Happy Birthday, Little Blog!

That's right....this little blog is two years old today. Can you believe it? It started out as a place to post pictures of our new house as it was being built...and now it's the perfect place for my ramblings about celebrity fashion. And who knows, maybe we'll have pictures of another new house at some point! Love it, hope you're not bored.

Good news for us: we've paid off the Lowe's card since we started FPU. And last night we did a ceremonial cutting of the card in front of everyone in our class. Yay! It was fun, not hard. We will be cutting up our only other credit card in about 6-8 weeks!

So there's your excitement for the day!

And the Oscar goes to...

Thoughts from the Oscars...

I just love Ellen Degeneres. She is so fun and refreshing and just seems like someone you'd want to be friends with. Plus, she dances just like I do at home...dorky. I hope she doesn't end up like Rosie O'Donnell. You know, I really loved Rosie when she had her talk show and seemed like the Queen of Nice and such an uplifting person. Then she got all weird and mean and gross....I hope Ellen just stays fun.

Plus, I have to say it, her girlfriend Portia de Rossi is BEAUTIFUL!

Did anyone else think Reese Witherspoon looked coked out?

Seriously, how beautiful is Jennifer Lopez? She is just beautiful. And she always has the best gowns at award shows. I don't know that I would wear her everyday clothes, but her gowns are beautiful.

And my last fashion comment...Celine Dion's dress when she was singing on stage was gorgeous. I wish I could find a picture of it (it wasn't the one she arrived in). Although it looked like she had just come from getting a face lift...

How annoying was the whole Al Gore thing? I haven't seen the movie, so I'm not criticizing that. But everyone kept making jokes about how he was elected President...blah...blah...blah. Hello, that was 7 years ago. I think it's time to move on, especially since we've had another election since then. Get over it!

I think the length of the show is out of control. I was asleep a little after 10:00, so I missed most of the major awards. I'm not saying don't honor the people who work hard (sound, costume, etc.) but I think they need to figure something out that cuts down on the time.
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I made a little trip to the Coco Flow Cafe today. Actually, that link is more about chocolate fountain rentals than about the cafe. But it was a lovely (albeit expensive) little coffee shop that just happens to serve giant (albeit expensive) truffles. I got a peanut butter chocolate truffle and a Frozen Hot Chocolate beverage treat. Plus it has free wireless internet and is not far from my office. I may just have to take a working break some days!

Ok...I guess that's it for a Monday. As you can see, I've been catching up on the Oscars on my lunch break!

A Weekly Renditon of Randomness

Sometimes I write these long drawn out blog posts and then I stop to think about it and I never hit publish. That's what I spent all day doing today, and now I just decided to write something else.

So, it's another edition of everyone's favorite....Random Thoughts for the Day:
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If you've ever been on iTunes, you know there is a section that's called "just for you". Basically they keep a record of the music you've bought, and then suggest other songs you might like based on your taste.

One of the top 10 suggestions for me today was "Stars Are Blind" by Paris Hilton.

Apparently I need to get new taste in music, if that is a suggestion for me.
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Once again, I am out of money. This budget thing is really hard. I'm used to just spending whatever I want. Luckily I scrounged up enough money today to go to Moe's with the girls in the office. I probably would have taken a loan out from a co-worker if I had to because rarely do I pass up Moe's...
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We are headed to Missouri this weekend to visit my grandparents. Just a quick trip for the weekend, but I'm all worried because we have to leave Faith (our cat) and there are supposed to be tornadoes tonight. So my sister is babysitting for us. It's so nice to live near family. I hope there are NO tornadoes tonight and that the severe storms just pass us by.
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John and I are hitting the movie theatre this weekend to see Reno 911: Miami. Yes, as you can tell, our taste in movies is not what you'd call...intelligent. But we love the TV show, makes us laugh every time. So, we are going to make it our first trip to the theatre in months. You can judge us now...
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I've had a great time this week catching up with an old friend over e-mail. I am so bad about keeping up with people and staying in touch. And this particular friend is one I haven't seen in quite some time. But I've enjoyed catching up and enjoy the friendship we've had for so long.
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I have to be very careful when I attend "home parties". You know the type--scrapbook parties, Arbonne, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef. I'm easily impressed and think I need to have "one of everything". But, with this new budget I just don't have the finances, even though I want it SO BAD. I did buy a couple of small things at a stamping party I went to (so I can make my own greeting cards), and last night was the first night I didn't buy ANYTHING at a home party. But I wanted stuff....but I had absolutely no money to give it! I'm turning over a new leaf. It's a weakness I must get under control. ;+)
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Ok...that's about it. Now, over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go!

Free Lunch

Yesterday John and I met for lunch at our favorite little spot, Hideaway Pizza, near my office. We go there quite often....it's the best pizza around.

Anyway, they are celebrating their 50th Anniversary. During that celebration they are letting their customers spin the Pizza Wheel. Basically, you order your food like normal, and your waiter will then hand you a certificate for one spin on the wheel. So, if you spin and get 25% off, it's good toward the food you've already ordered.

Well, after ordering drinks, an appetizer, and a pizza I headed up to spin the wheel. And, guess what? I landed on 100% off! So, we got our meal for free!!!

Head over to Hideaway Pizza and see what you can get for free! I'm not sure if they're doing it at all locations but definitely the one on Western. I love free food...

Losing a Friend

My heart is very sad today, but at the same time full of joy. Yesterday, I lost a friend of mine. Jacob Crabbe passed away yesterday morning. He would have been 27 in March.

I first met Jacob when I was in middle school. He went to church with me, and I hung out with his younger sister, Kristal. It was easy to see how he could steal my heart....he was older, athletic, and had an unbelievable way of charming anyone. I think my heart melted the first time he kissed my hand. It was such a gentleman's thing to do.

Jacob was always quite a ladies man. He loved the ladies, young and old alike. He could get any woman to do anything he asked...it was always a simple hug, a mischievous smile, or a kiss on the hand. I wasn't the only one who fell for it, trust me. My husband, John, often commented that Jacob could get more lip from me than he could!

Jacob had this amazing way of remembering everyone he met. He also had an unbelievable capacity for love and friendship. I don't think he came across anyone's path that didn't fall in love with him and count him as a very special friend.

I mentioned that Jacob was quite an athlete. For as long as I've known him, he was an accomplished star at the Special Olympics in Stillwater every year. Many newspaper articles were written about him, many medals were given. He loved competing with his friends from around the state.

There's so much more I could write about him....but I could never do him justice. I could never describe for you all how loving, how kind, how sweet, how wonderful Jacob was. He could brighten your day from across the room. He was so very, very special.

I am so sad that I won't be able to visit with Jacob. Or listen to him sing Jesus Loves Me in church. Or have him kiss my hand, or draw me a picture, or teach me about his letters and numbers. That I won't have anymore hugs. But I am so joyful because every time I remember him, I will smile. He is one of those people that brought nothing but pure and total joy. His lifelong battle has ended, and I'm thankful that he's in a better place. I sure hope they have Special Olympics in Heaven.

Please keep Jacob's parents, sisters, and niece in your prayers.

New Look

So....what do you think?

And before you tell me you don't like the new look, keep in mind I've been playing with new designs for days. DAYS! It's taken me a long time to figure out how to work HTML. So, basically, you'd better like it!

100 Things About Me!

Just when you thought I was out of things to say...I had noticed that on several blogs I read that people are listing 100 things that say something about them. Do you know how hard it is to think of 100 random things about yourself? I worked all weekend on this...it's random, but enjoy.

And, by the way, because this was such hard work I think I might take a few days off from blogging.

1. I am a self-diagnosed chocolate addict.
2. I go to bed at 10:00 every single night
3. Because The Daily Show and Stephen Colbert are on
4. And because I’m generally a very tired person
5. I am extremely annoyed by people who say things like “once you have kids you won’t be able to do that anymore.”
6. I love my job….i’m lovin’ it…I love my job
7. All my husband has to do to end a heated discussion between us is to flare his nostrils
8. I sweat the most when I am freezing
9. I fall asleep to the TV in our bedroom
10. I am ok with that fact
11. I am extremely annoyed by people who say things like “TV in the bedroom is bad for marriage”
12. We wouldn’t be happily married if we didn’t have 2 TV’s
13. John and I agree on 4 shows to watch together: House, The Office, Scrubs, and Reno 911.
14. I live much of my life based on morals I learned from “that one episode of Friends…”
15. Ok….a few morals from the Bible, too. :)
16. Guilty pleasure: Girl Scout Cookies
17. I ate 5 GSC this weekend
18. I prefer my house to be at 72-degrees
19. My husband prefers it to be around 62-degrees
20. So we compromise on a bone-chilling 68-degrees
21. Which brings me to the first hate on my list: I hate getting out of bed and out of the hot shower on a really cold day
22. I could eat kiwi all day long
23. It takes less than 10 seconds (John has timed it) for me to change out of work clothes into pajamas.
24. I wear my pajamas every second I can
25. I do not wear jeans, work shirts, or shoes when I am at home—I only wear pajamas
26. My sister surprises me with her natural ability to lead and manage
27. I feel naked without a cell phone
28. I feel close to naked without an iPod packed in my purse and ready to travel
29. I am in two book clubs
30. That’s a little stressful because I can’t start reading EITHER of the books until I finally finish my “fun” book I’ve been working on for 5 weeks.
31. I love living in Oklahoma because it’s affordable
32. I believe the University of Oklahoma Sooner football team will win the national championship…every year. I truly believe that, deep down in my heart.
33. My best friend is the complete opposite of me, and I love her for that
34. I can tell her anything….anything. Even when it’s something she doesn’t want to hear
35. I am blessed, truly blessed, to have a friend like that
36. I couldn’t choose who would be my sister….but I did choose to make her my friend and I don’t know what I’d do without her
37. I have two very supportive parents
38. My mom is the most amazing person I know
39. My husband does not know how to put laundry in the hamper
40. But he always takes the trash out
41. I laugh WITH (not at) my husband almost every hour of the day
42. I visited my dad at his house in Minnesota over the weekend and it was -10 degrees outside…I don’t know how these people live there
43. My favorite color is red
44. It is a theme in every room of my house
45. I love Christmas….but it is also the most stressful experience of my year
46. All I wanted to do in high school was be on stage singing and dancing
47. Now that is my worst nightmare
48. I believe in God
49. It is a blessing to believe in God
50. I hate fast food Mexican restaurants
51. I ate fried okra for the first time last spring, and now I get it every opportunity I can
52. It has been 44 days since I ate a potato
53. My favorite TV show changes weekly between Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, and House
54. My favorite song of all time is “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore” by REO Speedwagon
55. They are, quite possibly, the best band of the 80s
56. I am a cat person
57. I am not a dog person
58. Nice to look at, happy to support those who have them….but I don’t want a dog
59. But I do adore my mom’s dog
60. I do not like to cook
61. Because I’m not any good at it
62. And because it takes much more time than I really want to spend
63. I take a lot of vitamins
64. I’m hoping this makes me healthier and happier in the future
65. One of my top 3 embarrassing moments involves cheerleading tryouts freshman year of high school
66. It’s pretty embarrassing to even admit that
67. I am non-confrontational
68. I have a hard time letting go when I mess up…I tend to punish myself for a long time
69. I love spending time with my in-laws
70. I have two awesome nephews
71. My nephew Easton is the smartest kid I know
72. My nephew Mason is a master basketball player
73. I am interested in politics
74. I question my political affiliation….but not enough to change it
75. My favorite place in the whole world is Las Vegas, New Mexico
76. I thought it was New York City, but then I remembered Camp Blue Haven in Las Vegas, New Mexico
77. It is the most beautiful place in the world, also the place I was baptized
78. I have always been thin, but weight has always been a mindgame for me
79. I used to be a Girl Scout and camp all the time
80. I don’t camp anymore
81. My husband and I did NOT like each other on our first date
82. Neither one of us can explain why we accepted a second date…but we both agree pity had a lot to do with it!
83. I am sad that Anna Nicole Smith died because her show on E! used to be my guilty pleasure
84. I am in a constant search for the perfect jeans
85. I’ve come close, but I’ve yet to find them
86. I do not agree with leggings under mini skirts
87. Really, I don’t believe in leggings at all
88. Or mini skirts
89. My next career will be working at IKEA
90. Kissing and sex scenes in movies make me VERY uncomfortable
91. I may not understand Brad Pitt, but I really enjoy looking at him
92. I am currently enrolled in a program called Financial Peace University and it’s frustrating because we’d been practicing it for 2 weeks and then I went to the Mall of America and IKEA…..and I had no money to blow. This budget thing sucks.
93. I’m an unpacker…if I stay in a hotel for even one night I unpack everything. I actually use the dresser drawers
94. I can’t stand water on my face
95. I have tried the scrapbooking thing, and I made an awesome scrapbook. But it is an expensive habit, and a lot of work. So now I just put photos in albums
96. I am altogether a very lazy person
97. Soap scum is my enemy
98. I hated my red hair until I was in college, but now I like it. Well, I’m not happy with the length, but I like the color
99. I hate Reality TV (yes, even American Idol)
100. I am blessed beyond imagination

Weekend at Dad's

Well, we're home from a very quick, very cold weekend in Minnesota. We had a lot of fun, and I'm so glad we were able to be there this weekend. My dad has put together a list of "50 Things" he's thankful for in his 50 years on his blog, Positively Blessed. You should check it out!

Enjoy a few photos...it's nice to be around people with digital cameras, since we don't have those anymore!
















Here we are at his surprise birthday dinner. The surprises just kept on coming throughout the weekend! I think he had a pretty great 50th birthday.
















Me, Dad, and my sister Julia.





















They made him stand on his chair and dance while we all sang Happy Birthday! He was a good sport about it!
















The table of party-goers...they have very nice friends up there in Minnesota!

Surprise!!!

My dad turned 50 on Thursday of this week. I meant to send a card, but I didn't. I did call him, and he said everything was pretty low key. He kept saying that's what's great about being 50--you can be low key and relaxed instead of making a big deal out of everything.

Little did he know we'd been working a surprise for him. My sister and I, along with a friend of his from Oklahoma, flew up to Minnesota on Friday evening. Dad's wife, DeAnna, had told him that her mom was coming in town and they needed to pick her up from the airport. It wasn't until we were about 10 feet away from him in baggage claim that he knew we were there. From the look on his face, he was totally shocked...speechless...and that doesn't happen very often with my dad! :)

DeAnna had also planned a surprise party with many of his friends for Saturday night. Once again, he had no idea. So it has been a weekend of surprises for Dad...I think he's overwhelmed!

It's hard to see anything here, due to the fact that my eyes are frozen over. This morning when we got up it was -10 degrees outside. That is unacceptable. Ridiculous. MOVE AWAY PEOPLE!

But we braved the cold for two very important reasons: IKEA and the Mall of America. My next job will be at IKEA.

More to come tomorrow! It's been so fun seeing Dad and spending time with him....sometimes life's little surprises are unexpected. Sometimes they are very well planned!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Giving it all up??

Ok, so I was just kidding about snowmobiling. Apparently, it would cost the two of us $360 for 3 hours. Is it just me, or is that a lot of money? Am I crazy? I think I would prefer to visit the shops, drink hot coffee, and grub at some of the tasty restaurants I'm sure are in town. Sigh...we'll see. We still have a few weeks to determine what we're going to be doing.

My last post was so funny, because Cary and Brooke both commented....they know what I went through. They were on that trip with me and Brooke even gave up the rest of her ski time on the trip to hang out with me! Although, I'm thinking she was a little tired of skiing anyway....but I can't be sure. Cary also gave up a lot of ski time to spend time with me...it ended up being a great trip. You know, aside from that whole falling down the mountain screaming and a broken knee thing...

I bought a book this weekend called "The Writer's Pocket Muse". It's a book full of ideas for what to write about when trying to tell your life's story. There were some interesting topics and I think I might start using them for the blog.

I have carefully considered giving up the whole blogging thing, mostly because I feel like I am really boring and I have nothing to say. Or....I have a LOT to say, but not sure if this public internet thing is really the appropriate place to share! Many people think blogging is like a live journal. And it definitely is...in a way. I admire those who share every thought and feeling on their blogs...I just like to write fun stuff and the occasional prayer request.

Anyway, back to giving it all up. I thought about it. Nothing too exciting is going on. So, I may take more trips down memory lane like I did the with ski post. Which really is more about why I hate skiing than memory lane. You get the picture.

If it goes well, I will continue blogging. If not and you hate some of the next few posts, just remember: at least I'm not reporting on what I ate for lunch.

Hitting the Slopes

Well, we are back on for our Spring Break trip to Colorado. Which is good, because I wasn't sure where to go and really didn't have enough time/money to plan something big on such short notice. We're going to South Fork, Colorado. Some of you may know this area, as it was featured in the classic movie "National Lampoon's Vacation". You know, where they stay in a tent, then Clark ties Aunt Edna's dog to the bumper and forgets about him....that's the town we'll be in!

Of course, we'll have much nicer accommodations. We'll be staying at a friend of the family's vacation house. It will be a tight squeeze (4 kids and 6 adults!) but it will be fun. Then, John and I will go snowmobiling! Because if you think I'm ever going to ski again, you're crazy.

The first and only time I went skiing was my sophomore year in college. I went with church group from Norman and we went to Breckenridge/Keystone/Vail. Since it was my first time, I decided to enroll in ski school for some helpful tips. But I figured it couldn't be too hard since 3-year-olds ski.

My roommate, Laura, and I both took ski school and we were the oldest students in the class by about 10 years. Which made the whole experience that much more humiliating, considering the kids picked it up right away and I could NOT figure out the snow plow thing...

Finally after a few hours we decided to try a slope with the rest of our gang. Up we went on the ski lift, I was so excited. We got to the top, everyone just took off. I was a little nervous, so I decided to take it slow. But there was no taking it slow. I got started, and lost control of my body. I started flying, literally flying down the mountain and speeds I can only imagine registered 80 mph. Flying....couldn't turn, couldn't stop, just flew like I was on a ski jump. And I screamed. The whole way down, screamed bloody murder. When I finally got to the bottom of the mountain (keep in mind I was skiing a green) I made myself fall so I could stop.

Then I promptly headed back over to the ski lift because I was convinced I could do it better. Somehow, my friends got me to go even higher, to a blue course. We got off the lift and off they went. Not me....I started inching along trying to keep from flying without control as I had before. Then, all of a sudden, as I was getting the hang of it my skis locked together, twisted my leg around and sent me into a pile of skis, snow, and mind-numbing pain.

Yes...it gets better. I couldn't move my knee, it hurt so bad. I couldn't move it to get down the mountain. So they called Ski Patrol/Emergency services to come get me. Then they strapped me onto a toboggan, covered me with a bright orange tarp, and skied me down the mountain. Past my friends and past the 12-year-olds I'd taken ski school with.

I was in a knee brace for several months after that, and spent the rest of my time in Colorado limping around the shops. Thankfully I had really great friends that took their time off skiing to hang with me....

So, I will not be skiing again. Ever....it was the most terrifying experience I've ever had. It was awful and it hurt. So...we'll try to keep from killing ourselves on a snowmobile instead!

The End.

Feel Good Movies

You know the type...those movies that make you smile, make you laugh, leave you feeling a little happier than before you watched them. Today, TBS (which ALWAYS plays good movies) is playing two of the best..."Father of the Bride" and "Father of the Bride, Part 2". I don't care how often I see those two movies, they make me laugh every time. I just love them.

I was trying to think of some other "feel good movies". Let's see if I can make it through a top 10 list (no particular order...just as they come to me):

1. Father of the Bride/FOTB Pt. 2
2. My Best Friend's Wedding
3. When Harry Met Sally
4. The American President
5. My Big Fat Greek Wedding
6. Meet the Parents
7. Sixteen Candles
8. The Wedding Singer
9. Christmas with the Krank's
10. While You Were Sleeping (and I'll throw in "You've Got Mail", too)

I think these are 10 (12) movies John and I will always be able to sit down and watch together, which is rare. Makes me wonder why we waste our time with dirty comedies, depressing dramas, and heart-racing horrors. Steve Martin, Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, and Julia Roberts are almost ALWAYS safe bets...

Staring blankly at the screen, my mind is filled with thoughts of...well, nothing actually!

I have started this blog entry several times over the last few days, but keep failing to get through it. I feel incredibly uninspired to write, and I can't think of anything interesting, witty, funny, angry, annoying, or insightful to say! There is nothing on TV this week, work has kept me swamped, and we've spent most of our time at home in the evenings. So forgive me for struggling a little on the writing end...is there anything I should be writing about?

What has been going on in our life this week? What few random thoughts are spinning through my head? Well...here goes!
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John started his new job today! With a commute to get used to and an earlier wake up time, he thought he'd get a new bedtime. He thought he'd go to bed at the same time as I do. After keeping me up for a while, throwing off the schedule, and realizing he doesn't go to bed at the same time as 10-year-olds I think he's back to his normal midnight lights out.
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I chopped my hair today. Well, Sally chopped my hair. I think it's cute so far, but I have yet to style it on my own. We'll know more tomorrow....if I'm wearing a hat next time you see me, then it isn't working out.
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I finally watched the movie "Rent" this weekend. I'd seen it on stage, and have loved the music for a long time. But I hadn't seen the movie. It wasn't bad....it's much better on stage, but you can't beat the soundtrack. While it features a totally different lifestyle than I've ever experienced, the whole thing is really about love, support, and friends. It's pretty inspiring, and I've been thinking about it all week. I might write more about it later, we'll see.
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Anyone still have Christmas candy leftover? Luckily, I'm not much of a snacker so I can make my candy last for a long time. I'm still munching on Reese's Trees, which taste much better in February. Hopefully the chocolate Santas will be gone before it's time to start eating the ears off chocolate bunnies.
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I've been carefully shopping for a great new outfit over the past few weeks. After months of looking for the perfect pair of cream-colored pants (because cream-colored pants is not something you can enter into lightly), I found them. I bought this beautiful pair at Ann Taylor, and I finally got them back from the tailor today. If I could shower in those pants, I would. I might wear them every day, who knows. You can't put a price on a great pair of pants!
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Seems there was something good coming out of my weekend stomach flu--I lost 1.8 pounds at Weight Watchers! I'll pay for it next week, I'm sure, but it was fun to see the number on the scale.
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We were planning on going to Colorado for spring break vacation, but it looks like that is going to fall through. Any suggestions on where we should go? We want to get away to someplace that's not in Texas or Missouri. We already have the week off work, so why waste it?
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Ok, that's it. I need suggestions on 1) what to write about and 2) where to go on vacation. I'll try to become more interesting tomorrow.