Baby Boy Gurley

Everyone please think happy thoughts for Allena today as she welcomes into the world her much anticipated bundle of joy. I cannot wait to meet him and congratulate the happy parents- and most of all, find out his name! =)

Jumping On The Bandwagon

Alright. Im in. Im going to start watching True Blood.

Found a website with links to watch past episodes and its already taking over my day. Great, as if I needed one more thing to watch. Sigh. Why lead when you can follow?

You Saw This One Coming

We all know most of us will write the obligatory Michael Jackson post so I guess this should come as no surprise to you.

Despite being a little (okay, a LOT) weird/unpredictable towards what has now become the end of his life, the man could rock. He made amazing music, he danced like no other, and his art made this world a little better. I know many have mixed feelings about him and I wont get into a debate with anyone about it- this is about his music and the loss of a truly creative individual. I only hope that in his death, he can finally get the privacy and freedom he seemed to crave so badly.

Ed, Farrah, Michael and Billy. All lives lost too soon. Such a sad week in the Hollywood hills.

Empty Nest Syndrome

I had an absolutely fabulous time with Sarah and Ryan while they were here. I am tired, I have no voice, I have a minor sunburn and Im convinced I gained 14 pounds during their five day stay. We ate, we drank, we hung out with friends and family and best of all, we made memories.

It honestly takes me back at times to realize just how long Sarah and I have been committed to our friendship. Who else on earth, at age 0 (what else should we call it?) decide that they have already met their best friend and that they will continue on that way despite a 2000 mile difference forced upon them at the age of 8? I think its pretty amazing.

My memory card is acting up (and has been for quite some time now) so Ill add pictures as soon as technologically possible. For now, Ill just look at them on my camera and wish I could relive every second of the last few days.

Almost Time

In less than 24 hours, my Sarah will be HERE. Not an email, phone call or text away. She will not be hiding on facebook or myspace- she will be HERE!

In honor of her visit as well as Ryans (her sweet, adorable boyfriend) I have created a "Welcome to Texas" Basket for them to enjoy. Its mostly to be silly and a little to take home with them. This is Ryans first time in Texas (Sarah has been here many times) so Im really excited to show off our great state!

Thank you for all of your wonderful suggestions of things to do, places to eat and where to hang out!

I Give Up

I am absolutely livid reading this. I think if were being honest we all knew it was coming, but I really really was holding out hope despite all the looming and lingering signs of danger ahead.

I have the dvr set to record the special tonight where apparently Jon and Kate will break the news to us- but Im so mad I dont know I can sit though it.

Who am I kidding? Ill watch it, tissues in hand.

Celebration!!!

Derek just got the results from his professional engineer exam. My little book worm got an 87 and all he needed to pass was a 70. And to think he's been all worked up and nervous since he took the test! Now its time to celebrate!!!

Mad at Mud

Just when we were finishing up the garage- Molly went into the backyard so that we could watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (saddest movie ever). Much to our dismay, she discovered very quickly, that Derek was watering the trees. This created a few mud pits- all for the taking. (never mind that she looks like a demon pup in the face)

Just when we thought our work was over... our movie and relaxation was delayed a good 45 minutes.

Garage Purge

Derek and I spent three hours today organizing and cleaning the garage. With all the beer and beer paraphernalia I bring home (and to him), mixed with his tools and toys from his bachelor days (I guess hes still a bachelor ish?), the Foosball table, my treadmill (he lets me keep it there), it gets pretty crazy and out of control.

(thats a street sign reflecting all horrible like and ruining my picture)

(the all important kegorater that I gave him for Christmas in 07)

Our goal was to make it almost like our very own bar. I am so pleased with the results and cannot wait to have Sarah and her boyfriend Ryan here to play! I doubt we will spend much time out there considering its borderline 3,000 degrees, but its nice to have it neat and tidy when entering the house from this pathway. Whoever said a man shouldnt have his very own playground at home was wrong!

Sunday Giggles

Does anyone else giggle uncontrollably when the Mikes Hard Lemonade commercials come on?

The guy who always has new and bad ideas (i.e. Mikes Hard Lemonade with a twist of bacon cheeseburger in it) seriously makes me burst with laughter every single time. What commercials get you guys going?

In Exactly Seven Days

In one week, my lifelong best friend, Sarah will be HERE!!!

I have known Sarah since I was literally a few months old. We learned to swim together, had chicken pox together, sat in the same lay-z-boy and watched ALF together, loved Mr. Rogers together and even ate our meals at the same speed. Were talking, you take a bite, I take a bite type speed. She would get mad at me if I sipped my juicy juice or milk before she was ready. At one point we even laughed so hard together that she swallowed a part of a lifesaver and it ended in her mom scooping her upside down by her ankles. She is the closest thing I have ever had to a real sister and I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see her. Be it in Boston or here in Austin, she makes everything so much fun.

I have spent a lot of time thinking up an agenda for her visit (she is bringing her boyfriend as well, and he has never been on an airplane!) and this is what I have come up with...

Wednesday:

Airport pick up 11 AM

Lunch downtown (suggestion needed)

Pool time/rest (its going to be so hot to them)

Dinner at the Oasis

Thursday:

Breakfast/brunch (Kerby Lane)

Barton Springs (any activity that will keep us cool)

Dinner at Dereks parents house (they live on a farm and have tons of land, we can ride around on a tractor or in a truck around their pasture... yes, Im serious)

Out somewhere local (Docs, Hannovers, anywhere up north near home)

Friday:

Pool time, walk around downtown or south congress (anything, really)

Late Lunch (suggestion needed)

Cloark Room (bar)

Downtown at night 4th/6th Street

Saturday:

Breakfast/brunch @ home

Boat party 1230-4 PM

Dinner at Hula Hut

Sunday:

Funs over, back to the airport

Am I missing anything? Where should we for sure eat during those mealtimes not already determined? Were trying to really do the Austin theme up big!

Thrilled

Does anyone else want to jump out of their skin with excitement when new people stop by your blog? Cause I do and it seriously makes my day- and dont even get me started on how awesome it feels when they decide to follow. Having 4 new friends on here today honestly made my whole entire week.

I told Derek how awesome this was- he looked at me like I was speaking German. He just doesnt get it. They never do. UGH. Do your signifs ever act like that about your blog? I wish he would guest blog for me just once.... dont you? Hes pretty funny. In fact, how about you all post the reasons youd like to hear from him and well see if he caves. Now, get to thinkin'. Also, suggestions for a topic would be much appreciated. ;)

So Maybe It Took Until Wednesday

I lied to you. I didn’t post Monday- I didnt even post Tuesday. I got caught up with laundry, dry cleaning and pup washing post boarding. After all of that, I had to face the music and play "ketchup" at work. People need beer for their summer activities, no? A girls gotta work.

Tuesday was spent in my typical Tuesday crank type 'tude. We had our weekly sales meeting at 630 AM and the AC was broken in the conference room which made it all that much worse. Ive had a bad nights sleep the last two nights- the first of which I blame on a combination of trying to get back in the swing of things after our trip and a book I simply could not put down. I have been reading My Sisters Keeper for what feels like an eternity and with all the flying time to and from Denver, I found my stride and am within pages of finishing. So so so so good. Read it. (Im now finished and seriously would shove it down all of your throats if you were close enough)

So, allow me to address our trip to Denver. I have to apologize (again) in advance because I am posting from work and don’t have my pictures on this computer. You'll have to use your imagination for now and Ill try to update later.

We flew in to Denver on Thursday and immediately met our friends at a local brewery/bar. We killed some time until a “Welcome to Denver” BBQ at the brides fathers house. The food was good (I ate my weight in mashed 'taters) and when the weather got rainy (like it did EVERY day we were there) we went inside. We were met almost immediately with shots of what the "Serbs" drink best, Slivovitz. Its awful. Its like a combination of cheap tequila and bad rum. Its also one of those horrible shots that you taste HOURS later. A few rounds into it, we decided to call it a night and head back to the hotel bar for some night caps. I did make it a point to hit up the nighttime cookie happy hour complete with every type of cookie you can dream of and milk- in all flavors.

Friday morning met us a little early as we had to pick up a rental car and head to Fort Collins which is about an hour away from Denver. Derek and I were lucky enough to get set up with a private VIP tour of the New Belgium brewery through my work. We loved every second of it, got lots of cool free stuff and left just in time to stave off any buzz we may have gotten before driving back.

That evening was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. Again we were met with shots of "the devil liquor" (I have renamed it) and lots of rain. Were talking downpour type crazy sideways rain. Once it cleared up, we had a fancy craw fish boil and drank our beer with no problems from the lingering rain clouds. A traditional stop at the hotel bar was in order before bed but we kept it a decently early night as the groomsmen had to be up early for their spa day. Yep, the male members of the wedding party were pampered all day long. Who is jealous besides me?

The wedding itself the next day was beautiful, very simply decorated as it took place in an ornate Serbian orthodox temple- and the tradition of the ceremony was something else! Lots of Greek spoken, lots of chanting, lots of standing which my feet hated, and lots of "lord have mercy[s]". All in all, quite an experience.

And guess what waited for us on the other side of the temple doors when we exited? Yep, that damn liquor. The house party had literally snuck out of the temple before ceremonies end and poured about 200 shots just for this very reason. I had no choice.

The reception took place at Mile High Station which was AWESOME. Were talking beautifully decorated, fully stocked bar, excellent food, not a penny spared type of reception. I can only imagine how long Katies parents will be paying this off. We had a blast and really enjoyed the company of all our friends, their families and the beautiful city.

The last and most scary impression I have of Denver is getting in the taxi to head towards the airport with the sounds of hurricane sirens bidding us goodbye. That wasnt scary at all.

And now that I AM at home, Ill post pictures, since this isnt already way too long:

Im home!

Hello chickadees-

Im sorry to have left you with no explanation but my week kinda got away from me and I FORGOT to tell you I was leaving.

Anyway, I am home from Denver and will post tomorrow with pictures and such.

Im so glad to be home and have all of your blogs to catch up on.

An Answer

Its possible that some of you may have read my previous post about a possible food allergy. Well tonight I found my answer over dinner with the girls. Kyndall, Michelle and I went out for sushi and half way through the meal I tried some of Kyndalls roll dipped in soy sauce. My throat is now half shut and is pulsating in pain. At least I think I figured out what the problem was, right?

Damn soy sauce.