Once Upon a Time

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

My Favorite Things

I think it is important to make note of our favorite things. If I were Oprah and gave out my favorite things, some of these items would be what you would get. What are some of your favorite things?

Skittles
Clarisonic Mia
Soniccare toothbrush
Grapefruit body wash and shampoo from Origins
Napoleon lipstick (Olympia)
Edamame
Silver hoop earrings (James Avery)
Calvin Klein black pumps
V8 Berry Splash
Pistachios nuts
Hot rollers
Plastic white hangers
Cookies and Cream
Brita water pitcher
Funky Socks
Stride Spark with B+6 B+12 Kinetic Fruit
Niven Morgan Gold hand cream
InStyler

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Jason's family was kind enough to extend me an invite to join them on this family trip to San Francisco, CA. My first thought was how incredibly sweet of them. Second, can Jason and I even go. Third, was my love for this city. I had the good fortune of visiting ole San Fran, with my child hood best friend back in 2005. I was there for two weeks for work, she came up to visit me and we made a vacation out of it. I had fallen in love and could not wait to go back.

Can you guess the picture that was taken in 2005 and then again 2012? Negh, I did not think so. Ha, it was great to be back.

We flew Virgin America and that airline has certainly grasped the new age of flying. They have purple LED lights throughout the plane. There is a digital flat screen on the back of each seat, just a few touches and you have order placed, and delivered. They were having a special promotion and we got to have free Wi-Fi and use the Google chrome notebook they were handing out. I found humor in watching the hesitation and caution in people at the terminal to go check one of the computers out when they used the "it is free" to promote. We learn quickly in life that nothing is ever free, but this really was. Everyone was settled on the aircraft, seats were comfy and a flawless flight to start the trip off with. Jason's nieces were 100% set with all this to keep them busy for the next three hours. Every parent wants air transportation like this when traveling with the little ones. We were good to go.

It always amazes me when you visit a city again and again and you did as much as you possible could the first time, but you go back to almost the exact same area and see how much you missed and get an entire new experience. This is the beauty in travel. I usually scan over my pictures and or credit card charges to figure out where all I went on a trip, however one of the biggest lessons I learned from this trip is that when you travel with family you are not exactly as in control as you may normally be. I know I do not have every place listed that we ate and visited, but this is the majority of the for a first time for sure.

Caffe Puccini - Little Italy -sidewalk with heaters, J was kind enough to take an hour to pick out for our last lunch, I wanted just the "right" place
Ghirardelli We went twice, once for shopping and looking - Second to get some sweets
Cellar 360 -Wine tasting in Ghirardelli square
Fishermen's Grotto #9 -Lunch with a view
California Academy of Science -Amazing
@ Far East Cafe -China Town
Buena Vista - Irish coffee's and delish lunch
Jacks Pub - making friends with fellow travelers
Fisherman's Warf - Finally got to see the famous Sea Lions
Alioto's waterside cafe - Our first stop for some much needed lunch and seafood
Trolley - got passes and rode them all over the city

The weather was beautiful definitely a lot cooler/windier than it was in October when my first visit occurred. I got a little glimpse of what family travel can be like. There is one thing you are guaranteed when traveling with Jason's family. That is that you will have some yummy food and that we did for sure. I am more in love with this place than I was before and cannot wait to go back and do more new things.

Monday, January 9, 2012

2011 was like Heaven

I don’t think I have ever felt as much peace with myself as I did chiming in to 2011. It truly was magical. Jason and I packed our bags left the city and headed to the lake house. We planned on spending the next 4 days, cooking, being lazy, putting a puzzle together, taking some walks, popping some fireworks and just have fun being together. This is exactly what we did. It was wonderful.

I read over my blog from 2010 before I started writing this one. I noted that my hopes for 2011 were to get a permanent job, to be more physically fit, to have that last little debt paid off, to be more involved in church (or at least going more regularly), to be active in my sorority alumnae group and to take a vacation like I never have.

I was overwhelmed with happiness when I realized how well I did. I got a permanent job; my first day was October 31^st with Worldwide Express. Jason and I joined a gym and work out at least 3 times a week if not 4. It was just this past Sunday that we walked 2.1 miles to get to Harry’s and 2.1 miles to get back home. It was great fun. I did not get that last bit of debt paid off, but that is only because I took a vacation like I never have and I am okay with this. At least I did not accrue more debt and have almost got the other paid off and will for sure have it gone in 2012. Jason and I did go to Church a lot more, we have been I guess you would say Church shopping. Looking for one that we both enjoy has been a bit of a challenge since we would prefer to just have one and go. Finding different ones that are close in distance, but represent our religion beliefs is important. We did however get a couple Angel’s off the tree this year and I was very happy about that. Not only was I more active in my sorority I was on a committee for Cookies and Castles at Scottish rite’s Children Hospital. I also joined a book club with the alumnae group. Costa Rica for the vacation was more than I could have ever imagined for. 2011 you were really good to me and I am so thankful for it.

The things that stand out to me the most about 2011 have been captured in a blog I am certain. I kind of figured out that I like to share monumental moments for me with everyone else. Therapeutic I think. However, if I did not read back and just went over the year in my head my highlights over all verses specific would be that we are always looking for new things to try, places to go and foods to eat. I am so happy we do this. I created a dining out club that we eat out some place new the first Friday of every month. I have built of a nice clientele of babysitting clients, enjoy it and think it will only grow to as much as I want it to. Donating 14 inches of my hair was a good deed for sure, but I hate it being short and I am not sure I would ever do it again. I do not regret doing it. Being more involved for Christmas. It was not bad at all. I got a Clarisonic for my face for my birthday and I am in love with it. I think every girl should have one.

On a personal note I have realized that my wants for happiness have changed a bit over the past year. I think it may have something to do with the beauty of that thing called age. Finding my best friend in Jason caused a lot less hardships on the friend o meter this year. Rather it was him or growing older I do not care I am just happy the drama is out of my life. I have a close and secure net of friends. I love them dearly and know how lucky I am to have them. There have been some friends from the past that have become better friends and that is exciting, but over all I have a happy medium and that makes me feel blessed.

For 2012 I pray to get that debt paid off, be in better shape, and have fewer vices, yard sale, to have found a church (or going to ONE more regularly) and to do a little more with my apartment. I always want for good health and love in my relationship as well. If 2012 gets any better than 2011 I cannot possible imagine what it must feel like. I smile with anticipation.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Meant to be

I love the fact rice krispey treats are yummy and easy to make. I saw this book that is full of nothing, but themed treats. I went to half price books to see if they had it and score for me. I was looking through it and thought these footballs would be cute to take to an SMU game sometime. After leaving half price books we went in to Central Market to get some groceries and as soon as we walked in the store to start our shopping I came across this football trey. It was meant to be. I had to make those snacks for the next game. The kiddos loved them and they were so easy to make. I did not use the peanut butter per the instructions. I was not sure how well it would really taste. I was proud of them and can not wait to make more things out of this book.

http://www.ricekrispies.com/#/Default

Thursday, December 8, 2011

"GFBF"

“Wine is part of the food chain it makes meals”

We had our first dinner club meeting and I think it went really well. It was Friday December 2, 2011 at The Egyptian Campisis in Dallas on Mockingbird Lane. The idea just kind of hit me out of nowhere one Sunday afternoon. I remember one of my friends telling me about something she is part of that is similar to this. Everyone had such a great time all hanging out at a concert we went to a few months back and kept on commenting about all getting together more often. It just so happen Jason and I were trying to get a dinner date on the calendar to go out with some friends that had never been to Campisis. Then we thought of other friends that we should invite because we had not seem them in awhile and well one thought led to another and here we are.

It is the First Friday of every month; we will go to different cities and invite everyone. Jason came up with the club name GFBF “Good Friends Better Food”. I thought it had a jingle and was witty enough. I felt a little corny calling it a club, but it is easy and that is what I wanted this to be. I originally emailed all my girl friends and said three strikes and you are kicked out. This means if you RSVP yes and then do not show up you will get a strike. It is so third grade and I love it. I do not want to make reservations for 10 and only have 3 show up. There is an evite that goes out that I use to inform everyone of our next location which I take from suggestions. I also use the invite to figure out how many people will attend, so I can make a proper reservation.

The next dinner is already on the calendar and everyone is looking forward to it. There will be some returning and some new faces. It will be interesting to see the success rate as time goes on. I hope people keep coming and inviting more. I think it is a great way to network. I found great joy in seeing people exchange numbers and becoming new face book friends.

Next outing will be to one of my all time favorite places in Arlington. Campo Verde this was Kyle’s idea and I think everyone is going to be pleasantly surprise with the atmosphere. This place rocks!

http://www.campoverde.us/

I will keep you posted on the progress. Please let me know if you are involved in something like this. I would love to hear suggestions and other ideas.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

My first autographed book

I wrote a post awhile back with the letter I had sent to Ms. Handler hoping she would sign and return the books. To my surprise the books were signed and she even picked up the extra postage. I could not believe it. It was like my birthday all over again. I made sure to stay true to my roots and like a good Ole Fashioned Southern girl I mailed her a thank you card and for the fun of it placed this picture in it. I figure Chelsea might appreciate some Texas made Vodka. I wonder who the lucky person will be that gets the second book. Maybe I will keep both of them for myself.

This is proof that you never know what you may get if you do not try for it.

Chelsea you rock!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

31

I must look back over the last year and see what I spent my grand year of 30 doing. It went by quickly, but I felt like I did a lot as well. I think this is a good sign, because I must have lived in the moment for some of it. I feel as though I have truly learned how to appreciate, want and need some alone time. It has taken me a long time to get to this point, but it sure does feel good.

The most important for me this year is that I GOT A JOB!!!! I spent 29 and 30 being either unemployed or in a temporary position. It was awful and I could not be more excited. I took Friday the 21st off and spent the day shopping, hanging with some old friends and going to Wills Point's homecoming football game.

Let me see what I can come up with before I go back and look at photos, read blogs or check calendars. I know that I got 14 inches cut off my hair and donated it. That felt good, but I really miss my long hair. Since then I have not colored my hair and for the first time since I do not know when find out what my natural hair color is. It has been a grueling process, but I think by next year I will be there. I joined a gym and got a two year membership. We have worked out a lot. I am ubber proud of us. I took my first cycling and zumba class. I got to travel a few times to some new places. Kemah, Houston, New Orleans, St. Louis and Costa Rica. I really kicked off babysitting on the side and made a few extra thousand dollars. I went to the Dallas Arboretum for my first time. I scratched a handful of things off of my bucket list. Like ziplinning, traveling to a a few remote locations and a few things I did not know that I would enjoy so much. Chocolate massages and swimming in Volcanic water. They would have been on the list for sure. I joined a few clubs and organizations that I have been wanting to do for some time now. I got rid of some stuff in a yard sale. I hope to get another one going next year. We made it to church a lot more than I have in the past few years

Okay, so let me look back on the calendar and see what stands out enough to be “blog” worthy. I found out I have “runner knee” and it has hindered me from being able to run more than two miles. It makes me very sad. I was getting involved in a lot of runs, we were doing fun runs, we did the St. patty’s day 5-K, the Katy Trail 5-K, the Warrior Dash 5-K and the Dublin Dr. Pepper. They were fun while they lasted until I wound up getting an MRI done on my knee cause the pain was too much. I think this is why I found myself in the gym. I managed to make it through almost all my close friends momunemtal turning 30 birthday’s. I have a couple that are a little younger, but for most of them it was our year. That seems enough for now.

I feel like I should also cover the things that did not go so well this year. The first one being the bad car accident my little brother was in. That same accident also shut what little communication I had with my immediate family off completely. The most devastating part of it all was the relationship between my little brother and I is no more. Sometimes I think when I can not be hardened anymore there is a something else to put me in my place. Jason’s bike and computer got stolen at my place. His computer, well he left the car door unlocked, but his bike they straight up sniped the cord and took it.

The things I am thankful for my health, no sickness so far. I am thankful for my friends, my boyfriend and my happiness in life. We know I am so thankful for my new job I can not even find words to describe it. I am thankful for being able to travel, life and my car. That may sound strange, but I see people walking, waiting for busses and riding bikes in the cold and I always think to myself how thankful I am for my car.

The things I hope for in 31. More church, working out, debt paid off, travel, success at work, organization involvement and happiness throughout.