Losing my way with words

We Moved!

2011-08-03T14:33:00.000-05:00

New Blog:
www.marriedwithsimmons.tumbler.com

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T14:58:00.001-06:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

1/04/10

2010-01-12T13:21:00.001-06:00

Good grief!

2010-01-04T12:16:00.003-06:00

My downstairs neighbors are gone... again. This time they've left their bedroom tv on full-blast volume in an attempt to thwart any burglars from ransacking their painting supplies/canvas-filled condo, but really it's only hindering my sleeping patterns.
I go to sleep hearing loud muffled voices. awesome.
I'm stuck in a Charlie Brown special listening to the teacher give instruction. awesome-er.
The only upside... I still have the key to their place from my petsitting days. I might just have to break in and turn the volume down myself. sssshhhh. it's our little secret.

seasonal entertainment

2009-12-21T00:05:00.001-06:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Best of... running shoes

2009-12-13T23:39:00.003-06:00

It only took me half a year to add a second edition, but, in case you are in need of a new pair of running shoes AND also have a pesky tendency to overpronate, here you go...
Saucony Hurricane 11

Look for discounts online.

Camera1, camera2

2009-11-06T00:52:00.003-06:00

While in Jackson Hole, we desperately wanted a pic with the "welcome to Jackson, Wyoming" sign.
Julie and I carefully set up my camera timer and framed the photo. I hit the trigger, giving us ten seconds to sprint into place next to Ang and Jill. I went the the left and Julie to the right, and well, let's just say Julie took the unstable, bumpy side.

Fortunately, Julie was ok, and fortunately we got a perfectly timed photo of the fall.

Just note that Jill was actually the only one lending a hand.
I can't make this stuff up folks...

The Office

2009-10-16T14:19:00.002-05:00

Darryl: Well see. In the gang world, we use something called fluffy fingers.
Michael: What's that?
Darryl: That's where somebody really gets up in your face, you just start tickling him.
Michael: Really?
Darryl: Yeah. And then he starts tickling you, and pretty soon you laughing and hugging... 'fore you know it, you've forgotten the whole thing, and you all can just go to church and get an ice cream cone.

Swine Season

2009-10-14T17:47:00.002-05:00

Seeing as TCH is covered in swine flu, and I've had my fair share of unmasked exposure. I thought I'd just quickly look up the incubation period today on the internet... so my hypochondriac tendencies could kick in to full force.

I began my google search by typing, "how long does it take to get...", and the suggestions of what I was searching turned into quite the entertainment fest.

The following popped up:
How long does it take...
...to get pregnant
...to boil an egg
...to get a six pack
...to get weed out of your system
...to get to the moon
...to walk a mile
...to digest food
...to grow hair
...to get to mars
...to get abs

Try it sometime if you're bored.
oh and the inc. period is anywhere from 1 to 7 days.

Last Friday night

2009-08-30T15:51:00.003-05:00

Have yourself...

2009-08-26T21:23:00.001-05:00

Is it too early for Christmas music yet?
Bebo's Christmas album keeps popping up on my shuffle... love it!

Reunited

2009-07-28T15:14:00.003-05:00

Our apartment has rekindled our love for Pee Wee's Big Adventure. If you haven't watched it in a while, you should. In all its ridiculousness, each random line is hilarious. One of my roommates made me a Mr. Breakfast in homage to our new favorite movie. Here he is...

Slept wrong

2009-07-15T11:53:00.002-05:00

Dear neck pain,
I don't recall inviting you to hang out with me today. How rude to arrive unannounced! Please show yourself out, you unwelcome guest... not that I could actually turn my head in the direction of the door to watch you leave.

Indoor/ outdoor party

2009-07-06T12:26:00.004-05:00

Last Thursday night, I returned home from MetroLIVE to a stinkin' hot apartment-- 82 degrees and climbing. Our AC was officially broken less than 24 hours prior to Jill's Surprise Bday party... hosted by our apartment.

Considering most businesses were taking Friday as their independence day, i quickly went into panic mode. To top it off, I was working Friday... that doesn't make for a speedy ac repair.
Graciously, Angela agreed to sit in the sweltering heat stalking the hallmark air conditioning repairmen via the phone. The AC was fixed by 2pm and making a triumphant descent from 87 degrees before the big party.

We ran into a few problems along the way though...
an indoor grill puts off a LOT of heat.
having 15ish people in an apt. puts off a lot of heat.
just having lights on creates a lot of heat.

The party went off successfully... no fires, no major spills, and one super surprised bday girl!

Here are a few fun pics...Jill so surprised!!cooking figuratively and literally. I'm not a very serious person in case you can't tell

oops!

2009-07-06T12:23:00.002-05:00

Poor hurricane:(

upgrade

2009-07-01T12:14:00.002-05:00

I have officially upgraded to a blackberry. I have a month of internet access just to get the rebate (very sneaky T-Mobile), and I'm not sure I like being so available.
I used to get so excited when I got a text message... now I'm bracing myself for an email notification letting me know there's a sale at the apple store... not so exciting.

I apologize if you find yourself betrayed by this post... I guess I feel like I'm on technology overload. I do, however, LOVE the new keypad and personalized ringtone.

Which brings me to things that drive me crazy.... instrumental ringtones that emulate real songs.
The other day at work a parent's phone rang to the tune of Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl." It's a cute song, but all the while you wish the phone was playing the real thing.

Once again, this is just an opinion. If you love monotone ghetto ring tones, more power to ya.

I don't Get IT!

2009-06-30T23:34:00.003-05:00

You're probably going to think I'm crazy by blogging about this pesky non-issue, but I don't get why I have not been summoned for jury duty in almost 5 years.

I was summoned (who says that) while I was in nursing school (exempt), and haven't heard a peep from the City of Houston since. Voter's registration... current. Driver's License... current.

It's SO weird. My roommate has had to report twice in the last couple years... even my brother went last week. Have I been excluded from civil/criminal justice indefinitely??

My chances of ever reenacting this scene are becoming less and less likely...

Savior I come, Quiet my Soul...

2009-06-25T23:18:00.002-05:00

Crazy week.

Lord, calm this anxious heart!

Psalm 62:5-8
⁵My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
⁶He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
⁷On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
⁸Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.

no comment

2009-06-20T23:52:00.000-05:00

My nightguard's gonna get it tonight...

Don't let the Bedbugs bite...

2009-04-14T15:02:00.004-05:00

By the looks of this article, it seems that bedbugs are making a comeback. This is a subject very near and dear to my heart thanks to the first mattress I encountered at Texas A&M's Mosher Hall.

Since the beginning of my freshman fall semester, I had seen little bugs around my dorm bed/room (not a lot, just a few) which I thought were coming in through the window... I lived on the ground level. Finally, after finding numerous chewed holes in my sheets near the foot of my bed, I found (insert dry heave here) the little guys' source. Thankfully, they were not bedbugs, and I never, to my knowledge, had been bitten by anything. It took me, however, til Thanksgiving break week to figure out where they were coming from.

sick me out...

And how convenient is it that I stumbled across this article two days before I travel to Nashville??... where I will be sleeping in a hotel bed. Expect pictures of me inspecting my bed before slumber.

Sleep with one eye open. (I initially typed "I" instead of "eye" BTW) genius.

Best of...

2009-03-20T14:09:00.003-05:00

I've decided to post a series dedicated to some of my favorite products... some of them you may see every time you go to the store and wonder if they really are worth the extra change... I assure you... they are:)

This week's endorsement:
Dental Floss ...

My plate: the reason this blog isn't posted on more frequently

2009-03-19T14:56:00.005-05:00

Texas Children's

Houston's First Baptist

Arbonne

running... and feeling really slow

Houston's First Baptist Youth:)

Weddings... and baby showers coming soon

as of late I should probably add:

watching fox news

I'll try to work in blogging

My Portion: the Lord :)

(Lamentations 3:24)

It was my twin

2009-03-12T20:58:00.004-05:00

We have an abundance of new nurses at work, all in orientation phase. I keep hearing about this new nurse whom everyone is mistaking for me. My coworkers have been telling me stories about how they will walk up to her and attempt to continue conversations originally started with me, only to have an awkwardly abrupt end to the conversation...

After hearing so much about this mystery twin, I finally met her on Tuesday, and they were so right. We part our hair on the same side, are about the same height, same color hair... it's crazy...

Ladies and gentlemen, I have found my twin. I'm trying to figure out how to take a picture without freaking her out... stay tuned...

So are the days of our lives...

2009-02-25T22:36:00.003-06:00

Remember the cat I was taking care of last summer... indefinitely?

Quick little update...
He starting urinating excessively, and I ended up taking him to the vet (i know this story is crazy).
He had diabetes... and promptly after the neighbor returned (and left again), I found myself taking care of him... only this time, my duties involved insulin shots and iron meds.

I haven't taken care of this cat since November and received a note from the owner last week.

Within the letter:

"As you know Marmie passed away in December..."

(insert brakes sound here)

Hold the phone...
"as you know..."???
when would I have known if you hadn't ever told me in person or handwritten it to me ?
which led me to this thought process...
was I supposed to be watching him when he died?
did he pass away the day she came home, and she just assumed I left him there for her to deal with?
this is so messed up!
The cat is still a burden and not even alive anymore!

I can't believe i just blogged about this...

10 Honest things

2009-01-28T21:27:00.005-06:00

Not the most exciting of blog postings... but I'm just relieved I don't have to come up with 25.

and might i just add... Congress was able to pass an 800 billion dollar stimulus bill faster than I could come up with 10 honest things about myself... shady...

1. I'm selectively grossed out by feet. Sometimes I can't stand them, and sometimes I'm totally unaffected.

2. I strongly dislike olives. They are always hiding in things and always catch me off-guard... kind of like roaches... yeah, that's right... I just equated olives with roaches, jealous??

3. I'm trying to marry off my roommates.

4. I wish more people would watch Friday Night Lights... NBC Friday nights.

5. I try to avoid overhead lighting. My bedroom light hasn't worked for 4 years, and I haven't missed it one bit... also the reason some of my clothing doesn't quite match.

6. I don't have a washer/dryer in my apartment.

7. I named my laptop "mighty B." I name inanimate objects.

8. Words with too many P's freak me out.

9. Since college, I've had increasing trouble with motion sickness. not fun.

10. I was thisclose to choosing Rice over Texas A&M.

11. PS... guess what happened to the one-armed fairy (see previous blog)

finally legal:)

2009-01-25T18:31:00.001-06:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

SNL Digital Short - Orchestral Doogie Howser

2009-01-13T13:24:00.001-06:00

for as long as nbc lets this stay on youtube...

IOU

2009-01-11T22:00:00.000-06:00

I'll blog sometime this week. I promise!

words to live by

2008-12-22T00:26:00.003-06:00

I need to be reminded of this verse everyone once in a while...OK more like everyday... It's framed and in my closet. what a great reminder it is of where our salvation is found.
Hallelujah... Thank you Jesus!

"Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation." Psalm 146:3

Courtesy of Colin Bates and his facebook status

2008-12-11T23:26:00.001-06:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

ruh roh

2008-12-11T21:59:00.003-06:00

I'm sitting next to a pile of opened/discarded chocolate wrappers...
maybe the only reason I brave freezing weather to workout this time of year.

in case you haven't heard...

2008-12-10T21:38:00.001-06:00

me: oh my goodness! taylor hanson and wife just had baby no. 4!
Ang: is that someone you know from highschool?
me: no I'm on people.com

Drama

2008-12-05T23:13:00.000-06:00

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Apparently-the-Big-12-South-will-be-decided-by-a?urn=ncaaf,126902

Black Friday

2008-11-29T17:08:00.001-06:00

Dear Economy,

You're welcome.

Love,
Steph

beyond disgusting...

2008-11-22T09:05:00.003-06:00

I don't know if I made the point clear enough with my last blog posting about this, but I really can't handle roaches...
last night at 3:22am, one huge one flew into my face. Unknowingly and sleepily, I swatted it away at which he hit one of my shams and fell back behind my bed. oh you can bet I woke up pretty quickly when I heard that signature wing flapping noise.
I just about died.
then I literally had to stand next to my bed and wait for him to show up so I could end his life.
I can't fall asleep with a live roach on the loose! are you kidding me?!
Took a few minutes and he finally ran out towards me (why do they do that... jerks!!!).
I "killed" him three times with my shoe and then definitely killed him two more times.
Now he's just there on my carpet, and I'm waiting for Mitzi to wake up and escort him to the trash can. I've been through too much... I don't have the strength to deal with that crunchy noise.
oh sweet! she's awake... BYE!!

so funny

2008-11-10T15:17:00.001-06:00

Got a little update for ya ags!

2008-11-09T23:41:00.005-06:00

So my neighbor did eventually return home... It just happened to be a few days after I took the cat to the vet for excessive urination and weightloss. I wish I was making this up:P.
Turns out the cat has diabetes... and now needs insulin shots daily.

I once again took care of the cat just this past week (can you say sucker, folks?), and I had this little gem of a figurine waiting for me before my cat-sitting duties commenced...

At first glance, you might think, "how interesting? She's a fairy mermaid... you just don't see those around anymore. I think I saw one on Antique Road Show last month."
Then upon second look, you notice her missing appendage.
She's been in a boating accident of some sort-- my aquamarine trinket only has five fingers!!
I don't know what to do with this... but I was dying to show her off to you.
Bids start at $5.

Under the weather

2008-11-04T13:05:00.003-06:00

I'm sick again...
I haven't really posted since before my Italy trip, which was amazing might I add. The reason being, however, that I got sick on day 2 of the trip and was still recovering like 2 weeks after. Now as of Sunday night, I'm sick again.
So I'd like to dedicate this blog posting to a letter to my immune system.

Dear immune system,

I realize you like to remind me of how weak you are lately, and I'm sorry for taking you for granted for about 95% of the year, but MAN UP!
Why so needy for attention now?
You're better than this. You've been through worse before.

I just got a flu shot for you, do your part!
On second thought, is this payback for getting the flu shot?
You have a week-- no make that 2 days-- to redeem yourself to your former hotshot status...
or else I'm calling for a doctor's appt.
love,
your dissatisfied host

and I'm the biggest dork on the planet

Something strange in the neighborhood...

2008-10-10T17:03:00.004-05:00

My reliant energy bill was $33.22 this month.
I'm speechless... and almost 100% sure this is inaccurate.

Upon further investigation, the back of my bill says the following:

"Please be aware that due to Hurricane Ike CenterPoint Energy customers will likely receive an estimated invoice this month. If the estimated amount is found to be different from what you used, the under or over billing for the estimated period will be corrected with the next actual reading obtained by the Transmission and Distribution Service Provider."

Translation:
We've been so busy clearing tree limbs off power lines and avoiding electrocution that we couldn't send anyone out to check your meter. We basically chose a number between 1 and 100.
Your next bill might cause heart palpitations and/or induce nausea/vomiting.
It will probably be the largest sum of money you've ever paid us in the history of payments.
You might even want to think about selling a kidney on Craig's List... just a suggestion.
Unless you're still reading this by candlelight, then you really do only owe us $33.22 :P

Two truths & a Lie

2008-10-09T13:01:00.002-05:00

In preparation for the Italy mission trip, why not devote a blog posting to ice breaker practice?...

There is a pirate pinata sitting in my living room. We refer to him as Captain Jack or cappy.
I've had a bug trapped under an overturned cup in my bathroom for a little over a week.
I've been watching "under the Tuscan Sun" nonstop to get myself pumped up.

I wish the lie was the middle one... I'm so grossed out by bugs.
Oh, and I can't even make it through the first five minutes of that movie let alone keep it on repeat in my dvd player.

My fave moment...

2008-10-02T21:57:00.003-05:00

Bosniacs

I'm so excited ...

2008-09-28T14:12:00.003-05:00

I know it's a little premature, but I'm so excited about Austin's Trail of Lights at Zilker park.
Mark your calendars... that is not a request...
December 13th!

Damage Control...

2008-09-17T12:18:00.008-05:00

Back corner of my mom's house had a little tree-age in the laundry room and on the roof... MINOR damage, though, which we are incredibly thankful for. Tree landed on the power lines to the house as well, but I am happy to inform the blogosphere that she does have power today... downed lines and all.

Out of control

2008-09-10T09:38:00.003-05:00

I'm running out of circulating passwords.
For years, I've used a genius set of words for email or bank passwords, but now that I have a work email pw, log-on pw, and omnicell pw, I'm finding that my job is stifling my brilliance in the "recycling," if you will, of my pws. I can't reuse the old ones... even from a few rounds before... Blast!
I have too many combinations to keep track of now.
It's not so easy to just "retire" the unusable ones. I have a pw graveyard swimming around in my brain...

my next option is to use sections of the longest word in the dictionary.
Is it still antidisestablishmentarianism?

Are you ready for this?

2008-08-21T17:55:00.001-05:00

Check this out...

2008-08-13T09:57:00.002-05:00

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,402483,00.html

so you think you can dance...

2008-08-07T12:36:00.003-05:00

My brother sent me this footage early this morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYgrPBrte1I

What was he doing searching for me on YouTube?

quite the hallmark moment

2008-08-04T09:24:00.003-05:00

Got a little visit from the hallmark ac co. fairy this morning for the 15 point inspection.
Translation: I've prepaid for some "expert" to come out and tell me something expensive is wrong with my ac unit.

Here's a bit of the sparkling conversation:
ac man: "do you normally keep it on 60 degrees?"
me: "what! no, is it on 60 degrees? "
ac man: "yeah, oh I must have bumped it to 60."
me (internally): do i look like i keep it on 60 degrees? do you see me bundled up in multiple blankets? yes, I keep it on 60 degrees and pay a ridiculous electric bill every month.

diagnosis time...
ac man: "so your evaporator coil has a leak it... it'll probably cost you around twenty-hundred something dollars"
me: "you mean two thousand dollars?"
me (internally): twenty-hundred? who says that.

Ridiculous

2008-07-29T12:19:00.006-05:00

I have been taking care of my neighbor's cat since the end of March...yes, March. A few days before my neighbor departed for her stint as an artist on Celebrity X cruises, she briefly left me a note that she would be leaving for 100 days. (only a few days before! wouldn't you need a little bit more warning than that?)

Assumption: you will be taking care of my cat while I'm gone.

You won't be going out of town for the summer.

You will be available to help me for a third of the calendar year...

Where the heck is my neighbor?

Any idea of when she will return has been thrown out the window.

My petsitter responsibilities have extended way beyond my 100 days at this point.
I don't know whether to file a missing person's report or put the cat up for adoption.

Anybody want a peanut?

2008-07-26T22:36:00.002-05:00

I mini-vacationed to the Frio River last weekend with the Barkers.
Our first full day there, each of the women (four total) found peanuts (both shelled and unshelled) in our bags (five bags total).
The culprits... mice (well, really one mouse that we saw).
He hit the storage jackpot... four women who overpacked for a weekend trip.

ok computer

2008-07-15T15:10:00.002-05:00

I said goodbye to an old friend last week... my pc took her last breath on the way to get her data backed up at Uncle Stan's office.
I had no idea she wouldn't even survive the ride over there, though.
She was unresescitatable.
Not one problem powering on and off for four years until she hears I'm replacing her with a younger model... a mac.

RIP dell.

Roach shock

2008-06-30T23:44:00.005-05:00

Since I have a disgusting theme going with my postings, I inevitably must bring up roaches.

I just killed one in my shower tonight.
I also came pretty close to dry heaving in my shower tonight.
No, no I wasn't using it at the time thankfully.

What is it about killing roaches... or just roaches in general???
I have a physical reaction to these things...
so much so that I can't believe I don't live every moment in fear of my next encounter with one.

I repeatedly block out the emotional trauma post-slaughter.
It's like women forgetting labor pains in between popping out kids...

If you're gonna spew, spew into this...

2008-06-24T22:12:00.002-05:00

I got puked on today... sick me out.

Under construction...

2008-06-12T18:43:00.003-05:00

Pardon the interruption in aesthetically pleasing blog postings folks. I'm sick of my template and am in limbo on what to select... feel free to leave suggestions.

Meet Charles...

2008-06-12T18:16:00.004-05:00

Turning 26 did have it's perks.
My mother introduced me to Charles.
She thought we'd get along nicely, and although I was skeptical at first, she was so right.
Charles has changed my morning routine forever.
In less than a minute, he can whip up a piping hot cup of gourmet coffee... or tea when you feel like it... or hot cocoa when the emotional breakdown warrants it.

Wait for it... wait for it...

2008-06-10T16:09:00.004-05:00

Our apartment is lacking hot water again. Nothing like waking up to find the temperature of your water unable to rise above 75 degrees. We've been having trouble ever since this everlasting construction project started on our street.
To freshen up before the astros game or not to freshen up... that is the question...

Who knew David Hasselhoff broke into the hot water bottle industry!

Some I-10 Inspiration

2008-05-24T13:05:00.001-05:00

Caught this treasure of a pic on the way back from Abby's shower.

your mom! ... I mean, my mom!

2008-05-18T00:57:00.002-05:00

This handy little gadget was my mother's day gift to the woman who brought me into this world. I got her a purple one (not pictured).

She loves it.

She now refers to walking as "shuffling" and makes this ridiculous shuffle impression on her tile floor. I was only in her presence for about half an hour, and she managed to include 4 cheesy "shuffle" references into conversation/ movements about the house.

Her text to me tonight :

"Shuffling to Harry Connick Jr."

Me:

"Um, I didn't have him on there"

Mom:

"It sure sounds like him"

I've created a monster.

enjoy...

2008-05-09T00:55:00.000-05:00

random memory...

2008-05-04T14:46:00.008-05:00

In fourth grade, our class had an assignment to create a costume representing a character/ theme from a book or maybe we were studying the Alamo (i can't remember)... basically, it was a fancy teacher's alternative to reading 22 poorly written essays.

I do remember, however, going as Davy Crockett. My dad made a "coon-skin" cap out of paper grocery sacks. It was awesome, and I did none of it...

well I finished coloring the already-traced fur patterns.

When I brought the "masterpiece" to school, my teacher just gazed at it. In awe and in comparison to all the other projects, she proclaimed mine was the kind of costume she was looking for.

Oh you know you all had that certain project you "worked" on...

Anyway, my mom has an Alamo coffee table book that mocks me with this memory everytime I pass it. And now I pass it on to you...

Pleasantly Surprised

2008-04-04T13:27:00.002-05:00

I'm not a huge Bethany enthusiast,

... and I must say it did take me a while to get over her statutory engagement to Shane,

... but this cd is worth downloading.

The Office

2008-03-31T13:33:00.002-05:00

Super awkward convo at work this weekend...

Saturday, I was partially interrogated as to why I wasn't married, engaged, or dating anyone. The entire conversation was in a hallway and might as well have been projected on loud speaker.
I love Jesus, and I'm picky... to the world that might seem like a harsh combo.

No doubt this will not be my last "office" edition.

XOXO,
the spinster in training

Jesus is ALIVE!

2008-03-27T01:35:00.001-05:00

Find five minutes to listen to this song today... or tomorrow

oh my gross

2008-03-26T23:29:00.002-05:00

We had another infestation, thankfully not of roaches (insert dry heave here), but none the less bugs were found where they shouldn't be.

I won't be too graphic because I'd still like people to feel safe at our apartment, but I ended up filling two trash bags full of poor contaminated food. If it even looked contaminated, it went to the trash.

On a cleaner note, I picked up some Method sweeping cloths today. They're similar to swiffers and maybe not quite as amazing, but they get the job done. The great advantage.... They're compostable!!! Derived from 100% corn. So exciting! now if only I had a compost pile....

ok... I'm hitting "publish post" and then taking 2 or 3 showers...

MI: myspace

2008-03-17T14:21:00.002-05:00

The usage of my neo account at TAMU for things just post graduation is proving to be a really bad decision on my part.
Reason being, my email account has since expired... completely inaccessible for useful things such as trying to cancel your myspace account. The confirmation "cancel" email is sent to neo. Blast!

I think my myspace profile will outlive me.

really?

2008-03-06T15:11:00.002-06:00

I've finished Captivating by John & Staci Eldredge.

Last night I hit p. 159 which leads me to the question:

Do women really get their husbands to pee sitting down?

Just wondering...

Monday

2008-03-04T23:23:00.005-06:00

Monday was a super fun day to be at the apartment.

The construction had commenced, resembling what I can only liken to bombs going off every 10-20 seconds. The machine that makes polka-dots on the concrete by pounding into the pavement had a field day.
Our apartment shook so much I think it just started swaying back and forth...
I wish I was kidding.

Had we not done such a stellar job of hanging decor on our walls, pictures/plates would be missing from their rightful positions.

Yes, sound equalled annoying... but the shaking truly "rattled" the nerves of not only me, but also Miss Ashley.

She was THISCLOSE to pulling a "2 weeks notice" and shutting down the operation.
I, on the other hand, fled to Starbucks as soon as our driveway was unblocked. Does Starbuck's count as a coping mechanism?

I'll leave you with the visual of Ashley lying in front of a bulldozer-- "we will prevail!"

oh and I'm going to keep blogging about this until Abby feels bad for me. :P

Under Construction

2008-03-02T15:14:00.004-06:00

Sometime like 1 week or so ago, pink decorative spray paint appeared all over Gaylord, the street I live on, literally like 20 feet away live on...

The paint, although I do love pink, said phrases like "saw cut" with big dramatic arrows pointing to concrete seams.

Oh wait, it gets better.

Last Friday, the giant orange barrels appeared in the grass across the street like football players watching from the sidelines.

The barrels are taunting us.

Still gets even better...

At one end of the street the sign "Road closed to thru traffic" with a suggested detour route...

the other end of the street... "20 MPH one way traffic" ...

awesome.

Under the weather

2008-02-20T11:36:00.003-06:00

Pardon my absence friends.

I caught something at work... pretty sure it was from work. Hospitals always manage to circulate the illnesses that suck the life out of you.
1 week later and finally I feel like I'm making progress.

Last night, out of desperation, I actually went to sleep with a cough drop in my mouth. I DO not recommend this for everyone due to the choking hazard, but it worked like a charm for me.

Everyone stop what you are doing right now and go take some Vitamin C.
That is not a request!

An Oldie but a Goodie

2008-01-31T10:18:00.001-06:00

In the Super Bowl spirit yet??

27 dresses

2008-01-26T23:26:00.000-06:00

Dear 27 Dresses,

Thank you for making me feel more single than ever.

Love,

Steph

PS: oh and thanks for reminding me of how much I love Elton John's greatest hits

I only write this half seriously... due to the fact I'm convinced all my audience of blog checkers are girls.

Get ready for Valentine's ...

a little venting...

2008-01-26T00:43:00.000-06:00

Let me just take a moment to share the thermal experience of my apartment or rather my room... my arctic bedroom.

It has me convinced Air vent designers in the fifties were too busy for common sense, and/or they had stifled their creativity for so many years that the functional and practical placement of air vents just didn't even make a blip on their mental radars.
I say this because my bedroom vent is the last of all the vents to deliver air... farthest away from the unit, making for frigid winter nights and impossibly hot summer days. Such a large living space and only one 14 x 6 inch portal. come on...

I've actually lit candles in my bedroom for warmth.

I was just in Mitzi's bedroom, and it's a stinking sauna in there.
It's not even ten feet away.

I'm actually shivering as I type this.

You know those people who sleep with their doors open because they're scared at night... I'm sleeping with mine open in hopes the temperature in my room won't be ten degrees colder than the rest of the apartment.

Sleep Tight!

Rob and Big

2008-01-14T22:58:00.001-06:00

my desperate attempt to redeem my blog after such a long period of inactivity...

finally a Wimberley pic

2007-12-17T22:42:00.000-06:00

This is the best picture I could find of my dad's place.

Future site of Christmas party '08?

might be affected by Christmas gift '07 which I still have to figure out...

hmmm

2007-12-11T22:58:00.000-06:00

I had a great blog entry working it's way to you this afternoon, and somewhere between wrapping gifts and trying to make it through "Holiday in Handcuffs," I completely lost my brilliant thoughts...

Why I love Gilmore Girls...

2007-12-06T09:31:00.000-06:00

Well, just one of the reasons why...

Paris: " I don't know what to wear."

Rory: "Ever?!"

Tis the season

2007-12-04T09:25:00.000-06:00

The holidays bring about so many limited edition products. Our fridge is overstocked with the seasonal coffee creamers at this time of year.
The newest limited edition product I've come across.... (drum roll please) ...

Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr. Pepper

So weird I had to try it.
I've come to the conclusion that this drink is the liquified equivalent of a tootsie pop.

Here's a little blogging snack just for making it through today's posting;)...

Tootsie Roll

2007-12-04T09:24:00.001-06:00

I always feel bad for this little boy...

Impulse buy at Target

2007-11-29T13:35:00.000-06:00

Thank goodness for pre-lit trees. If these trees had existed 20 years ago, about 1/2 the fights I had with my brothers would have never occurred.

It's a little blurry, but you get the idea.

Over and out

2007-11-29T00:09:00.000-06:00

What time did I go to bed last night? 12:30am

What time did I actually fall asleep? 4 am

What time was my exit interview scheduled? 11:30am

What time did I wake up? 11:31am

What time did I arrive for the interview? 12:30pm

Aside from waking up in a panic, HR did not have a problem with my being late.

decision 2007

2007-11-23T16:08:00.000-06:00

I'm moving hospitals... I've accepted a position at TCH:) on the surg/ortho floor.

Did I mention it's a DAYS position?!!

"Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name."
Hebrews 13:15

PS** I'm still full from Thanksgiving.

running on empty

2007-11-19T00:01:00.000-06:00

Things have been super crazy... I have nothing left to blog about... or too many things to blog about making it impossible to express anything coherent.

I apologize for withholding details, but by the end of the week, I'll divulge everything... really... everything.

I have 2 days off for Thanksgiving (wed and thurs). It's a bit maddening to think that I'm working extra hours during a holiday week. I must have been way too tired when I made out my schedule.

I'll be eating lots of this on thurs ... oh who am I kidding? make it tuesday through thursday.

"Happy Thanksgibbing back"

You might be a PT Cruiser...

2007-11-03T15:45:00.001-05:00

You might be a PT Cruiser if ...

all your power window controls are located on the console/ next to the center air vents.

your color is some metallic, vibrant color such as electric blue or lime green.

you cannot accelerate on slight slopes.

most of your travelers wind up nauseated after even a 5 minute car ride.

you have mystery stains and pieces of old goldfish all over you.

you have the turning radius of a semi.

you find yourself with 15 identical others at rental car lots and hotel/motel parking lots.

** We had a PT Cruiser as a rental car in California. Chances are, if you have ever rented a car, you have had the joy of driving a PT... So many jokes, but I'll stop here.

2007-11-02T17:09:00.000-05:00

Hebrews 4:12-16 (NASB)

12For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Recent travels...

2007-10-22T13:02:00.000-05:00

Here are a few pics from the trip... I'm leaving Thursday to visit my superstar photography student of a brother in Ventura, CA. more pics to come:)

El Dorado Kitchen in Sonoma... gorgeous day!
Ferry Building before the airport

Meet the Barkers... the sweet family that adopted me for 4 days! (that might be grammatically incorrect...oops!)

It's just a BLT... but the fanciest stinkin BLT ever...

Great expectations

2007-10-01T22:33:00.000-05:00

Mitzi bought the "Boundaries" book on half.com for 75 cents. She knew it was hardback with a copyright date in the 80's... deal! right?

Little did she know...

oh brother!

2007-09-27T02:06:00.000-05:00

I'll be honest. I cyber-stalked my brother last night... mainly because I haven't talked to him in a while. We have only text messaged (tex-mexed) very briefly since his departure to Cali.
He left this comment for his roommate... I don't know if he made this up, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did.

How To Give A Man Hug

Don't get left behind, learn how to show your affection for your fellow man.

Step 1: When to hug
If celebrating a sports win, you will find that suddenly worrying about hugging is no longer an issue. Anything goes.

Step 2: The approach
When going for a hug, make it clear what you are doing. You won't want to catch the huggee off-guard. Start by spreading your hands wide with you right hand about 20 centimeters higher than the left. Lean back ever so slightly. This is a non-threatening stance, making it clear you are not about to attack. Tilt your head to the left - this lets your huggee know where you are going so they can do the opposite. Otherwise, there may be an embarrassing collision.

Step 3: Embrace
Step in towards your compadre. Your right hand will go over his shoulder, with your head going to the left of his. Show your sincerity by gripping your friend firmly in your arms - there is nothing worse than a floppy, half-hearted attempt. Keep your head level and facing forwards. Looking down, or turning towards your mate may end up as inappropriate nuzzling. Hold the embrace for as long as you feel comfortable... a second or two will do.

Step 4: The pat
This is the crucial part of a man hug, separating it from a traditional cuddle. With your left hand pat your buddy 3 or 4 times on the back. This demonstrates you are still men - you may be affectionate, but you can still dish out some pain. If you still feel this is too effeminate for you, then give a light, double punch instead of a pat.

Step 5:The break
While you are giving the final pat, break. Lift your hands smartly away, don't slide them over your buddy in a lingering manner. This may confuse them, and you. Alternatively, you could finish by gripping your friend firmly on the upper arms and saying something celebratory:
"Well Done, Grant", "Congratulations", or "You learned how to swim!."

Marky Mark is so entertaining :)

Since I'm awake...

2007-09-27T00:11:00.000-05:00

Something tells me this won't be the last time I get tagged...

1. What were you doing 10 years ago? Living it up as a Memorial Mustang... Spending 2+hours training in and out of the pool. Paid off ... got my fastest times that year. How disturbing is it that my sophomore year of high school was ten years ago...

2. What were you doing 5 years ago? Living at the Enclave in College Station with Emily and Kristin. I think that's the semester I met Miss Em K too.

3. What were you doing 1 year ago?Actually had just gotten my first job as an RN, which I still have. The Lord's timing was perfect. Thank you Jesus!

4. What did you do yesterday? Got a cute haircut and spent an hour trying to find and kill a transient roach in my room. Lots of squealing and nausea.

5. Snacks I enjoy ... Kashi stuff, reduced-fat wheat thins (i tend to eat half a box in one sitting), carbs

6. Things I would do with $100 million dollars ... where should I start ...give as much of it away as possible (church, missions, the expedition of I-10 construction), buy my neighbor a smaller car so she wouldn't park so close to me with her Clubwagon Van , pay off Lucy (my car), buy my mom a new house, pay for Mark's ginormous tuition, trade my job for something that gives me back my weekends, get a Golden retriever... travel everywhere.

7. Locations I would run to ... Blue Ridge Mountains, Belize, Higgins Lake, Michigan; Austin, TX lots more for sure

8. Bad habits I have ...overanalyzing, worrying, procrastinating, putting off sleep, eating half a box of reduced fat wheat thins (haven't done this one in quite some time), being super competitive (although that is a side I try to hide)

9. Things I like to do: Find new music, go to concerts, drink Coffee, read, watch Gilmore Girls, play with healthy kids, walk/run outside

10. Biggest joy of the moment: Anticipating spending some sweet time with Jesus in a few minutes:)

a little confession

2007-09-21T09:38:00.000-05:00

I'm a chronic avoider of shopping carts. Something about the way you can sneak up on people at the end of the store aisles and have near or actual cart-collisions, makes me love the handy basket. I like mobility and non-confrontation.
There are those awkward moments though, when you realize that you should have actually chosen the cart. You can't trade now... NO, that would be embarrassing. Instead, the top items are balancing way above the perimeter of the basket, and you've developed a limp from it's colossal weight.
That was me this morning.

WAR EAGLE...

2007-09-19T23:57:00.000-05:00

I love printed t-shirts with pockets... pocket printed tees... wish more were out there, and I would buy them all...

any way,

I was running/walking at Memorial Park tonight and wearing my Alabama Crimson Tide pocket tee. A man ran to the right of me and yelled, "War Eagle!," in my ear. No lie.

It took me a second to figure out if he was singing out loud or intentionally yelling at me, but then the Auburn rivalry registered.

I wanted to run and catch up with him just so I could show him my Aggie ring and explain why I was wearing that shirt. I even felt a little guilty. Oh, for the love of the T-shirt!

P-U

2007-09-19T01:09:00.000-05:00

My apartment has a mystery stench that floats through the a/c vents approximately once every few months, overstaying it's welcome for about half an hour. It reminds me of a mixture somewhere between dead animal and sewage.
The arrival directly correlates with the air flow when the ac is on, and yes, I've checked the pilot light. There is no way this smell is a natural gas leak.

Right now I'm just thankful it didn't show up for the Prayer and Praise we hosted recently(phew!).
Any ideas?

"Fitting" room drama

2007-09-14T00:23:00.000-05:00

I went shopping for a new wedding dress yesterday(the spectator kind), and definitely found myself alone in the dressing room with a dress stuck right around my shoulders. My female audience knows exactly what I'm talking about...

Typically, if shopping solo, these events can escalate from awkward to scary, fairly quickly.
With this most recent trip to the mall, I spent seconds debating whether I should wiggle my way out versus call out for help...all while trying to peer through an armhole in the mirror just in case there was an escape route via some opening in the dress I just wasn't finding.

Sure the sales rep had asked me if I needed help three times before I was stuck, but the second I'm about to calculate which seam can rip the fastest, she is no where to be found.

All that being said, I survived and am the owner of a new super-cute dress.

Update...

2007-08-30T13:41:00.001-05:00

I think I accidentally just posted this blank... sorry for the tease.

I guess I owe an update on many areas of my life... First and foremost, the triathlon.

Aside from all the hydrocarbons I'm sure I ingested from the man-made baytown lake I swam in, the competition was a SUCCESS! We had a killer team. Chad and Joey kicked tail, and we walked away winners!

Just a glimpse...

Chad, me, Joey (runner, swimmer, cyclist)
I've just been branded and am starting to feel nervous!
Picture of the swim course finish. Yes, by the time I was swimming I was staring straight into the sun.
Our #1 supporter/photographer Stan and the team!
Tim trying to get me motivated...

MasterCard

2007-08-26T19:32:00.001-05:00

This is so cute!

sink or swim...

2007-08-08T07:26:00.000-05:00

So I have been roped into pulling the swim leg of a triathlon relay this Sunday...

and by roped in I mean, Chad called me, asked, and I quickly replied yes.

I don't think my team realizes, however, how long it has actually been since I've swam-- "500 meters" swam. Granted I am going to go practice at Ballys later today, but I haven't competitively swam since A&M swim class.

There are certain elements to a triathlon swim that I assume will be quite interesting.

Here are some of the questions running through my mind...

How far will I be able to see underwater?

How many people will "accidentally" kick me in the face?

How quickly will cellulite disappear?

Will I get caught swimming with a circle of slow people around me?

How do you train for a 500 in just a few days?

I'll let you know how it goes...

Bragging Rights

2007-08-06T01:46:00.000-05:00

My youngest brother has started college... take a moment to let that sink in...

He's attending Brooks Institute of Photography in Ventura, CA,
and already hard at work.
Check out some of his photos here:
http://www.brooksnppa.org/

the pics are in week 2... no. 5 and 7

"WE WERE ON A BREAK!"

2007-07-26T00:09:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd throw a little shout out to the few who faithfully checked my blog and quietly took me aside to ask where it went. Thanks for the encouragement! I've decided to bring it back!

No promises as far as frequency or hilarity...

Many things have happened since the blog vacation...

I found out I was TB negative.

My brother Mark went away to Brooks Institute of Photography for school (see amazing pictures on his website www.markturnerphoto.com).

I booked two plane tix to California for October. A week after I booked the tix, San Fran had an earthquake...

AND big finish...
I spent about one month's rent on the plumbing in my apartment.

yes, it's a major misrepresentation but that's all you're getting right now...

if you are in houston Thursday 7/26/07,
go to this @ 7:30pm...

metrolive07.org

details on website...

thanks and gig'em