Florida...

I am so excited to go to Florida for our family vacation - very soon!  I can't wait to see my sisters and their families.  I don't get to see them enough. 

I'm ready to be here...

with a few of these...

Doing a little of this with my honey...



Followed by some of this...

{via}

and a little trip to...

Don't be jealous.  I would be happy for you!

:o)

gimmie, gimmie, gimmie...

These look like fun summer shoes.  I think they would be perfect with a pair of crisp white shorts, a blue and white striped top and maybe a few red accessories.
I'll take 'em!

Seychelles 'Arden' Sandal

A fun week or two...

The past few weeks have been pretty eventful.  My love's birthday was last weekend.  Monkey and I made him a cake and later he and I got together with friends and went to Hula Hut and the Hangar.  Good times.

After another eventful (?) week at work, including an unscheduled trip to the orthodontist to remove a tooth from the Monkey's mouth, another fun weekend popped up.  Oh wait, on Wednesday we saw Bridesmaids.  It was HYSTERICAL!  

This weekend we relaxed a little - no, a lot.  Sunday morning we made our first Frittata.  It was spinach and mushroom and super delicious.  Can't wait to make another one!  

We did a few things to my love's house this weekend too.  I got a few pictures of the door re-do.  Here is a before and after.  I think it looks so much better.

Not much else to report, at least nothing I can think of right this very second.
Life is good.

See...he is hot!

Sandy and I were talking this morning - she watched The Voice last night - and of course she agreed with me that Adam is HOT!  There are some reeeeeeeally hot pictures of him on line.  Google him if you dare.

So yes, Adam is hot.  I am usually attracted to guys that are a little more "scruffy" I guess.  You know, the ones with the crooked nose or the bad boy scar or the frazzled hair.  Mr. NOT Perfect.
Depending on how they act in movies, interviews, etc., I either like or dislike them even more.  Take Tom Cruise for example.  Used to be super hot to me.  Top Gun...beach volleyball...just sayin'

Then this happened...

No thank you crazy pants.

No worries, there is PLENTY of eye candy out there in good old Hollywood and here are a few of my faves.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Javier Bardem - they look so much alike no?


One of my very faves is Patrick Dempsey.  I have loved him for forever.  Sandy kept the little secret from me until TODAY that he lives here in Texas part time and actually shops at his local Target!  I'll be making a road trip this weekend for sure and camping out at Target.  Yummmmmmmm


And the hottie that could be his younger brother, James Marsden.  Deeeeee-lish!


Gerard, oh my


Josh


And a few that I bet everyone loves...
   
  
Mmmmmmmkay.  You're welcome!  :o)

Loving The Voice...

Did you watch?  I did and I loved it!

Everyone is talking this morning about The Voice!  It was really good.  Good "coaches", good singers, good format.  It was fresh, new, original and fun to watch!  Love the banter between coaches.  Love that the singers sometimes get to pick which coach they want.  I was pretty impressed with some of the singers.  Right now I'm for Adam's team - mostly Adam - mostly because he's hot! 
Look out American Idol, a new show is in town and it's making you look pretty sad.

Lovely Easter Weekend (in pictures)...

Even though my monkey was with her dad most of last weekend, it ended up being a really nice one!
The weather was fabulous and I spent some quality time in Gruene with my love.  We had some great food, very nice wine, and even did a little shopping.

On Sunday we had dinner at my mother's house.  The monkey made Easter eggs and a Bunny cake.

It was just lovely.  :o)

My latest shoe purchase(s)...

I found my perfect summer shoe.  I saw these in my Nordstrom catalog and fell in love.  At $59.95, I fell even more in love!  I almost ordered them on line but decided to run over on my lunch break to try them on.  They were just as lovely in person but couldn't decide which color to get.  Since I originally went for the Blush Patent, I decided to start with those.  After one day I decided I needed the other colors too.  I live by the philosophy "If the shoe fits, buy one in every color!"

DV by Dolce Vita 'Dakota' Sandal

Catching up...

I've been super busy!  The open house went well.  Over 20 people/couples signed in.  All feedback was positive.  Two people even came from out of town.  I'm hoping for an offer soon.  I've got everything crossed.

I got my stitches out today!  Two weeks ago I had a mysterious mole removed.  I have a pretty nasty three inch scar that goes across the back of my arm.  It is not pretty but that just means I don't have cancer on my arm!  Apparently it is healing well.  The doctor said I have to come back every three months for a check-up and body scan.  No problem.

I have been making plans for our trip to Florida this summer.  I'm excited to see my sisters and put my toes in that beautiful white sand.  We are going to visit Disney again.  I haven't been to Disney since the Monkey was 5.  She loved it and she's ready to go back.  My honey has never been so it should be fun for him too.

I think I mentioned I'm a blog stalker more than a real blogger.  In my stalking I have come across some pretty cool stuff.   For example, I found the perfect necklace for my Monkey in Little Miss Momma's etsy shop.  She LOVES mustaches!  Here is a pic of her wearing it!

I also found, and received today, some lovely items from Piper of One Sydney Road.  I ordered a really nice wire basket (it is going on my desk) and a beautiful silver bracelet (see below).  Piper is so nice and her store is gorgeous.  Stop by and find something for yourself!  :)

That's about all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Hope you have a wonderful week and Happy Easter!

Looking Back & Looking Forward…

Wow, it has been a long time since I blogged. That’s about to change! I’m making this the year of me! Doing the things I want to do, pleasing myself. It has been too long since I did that. I’ve always been worried about pleasing someone else. Knowing me, and my personality, someone will be pleased besides me but that’s okay. As long as I am pleased too!

In other news, I just turned 43. Almost a week ago I turned 43! I don’t feel 43, not that it’s a bad age. Most people think I’m in my early to mid 30’s. I’m cool with that. No complaints.

2010 was tough. Not my favorite year in many ways. However, it is 2011 and as they say…”boy, what a difference a year makes!” The anger and fear and defeat of my divorce has gone on its merry way and left me open to new possibilities. What a relief!

Last November a long-time friend asked me on a date. I somehow missed that little bit of information when he suggested we go have dinner. Anyway, it turns out we were on a date. A lovely date. Best first date of my life.  Followed by the best Christmas, Valentine's Day (unreal!) and birthday!  I knew he was a great guy but seriously? Amazing. Funny thing is my daughter loves him and actually suggested I date him before he ever asked me out. Kids are smart that way. She was certainly right about him being good for me – and for her too. We love him very much and she just told me last night that our lives are so much better with him around! Couldn’t have said it better myself. It makes my heart explode to hear her say something like that. How completely lovely! Could I be any more lucky? Sure, I could win the lottery but honestly, I’m not sure I would be any happier. He fills my heart and makes me feel safe and loved like never before. I love that every one of our friends is so excited, families are thrilled, life is good.

I am putting my house back on the market after this weekend. Open House is set for April 17. I am hopeful it will sell pretty quickly since I have priced it to move! We are excited to move into a new, smaller space for a little while where we can just be super girly! We are going to try renting a townhome. In the future, we will buy another house, hopefully with someone special, and settle in to our future.

So that’s it for now, in love, moving forward. Life is good, indeed.

i want to be here...

I haven't been on my blog for a long time now.  I read other people's blogs.  Every day.  But I'm having trouble with writing my own.  Probably because I'm going through a rough time in my life.  Other than my father's death, the worst.  Divorce is not fun.  It is not easy.  It is not anything good.  All the crap I thought I wouldn't have to deal with, I STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH!  That's not fair really.  I am trying really hard, and finally as of last week, getting much better at dealing with the X.  It helps if you just let go.  Wow, was that hard to do.  Eighteen years of spending your life forming a habit makes it really hard to break.  But I'm breaking it, for my own sanity.

I don't want to be one of those ladies that constantly gripes on her blog.  Let's face it, that is NO fun to read.  However, today I'm just gonna do it a little bit.  That's okay right?  There are just a few things that are really bugging me right now:

1.  TRAFFIC - I spend 2 hours every single day driving to and from work.  20-30 minutes of which is spent covering only three miles.  I HATE TRAFFIC!  It never bothered me so much but now I work for a very nice man that has a very prickly side when it comes to being late.  Even when there is extra traffic and you are late BECAUSE THERE IS A HURRICAINE!!!!!!  Okay, enough of that.  Moving on.

2.  RUDE PEOPLE - Not that I've never been rude, but quit cutting in line people!  By the way...quit pushing me out of your way, quit getting in my personal space and for goodness sake, please TRY to remember you are not the only person on the planet and it DOES NOT revolve around you!!!

3.  BEING POOR - Okay, I am not poverty stricken, I know.  I have some pretty fabulous "things."  I drive a nice car and I live in a nice big house, but that car and that house need some maintenance.  And I have a perfect daughter that I want to give everything possible (not that I always do).  Since over half of my household income is now gone, I can't afford to do those things now.  I pretty much live paycheck to paycheck.  Thankfully I can pay my bills. 

The problem is....I really need to go somewhere.  Like that beach above.  Living paycheck to paycheck doesn't allow for a trip to that beautiful beach.  Guess I'll just keep playing the lottery.  Cross your fingers for me!

There...I feel better!

missing blogger...

Hello world.  I have been MIA lately as far as this blog is concerned.  I've been trying to sell my house, got a contract, lost the contract, found a house to buy, lost the house.  I'm just wishing all would fall into place.  I'm sure it will soon.  So that's why I have not been blogging.  But I have been keeping busy and I have been reading my favorite blogs with abandon.  I love reading blogs.  I'm quite addicted actually.  I'm also inspired.  I have done a few projects that I learned from some of the blogs I read on a regular basis.  I guess I should post them huh?  I will in my next blog.  One is a gorgeous framed initial and one is a darling table.   I'll be taking pictures and showing off soon.  Happy weekend to everyone!

mama needs a new pair of shoes...

As previously mentioned, it has been a while since I purchased a new pair of shoes.  I'm feeling a little sassy today and I like these from Nordstrom.com. 

just a random update...

I have been pretty busy lately.  My weekend was full and fun.  I saw two movies - Grown Ups and Toy Story 3.  GU was very funny and TS3 was wonderful.  I was unsure about being connected to TS3 after all this time but it was like the last one came out just last year.  It was really good.

On Saturday the monkey and I went to Sandy's baby shower.  It was very nice.  We played the diaper game with the melted candy bars in them.  It was too funny.   Monkey and I missed them all!  Oh well, it was fun anyway.  Sandy got a bunch of nice gifts and seemed to have a good time.  I have to say, she looks great pregnant.  Lucky woman!  Today was the first day I saw a little something in her that tells me Jax is coming pretty soon and I hope everything goes perfect for her.  She deserves it.

After the shower we went to the mall to meet up with some friends to dress shop.  I was very well behaved and didn't buy a new pair of shoes.  I'm going to have to change that soon.  I haven't had a new pair in weeks!  After we shopped for dresses we ate at CPK.  I had "The Greek" pizza.  Pizza with a Greek salad on it?  It was good!!!!  Then off to TS3.  We were tired and Monkey fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Sunday was open house at my place.  The agent said 8 people came through.  Not bad for this market.  Hopefully one of them will be interested.  This house is too big for me and the Monkey so we're looking to downsize - and relocate.  We are waiting on pins and needles to move forward!   Oh, I got to take a nap on Sunday.  It was glorious!  :o)

Tonight I caught up on a few DVR'd shows.  My new favorite reality trash is called Double Exposure.  It is about an ex-couple, photographer and model-turned-photographer team.  They are an odd couple and they are so annoying at times, but they each have a charm about them that I can't stop watching.  It is great to see the end photos too.  Lindsay Lohan was on the two most recent episodes.  I don't like her.  As if she cares.

Tomorrow I have a dinner planned with my friend Xtina!  I haven't seen her in months and I miss her bunches.  Can't wait to catch up with her.  She is one fabulous lady!  Love her.

For now, I'm enjoying the rain but it makes traffic a little rough.  I just hope it doesn't rain for 7 days straight like I've heard it will.

That's all for now I guess...sweet dreams

Freedom Friday?

Today is my first day as a divorcee.  To many women, this means freedom.  Some have an "Independence Party" - and I think that is pretty tacky.  Do you really want to explain to your children you are celebrating divorcing their father?  I just don't think that's the way to go.  If you do, feel free.  I'm not trying to knock anyone.  To each her own.  Me?  It does mean freedom in some respects but it also means the end of a special time in my life.  After I left the court I was numb I guess because I just went to work.  Then I had a real good cry - the boo hoo, ugly kind.  After that...a good fight with the ex-husband.  I suppose God was just reminding me why I got divorced in the first place.  Moving on.

It might be cheesy but it's true - TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE - and I am excited!  I have big plans.  First on the list...I'm selling my house.  I already found the one I want to buy.  I'm very excited to decorate my new home, wherever it is.  Before I was married, I never signed a lease for longer than 6 months.  I love to move and I love to redecorate my space.  My daughter is equally excited.  There are several things I "plan" to do but first I have to make a new TO DO list.  Not a daily list, or even a weekly list.  This list is going to be my to do list for the rest of the year.  I'll let you know what's on it as soon as I'm done with the first draft.

Happy Friday to you!

P.S.  I love Lexus.  My key broke into pieces so I ran by the dealership today and they made me a new one on the spot!  They also gave me a brand new keychain!  I thought that was nice.

ABC's of me

A - Age: 42
B - Bed size: Queen - soon to be King
C - Chore you hate: cleaning the bathroom
D - Dog's name: Olive
E - Essential start your day item: Dr. Pepper
F - Favorite color:  Pink
G - Gold or Silver or Platinum: Platinum
H - Height: 5'7"
I - Instruments you play:  Piano
J - Job title: Mom & Executive Assistant
K - Kid(s):  Just one beautiful daughter
L - Living arrangements:  in my house
M - Mom's name: Sharon
N - Nicknames: shoemarnster
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth:  no, thankfully!
P - Pet Peeve:  when people don't do what they say they will
Q - Quote from a movie:  "Negative Ghost Rider, the pattern is full..."
R - Right handed or left handed: Right
S - Siblings: none
T - Time you wake up: 6:00am - much to my dismay
U- Underwear:  what about them?
V - Vegetable you dislike:   brussel sprouts
W - Ways you run late:   snoozing too many times
X - X-rays you've had:  foot, arm, finger, knee
Y - Yummy food you make:   omelettes
Z - Zoo favorite:  tigers

New dining room chairs?

I found these potentially gorgeous dining room chairs on Craigslist yesterday and I'm going to look at them tomorow morning.  I think I will paint them black and re-cover the seats with a beautiful print fabric - to be determined after a trip to the fabric store.  Keep you posted...


UPDATE:  I can't seem to get the person with these chairs to follow through on our appointments.  Grrrrr!  Hopefully in the next few days I will finally get them!  I'm so disappointed, I wanted to get to work on these beauties this weekend!

Another Update:  After a lot of drama, it looks like I won't be getting the chairs after all.  The guy was skeezy and a royal pain.  AND, he listed these as OBO but wouldn't come off the price.  Whatevs!

Reinventing my page

My page is a mess right now!  I tried to make some changes but they didn't work out quite right and now I have a mess.  Hopefully I will be able to fix it tonight.

Also, I thought about the title of my blog and a little more about what I plan to do with it and decided to rename it.  We'll see if this one sticks.  Luckily I don't have any followers yet so I won't be confusing anyone but myself.  :o)

Finally, today is my very last wedding anniversary with STBEH (soon-to-be-ex-husband).  Number 14 - anniversary, not husband.  I am sad but I am also thankful we are still friends.  More on this story later...

Happy Tuesday!

my first time

Hello!  This is my first blog.  EVER!  I'm not quite sure why I started this but my sweet office mate Sandy got me hooked on reading blogs, hers included, and I thought I would give it a shot.  It seems like fun and since my whole life is in the middle of an overhaul, why not blog?

I guess I should start with a little background info.  I was born and raised in Austin, Texas.  It is a great city with so much to do and see.  I haven't lived in many other cities so I don't have much to compare it to but I can tell you that I am happy in Austin.

I'm just over 40, but I feel just over 30 - and most people guess I'm 32.

I have one fabulous daughter and one soon-to-be-ex-husband.  Which explains the life overhaul/reinvention.  While I am sad that my marriage is ending just over one week after my 14th wedding anniversary, I am SO excited about what my future holds.  I don't know what that is but I'm guessing it's going to be pretty spectacular.

So.....if you're interested, check in every now and then and see how things turn out!