Living Life Looman

Update

2010-11-05T16:19:00.000-05:00

Ok, so it's been ages since I've blogged here, but that's because I've been focusing my attention on my other blog. Most of you probably already know because you read that one too, but if you don't, we are expecting our first baby and I'm 12 weeks today. I've been kind of focused on that for the past 8 weeks and was even more focused on trying to get that way for the 16 months prior! I know you'll understand. :)

I don't plan on updating this one anymore... at least for awhile, so if you want to follow me over there, you can visit http://www.littleloomanlog.blogspot.com/.

Thanks!!!

Funniest Blog Ever

2010-09-15T09:43:00.001-05:00

Instead of typing up my own post, I thought I'd just give you this wonderful link to which you will probably spend hours reading and laughing hysterically. :) http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!!!

Why I Love Fall

2010-09-04T21:44:00.002-05:00

The leaves changing colors...

(well, they don't really change all that much here in Texas, but I enjoy looking at pictures like this)

...kids and teachers are back in school...

Teachers deserve the break, but I've got to tell you, it makes going to work easier to know that everyone else is back too!

I get to break out all my favotite boots again...

... and never have to worry about my toes being painted!

Fall scents at Yankee Candle

I'm burning one of these right now. :)

Fightin' Texas Aggie Football!

Whoop!!!

Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back at Starbucks!!

It'll cost you an arm and a leg, but one sip of this delightful treat, you won't even miss 'em!

Halloween!!

My favorite holiday!

I get to play Fantasy Football and watch Payton Manning play on Sundays!

My husband is sooooo lucky he married me. :)

Speaking of my husband...

... our anniversary is in October too!

It's just now starting to kind of feel like Fall and I am loving it!!

Note to self:

2010-08-19T15:57:00.000-05:00

Don't spend a good 30 minutes munching on ice when a major facet of your job is answering the phone.
Tongue completely numb. Sound like a total mush-mouth. "Goo affernoo..."

Oh, and zip your fly for crying out loud!

Is it Friday yet? I need a break.

Really??

2010-08-18T12:17:00.000-05:00

I heard this on the radio the other day and couldn't stop laughing. I have watched Jersey Shore on occasion for a few good laughs just like the rest of the country, but COME ON!!!! This is just ridiculous.

Have fun trying to get THAT annoying thing out of your head. Beat Dat Beat...

Life at the New House

2010-08-02T21:42:00.003-05:00

Now that we have neighbors on all sides, going in the backyard of my own home is getting awkward. Last week I stepped on the patio in my jammies (braless no less) with my hair a mess and looking awesomely presentable only to come face to face with my new neighbor who was enjoying his morning cup of joe.

You see, our patio is raised about 2.5 ft off the ground which allows us a great view over the fence into our neighbors backyard. At 7 a.m. in your backyard with no one else around, you can't make eye contact and not say something, so I said good morning as I crossed my arms over my chest and quickly bid him adieu.

Sometimes if I know the neighbors are outside, I admit, I'll crawl on my hands and knees to get across the patio just so I don't have to talk to them. I know that sounds a little crazy. A little hermit like and anti-social. It probably is, but I just can't do small talk every. single. day.

The other day we were outside playing with the dogs when the back fence neighbors came out to enjoy their own patio. They can see over our fence, we can see their heads (Think Wilson from Home Improvement) so now we have to talk. She said, "I'm just going to pretend I can't see into your house." Oh greeeeeaaaaat. Our blinds are now permanently closed. So much for enjoying the natural light!

In other house news, Josh battled a massive cicada that flew into the house last night. Apparently it was gigantic... every time he tells the story it gets a little bigger. I can't attest to it's actual size - I was too busy running for the bedroom, slamming the door, and getting under the covers so as to protect every inch of skin from that disgusting creature that is big enough and loud enough that he just might also be able to open doors.

Did I mention how loud it was????? Holy Cow!!! As I was shaking under the covers begging for my life to be spared, I heard Josh yelling, the cicada yelling even louder back, pots falling, more yelling. It all seemed very touch and go there for awhile. Finally he gave one last deathly blow and it was over. My hero (swoon).

If you aren't from the south, Texas in particular, you might not know what a cicada is, so here is a picture.

and then I died.

Level 2: The Shred

2010-07-12T14:09:00.000-05:00

Remember back when I said I was going to start Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout program? Well I did start it, but kind of started slacking and doing it more like once or twice a week there for awhile. However, recently I picked it back up and have been consistently doing it for 11 days now.

On the DVD, there are 3 levels so I decided for my 30 days shredding I would do Level 1 for 10 days, Level 2 for 10 days, and - you guessed it - Level 3 for 10 days.

Well yesterday was day 11, otherwise known as day 1 of Level 2 and OH EM GEE.

I will admit when I first picked up this DVD I thought to myself, "Eh, it's only 20 minutes and it's a DVD - odds are it won't be enough of a workout and I'll have to do something else as well." Boy was I ever wrong.

Now Level 1 was hard. It took me about 6 days until I could do the whole thing without taking a short "Oh my gosh I think I'm about to pass out and/or die" break, but it got easier as I got stronger and built stamina.

I thought I would be prepared for Level 2, but about 5 reps into the first exercise I was already panting on the floor taking a quick "break". This is serious stuff!!! Even at my peak fitness level this would have been tough!

I can't even imagine what Level 3 is like. I'm honestly scared of it, but I made a committment to myself to stick it out for 30 days and get all the way through Level 3, so I'm just going to have to suck it up.

Anyone else do The Shred? Am I just a weak lame-o or what??

A Desperate Plea

2010-07-07T15:59:00.003-05:00

I am at my wits end.

I'm sad, angry, confused, lost...

Every day I wake up and am immediately met with desperation and a hunger that can't be filled.

My favorite breakfast cereal has been recalled and is temporarily off shelves.

Oh the HORROR!!!!!

I know I'm an adult, but I still eat Corn Pops, okay!?

It could be worse... I could eat Froot Loops

(Yeah, I totally do. This is my fall back cereal, which was ~~coincidentally~~ also recalled.)

or Cinammon Toast Crunch

(Hells yeah I do! It's like desert in a bowl people!)

At first I thought that people just really, really, really love Corn Pops. Of course they do! How can you not love the sweet, golden goodness?? Everyone in the greater Austin area must be just as ravenous for this stuff as I am because all of the grocery stores in a 20 mile radius are out of it.

I tried getting Kix instead... Kix... ha! What a joke.

Josh said that it looks like Corn Pops but rounder, it's made from corn and therefore it must taste like Corn Pops. Makes sense right? Wrong.

So very, very wrong.

I gave up on trying to replace it and have just been on breakfast strike for the past few weeks which has really put a damper on my day. Breakfast being the most important meal of the day and all...

So anyway... I was browsing the Internet and found out that my beloved Corn Pops and a few other cereals have been recalled because of a smelly bag. Apparently the inner foil bag has an odd odor and 20 people reported they were offended by it. Twenty people out of millions of that enjoy this cereal!

I can deal with weird odors! Doesn't bother me. Nope. I have 2 dogs that I'm pretty sure fall into the obese category filling my life with odd odors on a daily basis.

So bring on the weird odors, just give me my cereal back!!!!!

She's Running for Life

2010-07-05T12:16:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine contacted me this weekend to tell me about her friend Ashley who is training for a half marathon to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Ashley's mother was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma a few years ago and I'm happy to report that she is a survivor! Not everyone gets this good news though and there is still so much to be learned about this awful disease.

Ashley decided that she wanted to do something to help and so she joined Team in Training and started preparing to run her first ever half marathon with the goal of raising $3,500 to go towards researching new treatments and hopefully someday finding a cure. She is getting close, but I want to do what I can to give her that extra push!

Here is a link to her blog where Ashley is documenting her progress and talks about the reason for running this race. Wanna help her reach her goal? I know I do!

Here is Ashley's fundraising page if you would like to donate directly;

OR

My good friend Paige is going to be donating 20% of her Scentsy sales through July 19th to Ashley for her fundraiser. If you aren't familiar with Scentsy, check out her website - the product is great and I am currently enjoying several of the Scentsy products in my home right now! To make sure your purchase goes to Ashley's fundraiser, click the "Buy from Party" link next to the Run for Life event.

Thanks!

Spotless Dishes and Best Friends

2010-06-28T11:18:00.001-05:00

Ahh... I haven't updated this blog in eons!

We have been World Cup crazy in my house and I have actually started to enjoy watching some games. Now that the US is out I probably won't be paying much attention anymore though.

This was a really wonderful weekend for two reasons:

1) My best friend Rachey Rach was in town for a visit and I hadn't seen her in about a year and a half.

2) My in-laws were visiting and my wonderfully handy father-in-law installed a water softener for us and I can't even tell you how AMAZING that is!!!!

Rachel and the rest of the girls came over on Friday night for dinner and she cooked us a yummy meal while we all sat around and gabbed all night. It was like hiring in a private chef! It is still amazing to me how we can go so long without seeing each other and talking and pick up without missing a beat. I also got to go to dinner with Rach again on Sunday night to one of our old favorite Mexican food restaurants. I miss her and wish she was closer.

We went to see Toy Story 3 on Sunday and OH MY GOSH... you have to see it. It is just truly beyond the words I can come up with to tell you how awesome it is. We all were laughing the entire time, it was just so clever, and then there were tears at the end... just so touching.

As I said before, my father-in-law installed our water softener on Saturday and my life is forever changed! Our water at the new house is just soooo hard and all of our dishes had this white film on them... ugh... I shutter just to think about it - I hated touching them. Now our water is soft and we ran a load of dishes yesterday and they are SPOTLESS!!! Can you tell how excited I am? My hair and skin feel better too! Amazing.

There are a bunch of babies about to be born this week or next in my circle and I can't wait to meet them all!!!! My phone is attached to my hip until further notice. :) Hope everyone has a great week!

Bzzzzz

2010-06-16T10:38:00.003-05:00

Do you hear that?

That buzzing noise... that incessant buzzing noise like a bee got stuck in your ear that makes you want to stab yourself in the eye?

I haven't seen my husband in days, but I'm pretty sure he is still around because I have seen his dirty socks scattered throughout the house... a new pair for every day. Why can't he just put them in the hamper? Apparently the kitchen counter makes more sense.

I think I'll start putting my underwear in the fridge.

Awww, the World Cup.

I feel like I'm the only person on Earth that never played soccer and I feel a little left out from some club that the rest of the world is a part of. I'm using this time to freshen up on geography which apparently I need because last night I forgot that Portugal was in Europe and NOT in South America right there next to Brazil somewhere.

In an effort to try to get into the World Cup spirit, I tried to watch part of a game with Josh the other day. I felt like we must be watching completely different games because while he is jumping up and down in excitement and shouting obsenities, I'm watching a lot of passing around and then someone missing the goal by a good 40 feet. FORTY FEET! Apparently in soccer this is a narrow miss.

Apparently I have a lot to learn about soccer.

USA! USA!

More Family Pics

2010-06-12T22:32:00.002-05:00

Grandma and her grandkids

Grandma, grandkids, great grandkids

My family unit (mom, dad, sister and her family)

Niece and Nephew

Niece

Family Portrait Update

2010-06-09T12:16:00.000-05:00

After all that talk about the family portrait, I figured I should post one so you'd know how they turned out. We did take a few awkward ones for the sake of being funny... I will post once we get them.

But, here's a good one. Not too shabby, eh?

Kudos to Rob Greebon for making us look good!

Funk

2010-06-02T12:06:00.002-05:00

Sigh...

I was disappointed after last night's Glee episode. I still love Jesse St. James, but why couldn't he just stick up for Rachel? I really do think he still cares about her and am hoping they turn this thing around somehow next season, but I guess I can deal with a Fin romance (did you catch next week's preview?) for awhile. I mean don't get me wrong... I love Fin too, but I just thought Jesse's character was really funny and a good counter to Rachel's.

And there you have it... I'm officially obsessed with another TV show.

I have no idea why or how I get so wrapped up in fictional characters, but I do. It's probably unhealthy, but what does it hurt really?

Sure my husband has to deal with the almost constant singing and dancing around the house, but that's not really Glee-centric. I do that anyway. He likes to pretend to be irritated by all of this, but I know he secretly enjoys it and thinks I could have been a big star.

Anyway, I'm going to miss the show. I'm kinda in a funk about all my shows being gone for the summer. I hate summer TV. The only bright spot is So You Think You Can Dance and even that isn't as good as it used to be. Bleh.

When I was a kid I used to look so forward to the summers, now it's just like any other time of year except the TV sucks and I'm a lot sweatier.

Speaking of sweating... we are taking the big family portrait this weekend and it's supposed to be 100 degrees. 100! One Hundred. Are you serious? I am not one of those lucky girls that looks perfectly perfect in the heat. The ones that never sweat or get red in the face. I get all dolled up in my comfortable 72 degree house, walk out the door and BAM!

Heinous Monster.

No joke.

This should be fun. I might be running this photo thing like a drill sergeant. No time for messing around. Walk outside, get in place, smile. Done. That's all I have time for. That's how long this pretty face lasts in 100 degrees.

I'll wrap this post up with another family photo gem I stumbled across yesterday while looking for ideas.

(photo by Sterling Images Online)

And because there are soooooo many other great ones. Here is a link to more. Enjoy!

New House Pics: Upstairs

2010-05-30T17:47:00.001-05:00

Gameroom with the new Foosball Table!!... I'm the current Champ.

(that's Josh "on the sticks" like usual)

Another angle on the game room

Empty bedroom 1

Bathroom 3

Empty bedroom 2

Guest room

There is also a 4th bath upstairs, but I can't get a good picture of it. (I know! There are a ridiculous number of bedrooms and bathrooms for just 2 people and 2 dogs, but we plan to grow into it!)

We love it and our so happy to be settled!!! Thanks for checking out my pictures!

New House Pics: Master, Dining, etc.

2010-05-30T17:40:00.002-05:00

Dining room

Entryway

Downstairs bathroom

Office
(my dog perches on the futon like a cat which is why it's smushed like that)

Stairs

Master bedroom

Painting I got off Etsy that I love...

Master bathroom

Other half of master bath

New House Pics: Living Room & Kitchen

2010-05-30T17:32:00.000-05:00

I have finally gotten some decorating done on the new house and wanted to share some more pictures. Some of you already saw these on Facebook, but for those of you that haven't, here you go! I'm going to do these all in separate posts because I don't want too many pics in each post... gets hard to edit.

Living room from upstairs loft game room

Another view of living room

Living room & kitchen

Kitchen table

Kitchen

I'm in Love...

2010-05-25T09:53:00.001-05:00

with a gay broadway star...

(He almost made The List, but I decided that since he is gay, it would be a waste of a spot)

Jonathan Groff... plays Jesse St James on the best show ever, Glee. Swoon.

I am incredibly sad that tonight could be his last episode, but am hoping and praying that the producers will decide he needs to continue on to season 2.

After talking to some fellow Glee fans, I realized that Jesse vs. Finn is a big dividing topic.

Fellow gleeks, who do you like for Rachel???

London's Olympic Mascot

2010-05-20T15:34:00.000-05:00

London unveiled the new mascots for the 2012 Olympics Games.

1. I didn't even realize we had mascots for the Olympics.

2. Why does the one on the right have a giant blue crotch?

3. Is it just my filthy gutter mind, or do they resemble a certian "private part"??

Cue the one-eyed monster jokes...

Note to Self:

2010-05-19T14:04:00.001-05:00

1. Check wind forecast before wearing short, flouncy dress to work.

2. If you're going to wear the short, flouncy skirt on a windy day, spend more time on glutes and thighs during workouts.

Is it the weekend yet?

If anything were possible...

2010-05-14T17:52:00.000-05:00

what would you choose to be?

I have always secretly wanted to be a singer. A real singer/songwriter type like Sarah McLachlan or Brandi Carlile.

I have never actually tried to be a singer, other than performing in my high school talent show once... I didn't even do choir in school.

What about you? What is your secret (or not so secret) dream???

It's Definitely Green...

2010-05-12T10:44:00.000-05:00

I have successfully completed my first major painting project at the new house and I LOVE it. I know some of you would die if someone came in your house and painted your kitchen this startling green color, but it's exactly what I wanted. Josh keeps saying, "It's definitely green" which he tries to convince me isn't a negative statement. I'm not buying it, but I know it will grow on him and either way it's not changing any time soon. That was a booger to paint!!!!

It's a big house with high ceilings and a very open floor plan, so I feel like it can carry the color. Here's a picture.

No curtains yet... working on that this weekend. I have a deadline of May 21 (the 22nd I'm hosting a baby shower) to get the curtains up and I WILL get it done.

In other news...

I am still doing the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (although it's more like a 45 Day Shred for me). I absolutely love it and actually look forward to doing it, I just have been soooo busy with after work commitments lately (painting the kitchen for one) that I have had to skip a day here and there.

I forgot to post my starting weight last week, but it's 150 lbs. Eeek! At 5'8" my goal is 135 (although I'd take 140) I am already noticing a change in my arms and push ups are getting easier again. I just get irritated that I let myself go after working so hard to get in fighting shape for the wedding. Whatever, it's a new day!

Anyway... just an update. Nothing funny here... unless you're laughing at my weight, in which case... RUDE!

The List

2010-05-10T15:58:00.002-05:00

I was reading around on some of my favorite blogs and my curious tendencies kicked in, starting looking at what blogs my blog buds like to read and somehow after several clicks stumbled upon a girl's blogpost titled "The List". I'm sure you've all created your own List at some point in time... you know the list I'm talking about - the celebrity crush list of men that you'd get a "free" pass with if the opportunity ever presented itself.

*Now, I should be clear: I would never cheat on my husband (even with someone on The List). The List is just a fun thing to create because it will never actually happen. Josh and I have actually talked about our lists and I know (and approve of) the women on his List.*

Anyway, here are The Rules:

1) You can choose only 5 people for your list PLUS 1 alternate. Should someone on your List drop dead, this alternate moves into that spot.

2) Laminating the list makes it permanent and binding. Did you see that episode of Friends? The one where Ross laminates his List and then meets a woman that narrowly missed making the list? Classic.

3) Should you choose not to laminate your List, which makes your List FOR-E-VER, you may only revise the list once every 5 years. I would suggest NOT laminating your list. Let's face it. Tastes change, men get ugly, and some guys turn out to be gay. Ricky Martin for example. I bet several girls had him on their Lists 10 years ago, but guess what? Totally gay.

Another example - Mickey Rourke

Used to have a total bad boy sex appeal...

Now? Face that haunts my nightmares!

Imagine if you had laminated your list in his glory days??? Yowza!

4) If you are in a relationship, and you are a card-carrying List member, you must discuss said List with your significant other in order for the basic rights of The List to apply.

And without further ado, The List (in no particular order):

George Clooney

Yes, it's a little obvious. Yes, he is "older".

But good God almighty...

Mark Wahlberg

aka Marky Mark. The man can ~~have me any day of the week~~ act.

Ryan Reynolds

Don't even try to tell me he's not on your list.

Matt Damon

I [heart] you. Always and forever.

Eric Dane

They don't call him McSteamy for nothin'!

Alternate: Shia Lebeouf

I know, I know. You're all like, "He's practically a child!" But think about it, if one of my 5 happens to pass on, it would be nice to have some youth on the List. Right?

I would like to point out that while half of the members of my List have their shirts off - it's not a requirement.

Who's on YOUR list????

Case of the Mondays (on a Tuesday)

2010-05-04T14:17:00.000-05:00

Is it Monday? It might as well be Monday, because it sure as heck feels like a Monday.

1) I forgot to wear deoderant today. Sooooo something that would only happen on a Monday. Didn't really notice until around 1:00 p.m. when I guess my body's natural ability to stay fresh hit the wall. I'm a gross, gross person for writing this on my blog. I know. You can all be appalled now.

2) I'm wearing my "fat pants" which always makes facing a new week better (or at least more comfortable). These are my pants that are about 2 sizes too big and my mother would have a fit if she saw me in them, but they feel and fit like pajama pants, but are black and technically "dress pants" so it works.

(Did your mom/dad make sure you always looked pressed and presentable before leaving the house like mine did? Even to this day if I show up and am wearing something wrinkled I know my dad is scrutinizing it and wishing that he could iron it for me. I love being a grown up...)

3) The one downside to the above referenced "fat pants" is that the legs are really wide in them and while walking down the stairs today at work, the point of my shoe got caught in my opposite pant leg which resulted in me nearly falling to my horific (and embarrassing!) death. Fortunately I have a lot of experience falling down stairs and was able to catch myself before I broke my neck. Still... it wasn't pretty.

4) Javier was working today at my usual coffee stop (the gas station next door) and he usually works on Mondays and not on Tuesdays. Yes, I'm on a first name basis with the gas station clerk - that's how much I love their coffee.

Fortunately I know it's actually Tuesday which means Biggest Loser tonight AND one more day closer to the weekend!

Weekend Getaway!

2010-04-29T14:24:00.005-05:00

Josh and I are going on a much needed vacation this weekend that starts tomorrow morning! We are headed to the Hill Country where we rented a cabin for a few nights and will hopefully be doing a lot of this...

this...

and this...

(word to the wise... careful when Googling "hammock" and "sunning". Apparently people like "sun" in the buff and hammock... well, this is a family blog...)

I can't wait to get away for some R&R! Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!!!!

Getting Shredded

2010-04-27T12:37:00.002-05:00

First things first...

Thank you all for all the supportive comments & e-mails in response to my last post!! When I posted that late Wednesday night, I couldn't sleep and almost ran up to the computer to delete it several times. It is just such a personal thing to talk about, but I am sooooo glad I got it out there and now a weight has been lifted.

Second things second...

Oh my geeeee. I am SO sore today. This is sad because the soreness comes after doing Day 1 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred which is only 20 minutes long.

Day 1.
20 minutes.
Hurts to stand.
Hurts to sit.
Arms are jelly.
Ridiculous x 100.

However, I guess I am glad that it works well enough to make me so sore after only 20 minutes of invested time. You see, I am a very busy person and just don't have a lot of extra time to dedicate to the beautification of my bod.

Okay, I'm a very lazy person, but still - the result is the same. Do you know how many Gilmore Girls episodes there are currently on my DVR waiting to me watched?? As of today, there are 9. NINE. They are each an hour long so that's 9 hours of time that I don't have to work on my bod... that doens't even include the 15 other shows on there.

I am kind of kidding, but not about the 9 Gilmore Girls.

I am going to take my measurements and (gasp!) weight tonight and post on here for all the ~~world~~ few blog readers I have to see. I will update after 30 days and see how 'shredded' I actually am. I may even post before and after pics, but we'll see. Maybe if I use the soft focus lense.

I fully expect to look like this when I'm done.

That's doable, right??

Anywho... For those of you following along, I still have yet to paint my kitchen apple green; HOWEVER, I do have a few patches of green on the walls currently and am seeing which color is THE color before I commit. I will post pictures just as soon as it's painted!

Revelations

2010-04-21T22:19:00.003-05:00

Ahem.

Testing, testing...

--We interrupt your regularly (erm... not so regularly) scheduled lighthearted posts for this announcement.--

I have been thinking about this blog post for a few weeks now, but not really sure how to go about it and even if I should "go there" on this space of mine. I have used this blog as a creative outlet for the most part and to talk about the weird things I think about and complain about the things that drive me crazy.

I rarely get serious here.

I try not to be too serious in life in general.

However...

Sometimes serious things happen. Like infertility. Did you know that next week is National Infertility Awareness Week? Hopefully you didn't, because if you did, it's probably because you yourself have struggled with it.

Well, so have I.

Now, I don't want to be all woe is me, and I swear if any of you even thinks about leaving a sweet comment I'll be so mad (ok, not really), but I'm definitely not writing this for comments or because I want anyone to feel sorry for me, honestly that's the furthest thing from what I want.

I am only writing this blog post because there are people that read this blog that I interact with in my daily life and it is starting to get awkward. And frankly, it's starting to hurt more and more. Tonight I attended a visitation for my best friend's grandfather to support her and ran into some people we both know. The very first thing this friend said was, "I hear everyone in your old group of girlfriends is pregnant but you!"

Ouch. Why don't you just go ahead and PUNCH ME IN THE UTERUS.

I've heard some tough things, but that was a real doozy! She didn't mean anything by it of course, no one ever does, but it cuts through my heart like a knife and I just barely squeaked a fake laugh out to muffle my groan.

You see, when people don't know what you're going through, sometimes they can hurt your feelings by accident. This has happened several times to me throughout the past year. Hence this blog post.

After some serious thought (and I've been thinking on this for months now), I've decided to come clean on my real life blog. You see, I have a special blog that some of you have already found, it's called The Little Looman Log.

Log - like diary, journal - not like part of a tree trunk.

Anyway, on that blog I've been documenting my struggles to get pregnant, and more recently, about the pain of losing a baby. I didn't want to talk about it here, because it can so easily completely take over your life, I needed this place to be just for me. The real me. Not the crazy lady that takes her temps daily and has learned to be a pro at peeing in a cup. (Sorry if there are any men reading this. If you are of the male persuasion, you might want to stop reading a few paragraphs ago.)

You see, my husband and I have been trying to have a baby since last April, a year ago. We weren't having much success because *NEWS FLASH* you have to ovulate to have a baby and I wasn't. So I went to see my doctor in August and we tried a few things that didn't work and a few months later was prescribed a miracle drug called Clomid and after several utter failures (which seemed like an eternity), I got pregnant.

There was lots of celebration and sweet relief, because as anyone who has struggled to get pregnant knows, the time drags on and on and sometimes it feels like you'll never see that positive pregnancy test. But I did! It was beautiful. I took pictures of it. I laughed, I cried, I immediately started coming up with baby names.

But at around 8 weeks of pregnancy, it was discovered that I had an ectopic pregnancy, meaning the egg had implanted outside my uterus, most likely my left tube, and was not viable. Two weeks of some low dose chemo drugs, lots of mental, physical, and emotional pain later, I am no longer pregnant and - as strange a concept as it is - on the downward trek of this mountain.

I am doing well for the most part, and just relieved to be done with this nightmare and moving forward.

This revelation helps to explain why:

A) I haven't been posting much on here lately
B) I might have seemed a little off or sad if you've seen me or talked to me in person
C) I haven't been running lately (um, well maybe just a convenient excuse)
D) I have slacked on my share of the house keeping duties (eh, it didn't work on my husband either...)
E) I have gained about 10 lbs (okay, that probably has nothing to do with this at all and more to do with eating like a cow)

Okay, now that it's all out there, I wanted to remind everyone that there are probably people in your life that are struggling with having a baby. Maybe they have been trying for years or maybe they have suffered a miscarriage or other kind of loss. They probably aren't going to speak openly about it... it's a difficult and awkward thing to bring up. So tread lightly. Don't assume that just because someone doesn't have kids doesn't mean they don't desperately want them.

Eew. That sounded kind of preachy - sorry - but you get the point. It's just that, if you're lucky, you might not even think about these kinds of things and I just wanted to shed some light on the issue - you know, for National Infertility Awareness Week and all.

I don't intend to talk openly about this on this Living Life Looman blog anymore past this post, but if you wish to follow along on my journey - or catch up with me, you can follow me on Little Looman Log.

Thanks for hanging with me through this long and arduous post!

Family Portraits

2010-04-16T11:02:00.002-05:00

Here in the next month my family is getting a portrait done because we haven't done a big family photo since I was about 7 or 8. I am going to find it and scan it in for my blog at some point, but I remember being so angry at my mom for making me wear a dress and knee high socks when my sister got to wear some super stylish acid wash jeans and a sweatshirt. My sister was going through a boyish phase and I guess mom decided that since there was no way my sister was going to look like a girl, I needed to look super girly.

Anyway... the point being. We have 16 family members that will be in this picture and we need to decide what we are going to wear. I have seen the all black thing, the all white thing, etc, but I feel like with 16 people in the photo, we need some color variety! Any suggestions of cute photos you've had taken or seen?

I searched the internet for some examples of other family phots for inspiration and here are some I found on google images that I thought might work for us:

I think this sends a great family message: Live long and prosper. Plus, who doesn't look awesome in a unitard??

That kid isn't going to be scarred for life. No mommy issues there.

I'm thinking if we can find a tree limb long enough, this just might be the one...

The outcast.

There's one in every family.

Umm... this is sooooo inappropriate.

This brings family closeness to a whole nother level.

Ummmmmmmm. Someone call CPS. NOW.

What is going on here???

This would be a good route to go, no?

Taking photos in nature really brings out the life of the family.

No, no, no, no, NO!

(The fabulous pics were all taken from the extremely funny website... AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com)

A Whole Lotta Nothin'

2010-04-14T21:37:00.002-05:00

I just can't seem to get on blogger to actually blog with any amount of regularity anymore. Part of the problem is writer's block. Part of the problem is that I've been so busy. Granted, busy in my world is not really like "busy" in other people's, it's more like I actually occasionally have something else to do other than just go to work, come home, watch Roseanne reruns, and eat dinner.

Work is getting super busy again now that the baseball season has started and I am sooooo relieved to have lots of stuff to do. The days go by so much faster and I'm enjoying my job so much more, which is awesome.

I have purposely left my run tracker up so that I can't just completely give up even though I haven't run in quite some time. I'm not going to make excuses (although I do have some pretty good ones), but I am rededicated to the cause and I still think I can run my 365 miles this year no problem.

Are you watching The Pacific on HBO????? If you aren't, you should be!!!! It's soooooo good. I love it! I am obsessed with all things Tom Hanks and the fact that he is executive producer is icing on the cake, but also the reason it's so darn good! I am also so excited about Treme, another HBO original. I haven't watched the season premiere yet, it's DVRed, but it is from the creator of The Wire, the best series in the history of the entire world.

Peace and love, peace and love.

I'm Going to Hell Tonight

2010-04-08T15:02:00.002-05:00

have to go to the grocery store tonight and I'm already breaking out into a cold sweat just thinking about it. I have put it off for so long now that it must be done. I just can't continue to live off of pretzels and cranberry juice, although I'm sure my bladder function must be top notch right now. If you haven't gathered it by now you are kind of on the slow side, but I HATE going to the grocery store.

I am not really all that claustrophobic, but I am fellow-grocery-shopper-phobic for sure. If I enter a row with more than 2 other people I get such anxiety that sometimes I just leave Josh with the cart and book it out of there.

It's not just that feeling of a tight space, I just can't stand other shoppers. I don't care who you are, how nice of a person you may be, you could be Mother Teresa for all I care - if you are in the store at the same time that I am, I hate you.

Here are some of the shoppers that I can't stand...

The Impatient Reach-Arounder.
I'm looking for a certain kind of cheese. Cheddar, Mozzarella, finely grated, whatever. You come along and spot your desired cheese while I'm standing there, but instead of waiting for me to make my selection which takes all of 10 seconds, you enter my personal space bubble and reach in front of me to grab it. You do this and you just might get your arm karate chopped.

The "I Can Actually Hear You Breathing You're So Close" Line Hoverer.
I'm standing in line waiting for my turn and you get within 10 inches of me. Sometimes you also feel the need to start putting your groceries on the conveyor belt while I'm still standing BEHIND the start of the belt! Patience young fella... She is still ringing up the person in front of me and then has to ring up my 50 items. You have plenty of time!!! One time while at a self checkout station this man actually had the nerve to start setting his grocery basket on the pay station while I was still paying! Get away you creep!

The All The Time in the World Person
Since I am NOT a Reach-Arounder, it really irks me to no end when people block the entire aisle standing there contemplating which kind of cereal they want when the item I need is right in front of them. Move it along people! This is why you make lists! If you need some extra time, at least move your cart to one side or the other.

The Not Ready With Payment Person
I'm in line behind you and already extremely annoyed from my shopping experience... I just want to get out as fast as possible. You've been watching the clerk scan your items, you know that he's almost finished and yet your purse is still on your arm and you have a deer in the headlights look on your face like you had no idea that you were supposed to be paying for all of that stuff. I want to bang my head on the handle bar of my shopping cart I'm so annoyed. Also very annoying, the "Wait I Think I Have a Penny" Person (scrambles around in change purse for 10 minutes to discover, nope, no penny.)

Photo credit Pete's Bizarre Bazaar

Okay, so this is not related to this post at all, but while looking up images to use for this I Googled "coin purse" and this little lovely popped up. Yes, it's totally real. Apparently there are over 30, maybe hundreds, of websites that sell them. It is a Cane Toad made into a coin purse. Wow. I'm thinking Christmas presents??

Anyway, sorry for getting so side-tracked.

What are some of your supermarket pet peeves????

Easter & My 27th Birthday

2010-04-05T11:00:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have been so absent from this blog! I just haven't had a lot to write about and have been dealing with some not-so-fun stuff the past few weeks and it's not the kind of stuff that makes for a fun blog post.

Was that vague enough for you?... I'm sure you're all dying to know what I'm talking about, but I'll save it for a blog post at a later date. Have fun wondering. Hahaha...

Yesterday was my 27th birthday (ahh!). I shared my special day with the anniversary of the resurrection of Christ, but I didn't mind. Birthdays these days are so awkward for me. I feel so silly and spoiled getting presents and extra attention so sharing it with Easter was kind of nice! My nephew turns 2 in a few days and it was fun to watch him hunt for eggs. We haven't had anyone in the family that could hunt for eggs without it being ridiculous in a very long time.

Which brings me to my next point... How is it April already!?!?!?!?! Where is this year going? I feel like it was just January 1st and I just started getting used to writing 2010 and now it's already April! Crazy stuff. I'm psyched about the nice, warm weather though and the fact that baseball season has officially begun!! Hoping my Rangers have a great season and make it to the playoffs this year!

On the home front... Last week Josh and I noticed that our AC wasn't working properly in our brand new house. At first we thought it was the size of our house that was causing the problem, but quickly realized that with 2 AC units we shouldn't be suffering. The AC guy came out to save the day on Friday and he found that our thermostats weren't even plugged into the units which meant that we could push all the buttons we wanted and still nothing would happen. Now how does this happen???? It seems simple enough when installing AC units that you would remember to plug them in.

Anyway, now our house is freezing all the time thanks to my husband's abnormally high body temperature. The preacher at my parent's church once said that marriage is one person sleeping a room that's too hot next to a person in a room that's too cold. I got a good laugh at that because it is sooooo true in our relationship!

Anyway, blah blah blah. I will try to do something more interesting in the next few weeks so that I can have some better posts. Ha!

Fellow Blogger Shoutout

2010-03-24T13:58:00.000-05:00

My good buddy Anne Marie is doing a giveaway over on her blog and I wanted to give her a shoutout!
Go check it out if you get a chance...

A Day in the Life of a Dreamer

Hope all my readers are having a happy hump day... it's all downhill from here folks!

I have a blog? What's a blog?

2010-03-23T15:55:00.001-05:00

So sorry for the lack of posting lately, but we've been BUSY!!! We closed on our new house last Wednesday, moved in Thursday and have been settling in ever since. I'm finally starting to feel like I've caught up to the world, so I promise to be back on and blogging more soon.

I'll be posting new pics of the casa as soon as I take them. Here's a sneak peak of the kitchen...

I'm going to paint it apple green and it is going to look AWESOME!!!!

It finally feels like spring around here and I'm loving it! Josh and I went running on the trails at the park that is right by our new neighborhood yesterday and it was sooooo nice to get outside and breathe in the fresh air for awhile. It's amazing how much of my conditioning I've lost just in a few short weeks - it makes me angry that I let my running go like that, but I think I was getting burnt out on the treadmill and this great weather is just what I needed to get motivated again!

I will turn 27 on Easter Sunday and sometimes I just can't believe that I'm this old. Not that 27 is old by any means, but sometimes I still think of myself as a kid or teenager - like too young for this and that... I look around at my friends and see them the same way. Weird. I wonder how I'll feel when I'm 57?

Josh is going to San Antonio tonight with a friend to see some concert and I get the house all to myself! I miss him terribly if he's gone for more than a day or two, but one night?? Yes please! I'm daydreaming of eating my favorite thing for dinner (something that he doesn't like) and watching Gilmore Girls reruns that I've stored on the DVR and not having to hear snarky comments coming from the other room.

Anyway, I better run. Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday!

Somebody Loves Me!

2010-03-18T15:10:00.001-05:00

I love you too, Payton. I love you too.

(Yes, I bought her that shirt, but it's still true. She does love me.)

((She really isn't a morbildy obese baby, she just hasn't learned to stick the chin out when taking pictures... the ~~double~~ okay triple chin is a family curse.))

We Have a Winner!!!!

2010-03-16T09:15:00.000-05:00

Thanks to all who participated in the Lola & Foxy collar giveaway. I used a random number generator and the lucky winner is:

Suz!!!

Congratulations Susan!! E-mail me your address, the collar you want and the size and we'll get it to you ASAP! (Here is the link to your choices) My e-mail address is over there ---->

Thanks again!!!

Dead Legs Walking

2010-03-15T16:34:00.009-05:00

So yesterday I decided it was time to work on building some muscle since I've been focusing so much on cardio lately. By the looks of my run log over in the sidebar, it might appear that I have been slacking, but in actuality...

OK. I've been slacking.

So to get back on track I went to the middle school track* down the street for my run yesterday and after I finished running a few miles I decided that my legs needed some toning and began to do walking lunges up and down the track.

*Okay, I really tried to get rid of one of these "track"s because I hate reduncancy, but I just couldn't do it. So sorry.

Holy Hurty Legs!!!! This always happens when I haven't done them in awhile - I know it's going to happen - Even as I was lunging up and down that track I knew what was coming for me. And yet, I still did them and now the exercise gods are making me pay.

Today I am walking like I have a giant stick up my butt (well at least that's what I assume I'd be walking like if I had a stick up my butt).

Sitting on the toilet is a task.

Getting up from the toilet is a task.

The stairs???? HA!

After sitting in my desk chair for over two hours I stood to go make a copy and actually fell on the floor.

Super star athlete right here. Yup. Thank you very much.

You wanna know the worst part? The second day after is always the worst. Ugh...

Don't forget to enter my dog collar giveaway!! Contest ends tonight at 9 p.m. CST!

Lola & Foxy Collar Giveaway!!!

2010-03-12T10:38:00.003-06:00

Anyone know what today is?

Friday!

(Thank goodness... can I just tell you how crappy this week was? I'm sure you're dying to hear about it, but I'll save that for another day and another post...)

You know what else is great about today??? It's GIVEAWAY day!!!

Like I said the other day, the fantastic site that is hosting this giveaway has all kinds of fun stuff, from kids bedding to fun handbags to home decor, but the store I'm giving something away from is AllModernPet.com!

Would you like to win one of these oh-so-cute collars for your furbaby??

Of course you do. You love your pet and want them to be well accessorized.

Now, here's what you need to do to enter - the more of these steps you do, the better your chance at winning:

1) Be a follower of my blog (or become a follower if not already). - 1 entry

2) Post about this giveaway on your blog (leave me a comment with the link to your blogpost!) - 1 entry

3) Facebook/Twitter about this giveaway with a link to my blog (leave a comment telling me you did). - 1 entry

4) Go HERE and then leave me a comment telling me which collar you'd like for your pet if you should be so lucky to win! - 1 entry

Don't forget to leave a comment telling me about it.... I'll never know if you don't!!

Alright ladies, go forth and BLOG! I will close the giveaway Monday night at 9:00 PM central time (because I like to get in bed about 9:30 - SO!? Whatcha gonna say about it?!? ) and will choose a random winner on Tuesday! Good luck to you all and may the biggest dog-lover WIN!!!!!

In Need of a Book Recommendation

2010-03-10T13:17:00.003-06:00

Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own. ~ William Hazlitt

So true

You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend. ~ Paul Sweeney

I've soooo been there.

Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it. ~ P.J. O'Rourke

Haha... I'm going to have to remember this from now on...

I love to read. I always have and I have reread some books over and over because I just can't get enough. This drives my husband crazy, because he believes that once you've read it, you've read it, but I feel like it's like revisiting an old friend and every time I reread a book, I take something new away from it.

So anyway, on to the point of this post...

I have been in a book club with a few other women for about a year now and we are looking for a new book to read this month. Here are the books we've read so far:

Same Kind of Different As Me
My Sister's Keeper
The Time Traveller's Wife
Firefly Lane
The Thirteenth Tale
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (whew, that's a mouthful!)
The Red Tent

I think that's it. Anyway, we are looking for an easy, can't-put-it-down read for this month as we've got some busy moms that don't have a ton of time to get through some of the longer, more involved books.

Any suggestions??

Dog Lovers Giveaway

2010-03-09T15:07:00.002-06:00

Guess what!???!? I'm hosting my first ever Living Life Looman Blog Giveaway!!!!!

(I can almost hear your excitement from here!)

I'm so excited that the good folks over at CSN Stores have given me the opportunity to do this with you guys!

CSN is like the online version of a mall except WAY better because you don't have to risk running into any old friends while not looking cute and making uncomfortable small talk. You know you've been there!

They seriously have everything you could ever want all in one place. From home decor to kitchen gadgets to kids bedding. Plus, the deals are amazing... seriously... during the course of trying to pick out this giveaway gift from the thousands of items, I may or may not have *accidently* filled my virtual shopping cart with tons of stuff for my new house.

This Friday I will be posting the official big giveaway post with instructions on how YOU can win an adorable Lola & Foxy collar for your favorite four-legged friend! There are tons of styles to choose from, which I'll tell ya all about in my giveaway post on Friday!!!! So don't forget to come back or you'll miss out!

I want this one for my Nyla Bear.

She has been going completely naked for awhile now
(it's very embarrassing...the neighbors talk)
and would be sooooo cute in this cherry one! Oh my goodness, can you just imagine the cuteness???
I can't even stand it. It's just too much.

So don't forget to come back on FRIDAY to enter for the chance to win a collar for your own precious pooch!!

A Little Nostalgia on a Monday

2010-03-01T16:43:00.003-06:00

Do they still have Skate Night in elementary school?? When I was a kid our school would have skate nights at the local roller rink and it was like THE place to see and be seen for a 3rd grader.

Just FYI, you will almost always get a finger skated over when, after doing the Hokey-Pokey, staff members throw a bunch of candy into the center of the cirlce and you make the mistake of trying to snag some. They used to throw out chick-o-sticks and those peanut butter bars- you know, these... good thing I hate chick-o-sticks.

I spent a lot of time in the kiddy skate area which was really for children under the age of 6 and was about a 12'x20' area. You couldn't really get going very fast, but it was safer than the big rink and I kind of ran the joint.

I wasn't very good at stopping once I got going, so I would just skate right into the half wall and then walk my way around to the carpet.

One of my favorite things to do at the skating rink was get a fire ball for a nickel. Those things are so hot and don't really even taste good, but if you get them wet and then rub them on your lips, it looks like your wearing lipstick, which is totally cool.

The bathroom stalls didn't have doors so your best friend had to stand spread eagle in front of the stall so you could have at least a little privacy.

The cool kids could all skate backwards. I could not.

I wasn't a very good skater (I know, you're shocked) but the rink had framed photos of competitive roller skaters that trained at the rink and I secretly always wanted to be one of them.

Competitive roller skating reminds me of this wonderfully bad movie I saw on TV recently called Roller Boogie. Check it out - it is soooo awesome!

Did you have skate night when you were in school????

Honest Scrap

2010-02-22T19:44:00.007-06:00

My BFF Cari nominated me for a blog award... my first ever in fact! I guess the whole point of this Honest Scrap thing is to give 10 random, honest things about myself.

Here we go!

1) I was a thumb-sucker until an embarrassingly late age. I mean, not like 12, but I had started school. Even though I did it so much for so long, I can't remember which thumb it was.

2) I happen to think that my feet are my best feature. I don't have a foot fetish - I don't really like other people's feet - but I do love my own and stare at them often.

See? Aren't they nice? Foot model? Eh, maybe not.

3) I have been best friends with my nominator, Cari, since we were babies. We talk almost every day and even share the same birthday!

4) During the summer between 8th and 9th grade I had a nervous breakdown because I wasn't athletic and would never be in the Olympics. My mom was very concerned for awhile, but luckily it came and went quickly. I still get sentimental about the Olympics though.

5) I am obsessed with my dogs, Nyla in particular (Hey! She was my first baby!), and I will work myself into a fit about once a month thinking about what I'm going to do when she dies. Mind you, she's only 5 years-old.

Baby Nyla with a younger and thinner mommy

6) I get on Craigslist and read the "Missed Connections" section when I'm bored. Even though I think it is completely ridiculous and hilarious, I still sometimes wonder if anyone ever posted a missed connection with me...

7) I have OCD about the covers on my bed and can't go to sleep until I know they are perfect. Not hanging off my side too much and not too little. My husband is a MAJOR PAIN when it comes to this and often times will mess things up just to watch me squirm.

8) When I was a senior in high school my friend Rachel and I won 2nd place singing in a talent show. I have secretly always wanted to be a singer and sometimes I practice my Grammy acceptance speeches in the shower.

9) I haven't run in 6 days and feel tremendously guilty about it. Tomorrow I'm getting back on track!!!

10) I get way too involved with characters on TV shows and in books. I'm currently watching re-runs of Gilmore Girls and last week I was completely distraught when Lorelai and Chris broke up. I'm still kind of upset about it actually.

Now it's time for me to nominate someone! I'm going to nominate my good buddy Amanda at Life, Love... and Disney (who is getting married in a matter of days and probably has no time to do this!) I love reading her blog and living vicariously through her wedding planning!

Do you think anyone saw that!?

2010-02-18T14:53:00.006-06:00

I think we've all been asked the question, "What's your most embarrassing moment?"

I usually draw a blank, and then have to elaborate on some random thing that actually did happen to me to make for a better story.

Well I think Marion Rolland (French alpine skiier and Olympic hopeful) will always have a GREAT answer to that question...

Watch her crash and burn just 5 seconds into her final run...

CLICK HERE TO SEE VIDEO

This seems like the appropriate place for the much overused term "FAIL", but I don't want to use it because it's so oversused, even though I just did use it.

Anyway, HOW EMBARRASSING IS THAT!?!?!?!?!

I feel so bad for her!

Not bad enough to keep from blogging about it though.

Little Bit of Everything

2010-02-17T13:01:00.001-06:00

I don't really have much to write about today, but felt like I should post something.

Hmm... what's been going on lately....?

Valentine's Day was a wonderful day. I ordered some cookies to be delivered to Josh at work a few weeks ago without realizing that Valentine's Day was actually a Sunday. Doh! So I had to run to the bakery to pick them up instead... not as cool as having them delivered. Oh well.

Funny thing is, Josh had planned the exact same V-Day surprise for me!!! He went and picked his up later in the day... the guys at the bakery got a good laugh about us getting each other the same thing. Needless to say, we had WAY too many cookies and this cookie (me) doesn't need a one of 'em!

Sunday night Josh took me to the COOLEST restaurant ever. It was a surprise, which makes me a bit nervous, but this was a pleasant one. The restaurant is called Trattoria Lisina which is country-italian food and located in a great big estate that also includes the Mandola winery. The food was amazing and the ambiance even better. This is one we'll definitely go to again!

All this talk of cookies and italian food reminds me that I need to step it up in the running department. I've been doing pretty well, but I'm starting to make excuses for missing runs again. I'm trying to do at least 4 a week right now and it's been a challenge. I am enjoying it more though and it is starting to feel easier each time and "easy" is never a word I would have put in the same sentence as running before.

What else???

We have set our closing date on the new house for March 17th! I can't wait to get in - I'm already painting rooms in my head!!!

I think that's about it for now. I promise to have a more witty and entertaining post soon...

Attention! Attention!

2010-02-10T19:10:00.008-06:00

Allow me a moment to toot my own horn, will ya?

I just got done running 4 miles without stopping!!!

This might not seem like a big deal to some of you, but I have never run more than a 3 miles in a row without stopping.

NEVER.

IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

This is exciting stuff. I feel like I've knocked down a wall of sorts... I'm on week 5 of my 13 weeks to 10K program and I feel like I'm well on my way!

Okay. Let's get honest. Technically this is week 6, but I didn't run at all during the real week 5 (I had a moment of weakness and almost gave up... okay - a week of weakness, but I'm back!)

Okay, done tooting.

Carry on.

Permitted Use

2010-02-09T15:37:00.000-06:00

Earlier today while my computer was being worked on by the IT people, I decided to use my down time (because how the heck is a person supposed to get anything done without a computer!!?!?!) to browse through my new 'Master Covenant' booklet for my soon-to-be neighborhood.

Under the Permitted Uses section it reads,

"The Lots must be used solely for private single family residential purposes and/or professional, business, or commercial activity... yada yada blah blah... no Lot may be used for... blah blah yada yada..., an adult type bookstore or other establishment selling, renting, displaying or exhibiting pornographic or obscene materials (including without limitation, magazines, books, movies, videos, photographs or so called "sexual toys") or providing adult type entertainment exhibiting or depicting sexual themes, nudity or lewd acts."

First of all, I love that they actually need to spell this out for people.

Secondly, there goes my new work from home business idea!*

All that aside... I love that they put "or so called 'sexual toys'". I think you are required to stick your nose in the air and raise your eyebrows when you say that.

Now that my blog will appear as a result when someone Googles words like "pornography", "lewd" and "sexual toys" I'm hoping to see a real rise in readership!

*only kidding

We're Buying a House!!!

2010-02-08T14:36:00.000-06:00

This weekend Josh and I went on a house hunt and ended up with a winner! We are so excited about finally owning our own home and can't wait to move in. We close on March 26th... I'm really not looking forward to the packing and moving, but it's worth it.

It is 5 bed/4 bath and has a big open game room upstairs. The master bath is TO DIE FOR and has a huge master closet as well! It is way too big for just the two of us, but we are hoping to grow into nicely.

It is going to be the emptiest house you've ever seen - we hardly have enough furniture to fill our current house and this one is over 1,000 sq ft bigger!

Here are some pics...

Dining Room

Kitchen

Family Room

Game Room

I Just Don't Get It

2010-02-03T16:38:00.006-06:00

I have come to realize that there are a few things in life that I will just never understand.

Lady GaGa for instance.

Wha?

Another one of those things is the way too-tight jean (see Exhibit A)

Exhibit A

While at lunch today I was sitting there minding my own business, just trying to enjoy my turkey on wheat when out of the nowhere came the too-tight jean... with too-short shirt* to boot! They also had such a low rise that I'm fairly certain I would have caught a glimpse of something highly inappropriate if it weren't for the two inches of San Andreas Fault that I had the pleasure of looking at instead.

San Andreas Fault in California

I'm sure you are all expecting me to come at it from the "this is frying my retnas" angle, but I'm actually more concerned about the fact that there is no way this is comfortable!

Not even NOT comfortable; it has to be painful!

As I sit here and type this I'm wearing a pair of dress pants that are a tad snug and I've been regretting the choice all day long. I can't even imagine what the too-tight-jean must feel like. The one in Exhibit A doesn't even really do today's too-tight jean justice. Unfortunately I don't have a picture of those jeans.

(Apparently it's really creepy to take pictures of strangers for your blog... at least that what I've been told.)

I know we can't all be a size 2 - heck, I've never been a size 2 - it's not about the size, it's about the RIGHT size. I wish people would realize that a size 14 that fits is much more flattering than a size 8 that you've squeezed into. It's also a heck of a lot more comfortable, which to me, is most important.

*Good news for oversharers of the bodily kind. The too-short shirt is not necessary... your muffin top shows up just fine through shirts as well!

Holy Crap I'm FAMOUS!

2010-02-01T12:38:00.001-06:00

Ch-ch-ch-Check it out... this post I wrote about Facebook got a nod in an article on AOL!!!! Check it out HERE

First of all, do people still use AOL? huh

Secondly, this is so cool! I know that I'm a giant dork for getting overly excited about this.

And still...

I will be signing autographs later this week. Stay tuned... more details to come...

Oh, and just in case you're wondering, I'm more than a little embarrassed that strangers will be coming to my blog and seeing my pouty lips/peace sign pic.

I guess that is just the price of fame, no?

(Thanks Mrs. Bushey for pointing this out to me! I'd have never known.)

Beauty Giveaway

2010-01-31T19:03:00.000-06:00

Do you like free stuff? I do! Head over to the Staats Family Blog and read about how you can win one of these amazing eye shadow pallets!!!!! So fun!

Valentine's Day

2010-01-26T16:52:00.000-06:00

I have these neighbors that decorate for every holiday. I have been living in this neighborhood for over a year and have yet to see their house without some kind of decorations. You should have seen it for Christmas! If you had come by around a week ago you could have, but they took those decorations down and have since created this masterpiece that just screams "Be Mine"...

Sorry for the poor photo quality.

I had to snap this pic using my phone in my car while practically still in motion to avoid being viewed as a creepy, scary person and possibly being arrested.

I mean, seriously??? These people love a good holiday!

Next up: St Patrick's Day.

Yes, they decorate the entire house and yard for St Patty.

Ugly Days

2010-01-25T14:59:00.001-06:00

Sometimes after a good workout, first thing in the morning... or sometimes just on a bad day... if I really stop to take a good look at myself in the mirror, I wonder how Josh feels about having married me.

Now I'm not trying to say I'm ugly and I'm definitely not fishing for any compliments - I'm just being honest.

When I'm all fixed up (in my world "fixed up" means a shower and a little mascara) I feel good about myself. Self-image is not really a problem here.

{I thank my wonderful parents for their excessive doting, compliments and good genes.}

But, there are some days when things just go very, very bad. Like, probably-shouldn't-leave-the-house-at-all bad. Like, even-sunglasses-and-a-hat-can't-hide-the-ugly bad.

I kid you not, I have the ability to look pretty one minute and then all Tales From The Crypt the next.

What is up with that!?

I had one of these crypt days yesterday. We were just bumming around the house all day and watching the Colts win the AFC title (woohoo!) so after my shower I just kind of let my hair dry on it's own and didn't bother with makeup. After going to the grocery store I finally got around to looking at myself in the mirror and

was

completely

HORRIFIED!!!!

I was so relieved that I didn't run into any old high school pals at the store. Don't you HATE when that happens?? I do. Remember this lovely incident?

I think that Josh probably doesn't really notice these moments (let's hope) because when you are around someone enough, you just start to see the essence of that person and not really the details. You know?

I hope I'm not the only person that has these "off" days. My co-workers don't realize it, but they just won a game of Russian Roulette.

Oh yeah...

2010-01-22T16:06:00.000-06:00

Notice my new run log over there --------->

New goal is to run at least 365 miles this year. I'm well on my way!

Bad Haircuts

2010-01-22T16:04:00.000-06:00

My son got a bit of a botched haircut last weekend... poor little fella.

He's still beautiful in my eyes though.

Hopefully this hasn't done too much damage to his self-esteem.

We've all had bad haircuts afterall.

I had a pretty snazzy mullet-bob as a 6 year old.

I'll find pics and upload later for your amusement.

Happy Friday!

Back when chubby was cute...

2010-01-19T21:09:00.001-06:00

I scanned these baby photos for something else and then decided it would be fun to share them on my blog too because I'm just so darn cute - that's why!!!!! (if I do say so myself...)

This is me around 8 or 9 months probably...

...dressed like a boy. Thanks Mom.

This is me a little later...

...about to fall out of my high chair and onto the floor causing permanent brain damage I'm sure.

And here I am with gigantic cheeks...

...which I still have...

The Travel Bug Bites Again!

2010-01-19T16:22:00.001-06:00

I'm already getting the travel bug again. We just went on our big Belizean vacation in August and I am already itching to go somewhere else! I think I'm just generally bored right now and need something to focus on and plan for. Even though we really don't need to be going on another vacation already, this doesn't keep me from daydreaming and Googling!
Here are some places that I'm thinking about for a long weekend in the spring/summer...

New York City

I have never been to NYC. Okay, well I've been to the city, but only for a few hours really early in the morning. Back when I was dating my musician boyfriend, I was visiting him in Pittsburgh when we decided on a bit of a whim to go watch another friend in concert in New Jersey. We drove up to NJ that night and then drove with our friend to crash at his apartment in Manhattan. We had to get up early to head back to PA and were literally only there between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. so I didn't really get to see anything! What a TEASE! Right????

Plus, after several terrible food vacations, I KNOW I can get a decent meal in New York!

San Francisco/Redwoods

Not only do I really want to visit San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, but I really really REALLY want to see the redwood forests! Josh has been several times over the past few years for work and it has become his favorite place. Maybe we could even go to Napa Valley and make a tour out of it! Would be nice...

Yosemite National Park

Also in California, but an entirely different experience. Josh and I love to hike and both really enjoy national parks and appreciate land and wildlife conservation, so I think this would be a really great vacation for us. These are the types of places I want to take our kids someday, but I'd like to go by myself first!

Yellowstone National Park

Another famous National Park I've never been to. I really want to go to Wyoming... the old west. Maybe we could even visit a real dude ranch!!! So fun!

Alaska

A friend of mine is moving to Kodiak, Alaska soon and ever since I found out, I've been so jealous! I've always wanted to see Alaska... I'd love to stay in a log cabin or at a wilderness lodge like I've seen on TV. I've wanted to visit ever since I saw the movie Into the Wild and I want to have my own adventure! (Well, except the ending...)

Washington DC

I know, you're all like, "WTH!? This girl hasn't been anywhere!" But it's not true! I have actually been to a lot of places, but I guess not a lot of the common ones. I want to see all the monuments and visit the Smithsonian! I hear you need like 2 weeks to see it all!

Anyway... a girl can dream, right????

10K Training: Week Two

2010-01-18T10:27:00.001-06:00

This past week was pretty busy, so I didn't get as many runs in as I had hoped, but for the record:

1/11/10 - 3 miles at 5.5 mph
1/14/10 - 3 miles at 5.5 mph
1/16/10 - 3.5 miles at 5.5 mph
1/17/10 - 3 miles at 5.5 mph
Total: 12.5 miles for the week

I know it's been awhile since I've had an actual post, but I promise there's a new one coming soon!!!!!

10K Training: Week One

2010-01-11T16:29:00.002-06:00

You may have noticed I took my run log off my blog. It may seem hard to believe, but I didn't take it off because I haven't been running. I promise! (Well, I wasn't running for awhile... a long while, but I've started up again.)

I went to log in my latest run the other day and I couldn't for the life of me remember what my password was. I had stored it to the computer and for some reason it had erased it from it's memory. I usually use the same passwords and log-in names for pretty much everything, but I guess I did something weird on this one. Anywho - I had to take it off my blog.

I thought for now I'd just blog my runs until I can figure out my run log thingy.

(Oh, and this is only for my records, not to brag or anything like that!!)

01/05/10 - 2.5 miles at 5.5 mph on treadmill
01/06/10 - 3 miles at 3.5/5.5 mph on treadmill
01/08/10 - 2.5 miles at 5.5 mph on treadmill
01/10/10 - 3 miles at 3.5/5.5 mph on treadmill
Total: 11 miles for the week

Happy 75th Birthday Grandma!!!!

2010-01-10T09:55:00.000-06:00

Last night the family all got together to celebrate my grandma's 75th birthday. Her birthday actually falls on January 8th and she happens to share it with The King himself - Elvis!!! We've had a lot of fun with this over the years... on her 70th we all got dressed up like it was the 50s, danced around to old music, and had an Elvis stand up to take pictures with. It was a hoot!

Yesterday we surprised her at her own house with dinner. Here are some pictures from the night...

For her present we got her a beautiful frame for her home and are going to get professional family pictures taken in the spring/summer so that she can have us up on her wall to look at everyday!

Aunt Wendy, Grandma, cousins John Mark and Blake

The yummy cupcakes!!!!

John Mark & Jackson

Aunt Wendy, Dad, Uncle John, and Uncle Jeff eating their cupcakes

Me and my niece, Payton

(my hair looks so dark! I wish it was that dark in real life!)

My nephew, Jackson

Grandma and Elvis

It's always great to have family time. Hope to do it again soon!

Treadmill Diaries

2010-01-06T10:55:00.006-06:00

So I'm really trying to get back in the gym this week. Not really a New Year's Resolution per se - I have been a gym-goer for awhile now, but I haven't been in since before the holidays and really needed to get back in the groove.

I worked out Monday and then was all gung-ho yesterday (Tuesday) to go until I got home and saw the gigantic pile of laundry that had completely taken over the floor of my (quite massive) closet. I thought to myself, "I'll take tonight off so that I can do laundry and I'll go in tomorrow and make sure I stick it out the rest of the week."

I started gathering up laundry and then realized I had just made an excuse that wasn't really going to benefit myself in the long run. Yes, I'd be happy that I wasn't sweating at the gym tonight, but I would be setting myself even further back on the path to my goals. Plus, it's not like the 1800s. You just put the clothes in the washing machine and sit around and wait.

And how was I going to feel when I sat on the couch to watch The Biggest Loser and heard the theme song, "What have you done today to make you feeeeeel proud?" ???? I was in for a self-assault if I didn't actually do something that I felt proud about.

I knew what I had to do. I quickly tore off my sweats and t-shirt, and was in my workout gear in a flash. You see, the key to making myself go to the gym is getting in my gear. Once it's on, I'm amped to go and won't turn back. It's kind of like a super hero costume.

Except it doesn't make me run any faster or jump any higher.

Anyway... fast forward to the gym... I'm on the treadmill jogging and listening to my tunes and I side glance at the people around me because this is what people on treadmills do. I'm feeling all good about myself and the fact that unlike most of the people on these things, I'm actually jogging and looking like an almost athlete.

I'm in the zone and timing my jog to a little Akon and then.... THEN!!! she comes along. Cute, tiny, and toned and I hate her. She jumps on and starts running a tad faster than me and with such ease that I thought about suddenly reaching over and pushing the pause button so she'd get a nice tread-burn on her face. No, I'm just kidding. These kinds of thoughts never entered my mind...

So I keep jogging and instead of thinking mean things about people or feeling bad about how my thighs look wider than the last time I was at the gym, I think about how I'm doing something positive for myself (and that this girl probably isn't as happy as I am. She's probably a real piece of work too.)

Well, I tried.

Top 10 Reasons Facebook Friends Get the Axe

2010-01-04T10:28:00.000-06:00

10) Post TMI stuff on your status. I don't want to know everything about your life. If I did, we'd be more than just Facebook friends.

9) Send me multiple app requests a day.

8) Try to get me to play Farmville with you so you can grow your farm (or whatever it is you're doing). I feel so used.

7) Participate in things like the "What Friends Character Are You" quiz. For one - you are flooding my home page with this crap. For two (?? ugh yeah) - You are pissing me off because you have time to do quizzes all day long and I don't.

6) Post a million pictures of yourself and your BFF making silly faces.

5) Use the word "bestie" when referring to your best friend.

4) Talk about what happened in a show that is sitting on my DVR waiting to be watched. Curse you girl that ruined Big Brother for me!!!!! I've never unfriended a friend so fast.

3) Use your status updates to give a play-by-play of your entire day. There's a place for this people. It's called Twitter. Make the switch.

2) Peace sign and/or pouty lips profile pictures.

(as you can see, I haven't quite mastered "pouty lips")

1) I wasn't sure who you were to begin with, but figured we must have gone to school together only to discover that ALL YOUR FRIENDS ARE WOMEN. You are a pathetic, pathetic human being. I bet you live in your mother's basement. Or in prison.

**If you are reading this and do one or more of these things and we're still Facebook friends, it's because that's how much I love you.**

Loser: The Literal Music Video

2009-12-31T09:19:00.000-06:00

You might find this totally dumb, but I find it laugh out loud hilarious...

Loser: Literal Video Version - watch more funny videos

Christmas in Pictures

2009-12-30T21:12:00.002-06:00

Twins on Christmas morning

Aunts and Dad doing the famous Wolfenbarger sibling pose... I have no idea...

Bearlita Marie Looman all snazzied up for Christmas! Doesn't she look happy?? Ha!

Niece Payton, Sister Amanda, and Me

Look what Santa brought us!!!!

Brother/Sister love

My side of the family on Christmas Eve

Post X-mas Post

2009-12-29T15:05:00.001-06:00

Ugh... I'm exhausted after a whirlwind Christmas yet again.

I have some pictures to post later, but just wanted to get a post up so I could feel productive for today. That's what it's come to lately. Feeling productive means putting up a blog post. Ha!

I really hate making New Year's resolutions because with me it likes saying, "Here is a list of things that are not going to be accomplished." I don't think I've ever stuck with a resolution I've made for the new year. So don't expect to see any resolutions on this blog. Nope. Not gonna do it.

I would like to follow through with my running program and work up to a 10K as well as eat better and drop about 10-15 lbs, but I'm not resolving to do it! That doesn't count!!!

2010 is kind of weird. 2010 means one more year until my high school reunion and 5 years since I've graduated college. Ack!

This weekend Josh and I went to see the new George Clooney film Up in the Air. It was really great (same guy who directed another favorite of mine, Juno), but a tad depressing. It really makes you appreciate the people in your life. Speaking of movies, my husband has put together his Top 10 movies of 2009... check it out over at joshlooman.com

Josh and I have been captivated by the A&E show Hoarders lately and I think it's really starting to rub off. Yesterday we were sorting through the guest room closets and Christmas decorations and we would start to put something in the "keep" pile and one of us would say to the other, "Does our past history tell us that we will use this?" Haha... oh boy! I would imagine the trash men were NOT happy with us today when they arrived to find the very full trash can AND 5 or 6 large boxes of junk.

This weekend I was catching up on recorded episodes of The Sing Off and can I just say, there is nothing more awkward than Nick Lachey as a TV show host. It makes my skin crawl like I'm standing on a stage naked. Painful.

I do, however, LOVE Ben Folds and was so excited to see him as a judge after not seeing or hearing much about him for awhile. If you are not already a Ben Folds fan, I suggest downloading and listening to the following Ben Folds/Ben Folds Five songs:

Philosophy
The Luckiest
Brick
Don't Change Your Plans
Fred Jones Part 2
Annie Waits

That's all for now! I'll post some Christmas pics soon.

Merry Christmas OctoMom

2009-12-22T14:29:00.001-06:00

I had a dream last night... or should I say NIGHTMARE... that I logged on to check my bank account after holiday shopping and had spent around $8,000 on Christmas presents. Now I know that can't be true, but still I have yet to log on to the bank website today (which I do every day) because I'm terrified of the true number almost as much.

Tis the season for ruining budgets!

Speaking of buying a camera... oh we weren't? Oh yeah, ruining budgets - same thing.

I am so excited because Josh and I decided that instead of buying each other things we don't really want/need, we'd buy ourselves a new camera! It's a Rebel XS and we got a great deal on it! It is supposed to arrive today, just in time to take some great photos of the babes during Christmas!

Speaking of babes...

Merry Christmas OctoMom!

Umm... why the heck does OctoMom look better than I do???????

Avatar: Must See Movie of the Year!!!

2009-12-20T17:37:00.005-06:00

So I don't normally use my blog to recommend stuff to my readers, but this weekend Josh and I went to see Avatar in 3D and I was just absolutely blown away.

Not only did I (much to my surprise) love the story, the technology used to create this film is unlike anything we've ever seen before. The 3D wasn't the cheesy stuff where things are coming at you at random moments, it more takes you into the world on the screen bringing out textures, depths, etc. so that you really feel like you are there.

Anyway, I can't say enough good stuff about this movie. The hubs and I couldn't stop talking about it after we saw it and I just want everyone I know to go see it! Make sure you look up which theaters are offering it in 3D too, because you don't want to miss it!

I Think I'm Losing My Mind

2009-12-18T12:36:00.002-06:00

Don't tell my family, they might feel unloved, but I haven't bought a single present for Christmas yet.

I'd tell you that this is just sooooo not like me and that I can't believe how far behind I am on my shopping, but this is pretty much the norm. Standard Kelly gift-buying behavior. Yep. Kelly 101.

It's not that I don't care. It's not like I haven't been wracking my brain to come up with the perfect gift... I have! Every day I literally think to myself, "Okay Brain... let's do this! What can I get for mom?" You know what? NOTHING. There are zero thoughts beyond that.

I feel like this has been happening a lot lately. I used to be pretty sharp, quick witted, and able to come up with a creative thought every now and then, but I just feel so brain dead lately. I think I need to get one of those hand held games for old people to keep them sharp... or maybe start playing Sudoko (or Sodoku, or whatever).

I do, however, still have the ability to be completely random. Why are text messages on TV unlike anything I've ever seen in real life? The text is like a size 24 font and fills up the entire screen. I should get one of those phones because I bet that my eyes are the next thing to go...

Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies

2009-12-16T14:58:00.000-06:00

Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies

(this picture added to make you drool...om nom)

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup or brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one peastoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still ok, try another cup just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Pick the frigging fruit off the floor. Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who geeves a sheet. Check the Jose Cuervo. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the wishdasher.

Cherry Mistmas!

Can't take credit for this gem! Got it in an e-mail forwarded from my aunt.

Pirating and Other Stuff

2009-12-15T16:40:00.002-06:00

You know what's fun? Burning 55 copies* of a CD. Right on! I'm so glad those 4 years of college are being put to good use today at work.

*In an effort to avoid being sent to jail for pirating... I would like to clarify that this is legal copying of data CDs only. No music or movies.

I haven't blogged much because life has been lame lately... I wish I had funny anecdotes to share with my blog readers today, but I've got nothing.

I should be clear that life hasn't been totally lame lately. What with the birth of my ~~new toy~~ neice, Payton, making it to the championship game in my Fantasy Football league (no doubt!), and this weekend Josh and I hopped a flight to O-town to kick it with some old chums.

[Fun Fact: Josh lived in Orlando for 7 years and I lived there for about 3].

It was fun to spend some time with all my favorite Floridians and catch up with my good pal Jamie who is a great hostess and marvelous cook. Although I delighted in every bite, I cringed at the thought that Josh was going to feel sooooooo let down the next time I whip up some of my not so famous meatloaf.

**I know you read this Jamie, so thanks again for having us. You and Ian are the best and I miss you already! (Vegas and Rosco too!)**

On Sunday we watched the season finale of The Best Show Ever (aka Dexter) and I am still spinning from the ending. Holy Moly! I didn't see THAT coming. Now I have to wait until next fall to find out what happens next, which I might add, is like buying a christmas present in March, wrapping it, putting it under the tree, and telling a 6-year-old they have to wait until Christmas to open it. Of course, I'm not sure why you'd have a tree up in March... but still - you get my point. Yes?

A Word on Fashion

2009-12-09T11:55:00.006-06:00

I was browsing through Oprah's Favorite Things list on her website to try to get some ideas for Christmas gifts when I stumbled upon this...

I'll give Oprah all the credit in the world when it comes to putting on great shows, making a great magazine, etc. But PLEASE don't take fashion advice from her! This look can't be flattering on ANYONE. I'm all about comfort, but this is too far. TOO FAR Oprah!!!!

Other trends I could live without...

Harem Pants -

Do I even need to explain this one?

The Skinny Man Jean -

*I'm not real fond of the skinny jean on women either, but there are women (few and far between) that this actually looks good on. I have a feeling though that in a few years will be looking at pictures of ourselves and saying, "What was I thinking!?"

Now the skinny man jean on the other hand... the SMJ makes me want to barf...

consequently so does that sweet 'stache.

The Jumpsuit -

This was cute when we were babies. Not anymore. If you have the body of a model then maybe you'll beat the odds on this one.

...and if that isn't bad enough, how about combining all 3!?!?

The Harem-Skinny-Jumpsuit -

Gross.

**I feel like I should add that I am by no means a fashionista. Take this advice with a grain of salt and if I see you wearing one of these, I'll probably tell you how nice you look because it's not in my nature to be honest about these types of things.

Roll Tide!

2009-12-07T09:24:00.004-06:00

Remember this post?

Well this weekend my worst nightmare came true. Texas is going to the National Championship.

Bah!

I do realize that this being my worst nightmare is a bit of a stretch, but it's not far from the truth. I know, it's ridiculous. I'm ridiculous. I probably should seek professional help.

After watching Texas just barely win the game against Nebraska on Saturday I was fuming. Fortunately my husband was gone watching the game with friends because I am 99.9% sure that there would have been a fight that was 100% my fault.

To add to the list of teams I'm mad at, let's just talk about OU. Why? Because when your own team can't be depended on to beat Texas, you look to the best team on the Texas schedule and suddenly I'm cheering for the Sooners who are my second or third most hated team. Normally I can count on those Sooners (hi Jaci!) but this year... what happened Okies!?!?

So anyway, Roll Tide, Roll!!!!!!!

A Ben Girl

2009-12-02T12:22:00.009-06:00

Facebook keeps suggesting I add Keri Russell as my friend which is weird, but aside from being weird, makes me miss Felicity, one of my all time favorite shows.

The show ended after 4 seasons because of low ratings and well, you can't be in college forever, but I was so sad to see it go. I loved all the characters and the ongoing love triangle between Felicity, Ben, and Noel. I think you can find out a lot about a person by simply asking, "Are you a Ben or Noel girl?" The question is sort of like the 90s version of Team Edward/Team Jacob.

I'm a Ben girl myself.

Yep. Ben girl all the way.
(swoon)

I think I'll go home and start my annual Felicity marathon starting with the pilot episode. Yeah, I have them all on DVD.

Did you watch Felicity? Are you a Ben or a Noel?

Umm yeah, about that...

2009-12-01T13:29:00.003-06:00

So I know that my run log has been a bit sparse, okay blank, over the last week, but I have every intention to start back up on my 13-week training schedule starting this coming Sunday. I will be running this week, but not going to start the actual training schedule until next week so I can start fresh. Due to some ~~unfortunate circumstances~~ Thanksgiving festivities I have probably gained about 5 more lbs that I'll need to add to my grand total. Can we all just take a sec to appreciate that... mmkay, thanks.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

She's Here!!!!

2009-11-30T20:08:00.002-06:00

Payton Elizabeth

November 30, 2009

2:43 p.m.

7 lbs 11 oz 20 in

A very proud Aunt Kelly.

I love her so much already!!

Doesn't get any sweeter than this.

Super Sweet Post

2009-11-23T11:20:00.006-06:00

5 Super Sweet Things About This Week:

1) Having a 5 day weekend!!!!! nanny nanny boo boo
2) Lots of family time.
3) Aggies beating the pants off t.u. (ugh... yeah...)
4) Baby niece, Payton, making her entrance into the world no later than Monday, November 30th!!
5) Watching my other fav Peyton play at Reliant Stadium on Sunday for FREE. I love free stuff almost as much as I love Peyton Manning.

5 Not So Super Sweet Things About This Week:

1) All my fav shows are on hiatus for the week.
2) The postal service shutting down on Thursday which means my cookies for my buddy will have to wait to go out until Friday.
3) T-sips smoking the Aggies.
4) Getting in a fight with my husband because I can't handle that my team blows and his is awesome.
5) Having to apologize to my husband for acting like a giant baby for the third year in a row.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Show Us Your Life: Pets

2009-11-20T09:33:00.008-06:00

It's been awhile since I've participated in one of Kelly's Show Us Your Life blog carnivals, but this is "Show Us Your Pets" week and I just couldn't resist. Bear with me here. Unless you are my husband, you will find this post not only annoying, but utterly ridiculous. Thanks for reading anyway!

When my husband and I started dating, we each already had a dog of our own. He had a Cairn Terrior named Major. If you haven't heard of a Cairn, just think of Toto from the Wizard of Oz. Major's nicknames are Majorino, Stinky Magee, and just plain Maj.

Major enjoys eating, chasing Nyla around the backyard, cuddling with his mama and perching on furniture high up in the air. His favorite place to perch is on the very top of the couch like a cat. (I don't have a picture of that though, so this will have to suffice.) I think he does it because Nyla is too big to get up there and he feels more dominant that way. :)

I adopted our other dog, Nyla, when I was a junior in college. She is a lab mixed with something... but we aren't sure what. When I was walking through the animal shelter looking at all the different puppies, she was definitely the cutest and was so sweet and calm. Her demeanor hasn't changed much, but she sure has gotten bigger! She has one white paw. The most commonly used nicknames for her are Princess White Paw, Bearlita, and Nyley Cyrus. We hardly ever call her Nyla.

Here she is as a wittle baby puppy. Hehe.

And here she is now! She might be the sweetest dog in history. She is obsessed with eating, loves to go on walks, and her very favorite thing is to snuggle with mommy and daddy. Especially before bed. I know.... we have issues.

Okay, that's all the disgusting puppy-love I'll make you endure for today. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Running

2009-11-18T12:11:00.005-06:00

As long as I can remember I've wanted to be a runner. Running has never come easy to me even at the peak of my fitness. In fact, the most I have ever run at one time is a 5K and that was only once and I may or may not have walked a little bit.

Next week I am starting a 13-week training schedule to run a 10K. I haven't actually found a 10K to run at the end of those 13 weeks, but I will work on that over the next - you guessed it - 13 weeks.

There are several reasons why I have decided to do this:

- I want to improve my overall health & fitness.

- I really want to drop those pesky 10 15 lbs I've gained over the past 5 years without giving up my Chuy's Tex-Mex habit.

- I desparately need a hobby.

- I really do enjoy the solitude of running.

- I have set this goal several times and have yet to actually follow through.

The reason I'm announcing this on my blog is because I need all of YOU to hold me accountable! I will be posting my run long in the widget over there in the sidebar ------->
If you see that I've gone too long without running, leave me a nasty comment or you know, words of encouragement... whatever your style.

After the 10K, I hope to train for a half marathon and then who knows, maybe one day my dreams will be fulfilled and I'll actually do a full marathon. Just thinking about that is making me feel a bit beaten down... but a 10K? A 10K I think I can do.

Here we go!

Monday Dumbday

2009-11-16T14:12:00.004-06:00

Ho-hum.

{tap tap tap}

(crickets chirping)

Not much exciting going on over here. Nope. Nothing worth blogging about.

However, I do have a blog and I do need to update every so often, so in an effort to do so, here are a few "new" things coming up this week:

New sorta-nephew? Yes please. My sister's sis-in-law is being induced on Friday! Bring on baby Brady!

New neice? Probably! Payton is showing some signs that she just doesn't feel like waiting until November 30th (and neither do I in case anyone cares) so my phone is charged and within an arms reach at all times.

New black boots? Yes, I think I just might.

New Moon? Um, duh.

In the meantime I'll be working on a new attitude cause this one blows.

An Open Letter

2009-11-08T20:47:00.007-06:00

Dear BFF from pre-school,

You know how we ran into each other this weekend at Babies R Us after all these years? I'm sure you noticed I was looking, well, a bit schleppy. I just wanted to clarify that I don't always look like that. I mean, normally I wear make-up, wash my hair and wear something other than my baggiest jeans and old college t-shirt. When my sister called to ask if I wanted to run a quick errand with her and I hadn't yet made it out of bed, I figured, eh, what are the odds that I'll see someone I know at Babies R Us? Yeah, I know, famous last words.

I thought it was a safe enough place... I guess the fact that nearly everyone I know is currently either expecting or a new mom does up the odds a bit... but when I saw you at the end of the pack-and-play isle (you looked really cute by the way), the prettier version of me was all, "COME ON Universe!!!! Do me a solid and let me sneak past without her seeing me." But you looked up and I pretended to be caught off guard. We hugged, I told you congratulations - it was awkward. I was hoping to get out of there before you had time to notice that zit on my forehead.

So anyway, I thought on the off chance you find your way to my little blog, I'd explain. As you can see in my picture over there -->, it didn't go all down hill for me after age 4.

It was really great seeing you again!

My Husband is Kinda Famous

2009-11-04T13:41:00.003-06:00

OK, not really, but he is in a feature video on gamespot.com. Check it out!

Yes, my husband has every man's dream job - he makes video games. No, he doesn't play games all the time at home... most days anyway.

Oh, and last night after watching himself on this video, hubs FINALLY took out that earring he's had since he was like 22. Now he just has a big hole in his ear. Do these things eventually close up? I'm afraid in a strong wind it just might whistle! :)

Weekend Recap

2009-11-03T14:35:00.006-06:00

(alternately titled: NEVER wear horizontal stripes again)

Beau, Kelli, Kelly, Shan, Tyler, and Shaun

(What was I THINKING with the horizontal stripes??? Bad idea.)

Well my reunion weekend was AMAZING. For not having seen these people in 3 or 4 years, we didn't miss a beat. The picture above is just one of several, but I haven't uploaded all of them and wanted to get a post up today. It was so nice to see everyone and we had a lot of good laughs. Unfortunately I had to cut my weekend short, but we all have already talked about a spring reunion and I know it won't be another 3 or 4 years until I see them all again.

My sister is now on bed rest as she waits out the last 3-6 weeks of her pregnancy so on Sunday I took Jackson to a birthday party of a mutual friend of ours. He was a little apprehensive at first, but he ended up having a great time.

Jackson getting a hug from the pretty birthday girl, Ellie! haha Love his face!

It is only Tuesday and boy, I can't WAIT for the weekend... Have a good one! More pics from the weekend to come in a later post!!!

A Really Big Weekend

2009-10-28T16:54:00.009-05:00

This weekend I'm returning to my college town for a reunion with my old co-workers and I am so full of anticipation that I can't stand it! This was my first real job in college and I have to say, it was the best college job a person could ever have. I was blessed with the opportunity to work at a teen recreation center operated by the city's Parks and Recreation department and it was a blast. My days were filled with hanging out, playing basketball, kickball, taking kids on field trips, etc. It was like getting paid to have fun!

Not only was it a fun (and dare I say easy) job for a college student, I also was able to work with the best people ever and made life-long friends there. We all spent A LOT of time together over those few years and I sadly haven't seen any of them in about 4 years - I can't even believe it's been that long.

I have so many great memories with these people...

Fun times at work...

Random nights of crazy fun like this time Kelli and I learned to dance from this gas station employee/school bus driver...

Trips together like this one to New Orleans...

and that time we all rented a cabin on the lake for the weekend... that was a blast...

We played on what might be the worst co-ed softball team ever, but we had a great time anyway...

I am so excited to see my friends this weekend and make more amazing memories together!

Phone a Friend

2009-10-26T09:36:00.011-05:00

My aunt is auditioning for "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" this week and has asked if I would be one of her Phone a Friend options.

My first thought - Absolutely! Sounds like fun!

My second thought - Wait. I don't know anything at all. Nothing. I'm pretty sure that I have forgotten everything taught to me in school and unless the question is about who Lindsay Lohan is dating (and actually, I don't even know the answer to that), I should probably be the last person you call when all that's standing between you and a million dollars is the answer to a multiple choice question because, well, I don't know the answer.

I said I'd do it anyway, because what if by some crazy chance I do know the answer and swoop in to save the day???!?!? Lord help her.

WARNING: Random Change of Topic Ahead

In other news... my monthly Book Club meeting is tonight and I'm so excited! If you enjoy reading I highly recommend seeking out or creating your own book club like we did. Not only do we all share a love of reading and enjoy sharing books together, but even more than that, we like to spend time together gabbing and playing with some super sweet babies... tonight I should get my baby fix for the week!

It's rainy here in Central Texas, but I love it all the same. There is beauty in every day and a purpose for them all. I'll end with this quote, one of my favorites...

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass…it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.

- Vivian Greene

10 Ways to Drive Your Husband Crazy

2009-10-22T11:24:00.010-05:00

(not that I'd have any idea)

1) Gently remind him of the proper way to clean the kitchen counters... not with a dirty dish rag that has been sitting in your smelly sink for weeks. Although he won't like it now, some day he will remember on his own and be thankful that you taught him the right way.

2) Watch shows like The Biggest Loser and cry along with the cast. Men just LOVE when their wives cry for no good reason.

3) Be able to come up with a song on the spot that includes whatever word he just got finished saying. (Husband: "Today I read this story and was totally amazed..." You: "♪ Baby I'm amazed at the way you love me all the time...") This is especially irksome when he didn't even get to finish his story.

4) Bogart the best TV in the house all night watching 3 hours of TV that your husband has no interest in whatsover. When he asks why you have to watch it on that TV, tell him it's because you need the floor space to do your crunches. Lie on the floor on your back during the shows so that when he walks through the room, it looks like you are just resting between sets.

5) Say things to him like, "I'm just saying" because the phrase "I'm just saying" hardly ever comes after something good.

6) Accidently press the LIVE button on the remote revealing the final score of the football game he'd been pausing for the past 2 hours.

7) Finally learn how to whistle at the age of 26 and then practice at every quiet moment to hone your brand new craft.

8) When discussing anything - work, friends, the weekend plans - find a way to relate it to Twilight.

9) Try to read his mind.

10) Make up Top 10 Lists about him for your blog because you can't think of anything else interesting to write about.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2009-10-19T16:48:00.002-05:00

Hello Monday, I'd say it's nice to see you, but I'd be lying. You, with your beautiful skies and perfect mid-70 degree temps - Why must you taunt me so???

Another weekend has come and gone and I must say, I can't believe it's mid-October already. Where has 2009 gone? My mom used to tell me that you shouldn't wish away your days because one day you'll look up and they'll be gone, and boy was she right!

Saturday we had my sister's baby shower and she got an unreal amount of wonderful girly things!! I went to her house after the shower to help put it all away and look at it all again and Payton is going to be sooooo well dressed!!!

That afternoon I came home from the shower to find a very disgruntled husband. It was halftime in the UT/OU game and Texas was not looking good at all. That being said, they came back and won in the second half - OF COURSE... I know that it makes me sound like a terrible wife, but I just can't stand being around him after a Texas victory. Even though he wasn't gloating at all - I just carry too much hostility around for all things UT and it pains me to be near him with all his carefully tucked away smugness. It didn't help that my Aggies looked like a terrible high school team in their match-up. Boohoo.

Saturday night we went to see "Zombieland" which I thought was actually quite funny and put me in a much better mood.

Sunday my favorite little 1 1/2 year old brought his parents to hang out at my house for NFL Sunday. This has become a tradition this fall and I have to say I'm LOVING the extra time with my sister and her family! This little guy and I went to the park and had a lot of fun sliding. Even Aunt Kelly took a few turns getting stuck on the slide built for kids 6 and under!

He looks sad here, but I promise he was having fun with me!

Anyway, it was a great weekend! Hope yours was great too!

Too Much Sweetness for One Post

2009-10-15T11:28:00.006-05:00

I haven't really mentioned it much on my blog, but my big sis is expecting her second child, her first girl, in December. I myself have zero children of the human kind but have been blessed to be called Aunt Kelly (ok, so no one has actually said the words yet, but we work on it daily) to three adorable nephews all under the age of 2.

Now I love me some boys - they are rough and tumble, talk about "tucks" (trucks) a lot and "trackas" (tractors), but I have to tell you, I cannot wait for this little girl to get here! I am just beside myself with anticipation of meeting that sweet little babe, so much that I have decided to fill my time waiting for her arrival with shopping...lots and lots of shopping. Way too much shopping. Every day there's shopping.

I hope my sister doesn't read this before the weekend, as I'll have blown some of my baby shower surprises, but I bet she doesn't. So here is a sneak peak at some of the girly goodness that baby Payton will be strutting when she gets here...

You can pick up this little number at ThreeYellowStarfish's Etsy Store!

I got two pair of these embroidered with Payton's initials and one with her full name!

You can get some of your own by checking out Stitches 'n Smiles!

Have you ever seen anything so sweet??? I picked a pair of these up at Gracious May!

I also got a bunch of other cute outfits and such, but I swear I'm taking a shopping break.

At least until she gets here.

(NOTE: No one has paid me or given me anything for these plugs. I just wanted to share and if it means more customers for them - great!)

Craigslist

2009-10-13T12:26:00.005-05:00

I love browsing Craigslist from time to time, even if I'm not in the market for anything, just to see what people are selling. During my browse, I noticed that some adjectives are all too frequently misused. To help with the problem, I thought I'd come up with somewhat of a Craigslist Dictionary to help us interpret what the seller really means...

Shabby Chic [shab-ee sheek] adjective
Something that is old, crappy, or both. Probably the more fitting term would be "Crappy Crap". Synonyms: Country Cute

Antique [an-teek] adjective, noun
Something that is outdated, but not old enough to really be considered an antique. Oh, and it's probably broken. Synonyms: Vintage

Distressed [di-strest] adjective
Something that is beat up, scratched up, or just plain old and again, probably broken. Synonyms: Rustic

Lightly Used [lit-lee yoozd] adjective
Something that has only a few holes or stains. Synonyms: Gently Worn, Like New

Custom [kus-tem] adjective
Something that I made at home all by myself with no real skill whatsover.

I also want to add that sometimes it's okay to just chunk it in the garbage. I'm all for recycling and keeping waste to a minimum, but please stop trying to sell your junk to other junk collectors. If it's really old, broken, dirty, or just plain ugly - just let it go. We don't want it either.

To close, I'll leave you with this gem I found...

This shabby chic antique can be yours for the low price of $50!!!

(e-mail me for sellers contact info) HA!

And it looked so good against my complexion...

2009-10-12T09:31:00.004-05:00

Today I woke up to grey skies and chilly temps and decided to break out my brand new pumpkin colored top I recently bought for work to get into the fall spirit. I stopped to get gas on the way in and got a "hook 'em horns" thrown at me by two different people. Two people all before 9:00 a.m. That's the thing about living in this town, you can't wear orange without being lumped in with them. Ugh...

One pumpkin colored shirt for sale. Only worn once.

Nostalgia

2009-10-07T14:00:00.008-05:00

For some reason fall makes me feel sentimental and nostalgic. Maybe it's the leaves falling, the grey skies, and my surroundings taking on a bleak appearance. Maybe it's the warmth that we are constantly searching for.

Of course it feels silly to say that right now living in Austin. Here in Austin we try to fool ourselves into thinking it's cold outside by wearing unnecessary scarves and turning the AC down a few degrees... but I digress. I'm sure it mostly has to do with the major holidays so steeped in tradition approaching that really gets me.

I just had a nice e-mail conversation with my aunt the yesterday and it left me feeling so nostalgic for my childhood. I grew up surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They were at every birthday, every recital, every special occasion. They are the stars in all of my best memories. But I got older and so did they and lives got busier and we find the time for each other less and less. I still see them quite a bit. We are all still there for each other no matter what. And I know that such is life and it's natural for things to change. You go to college, you get married, you have to split your time between two families now and compromises are made and the family Christmas gets held on December 19th this year and there aren't enough beds for everyone and Aunt Nancy can't sleep on the floor because of her bad back and all I really want is to stay up late with my family... my whole family... wearing matching PJs to watch It's a Wonderful Life for the 26th time on Christmas Eve.

This all sounds a lot more depressing than it actually is. Life is good. Family is great. I still see them more than most families do. Sometimes I just wish things could be like that again.

(I was going to wait to post this until I scanned in a picture of us all wearing our matching PJs, but knowing myself like I do - one of the benefits of being me - I know I'll never get around to it.)

Sundays at the Loomans

2009-10-05T16:36:00.008-05:00

Basically from September to January, you can count on football playing non-stop at my house all weekend. My sister's family came over on Sunday for the games. We bought Jackson this Peyton Manning onesie last year, but thinking it was too small at the time, we didn't give it to him. I brought it out on Sunday and low and behold, it fit! A little snug around the legs, but still super cute!

Don't you just want to bite that wittle weg!?!?!

Josh and I celebrated our one year anniversary Sunday night with a sushi dinner which I was really looking forward to. We went to what is considered to be THE sushi place in Austin and I was kind of disappointed. I guess we'll have to keep trying every sushi restaurant in the greater Austin area until we find THE ONE.

Both being goal oriented, during the anniversary dinner we talked about what we wanted to accomplish in the next year of marriage. Here is what we came up with:

1) Buy our first house

2) I'd like continue on the path I'm on at work and find ways to be a greater asset for my employers (Oh, that's sounds good. I'm gonna write that down and pull it out for my year-end review...)

3) Take a vacation to a National Park

4) Take a "foody" vacation to NYC, Chicago, or somewhere known for good restaurants because our last two vacations were really lacking in the food department!

5) Make a baby... preferably human, although this might be fun too...

My Monkey Baby... now playing on TLC! Josh really got a good laugh when he saw that title on our DVR schedule!!! :)

Before you ask...no, I'm not pregnant!!

I wanted to report that the scary movie was, in fact, very scary. Like lie awake in bed for hours because you're afraid to go to sleep scary. Josh says it sold out at every showing it had and because of that, they are going to re-release it in a few theaters at normal times and if it does well, they will do a wide-release. If you like being scared, you should see if it's playing in a theater near you! :)

Scary Movies

2009-10-01T09:33:00.003-05:00

I'm feeling like I don't have a lot to write about lately, or maybe I'm just not taking the time to sit down and do it, but I wanted to do a quick post anyway so that I could see my brand new signature on a post! (check out the bottom of this post) I'm loving my new blog design - sometimes I just come to my page just to look at it and smile. :)

This week I have been SUPER busy at work doing a pretty cool project that I'm pretty proud of. It's top secret though - so that's all you're going to get! (not that you care at all...)

Tomorrow I promised Josh that I would go see this movie called Paranormal Activity that he's been really excited about. They are only showing it for 3 days at one theater at midnight because it is so scary - actually I just made that up. I don't know why they are only playing it 3 days at one theater, it could very well be that it is just so awful they wouldn't be able to sell it for more than 3 nights at 1 theater, but I'm going to assume it's just really really really scary. After watching the trailer below, I am freaked to say the least. I kind of like scary movies, but not really. I know I'll have my eyes closed most of the movie and will, no doubt, have nightmares about it. Here is the trailer.

This weekend is also my friend Melody's baby shower and I am really excited to FINALLY see her and her belly! I love pregnant bellies! My sister's baby shower is also coming up soon... can't wait to meet my first niece! Being an aunt is the BEST!

That's about all I can come up with now, but I promise a better post soon. Thanks for hanging with me for my not-so-exciting-at-the-moment life! Hey, we can't go to Belize every week!!!!

New Blog Design!!!

2009-09-28T13:59:00.007-05:00

Yesterday morning I got an e-mail from Jennisa over at Once Upon a Blog telling me that my time on the waiting list was up and to expect my new blog design shortly. Well she already finished it and is going to install it tonight. I am so excited to finally have a blog that looks awesome!!!

Other great things about this week so far included:

- Watching the much anticipated season premier of my favorite show, Dexter, Sunday night. If you aren't watching, you should be. If you don't have Showtime, get it. If you can't, I'm sorry.

- Picking up some of this favorite childhood treat at HEB and enjoying it during work. My mouth waters just looking at this picture!

Shout out to Heather at LiveLoveLaugh - Apparently I was reading her blog during the taking of this photo! :)

Note: I do not condone reading blogs at work. Guilty.

Other fun stuff... my 1 year anniversary is on Sunday! I can't believe how fast this year has gone...

Hope you are having a great week so far!

(3-0)

2009-09-26T22:21:00.003-05:00

Is that right???? Could it really be??????!!?

My Aggies with a 3-0 record??

I really didn't expect it, but this guy might be my new hero.

New Stuff

2009-09-22T16:37:00.003-05:00

Yes, that is totally a New Moon countdown on my sidebar. Yes, I will totally tell you where you can get your own.

Top 5 Ways I Justify Being so Twilight-Crazed:

1. I just happen to enjoy reading. Smart people read. Therefore as much time as I spend reading (and re-reading) Twilight books must mean I am soooooo smart.

2. I want to stay young at heart so I can relate to my kids... when I have kids.

3. They teach me important life lessons like equality and not being judgemental just because someone might like to drink blood or be really, really, grossly hairy...

Ok, I give up. None of these reasons are valid and I certainly can't come up with 2 more. I know that it's silly. I know that I am too old to like them and I've lived too much life to buy into the ideal that is Edward, but I love ~~him~~ the books anyway.

OKAY!?!?!? Gawh....

Can't wait for the movie!!!! Now if I can just get through the next few months...

I'm Baa-aaack!

2009-09-18T21:58:00.003-05:00

After a 3 day work excursion to ~~Hell~~ Corpus Christi, I am finally back to my house, my husband, and my beloved blog. The past few days I have been stressed to the max, but also had a ton of fun bonding with my coworkers and doing some really worthwhile stuff. I love doing worthwhile stuff, don't you?

Last night we held a very important work event in which I was able to help raise over $100,000 at an auction to benefit The Miracle League, a non-profit organization that builds very special baseball fields for some very special children. These fields are not cheap, as they have to be built to be wheelchair accessible and friendly to all sorts of disabilities, so that money will definitely help in the effort.

It was near non-stop work until late hours, but it felt so worth it when it was all said and done. I have to tell you though, I can't wait to get in my own bed tonight!

I love reading so many blogs out there and trying to keep up with everyone when I can check up on blogger daily is hard enough, after 4 days without even a glimpse at the Internet, I have so much to catch up on! Not to mention all the new TV I missed this week. Good thing tomorrow is Saturday. If you are looking for me tomorrow - but if you are, I'm kinda freaked out by that - I'll be one of two places. (hint: one is in front of the TV, the other is the computer.)

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

Oh, and just to be clear - I was joking about that whole Corpus Christi is Hell thing...

kind of.

♥Johnny♥

2009-09-14T21:44:00.005-05:00

I'm going to remember him just like this.

Patrick Swayze

August 18, 1952 - September 14, 2009

Today

2009-09-10T20:15:00.017-05:00

Today I stopped at Dunkin Donuts to get a cup of coffee like every other day. On Monday I just order the small. Just a little bit of get-up-and-go to start my week right. The picture above is of today's coffee. It's an extra-large, which I'm quite certain, shouldn't even exist, but I got it anyway and then noticed that for just $.99 I could have made it a "Turbo" which I am certain should not be a size for a coffee, although I'm thinking about trying it out next week. You see I need a BIG coffee because I've been having a serious bout of insomnia lately which can only be helped by a sleep aid, which can be habit forming, which means I shouldn't use it every night, which means on the days I don't take it I don't sleep, which means I need an extra large coffee today. OK!?!?!? Geez...

Today it's raining. I love rain and wish it would rain all day, all night, all weekend. Many of you might not feel this way, but I'd bet you don't live in Texas where we've been experiencing endless days of 100+ temps and a serious drought. Our lakes are down something like 36 feet and my beautiful St. Augustine looks like a hay field. Today is the first day that actually felt like fall might really be coming which makes me happy. So bring on the rain (sung like the song by Jo Dee Messina.) Which makes me think about how I sing too much. In the car, at home, randomly in the store. I even start singing in the middle of my husband talking to me, which really urks him. I can't help it, I don't even realize I'm doing it.

Today marks 8 years since the tragic events of September 11, 2001. A lot has changed in the past 8 years because of this event - some for better, some for worse. Today I'm thinking about all the families that were directly affected by this tragedy and about the families who have been impacted since. Thinking about the brave soldiers who have sacrificed so much to fight a war on terror that will never really be over because we are human and we are sinners and there will always be evil in this world. Thinking about why my life gets to be so easy and why others lives are so hard. Thinking about why God has blessed me so much, but others struggle to survive from the day they are born. Thinking about how easy it is to push the sad thoughts of struggle, of hunger, of dying, and of war out of my mind so that I can have a happy and care-free life, but not wanting to today.

Sorry for the downer post, but it's just a downer kind of day. You can probably tell by the rambling that the Extra-Large amount of caffeine I've just consumed has done it's job.

I'll wrap things up on a lighter note. It's Friday and Friday is almost always a good day. :)

Labor Day

2009-09-07T13:07:00.006-05:00

Happy Labor Day everyone! In honor of this great holiday (and because I have nothing interesting going on to blog about) I have created a list of my top 5 favorite things to do on a day off from work. Enjoy!

TOP 5 FAVORITE THINGS TO DO ON A DAY OFF:

1. Watch shows like "Hoarders," "What Not to Wear," and "Half Ton Woman" and instantly feel better about myself and the clutter on the kitchen counters, drab t-shirt and jeans wardrobe, and those 10 extra pounds I'm still trying to lose.

2. Get online for hours at a time catching up on status updates and new photos that ~~people I barely know~~ friends posted on Facebook.

3. Browse through my favorite clothing websites online like J Crew and Banana Republic filling up my virtual shopping cart with things I'll never buy.

4. Catch up on the week's current events like who Jennifer Aniston is dating now and where R-Patz and K-Stew were seen together last night.

5. Lay around in my pajamas until around 3:00 p.m. when I realize there is nothing to eat in the house. Sometimes I keep the pajamas on if they can pass as "lounge wear" and I don't think I'll see anyone I know - which, I should add, is almost always when I see people I know.

Hope you are all enjoying a nice, lazy day off today!!!

It's already started.

2009-09-01T12:08:00.010-05:00

I know it sounds crazy, but I can actually feel my blood pressure rising as the football season approaches...

Don't get me wrong, I am stoked about football season, NFL and NCAA alike, but living in the city of your arch enemy can be really tough. Especially when that team is always ranked among the top 3 teams in the BCS. Extra-especially when your own team hasn't been good in years. :(

I am really not looking forward to the following:

Obnoxious Celebrity Fans

Burnt orange purses, dresses, shirts, cars, dogs...

(although this bag is FABULOUS... in a different color of course)

Quarterback Worship

(If I have to hear about how Colt freakin' McCoy saved a guy's life one more time...)

Montages of this moment replayed over and over and over and over...

you get the point.

I will look to this picture taken just after the 2006 game for hope...

Please, please, please win a few games this year.

You know, for old time's sake.

Boredom

2009-08-31T19:45:00.003-05:00

Josh left for Orlando to work for a few days and I have to admit, I was a little excited about the prospect of some good, old-fashioned alone time. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and enjoy his company, but sometimes I just want to watch a cheesy 80s romantic comedy without an eye roll. I want to eat whatever I want, do whatever I want, go to the gym whenever I want (or not) without the slightest thought about how it will affect someone else.

Well, I got home today from work and after about 10 minutes of this alone time, I was completely bored out of my mind. I went to the gym, which seemed to take less time than usual and now as I'm sitting here typing, I look down at the clock thinking surely it's about 9:00, but no, it's only 7:30. All of this leads me to ask: What was it that I actually did before marriage??

Anyway... I'm committed to enjoying this time to myself and plan to do just that.

In other news... People are irritating me lately. I consider myself a pretty nice person, I feel like I'm compassionate to others and try to see the good side of everyone, but lately - I just can't stand people. In the grocery store - everyone is irritating. You're in my way, you're hovering in the check out isle, you are too slow, you are buying stupid stuff. I might just shoot myself if I had to go to a (heaven forbid!) THEME PARK!!!

Maybe during this alone time I'll work on an attitude adjustment.

At least I have this girl to keep me company. Of course, she is much bigger now, tipping the scales at 85 lbs (on a skinny day), but I just found this old picture from when she was a pup and just had to post it.

One day down, four to go.

Kicked Out

2009-08-28T08:29:00.003-05:00

This is what happens every single morning of my life and it's getting old...

7:00 a.m. - endless whimpering at bedroom door

7:05 a.m. - gentle scratches at bedroom door (just in case I didn't hear the whimpering)

7:10 a.m. - sound of 85 lb dog body banging against said bedroom door

7:15 a.m. - i finally give in and open bedroom door

7:20 a.m. - bed is completely taken over by fur babies (not to mention that my darling husband seems to be encroaching on my side of the bed too!)

7:30 a.m. - alarm clock goes off. already in the shower anyway - obviously am no longer wanted in bed

Now why, oh why, can't this routine wait until 7:30 when the alarm goes off. What I wouldn't give to have those 30 minutes - I think I get my best sleep in those 30 minutes... well if I ever actually got them, I'm sure that's when my best sleep would be.

I'm sure my readers that have actual human children can relate to this too.

On a side note... I'll probably be getting a call from my mom about this picture. Here's what she'll say:

1) Why are you letting the dogs on your bed!?
2) Why are you using that old quilt when you got such pretty new bedding for your wedding!?

To which I will respond...

1) Good question.
2) Because the nice bedding was getting covered in dog hair.

I'm tired.