All Alone

Derek left on Wednesday night for a bachelor party (not his own, his cousin Kelby’s) in Vegas. I? Get to get up at 530 AM daily, go to work, sell beer all day and be harassed by the homeless. He? Will be drinking his face off, gambling, sleeping in, drinking more and doing God only knows what else.

Its no secret that being with your partner- be it boyfriend, husband, roommate or even pet- is more fun than being alone. But in the interest of full disclosure, lets be honest and say that every now and then, for short periods of time- being alone and having your home all to yourself can be enjoyable.

Instead of spend my time bitter or unhappy about it. I am here to tell you all the reasons I will enjoy my “me time” over the next few days.

1) When my alarm goes off, I can snooze as many times as I want without worrying/feeing guilty that it will/has affected Derek.
2) I can get ready with all the lights on and hell, I can even put the TV on and check the weather, watch the news or listen to the Kardashians live fabulous lives through my DVR all while getting ready.
3) I absolutely will break all the dog rules and let them sleep in our room or (gasp) maybe even on the bed with me.
4) I can make all the tuna helper I want.
5) I get to catch up on all my DVR shows that Derek cant stand- i.e. Teen Mom, Vampire Diaries and Gossip Girl.
6) I get to spend my weekend with my real life love, Erin and help shower both she and Nolan with endless amounts of love.

Tonight though? I have overdosed on Robitussin and plan to spread eagle across the bed (provided Reggie is not taking up his standard ¾ of it) and sleep in a totally sloth/open mouthed kind of way. Baby steps, people.

Just Another Day

In the three weeks I have been covering my coworkers route, I have been accosted by two homeless men. You may be thinking to yourselves that its not a bad ratio and you would be right. I am constantly barraged with homeless men and women- standing on the sidewalks of campus looking generously disgusting, waiting on corners near red lights with cardboard signs telling their various sob stories, sitting in parking lots offering to “watch” your car for a few dollars. You name it, theyre there.

Yesterday was a truly special occasion-one that involved physical contact and one worth mentioning. I was walking into an account when it started to rain, naturally I didn’t have am umbrella. A nice man on the porch of said establishment reached his hand out to me and offered to help me up the steps. I thought it a bit odd but also felt guilty for assuming he was a creep and reminded myself that perhaps chivalry is not dead after all. I soon remembered why I should always trust my instincts. The supposed nice man would not let go of my hand, mumbled over and over some gibberish in the form of prayers and was blocking my path to the front door. As quickly as it all happened, I jerked my hand back and flailed away. It took me a few minutes to calm down, a lot of soap to feel clean again and a few moments to realize it would be nowhere near my last homeless encounter.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the great and unique city of Austin and all it has to offer as well as the hilarious sights Im able to take in on any given day, but the number of “homeless” people in this city is rising to an unacceptable level. You see, I spend 80 percent of my day in my car- driving in traffic, listening to the same pop songs over and over and over, and bridge dweller dodging. It’s a tough life but someone has to do it. Its just another day as Dez.

Wedding Wednesday: Invitations

are all addressed and ready to go...

This Face

...gets me every single time

to think she will be a BIG sister any day now...

Nina Shoe-Discount Code For YOU!

I am so thrilled to share this will you guys! Nina has offered all of you lovelies, the readers of Dezzy Lou, their very own discount code for… wait for it… THIRTY PERCENT OFF!!! This code is good for absolutely anything in the Nina online store. That includes both shoes and handbags! Heres the best part (for me)… if five of you buy a pair of shoes using the above discount code, I get a free pair of shoes.

What are you waiting for? Get out your wallets! So many beauties await. Just like these...

Pretty please please please let me know if you are considering or actually plan on buying anything using this code by either commenting or shoot me an email (address on sidebar). You guys are the best! Mama needs a new pair of shoes to get hitched in!

Off you go- SHOP! The code is dezzylou.

Shooooooooooo(e)t!!!

My temporary position at work has me SWAMPED! Im so sorry to have left you all with nothing to peruse… but allow me to make it up for you!!! I have a fabulous discount code (and story) to share! Ive decided to break this into 2 posts so bear with me.


Remember that time I ordered a pair of Nina wedding shoes online in a style that was only offered as the non returnable “design your own” ? Yes? Well remember when I got them in and they don’t fit? May I remind you, I did my homework and tried on the EXACT same shoe in the size I ordered and they fit like a glove. No dice on the “design your own style”—me thinks this is due to the fact that I have bad luck and must have picked up the one pair that was irregularly sized at DSW, my feet were uncommonly narrow that day or I just plain cant distinguish a 6 from an 8? Either way I am one bummed out bride… but as promised Im about to post an amazing coupon code that will benefit all of you and me too! Win win! Stay tuned, lovers…

Countdown

This has to be my favorite corner of our house lately... I so enjoy watching the number drop day by day.

Bachelorette Party Pics

Here are a few snap shots captured at my small bachelorette party last weekend.

We had such a blast.

Wedding Wednesday: Guest Book

After months of anticipation, our guest book finally arrived. Im so pleased with the way it turned out and wanted to share it with you all.

The inside pages ask guests not only for their name but also from where they traveled.

No boring plain white guest book for this bride to be!

Updates

Its been a while since I stopped by and had much to share. I have (and always) keep up with your blogs, though. Derek and I have been shopping around for a new laptop as mine is pretty much a heap of garbage these days and blogging can be a very frustrating project. Anyway, I digress.


Dereks mouth healed nicely and hes back on his A game minus his four wisdom teeth. I had a small bachelorette party this weekend in San Antonio with three of my close gal pals that will be unable to attend the bigger party in New Orleans slated for December. We attended a couples shower for a cousin and went to a dinner party last night. Today? I am sick. Not the contagious, fever kind- but the- Im allergic to everything in the air, I have drainage coming down the back of my throat (disgusting, I know) and its causing a loud, nasty cough that kept me awake most of last night. Im so worn out, my back and chest hurt from coughing and Im tired from tossing and turning.

I received some news from work I wanted to share and it will keep me very very busy for the next few weeks. One of my coworkers- the nicest and most kind man Ive ever met, had emergency surgery a few weeks ago to remove a brain tumor. He has been and will continue to be out of work until early October and Ive been asked to cover for him. The good news is it will be very substantial hands on training for when I eventually move into the same role later in my career at my company. Im both excited and honored to have been asked and hope I will please and impress the company during these next few weeks.

Mouthful Monday

My sweet had all 4 of his wisdom teeth pulled on Friday. Its been a weekend of soft foods, netflix through the Wii and me sleeping in our bed alone while Derek found comfort in our over-sized chair.

Before:

Friday night our friend and neighbor, Chris, came over to serenade the patient:

Saturday:

Sunday:

...and how he slept for the first 2 days:

Heres hoping solid food are in his near future!

Shower!

Today was a baby shower for my (future) sister in law, Rhonda and baby Brinley.

We had a great turn out and she got a great loot!

8 Questions

The very talented Amy over at Haha. Wait What? has tagged me in the 8 Questions Game.

The rules are simple:

Answer the 8 questions, come up with 8 new questions, tag 8 people. Easy.
And here are her eight questions:

1. If you could change your name to anything - what would you change it to?
I used to really hate my name- when I was younger it stuck out and that wasnt cool but now that Im older its fun to be different. I think I can honestly say Id rather not change my name.
2. If you could watch only one movie for the rest of your life - what movie would you choose?
Its tough to only pick one, but Id say Ace Ventura- or Dumb and Dumber.
3. If money were no object and you could move to anywhere in the world - where would you go?
Id like to live on the water, either a lake here in Texas, the beaches in California or even one of the Carolinas and of course there is always Rhode Island where I could live next door to my Sarah.

4. What is your favorite animal and why?
I love love love dogs but have always wanted to snuggle a koala bear.

5. What is your dream job?
Ive got it. I make my own schedule, dont sit behind a desk, make decent money and get paid bonuses based on my monthly sales and I have a free car and all of its maintenance.

6. If you were a bad guy- would you rather be interrogated by Jack Bauer or Jack Bristow?
I dont know either of them except that ones from 24...?

7. If you could meet any celebrity (dead or alive) - who would you want to meet?
Chelsea Handler and Bethenny Frankel- I cant chose between the two PLEASE dont make me!

8. How do you pronounce the word crayon? Do you say cray-on or crown?
UGH. WOOF. I say cray-on thankyouverymuch.


And now I tag the following:
A Real Housewife
Allena
Enginerd
Kelly
April
Hotpants
D.A.R.
Heather

And now for my questions...


1. What TV show is your guiltiest pleasure? Extra points for super awful.
2. Team Edward, team Jacob or team I don’t give a rats ass?
3. What is your most unhealthy craving?
4. Whats your favorite knock knock joke?
5. What is your least favorite household chore?
6. What book could you read over and over?
7. Whats the strangest thing you dip in ranch dressing?
8. Favorite male and female celebs?


Boom. Go.

Try It Thursday: Hoptober

One of the newer (this is its second season) and best seasonal beers available for the months of August, September and October from New Belgium is Hoptober. Made with five hops and four malts, Hoptober is a cornucopia of the earth. The pale and wheat malts are mashed with rye and oats to create a medium bodied ale with a creamy mouth feel accompanied with citrus notes.

Hops:
Centennial
Cascade
Sterling
Willamette
Glagier

It is 6% alcohol by volume and has 120 calories.

Lastly, To quote the interwebs and the Beer Advocate “The five hops used in Hoptober provide just enough bitterness to cut the buttery, meaty flavors of Italian fennel salami, Taleggio cheese and sourdough bread”

Thoughts on Life Brought to You By Laguna Beach...

Im (majorly) ashamed to admit Ive been re-watching Laguna Beach. Not only does it make me feel awkward and uncomfortable more often than not but it made me remember a very odd feeling I remember so well.
The most recent episode I watched was when all the older kids (in Laurens class) come home for Christmas and hang out with each other as well as the current senior class at their Alma matter. I.e. Lauren and Kristen resume feuding over Stephen- lame.

Do you guys remember how weird it sometimes felt to be home from school during summer, Christmas, Easter or heaven forbid spring break (way uncool)? Sure it was nice to be in your “own” bed, get to spend time with your parents, not have to save each and every quarter you came across for laundry and you got to see your friends youd missed your entire first semester but it also felt odd- our of place even. Your home no longer felt like your home.

Your best friends were still your best friends but you found yourself missing your new college friends. You laughed at things nobody else understood because they were inside jokes you made with your roommate or suitemate. Your parents made you feel a little guilty if you didn’t balance time with them versus time with the friends you were dying to see and catch up with. You secretly missed your college bed and if you lived in a dorm, it was a twin. My dorm? Was co-ed and AWESOME. You didn’t know how it was possible to miss your messy pot-luck roommate. Many of the activities in your hometown felt a little bit amateur or silly. You had to see your ex and while it was bittersweet, lets be honest, youd rather see that boy you have been crushing on from your intro to MassComm class instead.

I moved back to the city I grew up in after college and still live here. I still pass by my high school and can smell the hallways. I can see the chalk boards and feel the band playing at pep rallies before I stepped onto the floor to dance. I can remember Fridays and how they held so much possibility for what may come after the football games. I remember feeling like all my emotions couldn’t possibly ever feel more intense: the friendships, the heartache, the laughter, the tears and the goodbyes.

Watching Laguna Beach- witnessing these kids (again) stumble through what they determined to be life altering decisions makes me remember how silly I was when I was 17. If only I knew then what I know now… it really makes me chuckle.