When I said "I do," I meant that "I might"

I know, I know. I have absolutely no business talking about marriage because I've never been close to being there. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons why is because I take it very seriously. It's a life-long commitment. And it pains me that marriage these days has become so disposable.

While it may be easy to switch phone companies when your current one isn't meeting your needs, the same shouldn't be said for your spouses. If I'm not mistaken, you said " 'til death do us part." Not " 'til something better comes along."

I have so many friends who've recently divorced not of their own choice. It's painful to watch them go through that process, because it wasn't what they wanted. But they had spouses who thought their life would magically improve if they were unmarried.

After all, those "Sex and the City" chicks have glamorous lives, and they're single. So suddenly being single means that you'll have a glamorous life, right?

Yeah, not so much. And those girls didn't kick out husbands in order to sip on cosmos.

Marriage is a commitment, people. But it ain't always easy. I have a lot of respect for people like my aunt Kathy, who's been married to my uncle Paul for 37 years. And yeah, he's awesome most of the time, but if she wasn't the person that she is, she'd have probably left him a long time ago to travel the world looking for garage sales and eBay treasures.

But instead, she's honored her commitment because she loves him and she realizes that you have good times and bad times and sometimes you have to compromise to be a Mrs.

Since marriage is on the downhill slide, I'm wondering if we're going to start trading in our children next. "Junior, I'm kicking you out of your room for that boy down the street. He's better at sports."

A friend of mine once told me, "No one ever tells you when you get married that some days you'll wake up, look at your husband beside you, and think, 'I can't stand you.' " But she does stand him. She's still married to him.

So kudos to all of you men and women who are honoring your vows. Half of America can't do it. I respect those of you who choose each day to love your spouse, even if there is someone out there who's better looking, richer, or appreciates you more.

Here's to marriage, that grand institution.

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!

Just one of those days

Do any of you ever come home from work, exhausted, and yet wonder what you did all day? That was my day today. Nothing crossed off the ol' to-do list. Stuff added to the list, but nothing accomplished rather than meetings, meetings, meetings. And today was my extra special work-from-home day. How did that happen?

Granted, part of my tasks today included getting a pedicure and tanning, but still.. I did work stuff, too. I suppose I was getting too used to accomplishing things, so I needed to meet with some people to add to my list.

As part of my new look fabulous everyday campaign lest I run into anyone I need to impress, I have now started keeping my outfits in an Excel spreadsheet so that I don't repeat anything too often. Yeah, I'm so out of control, but when I changed offices, the chances of my running into someone and needing to look good increased exponentially. This morning I had to make friends with the tailor at my dry cleaners' (another personal errand... oops!) because none of my work clothes fit. Oh, I know... boo hoo. But this weight loss is getting expensive. And my belly fat remains, no matter how many crunches I do.

On a happier note, happy 37th anniversary to Memaw and Peep! Hope you enjoyed your anniversary cereal. Here's to 37th more years of wedded bliss!

Tuesday in Texas

After several hours in the car, we finally made it to Temple. The trip didn't seem quite as long as last time. I'm not sure if I had clearer expectations, or if listening to my grandmother tell the same stories over and over again made it seem shorter, but I'm guessing the detour to Cheesecake Factory helped a lot.

All three boys wanted to come back to the hotel and spend the night for some reason, and since I'm not insane, I told them that they could take turns and one of them come over each of the three nights that we're here. Peyton disqualified himself from the who-can-act-the-best competition early, so Peep finally flipped a coin and Avery won the right to spend the night in a mediocre Hampton Inn with an 84-year-old and a spinster. Brady and Peyt were both crying when we left. It's been awhile since boys fought over me.

My GM has been riveted to the TV for hours, awaiting the results of Dancing with the Stars. Interestingly enough, I doubt she watched five minutes of presidential election coverage, but these results were quite important to her. Guess the oval office is not quite the prize that a mirrored disco ball is.

Jen took Memaw to the ER about an hour ago to have her weird puss-filled eye checked. Pink eye. Guess I need to wash my hands...

Happy anniversary, Paul and Kathy

Happy 36th wedding anniversary, Memaw and Peep.

{Memaw, it wasn't the pic you expected, was it?}

Holiday Recap

Today's the first day that I've felt any respite from the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It's been crazy since I got here, but I've finally caught my breath and have the opportunity to update you all on the exciting happenings in my life.

On Saturday, I met Ashley for lunch at Rolando's, then I went down to spend the evening in Hartford at Memaw and Pepaw's house. Since the Cowboys game was on NFL network, we went up to Woo and Amanda's to watch. Then we came back to Memaw's where 8 of us spent the night. I slept on the couch.

On Sunday morning, Kathy and I started cooking for the Plunkett fiesta. We made enchiladas, tacos, creamy taco, guacamole, pico de gallo, and cheese dip. My mom's family came down for lunch, then we had a rousing game of Dirty Santa (I got a mani/pedi set).

Here's Hewey, Dewie and Louie playing football with Chance in the mud.



And this is Taylor and me at the party.



Hope and MaKenzie, my cousin Carrie's little girl, got new purses from Granny Eck.



On Sunday evening, I stayed at my brother's house with the kids, where Chance, Taylor and I enjoyed a wild night of RockBand. Then I slept on the bottom bunk with Hope, who talked incessantly.

On Monday (Christmas Eve), we opened presents at Brad's early that morning, then went to Dad and Vickie's for brunch and more present opening. After that I ventured back to Fort Smith to my grandmother's for a nap prior to attending the candlelight service at church. Then I went to my aunt and uncle's house for German food. And I spent the night on my grandmother's couch.

Chance put the bow from his sister's present on his head.



I got Taylor a Romo jersey.



Hope got care bears from Grandpa and "Mickie."



On Tuesday (Christmas Day), I stopped at Vance and Sorne's to see what the boys got from Santa, then I picked up Taylor, Chance and Hope and we went to Memaw and Pepaw's to eat fish with the Hester brood. After dropping them off and coming back to the Gregory's for a nap, Amanda and I went to the movies.

Today (Wednesday) I slept in 'til after 10 a.m., then Vance cooked breakfast. Sorne and I went for coffee, then I took a nap. Tonight I met John and Tricia at Chili's for dinner.

Tomorrow (Thursday) Ashley and I are headed to Siloam Springs. I'm meeting with a realtor to find a place to live, then I'm having dinner tomorrow night with my dad, stepmom, brother, his GF, and my grandmother. Guess I'll head back to C-way on Friday to start packing.

And for those of you who are curious, my friends and family were generous this year. I got a beautiful bowl for my new office, a fabulous leopard throw, a cute coffee mug, and gift cards to Starbucks, Williams Sonoma, Best Buy, and Ann Taylor. Pretty cool, huh?

It's a scary, scary world

Don't mean to steal Jen's thunder (I assumed she'd post these by now), but these are some pretty scary Halloween pics. Memaw's evidently been influenced by her work, and Peep was dressed as a gynocologist. Enjoy!