Anticipation of Fun Days To Come!

Tomorrow is going to be a really great day! First of all, I get to meet David down in Austin for a little getaway. Secondly, I am riding down with Joseph and Dima! How fun is that? If there wasn't a third thing all this alone would make for a fun weekend. But there IS a third thing! I get to spend a bunch of time this weekend with a long and not-so-lost friend from junior high!! My wonderful friend Bryan is in Austin working on his PhD and we reconnected on Facebook. We actually spoke on the phone last night for an hour and we laughed and giggled about old times...I can't wait to see him tomorrow! He's going to meet up with all of us for dinner and hang out. We have so much to catch up on! It's been at LEAST 19 years since we've gotten to see each other, so this is great! He was always a good friend and a very talented singer. I'm really glad he's doing well. He'll fit right in with the group. :) And to top things off, we get to have dinner Saturday night with Joe and Pascha, so it's a weekend I have been waiting for. We'll be snapping lots of pictures and I'll post a few here. Not all, though. Things might get crazy, and what happens in Austin might have to stay in Austin! (What's the likelihood of that??)

Anyhow, I have a LOT to get done tonight, so that's it for the blogging until Sunday night. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Proud Day For Me!

Yesterday was the Dean's List Reception at school. I have never been on a Dean's List in college, so this was a huge deal for me! I took the day off and headed over to school. The reception was wonderful, and I felt so proud of my hard work to get thse good grades. And I worked HARD for them! (If I only I were taking easy classes...) My friend Anne made the list, too, so our mothers (who have been BFFs since they were 12 years old) came to celebrate with us. Each discipline was celebrated separately, and my advisor, Dr. Pugh, presented for psychology. She calls us all Psychos...maybe there is some truth to that! Anyhow, I felt warm and bubbly inside when she called my name and I went up to accept my certificate. I did it! It's just for one semester, but I did it! And I plan to keep it up each semester, too. That's one of my big three focuses for the year, and it's definitely on plan. I am looking into qualification for the Departmental Honors, as I am definitely on par with grades. This would put me graduating with honors if I keep it! What's really neat is that I really love school. I wish I had been this excited about school when I was 18 or 19, but I am now and that's okay. I'll be one of those cool women who feels like life begins in her 40s. (Because I'll be finishing grad school in my very early 40s)

So yeah, I am on Cloud 9 today. And I'm going to try and sustain the feeling as long as I can!

The Oscars

David and I had our annual tradition of watching the Oscars and eating our once-a-year treat: brie and cranberry nachos!! If you think these don't sound good, they are amazing! It's diced chicken, cranberries, black beans, and grated brie cheese warmed under the broiler until the cheese melts (not long at all!) and these babies rock!! So we only eat them once a year while we watch the Oscars. Don't know why, but it's our thing. :) I would go into what I loved and hated from the red carpet, but so many people are much more eloquent than I about all that, so I will leave it to others. Carmen always does great recaps, so click on her link on the right and keep an eye out for her recaps...I usually always agree! (But I am going to give thumbs up to Anne Hathaway and Kate Winslet...both stunning and classy ladies who know how to do the red carpet right!)

It was a busy weekend, and that's okay. I got to see my Cuz this weekend, and that was awesome. It's been a while and as always, we have a blast! Love you, man! David grilled up some ribs and I made mashed potatoes and we stuffed our bellies. Good times!

It's back to the grind today. I really don't want to be here, but here I sit. It's a long day because it's a school day, but I am off tomorrow. There is a Dean's List reception at 12:15 tomorrow, and you better believe I am going! (I would work a 1/2 day tomorrow, but apparently since I am a salaried employee if I take off more than 2 hours I have to just take off the whole day. Whatever.) David heads to Austin/San Antonio tomorrow, and I am a little bummed he can't make the reception, but I certainly understand. Friday I am heading to Austin with Joseph and Dima, and we're going to meet up with David and have a fun weekend. We're going to have dinner with David's friend Joe and his wife Pascha, and somewhere in all that I get to see my friend Bryan. Now, getting to see Bryan is a real treat because we went to junior high together and were choir nerds. He's a really cool guy and I cannot wait to see him! Thanks, Facebook, for reconnecting me with good friends!

That's it for today. I have a ton of things to do, so I need to get on it. Happy Monday, friends!

Wise Words

I recently had a chance to see "He's Just Not That Into You". I read the book when it came out, and yes I was one of those girls that really got something out of it. I think it should be mandatory for anyone who is dating to read. It's nothing new or earth shattering, but somehow it really helps you have that "a-HA!" moment. So I didn't know what to expect from the movie since the book is essentially a light self-help book. I liked the movie, but the best part for me was the end and listening to the voice over. The wisest words in the world are simply the following: "Be your own happy ending." It's true! It doesn't matter who we end up with, we have to love ourselves and be happy with who we are. We are our own happy endings. I love that!

So to anyone who is looking for their happy ending, you have it! It's you!

So that's it for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

Checking In

Good morning to all!

It's been a busy week, and I am just stopping by to say hello. It was a busy but good weekend. We had a lovely Valentine's Day. We always stay in and cook (my preference!) but with so much going on this weekend, we opted to go out to Taverna for dinner. David's sister, Lea Anne, and her husband joined us and we had a wonderful time. I didn't know how I was going to feel about sharing the evening with another couple, but we laughed so much and had a really good time. I'm so glad we did!

I spent almost the entire day with my friend Anne yesterday. We've been studying for the two tests we have today and tomorrow, so I am feeling pretty beat right now. Mom is coming over and we're going to spend some time together today. I don't actually have the holiday but I took the day off for some mental health time. Last week was just awful at work, and need a break. Hopefully it will get better soon...I'm just keeping my mind focused on school and trying to get through. I constantly remind myself that this job does not define who I am, it's simply what I do right now. This, too, shall pass.

So I hope everyone is well. Have a good Monday!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Kim and Mia!!

Jillian Michaels Kicked My Butt

So a few weeks ago I bought the Jillian Michaels workout game for Wii, and I finally broke it out today to give it a go. Seriously, this was worth the investment! I got a great workout in my own living room, and I didn't slack off! (And she didn't yell at me!) If anyone out there is looking for a good workout, get this one for the Wii!! I came panting into the office and told David he needed to try it too. The cool thing is that we can both do it together, so this may be the thing that helps me get my workout in when I don't want to go to the gym. :)

It's been a good weekend. We were supposed to go to dinner with my parents last night, but mom was sick so we stayed home and did our own pork stir fry, and then we went to the Melting Pot for dessert. We had wonderful martinis (try the Sparkling Pear!) and the chocolate turtle fondue...YUM! So a good night was had by both of us. :)

Tomorrow it's another day at the office. David heads out to somewhere I can't remember...Lubbock? Anyhow, I am going to be busy with school, so I will be plenty occupied. I hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend!

Back in Paris, If Only For A Moment

Kevin and I had lunch today and stopped by a creperie close to work for a bite of something sweet. What I got took me back to a day on the streets of Paris where I had my first real crepe...it was hot and filled with Nutella, which is a chocolate hazelnut spread that is divine. When I took a bit of my crepe today, I closed my eyes and remembered the gentleman who made my crepe in Paris from a cart on the street up from the Folies Bergiere. I wish I was there again, but this tiny little place in Irving managed to get me there for just a few seconds. It was wonderful! I can't do that too often, but a once in a while treat is going to have to be in order.

It's been the week from hell, and I am glad it's ending. I really need to rest this weekend from the stress of the work week, and believe me, I will. Mom and Dad are taking us to dinner tomorrow night for David's birthday since last weekend was full. He and I are both really looking forward to it!

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening!

Hello Kitty!

So Tuesday night was FUN! I raced home after school and changed into my jeans. I had every intention of looking much better than I did, but after a full day of work and school, I don't think I cared. David and I hopped into the car and headed to the MAC store for the invitation only party for the Hello Kitty launch. You know why I got an invite? Because I spend WAY too much money there, but that's beside the point. Once we got in, they were serving pink cocktails and passing yummy chocolate cookies. Here are some pics:

This is me waiting in line to get in. That's my invitation I'm holding up. My word, I am a dork. Oh yeah, the glasses don't help me look less dorky. I have GOT to get new contacts!!

This is me sporting my stick-on Hello Kitty tattoo. I may be too excited, but ask me if I care! I was having fun!

Here's David and the shirtless Hello Kitty, uh, guy. Yeah, it's weird but it was funny so David was a good sport and let me take his picture. He got about a gazillion husband points that night for being patient and actually enjoying himself. Oh, and enjoying the sparkling pink lemonade and vodka cocktails. Those helped!

Me and my cookie. Yes, I had already taken a bite, but it was really good!! I can't explain the buck-toothed look on my face. I'm a colossal dork. Deal with it. :)

Honestly, we had a ball! And of course David was the one running into people he knew, not me! I bought a bunch of MAC goodies, so I was one happy girl. :) We had dinner afterwards and then headed home. It was a late night, but ever so worth it!!

The Lite Version of Monday

I think I am going to begin referring to Tuesday as Monday Lite. I am finding myself frustrated with work, but hopefully it's a phase. Honestly, I am working like a dog to get myself through school as fast as I can...I'm ready to move on to something that is meaningful to me. Most days, this job isn't it. But it is a good job and I am very grateful to have it. This isn't the time to act like an ingrate, I know. Just having some frustrations. This, too, shall pass.

To put things into perspective, click on "The Russo Corner" and visit Jessica's blog. She had quite a scare with her 4 month old, Corbin. Her babies are so precious, and even though I am not a mother I can certainly feel at least a fraction of the fear she must have felt. Corbin is good, and I do believe the power of prayer moved through him. Sorry, but there are just days when I have to stand up and shout out to the world that God is amazing! Jess, you know my heart has been with you and I am so glad it's all OK!! Hug those little boys for me!

Tonight I have school, but I am excited to go do something fun afterwards. I got an invitation to the MAC store in Dallas for the launch party for their new "Hello Kitty" collection, and I am going to go! I can't wait! I've been saving my pennies for a treat, and this is it! It feels very foo-foo...it's an invitation only cocktail party to preview and purchase items from the new collection...I've seen pictures and I can't wait! (Anyone who knows anything about me knows that makeup is one of those girly things I love, and MAC is my brand, babies!) So I am going to rush home from school, freshen up, and head over! I can't wait!!!

So that's it for today. I hope everyone has a good Monday Lite!

Celebrating David's Birthday

David's birthday was the 29th, but we've been celebrating for days now, and we've had a ball! He got lots of fun presents from Williams-Sonoma from me, and we had dinner with his parents on Thursday, I took him out to Uncle Julio's Friday, and Saturday night we went to Boi Na Braza with his brother, Greg, and Greg's wife Katie. (By the way, amazing food!) Today we went to David's parents house for a Superbowl party. Greg was there, as well as my parents, and we had so much fun! It's been a really wonderful weekend, and I am sorry the festivities are over. Although my parents are taking us out to eat next Saturday night, so we can enjoy the birthday one more night.

Back to the grind tomorrow...I have work and school so it will be a late night for me. I hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend!!

Brrr!

Well, I guess you could say we've had some sort of weather event here. Yesterday I was at my work meeting in Ft. Worth and we left at 9:30am. (Total waste of makeup.) My friend Sandra and I decided to stop and have breakfast at IHOP in Bedford, so that was nice. Mom joined us and we had a good time at the girls breakfast. I pretty much spent all day at home yesterday vegging under the blankets with a fire in the fireplace. David made hot chocolate and we watched movies. But by 8pm last night, I was BORED! We went to Cheddars for dinner as the sleet began to fall, so we ate quickly and came home just in time. It got nasty out there!

This morning we got the call to just not even bother trying to get to Ft. Worth for the last day of meetings. We were only going to be there a half day, and we don't usually go back to the office after that, so we just planned to stay home anyhow. Turns out they ended up closing the office, so no one had to go in! So David and I went out to brunch today, and now I am entertaining myself with Facebook and blogging. Honestly, I have some stuff to do at work so it's not too awful that I am going in tomorrow. I am ready to get out for a while! I think I will go to the gym, too. This afternoon I am going to give the Jillian Michaels Trainer for the Wii. I tried Madden 09 yesterday...that's going to take some work!

Stay warm, everyone!

Peaceful Weekend Ahead!

This weekend promises to be a nice, low key one. David is spending a chunk of his time up at the DMC for the women's market, so I will be having some quiet time. How will I be spending this lovely time? Studying. Yup...very exciting. I got my Economics textbook in the mail yesterday and now I can read and really prepare myself for my quiz. (I have four chapters to read...there will be much coffee!) There will also be a couple of trips to the gym this weekend. I have GOT to make that happen!

I am getting ready for David's birthday next week, and have some really fun things planned for him. I made a change from the original cool plan I had, and now have some really fun stuff planned, but I'll share those after the birthday! But I have three days of festivities on the schedule for him, and the cool thing is that I get to enjoy all the fun, too! It's all capped off with dinner Saturday night (next weekend, of course) with David's brother Greg and his wife Katie. The four of us are dining at Boi Na Braza (this is not a secret) to celebrate, and I am really looking forward to hanging out with Greg and Katie. They're crazy busy like we are, so we don't get to see them much, but they got a babysitter for Ben and Rosemary, so the grownups can whoop it up! And of course, the Superbowl is the 1st, so David gets to finish it all off with a football game. :) He'll have a good weekend! I went shopping for birthday presents last night and had WAY too much fun!

So that's it right now. I am looking forward to some relaxing tonight before I kick off the Economics study-fest tomorrow. Four chapters of that stuff...wow.

Everyone have a great Friday!

Today

I think it's an exciting day, no matter what your political views. Our nation gets to embark on a new year, and it's neat to be a witness to history. I am hopeful that Obama can do good things for our country, although I am also a realist and know that it will be hard for him to do everything that everyone wants him to do. I think the thing we can all do is to want the President to be successful, because when he succeeds, we ALL succeed.

And in much less publicized news, I start my Human Sexuality class tonight at 4:30pm. I've reviewed the textbook, and I really got an eye full! Sitting in a class and talking about it is going to be interesting. :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!!

Cheer Competition

So I spent the bulk of my day yesterday watching a cheer competition. My 14 year old cousin, Ashley, is on a competition team, and this was a beat-down like no other! While I loved watching her team's 2.5 minute routine (and can I say that Ash was awesome!!), it was not as much fun to watch the other 2 hours worth of teams. They had 7 exhibition teams of what looked like 3 or 4 year olds in addition to the junior level teams, and that just dragged it all out. It wasn't as cute as a dance recital, I have to say. But if her team comes to town again, I'll be there yelling for her. She's good at it, and she wants to make her high school squad. She really seems to like it, and I am all about supporting activities that teach discipline, responsibility, sportsmanlike behavior, and physical fitness. Go girl!!

Today is kind of busy...I am going to lunch and a movie with some friends and then I have to get home right after that to get to the store and then make dinner for company coming at 5:30. But I still have Monday and Tuesday to relax. :) Oh, except school starts Tuesday, but I am looking forward to it!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone!

The Tax Man Cometh

Yes, it's getting to be that time of year. For me, it's also accompanied with the treat of getting to pass out free "I told you so" lines. Remember that stimulus check everyone was so hot to get their hands on earlier this year? Yeah, when that came out I told people that it wasn't free money and that we'd be paying it back at tax time. Guess what? I've had a couple of people tell me I was right! Yes, brace yourself...that stimulus check was an advance on your refund. So now it's time to pay it back. Lovely. I didn't want it to start with. I think if Obama wants to do that again I am going to write to my congressperson and ask if we can opt out. I didn't want it in 2008 either. I don't know that it even did much for the economy anyhow.

I've been gathering possible 2008 deductions. I think we have enough to offset the stimulus payback, so hopefully we'll still get some sort of refund. I'll take $1 if I don't have to owe the IRS anything! (Can I get an "Amen!"?)

David comes back from Waco today. He only left yesterday, but it's nice to have him home. :) The kitties and I miss him when he's gone. But as happy as I am to see him, I am leaving him to dine on his own tonight. Christy and I have had dinner on the schedule for quite some time, and tonight is the night! She and I are having dinner at our favorite place tonight, and I can't wait! We haven't had dinner together in eons!

I guess that's about it for now. Everyone have a good Thursday!

Technology is Finally My Friend!

So I finally feel like being on Facebook has paid off! I have been reconnecting with old friends from high school and church, but I got two good friend requests yesterday! One is a friend from high school who was in the US as an exchange student from Germany, and the other was a really good friend from junior high. I have wondered about both for years now, and was ecstatic when I heard from them both in one day! What a wonderful treat! Both guys look like they are doing well and happy, so it's nice to reconnect. :)

I honestly have nothing noteworthy to share. It's been pretty quiet. Work is very slow right now, but it will pick up soon. School actually begins tomorrow, but my professor for my online class already posted stuff for the first week. (This is my economics class) So I read everything and did the first assignment and got it posted. Yes, I am just nerdy enough to have already turned in my homework before the class even begins. My classmates are going to think I am a dork, but I actually have so little to do at work right now that I was grateful for homework!

I think that's about it. It's been quiet lately, and I have enjoyed it. We've been laying low at home, just cooking dinner and relaxing. I made a pork tenderloin for dinner last night that was a huge hit with David, so I am keeping the recipe to add to our recipe rotation. :) But that is really about it!

So on that note, I hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

Warm Weather!

It's a beautiful day! I sure wish I had seen the weather report...I wore a turtleneck sweater today. Oh well...I'll change into something cooler when I get home. :) I do like the break from the cold, though. I did read that we may get an arctic blast next week...brrr! Some weather sites say we'll have 50 degree weather and some saw 30 degree weather. It's Texas...we won't really know until it hits!

I am so glad this week is winding down! It's been a LONG one, and I am ready for the weekend. Christy is doing my hair tomorrow (Yay!) and then we're having dinner with David's sister Lea Anne. She and her husband are taking us to Houston's for dinner, and I have never been. I checked out the menu online and I think it sounds delish! It's an early b-day dinner for David, so it's a special occasion. Glad I'm getting my hair done! (It's time for the blond highlights to go away for a few months!) I'd love a new outfit, but we're on a spending moratorium. We have a mission, and we're hanging on to our money to get everything paid off. We're doing so well, too! Again, I know it's only 9 days into the new year, but if 30 days makes a habit, then we only have 21 more days until we can say this isn't just a fluke!

My father is retiring at the end of April, and I am so excited for him! He's worked harder than anyone I know for a very long time, so I hope he thoroughly enjoys the relaxation he's earned. Growing up, I never needed anything, and my parents made sure I had opportunities to do things I wanted. (Everything within reason, of course!) But Dad always made sure I had nice things and he took good care of me and Mom. I can't imagine a better childhood. I am a very lucky girl! (Thanks, Dad!!)

That's it for this beautiful Friday. For some reason, my manager has decided to call a meeting...who knows why. So I am heading off to see what's up there. (Nothing much, I am certain.)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!

Yawn!

You know how it is...you're in the perfect spot in the bed, all cozy and warm, and then that ugly alarm clock sound rips you out of your sleep and you have to get up. Yuck! I wish I was still in the spot in the bed! I was sleeping so well. *sigh*

Anyhow, I have very little news today. I got home yesterday and David and I went for a walk. It was a short one because I am lame and was getting tired, but we got up and moved yesterday, so I am proud of us both. :) We tend to be a bit lazy so we're trying to change that. Tonight I am planning to clean out the fridge and the closet on the patio. Both need to be done desperately!

I was going to work out up here today but I managed to forget my gym bag. Actually, I forgot to repack it after getting my shoes and workout clothes out of there yesterday, so I will be sure to do that tonight. I like getting my exercise in early so I don't have to do it later. I did manage to pack fruit and yogurt, though, so that's my accomplishment for the day. I usually pack a lunch, but I am going to lunch with a couple of co-workers today. I am allowing myself one lunch out per week, and this is my one for this week. See? I'm doing better already! Eating healthy AND saving money!! I'm so proud of myself - I just have to keep it up for longer than a week!

I am also fighting the shopping bug. I have gone to my favorite websites and changed my settings so that I don't get all the email notifications about sales. See? I am proactive about avoiding temptation!

On another note, David's friend Jeff email me some pictures he took at our wedding and I love them! He sent me three but he has lots more that he's putting together. In case I didn't rant about it here, our wedding photographer lost most of our wedding pictures in a hard drive crash. Please don't ask me about backups and all that because I already asked and apparently there were no backups of my wedding pictures, so I have some, but not many. It makes me very sad if I think too much about it, but it is nice to see pictures people have taken, and I love what Jeff sent! (BTW, if any of you were at the wedding and took any pictures, we'd sure be grateful if you'd send them our way!) Bottom line, Jeff sent us some awesome pics and I can't wait to see the rest of them! :) Thanks, Jeff! You rock!

So that really is about it for today. A bunch of rambling and silliness. But that's me! Have a great day everyone!

Seven Days In...

Yes, a whopping seven days into the new year, and I am still maintaining my focus. I know, I know...it's only seven days, right? Yes, but I have to celebrate taking things in small chunks, and one week of eating better, not spending extra money, and getting off the couch and moving more. I have menu planned, shopped carefully, and done more around the house rather than doing too much vegging. (Some vegging is allowed, right?) So yeah, I'm pretty proud of my first week in!

Mom and I decided that with trying to pay things off and put money in savings that we're going to postpone our NYC trip for now. It's not cancelled, just put on the back burner for a while. We're both trying to put money in savings and pay off credit cards, so it just makes sense right now. But when we do go, look out NYC!!

Other than all that, I don't have much news. Things are good...nothing big going on. David's birthday is at the end of the month and I have been planning fun things. He knows I am taking him to Boi Na Braza for his birthday dinner, but he doesn't know what else fun is planned! I'll spill the beans here after his birthday. Hey, I don't want him stopping by and finding out!!

That's it for today. Everyone have a great Wednesday!