One potato, two potato, three potato, four.

Long time no see! Since I can't manage to get my random thought on here, I'll update you on the housing situation... or lack thereof.

In the beginning there was this house and we were so in love! It was the perfect floorplan and had everything we needed and then some. (Isn't that kitchen amazing?) Unfortunately they were even farther out than we are currently and we have not been able to find an affordable lot for them to build on. :(

So we kept shopping and found this amazing house (options: Gourmet kitchen, exc. room and extra garage). Unfortunately they sold out of lots to build this home in Austin. If we want it, we have to move to Belterra. A whole 2 miles closer...

We finally found a house and dropped a check to make it start happening. The plan isn't on the website yet, but it's similar to this, only 1000 sq ft lighter. Our favorite part was the side courtyard. Unfortunately things hit the slopes between us/ our agent/ the company and it didn't work out.

There have been many builders and other plans we have checked out in the meantime, but those are the homes we reference/ compare other homes to and that ultimately we will keep trying to figure out a way to get into.

Tonight Kevin and I are going to check out some houses in Meridian. It isn't as close in as we were hoping, but they do have good amenities and are right on MoPac, 8 miles closer in.

DWBellflower SPScarborough SPRutland

We don't have high hopes, but we'll see how it goes!

Friday 02/06/09

:::sigh::: I need to not write blogs if I don't want them to exist forever. I change my mind later and delete them.

Shopping

Deleted- Irrelevant

Grillz

I gots grillz, man. Not gold and bling-y, but silver with rubber bands. I'm sure mine cost just as much, though. It's been 14 months since I got my grill and I am SO ready to have them off. I feel/ look like a 12-year-old. My coworker wants me to wear pigtails bc she thinks that'd be the funniest thing ever. It wouldn't. I promise.

I've had a few migraines over the past week. They started having me wear rubber bands 24/7 to re-align/ pull back my jaw. Apparently the rest of my head isn't pleased with the re-distribution. From having 4-teeth pulled, springs, coils, and numerous other contraptions throughout this process, I am surprised the rubber bands have been the most difficult for me to deal with. Howver, I'm sure all of this is easier than the other option of having my upper jaw removed and moved forward.

This will all be done in about 9 months and will last forever. It may be painful and look goofy, but when it's over I will be forever hot. =D

Wordless Wednesday

Politics

Today is the day, isn't it?

"And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ." -Pastor Rick Warren
http://mrclm.blogspot.com/2009/01/inauguration-prayer-by-rick-warren.html

There were definitely some ups and downs in today's inauguration. What bothered me the most was the continued Bush hatred. Why is it necessary to Boo him on the day that you are getting a new president? Here's a word: hypocrisy. Would those that Boo Bush think it would be acceptable for Obama to be booed? Probably not. On the day of "new beginnings" I think it's sad that people can't put the past behind them and look forward to a new and hopefully improved future.

I think regardless of your political persuasion, a President should be respected for having the weight of the world on his shoulders. Bush deserves positive regard for doing the best he could, whether or not everyone agreed with the outcome. Obama equally deserves respect because he has earned the title of President. Hatred as an American is out of line when referring to any President, current or past.

So, About My Personality...

It's different. It's not just a nice, normal, pleasant kinda personality. I'm more of a think-before-I-speak kinda person. Sometimes I say things that aren’t so nice, but I really don’t intend to be rude. I can be a little vulgar (between being a cocktail waitress at a bar and marrying a firefighter I’m screwed) and sometimes I can seem judgmental or (insert your opinion here). I know that I’m not better than any single person on this planet- just the ones that that are manipulative cows.

My sense of humor is a little off as well, so I’ve learned. I’m very sarcastic and sometimes people just don’t get that. I think it drives my sister in law crazy because she’s always asking me if I’m serious or not- usually, I’m not. There’s a pattern there. ;)

The thing is I am who I am. I am so thankful for my sisters for knowing who I am and helping interpret that to other people. I think I lost some kind of social gene along the way… But I do try to be a nice person, an outgoing person and in general a good person.

I have had friends come and go- some acquaintances and some very close friends. I have been told that I can be somewhat of a bitch. (Can you believe that?) The thing is I don’t care- if I’m not doing something wrong then you either like me or you don’t. Sorry, cupcake. There are plenty of people in my world that love me for who I am. I have made some great friends over the last couple of years and they know who I am and what my values are. I’m not going to offend them with a lame-ass comment.

So yeah, maybe I’m not as outgoing as Michelle or kind as Mandy, but I’m cool with that. :)

2008 In Review

I started to write a review of 2008 but damn it was boring. It felt more like a Christmas newsletter than a blog entry. So here's a brief(er at least) summary:

Beginning of '08: Took a sememster of school, met a half sister, Linda. She's so fantastic, what a blessing!

Middle of '08: Went to Seattle and Kevin met my Dad for the first time. They clicked. How could they not? Our Dad is freakin' hilarious! Linda's family went also and it was really neat to meet my nieces. They are so adorable and funny (14 and 17?). And of course, Linda's hubby Darin who is a Fire Chief as well. What are the odds? Oh, and it was Linda's first time to see Dad in 20+ years. That was a teary reunion.

Kevin made promotion and we had a big bbq and floated a keg. This needs to be an annual thing- the bbq at least.

Robert got married! Kevin and I went to Dallas to celebrate Robert's forever-union with Brak. It was beautiful and amazing. I couldn't be happier for them. Plus I'm proud of Kevin for going with me. :)

We took Aaron to Disney World in FL for the last time. He took a friend with him. It was so much fun; I love that place. Rollercoasters don't get any better than the Tower of Terror. I could ride that thing 20 times in a row. Kevin got tired of it before then.

Later '08: We went to SPadre for the sandcastle competition. Not that we were interested, but it was something to do.

Aaron went back to school and didn't do so well. His first girlfriend was a distraction, to say the least. :/ He's still a good kid and I hope he continues to make an effort.

We decided to sell the house. We haven't found "the one" but we know we are too far away from town to stay here longer.

Thanksgiving and Christmas I didn't get enough time with my family. I love them all to pieces and need to see more of everyone.

This year I made some fantastic friends that I think will be around quite awhile, and have really started to take the time to learn who my friends are. It's important for me to be happy with those that surround me and improve who I am.

Coming up in '09:
Seeing Linda & fam again
Seattle to see Dad again- this time bringing Aaron
Maybe a trip to Maine?
Hopefully a new house.

Regardless, I could not be happier with my life right now. Thanks to everyone who made 2008 the best yet. I really do look forward to carrying the happiness into 09 and making it an even better year.

The end.

A Meme to re-start

1. Started your own blog - obviously.
2. Slept under the stars – I stayed at the lake regularly in high school
3. Played in a band - Drumline
4. Visited Hawaii- not yet.
5. Watched a meteor shower – in Washington
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/World - been to WDW twice. Both times w/ Kevin & Aaron
8. Climbed a mountain – mm, no. Just camped at the base of one. I've climbed foothills though, which are comparable to mts for Texans!
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo- You do NOT want me to do this.
11. Bungee jumped- Never will
12. Visited Paris- I don’t know that I want to.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea- No F’ing way!
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch – Unless interior decorating counts, no.
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables- I grew a tomato this year! I've grown some strawberries as well. Forever ago.
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France- this is back to the Paris thing.
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight – I have sisters. Pillows hurt.
22. Hitch hiked- hell no. I watch those movies.
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - those are called “mental health days”, everyone needs them.2
4. Built a snow fort- I don’t know that it looked like a fort, but I knew what it was.
25. Held a lamb – Yes. They smell bad and are stupid.
26. Gone skinny dipping – The cops showed up. : /
27. Run a Marathon -
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice- Nope, but Kevin proposed in a Venetian Gondola in Vegas!
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset – my favorites have been from the last house on the back porch and on the cruise.
31. Hit a home run- I suck at almost all sports.
32. Been on a cruise – Yeah. I watched sunsets there, remember?
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors- This confuses me. The Indian part, yes. The Irish/ German part, no.
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language- I know Spanish but I didn’t teach myself.
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied- there’s always more, but it’s about more than money. I am so thankful for what I have.
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing- Does indoor rock climbing count? I’ve done that.
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke – What was that club we used to go to?
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - we made a point to do this in S Padre.
46. Been transported in an ambulance – we rode behind the ambulance when I had to go to the ER.
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing- my attn span is not long enough for this.
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris- tired of France questions. Get over yourself, already.
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling – In Disney World.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud – I’m still bitter about losing my jelly shoe in the mud.
54. Gone to a drive-in theater- In WA we would cram 500 of us into a van and hide behind the seats.
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business – Does Pampered Chef count?
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies – I was a Daisy, but I sold them with my Brownies sisters.
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma- I tried and the result made me forever scared of needles.
65. Gone sky diving- I was going to do that with mom for my 18th birthday.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check Oops : /
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy – My blue train is gone forever. :(
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job- miraculously not.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle- 127 mph. Asshole.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person – On the way to Vegas.
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car –The Jeep was my first brand new car. Probably never again bc of depreciation vs. my turnover rate. (T minus trading Volvo for Audi)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - for ag.
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House- hopefully taking Aaron soon.
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - I have watched mom do it, but I didn't do anything hands-on.
88. Had chickenpox – with the sisters on Christmas.
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous – Singers when I worked at the bar. Johnny Lee, Merle Haggard, Trace Adkins, etc.
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one - unfortunately. Colwin and Mom.
94. Had a baby – Eventually.
95. Seen the Alamo in person – Every time a relative comes in town…
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone - who doesn’t own a cell phone?
99. Been stung by a bee – I’m allergic, but not in the deathly kinda way.

Okay, so that's 39. Could be better (except for visiting France, wtf?) but I feel like I've done enough for my age and know that I will travel and do more in the future.

Blogging

I suck at this blogging stuff. I had such grand ideas when I started (a blog a day!), I just never get around to it/ remember what I had to say/ etc. I really do have a lot of great ideas, I think about it when I'm in the shower, when I'm driving, when I'm having a conversation with Kevin. But getting from there to here with it still in my head just isn't working. I refuse to "write it down" as I think of it. Number one- have you seen the size of my purse? I can't even fit gum wrappers in there, I don't have room to pack more random shit in there. Number two- I would have to remember to actually retrieve the scraps of paper. Yeah, that's as great as remembering the issue in the first place.

So I'll try again. I imagine this will be like when I work out- occasional commitment, but never consistent.