12.31.2008

What is Nicholas Sparks' problem?

Nicholas Sparks is known for writing romantic books. But really, I think he has a hate on for love. Today we got out of work early so a coworker and I went to the $1.50 theatre and saw Nights at Rodanthe, which is based on the novel of the same name. I won't give away the ending but let me just say....you better take some kleenex. And it wasn't just me crying either. That's the second movie in a week I've seen with a sad ending. Perhaps I should not watch whatever sappy movie I've got saved on the DVR tonight and should pay-per-view a good old fashioned action flick instead. No more crying!

Tradition

It's become a tradition to take our photo in the tunnel of lights at the Walkway of Lights in Marble Falls each holiday season.

Kristin and El Hombre:
IMG_3196

Me and Kristin:
Annual photo

Reflections

As this is the last day of the year I've been thinking a lot about the past 12 months. There were 3 specific things I wanted to accomplish:

1. Lose 35 pounds.
2. Go on a fabulous trip for my 35th birthday.
3. Pass the NCIDQ and become a licensed interior designer.

So how did I do? Not so good, actually. I only lost 15 pounds, the only trip I took was to Calgary, for work, and I failed the NCIDQ*

2009 will be better. Right?!


*test results came in right before Christmas. Again. You'd think they could time that a little better.

12.29.2008

An Etsy Kind of Christmas

From my gramma, via Sanctuary (my cousin's store) but can also be found on etsy:
a drikaB bag

drikab

From my sister, some very cool jewelry all by the same artist, Shiningstones.

necklace
ring

I gave my sister and her husband this print that I found on etsy, by artist jellybeans.

all you need is love

12.22.2008

Snow Globe Cupcakes


Snow Globe Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by Bakerella
These are just about the cutest cupcakes ever. Bakerella is a cupcake genius. How anyone could eat these cute things, I don't know, but they probably taste really good.

12.18.2008

Chills

My mom sent me this video today. It gave me chills and made me tear up. Okay, you know I'm a softy and maybe just a little homesick....





The singers are known as the Cactus Cuties.

This video is of them singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It is even better than the national anthem.

12.17.2008

Melt

Today I had lunch at the Glenwood Grill with a coworker. It was so good! I had their special of the day, which was a mixed greens salad with fried oysters, goat cheese, toasted pecans, strawberries and a cranberry vinaigrette. The oysters were cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth. So good! If I knew how to get back there I would go again. It's not near our office at all though (we were out to see a client) so I will have to save it for a weekend.

12.14.2008

A wild hair

Yesterday I couldn't take it anymore, I had to get my hair cut. Right then. No waiting to ask women at work who they recommended, no calling my stylist in Austin and begging her to fit me in on the 24th or 26th of December (as if she would). I put my vanity into the hands of a stranger.

I should have known it wouldn't turn out well when I saw that the woman who was going to cut my hair was the thinnest person I have ever seen. She looked like those kids you see in the "feed the children" ads they run at 2am, only white, blonde and without the distended belly. Skeletal. And, I am pretty sure that the weight of the scissors made her arms quiver.


new hair cut

It's not so bad, it could be so much worse. Trust me, there has been worse (you will never see my passport photo). This hair cut is supposed to be a smooth stacked bob (you know, the one everyone got after Posh spice had it? well I had it first...off and on since 1991 thank you very much) but the back looks a bit like it was attacked with a weed whacker. At least I don't have to look at the back of my head. Pity the people that do.

12.11.2008

Blame it on the rain

Normally, it takes me about 15 minutes to get home from work. Tonight it took me 50. Why? Because it was raining. If I thought people in Austin didn't know how to drive then the people in my new town are even worse.

12.10.2008

I can't believe it


100-0006_IMG
Originally uploaded by Mygiftsmine
Snow in Austin! I leave town and then it snows. There hasn't even been this much snow in Raleigh yet. Today it was nearly 70 degrees! (at least I wasn't freezing today, so yay).

I hope the pipes didn't bust or anything at my condo. Nah....my neighbor would have emailed me. Right?

12.06.2008

It's that time of year...


to eat, drink and be merry. And last night that is exactly what we did. My company had its Christmas party at Sullivan's. I was really excited about it because I had always wanted to eat at the one in Austin but never got the chance. It was excellent. The way I feel this morning from lack of sleep and too much wine (since when is 3 glasses too much...well they were huge), not so much.

I was looking really cute. Imagine me with my glasses. I tried not to wear them, because I am vain, but everyone at work has seen me in them and I started getting a headache without them. You never know when you might meet someone. Although, wearing my big puffy orange coat to stay warm was kind of detracting from the overall look.




12.01.2008

I'm in love...

with Trader Joe's chocolate offerings.
Behold their Peppermint White Chocolate bar. I've already eaten one and bought 5 more. 4 of the 5 are for family members when I go home at Christmas. Swear. Oh wait! Kristin's husband doesn't like chocolate. More for me. Yay!



The other thing that I am so totally in love with that it's a good thing they only come 10 to a box (and are probably expensive but I admit that I didn't even look to see how much they were for once) are the Dark Chocolate covered Peppermint Joe Joe's. These are like Oreos with peppermint flavored filling, covered in dark chocolate with bits of crushed peppermint on top. OMG what is not to love.

Marry me, TJ!