Update

Nothing too exciting...

1) New cell phone. It rocks. Love it!

2) My Aunt and Uncle are in town from CA this weekend. I can't wait to see them tonight for dinner! I'm cooking and hopefully it will be great. (Well, it will be great. I know it.). I just made a fruit dip (recipe given to me by my friend!) and it is so yummy. Philly Cream Cheese, Cool Whip and Sweetened Condensed milk, whipped all up (all low-fat, fat-free, of course). I am chilling it right now and I expect to eat more before official dessert time :).

3) Went to the Women's Expo today at the Dallas Market Center. Spent an hour, it was pretty much all I needed. There were only a handful of booths I was even interested in. Oh well, it was something new to do.

4) Resting up right now, watching disaster movies. The SyFy Channel is running them today. A tornado just destroyed Las Vegas. That was just the first 10 minutes. Yeah, this will be a thought provoker....

5) I saw "Eat, Pray, Love" last night and it was so good. I wasn't sure I'd be that into it since I never read the book. It was funny, thought provoking and just a lot of fun. I do recommend it.

Okay, that's it right for now! Everyone have a great Saturday.

Um....

I now remember why the cute pair of Steve Madden shoes hadn't been worn to work in awhile. When you go walking around Downtown, feet HURT! I am now wearing flats...... (But they are so cute!! I'll have to wear them on a date when I am not moving so much......)

Possible Epidemic...

I swear, pregnancy is becoming an epidemic. This week alone, 2 people have told me they are pregnant (and Neil Patrick Harris just announced he and his partner are expecting twins. That got a super "AW!"). While I am happy for all, it is getting to the point where I am just not surprised anymore :). (Okay, one of them this week was a very happy surprise and special prayers go up for this special person! The people in the know know why she gets extra special thoughts and prayers. I won't be going into it on a public forum.). I had lunch today with an old high school friend who is almost 5 months pregnant. She finds out Thursday what she is having. I guess starting around Oct you will be hearing a lot about baby showers. And it is probably a good thing I like to buying for babies. I even checked out baby blankets at Target today. Monkeys make a good theme for a boys room, by the way :). (And, I guess a girls room too.)

Book club was fun on Thursday night. I really liked the book and it was a great discussion. I loved seeing Chloe and Colby before we started the meeting via Skype. Colby kept saying hi to the camera and she and Chloe would come up and hug in front of it. They were very adorable and it made me miss them even more! I wanted to hug them but all I could do was say "hi" back to Ms. Colby :). The next book club book is "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud". Hopefully I will get it done before 6:00 on the night of the meeting....

Okay, off to get ready for dinner. Meeting my friend at 6:30 and looking forward to a nice night out! Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

My exciting adventure for today? I actually went to the Dallas Public Library (Main Branch here in Downtown). I have lived in Dallas for years and have never taken advantage of all they have to offer. Okay, I didn't get a card because I left my ID at the office (the main branch is right down the street from the office) but I did go in, look around and get the urge to actually get one. Okay, so not really that newsworthy, but hey, you have to take what you can get these days :).

Other than that, nothing really much to report. Book club is tomorrow and hopefully I can actually get it finished before 8..... I think I can. It is a really good book, it just started off very slow. I think I read 4 other books before I got to it :). But, "Peace Like a River" is worth it if you are looking for a good novel to read.

I hope everyone is having a great Wednesday. The air is killing me right now and I am sneezing and coughing like a crazy person. I guess it had been awhile since I used the rescue inhaler.... :(.

Quote

The best quote on fluffy reality tv goes to... RuPaul on "RuPaul's Drag U". I am paraphrasing, however the sentiment is the same: "When you hear that negative self talk enter your mind, just tell it to STFU". I loved that!

Today was great. (Okay, it started a bit rocky, however I pulled myself out of it, regrouped and made it a great day.). I am exhausted but never mind that. It isn't anything a good nap after work can't cure.

Hope everyone is staying cool this week. Happy Wednesday! (Nope nothing else to report.)

Happy Tuesday

I have to say that today has been a pretty good day. I got into work with news that a friend of mine had her twin girls yesterday. They were scheduled to be delivered on Friday, however I guess they wanted to play early. They are both healthy and Mommy is doing well too (the babies were both over 5 lbs which is great for twins). So, yay!!! I had a presentation at 8:30, got that out of the way and had a pretty productive morning. Now I am slowing down and getting tired. 3 more hours - let's see if I can gain that momentum from this morning! (And, to make things so much better, annoying cube neighbor is out again today. Really, who could ask for more :)).

I'm Back!

I'm back from Atlanta and in one piece. I really am glad I don't travel for my job -- air travel is an a** whipping! I will give full details in a future post (tomorrow maybe). I saw lots of interesting things while there! However today is a day off and I am going to enjoy it. I got in last night around 8:45 (which was actually only 30 minutes later than my scheduled arrival time so yay Delta.. and yes, that is sarcasm....). Of course, with getting my luggage, and then my car, I didn't get home until around 10. It is good to be home. :) The trip was actually productive and my trusty Kindle (loaded with my new obsession Jen Lancaster) kept me company while waiting for delays and sitting on tarmacs. I guess I can't complain too much -- I got home safely. :). And Simon was definitely happy to see me. Man, he chatted me up when I got through that door. Sierra said hi and then just went away. She doesn't really seem to care much anymore when I leave. That probably should hurt my feelings in some way.......

Anyway, Happy Friday!

??

What the heck is up with "Christmas in July"? I have heard about 3 or 4 events over the last week that have the title and I was even invited to a party next weekend with the theme. Not sure if this is a new phenomenon or I have just been under a rock for the last 38 years and never saw it. Luckily, obnoxious cube neighbor has not found Christmas music to sing out of tune to. That might cause staplers to go flying.

I have decided to register for the Dallas White Rock 1/2 Marathon on Dec 5. I had forgotten about it but found a link yesterday and got the urge again. It is 4 solid months before the event and I am sure I can train and get ready to attempt it. I needed a new goal anyway and this is as lofty as any!! :). So, when I return from Atlanta, I will start the process. Seems weird to start so early, but I have lost the momentum from last year, running in the relay. I need to build it back up. So, there you go, it is out there and now I have to commit!

Everyone have a wonderful Thursday! I am really looking forward to the weekend. If only because it is the weekend!!! I am tired of Grumpus people (and I was TOTALLY one on Monday. I was tired of myself!).

What was I going to say???

I had a great blog post written in my mind and for some reason, on the walk back from lunch, it went away. Not sure where. It was great, I can assure you of that :).

Last night, I finally got to watch the new Logo show, "Drag U". It premiered Monday night but the DVR picked it up. I make no apologies for my love of Drag Queens. I would watch episodes of "RuPaul's Drag Race" over and over again. (Except when Pandora got kicked off. Couldn't watch that more than once.). I really like "Drag U" -- it is pure fluff and really doesn't take itself too seriously. The premise is that each episode takes ordinary women and gives them a drag "professor". The contestants of Season One and Two of Drag Race serve as the "professors". Now, truthfully, had I known this show was going into production I might have tried to get on. I might have to frump down a bit, but really, for my own Drag Mother I would do it :). What made me sad was a woman on there who said she never felt beautiful in her life. I have days of feeling like an ugly duckling, but I am fairly certain I am beautiful. I loved the fact that at the end of the show, she sat up there and said "I am a beautiful woman!" with gusto. Yes, this fluffy show gave me little tears of happiness. The show won't win Emmy's but it brings back my favorite Drag Queens (PANDORA!!! and Nina too :)) and brings a bit of sunshine to women who need it in there life. I even was able to stand Raven. Her and Jujubee were pretty funny together. If you haven't watched "Drag Race" before, you have no idea who I am talking about. Sorry :).

Next week is a trip to Atlanta for the Annual Training Meeting. I am really not looking forward to it but I must do my duty. It won't be that bad, I know. Just too hot for humans. Even hotter than Dallas, I think. At least last year it was in Denver. Cooler temps and I got to see Michelle. It is a way to get out of the office, so that is a silver lining too. Maybe I will get some good stories on the trip. People watching at the airport is always interesting.

PS -- today is National Junk Food Day. For those of you who are interested :).

My New Obsession

I have recently discovered the books of Jen Lancaster. Jen writes a blog (funny!!) and has 5 books out now (memoirs). I have to say, I just LOVE her. Her writing is funny and her stories are very interesting. I found her when I was doing research for my choices for the book club. I can't help but laugh when I read the books. I have gotten many a side eye on the train in the morning! But really, when you have to laugh, it will come out. (Sh*t my Dad Says" is also very funny and I highly recommend that one too). Anyway, the point is that I highly recommend her books to anyone looking for a good read, funny writing and a witty, very smart mind. I have her first book "Bitter is the New Black" in "real" book form and so I am willing to loan it out when I get done reading it. And more than likely that will be Wednesday or Thursday. After I am done with this book, I will need to get going on our next book club book "Peace Like a River". It is downloaded and ready to go. And, well, so is Kendra Wilkinson's new book but that seems pretty easy. Not sure what has gotten into me, but I am on a book kick! I guess there are worse things to be addicted to......

Hope the weekend was awesome for everybody!

I went to see "Eclipse" last night with a friend and it was pretty good. I enjoyed it -- definitely a lot better than the first "Twilight" movie. It was nice eye candy for a Sunday night. Anyway, after the big fight scene where Edward saves his beloved Bella from the evil vampire trying to kill her, my friend leans over and says "A bit over dramatic...". That pretty much gave me the giggles. At least that scene was close to scene in the book. :)

My friend is the queen of finding deals and so she had a coupon for $1 popcorn and $1 Soda at the AMC for July 4th only (any size!). I never buy popcorn at the theater however I took full advantage of it. I do have to remember never to get a large diet coke at 7 PM if I want to get to sleep before 2 AM. Thank goodness I didn't have to work today.

Well, that is about it for the laziest Fourth of July weekend ever. I really don't plan to get much done today either (well, laundry and possibly a trip to the grocery store). I would rather stay in, watch movies and read some. I truthfully think the Kindle has caused me to read more. Not a bad thing! I do have to circle back and refresh on "Water for Elephants" since we have book club this week and I am the leader this month. Happy Monday and have a great day!

Yep, I know

It has been a while since I blogged. I am totally aware of that. I just have nothing interesting to say right now. Really, I am thinking but life has just been status quo lately (or, I just have things I want to keep private for the time being ;-)). Obnoxious cube neighbor is out of the office today. That made life great. She has been out a lot lately. Not sure how I have managed to go on with out her.......

This coming weekend will actually be pretty low key. I have plans Saturday night (not sure the exact plans, but I am going out) and Monday. And Sunday is dinner at Mom and Dads. I am just happy it is a 3 day weekend! I was supposed to cook last Sunday for them but I had a migraine that was not allowing that to happen. Stupid migraine.

So, that is it. I will think of something grand and then release my wisdom upon all. Right now I need to get back to work :). Have a wonderful Tuesday and enjoy the cooler temps!!!

Idina

So, I went to see Idina Menzel tonight at the Meyerson Symphony Center (thanks again Mom!). She was singing with the DSO. Okay, I knew she had talent, but I had NO IDEA what it would be like to see her live. The woman was just stunning. Her voice is just so incredible. I really do want to expand on this post at a later time, but I needed to get out my awe of her awesomeness. Not only is she talented, but she is funny and dare I say, adorable. I enjoyed her telling stories just as much as her singing. And anytime you can get the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to play "Poker Face" is a good time :). She sang "No Day but Today" from "Rent". That song always makes me tear up. I may have to put the movie on while I am trying to fall asleep. It is past my bedtime and I have one more day of my awesome job before I can get to the weekend. I will tell more later. But, she rocked. Love her more now than ever before :).

Super Saturday

The A-Team was awesome. It is getting awful reviews, but I totally thought it rocked. Okay, it may have had more to do with the fact that I felt super nostalgic towards it. I watched it in the 80s and loved it :). It was just a fun, super action summer movie. It was odd watching it with 3 people who never saw the original tv show and didn't even realize that the theme song from the show was embedded in a scene in the movie. Oh well. I got to educate them on the joys of 80's action flicks. :)

Pictures don't always come out in the order I want them to - of course KaRyn and I should have been the first one :)











































Everyone have a happy Sunday!

Happy Tuesday

So, first book club came and went. It was fun to Skype in and it actually worked this time! Yay! It failed in some sort of capacity the first two times I tried to communicate with the CA group.) I am tired so this will be short. Plus, one of my two readers was in the room with me so she knows this already :). I go first. I am up for it. Bring it. "Water for Elephants" is my book and of course, I haven't read it yet. I have heard nothing but good things about it so I will tackle with gusto. And I have some great ideas for books to read from the others. They were suggested but they didn't make the vote. Not sure when I will have time to read them, however I will get around to it.

Okay, bed time. It has been a long week and it is only Tuesday! Argh. Is it the weekend yet? (It will be a fun weekend too because my cousin Ryn is going to be in town. Yay!).

Later!

Book Club

So, the family is starting a book club (Mom and I are Skyping in!) and I am looking forward to it. Our first meeting is Tuesday and each of us are to present 3 books so everyone can vote on them. I have my first 2. My third keeps changing. It has changed 3 times in the last 15 minutes. There are so many books that I want to read and so they keep getting added and deleted. For some reason, that third book isn't set. The two I have set include one I have read and loved and the one I want to read a lot! I am not sure why I haven't put it on the Kindle (maybe because she has a blog and I read it weekly. I get her wisdom elsewhere!). Once we set the books and get everything going, I will share my choices. I am happy that Katie will be going first so I can see what a book club leader does. In my 38 years on this planet, I have never been in a book club!!! I am very excited.

So, tell me, what would you suggest (3 books) for a book club? I had a friend suggest "Little Bee" to me awhile ago. Anybody read that?

Happy Sunday! Enjoy the day!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

That is all for today :)

Best Night Ever! (Until the next one, of course :)).

Bride's wedding has come and gone. The girl looked STUNNING!!! Granted, she would look stunning in a potato sack, so it was not a surprise. :). The wedding was very nice and simple. That was a good thing since it was held outside on the 18th hole at the Four Season's Resort and Spa. Outside.... people, it was hot as freaking heck yesterday. I was lucky and got to hang out at the Bridal Villa until time for the ceremony. I can't imagine having to sit out there even longer. The wedding started a bit late so they had cool towels and ice water out to cool people off. I forgot to take my camera so when Bride gets back from her honeymoon and posts pictures, I will share. The bridesmaids wore a crimson red -- very very pretty. Since I was the guest book attendant I hoped a golf cart quickly and got back for the cocktail hour. That was the excuse anyway -- I just wanted to get inside and get some more ice water in me!

There was a cocktail time while the bridal party took the pictures and I got to mingle with the guests (pretty much scoop out the cutie single guys -- I had the perfect excuse to chat people up :)). There were some interesting folks at the wedding. Groom knows LOTS of people -- State Senators, Sundance Film Festival Winners, etc...... It was an interesting mix of personalities and I spent a lot of conversations just listening and taking in the information. I did chat up one cutie at the guest book table and come to find out he was sitting at my table. I am pretty certain Groom did this on purpose. Sneaky Groom! I had a great time and the dinner was pretty good. Now, they cut the cake and then served it from the kitchen and I was out on the dance floor getting my boogie on. Totally missed cake service. I missed Wedding cake!! It wasn't really worth stalking a waitstaff person for the cake though, so I just dealt with it.

Me and cute guy from the table chatted some more and we have a lot in common. It will be interesting to see what happens. He lives in Kansas City, MO at the present time so that kind of stinks, but I guess whatever is supposed to happen will happen.

So that is it! It was a good weekend and I apparently now have a cookout to attend at 5. Not a bad Sunday :). Everyone have a great day!!!

Feeling Human today

Yesterday I was in such a fog -- today I look and feel so much better! While it doesn't really feel like a Friday, I will accept that fact and that we are looking at a 3 day weekend. Yay! This weekend will be pretty busy, at least tonight and tomorrow.

But first, why was I a zombie yesterday? Jen and I went to see the Midnight showing of SATC 2. Yes, midnight. Really, I never thought I was a die hard, must see the movie the moment is opens, type of person. However, we did it. It wasn't the best ever but if you are a SATC fan, you will enjoy it. Truthfully though, if you didn't follow the series and the first movie, you might not like it. It is totally getting panned in the reviews. I liked it but I went in with NO expectations. I went in to be entertained and to see all the clothes and shoes I will never be able to afford. I found a few outfits I really really wanted!! The movie was a bit too long as well. They could have cut some parts out but I still did enjoy the movie and my time with my friend. :)

Last night, I was actually supposed to see the movie again for a bachelorette outing however the bride was sick and really stressed so there was no festivities celebrating her upcoming nuptials (there is a post rehearsal reception tonight, so she will still get some fun!). The wedding is the weekend, so I really hope she feels better!

Speaking of the wedding, that will be why I am busy tonight and tomorrow. Bride asked if I would be the guest book attendant. I love it -- the easiest job I can do and I am still in the bridal party :). Because of this, I am invited to the rehearsal and the rehearsal post party at Cool River tonight. I won't be able to make the Rehearsal because it start at 6 and I don't get off work until 4:30. I really don't need to rehearse anyway so I am not too torn up about it. She understands. I will see them at the post party at 7:15. That gives me time to search for a dress for tomorrow. I still haven't found one that I really want. I have seen some online, however finding it in the stores is a bit difficult. I have 3 places to try tonight before the party. I should have gone last night but I was so exhausted - I just went home and hit the bed early! It was the right decision :). Since the wedding doesn't start tomorrow until 6:00, I should be okay if I can't find the dress tonight. I will offer to come early though, in case Bride needs some "day of" help. She probably has a wedding coordinator, however it never hurts to ask. Especially since my duties consist of standing there and pointing to a book to sign. I can do more if needed :).

(And here's hoping for some cute, single Groomsmen....)

Come Sunday and Monday, I will be resting and just winging it. There are no plans set in stone, however i am sure I will have at least one or two activities to keep me busy. I have a few friends who have mentioned getting together, so we shall see.

So, everyone have a wonderful Friday. Perfect weather (despite the Orange air alerts, which now make me wonder where my emergency inhalers are....). Later!!

wrap-up

Saturday's baby shower was very nice. I really wasn't in the mood to be social but the hostesses did a great job and Regan got some great stuff for her twin girls. The next baby shower I go to will be in a few months (the next friend having a baby in due in Dec) so I got some great ideas for gifts for her. I am not sure why I wasn't in a social mood -- I wasn't feeling that great but still!!! She had a great event and that is all that matters. I did see Iron Man 2 last night with a friend and that was a great movie. It is totally what you would expect from a good action summer movie! I didn't even remember half of the first Iron Man, and it was still good. The next movie I see will be Sex and the City 2 ( and I will see it 2x in less than 24 hours - that story to follow later!!!). I am looking forward to it :).

I am flipping between Lost and Celebrity Apprentice right now. I never watched either but nothing else is on. I only care who the winner is of Celebrity Apprentice so I am waiting until the end to flip back. Bret Michaels better win. I never watched Lost and so the series finale means nothing to me. I have no idea what is going on! :). So, I am just waiting until Donald Trump announces the winner for Apprentice. I have about an hour. Since I have half watched this season, I don't care about the final challenge... just want to know the winner.

Everyone have a great Sunday night -- time to get ready for the week! It will be a long but fun one :). I expect to have some great stories next Sunday!!!