it's the little things...

So yesterday? Second coolest thing ever. Today? Coolest thing ever. N***'s kids cannot go so I'M GOING TO PARIS! On Saturday! I have no words, only squeals.

So yesterday I was going to meet one of my best friends so that we could carpool to meet another friend for some drinks and dinner. I had just gotten off the phone with Friend #1, letting her know I was running a bit late. The radio had been turned down while I was on the phone. I vaguely hear the DJ say, "Is this N*** L*** [insert name of different best friend here]?" And it was N*** L***! She was on the radio screaming with excitement, the perfect radio winner. I was excited for her. Then as the conversation progressed, I was more excited! I was screaming! I was shaking! I was giddy! Want to know what her prize was? A trip to see Madonna in concert. In Paris. In Paris! How awesome is that?!?! She'll probably take one of her kids because she's the best mom ever. She really is one of the best people. It made me want to call the radio station and congratulate them on picking the best winner. I was still so excited for her last night that I couldn't fa...

10 Superstitions, Traditions, and/or Personality Quirks I enjoy eating mashed potatoes and corn in the same meal. When I was little we'd make rows in our mashed potatoes with our forks and then "plant" the corn kernals in them. Now? I just scoop some potatoes on my fork and press them into the corn so some stick. I do not mix any other food items that I can think of. Before every flight I chant a quick, "Let it be safe, smooth, and uneventful." I've been reading a book about wedding superstitions. I'd like to stick to the groom-not-seeing-the-bride-the-day-of-the-wedding one. Not all the time, but when I've been away from home for a few days or more, I check under the toilet seat before I sit down. Hey, it's an old, drafy house. There could really be something under there. I pet my own head when I'm stressed. I often don't realize I'm doing it but my guess is that Mom comforted me that way when I was little. I start the day by checkin...

So there has been this movie (which I haven't yet seen) and this website (and this one ) that have led me to starting my own list. It's going to be over there on the side.

Last week I had a whirlwind travel week. I flew to Memphis on Tuesday morning and instead of coming home that night, I flew to California. Needless to say, it was tiring. Unlike many of my trips, however, I had a little free time. I'll post more on that later but for now, here are some pics of Dodgers Stadium. I went to the game on Thursday. They have a big, old, open-air ballpark. It nicely faces the hills instead of downtown (even though I love that ours faces downtown). Their hotdogs are called Dodger Dogs. They sing the first verse of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" twice and then, shockingly, no "Deep in the Heart of Texas." Tsk, tsk. The Wave? Very exciting to them. Also exciting? Hitting beach balls around. But, hey, it is California. They boo more than we do but I sat by some really nice, friendly folks. Game details? They played Arizona and lost 4-6. Jeff Kent drove in the first Dodger run with a triple. I miss him. It got quite cold that evening and I ...

I've been feeling very fortunate lately. Life has been going so well I've been trying not to think about the proverbial "other shoe dropping." Instead, I'm enjoying it. You can see the first 100 things I'm thankful for here . I am thankful for/that: 101. The Boyfriend 102. The Brother’s in-laws. 103. currently being pretty darn healthy. 104. my allergies haven’t bothered me as much in the last year. 105. my car—my whim purchase—is still fun to me almost a year later. 106. people love me enough to ask me to be in their weddings. 107. my house! 108. I can do lots of things on my own. 109. people who are around to help me. 110. the right to vote. 111. memories. 112. I’m able to see more of the country because of my job. 113. I had such a great team to work with on my last project. 114. I get to work in psychology again soon! 115. this great weather we’ve been having. 116. I have few dietary restrictions. 117. digital photography. 118. blogs (because everyone need...

Could someone please tell me how to do that thing where you can type but then cross through it? I know how to click the nice little button when I'm word processing but how does one do that here? Thank you. That is all.

Stole this from Bubba's Sis , but she encouraged the theft. Have you ever… (x) Gone on a blind date (x) Skipped School ( ) Watched someone die ( ) Been to Canada (x) Been to Mexico (x) Been to Florida (x) Been on a plane (x) Been lost (x) Been on the opposite side of the country ( ) Gone to Washington , DC (x) Swam in the ocean (x) Cried yourself to sleep ( ) Played cops and robbers (x) Recently colored with crayons (x) Sang Karaoke (x) Paid for a meal with coins only? (x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? (x) Made prank phone calls (x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose - or other places! (x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue ( ) Danced in the rain (x) Written a letter to Santa Claus ( ) Been kissed under the mistletoe (x) Watched the sunrise with someone you care about (x) Blown bubbles ( ) Gone ice-skating ( ) Been skinny dipping outdoors Well, have you?

I've had problems with my blog all day. Anyone else or is it just me? The topic this week is 10 Favorite Movie Comedies . Some of these may not technically be comedies but I thought about what movies I either found hugely funny at first but over time may not do as much for me ( Austin Powers ) or ones that I find funny (at least in places) regardless of seeing them a million and one times ( The Princess Bride ) or ones that really grew on me after awhile ( Office Space ). Austin Powers Ferris Bueller Finding Nemo Juno Office Space Taladega Nights The Breakfast Club The Princess Bride Tommy Boy Shrek

In no particular order... The most recent wedding , my friend's from last weekend was held in the country . This was her reception area (taken after we had done most of the set-up). This room was above the newly completed horse stables. Tons of green grass, bluebonnets, and Indian paintbrushes could be seen beyond that window. Another picture from our perfect day (the day after the wedding). You can almost make out some of the bluebonnets back there. The Brother, SIL, The Boyfriend, and I went to Opening Day . We also went the day after. Yea! My orchids are blooming again. KatieLady gave me these for a housewarming present. Awhile back, The Boyfriend and I had a quick little trip to Vegas . This was the view from our hotel room: This was one of the decorations in the hotel. Beautiful spinning parasols hanging from the ceiling. They also moved up and down. If only there were room for these in my house. This was the floor. I just loved the color and the designs...all mosaics. W...

It was Sunday morning and we were chatting before getting out of bed. Feeling slow and easy. Feeling relief that, even though I love doing things for other people, I now had my life back after being stretched too thin for too long. We decided to just throw on some clothes and finger-comb our hair when we heard the other B&B guests coming to the proprietor's late breakfast. Another meal of quiche and fantastic orange not-too-sweet rolls and homemade jam and perfectly cooked salty bacon. We ate and talked and laughed with the other guests. We bathed and got dressed again and packed and headed out only slightly after our 11 o'clock check-out time. Armed with a vague map, a half a tank of gas, and some locals' stories and suggestions, we headed out of town. Wildflowers abound. We hit one winery that was overcrowded with a bus tour from the city. We walked around a lavender farm and took one of the fledgling plants with us. We tried in vain to find that old bridge they menti...

Off to the country. Giddyup!

This Saturday is the second of my back-to-back weddings. That I'm in. I cannot begin to tell you how happy I will be when it is over. One of the reasons for that is because I really am jonesin' to work on the house but haven't had time. My list could be endless this week but I'll just stick to ten. 10 Things I'd Fix in My House (if I had the time and money) The Ugly Bathroom . New floors. Beadboard on the walls. Repainting of the trim. New mirror. New towels, mats, shower curtain. This is the biggest project in my house but I know once it's done, it will be my favorite room. The sunroom floor . The Brother had to replace some rotted subfloor and we haven't re-tiled yet. It's been quite awhile. It's a little scary. Part of what's slowing us down is that we haven't done a tile project before. Should be a good room in which to learn. The stairs . The previous owners felt compelled to paint my lovely stairwell a dark navy blue above the white wai...