Sloshball: Feast Your Eyes

A very late slide show of our friend Brents 29th birthday celebration. Present were attempts to be athletic (mostly on my part) mixed with three kegs, rainclouds and drops, and cookie cake. Im also happy to report that I was on the winning team! Thanks to Allena for throwing such a fun party and being such a good pregnant sport!

Little To No Hope

So Im pretty much heartbroken at the season premiere of John and Kate Plus 8. Seriously, who would have ever believed when they first came onto the scene that they would come to this point in their marriage/family life? They seemed so focused on their marriage, their family and making it all work.

Not only do I feel for the parents, but I feel for all those precious kids- at least it seems that Mady and Cara have stepped it up to help out and do their share. I just really hoped that John and Kate would sit down and straighten this whole media mess out- but that was so not the case.

I will try to keep the faith that with time they will work all of this out and they can stay one big happy family, but if you saw the episode Im talking about, you know thats not very likely.

Bloggy BFFs

As if she wasnt already generous enough, Jill gave me another blog award! With this award you're supposed to pick 6 blog friends who you think could be your friend in real (non-blog) life. Im going to have to agree that these were all pretty much no-brainers because they're some of my favorite blogs to read, they make me laugh and sometimes make me feel more human/normal. Having said all of that, some of the people whose blogs I stalk are my friends in real life so Im going to pick only people I dont know IRL (in real life).

And without further delay and in no particular order:

Kate who is so devoted to her blog, all things fashion and paper, she seems so sweet and I have no doubt we would hit it off in the real world.

Im going to tag Jill back, because shes amazing, a terrific pen pal, we have a TON in common and because she makes me laugh every time I read her blog.

Megan, because she too goes to weddings almost every weekend of her life like we do, she shares her struggles and her triumphs and does it all with class.

Amanda and Allison, despite growing up in the same city with friends in common, I have not ever hung out with either of them in person- I sometimes catch myself reading either of their blogs thinking it wouldnt be a far cry from things I think/say/write about. It was these two that inspired me to start blogging as well, so thanks for that. (How offensive is it that I lumped you both into one?!)

Mrs. Jetplane also makes it onto my list- she seems so down to earth and real. I always enjoy reading about her adventures and feel very confident we could have a fun time together.

So there you go, readers, these are my pretend friends- which are yours?!

Just My Luck (sans Lindsay Lohan)

Anyone seen that terrible movie? If not, DONT.

I bought a blackberry last week- as in Friday. I am never at a desk (except right now) and virtually work from my car and was starting to feel a bit detached from society. I.E. from facebook, people.com, perez, all these blogs, and of course the ever present email. So, it only made sense that I step into this century and join the current more up to date phone users.

And how am I rewarded for such a selfish act? My cat spilled water on it this morning at 630 AM during which I was actually supposed to be sleeping in (at least that was my plan). Its currently sitting in a bowl of rice, battery and sim card detached. Please all of you out there, pray that I didnt spend all that money to have happiness for a short five days. I have done all the research and repairs I can at this point, and supposedly its possible it will come back to life.

The Great Eight

What is it about being tagged on someone elses blog that makes me feel loved? Allison was so kind as to include me on her most recent blog, and because Ive been too busy working all week rather than living my life- Im going to participate, it gives you guys something to read, right?

1. Mention the person who tagged you.
2. Complete the list of 8's.
3. Tag eight of your wonderful bloggy friends!

8 things I look forward to:
1. celebrating two wonderful years with Derek tomorrow
2. having Erin and Aaron in town for the long weekend
3. sloshball (Brents birthday celebration) Saturday
4. meeting Allenas little bundle of joy
5. flying to Colorado in June and having the time off from work
6. SARAH being in Austin!
7. pay day
8. lunch at Moonshine in 2 hours

8 things I did yesterday:
1. attended a 630 AM sales meeting
2. drove all over town meeting accounts (I feel like I like in my car now)
3. set up a happy hour through work at one of said accounts
4. got a migraine
5. threw up from migraine
6. played with my new Garmin (which Derek so generously took with him to work today)
7. played with my new watch
8. ate a 478,927,598,875,894 calorie dinner

8 things I wish I could do:
1. fly
2. make ridiculous amounts of money
3. convince Derek its time for another dog
4. sleep later in the mornings (especially Tuesdays)
5. be naturally thin and possibly grow 3 more inches
6. travel more
7. cook ridiculously well like Janet Bohls
8. know that I make a difference somehow and in some way

8 shows I watch:
1. Greys Anatomy
2. Desperate Housewives (though its getting a bit ridiculous)
3. The Hills
4. Jon & Kate Plus 8 (ditto on the awkward)
5. Gossip Girl
6. One Tree Hill
7. Greek (so precious)
8. LOST

8 bloggers I tag:
Erin
Allena
Sarah
Velma
Katie
Stacey
Heather
Jill (who I think has already done this one)

Gut and Heart Wrenching

Is anyone else feeling a bit queasy at the gossip and rumor mill spinning out of control around the Gosselin family? Im curious to learn what is true and what has been fabricated for money and attention... does anyone have their hands on the latest issue of People that Kate interviewed for? Anyone even care as much as I do?

My Life This Week

I apologize in advance for what I foresee as being one of the busiest weeks of my life. Well, kinda, sorta, maybe. A little?

In my new role at work, I am responsible for promoting our high end beers to our high end clients- i.e. today I spent a small chunk of time sipping coffee at the Four Seasons while conversing about the economics of carrying New Belgium (Fat Tire, Lips of Faith, Mighty Arrow, etc) products. I am by no means complaining because I can honestly say that when I count my blessings on a daily basis, my job is always on the list. However, this week has a little something extra in store for me which adds to the stress.

Wednesday and Thursday will both be spent one on one with one of two (one per day) brewery reps from the Widmer Brothers Brewing Company (Broken Halo, Hefe, Drifter, w '09, etc) and I will be responsible for driving them around to key accounts all over Austin. The idea is that with their knowledge of the beers behind their brand mixed with my sales skills, we will get several placements and have all the reason in the world to celebrate. You see, our evenings are spent around town in accounts that already carry Widmer products so we drink, promote the brand and goof off in general.

One thing that stresses me out is a 6 AM company wide meeting on Wednesday morning- this will be followed by a team breakfast for all the sales reps and their brewery pairings- which will then lead into an all day team sales crew drive- and finally close with drinks at the bar. Oh, and Thursday we get to get up and do it all over again (thank goodness there will not be a company meeting that day as well!)

If I dont write anything else this week, lovelies, know I am thinking of you and wishing you all a fantastic week! Happy blogging!

A Gurley Boy

My sweet Allena is having her first baby (a boy) next month and to celebrate, today was one of her (MANY) showers. If youll notice below, there was a monkey theme and it was so precious- oh, and any shower that serves make your own ice cream sundaes is a-okay in my book. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, Ill let them do the talking...

I cant wait to meet the little *nameless* bundle of joy!

Itching...

I am. For another dog. Guilty as Charged. I want Molly to have a friend on the days that Derek and I both work late, on Aggie game days when were gone from sun up to sun down and at night so she has someone to snuggle with. Is that too much to ask for a sweet pup like her?

I will promise you all one thing right here and right now- they will NEVER sport haircuts like these:

And with that promise I want tell you who I met yesterday. Anyone remember Bachelor Brad? The bachelor that picked no one?

While working on Thursday, I rode with a fellow salesman through his downtown route. As luck should have it, we happened upon a bar that Brad (and his twin brother) own together and he was there checking on freshly installed tile and was kind enough to introduce himself. It took everything I had to not mention his fifteen minutes of fame but ultimately, I succeeded and walked away without any sort of embarrassing groveling on my part. A Plus for me!

Hair Friday

I decided to dye my hair today out of sheer boredom. Ive mentioned in the past how impulsive I am and today was no exception to the rule. The jury is still out on whether or not I like it (I usually hate any changes I make) but what seems to be the bigger question is if Derek will even notice- he usually doesnt. I once cut over 5 inches on a whim and he didnt even see the change after I pointed it out.

Ill post a picture as soon as I have one

The Sullivans

As Stacey (who I finally met in person!), Heather and Allena have already blogged about, we spent this last weekend in Sweet Home, Texas for a much anticipated wedding. Our dear friends Heather (yes, there are two Heathers in this post) and Casey finally tied the knot!

There was a group of 8 that stayed in a cute little rental called The Longhorn House (too bad it was bursting at the seems with Aggies) and it was precious! With our four bedrooms came ONE bathroom, TWO kegs of beer (Bud Light and of course, Shiner), a fully stocked bar and a precious porch on which we spent the wee hours of both mornings. I cannot, for the life of me, get the picture of our precious house to load to take a peek at Allenas blog to see it!

The rehearsal ran way long and I had the privileged of standing in as a bridesmaid for Cara who was unable to make it on time. When my bladder finally caved and it was time to find a bathroom in the church, we decided to give Macey (Dereks year and a half year old niece) a break and headed to the restaurant for dinner to wait for the 'real' wedding party to join us. Not only did it take FOREVER to get our dinner, but the AC broke halfway in. Luckily, the drinks and laughs kept us all entertained as well as Maceys usual tricks she brings to the table.

After dinner was a gathering at our rent house and because they always do, the party didnt end until about 4 AM. Saturday morning arrived far earlier than I would have liked but the boys needed to get up and ready as Derek was a groomsman and both Ryan and Brent were ushers. The ceremony began at 2:30 PM so we didnt have too much time to dilly dally around. The ceremony was nice (not as long as most Catholic weddings I have been to) and off to the reception we headed...

There really is no way to describe how perfectly decorated the reception was, how BEAUTIFUL Heather looked and how much fun we really had in Sweet Home while we boogied down and ate delicious food chased by delicious drinks. Unfortunately, pictures cant do it much justice but Ill post them anyway- enjoy!

Rehearsal Dinner

Heather and her Dad

I cant get the picture to turn- but you get the idea, right?

Playing the Aggie War Hymn while Walt puts his horns up

Macey checking out the wide open space

my cheeky date

Macey feeding Ryan

Thats my boyfriend...doing some kind of jig?

Macey with her new best friend

Heather doing the Limbo

and Derek too

RO Boys

RO Girls

Another one of us

Caught 'em right before they left

Have fun in St. Lucia- tell Amy Winehouse hello!

The mandatory sword display while exiting