Jesus was a chick?

Had a crazy day at work, then drove down for Taylor's baccalaureate service tonight. They had some students pray, and the girl doing the invocation said, "... most of all, we're thankful for Your Son, who was born as a woman... I mean, born from a woman..." Hahahaha! Is it irreverent to laugh out loud during a prayer?

Tomorrow I'm going to hang out with Alisa, Shauna and Amy for a bit at ATU, then head to NLR for a meeting. Hope the tornadoes stay far, far away from my hotel room tonight.

Oh, and a disclaimer about my blog: it's purely for entertainment. Most of it is accurate, but I have been known to embellish the truth a bit for both humor and story flow. So please stop taking me so seriously, k? I am my mother's daughter. If a true story is funny, adding details that didn't happen might make it funnier.

Rest of the pics from tonight are here.

Groovy

I've been scanning in hundreds of photos for a project, and I came across some great pics of my time working at my alma mater. Those were some awesome times. I miss the people. Don't miss the poverty.

That's my former coworkers (and still good friends) Amy and Alisa on each side of me. Harold, our former boss, is in the back... and yes, his pants are split. We won $100 for this!

The best things in life aren't free

Yes we can, indeed. And if you drank the Obama Kool-aid, there's no need to read further.

I openly acknowledge my high maintenance lifestyle. I consider pedicures and massages to be necessities in my monthly budget. I don't color my own hair or mow my own lawn. I insist on nice hotels, great meals, and fabulous handbags.

In other words, my life ain't cheap.

Luckily, I went to college and despite all the partying, managed to graduate and go on to earn a master's degree. My job is stressful and often it's more than 40 hours a week. But I don't mind because I'm fortunate to have a job I love, and because I am well compensated for thinking about work 24/7.

With a nice salary comes some nice perks, like a nice home and a dependable (albeit recalled) vehicle, cosmetics from a department store counter, and the opportunity to travel. See, I'm obsessed with weekend shopping trips and concerts and nice dinners. I find myself planning months full of weekends to Dallas and Kansas City. Right now I'm saving to buy my nephew a laptop for his high school graduation. I have 20th row tickets to see Bon Jovi in Tulsa next month. I'm headed to Temple twice in April, once for a race and once just because I miss Jen. I'm currently trying to talk Scott and Alisa into Dallas in May to see Jimmy Buffett, and I want to schedule girls' weekend with Sorne, Kelly and Amanda to see SATC2 Memorial Day weekend.

Ruth's Chris for dinner? That's just a Wednesday night for me and my pal Lori B. And in December, Krista and I will be happily ensconced in our Times Square hotel suite in NYC.

If you're going somewhere, I want to go. If a great band is playing, I want to see the concert. I like stuff. I like places. I love spending time with my friends.

But often, I find myself having to stop planning things. Not only do my weekends fill, but I run out of funds. And when you don't have money, you have to stop spending it.

Unless you're Congress. Then you can continue to spend money you don't have on people who don't need it.

See, when I use credit to pay for things, I have to pay it back with interest. Where's my blank check?

But you know what? If someone gave me a beautiful new red patent leather Louis Vuitton bag with the understanding that it was totally free to me, but someday my niece and nephews would have to pay for it, I'd say no. Because I believe in paying for my lifestyle, even if it means doing without.

You listening, Nancy Pelosi?

Let's make plans for July, when I might be solvent again!

White Out

Whew! It's been a crazy week. After getting snowed in and finally making it home, I was stuck in bed all day fighting off a sinus infection. Thankfully I got lots of rest today and I think I'll be back to normal tomorrow.

I had such a fun time on Nebo this week. It was the most gorgeous snow I've ever seen. Enjoy all the pics from the big snow storm.

The Great Mount Nebo Blizzard of '10

I made it safely to Nebo and had a blast watching the Super Bowl. But now I'm snowed in. We just returned from sledding and are now awaiting Alisa's soup and cornbread for lunch.

Hey... if you gotta be stranded, I picked a great place. Plenty of food, beverages, and friends to last for days!

Birthday wishes, hugs and kisses

Birthday wishes go out to my friends Susan (yesterday) and Alisa (today). Susan turned 30; I'll refrain from reporting Alisa's age.

They're both amazing, wonderful Godly women. Happy birthday, ladies! Here's to a fabulous year.

Christmas countdown

I think I need a vacation to recover from my vacation. Luckily I only have 14 more days of work before 9 days off in a row. I can't wait!

In the meantime, I have KISS in Austin this weekend, a party in Mountain Home the weekend after that, graduation, and multiple holiday gatherings. Let's hope I get through it all without a major crash. Today I had to take a 90 minute nap during my extended lunchtime. But I did manage to finish cleaning and decorating my office and am nearly done decking the halls and organizing the garage.

Today I found this pic of Alisa and me in Branson a couple of weeks ago. We had so much fun!

Weekend recap

I don't have time for witty prose, but I did want to report that Alisa and I had a fabulous time in Branson this weekend. I ate too much and spent too much, but it was fun to spend time with her. We don't get to hang out, just the two of us, very often these days.

Now I'm doing laundry, baking cookies, making a grocery shopping list, and packing for Texas.

I'm also hurting from running yesterday. Granted, I walked more than I ran, and I totally skipped out on the last mile (hey, the course goes by my house, I get lazy), but I feel very old and achy. There's some serious Aleve p.m. in my future.

Hooray for vacation!

Norm!

I fell in love with Boston when I was here last October. Today, the magic continues.

I think I missed the best of the fall color this year by a couple of weeks, but it was gorgeous today. I ventured out of the hotel and about a block away to Boston Common, where I walked for blocks down Commonwealth and viewed the city's forefathers. I also saw much of Beacon Street and made my way past Cheers.



Since I left my camera charger in Texas (along with a t-shirt, my laptop and--strangely--my black bra), my battery died about halfway through my self-guided tour. I finally found my way to the mall, where I purchased a new charger and nursed my blisters over a yummy late lunch of lobster bisque and a crab, shrimp and lobster sandwich at Legal Sea Foods.



My pal Alisa texted me this afternoon to tell me that my prom outfit was scary and that I'm a dork for taking pics of my food. I have one word for her: touche.

Boston is just as fabulously wonderful as it was before. I'm so in love with this city! It's just gorgeous and full of history. Tomorrow includes another sojourn during my lunch break, hopefully this time with a fully-charged battery and more comfortable shoes.



Rest of the pics are here. More to be added, I'm sure!

Everything's bigger in... well, you know

What a great weekend! Memaw and I got to Temple around 8 on Thursday night, and I arrived back in Siloam just after 6 last night. In four days we attended two parties, had one of our own, walked a 5K, attended a flag football game, witnessed a dance-off and multiple kid fits.

It's weird how, the closer you get to home, the more work and the daily grind begin to creep back into your life. Thankfully I get to go back to Texas in three weeks for Thanksgiving, and before that I go to Boston, an 80s prom, and have a Branson shopping trip with Alisa.

For now, please enjoy another entry in the Brady and Mini-Me dance-a-thon. And all the pics from this weekend are here, in case you don't have Facebook.



(This makes three family members dancing to this song. Memaw, you and Lon are next!)

Just two wild and crazy gals

So my night turned out to be a bit disappointing. After some power shopping, Alisa and I ended up at Powerhouse, which was a decent steak, but certainly not the haute cuisine that I expected. Steak in Mountain Home? Much, much better.

We had plans to hit the piano bar afterwards (which I love), but due to the tornado warning and ensuing deluge, we waded water to our shins (I kid you not) to the car and decided to return, albeit slowly, back to the hotel.

So now I'm soaked and tired. Guess I'm too old to party hardy after all. The most important thing is that we got to spend time together and visit. Besides, all the weather preempted the Pam and Jim wedding on 'The Office,' so I would have been frustrated, anyway. At least I can watch it tomorrow via InDemand and not have to listen to the weather watchers when I should be listening to Michael Scott spew some nuggets of wisdom at Niagra Falls.

Bedtime at 10 p.m. Jen, that means you and your man friend are off the hook.

TGIF!

Two-fer

Ok, I know I'm hateful and that I should stop laughing at this poor girl already, but really... if you're that clueless, stop broadcasting it on TV.



Because that's a catastrophe.

The other girl from that episode was smart, but just couldn't put down her fork and prepare for swimsuit, a condition that this former pageant girl can totally identify with. I'll let you guess which one won and which one ended up in tears. I'd like to tell that girl that someday she'd prefer to be 10 lbs. overweight to not being able to hold a real conversation. You can run some extra miles but, as Ron White would say, "You can't fix stupid."

I'm currently at a conference and our keynote speaker tonight was Walt Coleman, NFL referee imfamous for the tuck rule call that gave the Pats the win that led to a Super Bowl. He also makes milk, but he didn't talk about that much. He was supremely hilarious and I enjoyed him a lot.

In addition to numerous funny andecdotes, he did say one profound thing: we can't be perfect, but we can be excellent (yeah, tell that to Al Davis).

It's been a good day. Tomorrow is more conference and dinner and frivolity with Alisa. Yay!

Writer's block

I'm not quite sure why I've been so apathetic about this blog lately. Granted, nothing's really going on in my life, but that's never stopped me from writing about it before. James Patterson said last weekend that he has about 26 writing projects going right now, and that just makes me tired.

So perhaps I'm not a writer per se. Rather, my writing ebbs and flows, depending on the day and circumstance. Plus my life's been consumed of late with getting my DVR cleared. I watch way too much television.

I am super excited that I have a conference in Rogers the next three days and my BFF Alisa will be there. I'm pumped to show her around my new hometown and just hang out and visit like the old days.

So that's it for now. Not much of an update, but at least you all know I'm still kicking.

You know I'd walk a thousand miles if I could just see the TV

Turns out my treadmill obsession has resulted in two casualties. But when you consider I've walked about 1,000 miles on that thing in the past year, I suppose it was bound to happen. Why can't all of my thigh dimples have been lost in the cause?

Last night, during a bout of insomnia around 2 a.m., my bedroom television went bonkers. Thankfully by unplugging my TV and the cable box, I was able to reset the hard drive this afternoon and it resumed its usual clarity. For now. Knock on wood. I actually had heart palpitations when the picture went awry. Because if I can't watch Clinton and Stacy mock bad clothing choices whilst exercising like a hamster on a wheel, I surely will avoid exercise even more than I usually do.

I did, however, replace my running shoes today. (Which I use for walking. Shut up.) I figure those shoes are one of the few things in the entirety of my life that I've actually gotten my (or someone else's) money's worth out of. They still look good due to excessive indoor exposure, but the arches have broken down a bit and they're making my feet hurt. But I don't want to take any chances, so I'll be getting a pedicure tomorrow, just in case.

The one thing I avoid more than working out these days? Working. Number of hours I should have worked when I got home tonight = >2. Number of hours I actually worked when I got home tonight = 0. I did, however, leave the office after 6 p.m. But I also came in late, went shopping at lunch, and got a massage.

Tomorrow's the second Board meeting in less than a month and I'm not sure how to say anything different than I said three weeks ago. But since most of them were asleep during that riveting presentation, I suppose I could just regurgitate old info. And since I didn't get my PowerPoint or video done tonight, I guess it's an early morning.

But the good news is it's football season, the weather is gorgeous, and I'm in a happy mood. Plus, I'm super excited that my BFF Alisa will be in Rogers for three days next week and we are hitting the town for food and frivolity. And I (hopefully) get to stay with Kelly.

Life is awesome.

Happy, happy day!

So excited about the start of football season! I had nearly given up on the 'Boys last night, but they managed to pull out the win. I'm afraid it's going to be another long season, Dallas fans.

In a few I'm headed south to pick up Chance and Hope (and maybe Taylor, if he's really, really bored) and go hang out with Jen, Lon, and Huey, Dewie and Louie. I'll spend tonight with Peep and Meem, and that's always interesting. Their house is like a zoo when we're all there. It's Beaver's birthday, so we're headed to his party at 2 p.m.

Tomorrow I'll be on Nebo with Scott, Alisa, and Grey. Not sure what we're doing since all our best laid plans got either rescheduled or are tentative due to weather. Nevertheless, I haven't seen them in months and can't wait to just chill and eat.

Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone!

Weekend update

First of all, Happy belated Mother's Day to all of the special women in my life. Yesterday was a sad day for me because I've really, really been missing my Mom lately. Mostly when I need to vent. Or when I need someone to tell me I'm really special, even if I don't feel special. So yesterday I was bummed because I miss Mom, but I was also grateful for all of the outstanding women God's given me to pick up the slack. My grandmother, who tells me to take care of myself (and makes me crazy). My aunt Kathy, who tells me what to do, but only when I ask. My surrogate Mom Estella, who teaches me how to cook and gives me work advice. Even friends like Sorne, Kelly, Alisa and Shauna, who are loyal to me, even when I'm a jerk. I am supremely blessed!

LB and I haven't kissed, but we did make up. We're making our way back to being really good friends and figuring out what that means for us. He's really an amazing, wonderful person and I'm lucky to have him in my life in any capacity. I mean that. (Of course, that doesn't mean I'm ready to go to his wedding, but I'll get there.) If nothing else, this past week has proven to me how much I mean to him, which is flattering.

Work continues to be a big struggle, but I'm trying to learn my lessons. I've made a lot of mistakes these past few months and some of the things I've had to do haven't been easy. But sometimes you have to speak out, even if it's hard. Sometimes you have to be silent, even when you don't want to be. And sometimes you have to take the blame for things that aren't your fault. I suppose that's part of being an adult.

Ugh. I can't believe it's Monday. Long week ahead! And five days of more rain is really gonna suck.

Russ-vegas

Today was a great day in many ways because I got to see three of my favorite people in the whole wide world: Alisa, Amy and Shauna. We enjoyed lunch at our favorite place, Italian Gardens, and we ordered the same things we always do. We talked for two hours (we did do some work, in case you were wondering), and our waitress quickly crossed the line from attentive to annoying.

It was the first time I've seen them in months, so we had a lot of catching up to do. About work. About family. About LB.

Shauna and Alisa have recommended that I profess my like for the boy by sticking my tongue in his ear Saturday night. Yeah, I don't see that happening, but I am gearing up for an opportunity this weekend, and I hope I'll have the courage to take it.

So here's your task for the day... I'm soliciting advice about what to say, how to say it, and where. Post some comments, please. I'm totally serious. Obviously I can't be trusted.

Beauty is pain

I'm not sure when I acquired my vanity. Oh, sure... I was concerned with the height of my bangs and the tight rolls on the bottoms of my jeans all through high school in the 80s, but it seems to get worse as I get older. You'd think, given the fact that my feet are the size of small water skis, I would care a bit less about what I wear now than I did before. That is not the case.

Take, for example, the very sexy red patent leather heels that I purchased a few months ago. Oh sure, they rub blisters and kill my arches, but they are hot. So I continue to wear them, even though I know I'll pay the price.

Today's wardrobe selection of black pin-striped power suit and cute red blouse was accented by the sexy red shoes even though I knew I'd be walking a lot. But I looked so hot! About 10 a.m. I succumbed to the blisters on both feet and came home to change into less hot but still cute black patent leather ballet flats that make my pants too long.

Yeah, I can walk further in the flats, but at what cost? I'm less confident as I walk. Fewer people stop me to comment on my shoes.

Ah, vanity, why art thou such a strong force?

My pal Alisa told me today that you get less vain around 40. That's a mere three point two five years for me (scary!), but I don't see it happening. I'll be the gal in the nursing home with the pointy-toed high heels. At least by that time, someone will be wheeling me around wearing my sexy shoes.

Cinderella had it right all along. One shoe can change your life. Wonder if the glass slipper caused blisters?

Late night gumbo

Wow... it seems like years since my last post. Probably not for all of you, but for me, because I've been all over the state since Tuesday.

I'm exhausted from staying up 'til at least midnight four nights in a row, but I've had a fabulous five days, hanging out with some great new friends and getting to see some great old friends as well.

I won't bore you with too many details about my trip to the state capitol since some of it was dull and some of it not fit to print, but it was memorable both personally and professionally. I got the chance to tour the Clinton library for the first time, and after witnessing my second legislative session ever, I have less confidence in my state government than before. Somebody with a clue please run for office.

Here are some pics of two of my favorite new friends, Terri and Tony (and yes, I have more chins than a Chinese phone book in that second pic... what's up with that?)





Thankfully Schluter was also in the Rock on Thursday, so we got to hang out at the Supreme Court for a bit and then got to visit because we skipped out on the committee meeting we were supposed to attend.

On Friday I got to see my good pals Alisa and Shauna at Tech, as well as my great love, Feltner's Whattaburger.

My friend Paige's husband Bryan made me french toast yesterday morning and we happily ate it while watching Paige do tae bo in the living room. I then had a very rough day of getting a massage, a pedicure, eating cheese dip from Stoby's, going to see Alisa, Grey and Scott at Mount Nebo, and then taking a nap.

Last night I emceed the Miss Lake Dardanelle pageant, after which we went back to Paige and Bryan's and stayed up talking until 3 a.m.

Now I need to be catching up on work because I was gone for three days, but I don't wanna.

Oh, and congratulations to the Hackett Hornets, who won their conference tournament last night 50-29. Taylor et al will be playing in the regional tournament in Danville next week.

Happy birthday, Alisa!

Just wanted a wish a super happy birthday to one of my oldest and dearest friends. Hope you had a great one!

And congrats to the new Miss America, Katie Stam (yeah, I called it this afternoon, just ask DeWood). Miss Arkansas made the top 12 and looked gorgeous! All those skinny bodies makes me want to walk more miles on the treadmill.