My Costume

I have really liked this company for a long time and to promote it I decided I'd be:Blake Mycoskie

I wore these!

Here's the picture of what I was after:


Too bad I didn't get the wig I wanted (I waited too long). I ended up looking like Annie! LOL!!

Go get a pair of TOMS! When you purchase a pair of shoes you're actually giving another pair to a kid who needs them. Learn more on www.toms.com.

March Madness

Are we already in the third month of the year? Seriously?! WOW!

Well, I ended the month of February with a bang:

I'm so proud that I had the courage to let go! I have trouble letting go...

And then, we had 80's prom, which was an absolute BLAST!
See more pictures here!

So – at the start of every month, I look at my goals to see where I am. Boy, I am behind!!!

• I’m doing alright with reading. One book a month. Not bad. I'll save the list for the end of the year.
• My projects are at a stand still...oops. I should probably get on it. Starting tonight, or something. I'm inspired by her...
• I AM TICKET FREE. Let’s hope it stays this way.
• Weight – up and down. What’s new? Running, although I’m still hating it, makes me feel good in the end.

Things that didn’t make the original list that I’m happy about is:

• I’m journaling more.
• I’m definitely spending more time with people which has been GREAT…I just need to get some balance I think. I'm an introvert in the sense that I get energy from being alone...so balance is needed.
• I'm memorizing scripture!

This month is exciting because:

1. I get to see Peanut Preston Paget for the VERY FIRST TIME!
2. I get to go to the Prison Entrepreneurship Program Class XI Kickoff with my friend Jeannie!
3. I’m going to meet my BFF Jennifer in Dallas!
4. And my friend Jessica has her housewarming party which will be exciting to celebrate!
5. BRACKETS – need I say more? Thanks Beyer for introducing me to basketball fun!

A Throw Back!

So we went to the Long Point Fall Festival dressed as 80's High School Chicks. One of us looked more dorky or cooler than the other. HA!

Holler!

And here is cute little Sophie and her parents looking in admiration.

If you want to check out more pictures go here.

ROCK-tober

October has been like the elevator business. It’s had its ups and its downs.

Oct. 3-4, Mosaic Fall Retreat. My Sunday School Class had a "retreat." It was a NICE dinner and AMAZING dessert prepared by our Martha Stewart - Jeannie. We carved pumpkins. Played some Sharades. Stayed up until I couldn't handle it anymore (11:30pm for me). And the next morning, we had breakfast, bible study, etc. It was really nice. See Pictures Here.

Oct. 5-9, I was in DC. I got to do fun things like:

1. Spend more than enough time at Union Station.
2. Stopped By St. Matthews Cathedral where JFK’s funeral services were held.
3. Took the over-rated Double Decker Tour. It was good for my grandmother otherwise money not wisely spent. I say – get a map, comfortable shoes an start walkin!
4. Went to the Holocaust Museum (Not sure this qualifies as “fun” per se).
5. Evening walk around the National Mall – I am still and forever will be amazed by my grandmothers endurance! We chilled at the Washington Monument for a bit. Sang silly songs and laughed at each other…or was it with each other…I can’t remember.
6. A visit to Mount Vernon! THIS WAS MY FAVORITE…I felt like I could be Elizabeth Bennet walking through the hilly landscape to visit Mr. Darcy – or something.
7. A walk through the Arlington National Cemetery. Saw the changing of the guards and a really HOT guy in uniform. Thought it would show extreme disrespect if I slipped him my number.
8. After Arlington Cemetery, we walked to Iwo Jima. Kind of funny that the President of Slovakia was there. Secret service told to me stay on the grass. I barely even touched the pavement…

I went back to work on the Friday the 10th.

Oct. 16, Without asking for my permission my brother Tim turned 17 years old. I gave him a cool wallet for his birthday. I still owe him Korean food. MMmmmm, can’t wait.

Oct. 18, Annual Pumpkin Carving Party. While I was in college I carved my first pumpkin and LOVED IT! Every year my friends would get together to carve pumpkins. When I came home I thought – UH HELLO! This would be fun with the FAMILY! This tradition started in 2007 and will continue till kingdom come! It’s my favorite party to host for the family. Talk about TONS OF FUN! The pumpkins are amazing…and some of us still face pumpkin carving challenges, but I won’t single anyone out (one of my cousins ended up cutting their pumpkin in Half!!). Oh - and I totally have to share with you a Pumpkin Ice Cream Recipe! It's SOOOOO delicious!

Oct. 20-25, Crazy week at work. Parties, Seminars, Board Meetings, lots of food. I did sneak in some fun with friends! (snort, snort) And Saturday the 25, was my Sunday Schools second Flag Football game. I and another friend decided to be team “moms” since we weren’t playing. Fun stuff – and AMAZING PLAYS!

Oct. 31, Dressed up as an 80’s girl. And went to Long Point’s Fall Festival.

Nov. 1, HoeDown. My church has an annual hoedown for the singles ministry. It was A TON of F-U-N!

I'll post pictures...It's amazing I even got this post out.

Notes on being a Mimi

This is more of a warning than anything. If you so choose to name your child Mimi or a name with the corresponding nickname Mimi, beware of what your child will endure any time she meets new people (specifically in a group setting):

• This is funny, because the person saying it is trying to not be offensive!
  

"Oh that name reminds me of this really funny lady on this really funny show!"
"The Drew Carey Show? Mimi?"
"Yeah how did you know?"
"Uhm, I've seen the show. And I dressed like her once for Halloween!"

• "Your name is MIMI???? OMG, That's what I call my Gramma!"
• ♫♪Mi-mi-mi-MIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!♫♪

• "OMG! have you ever seen the movie/show RENT? OMG, it's the best! The main character is Mimi!! Your name CANNOT be MIMI MARQUEZ!!! (insert the mimi song for the next 20 minutes)

It's fun to play along! However, when the singing doesn't stop - God SPARE US! Wow.

Long Overdue - a post full of pictures...

The Valdez-Rodriguez family started a tradition this year. It's the First Annual Pumkin Carving Party at my house. I learned that it's not a good idea to toss the pumpkin seeds out into the back yard.

My favorite picture of the night was Alyssa proudly displaying her pumpkin.

That face is full of HAPPY!

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Another tradition we have is the annual Family Reunion. We go to the beach house and go a little nutty. I think I've told you about it but never posted pictures. There was lots and lots of laughter that weekend. Oh - what I didn't tell you about is the newspaper fashion show. So we all made dorky stuff and Hannah blows us out of the water with this dress. The rules were: no scissors, only tape and newspaper.

Olivia is modeling this newspaper dress designed by the fabulously talented Hannah A.

The Costume

My cousin Amy and I went to a costume party this weekend. This is us:

It really is too bad that you can't see the amazing sword I had. IT'S REAL! Amy was Cat Woman.