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! 

I'm a bit behind.

My apologies to my five to tens of readers for my lack of posting lately.  November has been a busy time!  Lots of work, job hunting, the whole deal. 

I think I'm still in my Thanksgiving food coma.  I had THREE meals.  My parents came to town and Thursday afternoon we went to spend time with Scott's mom's side of the family.  That included a meal and snacks.  Then Thursday evening we went to Scott's dad and step-mom Diane's house for more sophisticated fare and what ended up being a classier version of a college party considering pretty much everyone got drunk.  It's better when you're getting toasty on wine and aged scotch over Keystone Light and Burnett Vodka right?  Anyway, it was a delightful evening that not all remember.  I was focused on the Aggie game so I managed to avoid most of the post-dinner alcohol.  Probably good for me since it seems to take me longer than most to get over an evening of drinking.  :) 

Then, Friday, amidst the backdrop of the ridiculously loud music and yelling from the d-bags next door, we had our small family Thanksgiving.  Speaking of, if the guys next door don't STFU, I'm going to lose it.  They've been here for two weeks and I already want to move.  I loved my loft until they moved in.  Hopefully we can work it out. 

Let's see, what has happened in the past month.  Cherry ate some stuff.  I bet you're shocked. 

She ate a lint-roller that day.  She tried to hide the remains of the lint-roller under the couch, but she neglected to take care of the sheets of sticky paper that were clinging to her legs.  Cherry fail.

Cherry also managed to run into a restaurant one night.  The bottom floor of our building is also a restaurant (Lucas Park Grille for those who care).  The door to Lucas Park Grille faces Washington Ave., and the door to our building faces the courtyard on 13th St., right around the corner.  But, the restaurant has a back door that opens into our lobby/elevator area.  The door is usually used by servers who prop it open while they run in to get a snack at the vending machine in our lobby.  Well that was happening one night when I came back in with the dogs.  I wasn't holding their leashes very tightly because it was a Thursday night around 10:45pm so I didn't think there would be much to worry about.  As we rounded the corner in the lobby to go to the elevator, a server walked out and propped the door open while he got a snack.  When he walked back, the door opened, and I guess Cherry saw that as her opportunity because she took off running towards the open door before I could stop her.  She ran into the restaurant and was greeting the servers in the back room by the time I got in there.  Awkward.  She's just a mess.

So Simple.

Anyway, there really hasn't been much else exciting me for these days.  I love that it's finally the holiday season.  The tree and lights are up!  I'll try to post pictures soon.  In the meantime, I'm off to surf the interwebs. 

My Beautiful Family

Check out this sweet pic of my dad, aunts, and uncles at my cousin Amy's wedding. 

Isn't it such a cool picture?  From right to left it's my dad (many of you know him as Chigger Chiggerito, and odds are he's 'liked' something on your Facebook- love you Dad!) ;), Aunt Diana, Uncle Gary, Aunt Barb, Aunt Andrea, and Uncle Jim.  The fam has been through quite a bit this year, so I'm really glad they all got to spend time together for a HAPPY reason.  I wish I could have been there and I hope we can have a little reunion next year when I get married.

Anyhoo, that's all I have to say.  Have a good night everyone!

Simple Cherry

Well I am back, and it's time for another rousing episode of Simple Cherry.

Truman had his vet appointment about a month ago, and last week was Cherry's turn.  Cherry must have known she was going to be subjected to an anal thermometer and a shot in her nostril because she decided to celebrate by eating a lamp and scattering hundreds of little craft popsicle sticks from the craft drawer all over the floor.  Good times for me to clean up.  I decided to worry about it later and we take off down the street to the vet.  The vet adventure started with Cherry knocking over a container of dog bones for sale as soon as we walked in the door.  The vet we go to is also a doggy daycare, groomer, and boutique, so she loves to see what kind of mess she can get into.  We got into the exam room, and I also had Truman with me because he was getting his ears checked.  So they started having a good time, and Cherry knocked over one of the dog skeleton jaws. Oops.  She then started eating it.  Never a dull moment.  Long story short, they're both completely healthy, and Truman even lost a pound!  If I was only 5 lbs away from my goal weight I'd cry with joy, but for him it's a crisis. 

Anyway, we start out for home and I decided to take them down a different street so we could stop off in the grassy patch for a quick pee break before I went back to work.  I get to the intersection, and even though I don't have a walk sign, there aren't any cars in the street and the nearest cars are several blocks down, so I figured I'd have time to cross before they got to us.  Well, I would have had plenty of time, but Cherry decided she couldn't wait to get to the grassy patch, and she drops her proverbial pants in the MIDDLE OF THE ROAD and just starts peeing.  Truman kept walking so I start getting pulled in two different directions.  I try tugging on Cherry's leash but she is dead set on emptying her entire bladder in the middle of the road at Locust and Tucker.  I'm not sure what she drank all morning, or if lamps have the magical power to turn into bladder liquid, but she was literally peeing GALLONS in the road, and nothing I was doing was going to make her start walking again.  About halfway through, all the cars that were tiny little fly-size specks down the street are now stopped at their green light watching my dog pee everywhere.  I was beyond mortified.  I tried waving like "ha isn't this funny" but the general consensus among the stopped cars was that no, it wasn't funny at all.  Their faces were a mix of disgust, exasperation, and flat out anger.  I guess I know what it's like to be trying to get places, but maybe I'm just such a dog lover because while in the midst of all this I just started laughing.  How can you not laugh?  Maybe you can't, but I did.  Sorry to all the drivers that were privy to my dog's potty habits. 


So, that was that.  And now I'm off.  Please treasure this post.  I know I will.