have to write. This blog is really just for me to ramble and to look back on my own ramblings. I guess life is just getting in the way.
I watched Lost today. Love love love that show. I can see how people may get annoyed at how there is so much stuff going on and we don't have any real answers to what's going on with the island, but I am so enjoying the process of getting to know the characters. IMHO, that's the strength of the show - how the writers develop each character. I love that! Of course I would like to know exactly why the others are the way they are, etc, etc, but I like meandering along the way. Usually the meandering is more fun than what happens in the end - I find that endings can sometimes be disappointing. Case in point - I loved Desperate Housewives when we were trying to figure out why the one killed herself. But once that was solved, it just became a melodrama to me. So I stopped watching. But Lost I could watch for a long time.

Too many things in my head

So I just feel totally disorganized. Tomorrow I will get organized...yeah, famous last words!

Time goes by so slowly...

for those who wait...no time to hesitate...those who run seem to have all the fun...(madonna is a wise woman).

Where have I been the past 2 weeks? Swamped with work, American Idol, A Year to Remember and Fashion Week at Bryant Park, NYC!

I got back last night from New York. Ting and I spent 5 fabulous days shopping, drinking lots of coffee, bonding with Bill and Juan, freezing our a$$e$ off in the below 20-degree weather, seeing lots of new fashion, coveting bags and enjoying each other's company. I love my sister!

Our new OD, Dr. Thai, is leaving us so I will be working all by myself the last 2 weeks of the month...NOT fun, but what can you do? He is so sweet and will be missed!

I am falling behind on my scrap projects...got to get it together.

Overall life is good. Joe is really starting his ironman training and so he is always either hungry or tired and I kind of miss him, but hopefully we'll get back into our routine.

That's enough randomness for one night. Ciao for now!

Beautiful day

Not a cloud in the sky today, if you can believe it. Living in Houston gives one a weird sense of the seasons. It stays unseasonalby (sp?) warm until Oct-Nov. It cools down a bit for a week or two but then warms up again in December. And the rain start in January. And it does stay cooler. Under 60 or 50. But it doesn't really stay cold for a long period of time. Just long enough for me to want to buy a new winter coat that I only wear once or twice. Good thing I haven't in the past year (maybe two, but I think Joe got me a cute pink corduroy jacket from the Gap last year). I have also tried to refrain from buying more sweaters, because again they are only worn a few times, at most, throughout the winter.
I got my Heidi Swapp calendar today! Fun fun fun! I am just waiting to get my photos from Snapfish so I can finish my January layout. I am definitely on scrapping mode lately!
Friday tomorrow - thank goodness. Unfortunately Saturday is a work day too, but the week always seems to go by faster when I am off on Monday. Laters.

bad blogger!

The weather has been damp, cold, and dreary. My mood has not, but I have definitely been in chill out mode, especially after this past Sunday. We were ridiculous and spent it out at Berry Hill, JR's, The Mine and Kirt and Mike's. Any of our usual Sunday spots. We had much fun, though!

I have been inspired to scrap lately. I am just eagerly stalking Fed Ex for my Heidi Swapp kit!!

Nothing exciting to report. Over and out.

Whew!

Last week one of my favorite boys ever turned 40!! 40!! We don't seem like we should be that age. I guess perception and reality are 2 different things.

Anyways, we're having a belated party for him at Heather and Karolos' tonight. Happy birthday D! Love you!

We're going to party like it's a snow day

{accompanied by requisite cheesy dance}

So the weather has been pretty cold and rainy here. Almost freezing. I guess freezing enough for work to be cancelled! Woo hoo! I love a free day off! I am inspired to scrap so am going to work on darryl's album and maybe a few pages of my own!

P.S. Idol just started last night. I was crabby until I realized what night it was. The first city was Minneapolis. Prince's home did NOT have a lot of talent!

I {heart} Heidi!

One of my scrapping goals this year is to do 50 layouts before buying anymore scrappin' stuff (i.e. paper, embellishments, etc. Tools such as stamps or punches don't count - a girl's got to live a little, after all!). So our assignment this week for YTR was to scrap our goal for the year. Mine is to decorate the house, but I have not taken any pictures yet. But I was inspired to use her techniques to make a scrapbook page about our friends. And I love it! Ahh, I wish I could be a SAHS (stay-at-home-scrapper)!

I got sucked in

By the TV tonight. I am a sucker for Law & Order: SVU and then I stumbled on my old favorite, SITC. So I spent the evening watching while playing sudoki. Oh well, there are worse things I could do. It's nice to veg and not think about anything.

Eugene, on old family friend and orthopedic surgeon, prescribed a Medrol dose pack. I'm hoping this will help with the pain.

Off to bed. I really need to start writing more - I think I missed my year anniversary of bloggin'!!

It's cold today! I ran for about 30 minutes in running pants, a long sleeved dri-fit AND a windbreaker. And my hands were STILL cold! I love the way crisp cold air feels, though. Somehow cleaner than the muggy air that's the norm here in H-town.

I am inspired to decorate today. I love being able to go online and scope out what I like so that I can find the things in store. I think it's going to be a crate and barrel day after my doctors appointment.

Well, I'm off the enjoy the day. Gotta take advantage of my days off because work is going to be CRAZEEE the rest of the month. (We're already behind!!)

A week already over

Here's to a great week. We had a productive and fun filled first week of January. We are in the process of trying to rennovate and rent out our upstairs unit as well as the garage apartment. The new coat of paint did wonders as will some new carpet. I have a feeling the garage apartment will rent first.

Alan and Patrick are visiting this week as well. We are going to dinner on Tuesday.

Here is a just a fun pic of me and my boy on NYE. I gotta start taking more daily pics.

5 reasons that I want to finish decorating the house:

1 - we've lived here over 1 year and it's still not done

2 - i am tired of looking at blank walls

3 - i want to tidy up the clutter

4 - i want to be able to lounge on the floor more comfortably

5 - i want an excuse to buy some new stuff!

i am going to take some before pictures of each room this week. and will slowly make each room into the after that i'm dreaming of! woo hoo!

Words to live by

Found this on the BPS website. I love that they have a new quote every day. I really need to take this to heart.

Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

My happy colors

Found this from a link thru Stacy J's blog. I love bright, happy colors. So I guess I'm not the most sophisticated person in the world. I'm ok with that. I'd rather be happy :)

I am so looking forward to my haircut today, although I'm not sure what I want to do with it. And this afternoon Joe and I are doing a spring cleaning. We definitely need it!

Motivation

Lorna, our renter upstairs, moved out over Christmas so now we are renovating before the next potential tenants move in. We got it ready to be painted tomorrow and cleaned as well. A very exciting Friday night indeed!

I have lost my scrappin' mojo and I am looking for inspiration. I guess one thing at a time: my goal for Heidi's class. At first I just wanted to finish decorating the living room, but I think I can work on the whole house with a target date of the weekend after Thanksgiving. I would like to have another early holiday cocktail party so having a finished house by then would be fabulous. So now it's time to save $$, since we got to spend some on the apartments as well as some for new furniture.

Tomorrow is hair cut day! I am in dire need!

A year to remember

My Heidi Swapp class started today. Our assignment this week is to set an attainable goal and when we want to reach it. Off the top of my head I can think of the usual - lose 10 lbs, eat healthier, etc. etc. But I think my goal is going to be to finish decorating our living room! We need a rug, coffee table and decorations - namely photos - for the wall. This should be done within 6 months. There, it's in writing and I can't take it back!

Happy 2007!

The past 2 days have been a whirlwind. We started at little Berry Hill for afternoon drinks; I came home early and watch a marathon of Law and Order until the party at Kirt and Mike's. We stayed there until well past midnight and then danced the night away at Habitat.

Today we spend by the pool and Kirt and Mike's. A very relaxing day, but I am exhausted and will be going to bed shortly. Here's to a great new year!

Here's to another great year

Wow - I can't believe the last day of 2006 is here. Like I always write, where does the time go?

Costa Rica was a wonderful getaway. We really didn't do much. Lay out by the beach. Read a few books. Eat Mom's great cooking (and some not so great food at nearby restaurants). Open Christmas presents. Take lots of pictures. Canopy in the rain forest. Drive for hours and hours. I just really enjoyed spending time with my family! And I can't wait to do it again! Pictures will be posted in the new year (most likely).

Joe and I have been laying low since we got home on Friday afternoon. We saw Dreamgirls with Marc and Darryl on Friday. Afterwards we ate a late lunch/early dinner at Barnaby's, went to the grocery store and rented a documentary about Tupac and Big E.

Yesterday I had to work, but fortunately we weren't crazy busy and we already hit our target so the mood in the office was relaxed and happy! I do have to see one day post-ops today but it should only take about an hour or so.

I am also happy that although my butt and back have really made me hesitant about working out so I haven't been, I haven't gained any weight, either. In fact, the 132.4 lbs I weighed this morning is the lightest I have been in a long time! This supports my theory that your body like a certain weight and will keep it around there, as long as you are in some kind of shape and not eating everything in sight. I would like the eat more healthfully in 2007 and lose a few pounds - or really lose a few inches - which is one of my goals for the new year.

That's all for now. I am going to try to post some more before the day's over.

Our casa next week

We are staying at this place in Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica. It looks awesome!

Early morning run

I still love working out in the mornings...when I actually get up. Matt, our noisy neighbor, was having a party last night so we didn't get to sleep as early as we usually do. Then he had people over starting at 4 AM (or at least that's when they woke us up!), so my sleep last night was spotty, to say the least. Joe got up around 5:30 and I was going to try to sleep until 6:30 but my guilt and the noise was too much. So I ran from the house for about 30 minutes. The sun is not quite up yet so I am probably not being as safe as I should, but I run in well-lit, well-trafficked areas so I was ok.

I also hate when I can't think of good come backs until 5 minutes later. A couple of partiers were on Matt's balcony smoking and the guy was like "you're making me feel uphealthy," when he saw me coming in from the run. I should have been like "I'm sure smoking cigarettes at 6 in the morning adds at least 10 years to your life" instead of just nodding and saying "true." Stupid!

We really should start calling the po-po more often, especially on school night!

Tonight I have a happy hour with my Met friends at Cafe le Jadeite. And tomorrow is Kurt and Mike's party. And we leave for Costa Rica Friday! I am looking forward to getting away!

Only 3.5 days left

until we leave for Costa Rica! Woo hoo - I am looking forward to getting out of dodge! I am pretty much done with our Christmas shopping - I may look for a few small things, but I really have what I need.

I can't believe the end of the year is almost here. Seems like we were just celebrating the new year a short while ago. I guess time flies when you're living your life!

Out of shape

Goodness - I ran for an hour and a half today and I am tired! What a difference a year makes. Last year this time I would have been able to run this without a problem. This year, with my foot surgery and back problems, I am lucky to make it to the gym a few times a week! One of my goals for next year is to definitely get back into shape. I hate being out of breath when I have barely even run for 20 minutes!

We had James, Val and Lori over for dinner last night. After the initial awkwardness, we ended up having a good time. We took a picture for the family, which I am getting printed today. Gotta love the digital age!

Bulging discs

Ugh - the discs in vertebrae L5 and S1 are bulging and the spine is pressing on them, which is causing my pain. I thought it was just an inflamed piriformis muscle, but it's so much more. My doc has me on the 3x/week program and I had my first visit yesterday. Right after I felt better, and they gave me a stretch to do, but I definitely will need more help before I am 100%. This totally stinks because I feel limited as far as exercise. I really haven't been able to do yoga very well because all those forward bends are really painful and I think kind of bad for it. But at least I have been running again. I am in such bad shape right now - I am just hoping I can make it for the half marathon in January. My plan is to run 1.5 hours on Sunday to at least build up some endurance before we leave for Costa Rica.

I had dinner at little Berry Hill with Matt and Rob last night while Joe was at the Galleria Christmas shopping and getting his hair done. That boy is almost more maintenance than me!

I am off to enjoy my morning until work starts at 10.

Monday off

I feel like it's been a long time since I've been off on a Monday. Which is a good thing because it means I've had regular weekends off as well. Today is a rainy and dreary day, which is good because it reflects my mood. I amy trying to finish my BPS Year in Pictures project, but am having trouble with the journalling. At least I have all day to work on it!

We are going to see the doctor tomorrow about my behind. I am hoping the MRIs turned out and he will be able to help. I have been in pain for over 2 months now - not fun!

What a day

Today was supposed to be a productive Saturday off work. I was going to run, clean the house, have lunch with Marc and get my haircut. I guess 2 out of 4 is not bad. I got sidetracked when I lost my keys along the Bayou during my run. What I planned to be an hour long run turned into a 2 and a half mission to find those stupid keys. I never did. Luckily Kirt and Mike were home and helped me find a locksmith. Marc kept me company while the locksmith eventually picked our lock. I started my run at about 8:45 am. We didn't make it to lunch until almost 1:40pm. Needless to say, the rest of my day was just about as productive.

Oh well, such is life! We are having dinner at the Rues tonight. And luckily I have Monday off to be productive :)

Bad blogger

I feel like this week has been going on forever and it's only Tuesday. Ugh!

Our party was a success! We had too much dessert and not enough vodka (well, we had enough vodka, but we probably could have used more) but overall everyone enjoyed themselves. We literally had to move the party to Club Rue at 1 AM so that we wouldn't disturb the neighbors.

So the beginning of this week has been spent recovering from the weekend. I went to Joe's DC about the pain in my butt and am having an MRI done. He thinks the issue is with my lower lumbar nerve. I am just hoping he can help me. I have been in pain for over 2 months now. NOT a good situation.

I will be posting party pictures soon.

Disaster averted

We are having the first party in our house tonight. Actually this is the first real party Joe and I have hosted alone since we've been together! So yesterday the heater broke (again). The original contractors who fixed it a few weeks ago had to order a part which wouldn't be here until Wednesday. So Joe was freaking out all afternoon yesterday, trying to figure out what to do. He was able to get a hold of Blaine, a friend of an ex-co-worker of Joe's, who happened to be in the neighborhood. Apparently he cleaned the motor, tapped it a little to keep the bearings from rattling, and it has been working ever since (knock on wood). Otherwise, it would have been a cold party!

This week we have been running around like crazy getting things ready. I forgot what goes into planning even a simple cocktail party. My decorating skills are sorely lacking, but we did buy a tree and I got a huge pink (of course) bow tree topper. Love it!

After seeing patients this morning it's off to finish up with last minute stuff. I am looking forward to seeing all of our friends tonight!

Snapshots from NYC

It was a fabulous trip. Lots of good company, good eats and good fun. The highlight was definitely the Macy's parade on Thanksgiving. How can any other parade compare! I think of it like going on safari to Africa - the zoo kind of sucks after that! I am already ready for our next trip out there.

Time goes by...

so quickly! Our NYC trip was fabulous as usual. The last night was almost my favorite - 70's themed tea dance at Splash with Lady Bunny spinning! I really didn't want to come home to reality. This week is going to be over soon and we are having an early holiday cocktail party on Saturday. So lots to do. More to come laters.

Where does time go?

I can't wait for Thanksgiving! We are off to NYC tonight! Woo hoo! Let's just get through this day and we'll be ok :)

Makes me happy

I know it's a material thing. And I do NOT need material things to really make me happy. But I am, if for a brief moment. I have been eyeing this bag for months and it finally went on sale at Saks so I ordered it! It is actually black IRL but the photo shows up dark brown. I love the smell of new leather!

On a more sober note, the brother of Marc, one of my closest friends, is in the hospital with acute respiratory syndrome after a major motorcycle accident. We are keeping him in our thoughts and hoping for the best. Life stinks, sometimes.

A clean workspace

I finally cleaned off our desk today. We were swimming under a sea of paper and adhesive! I should have taken a before picture but I prefer the after. I just have such bad habit of collecting clutter - I have really been trying to work on it, but old habits die hard.

I have enjoyed the day off. Only 9 more days until we leave for NYC! Can't wait!

A day of shopping

Instead of the wasting the sunny afternoon partying at Berry Hill, we spent it and our cash at the Galleria. I hadn't been for a while so I enjoyed walking around and seeing what's in stores. I got this cute top from Barney's Co-op (on sale of course) that, with the right support, accentuates two good features ;)! I also got a Project Red shirt from the Gap (inspi(red)) and a cute Nike track jacket from Nordstrom's (also on sale).

We started as 4 - Richie, Bo-Marc, Marc and me. We ended as 2 - me and Marc - the last shopper's standing! Marc and I also enjoyed a late lunch at the cafe in Nordstrom's. All and all a very good afternoon with my peeps.

I am glad I have tomorrow off so I can regroup for the next week. Work was busier than it had been for a long time, and I have a feeling it's going to keep being busy until some time next year. Which is a good thing, cause Momma needs her bonus $$ for Christmas!

Can't wait for my baby to come home!

TIGF

Even though I have to work tomorrow, at last it's Friday. Joe is leaving for Phoenix this afternoon to visit his grandparents. He will be back Sunday evening. Tonight is game night at Marc and Darryl's and tomorrow the girls are going out for Peggy's belated bday. So I've got stuff to keep me occupied!

Work has been very busy this week which makes the day go by very quickly. I really would like to make our numbers this month so we have bonus Christmas money!!

200th post!

Wow - time goes by when you're having fun - or life- or whatever you want to call it. Today went by in a whirl. Dr. W finally sent me to get some X-rays of my behind to see if there's more to it than what meets the eye. And work was crazy busy. It makes the day go by, but then it's over and where has it gone? Joe actually came in for an exam - we may zap his eyes!

Joe and I ate our staple meal tonight - turkey burgers with cranberry sauce. I took a photo, but I'm not in the mood to upload. Just a bit more surfin' for me and it's off to bed! I hate when it gets dark outside so quickly - just makes me want to hibernate.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tonight's episode of Lost was amazing. I don't want to wait until 2/7/07 to see the rest!! (Yes I am going to have trouble sleeping tonight!)

Beautiful day

The sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Hard to believe it's the beginning of November.

Sak's is having a one-day sale and their Kooba bags are on sale. I may have to go check them out as I have been saving my moola!

This is the picture you get...

when your husband doesn't want to pose for a photo. Goofy faces. Hee hee - they make me smile!

What goes around comes around

I love this outfit that Jessica Simpson is wearing, but at the same time it cracks me up as well. Oversized sweaters and tight jeans - that's what I was wearing in college! I really feel old when fashion has already started to recycle. I mean, you're not supposed to wear something you have worn before, right?

I need to get back into my photo a day. I have been taking them but not as many as I should.

Back to the grind today....

Back online

Two and a half days of no internet is enough to drive a girl crazy! I guess I was more productive, but I don't really feel like it.

I am now enjoying the last hours of my Monday off. It's back to the grind tomorrow! More pictures to come later...

Let's sue the landlords

Brrrr...our heater is not working and the house is cold. Apparently the part we need will not be in until this coming Wednesday so we are going to have to suffer until then. I'm sure the outside weather will stay cold until then and then it will warm up again once it's fixed. Isn't that how it always works!

Doing this year in pictures thing is actually a little more difficult that I imagined. Some months we "did" more things than others so trying to find pics on the months without big events is hard. I was thinking about doing a different year from 2006 but this year I have really taken much more photos of normal stuff than any other year. And doing this photo a day is hard but I kind of like it - makes me think of what I would like to take a picture of!

Here I go to have some breakfast and try to warm up...

New classes

I am such a geek. I have been waiting for my 2 big picture scrapboooking classes to start today. One is a journaling class and one is to make a year in review album of 12 layouts. I figured I could use one to compliment the other!

The BPS classes have definitely inspired me to scrap more. I am taking a yearlong one with Heidi Swapp next year and am REALLY looking forward to it. On 2peas, people have been complaining at the cost and lack of projects (it's essentially a yearlong class where we make a calendar), but I can honestly say if I took a class that had a project a week, I would probably never get them all done in my lifetime. I really wanted to take it to learn more about HS's creative mojo.

I guess it's time to get ready for work! Yesterday was a good day because it was the beginning of the month and not a crazy day. But also because I reminded myself that Happiness is a choice.

A typical evening

well, blogger isn't allowing me to post my picture so we'll try again tomorrow.

Happy November!

We only got 2 trick or treaters last night - a pair of Ninjas. Our neighborhood is not the most kid-friendly so I'm surprised we got even 2. Needless to say, we have tons of candy leftover that I need to take to work so I don't eat it all!

My a$$ is still hurting, but the little electrodes the doc put on it yesterday morning did help it feel better, if not for a little while. We may try acupuncture tomorrow morning...may prove to be interesting!

And I really need to stop using my a$$ as an excuse for not working out. He said riding the bike is ok, so I am going to the gym after work to ride for a bit.

Another month is beginning. I always feel like it's a fresh start. Hopefully the weather will stay cool now!

I would like to try the photo a day thing this month. And make a small 6x6 mini album of it. Entirely possible if I just keep the design simple. At the end of the month I will print out the photos and put the album together.

I don't know if I want to use this photo for the first of the month. But I love our house. It's small but cozy. Our first really big purchase. It reminds me how lucky we are to have a house to live in. How that even though we have a small space, it's all ours and we can do whatever we want with it. How nice it is to have tenants so that we don't have a real rent payment. How fortunate we are to have parents that are willing to invest in us so we have a very low interest rate! How having a bright blue house can always make me smile.

Laters :)