Phenomal Cosmic Typing...Itty Bitty Post

    We're so close to 2011.  I had this long year in review post typed up.  It included several deeply personal and emotional stories of events that happened in 2010.  It's been a bit of a rough year, and I sort of let it all spill out.  In the end, though, I just couldn't make myself post it.  It was definitely cathartic to write it all out.  A few tears escaped down my cheeks in some parts.  I think it was such a relief to write it all because it helped me sort out my feelings about everything.  This has been a year of extremes.  I didn't think it was possible to feel both surrounded by love and completely alone in the same year.  I also didn't think it was possible to one day feel that the world was good, and the next day question my very understanding of life.  Sheer excitement and elation to sheer exhaustion, devastation and uncontrollable tears, this has been a year that I will never forget, for better or worse.  It did have the effect of bringing me with closer with people I have been missing from my life.  It also made crystal clear how dearly I value the people closest to me.  Mom and Dad, words can't express how much you mean to me.  I wouldn't be here without you.  You have made me the person I am today, and I wake everyday with the hope that I will continue to make you proud of the daughter you raised.  Extended family, who I have missed dearly, and have loved reconnecting with in recent years- I love you all so much and I am blessed to count you among family.  My dearest and nuttiest friends- you make my life GREAT!  I miss a lot of you every single day, and treasure every text, picture, and chat we get to share. 

I'm really looking forward to all 2011 has to offer.  I'm getting married!  I guess that means I should really start planning.  Here's to a GREAT year.  I know the universe has one stored in there.  :)

Here are some pics that I had in my original post-  bye bye!

This was taken when I still liked Shreveport.  That all changed after we watched the football equipment truck leave the stadium while we were still waiting for our Diamond Jack's shuttle.

"Well, today really is the day.  Will you marry me?....I love you!"

Snow Day Photo Shoot

We woke up this morning to a snow-covered downtown, with the wind blowing and the snow continuing to fall.  The temperature has hovered near single digits all day, but that didn't stop me from snapping some photos of the dogs playing in their favorite environment- a cold, snowy day.

I love them!

What I want....

Christmas in the form of presents isn't really going to be happening this year, what with Scott and I trying to save for the wedding, and trying to help my parents save for the wedding also, but that doesn't mean I can't make a list of what I want!  I was just surfing the interwebs today, and I thought "what would I want if I could have a huge Christmas?"  So here we go.

1. Mr. Coffee Frappe Maker

Does anyone have one of these? I got so excited when I saw it on a website, because I love frapps.  I've never been much of a hot coffee fan, and as such I am the one who gets stared at while ordering a frappucino when it's 4 degrees out. 

2. The iPad

Unlike some people, I've been on the Apple bandwagon for several years now.  While I was late to the iPod party, I've had one for quite a while, I'm typing this entry on a rundown, but still going strong white MacBook, and sure do heart my iPhone.  So, the next logical step is the iPad!

3. Guess Carrie Lee Stilettos

I'm a huge fan of pointy-toed stilettos, and I love shoes that are more fun than just your standard black or brown heels.  I saw these and loved them.  They're so shiny and fun.  They come in a few colors, including this pewter, gold, and purple sequined (that sounds even more fun). 

4. Guess Pharrout Boots

It wouldn't be winter without a new pair of boots!  

5. Coach Mia Signature Lurex Carryall

"I'm a serious young professional, but I'm not boring." That's what this bag says.  At least to me.  They had a few colors to choose from, and I'm not 100% sure what color I like best.

6. Volkswagen CC

 

I'm aware this item on my list is slightly out of the standard Christmas budget, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how much I like it.  Growing up, I always listed a Jetta as one of the things I wanted, on the off-chance I actually got one.  Then, one day, I bought my own.  I'm sure Jackie is making someone very happy now.  Anyway, I like this car because it's still a VW, but it's more practical for the person who's all grown up.  Plus, it comes in AWD, which can be fairly important here.

7. Rhinoplasty

 I don't know who this lady is, but her "before" nose looks a little like mine.  Mine is probably bigger and more bulbous head-on though.  Shout-out to my 4th grade friend Becky and my study-abroad classmate Aubrey for my two broken nose experiences.  Long story short, my nose isn't horrendous, but it would be nice to have completely clear airways.

So that's my little list.  Of course a Target gift card is always a good one.

In the holiday spirit...

I think it's safe to say it's officially Christmas time.  I started with the decorations a little before Thanksgiving, sneaking in a few things here and there so as not to overwhelm Scott.  He's one of the "no Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving" people (I'll admit, for the most part I am too).  So, I wasn't allowed to put up the tree and lights until after Thursday.  But, I did manage to sneak in the door wreath and garland outside, and some garland lining the banister up the stairs.

It's beginning to look (somewhat) like Christmas!  Pardon the quality, the lighting in the hallway doesn't provide for the best iPhone pics.

It wouldn't officially be Christmas time without an embarrassing childhood story.  That's right- they're back.

In 5th grade, I had just moved to Texas, and I was getting used to my new school and all my new friends.  I had already had a slightly embarrassing moment in which I was reading a passage in front of the entire class, and I pronounced the city of Lubbock "Loo-Bock" because being from New York, I had never heard of Lubbock.  Everyone in class started snickering and Mrs. Johnson, whom the pre-pubescent boys dubbed "the hot teacher", kindly corrected me as my face turned beet red.  Then came Christmas time.

During one of our homeroom classes, our teacher told us to use our creative time to draw a picture that represented what we like about the holiday season.  It could be anything, from the Christmas tree, to presents, to sledding, etc.  I decided I was going to draw a Nutcracker, because I liked the play and the music.  We all go about our business with the construction paper and crayons, and I got to work drawing my Nutcracker.  I'm pretty sure I drew a traditional looking Nutcracker- nothing special.  It probably didn't even look like a Nutcracker because I was 10 and not that artistic.  Anyway, I decided to add a caption at the bottom of my picture.  This caption would become the source of much teasing and would result in me having to cut the caption off the bottom of my picture before it could be stapled to the "Holiday Wall" in our classroom.  Keep in mind, I was a total innocent at age 10.  I didn't know any sexual innuendos or phrases.  So I thought nothing of my caption at the bottom of my poorly drawn Nutcracker:

"Crack that Nut!"

Yep.  In fairness to me, I thought, well, that's sort of his job, right?  I had no idea the implications of my little quote could range from actual holiday nutcrackers to a gentleman breaking his testicle(s).  Anyway, when we had to present our pictures and what they meant to us, I held mine up.  Before I could even start speaking, most of the class burst into uncontrollable giggles.  This got the attention of the teacher, who was only half paying attention.  I looked around the room at the people laughing and at first, I assumed they were laughing at my attempt to draw a nutcracker.  I was thinking to myself "well yea it's probably not great but WE'RE TEN!"  The teacher came up and pulled me aside as she instructed someone else to share his picture.  She asked me what I meant by my caption, and I said "well that's what nutcrackers do right? " She just smiled at me, aware of my clueless innocence, and told me that we should probably cut off the caption before I put the picture on the holiday wall.  The damage was already done though, because every stupid 10-year-old guy spent the rest of the school year making clever jokes about hiding their balls.  Looking back on it, how DID they know that my caption could be construed that way?  What are parents teaching their kids?!  Ridiculous.  

And so begins the holiday season!  Cheers!