Out of Sorts

(stared writing this on Feb 26 but finally finished it today, March 9th!!)

Have you ever just had one of those weeks where you just felt out of sorts, but you weren't sure why, and everything you tried to do just ended up wrong? Its been like that for awhile now. Wonder when its supposed to stop! Guess my karma is off for some reason.

I took a Friday off to go renew my dear old driver's license. I had no idea it expired on my FORTIETH birthday. I had just gotten one done because I had lost mine about six months ago, so stupid me, or should I say, blonde me, thought that extended my expiration date. NOPE. Sure does not. So, I drove around for a week without a valid driver's license. Such the rebel that I am! LOL So I set out on friday looking for a nice place to get my license done that did not come with the regular two and a half hour wait in line. Started out one direction, didnt like it there, turned around towards another location, that didnt work out, went to another one, also didnt work out.....etc etc. 100 miles later (I kid you not) I finally ended up in the booming town of Hempstead to have it done there. I got there at 12:30p and was exstatic to see there was nobody else in the parking lot. That excitement soon wore off when I realized they were closed for lunch until 1:30p! aaaarrrggghhh!! So I wandered around this small town for a bit and finally 1:30p came around and I ran back and got in line. I was actually #6! YAY. I make it up to the counter and wouldnt you know, I get to take the eye exam. Didnt know there was a pop test involved here and i didnt study! I stick my head into this little machine and read off the letters and head back over to the clerk only to be told that I must re-read them becasue evidently I didnt do it correctly. Wonderful. nothing like almost failing the eye exam! Second chance goes much better and I happily walk out with my paper license. YAY! Finally legal again. After all the morning drama, I meet up with an old friend for lunch. It was great. Havent seen him in forever and it was good to catch up. Good friends and good mexican food, what more could you ask for.

The passed few weeks have just been surreal. so much has been happening and it finally all came crashing down yesterday. What was supposed to be a great Saturday ended up anything but. The day started out good though. Went to the San Marcos outlet stores with a friend and had a great time. Got home and had two parties I was supposed to go to. One a birthday party and one just a relax and enjoy party. However, I didnt end up going to either one of them. I now have some friends I'm really worried about becasue of things going on and I ended up doing some really stupid things that night that left me thinking WHY and What the hell was I thinking? Dont ask. This will be going to my grave. Only me and the entire bottle of Baileys I drank will know. If you hvaent tried the new Bailey with Caramal, I recommend it. Its FANTASTIC. However, I dont suggest you drink the whole bottle by yourself. Makes you do stupid things and also makes for a long night. {insert big sigh}

Reminiscing

I guess there comes a time in everyone's life where they sit back and reflect on all the things that have happened in their lives through the years. The good, the bad, the ugly, all of it. Or maybe is this called the mid-life crises? Well anyway. I've been strolling down memory lane a bit and you know, it hasnt all been bad! :-)

I've reconnected with a few old friends from high school which has really been quite entertaining. Its amazing to hear how they remember things that have happened as compared to how you remember the same event. I have throughly enjoyed talking to everyone. Eventually maybe I'll even get to see some of them. One of the most entertaining has been my very first boyfriend ever, his brother. Its been interesting to see how things have developed in their world. I found out my old boyfriend is actually living in Germany now with his wife, son and brand new baby girl. I'm so happy for them. I think its fantastic. Its really been interesting to see what people have been up to since high school.

Saturday I got to go to a party at a friend of mine's house that I havent seen in forever. I had such a blast!!! It was a Passion Party which, for those of you that dont know, is a girl's only party with sex toys. We had such a great time. It was so nice to laugh and talk and everything. Of course, the girl's house I went to was actually an old boyfriend's sister, and his mom was also there. Now that was interesting! Nothing like looking at sex toys with your ex-boyfriend's mother!!! Oh well. I won lots of good prizes so it was well worth it. I even beat out mom on the ring a ding ling toss!! yeah me! I'm actually thinking of having one of these parties, so ladies, if you are interested, let me know!

Sunday was a bit of a let down, but that seems to be the way things work. Always seem to think things are moving along swimmingly, and then BOOM! Brick wall. Never seems to work out the way I want it too. Oh well. Guess you just shake it off and move on right?

Finally!

Finally our unofficial party planner planned us another group get together! I was looking back at the calander and it looks like it was a year ago that we all got together. WAY too long. Normally we get a group of people together and find a restaurant to acend on and take over the joint. Sometimes its in Brenham, sometimes Houston, who knows where we will end up. This time, we were in Houston. We went to one of my very favorite places, The Carriage House Cafe. They have great food for great prices!!! There was at least 30 of us that made it out last night. We had a ball. Here are a few group shots of most of us:


















































Now, there was ALMOST a fiasco with this whole event. Evidently, the two people that were coordinating it, who happen to be MEN, weren't communicating very well. I know, shocker right? Two men NOT communicating?!?!?! Well, one had made the reservation for forty people at this place and the other had sent out all the emails explaining where, when, etc. Well, the night before the get together, it occurs to the guy that made the reservations, that perhaps the two of them were not speaking of the same restaurant! So, party planner number 1, was trying to decide, hmmm, what would be eaiser........calling FORTY people and telling them about NEW location or callling the place he had told everyone to go to and begging them for a reservation for forty people! He opted for calling the restaurant. Luckily, they made room for us, but needless to say, they were a little surprised. They had three other large groups there at the same time! Can you say a bit overwhelmed?!?!?! All in all however, they did a great job. The food as usual was fantastic and the company was even better. Here are a few candid shots for your amusement:

This is Gus. One of my favorite attorneys that I work with. He's a riot!

Heather and Alan. Alan has more electronic toys than I have EVER seen in my life! They are so cool too.

As you can see, most people have already left by now. We were the fun group and stayed WAY passed everyone else!!

Of course, maybe it was that we just offended everyone with our convesation and they had to leave!! hehehee

This here is Matt. One of our most favorite lickable people as evidenced by the tongue here! hehehee

hmmmm....I think we drove Matt crazy looks like. Oh, wait, you can't drive him where he was already! Matt is one of our favorite Paragods, oh, my bad, I mean, Paramedics. No, wait, I'm sorry, thats not right either, its Matt is one of our most favorite EMT-P!!!!! (he looks like he could save your life huh?? Well, I've heard he's pretty good with mouth to mouth!)

Me and Momma T. The dh had just said something to us before he snapped the pic, so we both flipped him off. Of course you can only see ME doing it. Figures. :-)

Vikki, our most favorite ex-chopper chicks! She used to fly around in a helicopter all day. Man, i wish I had that job! That would ROCK!

Tina, Heather and Matt. Part of the fun table. Nevermind what's on Momma's shirt. Can dress her up, you just cant take her out!!! hehehee Actually, its the flash from the camera. Her shirt was shiney.

After we ran everyone else off, the "fun" crowd of us went over to Sam's Boat for drinks. We finally had to call it a night since we are a bunch of old foggies!! J/K. Actually, poor Matt had to work at 6a the next morning! And good on him, I am happy to report, I have spoken to him today, and he made it to work with no problems. Good little paramedic!!! :)

all in all....I think a good time was had by all. I cant wait for our party planner to plan another one. And of course, everyone is invited!!!!!!

Thank GOD its over!

Well, 2007 is finally over and we are now at the beginning of a brand new year! 2008 is definitely going to be better than 2007. Its already been off to a fantastic start, so hopefully the momentum will keep pushing it forward!

A few days ago, Momma was woke up bright and early by a howling at her window in her bedroom. Turned out there was a poor little Bassett Hound standing there calling her name. We took the poor baby in and she stayed with us for three days. Which means, we lost a cat, but found a Bassett! We put up signs, drove the neighborhood, talk to people, everything and just couldnt find her home. Finally, we got a lead and found her home and New Years Eve, we drove her home. It was exciting to see her so excited to be reunited with her family.

Isnt she adorable? This is her and our black lab, Tawne. Its a shame that April (the bassett hound's name) was so uncomfortable while she stayed here! She even slept in bed with Momma and Cam. It was adorable!!!

Now, this story is ironic because, new years eve, I was awoken what sounded like something hitting my bedroom window. I looked out and saw nothing. So, I got up, let the puppies out, did some things around the house, and went to let the pupies back in. As I was letting the girls in, I saw this flash of black run by and thought, what on earth is that??? so I went out and there looking up at me, was my baby, Sebastian. My kitty that had been missing for a week! I couldn't believe it! I ran out and scooped him up and went running inside and immediately woke up the dh, saying rusty, rusty, wake up! Of course, it scared the crud out of him and he shoots straight up in the bed going WHAT??? Keep in mind that its about 6a at this point and I'm screaming for him to wake up, as I'm shoving this black cat in his face! Poor guy. of course he grabs the cat and immediately looks at his tail to verify that its actually Sebastian. Sebastian only has a stub for a tail, so he's kinda easy to spot. So after that reunion, I grab Sebastian and run into Momma's room doing the same thing to her......Momma, Momma, wake up, LOOK! shoving a black cat in her face too!!! Of course, after the initial shock of the whole thing, I think they were both okay with me acting like a mad, crazy woman and waking them up shoving a cat in their faces! Couldn't help it. Had to have someone else confirm that this was in fact, our missing kitty. I have no idea how he got back in the backyard other than devine intervention. that's the only explaination. He had lost three pounds and was obviously tramatized, but other than that, he's doing great. He has been as close to at least one of us as much as possible. I dont think he had any contact while he was missing. Of course, he immediately perched on top of the stove for a little while. Isnt he adorable??

We immediately put his collar back on him and he will never go without that again. The good thing is that it seems that he no longer wishes to go ouside! Think he learned that lesson the hard way!

So, as you can see, New Year's Eve actually started really well. We got our kitty back, got to find the bassett her home, we donated clothing to Purple Heart and had a great lunch with friends.

Then for New Year's Eve, we all went outside, popped some fireworks, had some of the neighbors over, and they brought some food and fireworks. We all sat around a make-shift camp fire (cause OMG was it cold out there last night!!!), and drank, ate, and watched fireworkds. It was great. And I even actually made it to midnight! Just barely mind you, but I made it!

All and all I think everything turned out very nicely. I sure hope everyone had a great new year's eve and here's to a wonderful 2008! It definitely has to be better than 2007!!!

The End of the Year

Wow. Its hard to believe. I've been wishing for months now that this year would be OVER and now, in just a few more days, it will be. FINALLY! 2007 has just not been a very good year, so 2008 has got to be better. There have been one or maybe two good things this year, but for the most part, nothing good has come of this year.

As of about a week ago, my kitty, Sebastian, has been missing. So please keep him in your thoughts to either bring him home safely, or hope that whatever family has taken him in, are treating him well. We sure miss the little guy. :-(

Anyway......here's to a fantastic 2008! I hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a FANTASTIC New year!

Love you all!

December, Christmas.....Really??

How can it be December, almost Chirstmas for that matter, and be 80 something degrees outside? How can this possibly be Christmas?? Now, I know that I live in Houston, and I know that it never really snows, except for a few special occassions that it was somewhat "white" in Houston, but come on. 80 degrees for Christmas??? Oh well. I know, I know.....if I don't like it, I could always move! Not gonna happen, so I guess I will just adjust. One of my very favorite sayings........."So, it ain't home sweet home, ADJUST"! hehehehee And now, its actually cold outside! Only in Texas can you use the A/C and the heater all in one day. I love the Christmas season though. I love to go look at all the festive lights! This house we saw was HUGE! there was not a place on it that didnt have lights. it was simply BEAUTIFUL:
Whats sad is one thing that goes through my mind when I see stuff like this is: OMG! Cud you just imagine their electric bill?!??! hehehehe It was gorgeous though. Several people in this ritzy neighborhood were having parties. You could tell from the catering vans in their driveways! Must be nice. We thought about crashing but kinda figured we weren't dressed appropriately and they would notice. Considering they were all formal and we were shorts or jeans and t-shirts. They'd prolly think we were the help!

Even Sebastian got in the Christmas lighting spirit:

Not that you can tell too much in this picture, but I love the way the purple lights look against his black fur. He's such a beautiful cat. Of course he's getting fat just like the rest of his family! hehehehee He's up to 15 lbs now the little heffer!

I had a friend of mine from Bermuda come to town and stayed a week and a half. It was nice, but dang! We ran, and ran and ran! I only got to take off three days from work to spend with her, but man, I was ready to come back to work just for a break after that! :-) and my GOD that woman can EAT! And I have no idea where she puts it all. Even after big meals she has desserts. Amazing really. Here she is actually enjoying what was left of her desert.......

She really cracks me up. I love it that it always surprises her that things really are bigger in Texas! We took her out to her very first country bar to see real live cowboys! (okay, so most of you know that most of the guys at the bar aren't really "cowboys" but they at least had hats on!!!)She had a ball! I think that Katey and Momma T actually got her on the dance floor a time or two as well. (I got sick and had to cut the evening short!) I think a good time was had by all. Makes me miss those days I would go dancing almost every night. I love to country dance! She must have been exhausted cause she didn't get up until very late the next day! I'm glad she had a good time. She got to meet Cam for the first time. They hit it off immediately!

They had more fun clowning around and playing! I think they wore each other out.

So now she's back in Bermuda and time for me to catch up on my relaxing. Now, if Mike would only go away I'd be much happier. I missed two, count them, I said TWO Christmas parties yesterday thanks to dear ole Mike. I'm still not sure if it was the alcohol I drank the night before or not. A friend of mine that had her gallbladder removed told me that she has problems with alcohol since she had hers removed. She said it makes her feel like she has a horrible hangover the next day even though she only had one drink. So, maybe.............but lets hope not!!!

I hope everyone is having a beautiful holiday season and I wish you all a Merry Christmas!!!!

This Week in Review

What a week. It seems like there was something everyday, but I'll only tell about the interesting parts! :-)

Saturday came with a horrendous rain storm. Gorgeous light storm though. After walking the length of two, yes I said two malls, and doing more shoping then I ever cared to do, we decided it would be a good time to just relax and watch a good movie. Momma T, Cam and I curl up in her bed and get comfy and ready for the movie. We are all comfy and in to the movie when we hear this little drip, drip, drip sound. So not a good sound to hear as its pouring down rain. Momma and quickly look up, and there coming from her ceiling straight onto the bed, is the source of noise. Fantastic! We stick bowls under it to catch the water as we call to the dh to come quick! He rushes in, sees the problem and promptly heads to the attic. He finds the source and decides he needs to go out on the roof to fix it. GREAT! Nothing like a mixture of rain, lightening, roof and the dh! He tells me to head to the attic as he heads to the roof to see if we can figure out where the rain is getting in. Of course, I make Momma stand on the ladder to at least be in the attic with me!!! Up on the roof, the dh starts pouring even more water on the roof so I can tell where it really starts leaking. Finally, source is located and the dh promptly goes to work fixing the problem. Meanwhile, I see this flashbulb moment go off in Momma's head when she realizes, um, that water that the dh was pouring into the attic was probably leaking through the ceiling onto the bed. OOOPPPS! She goes down to take care of that as I sit there in the attic all by my little self. As I am watching the roof above me start looking like its going to cave in with the dh walking around up there, I start to freak. So he finally finishes fixing the problem and comes to the attic to see what I was trying to explain to him about the "caving" in comments. Finally, problems all fixed. Thank GOD! Meanwhile, Momma comes back up the ladder to check out the progress and brings Sebastian up with her to take a look. Well, Sebastian had other ideas and lept from her arms and had a hayday running around the attic. Great. Note to self, never bring the cat to the attic!!! Thank goodness THATS over with!!!

Work was crazy this week. You would have thought it wasn't a holiday coming up with the way my bosses were working! We were short staffed so there was extra work to be done. After a few come aparts, I finally made it through the days and made it the days off! WHEW! Of course on my way home, I had to make that fateful stop at Randalls to get my ingredients for what I was bringing to the family dinner the next day. This consisted of the ever famous green bean caserole and sweet potatoe caserole. Evidently I am an expert at the sweet potatoes. Mom requests it every year.

I got home that night and set up in the kitchen to make my dishes and luckily I had the best little helper ever. Cameron came and just whipped up those sweet potatoes. He did a fantastic job. Meanwhile, Momma set up the green bean caserole since I had only made it one time before and lets just say, it wasn't my best work! More like green been soup! OOPS. Oh well. Momma was in charge so no worries. Everything gets prepared and all we have to do Thanksgiving morning is put it all in the oven for just a bit and we are good to go.

Thanksgiving morning comes and the dh puts the food in the oven and we start to get ready to go. All of a sudden, the dh remembers that the food is actually in the oven and we had taken it straight from the fridge to the oven so the outside of the dishhes was like WAY hot whereas the centers were ice cold. Its okay, its fixable. Stir it all up and try again. No problem. Crises averted. I throw some more marshmellows on the top of the taters and back in the oven it goes. Well, the dh had this grand idea of putting both dishes in the broiler for a few mins to toast the marshmellows and the french fried onions. Look how pretty the dishes turned out:

Dont they just look wonderful???? Okay, good idea in theory only. Note to self, dont put them in the broiler!!! There were flames and everything! The fire dept was darn near involved! Nothing like "blackened" green bean caserole and sweet potatoe caserole!!! Needless to say, we were late for lunch! All in all though, after the "blackened" parts were scrapped off, it wasn't so bad. Nobody seemed to complain. Of course they were prolly all silently laughing hysterically!!!

So after lunch, we sat down on the floor and played Swipe with the kiddos. We had a ball. I'm not sure who had more fun, us, or the kids!

Aren't they cute??? The dh, my niece, Amanda, and nephew Jack all laying on the floor playing the dice game Swipe. What a blast. Of course my niece decided that she was going to steal my husband. She promptly marched right over to me and informed me that SHE was his girlfriend!!! Now, I always figured he would get a girlfriend, but I was kinda hoping for someone a little older than 3!!! hehehe It was the cutest thing ever!

Finally it was time to go home. Cameron decided to drive us:

Pretty darn good driver for a six year old!!! Isn't he adorable???? The rest of the evening was simply spent relaxing and recovering from a HUGE meal. Boy was I stuffed.

We went to bed early as we knew we had to pick up a friend of mine at the airport the following morning at 8:45am!! For pete's sake! I dont have to work that day but I still had to be up!!! Oh well, it was well worth it. I haven't seen her in over a year and just love the fact that she is visiting. Originally is from Germany and is now living in Bermuda and working as a dive instructor. One of these days I'm going to make it out there to Bermuda to learn to dive. That would just be awesome! We pick her up from the airport and its home for her to rest a bit and then off to a late lunch for sushi. Yuck. Good thing THEY like it! Of course, our plan now for tomorrow is to decorate for Christmas!! yeah!!! my favorite time of yeart! I love all the decorations. I just think its all wonderful. So, Gee, do you think she's getting in the holiday spirit???



Isn't she adorable?!?!?! I will keep you posted on what transpires becasue I'm sure with her here there will be lots of adventures! In the meantime, I'm going to bed to prepare myself for tomorrow!!!