Thwarted Plans

This weekend, I was supposed to go with some friends to New Braunfels to stay at an amazing house, spend all day today at Schlitterbahn, all evening in a jacuzzi, and eat homemade ice cream and other delicious foods! However, plans on my end fell through and continue to. I'm not complaining though - no, not at all!

Today, I woke up and had breakfast with my dad. We both talked about how we were SO excited that my mom and brother Tim were coming home from their mission trip to Puebla, Mexico. It was a nice time. Then, I raced to Memorial Park, where my friends changed up the games a bit and instead of playing sand volleyball to old school sand lot style baseball. The fields we were hoping to use were locked up, so we made do with an open field. IT WAS FUN! Trust me - it was fun! Whew, I was drenched though! I took off wet clothes as if I had been in a pool, only it wasn't chlorine water...it was my SWEAT! Gross, yes! Oh but it felt great afterwords.

Most of us went to have lunch afterwards, where we talked about structural engineering (which seriously I don't know the first thing about, but Praise the Lord there are those who DO!), and books we've read/are reading. I got a call from my dad that my mom was home!! So, we finished up and I went home and gave my mom the biggest hug ever! I'VE MISSED HER SOOO incredibly much!

My family hadn't eaten so they were on their way out as I was coming in. I ran to my room changed my clothes redid my pony tail and hopped in the car with them! I had dessert while everyone ate their lunch!! Conversation was fantastic! (And I was still gross! ha ha!, but I wouldn't have missed this lunch with my family for all the world!)

We finally came home, and after getting cleaned up I took a nap! WOW - I need to do this more often! Sleep is good.

And of course, the Saturday dinner that I thought was planned for SATURDAY, was changed to Sunday lunch...and frankly no one is to blame and again I'm not complaining. Because if I were I'd be saying that I didn't enjoy my evening, WHICH I SO DID! My brother, Aser, has been telling me about this movie that he knew would be an instant favorite. So I took him up on it. My brother and I went to the movies and watched my new "You've Got Mail." Seriously, I love it THAT much.

His pick for me was Julie & Julia! GO SEE IT! It's perfect. It's directed by Nora Ephron also directed you've got mail. It's no wonder I love it so much...but seriously, it's perfect.

Someone not too long ago mentioned how all movies show couples when they finally decide to commit to each other and the end they live happily ever after. However, this movie is proof that there are movies of relationships AFTER they've made the commitment of being each others better half. That's the sub story though. The STORY is of Julie and Julia finding themselves in cooking! And it's truely worth your time and money.

And seriously, if you like food, love, and accomplishments then WATCH THIS MOVIE!

I've also got a new favorite song. I've been singing it nonstop since I heard it on Pandora...Enjoy.


And now I'm off to bed.
Good night!

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.

Who Approved This??

My little brother is seventeen today!

Unbelievable...I never said this was okay. But I guess I'll celebrate anyway...

Happy Birthday, Tim!

Preparation and Anticipation

Since the hurricane season started, I've been pretty "indifferent" about it. But this time the stress is building and I'm trying to remain calm. I am praying for God's protection and I'm preparing the best that I can.

Have you seen the size of this thing? No matter where it hits Houston is on the dirty side! My grandmothers house floods and we've planned to get her out of there TOMORROW!! Do you know how stressful I find that? Why not TODAY? LEt's get prepared TODAY!!!!

Last night, I went to the grocery store and bought a good balance of healthy and junky. On my way home is when things started to sink in! The city had a police lead caravan of charter buses headed south to help people evacuate. And they were also VISIBLY preparing for contraflow. When you can SEE the preparation that's going into it and then you see the size of this thing...It's a little scary. Just a little.

I know we'll be okay! I know that we will. I'm going to have a house full and I'm going to make it a party!! If things go as planned, My aunt, my grandmother, My cousin Amy and her dog, my cousin Rosy and her girls, and my family (there's five of us and 4 dogs) will all be staying at my house.

Here is what is stressing me out:

1. I want to get my gramma's house ready TODAY and get her ready to come to my house (or wherever she chooses to stay) tomorrow morning.
2. Being at work unable to get my house ready for guests.
3. Having enough food for everyone.
4. The traffic coming home tonight! Talk about Post Traumatic Stress from Rita.

Really, it's just the anticipation that kills. I think we're going to be fine in my heart of hearts.

Diversion #2

Have I ever told you how much I love my Zaccheus? I think I've only mentioned him that time when I first got him. He's grown quite a bit. I like him best when he's got big hair. BIG TEXAS HAIR. Going on a walk with him is hilarious. He's a scardy cat. He'll walk out of the door all happy and a stranger walks past and he'll hide behind my legs.

Here's a picture my brother sent to me. I wonder if he knew I was missing him today - him being ZACCHEUS of course!

A Delightful Surprise INDEED!!!

So, I'm really bad at taking pictures and posting them.

There are things that I want to show you, so writing it is like a commitment thing where I have no choice but to follow through. So here we go with the list:

1. Craft Room Table. It is FREAKING awesome! Like the best, most perfect workspace.
2. Sewing Desk. It's a desk that I bought for 15 dollars at a garage sale. It's super cute. I stripped it and painted it and bought glass knobs for it! (it's not exactly finished, but it will be VERY SOON!)
   
3. Bias maker. I don't know if that's really what it is called, but OMG it's the best tool I have ever spent money on (other than my scissors) and it was less than FIVE dollars! LIKE OMG! Seriously, I saved so much time with that thing and it makes me so happy!!! And it makes my sewing look so much neater!
4. Serger. CAN I JUST SAY - this is the DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE OF THE DAY!!!! So, I have my very own serger. And I've wanted one forEVER. Honestly - because it looks soooooooooooo cool! I have no idea how to use it. I will though, I will. It's the machine you use to keep your fabric from unraveling. I really wish that it was the super cool green one my grandfather had in his shop, but it's not. It's a white regular looking one, but cool nonetheless.
   

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Last weekend, I lost my voice completely. I thought that I'd be able to work on projects and get better while I worked, but I was WRONG! I had no energy whatsoever. I watched movies, crocheted, read, slept UNTIL I REALLY COULD NOT TAKE IT ANY MORE! I am the worst sick person ever! It's pathetic. I whine because I don't feel good and also because I'm so completely bored!!!!! I know it's not supposed to be the happenin' thing...but I REALLY need to learn to sit still - or to be still...How they say in spanish: Tener Sosiego.

The one thing that I was happy I didn't miss while I was sick was the opening of the Family Time Capsule! It was almost eleven years ago, Thanksgiving of 1997, that we made a time capsule. I was fifteen. There were lots and lots of letters from everyone. Some HILARIOUS and other really sad. It's strange to think that my grandfather was around. He had a letter in there too. The letter I wrote was mainly about how much I love my brothers and the description of my parents house. It also mentioned my crush from back then! That was hilarious. I'm certain that the time capsule idea will continue as a tradition. I'm excited about what the future holds and it will be nice to reminisce. Life is good - no one said it would be easy.

A Wednesday Word: making wednesday worthwhile

Phileos: Greek for brotherly love. (there's a chance I misspelled it.)

I'm a lucky girl. I have pretty awesome brothers. I mean, seriously.

Happy Birthday!

Aser is 27!

Happy birthday!!

Santa Claus Comes to Town!

When we were kids, long before Tim was ever a thought and Sharpstown mall became shady, Aser was asking my dad to please, Please, PLEASE!!! take us to see Santa! My dad didn't want to. So Aser did what kids do best - Ask, and it shall be given you. I chimed in, too. We probably worked his nerves so bad that he said, "You will see that Santa will come to the house."
Aser and I were both like - YEAH SANTA's COMING!!! Little did we know that Dad was wondering what in the world he had gotten himself into. He asked my grandfather, who was an excellent tailor, to make him a Santa suit and a huge red sack.
So, Christmas Eve comes around and we're celebrating Christmas and there is a knock at the door. Aser was asked to open the door (because it was his request to visit Santa) - Lo and behold it was SANTA!!! Aser was in awe and I took one look and spoiled it: "That's not Santa - THAT'S MY DAD!"

I never heard the sleigh bells. Aser DID!

My dad makes a better Santa now! ;o) He got the chance to brighten some faces. Here's a picture.

16 years

It was during lunch time in fourth grade, October 16, 1991 that I stood in the lunch line feeling completely weird. I was thinking, "Today, I'm going to be a big sister!" I could hardly eat from the excitement and I couldn't wait for dad to pick me up to take us (aser and me) to meet our baby brother.
Once we made it to the hospital, we were so thrilled that we sounded like a broken record. We kept saying, "It's a boy! It's a boy! It's a boy!"
Sixteen years later, he's bigger, stronger, taller - OH, BUT NOT SMARTER (or better looking) - than his older sister! He's learned to play the guitar quite well and gives the occasional lesson to yours truly! He's one of the most compassionate people I've ever met! I get onto him about his spelling skills. But if he were perfect, then he wouldn't be so likeable!! So...here's to Tim for being a delightful surprise!

(Tim is in the grey shirt and baseball cap. We celebrated his birthday at this joint called Chicago's!)