All Things Considered....

Been away...

2006-10-23T14:01:00.000-07:00

So, I've been MIA for a while due to a 3-day trip the husband and I took, added with the excitement of being exceptionally busy at work. Fun times!

Our trip was to Corpus Christi. That city started as a mini-vacation spot for us one weekend this past February when my husband decided to "kidnap" me. At the last minute, he told I needed to pack a bag because we were going somewhere. He wouldn't tell me where we were going, what kind of scenario to pack for, nothing....just that I needed to pack. It ended up being a fantastic trip. He chose the best hotel possible, took me out for an excellent dinner, took me to the beach...it was truly a great experience. Since that weekend, we've been back to Corpus twice - it kinda feels like our spot now - a special place for us to get away.

Anyway, on this last trip, we stayed at the same fabulous hotel - even ended up getting a beach view room, that normally goes for $198 a night, for only $64.50 a night! We signed up for some special guest program and it rocks! We went to the beach - both North Padre and Mustang Island. We drove to numerous small towns around the area that neither of us had ever been to - Port Aransas, Rockport, Aransas Pass and Fulton. And we ate lots of yummy food :)

So, without further adieu...here are some pics from our mini-vacay.

Our hotel room - check out the view...

The 2 of us, at Mustang Island

We rode a car ferry to get from Port Aransas to Aransas Pass - saw a dolphin in the water too - it was pretty cool!

We got rained on a bit at the beach...glad the husband packs a rain jacket!

We even saw fireworks form our balcony - right outside the hotel. It was pretty spectacular...

Coming soon: pics from the State of Texas Aquarium - it rocked! We saw dolphins, sting rays, all kinds of sea life. I'll post them as soon as we get them downloaded :)

No more Tower Records

2006-10-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

Tower Records in our city closed a few years ago. But yesterday, while listening to my talk radio station, I heard that within a short time, all Tower Records stores will be closed. It's sad. The companies explanation for the demise is basically technology...the prevalence of iPod's, purchasing over the internet, etc... And to me, it's not surprising at all. I've long been saying that technology will be the downfall of stores as we know them today. I could envision that within 10 years or so, we may have our big box retailers still reaping profits, but an ever larger majority of purchasing will be done online - effectively putting smaller, niche-type stores out of business.

I think it's a sad time when there are hardly any more true record stores around. The city we live in thrives on music, yet all but one or two of the local, eclectic record stores have shut their doors these last few years. In that respect, I loathe technology. It depresses me.

I heard a friend at work once make the comment that all she needed was her laptop and some food, and she could survive in her bedroom for probably weeks on end. Is that really the type world we want to live in? Not me. Definitely not me.

You know what I think is Insane?

2006-10-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

This. I cannot even fathom how anyone would think the Harry Potter series could be detrimental to children. My husband and I have already purchased all the Harry Potter movies that are out on DVD (for both me & our future offspring :). Never even thought that it could "attempt to indoctrinate children in the Wicca religion". What? And trust me, I worry about a lot of things. A LOT. But this was never on my radar. And I don't think it ever would be.

I mean geezus, one of my favorite TV shows is Charmed....and I plan to let my future kiddos watch it too, if they so choose. Do not see the harm AT ALL. Wow.

Yay or Nay?

2006-10-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

1. The new TV show Friday Night Lights. Yay for me. This was actually very good...done very well and even though it has similarities to the movie, it seems to be an entity of its own. Also, I find it kind of fascinating to think there were people watching this TV show last night, in states other than Texas, who probably do not realize that the show was depicting, very true to form, how life is like during football season in most small towns around here. Shops really do close down, men in their fifties really do go to their alma maters football games, even if they have no children enrolled at the school. Heck, my dad and his brother will be going back to their hometown of Italy, TX the weekend after next to go to the high school football game for homecoming weekend. Yes, it really does happen!

2. Seasonal Pumpkin Milk Shake from Jack-in-the-Box. Yay!! Yay, yay, yay, yay, yay! My gawd, this thing was good. An excellent surprise treat the husband brought home for me last night. If you like pumpkin pie at all, you'll probably like this thing.

3. Being busy at work. I could go both ways on this one. But, having deadlines always particularly stresses me out. So, even though having stuff to do makes the day go by quicker (in general), I think I have to say nay.

4. It being just barely cold enough to enjoy some chili that the husband is making tonight. Yay! I could still stand for it to drop a few degrees, but I'm always cold in the house anyway, so the chili will warm me up - make me all nice and toasty :)

TCU beat TX Tech

2006-09-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

(warning...Non-Texas folk may not give a flip about this post)

Yes, although this did happen almost 2 weeks ago, I am posting about it...even if only out of shock still from the fact that TCU was able to surpass Tech - a team who was scoring 60 points on opponents last season - and TCU managed to hold 'em to 3 points! 3 Points People. That is a large feat for TCU. Plus, the husband got pics downloaded, so I wanted to share :)

Pic of the final scores...woo hoo!

Me & the Husband enjoying what we both have now deemed "the best football game we've ever been to"...and neither of us even went to TCU - that's just how good the game was!

Now, I will admit...our joy at TCU beating Tech was diminished just a smidge when TCU lost to BYU last night (how could that happen dammit?) - BUT, I am still proud of them for what they accomplished, something so many other teams have been unable to do.

I knew I was seeing a gorgeous part of the Country

2006-09-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

Multnomah Falls, where I previously was last week, has been chosen as one of the top 10 spots to view some serious Fall Foliage. I knew my eyes weren't foolin' me with all the gorgeous sites they were beholdin'.

What's a girl to do?

2006-09-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

Goodie Day at work today for our September birthday folk, pot-luck luncheon tomorrow for a co-worker who's leaving us....how am I supposed to stick to anything resembling a diet?

Not. Feasibly. Possible. I tell ya' - it's just not. Oh well, least I have a few somewhat legitimate excuses :)

Snippets from My Trip

2006-09-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

1. We drove down this road:

and saw this:

2. We went here:

and saw this:

3. We followed these signs:

to view some big-ass Sturgeon fish

4. We saw many, many gorgeous flowers like these:

5. We sat in meetings, in rooms such as this:

6. We ate tons of yummy food like this:

at places such as this:

and this:

7. We went here:

since it was one of the few stores in walking distance opened past 10:00 p.m. (Plus, it's just a really cool book store).

8. We went to this bar numerous nights:

9. We (or actually, probably just me) took pictures like these:

in our hotel room each day, so our husbands and parents could see what we were wearing.

10. We (or again, maybe just me) were bored in our hotel rooms waiting for the next conference session to start, so we played around taking goofy pictures like this:

11.We saw awesome architecture such as this:

all throughout the city

12. We saw a gazillion geese such as these:

by the riverfront

We also did many, many more things such as ride the MAX lightrail system (very impressive), went to Bridgeport Brewery for a banquet, drank lots of scrumptious coffee....and basically, just had a fabulous time!

Ok, I want to move to Portland now

2006-09-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

It was that great. The city, the people, the weather, the surroundings...everything was wonderful. I've never seen anything like it.

More to come...but just know, I had an excellent time!

Portland's in my near future...

2006-09-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight the husband and I leave for our hometown to visit the folks and attend a big deal college football game tomorrow. Then Sunday, I leave for my Portland trip. These words sound foreign to me, even as I write them, because first off - I've never had a "my trip" before. It's always been "our trip". Regardless of who the "our" was, I've never traveled alone (minus heading to a destination where loved ones were waiting to pick me up when I was a much younger kiddo).

But now, I'm heading to Portland on a business trip. Hence the other area where it all sounds very foreign to me..."business trip"...what? Never traveled for work before. So, this should be an interesting experience all around. I'm a tad anxious about it, because, after all, that is my nature - to be anxious when dealing with the unknown. But I'm also excited. I've never been up to that region of the country - yet from all I've heard, it should be pretty spectacular.

I will be sure to bring stories and pictures back with my return...

A Loss of Friends

2006-09-14T08:54:00.000-07:00

Dammit, I just want someone to go get coffee with!

When I was growing up, I felt very content with the number of friends I had. Always enough around for a slumber party, to talk incessantly on the phone with, to walk around the mall for hours with - usually without ever buying anything, to pass notes in class with, to go to concerts with, to basically do whatever with. But now that I'm older, not only am I not friends with the large majority of those girls anymore (due to moving, growing apart, basically just life), but it also seems so much harder to make new friends. I hate that.

I mean, I love my husband more than anything, and he is without a doubt my best friend. But I know he would love it if I had a friend to go shop for hours at Kohl's with, a friend to watch chick flick movies with, a friend to basically do more girlie sorts of things with - rather than dragging him along. Stuff like that, I miss stuff like that.

I lost a few friends by stupid choices I made. But with the majority, we just kind of gradually stopped talking. My closest friends are still girls I grew up with, but there's only a couple of them now and they live 3 hours away. I have no siblings (except the in-laws...but again, they're sooo busy with their life), no relatives in close proximity, and the few girls at work who I hang out with from time to time are just at such different points in their lives. They're all single at this point (not by choice), a little bitter towards men right now, and generally, it seems, do not enjoy listening to me talk about the hubby or what our plans are, etc... (not that I'm one of those women who can only talk about my husband....but since he usually is the only one I do things with, it's a little hard to leave him out of the conversation. Plus, I really do like talking about him :)

I don't know.

What I do know is: I am so incredibly thankful for my husband. Thankful for the girls back home - one who is without a doubt, one of the best friends I could ever ask for. She knows me backward and forward and I know that no-one else could ever fill her shoes. And I am also thankful for my mom - through the years she has become one of my best friends as well, and I love doing anything and everything with her....but again, she lives 3 freaking hours away.

I could even see my mother-in-law and I becoming very close friends....but guess what? What's that you say...oh yeah, she's 3 hours away.

Maybe one-day when we have children and I meet all the other mommies in the area, or when our plan to move back to that spot that's 3 hours away comes to a head, my life will be full of friends again. Till then, I will keep dragging the husband along...and he will go, I know, because he loves me that much.

People are horrible

2006-09-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

I did not know much about the man. Never really watched his shows. But, from the little I do know, I can guarantee that if this is being done maliciously, it's the last thing Steve Irwin would have wanted.

Another reason why I hate work

2006-09-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

Flush the damn toilet ladies. I do not want to see anything you left behind.

Why does this seem so difficult for some?

Question

2006-09-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

What's the etiquette (if any) surrounding blogrolls? I was starting to create mine, but stopped once I started wondering if it's customary to get someone's permission before adding them? (just another case of my minor OCD shining through - I seem to possess a perpetual knack of finding things to worry about.)

I noticed a couple of people had added me to theirs (yay! so exciting :) and I wanted to get mine up and running. Don't want to offend or annoy anyone though...

So, I thought I'd ask...What do you do?

p.s. I'm simply flattered if someone adds me to their list. No need to ask here :)

Advice from my Mother-in-Law

2006-09-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

While commenting on another blogger's post today, I pulled out my journal from my lingerie party that each guest wrote their "secrets to a happy marriage" in. It makes for some good reading, let me tell ya' :)
I pulled it out though, to remember the advice my mother-in-law gave me. These were her exact words: "Remember, marriage is not a 50-50% relationship. It is 100-100% all the time. Also, your job is 24/7 and you don't get a vacation. However, if you follow this advice, you won't need a vacation."

I kind of interpret this advice to mean that if you make your marriage your number one priority, which to me means your spouse being your best friend, thinking of each other in all decisions you make, etc...then you won't really feel the need to take a break, or disengage yourself from your spouse. Hopefully. I don't know. We're still fairly new to this whole marriage thing and I like to hope that we're learning valuable lessons with each disagreement/issue we have.

I can tell you though, I know there are times I don't give 100%, and thankfully, during those times my husband seems to sort-of "make-up" for my lack of effort. I guess the key then is to make sure if one partner falls behind a little, the other takes up the slack. I love my husband for being so willing to do that, when it seems I have withdrawn inside myself. His patience makes our marriage stronger. Now, if I can only remember my mother-in-law's advice during those times I am feeling so despondent, maybe I can be the one to take up the slack sometimes!

It's all about Give and Take baby, Give and Take!

Good Times

2006-09-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well, our trip was absolutely wonderful. We walked Bourbon Street (although both the husband and myself preferred Royal over Bourbon - we were there during the Southern Decadence festival, so it was bumpin' all over); ate many, many beignets; bought lots of goodies; visited 2 antebellum plantations - one a part of the National Park System and the other a house in Vicksburg used as a Union hospital during the siege - supposedly the 3rd most haunted house in the United States); visited the "Barber of Natchez" house; went to lots of very moving, old cemeteries; gorged ourselves on tons of excellent food; and enjoyed spending all the time we could savoring one another, and the fact that we didn't have to be at work!

On a side note though, it was unbelievable how much of New Orleans still looks like Katrina just hit yesterday. It was one of the most powerful, and upsetting sites I think I've ever seen. Here's one of the photos we took:

And this is just one building out of hundreds and hundreds that looked so forsaken. It's all so mind-blowing really. I cannot even begin to fathom all the destruction in that city. Seeing the parts we saw just made me even more awe-struck, and I know we only saw a very small slice of it.

New Orleans, here we come!

2006-08-31T09:43:00.000-07:00

Well, it looks like we are finally going to make our New Orleans trip that not for the cunningness of Katrina would have happened a year ago. I fell in love with that city over 17 years ago when my Aunt & Uncle lived there...and I cannot wait to experience it as an adult.

After New Orleans, we will head a little north, to Natchez & Vicksburg. We have a week full of The Blues ahead of us (the blues in a good way, that is).

Devo wore their hats

2006-08-29T08:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, sweet Devo wore their hats. All was right with the world at that moment...when they came on stage in their yellow radiation suits and red energy dome hats.

Time stopped during that show and I was back at age 7, listening to my aunt's "Oh No, It's Devo" tape and feeling embarrassed whenever the song Speedracer came on because it had the word sex it. *Gasp* the word sex!

And remember when I was raving about Bloc Party a few posts ago? Well, let's just say Devo could out-rock Bloc Party any day (performance wise, at least). Their show last Friday night was beyond words.

Without a doubt, they still have it after all these years.

House Hunters Anyone?

2006-08-24T23:17:00.000-07:00

I could watch this show all the freaking time. And I really don't understand why. I don't know these people. I don't care about these people. And I certainly don't give rat's ass as to where they live. But this show fascinates me. If such a thing as a 24-hour House Hunters channel existed, it very well could cause my undoing.

Speaking of houses, we are almost done with our office/lounge renovation. After 3 months of my husband and his father working like dogs out in this heat, an end is in site. Thank gawd people, an. end. is. in. site!

Now, on to decorating...

Bloc Party Rocked

2006-08-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

So this is me and My Other before the Bloc Party concert we recently saw. Sweet, sweet Bloc Party. I highly recommend them. I think the show we saw may have been the last one on their current tour. But, if they ever come to your area......I would go if I were you!

Next on the concert list is When in Rome, The Psychedelic Furs and Devo tomorrow night. I hope, hope, hope Devo wears their awesome energy dome hats. They wouldn't be Devo without them!

Ok, Migraine Sufferers...

2006-08-23T11:24:00.000-07:00

Any of y'all out there? What in the world do you take to alleviate the pain? I have been on 5 different prescription meds for mine: Tylenol with Codeine (prescribed by my pediatrician when I was younger), Maxalt, Relpax, Immitrex, and the preventative Topamax.

Tylenol with Codeine may have helped a little when I was younger...but not so much now, no. Maxalt seemed to work too at first, but it's almost like my body got accustomed to it, and now it's like taking Advil. Relpax is decent...although it definitely does not do the trick every time. Topamax did help on the preventative side...but my OBGYN says I need to be off it for a good 6 months before we attempt to create any progeny, so that had to go by the wayside. Then there's Immitrex. Sweet Immitrex. It works like a dream (99.9% of the time), but the damn insurance company will only pay for 9 a month. NINE! What in the hell am I supposed to do with only 9 pills when thanks to the lovely humidity outside, I've had a headache almost every single day this month?! And since I only have 9, I'm quite stingy with them, so I don't take them "at the onset of pain" like the directions say. Oh no, I wait till the pain is mind-crushing...then I reluctantly part with one. I'm a hoarder with those pills. It's sad, really.

Trying again...

2006-08-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

So, the husband and I had a trip to New Orleans planned for last Labor Day weekend. Needless to say, that trip did not happen. We shall be attempting that trip once more come next week...don't know if that would be considered tempting fate or not...but dammit, we want to go to New Orleans!!

Wish us (and that wonderful city) good luck!

Yay or Nay?

2006-08-21T20:55:00.000-07:00

1. The relatively new series on USA - Psych. I say Yay. It's no where near as good as Monk, in my opinion. But, it's lighthearted, makes much more sense after seeing the series premiere (which I hadn't until about 3 episodes in) and just an easy to watch show when you just kind of want something on TV, but don't want to sit glued to the television every second.

P.S. the husband would definitely be a Nay on this one. He is not a fan. At All.

2. The new series on Fox - Vanished. I'm not sure on this one yet. Just watched the premiere tonight, and it looks like one of those where you can't miss much at all or you will quickly get confused (or just be plain lost). The format is supposed to be very similar to 24, but since I never got into that one, then I really can't say if I'll enjoy this type of show or not.

3. The Cowboys winning the first 2 pre-season games they've played. YAY! With or without T.O., it's a yay!

4. The Psychedelic Furs and Devo coming to San Antonio on Friday. This is a Yay all the way around!! Cannot wait to hear "Whip It" and "Pretty in Pink"! Woo Hoo!!

Update...

2006-08-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

Still bored. BUT, I have watered the outdoor plants, done laundry, semi-watched "Elvis Has Left the Buiding" - some weird Kim Basinger movie with Aiden from Sex & The City in it too, started writing in my Anniversary Journal, and am now watching "Under the Tuscan Sun" with Diane Lane. And I've eaten a lot also. Amazing to sit here and relish the fact that the man I love more than anything will come back home tomorrow and life will pick right back up where it left off. Thank God I have that man.

The Husband is Away

2006-08-19T16:39:00.000-07:00

And I am bored.

A Cat's Life

2006-08-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wish I could have a cat's life, lie around all day, not care how I look, sleep when I want, still get plenty of food, shelter and lots of lovin'. Oh, and not have to sit at a desk inside a freezing cold cubicle for 8 hours out of everyday!

p.s. Ashes gave her blessing for her photo to be used in this post, as she wants people to know what a great life she has. Although she doesn't think she's looking quite at her best...

Too. Much. Food.

2006-08-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

Why is it that when food is free, I feel as if I should eat a limitless amount. Like, if I don't eat enough then I didn't get my money's worth?? We were offered a "free" lunch today by some financial planning group...they do their spiel for 5 minutes, pay our check, we fill out our form with our name and number (this is why I say "free" - no such thing as a free lunch, right?) then they leave. It was actually very painless and the food was awesome. So, instead of stopping when I felt full, I ate. and ate. and ate. Now, I sit at my desk in bloated pain. Ugh. Why?

Hello World!

2006-08-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

In a jealous attmept at emulating all the great bloggers out there who I've become addicting to reading everday now, I decided to create my own little spot. We'll see how this goes....this whole new world.

What we do for love...(and other things :)

2006-08-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

So, this is me at Big Bend. Anyone who knows me at all, should be shocked by this image...shocked by the fact that I chose to hike up this mountain in JULY for heaven's sake. But, what they would not be shocked at was that I made the journey that day for my husband...because I love him that much.

All Things Considered....

Been away...

No more Tower Records

You know what I think is Insane?

Yay or Nay?

TCU beat TX Tech

I knew I was seeing a gorgeous part of the Country

What's a girl to do?

Snippets from My Trip

Ok, I want to move to Portland now

Portland's in my near future...

A Loss of Friends

People are horrible

Another reason why I hate work

Question

Advice from my Mother-in-Law

Good Times

New Orleans, here we come!

Devo wore their hats

House Hunters Anyone?

**Bloc Party Rocked**

Ok, Migraine Sufferers...

Trying again...

Yay or Nay?

Update...

The Husband is Away

A Cat's Life

Too. Much. Food.

Hello World!

What we do for love...(and other things :)

Bloc Party Rocked