Dreary Monday and Weekend Recap

Wow, what a dreary day it was!  It rained off and on all day.  I don't think the sun ever really came out.  Lucky for me I planned to be inside all day doing homework and laundry.  I do love the sound of rain on my metal roof, and it is always good to get some rain.  Especially a nice easy, steady rain like today.  That storm last week was brutal but this was perfect.

Anyway ~ our weekend was pretty much like the rain today.  Easy and steady.  Dinner and catching up on the few most recent Once Upon a Time episodes.  I consider that a perfect family show for my gang.  We are all addicted.  I did a little shopping for shower decor supplies Saturday morning with Mom and Monkey.   Monkey left for the weekend with her dad and my love and I did some cuddling and relaxing Saturday afternoon in preparation for our night out.  My friend Witt turned 50 and we had to celebrate!  Here is a little pic of him from a few years ago - on the Sheriff department's calendar!

Yeah, my friend Christina is one lucky woman.  Actually, he is lucky too!  They are a perfect couple.  So, we went to a bar that actually has several different bars inside.  Country, 80's, current and karaoke.  It was my first time there.  I will say the people watching was incredible.  Very interesting characters hang out there.  The fashion alone was almost too much to handle!  One guy was even sporting a sequin jacket OVER a sequin shirt!  WOWZA!  The drinks were good and cheap - nice combination.  The company was perfect.  Great night!  Here are a few crappy iPhone photos to mark the occasion.

Birthday Boy and his wife!

handsome brothers

Me and LOML - kissy kissy!

Sunday I woke up surprisingly not hungover.  We did a little shopping and had dinner at Mandola's, followed by a trip to Barnes & Noble for some book browsing and coffee.  Next up, home for some more cuddling.

This is going to be a crazy week for my love.  He is headed to New York on Saturday for a week - without me!  I'm not happy.  First, I'm jealous.  I know it's cold but I'd still like to go.  Mostly, I'm just going to miss him terribly!  :-(  Thank goodness for FaceTime.  I'm sure it will help some.  Until then, we will just be spending as much time as we can with each other between school and work.

Finally, because they were so freaking delicious...my love made Chalupas for dinner.  Chicken, black beans, cheese and sour cream.  YUMMMMMY!

How was your weekend?  What do you have going on this week?

Happy Friday, Happy Weekend!

Yay, it's Friday!  I've been pretty busy since my last post with errands, school and a little fun.  I have been putting my Erin Condren planner and my iPhone to good use!

I had a very stressful week trying to make a few decisions about school - mostly when to start and where to go.  I knew I wanted to start as soon as possible but I wasn't quite sure what to focus on or which school to attend.  After a very small breakdown, my sweet man and I talked it out and came up with a plan.  We decided this semester would be one of discovery instead of stress.  I decided where to go, but then I had to jump through a few hoops to get registered - on a very tight deadline.  I spent a few days rushing around getting all the information and documentation I needed.  I was able to get registered at the VERY LAST second.  It was a close one!  I almost gave up but I pushed through and I'm so glad I did.  Since I haven't been to school in 23 years (wow!), I decided to take only two classes at the community college.  I should probably mention that I could only GET two classes because pretty much everything was closed already.  I even had to talk my way into one of them!  In the end it was worth all the stress.

I am starting with one class that is mostly for fun and one class that could turn into a career.  So what am I taking?  Digital Imaging and Web Design.  After two weeks I have to say I am thrilled!  I am loving my classes.  My professors are great fun and the material is certainly holding my interest.  I am one happy camper.

Only one small problem.  I need a part time job.  I have a few days a week with nothing to do.  Sometimes that is good, sometimes that is boring!  Lucky for me, I'm planning a baby shower for a friend - something fun to occupy my time!  One thing I plan to incorporate:

(I nabbed this image from the internet a while ago for my idea folder - sorry I don't have the source.)

She is having a boy so they won't be pink, but I'm excited to get started on the blue version.  This will be my first attempt at tissue paper pom poms so wish me luck!  I'm off to shop for party decor supplies!

Have a great weekend!

Starting the year off in a very new way...

I quit my job.  My company moved my office 58 miles away and it was costing me too much time and money in gas to continue down a path that wasn't really taking me where I want to go.  So I quit.  I have been working for 30 years (well, 29, but a few of those years were rough enough to count for more than one!).  I'm scared.  I hardly know what to do with myself.  This is only possible because I have a very loving and supportive network of people in my life.  My love is the most giving, caring man I have ever known.  This is the first time I'm not in charge, I'm not the one taking care of everything.  All the pressure isn't on me!  It feels amazing, an odd.  I do have plans.  I'm going to work on my house.  Do a few projects, some I've already started.  For example, I painted and redecorated my daughter's room.  I'm working on giving this desk a new look that will fit in her new room.

The BIG project I'm working on is...well, here is a hint:

Yep, I'm going back to school - at 43!  I'm pretty excited, and nervous.  I'll be sure to update you after I've actually had some time in class!  By the way, these items were a gift from my bestie Stacie.  Thanks Stac!

Change is not in my comfort zone but I have to admit this change is very exciting!

2011 comes to an end

Today, on the last day of the year, I might as well do a quick update.  I'm spending this beautiful day sitting on my couch with my love, just relaxing and enjoying having nothing to do and nobody in the house.  This spring-like weather makes me want to get up and clean but I'm fighting it and sitting here updating you!

On November 10 my love and I celebrated a year together.  Well, a year since our first date.  It was actually six days later that we decided we were officially "dating."  He took me and the monkey back to the winery we went to on our first date.  It was both beautiful and delicious!

Thanksgiving was a lovely day.  My niece came from college to eat with us because her schedule was tight and didn't quite have time to go all the way home.  It was great to have her.  We had a small disaster with the turkey.  It was so juicy that it overflowed and wrecked the oven.  When it was coming out of the oven some spilled on the door, and ended up going inside the door!  What a mess.  My love took the door off, took it completely apart, cleaned it up perfectly and put it back together.  My mom was very happy.  Once all was cleaned up we sat down to a lovely table and delicious food.

On Thanksgiving night, midnight of Black Friday we did a little shopping.  It was CRAZY.  However, the monkey was so excited to be able to purchase her very own camera.  She had been saving her money for months and found one on sale so it was hers on Black Friday.  I don't think I know any other 12 year olds that have saved $500!  I am really proud of her and more importantly, she is proud of herself!  

We took our annual trek to Boerne for the Dickens on Main, however, we were a week late and missed all together!  We did enjoy a very entertaining dinner at the Tin Roof Steakhouse.  

Next up...Christmas with the step-family.  We, of course, did our annual christmas cookie decorating.  I won for most non-traditional.  That's my blue star with white candy canes in the top right corner.  I think they came up with an award for each of us.  We had a great time with the nieces but the weekend went by too fast!

Monkey, TL and Melyn

Then, Christmas Eve with the Garcias.  What a fun family.  We had a blast and my sweet love surprised me with a MacBook Pro!  Shut up!  I cried, of course.  Anyway, the food was delish and we had a great time.

Christmas day was another amazing day!  We all received some amazing gifts but I must point out my two best.  :)  My love, wow does he spoil me, got me my very first pair of Christian Louboutin shoes!  They are amazing.    My awesome mom got me a KitchenAid stand mixer in ice blue.  Gorgeous!

In the days since Christmas, we have spent some quality time together, doing projects and cleaning house, having company, cooking, shopping, and just having a good old time together!  It has been amazing. 

Today the decorations came down.  It always makes me a tiny bit sad to see Christmas pass.  I just love all the excitement and anticipation it brings.  

Unfortunately, tomorrow the monkey is back to school.  Oh well, time to get started on 2012.  It is going to be a great year, I can tell already!  Hope it is off to a good start for you!