One Hundred

Its not my 100th post- but Allena has inspired me to list my 100 favorite things. While I sit in the office and await Erin wrapping up her daily calls (the perks of training someone else is you get a touch of down time each day) I will do my best to think and list-And without further ado, in no particular order, my 100 favorite things:

1. Derek
2. girlfriends
3. guy friends
4. being in college (how I miss it)
5. pay day
6. peanut butter
7. chocolate
8. trashy TV shows
9. chocolate milk
10. pizza
11. cheeseburgers
12. cheap but quality clothing buys
13. comfortable shoes
14. twisty straws
15. clean sheets
16. Christmas
17. the number 13
18. Mexican martinis
19. olives
20. reading
21. resses peanut butter cups
22. plants I manage to keep alive
23. handbags
24. Dane Cook
25. wedding cake
26. warm chocolate chip cookies
27. my ipod
28. blogging
29. blog stalking
30. yankee candles
31. my grandfather
32. pedicures
33. willy wonka (the original movie)
34. fresh flowers
35. pool time
36. facebook
37. wall flowers
38. bamboo
39. Molly
40. Bean
41. text messaging
42. walks with Kyndall
43. wordless conversations with Michelle
44. judging with Erin
45. Edward Cullen/Robert Pattinson
46. Sarah Szafranowicz
47. Boston
48. The Red Sox
49. pictures/photo albums
50. birthdays
51. Chelsea Lately
52. jewelry
53. red wine
54. apple juice
55. string cheese
56. lists
57. date night
58. the beach
59. road trips
60. tempur-pedic pillows
61. big beds
62. hot showers
63. suntans
64. white teeth
65. pasta
66. Mexican food
67. a good nights sleep
68. taco bueno
69. a good song on the radio
70. babies
71. text messaging
72. dark nail polish
73. emails during work
74. people.com
75. massages
76. anything swiffer
77. a clean home
78. lines in the carpet after running a vacuum
79. inside jokes
80. rapid release migraine strength Excedrin
81. hearty laughs
82. plans rides
83. having a treadmill at home
84. Dumb and Dumber
85. planning for the future at my own pace
86. having money in my savings account
87. expense reports
88. happy hour
89. long lunches
90. soft lap/throw blankets
91. Friday afternoon naps
92. Saturday mornings
93. sunsets
94. mimosas/belinis
95. girls brunch
96. Blue October9
7. grilled cheese
98. milkshakes
99. cookbooks
100. My Mother

The Dreaded Swine Post

My friend Erin sent me a text early this morning letting me know that both Fort Worth ISD as well as Cleburne ISD have both been shut down. For those of you that dont know Erin or where she lives (because, why would you?) she lives in a city smack dab in between this general aforementioned area. Of course, I took that opportunity to BEG her to drive to Austin and hide from the impending threat of the Swine Flu (aka H1N1 Virus which I suppose is the P.C. approved name for this debacle).

When she turned me down I offered to call in a pig threat to her work as she clearly cannot be expected to work under said conditions. I told her once the task was completed, the code word she would receive would be "bacon."

** I, in no way whatsoever, mean to make light of a potentially tremendous threat to all of our health- these things just dont scare me, and perhaps that is exactly why I may sound like the most ignorant person on earth to all of you readers?**

Beautiful

Christina Applegate makes me smile every single time I see her on the big screen (or the small one for that matter). She is simply so adorable and fun to watch! It just so happens that she made the cover of this years People Magazine's Most Beautiful issue.

And as luck should have it, another one of my loves made the issue as well. Im just saying.

Happy star gazing to you all!

A Visit and a Meal

We were finally able to see Janet last night- Well, I should say I was able. Derek ended up coming along with me. Not only was her rehabilitation facility so nice, but she seems to be really coming along in her recovery already! She was perched in her bed, surrounded by pillows, having spent some time in the rehab pool playing all sorts of fun games that revolved around the use of water noodles and beach balls. She said that the nurses are wonderful and shes enjoyed the food (which surprised me)- but that didn’t stop me from overloading her with some baked goods from Marie Calendars per her request.

After our visit, Derek and I went for a special dinner treat and ate at Tokyo Steak House. Every time we eat there, were blown away at how good all the mountains of food are. I think Im still full… though I doubt that will hinder my ability to eat a boat load of bad-for-me food at lunch today.

Mundane Monday

Hello Lovelies!

So much has been going on but surprisingly, I haven’t felt like I had anything worthwhile to say.

Erin started her new job (my old one) at work so I have been training her one on one. Its funny how you find your own way that things work best and remembering the “correct” way is so hard! Weve had a ton of fun running around together, eating all sorts of fatty foods, and of course we have fun laughing at the things our customers have to say. I cant wait to start my new position next Monday but it’s been a long road feeling like it will never happen! Its been over a month since I received word that I got my promotion so its been a waiting game to actually start!

Dereks mother, Janet, had back surgery last week as well. Things have been so crazy and busy that I have not even had a chance to go up to the rehab facility to visit her. Its my goal to get up there this week and hang out, be it at night, during lunch, with Derek or all alone. The doctors think she may be able to head home on Friday which will complete a two week stay for her! I cant imagine being away from my home for that long. Two weeks has the potential to feel like forever!

In other news, a group of 17 girls spent the weekend in Port Aransas for our friend Heathers bachelorette party. We trekked it down there on Friday night after we all got off work and met the girls that had already arrived at our beach house. We ordered pizza and hung out at the house, drank some girly drinks and of course had a ton of laughs. Saturday morning we got up, ran to the store to stock up on supplies and spent some time at the pool and then the beach. That evening, we all got cleaned up and went to dinner at a local pasta and seafood restaurant. When we were done, it was back to the house for gifts and organized games (hilarity ensued). Around midnight we decided to hit up the local bar and so our two designated drivers were kind enough to drop us off and we taxied it back home. Sunday morning it was hard to wake up, but we were all ready to get home to our pets, our guys, our showers, and our humidity free city.

So here I sit, on yet another Monday- exhausted from the weekend but so happy we had so much fun! I promise Ill post again later tonight with a taste of the pictures I took. Hope your Monday flies by!

One of two beach houses we had for the weekend (this one was the one I stayed in)

17 of us at dinner

Heather, the Bride to be opening her gifts and gettin' down

Grey Gardens

I finally made the time to watch some shameful TV last night. Something about having lots of shows stored n the DVR stresses me out. Weird? Sure. Do I care? Not really. It was a typical lineup of Gossip Girl and The Hills. You know the kind of night it was-the one where your significant other leaves the room and refuses to come back until youve come back to your senses.

Of all that I watched though, I have to strongly suggest that any of you with access to HBO- watch Grey Gardens , its touching, complex and leaves you feeling a bit raw. Enjoy-- all of you "mother darlings" and "chickens" out there.

Sweaty Tears

One of the nice things about having a treadmill at home is the ability to pop in a copy of the Sex and the City DVD, throw on the most atrocious miss matching work out clothes (the kind youd never be caught dead in at the gym) and just run your little heart out.

One bad thing about the aforementioned- the scenes that tug at your heart strings. The ones that have experienced a broken relationship, the ones that have healed from infidelity, and the ones that always want a happy ending.

I dont know about you, readers, but I always lose it when Charlotte screams "NO" at Big after Carrie has beaten him senseless with her bouquet and when Miranda finally catches a glimpse of Steve walking towards her on the bridge. Gosh, and lets not even get into when Carrie finds all the love letter emails from Big. Sigh...

I suppose the ultimate "nice thing" about working out at home is that nobody can judge you when they glace over and youre crying. Crying and running, what a combo.

Awesome

It happened again. Not that I'm complaining- but the perks of my job are starting to really get fun! My boss gave me four tickets to Avenue Q yesterday. Not only were they great seats at Bass Hall but the show was awesome. So funny, so witty and so entertaining. Apparently this Broadway show has gotten a ton of attention and rightfully so- I was so glad we all went! Should any of you get a chance to grab tickets- I highly suggest you do so!

Mollykins

I wanted to write a little something in honor of my sweet pup, Molly.

Since Derek has been gone the last few weekends, I have had plenty of fun stuff to do but its been during the downtime that she has been my very best companion. She sleeps on the pillow next to me at night, follows me around constantly, she lays on my lap which keeps me warm, serves as my own personal security system (though she NEVER barks and would most likely only lick to death or jump all over any intruder). I dont have to get dressed up or put on makeup to hang out with her, and most importantly, she never complains about what I watch on TV (even when its Gossip Girl).

Im not sure it was such a good move to watch Marley and Me the very first weekend- because Ive been feeling a bit clingy ever since. Either way, thanks Molly for keeping me company and for your always reliable friendship. Your a pretty rad pup.

Walk it Out

After much research and lots of comparison lists, I am finally the proud owner of my very own brand new treadmill. Sure, statistics show most people dont use their at-home exercise equipment, but I am home so much during the work week it only made sense to make it easier to walk it off while I catch up on my dvr'd shows (you know I watch way too much TV). Now if only I could get it put together...

Dream Come True

Austin, Michelle, Dan (local celeb "Lunchbox") , me and Michelles younger brother, Taylor

The VIPs
Taylor, Michelle, me, Rhonda

Its no secret how obsessed with Blue October I am. So you can imagine my excitement when my boss was able to score me some VIP passes for the concert Saturday night. Despite our best stalking efforts, we were only able to meet the bass player (Matt). But even that is pretty stinking cool, no? Le swoon.

I Love My Job, I Love My Job, I Love My Job

I used to whine, bitch and moan about the stupid things people would say to me or ask of me while I worked at the American Cancer Society. I have since come to learn that people are just plain stupid sometimes. I get some real doozies working in my current job as well:

"Hi, this is Desiree from Brown Distributing, do you guys need any beer delivered tomorrow?"
"Sure, bring us a six pack of Bud Light"
"Sir, we dont deliver six packs"
"Whoa, okay well then I guess bring us a twelve pack, but thats an awful lot"
"We only deliver cases"
"We dont need anything then, thats way too much"


"Hi, this is Desiree from Brown Distributing, do you guys need any beer delivered tomorrow?"
"Sure, what brands do you carry?"
"We have Bud, Bud Light, Bud Light Lime, all the New Belgium products including the Fat Tire line of seasonals, Michelob Ultra.... (long pause to wait for them to actually need me to keep going- because there are SO MANY, most of which they never buy anyway)"
"Bring us a case of Coors Light and Miller Light"
"Unfortunately we do not carry those brands"
"Well where can I get them, do you have their number?"


"Hi, this is Desiree from Brown Distributing, do you guys need any beer delivered tomorrow?"
"Um, who is this?"
"Desiree, Im calling from Budweiser"
"Yes?"
"Well I needed to check in and see if you had an order to place for tomorrows delivery"
"Oh, you have a to go order to place?"
"Sigh... no I need to take YOUR order"

"Hi, this is Desiree from Brown Distributing, do you guys need any beer delivered tomorrow?"
"We no have"---click.

I guess it'll just be one of those days

Big Day For Dez

Ohmygoodness, I am totally bursting (Clueless, anyone?)

Jill has been so gracious to give me MY VERY FIRST BLOG AWARD! I think its so funny that I talked about her to Derek over dinner last night and Im actually pretty excited about how this bloggy friendship is blooming. And Jill, if youre reading this- I have been mulling over whether or not I should send you an email and chat. Huge dork? Sure, why not. But either way, I think Im asking you out- in a totally blog friend kind of way. We are so much alike, were bound to get along great.

Now that I have border lined on lesbian blog love- Ill get to the point: Its time to list things I secretly love and then tag some of you precious bloggers.

#1. I am completely obsessed with peanut butter. Its pretty ridiculous how often I find myself eating it- with ice cream, on toast, with jelly, on crackers, by itself- you get the idea. I cannot say no to it. I have mentioned on several occasions that I truly believe a peanut butter and jelly sandwich can cure the worst of days. (This is not in fact my baby picture but how weird is it that I kinda wish it was?)

#2. I love shopping at Old Navy. I find some of the best deals and the cutest, most versatile clothes there. Its amazing to me on laundry day how many tags that read Old Navy I see. I also really like their new mannequin commercials. #3. My favorite fast food chain is Taco Cabana. Some people may be repulsed by that idea or the concept of patio style Mexican food served up in minutes, but I. LOVE. IT. So much. Personal quesadillas with chicken and cheese only served with a side of queso (fat much?) is my own personal brand of soul food. I also love the taco combos. And now Ill stop because its actually making me want to hit up the local drive through.

#4. I watch a lot of TV and I blame it all on the invention of the dvr. Here is a list of all the shows I watch on a weekly basis:

The Hills/The City, One Tree Hill, John and Kate Plus Eight, Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, Greek, Big Love, Nip/Tuck, Gossip Girl, LOST, Greys Anatomy, Ugly Betty, The Office and Samantha Who?

*I cannot believe how long this list is- someone please make me feel better*

#5. If I could have two jobs, my other would be as an interior designer. I just love taking a space and finding its personality. I love wall hangings, pictures, curtains, paint, candlesticks, decorative pillows- the whole nine yards. I really like the shabby chic look and have never been convinced I could ever pull off a modern design scheme.

#6. I am way too obsessed with celebrity gossip. Ill leave it at that- its bad and good all in the same.

#7. I feel like one of the only girls my age NOT getting married or having kids. I am 250% on board with my own schedule and love my life just as it is, its just hard to look around at times and feel like maybe my schedule is moving at a snails pace? Its just the neck breaking speed I cant quite hang with!

And now, dear readers I am tagging- Allison, Amanda, Allena, Katie, and Kim. Have at it!

Highs and Lows

It’s a bittersweet weekend for me- lots of pros and cons to share with you, lovelies.

1) Derek will be gone for the third weekend in a row and we still have three more to go. Yes, that’s a total of SIX weekends he will be gone.

He is taking a prep class for his PE (Professional Engineer Exam) in San Antonio and while I miss him terribly, he too is having a hard time seeing the silver lining. And that’s tough for him, he is such the silver lining kind of guy. Last weekend he spent both Friday and Saturday nights at the local Chilis bar. That’s a whole new kind of sad.

2) Mitch is coming to visit me!

Mitch is really into Bruce Springsteen- who happens to be having a concert here in Austin on Sunday night. Which means… I get him ALL WEEKEND! I have all sorts of fun stuff planned so I have that to look forward- all of you feel free to come along and play. I'm sure Ill have to give in and escort him to a sports bar of sorts so maybe it will feel like a piece of Derek is with me?

3) I'm missing a Birthday Bash!

I'm missing my dear Erins birthday extravaganza in the DFW area. I'm so sad to miss the fun because obviously I love her and want to celebrate with her, and I cant stand to miss a fun party =( Aside from all that, anytime I go up there to visit, it’s a mini reunion day in and day out so I'm sad to miss out on all the familiar faces.

3) Molly is getting her annual “spring/summer shave”

As I have mentioned before, yes, Molly is a yorkiepoo that looks mostly poo (hehe) but that does NOT mean I want her to actually LOOK like a poodle. While many do not understand that, I can attest to her increased lovability when her hair is completely fro’d out and long/crazy. I hate getting her shaved because she starts to look like an oversized street rat. A hairless one. Having said all of that, because we live in Texas and her hair is like crazy out of control and matted worse than ever before (have YOU ever tried to comb out poodle hair? Don’t judge me) today is the day she will get shaved, and shell love me for it. She just wont be as cute as usual. Yea, I said it. Whats it to you?