Christmas 2011

This Christmas was so much fun and full of excitement. On Friday, Dec. 23rd B and I had Christmas with his family. They always do it early so it was a fun start to a fun weekend. We went over to his parents house and had dinner and opened presents with his parents, brother, sister in law, niece and nephew. Then, on Christmas Eve day B and I went over to my Aunt and Uncle's house and had lunch with my extended family. Then, we went to the 6:30 Cornerstone service at HPUMC. After that B and I went out to dinner, just the two of us. It was so much fun to spend Christmas Eve together.

Christmas Day, my family and I opened gifts. We had to wait a bit for Bill to show up. Then, I went over and exchanged gifts with B. He gave me a Burberry Scarf, which I LOVE! Then, we went to B's brother's house and hung out with them for a bit. After that we hung out before we went to my parents house for Christmas Day dinner. After dinner, we watched Elf. It was a great weekend.

Wedding shower

On Saturday December 17th I had my first wedding shower. It was so much fun! It was held at Neiman Marcus at Northpark Mall. The theme was an ornament shower. The idea came from my aunt. She said that my cousin had this shower when she got married and loved it. The shower was so much fun. It was great to see my friends, my Mom's friend's and B's Mom's friends as well. The lunch was so good and one of my favorites. We had the pop over bread which I LOVE with the strawberry butter and little cup of soup. Then we had the chicken salad yum and cup cakes for dessert.

I have just started to open all of the ornaments that we got and Love them all. They are all so special. I am looking forward to having them on our tree next Christmas. I am saving some of the ornaments to open with Ben and doing the rest with my Mom. The first shower was so much fun and made everything feel more real with the engagement. I am looking forward to the other parties and celebrations before the big day, which will be here before I know it!

Great weekend

This past weekend was so much fun. I have been house/dog-sitting for my parents this past week and a half. This past weekend was a lot of fun. Friday, we had dinner with B's family at Mi Cocina! It was great then on Saturday B and I did a little Christmas shopping and stopped by Preston Center to see Santa's reindeer. As we were there we ran into B's brother's family and had lunch with them. After that we came back. My maid of honor in my wedding came over and we did some wedding related things and hung out. Then, Bill my brother showed up at home with his christmas present to himself a puppy named Bentley. I called B to come and see it. After that Kristina had to leave and B and I went to look at Christmas lights. We took the dogs, Harley and Riley with us and then stopped by to get dinner on the way back. Sunday, we went to Church and continued Christmas shopping. Then, we went and bought the movie Cars 2. We watched it and LOVED it!!! I am sure when we have our own kids someday we won't have to worry about buying kids movies cause we already do!

This coming weekend should be fun too. Friday, no plans which will be fun. Saturday a bridal shower for me and Caylx followed by a play on Sunday afternoon. We are getting excited for Christmas and looking forward to finishing our shopping.

Movies

So, today I went by my favorite Blockbuster on Hillcrest and University only to find that they have CLOSED it! This is very very sad news :( One day it was open and the next not. I think this must have been recent because another person drove up as I did and saw the sign too. So, it is very unexpected and a little sad too. I was going to rent the Hangover 2 guess I am not going to now.

Baby, it's cold outside

Well this weekend and week have ended up being VERY COLD!!! Sunday, B and I went and saw the Muppet movie. This is the first one I have ever seen in the theater. We LOVED it and can't wait to get it when it comes out on DVD. Also, this weekend we made our own pizza at my parents house, however it burned :( Apparently, my parents oven is different than mine.

In other news I got a start on Christmas shopping and am ready to do some more this week. Also, while staying at my parents house only some of the Christmas lights are working. I think it was because of all the rain, but if you look at the house you only see lights on one side working. The other side of the house has the lights on. I do not know how to fix it. Oh well. So, if you drive by a house with only half the lights on it is probably my parents.

wedding website

Well, I put a wedding website up for B and I, so check it out if you get a chance. click here

It's December

Well, today marks the first day of December which is crazy! I feel that this year has just flown by. This year I have joined the junior group of the Dallas Garden club. Tomorrow we have our Christmas coffee. As a new member, I had to create a project biased on a Christmas song. So, tomorrow I will be at the coffee looking at everyone else's projects. It should be a fun time.

I just got up my tree and started decorating it last night. It is a cool tree! My Mom gave it to me it is a tall skinny one that is light enough for me to put up alone. Also, working on getting  a few more things up then on to my parents house to help put things up for Christmas.

Thanksgiving recap

This year for Thanksgiving I went up to the lakehouse with my family. Bill, went to Arkansas with his girlfriend, Sara to celebrate with her family and Chase stayed in Redding, California. It was to far for Chase to come home for such a short time. Ben, went with his family down to their house in Austin. So, it was me, my parents, their friends and the dogs. For Thanksgiving day I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. After that, we had a late lunch and then napped and watched football. That night we had left overs for dinner and I watched a movie while everyone else watched more football. So, all and all it was a great time.

Wedding so far

Well, things are slowly coming together with wedding plans. So far we have the church and the reception booked. Also, we have a photographer, and a band booked. So far we are working on a florist, and a make up person. We have a few in mind and just need contact them. So, that is where we are with wedding stuff.

A weekend away

Last weekend, B and I went on a mini vacation!!! We had so much fun together. We went down to Austin and stayed in his parents house down there. We ended up getting in late Friday night and stopped by a place called Thunder Cloud Subs. I really enjoyed this place and think it is a chain in the Austin area. Saturday, we woke up and headed into town. We ate lunch and then went to the LBJ presidential museum. I LOVED this place!!! It was my first time to go to a presidential library. I can not wait to go to the George W Bush library when it opens. We bought a souvenir book that has all the information on the museum so we can look back at it anytime. While we were in the museum the UT vs. Texas Tech game was going on. It was fun to see the full stadium from the museum. As we got out of the museum the game had finished, so we hung out a bit waiting for the traffic to die down. If you have never seen this museum I highly recommend going.

Saturday afternoon we drove around Austin and then headed back to the house. B and I went by the grocery store on the way back to the house and got some stuff to cook. I forget how far things are away from each other out there. I can not wait until B and I return to Austin and just take it all in.

Pre-marital class number 6

Last night B and I went to our last pre-marital class. I think this was both of our most favorites. There was a panel of people who had been married different amounts of time. There were people that had been married 2 years to people that had been married 48 years and everything in between. I really enjoyed hearing their answers to the questions that were answered by the couples. The one that I thought was most interesting is about the holidays and what they have done with holiday's as a married couple. I guess since the holiday's are just around the corner that was a great question. Other questions were about how they handled their first big fight as a married couple to finical questions about joint checking or to keep your finances separate. I really enjoyed hearing their answers. So, now we are down to meeting with the paster who will marry us, but we won't be doing that for sometime. All and all I feel I learned a lot and am glad we did this class together and am looking forward to taking some of that information we learned and applying it to our lives.

pre-marital class part 5

Last night, we went to our fifth pre marital class. The topic was finances. They gave us a work sheet to work on which will help with starting those conversations that are so important. Also, the whole class played a game where we had 4 balls and had to throw them around the group. If one or more of the balls collided with each other then everyone had to sit down and come up with something that would work as a group. Our group worked pretty well together. It was an interesting game that showed how when you are married you are juggling so many different things and how communication and working as a team will help the best instead of placing blame. It was a fun activity and I feel we both learned a lot from this exercise. Next week we will have a panel of couples who have been married for different amounts of time, and we are going to ask them questions and hear from them on marriage.

pre-marital class part 4

Last Sunday, we had our fourth pre-marital class. The topic was intimacy and we had a guest speaker. The speaker was a man so it was interesting to hear his perspective. We learned a lot and are ready today for number 5. I can not believe that we are almost finished with this class. I feel it has been a great class and highly recommend  this class to anyone who is engaged. I am looking forward to tonight's class which will cover several topics such as finances, houses, etc. Then the last week we will have a panel of people who are newly married, been married for 10 years etc. So it should be interesting to see how this is. We are looking forward to it

State Fair of Texas 2011 and air show

On Sunday, October 16th B and I went to the fair. We go together every year. Usually I pick one ride for us to go on and we go and see the cars, get a corny dog, and see the Dallas Hall of State's exhibit. This year we tried fried Oreo's which were GREAT!! Loved them. Then, we went to see the houses of tomorrow which were so much fun to see. B's favorite was a house that was like a air-streem trailer just a bed on onside then you look and see the kitchen and a bathroom off of the one room. B is a minimalist so he loved that house. I on the other hand enjoyed the middle house which was a bit bigger and had cool stuff with lots of environmental stuff on it such as solar panels etc. The exhibit at the hall of state was sooo cool. I loved seeing all of the facts of Texas history. I also loved the clothing from that time period it was fun to see them. Our one ride for this year was Crazy Mouse. We went on that one last year too, it is a favorite.

fried oreo's YUM

Big Tex

close up of Big Tex

Also, on Saturday October 15th we went to the air show in Addison. Personally, I did not know there was an airport out in Addison, but I tell you there is! It is used mostly for private planes. B and I went out there and watched a few old war war 2 airplanes taking off on the run way. Then we went and saw the ones on exhibit. It was really cool. I got some great pictures of those too. Then, we went to the SMU game where they won. It was a great day in all. Busy and fun

Airplane at Addison Airport

Not sure what this is, but it looks like a car airplane combo to me

Navy plane

pre-marital class part 3

Tonight, B and I went to our third pre-marital class. The topic was conflict and resolution. I thought that the teacher did a great job of explaining different ways to talk when in an argument and ways to talk to each other to prevent arguments. I really enjoyed hearing her examples and listing to ways to learn to fight. Also, she talked about how two people are coming from two different families with two different ideas of what a family looks like. Now, I think that B and I come from very similar backgrounds and families, however I know that still we are two people coming from two different families with different traditions etc. B and I are looking forward to next weeks class. I think we are both really getting a lot out of this class and are glad that we have done this class. So far, I would recommend this class or one like it to anyone  I know that is getting married.

Garden Club Meeting

Today, I went to my first Dallas Garden Club meeting with the big garden club. I am in the junior group as a new member. It was a great time. The speaker was very interesting and I learned a lot about design watching him. I loved the stories that he told about some of his projects. After the meeting was a luncheon which I ate with several fun people. We talked about wedding stuff and had a great time. Looking forward to another meeting to see how that was. The only thing I was not sure was where to sign in for credit, oops..... I did send an email so we shall see.

Looking forward to this weekend with so many fun things happening. I am looking forward to going to the SMU football game tailgate, the fair and our pre-marital class.

pre-marital class part 2

This past Sunday, B and I went to our second pre-marital class at the church. This past week they talked about communication and how important it is to communicate with your spouse. We played the newly wed game again this class. I think we might be playing it every class. I feel you really learn more about each other. This class there were some more talking to each other about stuff which I liked a lot, and one of the teachers brought her husband. It was good to hear from a Man's perspective and I think the men in the class probably really enjoyed that. This next class we will learn and talk about conflict resolution. I think this will be a good class too.

pre-marital class

On Sunday B and I stared our first pre-marital class at HPUMC entitled from this day forward. The class is pretty small about 7 other couples and three teachers. At the beginning of the class we had an overview of the class and were given a binder for the class. After this, we were split up girls in one room and the guys left the room. During this time we played the newlywed game where we had to answer questions about our soon to be spouse. They were easy questions such as their name and what they did for a living, as well as when and where we were getting married. The tricky question was the ring size. A lot of the guys were uncertain if this meant the size on your finger or the size of the diamond. When every one got back then we went around the room and shared this information, it was a get to know you kinda thing. Then the teachers talked about the purpose of marriage seen through the bible. They posed a few questions for everyone to answer. I think this will be a great class and make us stronger together and we will learn things that I am sure will help us for years to come.

Greek Food Festival 2011

This past Saturday, Ben and I went to the 55th annual Greek Food Festival. It was sooo much fun! We went on a tour of the church which was beautiful! We heard some of the history and learned a lot. We ate Gyros, and Baklava which was soooo good! We went in the market and walked around and saw all of the fun things they had to buy. Then, we ran into some friends, Price and Courtney! It was so much fun to see them there and catch up with them. Here are some pictures from the church this weekend.

Also, on Sunday we went and looked at some cars. It was funny because the dealerships were closed that one car we walked up to had the radio still on so you could hear music as you walked up. It was kinda creepy that no one was there and the radio was on. Also, Saturday Ben and I went and watched some airplanes take off which was sooo cool! So, another great weekend ended as another week began.

great weekend

This past weekend was so much fun! Friday morning I went to my first junior group of the dallas garden club meeting. It was a little overwhelming but I enjoyed going to it and look forward to future meetings. Friday afternoon, my Mom and I looked at wedding dresses for the first time. That made the engagement all that more real to me. I enjoyed trying on different dresses and documenting them for memory. I am looking forward to looking again too. Then, Saturday Ben went with me to get a new car batery. On Friday, I realized my car battery was dead :( So, Saturday I was off to get a new battery. Ben went with me just to keep me company. Then, we went to the SMU tailgate and football game. SMU won! Which was great. Sunday, we just hung out at Ben's place and stayed in and watched the Emmy's last night. I am glad that Modern Family got so many great awards. I love that show.

Remembering Sept 11th 10 years later

Yesterday, was the 10 year anniversary of Sept 11th. I was thinking to myself, I can not believe it has been ten years since that day. I will never forget the details of that day as will anyone else. I once heard someone say, this moment will define your generation. I feel it has changed us all in many ways. I heard someone say that each generation has a great event that defines them. For our grandparents it was pearl harbor, for our parents it was when JFK was shot and for us, it is sept. 11th.

I remember I was in class at Baylor University. Another student told us about it while we were waiting for the professor to get there. Then, class went on as usual and then we had a quiz. The last question was what happened this morning? Then, I remember walking into the SUB and seeing the quietness of everyone just not speaking but watching the TV's Then, I went to my second class of the day was sociology where our teacher talked about what had happened and one student had left because he had relatives he was trying to get a hold of. After this I went back to my dorm and watched the TV downstairs in the lobby before heading up to my room. When I got there, my roommate was still asleep and told her to turn on the TV. Then, I remember calling home. I remember feeling scared and VERY far away from home. Then, i went to my last class which was intro to social media where everyone just sat there watching the events of the day replay. That weekend I went home and went to church with my Mom. Where I will never forget Mark Creig talking about his son at school on the east cost who could see the smoke from the towers from his dorm room.

Yesterday, ten years later Ben, myself and my parents went to the cornerstone service. Paul did a great sermon commemorating the day and thoughts. They showed video's of that day ten years ago. Then, that night Ben and I watched a documentary of Sept 11th. The documentary was shown in its entirety with out any commercials. The documentary showed what it was like to be there that day as the towers fell. It gave a different perspective of that day than I had from what I saw on TV all those years ago. So, here is to the future of teaching them about that day and not about hating people but by praying for them.

Wedding stuff

I am very excited about starting to plan my wedding. I am getting used to having the ring now and the next step is picking out my wedding dress and the bridesmaids dress etc. Also, the fun part has been asking people to be in my wedding. I have now successfully asked everyone that I want as bridesmaids and am still working on asking people to be in my house party.

The fun part has been asking people to be by bridesmaids and in my house party. I have had everyone be very excited as am I. Things are starting to slowly come together. I know there are several other things to do. But, I am feeling confident in where we are now. So, that is my wedding update for now!

A new month

Well, we have finally made it to September and it is still SOOOO HOT outside. I for one am looking forward to cooler weather, and football games and tailgating this fall. Also, I have so many busy things. I am a new member of the Junior group of the Dallas Garden club. Also, I have my Junior League placement this year. This year I chose to be a headquarters liaison on Tuesday nights from October- January. So, if you call that night I will be the one that answers the phone etc. I am looking forward to something new. The past two years I volunteered in a hospital, and I enjoyed that a lot. This year I was just looking to do something different. Also, I have several sub jobs already lined up and a wedding to plan with my Mom :) So, things should get rolling soon. Also, I am applying to grad school. Well, just to see if I can get in and then go from there. It is an interesting program that I think I will get a lot out of. So, that is my life so far for today! Happy September!

Wedding stuff

Well, after being engaged a little over a month, we are finally starting to get stuff going. First, we have the church and the reception already. Now, it is time to go on to the next step in planning. I am hoping in the next few weeks to have asked people to be in my wedding, and start more planning with my Mom. So, check back for more wedding updates.

Weekend

This past weekend was a lot of fun. Friday, B and I went to dinner with my cousin and his wife to Manny's. We had a great time catching up with them. Saturday, I had lunch with an old friend and then Ben and I just hung out, and tried to stay inside with all the crazy heat. Today, we went to church and did more of the same. I am looking forward to Labor Day weekend. Not sure what we will do, but I hear we might get some rain. If you do not remember, rain is the wet stuff that falls from the sky. Also, working on wedding stuff too.

movie- The Help

Last night I went with a friend to see the movie The Help. It was really cool since I had just finished reading the book. I felt that the movie was amazing and everyone should see it. There were a few differences between the book and the movie, but not many. So I rate this movie 5 out of 5 stars, so go ahead and see it. I must note, that my friend and I went a bit before the movie started and had to sit on the second row of the theater, so we were one with the movie. It was very popular with men and women.

The movie starts off with Skeeter interviewing Aibilean the maid of a friend of hers. Then, the movie back tracks a bit to where Skeeter got the idea to write a book from the point of view of the help in 1960's Mississippi. The movie follows around, Skeeter, Aibilean, Minny, Mss. Celia, Mrs. Lefote, and Mrs. HIlly Holbrock. We follow these characters and hear the stories from the help's point of view about there employers. This book and movie really makes you see how far our country has come in 50 years. The movie is funny, and sad and has some great lines. So, before I give more away go and see it for yourself.

Wedding number 6 2011

Well, this past weekend I went to Taos, New Mexico with my parents to see my friend, Lane Carruth get married. Lane and I have known each other since we were in play group when we were around 1 or so. We have been friends for years, and I am honored that she asked me to be a part of her house party on her special day. Now, that I am engaged I loved seeing her wedding in a whole new way. I loved everything about her wedding.

Everything started out on Thursday, when my parents and I arrived that evening. Friday, my Mom and I went to the bridesmaid's luncheon that my Mom and Mrs. Norwood worked so hard on getting together. It was a lot of fun to see everyone and we had some great food! Then, Friday afternoon before the rehearsal my friend, EJ and I got to hang out and catch up. The rehearsal went fine and did not last to long. Then, we all boarded the bus for the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner, was a lot of fun. I loved hearing all the great speeches about the bride and groom.

Saturday, we just hung out and got ready for the wedding. The wedding was so much fun. There was an artist painting a picture of the lawn and put the couple in it. That was so cool. Also, there were two amazing singers and the music was great. After the wedding, everyone headed to the next phase. We went on the the reception. The reception was a seated dinner with a great band.

Getting ready for the wedding

EJ and I

Bride and Groom

Book Review- The Help

Well, to get ready to watch the movie The Help, I first read the book. This book is one that I highly recommend. I give this book five out of five stars. I really enjoyed it. The book had more of a real life feel to it. Also, it had a real life ending, not one of those everything is a happy ending.

In the book, The Help it starts out with one person's view of what is going on in life during the 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi. This book as the title suggests, tells the story of the help of the 1960's in the words of the maids that would raise the white children, while their mother's tend to their own lives. The book examines the lives of the white women through the eyes of the help, the women tell their stories to Skeeter. Skeeter is a graduate of Old Miss, who wants nothing more than a to be a writer. She starts out with an idea to write about something new that has not been written about before. So, to hear the stories of the help, please check out this book. I promise it is a fast read and not a let down.

Book review- Water for Elephants

I just finished reading Water for Elephants. I had wanted to read this book before I see the movie. I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to you. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars as a rating.

This book starts out a little slow but picks up quickly. The book spends a lot of time going back and fourth between the present and the past. The book starts out with a prolog in that feels like you are missing what is going on. As you read on you find out that this is a memory of the main character Jacob. He goes on to say that he does not talk about those days and that he never has. The reader finds out that Jacob worked in a circus in during the depression. Also, you learn what lead him to join the circus and a little more about his life to that point that he is remembering. Then Jacob cuts to today and you learn that he is an older man in a retirement home. You learn of his family and his ailing memory. You learn more about him. The whole book is based on memories that Jacob has held close for many years and ones that he has never talked about.  So, to learn more about what happened look forward to reading the book.

This book is a fast read and keeps the reader engaged by going back in forth between today and the past. You really get to know the characters from his standpoint in life. One thing I enjoyed about this book is that it starts where it ends. Also, you get to know where he will be going in the future. So, check out this book

Wedding stuff

So, now that we are engaged the big question is when and where. Well, I will post more details on that to come. But, just know that things are slowly coming along and will be great! Ben and I are so excited about this next chapter in our lives. I am excited to be spending my life with my best friend at my side!

Guess What?!?!?!

Well, Wednesday was my 31st birthday, yes I am now a year older. I had a great day. My Mom and I went to lunch and saw Harry Potter 7 part 2. I loved this movie, much more than part one! Then I just hung out at home watching tv and got ready for dinner. Ben came over before dinner to give me my birthday present.

Well, what he got me was (wait for it).... an engagement ring!!!!!  We are now engaged and so excited about it. We went and met my parents at their house and then went on to my  birthday dinner/ engagement party. After dinner, we went back home and opened up birthday presents. I got a new ipad, a bluray dvd player and a vintage Louis Vuitton purse from my Mom. My brothers both gave me gift cards one to studio movie grill and the other to itunes. So many people have asked how did it happen.

Ben came inside with a big present which I kinda thought was a bluray DVD player because I had asked for one and we had looked at them a couple of days before.  I asked him if I should open the presents now and he said yes. So, he gave me one present his parents sent over, which I opened first. It was some lotion and soaps. Then, he said why don't you sit down as he already was on the couch. So, I sat down to open up his present which he had wrapped with happy birthday paper. I could hear the present moving around when I was opening it. I opened it up and it was just a box then I opened up the big box and saw that there was a MUCH smaller box inside. Now I am thinking, is this what I think it could be? I was struggling to open the little box and asked him to do it cause I could not get it open. He said no, you need to open it yourself. So, I opened it and when I saw the ring I was like really? and said that a few times. Then, I said yes. It was a little emotional and then he asked if I would marry him and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I was like me too. We just sat there together and then I asked if my parents knew. He said that they did. So, I was like I guess I should call them then. He was like ok. First I called the house phone, no answer. Then I tried my Mom's cell... no answer. I was like no one EVER answers their phones. Lastly, I called my Dad's phone and he answered. He said they were all getting ready for dinner and could not get to the phones. Then I asked to talk to my Mom. So, when she got on I told her I said yes. She said well, what was the question. I said he asked me to marry him. Then, I decided we should all go together to dinner.  I wanted to first call a couple of friends, and of corse no ONE answers their phone. I am sensing something here.... hmm. Anyway, then my friend Kristina, calls me back. I told her the news. Then, I left messages with the other two friends that I had called. So, we got in the car. Ben said he was going to call his brother. Then I heard his parents were meeting us for dinner to, to celebrate. We got to my parents house and took a couple of pictures before we went off to dinner. So, that is THE STORY everyone has been asking about. 

Ben and I are soooo excited. I will post pics later of the ring and such. 

It is hot

Well, I live in Texas and lately it has been VERY VERY HOT! I have heard that this is the second hottest summer since 1980, the year I was born. All I have wanted to do recently was anything consisting of being inside or by a swimming pool. This heat is crazy! Looking forward to the rest of this week and seeing Harry Potter part 2. More on that later.

life

I can not believe that this summer is going by so fast! So far the summer is going great! I am currently working part time for my Dad's company and started a blog for the company which went live today. I am very excited about this opportunity to see what happens next. Also, my birthday is coming up. The big 3-1! I am looking forward to celebrating with my family and boyfriend. Still trying to figure out where to go to eat for my birthday dinner. I think I want to go to a new restaurant in HP village called the Marquee Grill. This is located at a movie theater that was just re-done and the restaurant is supposed to be really nice. So, if anyone out there has been to this restaurant I would love to hear your thoughts. In August, I am going to a friends wedding in Taos, NM. I am looking forward to this and catching up with my friends. So, there are a few fun things upcoming.

wedding weekend number 5

This past weekend B and I went to our 5th wedding of the year on July 2nd, yes we are busy wedding goers these days. This wedding was so much fun and there were so many people there to talk with that we had not seen in a while. The food at the reception was really good and so was the cake. The wedding we went to was Landon Bell's wedding. He and his new wife Rebecca look like they will be very happy for years to come. I loved the bridesmaids dresses as well as the brides dress. Everything was great. I LOVED the music in the church, they had some of the best music I have ever heard at a wedding. Here are some pictures from the evening.

Lake Weekend

This past weekend was a lot of fun. I invited my boyfriend B's family up for a day at the lake. We had a great time! Some people fished, watched movies and just hung out. It was so much fun to get everyone together. Ben arrived earlier on Sunday and we both went fishing together, and he caught a fish! He also ended up catching one later that day too, so he must be a fish whisperer cause he was the only one to catch one that day. Here are some pictures of the fun weekend.

happy Fathers Day

me and my dad

me and my dad 

me and my dad

me and my dad

Today, being fathers day I thought I would write an entry about my dad. My dad is the best dad, and only dad that I have ever had. He has always been there when I needed him and always encouraged me as I have grown up. My dad is very funny. He is the best dad ever. Here are some pictures of us. 

Wedding weekend number 4

Yesterday, Ben and I went to yet another wedding, I know shocker right! It was so much fun. One of my friends from growing up got married, and it was so much fun to celebrate with them. There were lots of other friends there to catch up with and talk to. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was so much fun! Here are some pictures from last night.

B and I

my parents

B and I

Wedding weekend number 3

So, this past weekend I went to my third wedding of 2011, my friend Ariel's wedding. It was in Naples, Florida. I had never been there and it was so much fun. The wedding took place at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, which is where I stayed. It was so much fun to have a break from life and a mini vacation. I was able to go to the pool and the beach. Since the wedding was a destination, it was fun to see people I knew at a resort.

We got there Thursday night just in time to watch the end of the Mavs game that they won. Then, Friday I woke up early and hit the beach and the pool. It was fun to have time to myself. Then, Friday night we went to the rehearsal dinner, where the father of the bride delivered a great and meaningful speech. Then, Saturday I just hung out some more and got ready for the main event. The wedding was on the beach which was so much fun. Then, the party started with a great dinner and dancing. Sunday, they had a good-bye brunch for the guests which included left over wedding cake! Then, it was back to reality. But, all and all a great time. Here are a few pictures of the fun weekend.

the beach

the pool

The wedding

The happy couple

Waco pics

Here are some pics from the Waco trip, enjoy

Me at the Dr. Pepper museum

Pat Neff Hall at Baylor University

Old Main at Baylor University

Baylor University

Baylor University

Baylor University

B and I on the swings at Baylor University

Tree at Baylor in front of Tidwell Hall

This past weekend

This past weekend was so much fun! B and I went down to Waco on Saturday. He had not really been there and I had not been there in a few years. So, we decided to make a day trip. We started out at the Dr. Pepper Museum, which was a BIG hit! B loved it, after we toured the museum we went to the soda fountain and got a real dr pepper made from the sirup. It was really good. Then, we went up to Georges Bar for lunch, which is a very popular place in Waco, Pat Green wrote a song all about it. There are lots of pictures and Baylor stuff around. It was fun to look at all that stuff. Then, we went to Baylor's campus and I showed him around. We walked a round a little bit. We saw some of the newer buildings that I had not seen yet, and other monuments. Also, we saw the bear pit which was a big hit too and then walked back to the car. IT was such a HOT day though. So, we ended up at Common Grounds coffee shop. It was so much fun to see all the changes there and how they have expanded everything. B and I are both looking forward to our next day trip down to see more stuff. I took a lot of fun pics and as soon and I download them I will put some on here.

Excited for the weekend and summer

Well, summer is finally here and it does feel like it. Although the official start to summer is not until mid June, it is now the un-oficial start. I am looking forward to this weekend going to Waco with B. I am excited to go back to my alma mater and show him around. Also, I am looking forward to a fun and great summer 2011. We have several wedding to go to this summer and then other fun activities planned. 

Memorial Day weekend 2011

Wow, this weekend was so much fun and went so fast. It started out on Friday with B and I going to Chewey's and renting the movie, The Roomate. That movie was a thriller, but not a scary one, which was good. It was an ok one, I would not see it again but glad we saw it. Saturday started out early with B and I off to the Byron Nelson. We had a great time. My dad had tickets to the Chairman's pavilion which was hosted by the restaurant 3 forks. It was sooo much fun. We hung out at hole 17,16,18 and 2. It was so much fun to walk around and have a place to go and cool off and have great food too. We spent most of the day out there just having a great time. Then, Saturday night we watched some TV and that was it. Sunday, we spent just hanging out. Just watching movies, and not much else. We did make a trip to Fry's electronics where we got some movies. So, Sunday night we watched some of the movies we got earlier that day. We watched an older 1980's era movies called Batteries Not Included. If you have not seen it I highly suggest it. It is a little cheesy at times, but fun to watch, it has Jessica Tandy and Hugh Cronyn in the movie. I believe that the two were married and starred in several movies together through out their careers. Then, we made grilled cheese sandwiches and  watched Event Horizon. This movie was much scarier than I originally remembered. I would NOT recommend this one at all. It was very scary, however it had a good plot. There were several parts I could have done with out. So, after that I had to find something else to watch for a bit, so I found something fun to watch for a while.

Today, we went bike riding and hung out. We had dinner with B's family at DCC outside which was nice. It was fun to see everyone and hanging out. So, all and all we had an amazing and fun weekend. I think it is going to be a great summer full of time to hang out and a few trips I hope. Also, we have a few weddings to attend as well. So, check back in later for more fun adventures. Hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend as well. 

movie review

Yesterday, my best friend K was in town. She does not live that far, but it is always so much fun to see her and catch up. So, yesterday we got to catch up and go see a movie and have dinner. We went and saw Something Borrowed. I read the book, K did not read the book and we both enjoyed the movie. To me I already knew what was going to happen next but enjoyed seeing it play out on the big screen. I thought it was very close to the book, only minor things that were different. So, here is my review

In the movie Something Borrowed, it follows two life long best friends, Rachel and Darcy. Rachel is a big time lawyer who met Dex in law school. The movie opens on Rachel's 30th birthday we a surprise party put on by Darcy. At the party you are introduced to Ethan a childhood friend of Darcy and Rachel. They all three grew up together. Darcy leaves the party a bit early because she was a bit over served. So, Dex takes her back home only to end up coming back to get her purse that Darcy left behind. As he is returning he runs into Ethan and Rachel leaving for the night. Rachel decides to help Dex find Darcy's purse, this is where it gets interesting. Then Dex and Rachel decide to get another drink and the next morning they wake up together. Rachel sees that Darcy has called her several times as well as Dex. So, they have to figure out a cover story. The movie is highly entertaining and fun to watch. I highly recommend this movie. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars :) So, go see it and enjoy an interesting story line that is fun to watch.

Movie Review

Tonight, B and I went to see the movie Bridesmaids. I was so happy that he went with me to see it. He also, thought it was soooo funny. The two SNL cast members were so funny and did a great job. So, here is my movie review for Bridesmaids.

The movie was very funny. It follows to life long best friends, as one of them is getting married and the other's life is not quite together. Annie and Lillian have been life long best friends, and when Lillian gets engaged Annie is one of the first to know. Lillian asks Annie to be her maid of honor in her upcoming wedding. Annie goes to the first part celebrating Lillian and Doug and meets the other fellow bridesmaids. They are: Whitney, Lillian's new friend and Doug's co-workers wife, Rita, Becca, and Megan, who is Doug's sister. Together, they take a wild and crazy ride to Lillian's wedding day. After the bridesmaids all meet they, along with Lillian go out to have lunch before picking out bridesmaids dresses. At this time, Annie brings up ideas for hosting a party for Lillian as well as the bachelorette party. This movie is great for everyone to see. It has something in it for everyone. The movie is very funny, as well as tells a great story of best friends. It is very true to life and the strong hold of best friends. So, please go and see this movie, I know you will love it! I give this movie five stars.

One of my favorite parts of this movie other than the comedy was the story line of the two best friends. It adds humor to a real life situation among girl friends.  So many times girls will see their best friends get married and all the feelings that go with that. Also, it is a bit of a love story too. So, enjoy.

May

I can not believe that we are half way through May! This is crazy! Only two more weeks left of school for the year. This year has flown by. Looking forward to the summer. Also, looking forward to seeing all the great movies that have come out or will be coming out. Some that are on the top of my list are: Bridesmaids, Something Borrowed, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Hangover 2, X-Men first Class, Cars 2, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows part 2, and The Smurfs. So those are some upcoming ones I want to see, along with a few movies that came out in the spring that I did not get to see in the theater. I am looking forward to seeing some on DVD as well. So, should be a fun summer.

Mother's day

Sunday was Mother's day, and you ask how did we spend it. Well B and I went to the club and met his family for brunch. It was a great set up, similar to the Easter set up. Then, we went over to another family members house and caught up with them. It was fun to see everyone. After all that we went by my parents house. We hung out over there for a while. When we got back, we juts hung out and stayed in for the night. After so many busy things earlier that day it was great just to stay in. We watched a movie too. It was a lot of fun. So, that is what we did Sunday.

Movie review

A while back, B and I saw the Lincolin Lawyer with Matthew McConaughey. I highly recommend this movie.I give it 5 stars out of 5. I really enjoyed this movie, and think you will too. It has lots of action and very well written. It does not seem to go on forever and does keep the audience interested with many twists and turns. 


Here is my short summery. In this movie he plays a lawyer who offices out of his car. He represents clients who are often very colorful and interesting. He is hired by a client who is well to do and not the normal cliental that he has. This client believes he is innocent and did not commit the crime he was being charged with. He did not want to use his families attorney because he felt he was too close to his family, so he went with someone else. So, I highly recommend seeing this great movie. It has someone for everyone and a great story as well. The movie has a good pace and keeps the audience engaged in the movie and not want to leave. Also, the camera angles are different than most movies and it feels as if you are actually there with the characters. So, I know you will enjoy this movie. It is not one to take the kids to, but one the adults will enjoy.

Happy Easter

Happy day after Easter! Yesterday was a great Easter. We went to church and then we all went to brunch at DCC. B met us there and we had a great time eating a LOT. We did see the Easter bunny at the club and then at a restaurant we drove by.

Everything is Fine

So, I was looking at the fine schedule for the city I live in. I must say there are some very interesting ones listed. I can not help but share, and hopefully give you a laugh or two. If you are harboring a barking or howling dog you can get a fine of $ 165. So, dog owners be warned. You can also be fined for having too many animals. So, I wonder how many is to many? I guess if you are a cat lady you should probably look at moving. Your child can be fined for failing to attend school and disruption of class. Now, I can understand getting fined for not going to school. But, I am not sure how the disruption of class works? As a substitute teacher I have seen several students that have done this and not gone to court. So, my guess is it has to be pretty bad.

There is a growth limitation, and if you have high grass or weeds, I would watch out if I were you. Did you know that there is such things as an illegal trash bag? So, next time you are buying them be on the look out. Not that I know what an illegal trash bag looks like, so if you find one I would love to see it. On the same note be aware that if you buy a trash can that is inappropriate you are looking at a fine. Also, if you are found in a park after hours, you get fined. Who knew parks had hours? And my other question, why?

If you ever find your self sleeping in public, you are in trouble. You can also get fined or a ticket for that. So, those of you that have narcolepsy then you might run into a problem. If you are someone who likes to use abusive language watch out, you could get fined for that one. However, I am in agreement with this. If you like to flick people off while driving, think again you can get fined for that one too. Totally thinking where the cops were when I got flicked off by a man who came into my lane when I honked at him, he flicked me off.

If you make an unreasonable noise watch out you too can be fined. What an unreasonable noise is, I don't know, maybe the use of a whoopee cushion? Thoughts? If you like to drive on sidewalks watch out. You could get fined for this. Why people would drive on a sidewalk in real life, I am not sure. Next time you are following a friend, be careful that you are not too close. You could be in for a fine. Also, if you follow an ambulance you can get fined, so next time try not to drive so close.

What is illegal backing? Let me know if you find this out. Here is one of my favorite especially since I live in a city, not a town. Make sure you are not violating your farm license. If you fail to dim your headlights when you are meeting someone, watch out. You may be fined. Also, if you fail to use the proper headlight beam. Not sure how you do that? Also, make sure you have a light on your animal drawn vehicle, since so many of us are using horse drawn carriages. Then I realized this goes with the carriages you ride in during Christmas time etc. So, that does make since but sounds funny in today's world.  Also, if you are smoking in school you can get fined, because you are not supposed to be doing that in the first place.

court

Well, I got a ticket a while back. If you want to read that please click here. While waiting we watched the other people go up and make their cases. My boyfriend, B went with me. I owe him a lot for that :) So, we saw some interesting cases. There were several students from the local high school with speeding tickets etc. One girl went up to the judge and I hear him ask her why she did not do her defensive driving from last time. She said she did not understand that is what she was supposed to do. My thinking is really? How do you not understand when the judge says that you need to do this to get out of your ticket etc. So, the next interesting case we saw was a 9th grade student at the local high school. This student was charged with drug trafficking and disruption of class. The drug he had was pot, and the judge asked him how long he had been doing pot and where he obtained it and how much. With the boy were his parents, a lawyer and the vice principal of the high school. It was interesting to see this case. They also brought in another cop to watch the case. The judge did ask the student if both charges were related and he said no I think. I am wondering what you have to do to get a ticket for disruption in class though.

So, that was my experience in court tonight. Fun times right? Well, I learned that you must always stop for a school bus that is stopped at a high price. But, I did learn my lesson. So, next time you see a bus stopped you are supposed to stop no matter which direction you are going.

Book Review:Heart of the Matter

I just finished reading Emily Griffin's Heart of the Matter. This book is very good. It was a little hard to get started but once I got into it was very good. The book starts off differently than any of her previous books. She starts off in the middle of an anniversary dinner between Nick and Tessa, who have been married 11 years and have two beautiful young children. Nick is a pediatric plastic surgeon and the best one around at that. During their dinner Nick is on call and gets paged to the hospital for an accident of a young boy named Charlie. Charlie is 6 years old and was badly burned in an accident at a friend's birthday party. Nick meets Charlie's mother once she arrives at the hospital in panic. Her name is Valerie. So, Tessa arrives home and is asleep by the time Nick returns home. She knows enough about her husband and his job that he is not in a mood to talk about it and goes to sleep. One thing Tessa does not know is this night will forever change all of their lives for better or worse. To find out more please read this book.

One thing I love about Emily Griffin's books are the connections of all the characters to her previous books. I feel like it helps connect you to her books and find out what the characters from other books are doing and how they are all connected in a ways that I never imagined and I have enjoyed reading her books and making that connection. So, I highly recommend this book as well. Happy reading.

This week

This week has been busy. Started out on Monday with lunch with my good friend, Catherine B. We have known each other since we were babies in the same play group. She recently had a little girl and we all had lunch and caught up. It was so much fun to see her. Tuesday and Wednesday I subbed and on Tuesday night had dinner with an old friend. This weekend is busy too so it should be fun. This weekend B and I have a friend's engagement party to go to. So, should be fun.

a great weekend

This weekend was so much fun. Thursday night we went to see Band of Horses in Concert, if you did not see that post click here. Friday we watched the movie Little Fockers, which was so funny. I think Meet the Parents is my favorite. Then Saturday B and I went to see the movie Limitless, which is a great movie. If you have not seen it yet you should. Sunday we went for a 4 mile bike ride and had a great time. So, it has been a busy time.

Band of Horses

Last night B and I went to see the Band of Horses in concert at the Verizon theater. It was so much fun to see the band live. This band is one of his favorites and we both had a great time. They had two opening acts. The first was a guy named Tyler Ramsey and the second was a band named Midlake. Then finally at about 9:30 or so the Band of Horses took the stage. I really enjoyed the screen that came down and had different images for each song they played. They even had a "fake goodnight" song and a "fake goodbye" only to return a few minutes later to play two last songs. So, all and all we had a great time!

Concert

Tonight, B and I are going to see The Band of Horses in concert. It will be our first time to see them and to go to the Verizon theater in Grand Prairie. We are both very excited to check out this venue and the concert. More to come on that, stay tuned.

Book Review: Love the One You Are With

I just finished reading, Love the One You Are With by Emily Griffin. I really enjoyed this book. It starts out differently than her other books of the main character describing an event that has just happened and takes a few chapters to figure out who the characters are and what they are up to. It is told by Ellen the main character. She talks about where she is in life now and where she has been. Ellen is a happy newly wed to Andy and they have been married for just 100 days when they book starts off. Ellen is a photographer and runs into her ex-boyfriend Leo in New York City randomly on the street. The next thing she knows he is calling her because she has not changed her cell number, as so many people these days do not do. So, they meet at a local cafe and then Ellen starts having doubts about her life and the choices she has made. In seeing Leo for the first time in years she is brought back to the past and has a choice to make. Will she choose Leo or Andy. To know more please read this book. I highly recommend this one. This book is about real life and the decisions we make and how they guide us to where we will be or who we will be with. It is a true story of love and what it really means.

a ticket

Today, I got my first ticket while driving for failing to stop when a private school bus was stopped. I was in the far right lane going North and the bus was in the far right lane going South. There just so happened to be a police officer in the middle turn lane just waiting. So, as I pass by the school bus and see the police man come after me I thought, I guess I was supposed to stop even though the student was across the street and the bus was not sitting in a school zone or a cross walk. I honestly can say in my whole life up until now I have never seen a school bus loading or re-loading, especially at the area where I was. So, that kinda is no fair, I know I did something wrong, however I bet if it was you, you would have done the same thing. So, all and all today has not been fun especially when I looked to see that I have a hefty sum to pay now.... Or, go in  to the court and take my chances. Another thing is that today is the last day of the month.... hmm. Guess I am just lucky. In looking at the ticket the officer said I was going south when I was going north. hmmm.  Now, I have learned that when one sees a school bus stopped you have to stop no matter which direction you are going in. So, that is what I learned and will pay a large sum for that mistake that I am sure many others have made and will make.

Book review Baby Proof

I just finished reading Emily Griffin's book Baby Proof. It was a good book bat first ibwas not sure about it and was struggling with this story. Then I got into it and saw some characters that were in her previous books I had read. I do recommend this book but keep in mind to stick with it.

In Baby Proof, there are two main characters named Ben and Claudia. Ben and Claudia met and married quickly by eloping. They both had so much in common and agreed that they did not want children. As some Of their close couple friends who they also thought were like minded announced that they were expecting a child of their own Ben started to re-think wanting to have children. He talked to Claudia and told her we changed his mind and wanted kids and Claudia dis not want to hear him and then she decided she could not live wih him so they split up. Claudia moved in with her best friend Jess and filled for divorce. She found herself missing ben so she went out with a co-worker and still found herself thinking of ben and wanting to be with him. To find out more please check out this book

The Opera

Friday night B and I went to see the Opera for the first time. We saw Rigoletto. It was an amazing story of love and loss and as in every opera that I know of someone has to die at the end. It was an amazing story sung in Italian with English subtitles of what they are singing. Also, there was a summery in the program of the opera.

The Opera was about a man who was a court jester and he had been cursed by the count for mocking him. The court jester was accused of having a lover by the count. The court jester was terrified of the curse. The court jester was approached by a man offering to kill the duke, who enjoyed the company of women and was also cursed along with the court jester. Then, the court jester returns home to his daughter, who many thought was his lover that he was accused of having earlier. The daughter only went between home and church but had a man she was interested in, however she did not tell her dad about this. She was confessing her love to her nurse when the duke comes in a hears her confess her love for him. He then convinces her of his love and when she asked his name he hesitated and gave her another name upon hearing her father coming back home. The daughter sends the duke away and repeat their vows to love one another. Later the people of the court come over thinking that the daughter is the jesters lover and plan to abduct her. They convince the court jester, Rigoletto that they are actually abducting someone else's wife to get him to help them in the abduction. They blindfold him and have him hold the later, and by the time he realized it was his daughter who was abducted it was to late. Later, the duke and the daughter disappear together and at this time the noblemen who helped abduct Rigoletto's daughter announce that they had abducted his lover. The court jester, Rigoletto enters looking for his daughter and tells them that it was his daughter that was abducted and not his lover. At this the people feel awful. Once he found his daughter she asks everyone to leave and tells her father what had happened to her. At this point the court jester decides he wants revenge on the duke. So, he goes and finds the man who offered to kill the duke to make a deal with him. He agrees to do the job and the court jester says he wants to get rid of the body himself. So, the hit man and his sister who helps him lure the duke to stay with them. At this time the court jester and his daughter hear the whole conversation and the daughter is thinking, that is just what he said to me and gets more upset. So, the court jester tells her to go to Verona and meet him the next day. So, he thinks she is off to Verona but instead she dresses up as a boy. She hears the conversation between the hit man and his sister who is falling for the duke. They decide to not kill the duke but someone else and give a different body to the court jester and still get their money. Also, they talked about killing the court jester. So, the daughter dressed as a boy hears this and decides to give her life for her fathers. She bangs on the door and they answer and take her life. At midnight when her father returns he pays them and gets the body and in the distance hears the duke singing. He thinks that is impossible, then figures out that the body must be someone else. At this point, he opens up the bag and sees it was his daughter and is very upset. That is the end.

All and all I loved seeing this opera and had a great time with B.

job interview from a couple of weeks ago

A couple of weeks ago I had a job interview that I blogged about. I did hear that they decided to go on with other candidates even though I had impressive credentials and interview. The story of my life. So, I am thinking of other things I am good at to possibly start something up. We will see. I will keep you posted on this.

Wedding number 2 of 2011

This past weekend, B and I went to our second wedding of this year. We have several upcoming this year and several commitments, it is off to a busy year. So, We went to the wedding which was at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church. I had only been to that church once several years ago for a funeral, so this was my first wedding to attend there. That church is going through renovations like so many have been around here. So, we went into the chapel which has stain glass windows all around it. When you look at the church from the outside you see this sanctuary that seems to be jetting out of the building so you get lots of stain glass windows. 

The wedding was nice, and short. Which I enjoy. The bride wore a beautiful simple white dress, which I thought looked great on her. The wedding itself only lasted about 30 minutes or so. Then it was off to the Belo Mansion in downtown for the reception. I had been there once years ago to the new part but not to the older part. The reception was held in the older mansion part. There were two receptions going on at the Belo, so I am glad we did not end up at the wrong one. The Belo is beautiful. I really enjoyed the history and the architecture around the original mansion. There were pictures around of the original owners who lived there once upon a time. The food was good. B enjoyed the BBQ and I had tacos. The bad was great too, and did a lot of song everything from today's hits to older ones. It was nice to meet the groom a good family friend of B from growing up. They took trips together in the summers to the beach.  The cake looked good, but by 10 pm they still had not cut the cake and so we did not get any :( But, all in all it was a fun time.

B and I 

brides cake

grooms cake

brides cake

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