Progress Report #3

I give up. Truth is, I don't really think my heart was in it. There's too much stress and screwy schedules in my life right now. And I have cramps so I bought a box of Fruity Pebbles and intend to enjoy it. I've fallen off the wagon. Ok, I JUMPED off the wagon...in to a big bowl of Fruity Pebble goodness. And I'm going to be okay with that...eventually. There's always next year, right?

Maybe by then I'll have developed patience and motivation. Here's hoping.

Project 20 by 30 was officially a failure. How depressing.

Just like a dream...only not

Last night we had to go to an awards dinner for my Big Girl job. It was our first fancy dress party. So my dress adventure begins....

Shopping Adventure: The Girls from work and I head to Dillard's one night after work. After not fitting in to anything my size - I was close to a breakdown. I try on the PERFECT dress only it won't zip. Awesome. Kelley brings me the same dress in a larger size and it looks FANTASTIC! (A size I don't want to discuss but fantastic!) So we look for shoes. While I don't find any for the dress - I do find my wedding shoes! The PERFECT pair of red shoes! My wedding shoes are old and not in great shape - so like a crazy person, I buy the shoes...again. :) They bring me joy. (Side Story: I have the guy bring me my size and rush to check out only to get home and discover they were the wrong shoes. Hells bells. I had to exchange them on my lunch break the next day.)

Fancy Dress Party: So the day of the party arrives and we get all dolled up. I have this nagging fear that someone else will be wearing my fantastic dress. I'm a worry wort. I figured it's going to be cold so I grab my black wrap just in case. We get to the hotel and start walking around the banquet. As we're walking around, I'm constantly glancing around, hoping my dress doesn't show up. Only it's me so it totally does. She walks in and I immediately wrap up. Now you can't tell - crisis averted. If only.

I go to the Ladies Room and as I'm occupied, it occurs to me how ironic it would be to have Dress #2 walk in at the same time. No way - just my imagination taking over! Only it's me so it isn't. I come out of the stall and bump in to my dress. Fun times. We look at each other and I say "That's a GREAT dress!" to which she replies "Well $#*$." :) We have a quick little laugh, I wrap back up and head back out.

I should write a book. :)

We did look fabulous.

Until next time....

Who's the Boss

We've had our beloved Pound Puppy for over a year now and he still brings us joy. He's calmed down quite a bit and is the sweetest little thing! Even when he breaks the rules we never established!

For Christmas, my mom got us Cesar's Way by Cesar Milan so we could learn to be effective Pet Parents. Daniel read through the book and discovered we've done everything wrong. Oops. We didn't bring him home right, we don't exercise him right and apparently we love him first. Which is wrong. Who knew?! Apparently the Dog Whisperer. Whatev.

So Daniel's walking him so he can eat. Apparently 'walks' equal 'hunts' which in turn equals 'eat'. Yeesh. (Daniel gets so put out with Atticus when he doesn't immediately eat when he gets home - "I took you on a hunt! Eat!" It's cute!)

The other night, Daniel says "Babe, I think the dog is the boss of us."I quickly come to my own defense! "Nu uh!! He's not the boss of me!"Daniel then proceeds to go through the 'The Dog's in-charge if' list and two out of five don't apply to me. See! Totally not the boss!

Well, the next morning we wake up to find our precious Atti snuggled up between us on the bed. I sigh, "Hey Daniel". "hmmmm"

"He might be the boss of us." :)

But we wouldn't have it any other way. Just look at this face!

I got style!! Dana says so!!

My friend Dana at http://lifeuncontainable.blogspot.com/ says I have style! :) She awarded me the Stylist Blogger Award and I'll take it! Now I get to share some facts about me and nominate some Stylish Bloggers of my own!

But first, a special thanks to Dana. She brings me joy. I love how much love their family oozes. :) I find her encouraging and uplifting and I'm so glad she likes my hat. :)

Seven Random Facts about me....

1: I don't like water in my face. At all.

2: I really like writing and I'm thankful I get to write more in my new Big Girl job.

3: When I was younger, I wanted a 'normal' name. But I've grown to love my unique name and wouldn't trade it for the world.

4: I bought a pair of shoes the other day that are identical to the shoes I wore on our wedding day - because I love them and I never want to be without them.

5: I talk to my Mom almost every day and I have conversations with my dad when I'm in driving.

6: I've always colored inside the lines. I take coloring VERY seriously and hated to share my coloring books.

7: I would be completely lost without my husband, my library card and my DVR.

Now for MY Stylish Bloggers!!

Sarah at http://sarahmadgwick.blogspot.com/. I've never actually met Sarah but she's married to one of my favorite people so therefore she's family. She's refreshingly honest and awfully crafty! They have a beautiful family and I love being able to see inside their lives even though they live far away.

JoRonda at http://northcuttnotes.blogspot.com. She is probably the most optimistic, faithful person I've ever met. Her constant faith is such an encouragement. Right now the Northcutt Family live in Thailand and I love reading about their new adventures.

Kelley at http://www.rubberduckyrebellion.blogspot.com/. She's the Young One and she makes me laugh! And following her as she adjusts to being a grown up reminds me I might have been young... once. Although I always wore sensible shoes.

Jade at http://crafthope.com/. Once again, I've never met Jade but I admire her for what she's started. She has created a community of people who come together to craft for a cause and it's always humbling and rewarding to participate in one of their Projects.

Your Turn!

Here are the rules:

Thank and link back to the blogger who gave you the award.

Share seven things about yourself.

Award your top bloggers, and be sure to let them know!

My Christmas Hat

Tomorrow we're set to shoot in Minute Maid Park where it will be FREEZING!! But, thankfully my dear friend Andi got me a lovely Christmas Hat to keep my poor little ears warm.

So I'll wake up at the butt crack of dawn, bundle up and brave the frozen roads because the show must go on. And I'll be ready!

The Great Blizzard that Wasn't

Let's start with a fun Side Story. I've been slowly collecting my childhood on DVD. A few weeks ago I found Alice in Wonderland - the TV version with everyone under the sun in it for only $7.50! The Sister and I enjoyed a weekend of nostalgia while we watched Alice dance around Wonderland. And we didn't have to fast forward through any commercials! Awesomeness! I was in Walmart last weekend and came across The NeverEnding Story on DVD (the original, not the 2nd one - that one is crap) for again only $7.50! HOLLA!! "Daniel!! Look what I found!! 'Call out my name, Bastian!!'" My Beloved shakes his head, rolls his eyes and says "get it." :) YAY!

For the past week we've heard nothing but "snow, Snow, SNOW!!!!!" We were told we were going to get 2 - 5 inches. INCHES people!! I live in HOUSTON - the possibility of snow is MAGICAL! I remember when we were little, we spent the night with my grandmother and woke up to snow. Everything was white and beautiful! We bundled up and with socks on our hands, we played in the snow. With all this hype, I was looking forward to frolicking in a Winter Wonderland.

Only this morning we woke up to ice, Ice, ICE!! Not snow. I can't make 'Ice Angels' - that's just lame. So I'm ragey and offended - Mother Nature is stupid and mean. Daniel has the News on so we can stay informed. Every time they mention snow - I get cranky and loud. It's snowing everywhere else but in Houston and at our house. This makes me sad. And cranky and loud!

Daniel: "Great, is this how it's going to be all day?"

Me: "We could watch The NeverEnding Story!"

My Beloved: *eyes rolling* "Great." (I don't think my Beloved shares in my enthusiasm regarding the movies of my childhood - foolish boy.)

Instead of snow, we got ice and a lot of cold. So I'm catching up on my Stories, finishing up some stuffed bunnies and cleaning the house.

Snow = MAGIC!

Ice = Chores

Stupid Mother Nature.

Et tu, Brute?

I love books. I love pages - the way they smell and feel! My Beloved asks that I wait to get in the car before I smell my new book - he doesn't want the people of Barnes and Noble to think I'm crazy. He's so sweet. :) And I love to 'rescue' books from half price book stores. It brings me joy to give them a good home. I'm a nerd and I'm okay with that.

Here's where my guilt comes in. I have an Ereader. GASP!

Daniel got me a Nook last year for our anniversary and I love it. I can download books and carry them with me everywhere. LOTS of books!!! In my purse! It's SWEET. I struggled with this decision but after having to pack three books to get through a flight, I was sold.

Purists might call me a traitor but I can live with that. I still LOVE printed books. I still buy books! I still love a good lived in spine. I still smell the pages. But it's lovely to have access to hundreds of books at my fingertips. Absolutely lovely. Just sayin'.

Until next time....