Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty Four

Appetizer
How do you usually celebrate on New Year's Eve?
To me, New Year's Eve is the number one most depressing day of the entire year. I've never liked it much. It's always seemed kind of sad to have another year pass by. I always want to have plans but I never have a standard plan.

Soup
Name one thing unexpected that happened to you in 2006.
I got my heart broken.

Salad
Where was your favorite place that you visited in 2006?
I didn't go anywhere too off the beaten path this year but between work and seeing friends I made it to Chicago five times and went to Dallas.

Main Course
What resolution is your top priority for 2007?
I know it's kind of standard but I definitely need to eat better and exercise more. I would also like to read more.

Dessert
Using just three words, describe 2006.
Emotional. Stressful. Eventful.

We must be telepathic

Yesterday I sent Nichole a link to a pair of totally awesome earrings I found online. They were nostalgic and made me laugh. She emailed back asking if I'd received a package from UPS recently. The only package I'd received was a book I'd ordered last week from Amazon. Upon further investigation my package had been at UPS since Friday waiting for me to pick it up but I somehow missed the notice that I was supposed to do so. Anyway, I went to UPS and there in that brown box was the EXACT same pair of earrings that I emailed to Nichole yesterday. Do you love them? I do.

It's true. Nichole and I went to a Jordan Knight concert a couple years ago at The Blue Note. It was probably one of the most fun evenings of my entire life. He touched me (or did I touch him?) more than once. Nichole has some super awesome pictures to prove it, too.

Boone, Kate and Jackson

Kate, me and Taina
Kate and Boone at Flatbranch
Jackson at Bonkers

I'm not sure exactly how long it's been since I have seen Boone and Kate but I do know that the last time I saw them both Boone had not yet started school in Abilene to get his mater's degree and they did not have a child. Now Boone has completed that degree and is in his first year of medical school in Galveston and they have a toddler, Jackson. We spent the day together yesterday in Columbia with Taina, Bryndyn and the kiddos. It was really good to catch up and it was one of those times where it felt as if no time had really passed at all. Jackson was a total sweetie and at lunch kept trying to grab hold of my arm. I would like to tell you that he was trying to hold my hand but I think, in reality, my arm was just a new toy.

Merry Christmas!

I did a horrible job documenting Christmas. My camera was tucked away and when I finally realized I had not been taking pictures the battery went dead and I didn't have my charger. The weekend was filled with seeing friends and spending time with family. My parents and I continued our Christmas Day tradition of going to the movies and then I headed for home. The sign of age? Sleeping in my new flannel sheets was such a treat last night.

Alison and I enjoyed a Saturday night out and when we stopped by our friend, Toni's house I realized just how much I had in common with her four year old daughter, Madison. We can play dress up together.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty Three

Appetizer
What is one of your Christmas traditions?
Every year we have my uncle and cousins over on Christmas Eve. Also, on Christmas morning my dad, mom, sister and I (now my brother-in-law, too) take turns opening presents and we all open one at a time.

Soup
Who is the easiest person on your list to buy presents for?
My mom is pretty easy. She loves to read and I know which books she likes along with other things she needs and will enjoy.

Salad
What is your favorite Christmas scent?
Sugar cookies

Main Course
If you could give a fellow blogger a Christmas gift, who would it be and what would you give them?
I'm always seeing stuff for Nichole. Usually it's something cute at Poppy and then, of course, I'm always seeing cute little girl stuff for Piper.

Dessert
What's something on your Christmas wish list this year that you need (not just want)?
I asked for a new bath mat and new sheets for my bed.

Me the ballerina

Crafty Cristin has been at it again making cute gifts for other people's children. Today I was honored to model her latest creation -- her "fiona" tutu -- for our boss' niece. I don't know about you but I think this is a good look for me.

My altero ego

I love Nancy Drew; she has red hair and she solves mysteries. In fact, I long ago decided that she was my alter ego (which is probably while I like Veronica Mars so much because she is, to me, the modern-day Nancy Drew). Breanne gave me a Nancy Drew journal for Christmas. It looks like a real book of hers and after several pages into the story it's carved out to be a real journal. Also, I received The Nancy Drew Guide to Life which gives helpful pieces of advice from Nancy herself such as, "When bound and gagged, you can still tap out HELP in Morse code to attract attention" and it also explained that a stilleto heel could be used to break glass in an emergency. Thanks, Nancy.

Social Saturday

Breanne, Monica and I celebrated Christmas together with a luncheon at Breanne's house. In case I haven't said it enough, I love my friends. And because we had to use the timer on my camera, this was only one of about 6 pictures that even came close to being suitable.
Cristin and I stirring up trouble at the work Christmas party at Mary's house. We are proud to be considered the "entertainment" for all parties and get-togethers.

Happy Birthday, Sharita!

Me with the guest of honor, Sharita
Taina and me
Dorian, Shunda, me and Taina

Taina, Bryndyn and I went to St. Louis to help Sharita celebrate her 40th birthday. I had a wonderful time with great friends and it was the perfect ocassion to celebrate someone who is so special and giving -- Happy Birthday, Sharita.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred and Twenty Two

Appetizer
What was your very first job with a paycheck?
I used to babysit kids every day during the summer which provided me with a steady paycheck but my very first "real" job was working at a grocery store as a cashier. To date, this is one of my favorite jobs. I loved seeing the regular customers and even though the work was easy it always seemed fun but that was probably because all of my friends worked there, too.

Soup
Did you ever lose something really important to you?
In college, I had a really nice day planner which included my work schedule, important phone numbers, etc. I remember accidentally losing it and was distraught for weeks. I also remember once losing an earring that my dad had bought for me. I was really upset about it but later found the missing earring so all was well.

Salad
What is the best Christmas present you ever received?
One year after my dad had been in the hospital for two months he came home on Christmas Eve. That was probably the best Christmas present my family could have ever asked for.

Main Course
Tell about a favorite "hang out" place for you and your friends when you were in high school.
My friends and I used to cruise Main Street so we did a lot of hanging out in my car, a plum 1990 Dodge Shadow.

Dessert
Name something that always brings a smile to your face.
Spending time with my friends usually brings a smile to my face. Also good for the soul --music!

Eric's Christmas Party

Amy and Mason
Andrew and Eric
Becky
Heather and Taylor

My favorite time of year

It's my favorite time of year. Nope, not Christmas but "award season." First up is the Golden Globes. The nominations for the 64th Annual Golden Globes were announced today. I haven't seen all the movies yet but so far am really keen on The Departed winning as much as possible followed by Babel. For best comedy I'm going with Entourage. For drama, Grey's Anatomy or Big Love. What do you guys think?

Music for the season

What I'm listening to right now. Wintersong by Sarah McLachlan

Sexy, anyone?

My new shoes. My new favorite shoes. I am the proud owner in both black and blue.

Celebrating friendship

Meagan, Monica, Meggan, Kim and I went to Chris McD's last night for a little holiday celebration. Needless to say, we had a great time. This morning I am still stuffed with crab legs and creme brulee.

A and J

Taina and I had a pow-wow with J last night. It's true, I have nicknamed myself "The Baby Whisperer" and I am in love.

Ms. Kitty

This is my new mousepad - at work! I love Hello Kitty and I love looking at her sweet face every day.

A weekend for parties

Bonni and me - all smiles.
Tiffany knows how to throw a great party. Thanks, Tiffany!
I think Miss T cared more about the remote control in her

hand than posing for a picture with me.

Posing with my good friend, Dan.

Tia really does love the camera - most of the time! Taina with the newest addition, Baby "J".

There's a pain in my chest

My blog is filled with the happenings of my life. Some are humorous, some are serious and some are just plain mundane. I don't think I can ignore the sad. Right now there's a pain in my chest and, while I'm not sure how to truly express myself at this time, my dear little friend, Tia is going to go back to live with her biological mom tomorrow. Today after having lunch with my friends, I carried Tia to the van. I'm always saying, "I love you" and even though I know she loves me, too, those are words she's never been able to say to me. Today was different. I buckled her in and said the words; only this time, I heard them back. It was the perfect gift from a perfect little girl. I know we'll still be friends, even though I probably won't get to see her as much, and I keep reminding myself that while it might not be to my liking, God has a plan. And one thing is for sure, my life is better because Miss T has been a part of it. So thank you to Tia for loving me and thank you, Taina for letting your sweet little girl be a part of my life.

It's party time, excellent.

Tis the season for lots of holiday parties. Last night, was a get together with the ladies from church. The food was amazing and so was the fellowship.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty One

Appetizer
Which language would you like to learn and why?
I know a little bit of Spanish but would love to fully master the language. I also became interested in Italian after traveling.

Soup
What's the funniest thing you've heard or read so far this week?
Sadly, it was probably something about Britney Spears or Kevin Federline.

Salad
Which movie was so bad you couldn't watch the whole thing?
I believe that Dr. T and the Women is the worst movie of all time, however, I recently started watching Four Brothers and it was so bad that I had to turn it off before finishing.

Main Course
If there were a holiday in your honor that didn't use your actual name, what would the day be called?
The Academy Awards. It's my favorite day of the year, so I'm choosing that as my holiday.

Dessert
Name one movie which is coming out soon that you would like to see.
The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet comes out today and I'd really like to see it.

Is bigger really better?

I live in a small apartment but mostly it suits me. It's cozy and I've been rather accustomed to it for five years. I keep thinking I'm going to move into something bigger. A larger apartment or buy something. I just get comfortable in my little apartment and continue on. Mostly I like the location; it's perfect. I can walk downtown or am just a short drive from everywhere because I live in such a central location. And then there's my awesome neighbors. Yesterday I received notice that the University is buying my apartment complex for student housing. I never saw it coming. It just forces me to get a bigger place sooner, something I've been thinking about. I realized last night how ridiculous my tiny, "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree will probably look in a bigger, larger place. Technically, I'm grandfathered in so even though non-students are not allowed to move in, I can still stay. I'll stay until my lease is up and then I'll get something else. Something fit for a 30 year old princess.

I have...

some of the best friends in the world
a small family
one sibling; a sister, Cathy
a love for John Mayer
the ability to twist my arms almost 360 degrees
a shopping "problem"
a desire to travel
seen lots of musicals
an insane amount of shoes
read most of James Patterson's books
regular house-sitting gigs
had five massages this year
an awesome church family
a family who is obsessed with tv shopping networks
a love for kitties
a challenging and rewarding job
a passion for health care
a love for Starbucks
an urge to read the newspaper regularly
many nicknames
no need to ever go camping
too much clutter
fun neighbors
a subscription to Rolling Stone
2 favorite rings made out of antique buttons
many close friends who live out of state
a subscription to Netflix
no food in my refridgerator
an obsession with Coke Zero
amazing parents who would do anything for me
a collection of magnets and photos covering most of my refridgerator
a love for antiques
gone to a lot of art museums
never met a piece of chocolate I didn't like
a curvy body
a love for celebrity gossip
the fairest skin
no pink clothes
grey hairs
an aunt who is 103
the most comfortable bed ever
dial up internet at home
a bath every night before bed
ill parents
a strong faith
a very sensitive side
a hard time letting people go
a busy social schedule
the desire to laugh, laugh, laugh
a collection of Barbie Christmas ornaments

Solo cookie bake

Every year for at least a decade, Amber, Sara and I have been baking cookies together before Christmas. Our cookie bake was scheduled for yesterday but due to the inclement weather the girls decided not to make the trip. I decided to plunge forward with baking solo yesterday. Here are my results. (These are reindeer cookies in case you can't tell.)

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Twenty
Appetizer
Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
No, and small planes make me nervous.

Soup
What color is your warmest coat or jacket?
black and white

Salad
What is your favorite rainy day activity?
Curling up on the couch in front of movies or sleeping in. There's nothing better than sleep on a rainy day.

Main Course
Describe your hands.
I have incredibly short finger nails. It's a habit dating back to childhood that I can't quite kick for good. Otherwise my hands are okay, with long fingers and soft skin.

Dessert
If you could eat only one nut for the rest of your life, what nut
would you pick?
I'm not big into nuts but I do like macadamia nuts.

Snowed in

I woke up today to 14 inches of snow. Supposedly, this is the most snow we've had since 1995 and there are drifts 3 to 4 feet high. It's safe to say, even though I only live 4 miles from the office, I'm not working today. It's also the first time I've heard the phrase "thunder snow." It's a good thing that Meagan and I braved the weather last night to pick up Chinese so that I actually have food to eat.