Happy Christmas!

Hope everyone is having a very merry Christmas surrounded by loved ones and filled with peace and joy.  We have had a white and wonderful Christmas.  I know I am getting older because this year I looked forward to my parents opening their gifts more than opening my own.  Now looking forward to the new year!  Joy & Peace to all!

Dreaming of a white Christmas...Eve

Merry Christmas Eve!  I woke up to a lovely layer of snow outside my parent's house.  Hopefully it will not melt before tomorrow.  I love white Christmas's.  Mom has the house all decorated and treats all baked. We are in the process of making my vegetarian Christmas dinner:  eggplant parmesan.   Yummy!!!  I will have to take more pictures tonight with the lights on.  And of course pictures tomorrow of the gifts and the fur babies playing in the wrapping paper.  Hope Santa comes to visit your house tonight!

"People are so strange and so complicated that they're actually... beautiful. Possibly even me."

I have a renewed obsession with the 90's T.V. show My So-Called Life.  I have it on DVD and cannot stop watching it.  Every night I have to watch at least 1 episode before I can go to bed.  Oh the drama of it all.  I can remember watching it when it originally aired and thinking, "Yes.  This is so much more honest than any other teen show."  It is so strange to watch it and know how well Claire Danes and Jared Leto have done since then.  And that I actually still love their work (Claire for her movies and Jared for his music).  I almost feel proud of them which is even more strange since I do not actually know these people.  Celebrities....such a strange breed.

Anyways...thought I would leave you with a picture montage of my favorite show....

Happy Early Birthday to Me!

Got my birthday present from my parents early.  It is a new Panasonic Lumix FH22 camera!  I absolutely love it.  Hopefully it will encourage me to take more pictures (and post them here).  Bought a memory card today so let the photography begin!!!!  Thanks Mom and Dad!

Cody Update

Well my youngest kitty is doing so much better!!   Turns out he had hard stool or a big hairball stuck in his bowel.  The vet gave him a laxative shot and some food.  He spent most of the day last Friday at the vet's office.  The vet wanted him to poop (or even throw up) at the office.  But he would do neither.  Poor little guy was too scared to eat or go potty with all the dogs barking and the strange smells and no Mommy (at least that's what I tell myself).  Brought him to my parent's house first (they live in Jeff City where our vet is located) and he was extremely happy to be out of that office!  He just purred and followed us around.  But did not poop.  Took him home and he could not wait to see his sister and his own things.  But Cami did not appreciate his new vet smell and hissed at him for 24 hours.  He finally pooped on Sunday and has been going every day since.  He has to be on a new special food for hair balls, eat a teaspoon of canned pumpkin every day, and take laxative medication every day for the next 2 weeks.  I am just so happy he is alright and back to his old self.  Now he and Cami are back to harassing each other and cuddling with me.

Sick Kitten

My little Cody-boy (black cat) is sick!  I came home yesterday after work to find 4 piles of vomit all around the apartment.  The rest of the evening he did not eat or drink a single thing and did the following routine: lay in one room-get up lay in another room-cry-vomit-lay in one room-get up lay in another room-cry-vomit-and so on.  He is usually pretty active and did not even attempt to play with Cami or anything.  At 10:30 my mom got a hold of the vet's office in Jeff City and had them page our vet.  He called me (bless his heart) and told me to try giving him a teaspoon of milk with sugar.  Of course the poor kid was not interested in actually drinking it and being a horrible mom I do not have a medicine dropper.  So I attempted to pour it down his throat a 1/2 a teaspoon at a time.  Disastrous.  Around 11:30 and the 5th or 6th time he vomited since I had been home, my parents decided to come over (1/2 hour drive) to bring me a medicine dropper and more paper towels (massive clean-up in the kitchen each time).  Once they got here, my mom helped me give Cody more milk with sugar with the medicine dropper (better but still a very unhappy kitty).  My parents decided to take him home with them and let him sleep in the bathroom.  They took him to the vet at 7:30 this morning  (at least one more vom moment at their house).  Now just waiting on word from them about what the vet said.

My poor, sweet boy!  I hope he is alright.  I can not think of what could have made him so sick.  He and Cami eat the same food, drink the same water, use the same litter box.  She is doing fine so it is none of those things.  I hope they can figure it out at the vet.  I just keep seeing him all pooped out and crying.  :(  Very worried Mommy today.

Haircut Anxiety

I am getting my haircut this weekend and I am a little nervous.  My last haircut was several months ago and it was a disaster.  Guy cut it WAY too short and I looked like Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber.  *shiver*

I know I want my bangs trimmed/re-styled but I am really not sure what to do with the rest of my hair.  It has not grown out as much as I had hoped so I am afraid there might not be much she can do with it.  Having thin/fine hair is not helpful either.  Here are some ideas I have:

Bangs and length only.  Not the color

Bangs Only

Bangs again

The rest of my hair she will probably just be able to trim and maybe put a little layering in.  I am so nervous and excited!  

R.I.P. Truman the Tuxedo Cat

Rest In Peace Truman Reschly.  You were a good, tuxedo wearing cat.  J & K loved you so much.  At least in your short life you knew a lot of love.

Holiday Coming to a Close

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  I hope the food was wonderful and the time with friends and family was delightful.  I spent Thursday and Friday with my friend and her family.  They are vegetarians and I wanted to see what kinds of food *we* (vegetarians) eat on a day dominated by turkey.  Let me tell you, it was wonderful!  So many yummy dishes that did not involve meat.  I did not miss the turkey at all.  We spent the days cooking and watching Law & Order marathons.  Spent Saturday with my family, watching Mizzou football and eating.

Unfortunately now it is Sunday which means the holiday break is almost over.  I can't lie-I am not looking forward to going back to work tomorrow.  But only a few weeks and then it will be Christmas break!  To wrap up here is a quick list of a few things I am thankful for in my life.

1. A warm/comfortable place to live
2. My two babies (cats) who are in good health and give me so much love
3. My family who are healthy and safe
4. My friends who are always there for me and love me despite my flaws
5. A job that teaches me daily and allows me to help families and individuals impacted by autism
6. My co-workers who help me keep my sanity
7. A country that allows me to be free in so many ways
8. Cheesecake
9. Champagne
10. Stars
11. The Moon

Oppsie-daisy

Looks like it has been awhile since my last post.  I apologize.

Halloween went off without a hitch.  We had a big group dress up as the cast of Peter Pan.  I was Michael, Wendy's youngest brother.  Which meant, yes, I wore pink footie PJ's and carried around a teddy bear.  The club has never seen a hottie like me before.  *wink*  Here are some highlights:

The whole gang!  

The Darling siblings

Hook, Peter Pan, and Schmee

Good times, good times.  Open to ideas for next year.  Only requirements, not slutty and able to accommodate a group.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  Not my favorite holiday but it has been growing on me now that I do not eat turkey (never was a fan).  I heading up to Kirksville to spend a few days with my fellow vegetarian and her family.  On Saturday I will be at Pam & Jeff's to watch the MU/KU showdown and spend some quality time.  Can not even express how excited I am to have two days off of work.  I need a break.  I am overdue for an extended vacay but will have to wait until March.  >:(

Will try to update sooner next time.  Have a good holiday!!

MU Homecoming Madness

It has been almost a week since MU's Homecoming and I am just now getting around to posting about it...better late then never eh?

I picked up Kwissy on Friday afternoon from the Lou airport.  We got out of there before the traffic started so we had a pleasant and quick drive back into CoMO.  Had an early dinner at Houlihans with very tasty Long Islands and Skinny Martinis.  With a bit of a buzz we got ready to meet one of my friends at a house pre-party before braving downtown bars.  At the house pre-party got in a couple rousing games of beer-pong and interesting conversation with randomers.  Finally headed downtown to the only bar we heard was letting people in without a line or a cover.  Met up with friends that were in from out of town (med-school peeps).  The bar was crowded but the weather was nice so we found a spot to gather on the patio.  After a few drinks Kwiss and I went home to have a much needed heart-to-heart until 4AM.

Saturday kicked off with watching ESPN College Gameday which was filled on MU's campus for the first time.  And Mizzou fans broke the record for the number of peeps at Gameday!!!!  We are all about our Tigers!  After the show, the fam met up at my place and we headed to a house-gate party to eat and drink before the game.  Game was not until 7PM so we had a long day of yard games and beer.  The girls and I stuck to bags (corn hole to others) and actually were very good at it!  A couple of hours before the game, the fam and I headed back to my place to change into our Mizzou gear and head to the stadium.  The place was nuts!  We got there an hour before kick-off and the Hill was already nearly full and the stadium was crawling with peeps.  So much gold!!!  The student section was already jumping and cheering with excitement.  There was a fairly decent OU presence, two of which being my dad and brother.  To give you some background on why this game was so huge: ESPN was there, OU was ranked #1 while MU was #11 (or something), it was Homecoming, we have a long-standing rivalry with OU, and both teams were 6-0.  HUGE in football land!

The game started with a BANG with Mizzou returning the first kickoff for a touchdown (literally a bang because our ROTC shot off a canon every time we score).  It was all uphill from there!  We ended up beating OU 36-27!  It was a great game-very action packed and not a dull moment.  It was not freezing but did rain a bit.  At the end of the game thousands of MU fans rushed the field (30 of whom were arrested for it) and crowded around our team.  In old Mizzou tradition they also took apart one of the goal posts and took it piece by piece to a downtown bar.

That night Kwiss and I decided downtown would be too much of a cluster to deal with.  So we opted to head to a bar on the south side, aptly named Southside.  We met a friend there who was hanging out with some very funny Marines.  It was like being in a 29 bar all over again!  The guys were drunk but not annoying.  They were cracking us up all night!  It turned into another 4AM night.

Sunday was a bit more relaxed.  Kwiss and I slept in a bit.  Headed to the mall to spend money I should not have but I am such an impulsive shopper!  Then grabbed some delish sushi before renting Robin Hood and veggie out at my place.  I had to work Monday so I had lunch with Kwiss and said good bye when the MOX van came to pick her up for the airport.  So sad to say good bye.  She is a wonderful friend and I am so happy she came to visit!  Cant wait to see her during my Cali trip in March!

(Sorry none of these pictures were actually taken by me.  I need a new camera badly!)

Dreams...

can be evil little things.  I have been having a reoccurring dream lately.  The details change but the theme and people are the same.  The dreams all revolve around me...and my perfect man.  He is not anyone in particular; just a handsome, kind, sweet, loving man who I feel safe and happy with.  I always remember his amazing looks, loving smile, and safe arms the most when I wake up.  Where we are and what we are doing always changes and I barely ever remember those details.  All I can see is him and all I remember is how happy I feel in the dream.  He is perfect and I have never felt so happy.  But then I wake up.  And he is gone and so are all those wonderful feelings.  And I fear those dreams are the only place I will ever feel like that again.

I realize this is a pretty downer post, but I never really get to talk about this to people.  I hate dropping my depressed thoughts on my friends.  I do not like bringing others down.  So I keep it all inside and put a smile on my face.  I feel like this might be a good place to let these feelings out before they make me break.  I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, I just need to be honest somewhere.  I have tons of things to be happy about and feel blessed for, but we always dwell on what we don't have.  Especially when it is something we almost had and then it fell apart.  I have been nursing this broken heart for so long I do not really remember how it feels any other way.  Nothing seems to mend it and I can't even imagine opening up to another guy just to have the same thing happen again.  When he crushed the last remaining pieces, I built a wall around it to keep it from anymore harm.  To protect myself, I never want the wall to fall apart but the romantic in me wishes someone would come around and bust through it.

Maybe someday I won't even care what he is doing and if we still might have a future together.  Maybe I will finally really believe that I deserve better than him.  Maybe I will find that man of my dreams and he will break down that wall forever.  Maybe.

Lazy Weekend

This busy week has finally come to an end.  It has ended well.  Last night met Dr. Temple Grandin and had some yummy sushi with the girls.

Today worked until noon then picked up my friend from surgery.  She is doing well-just groggy and tired.  Now we are just hanging out at her house, being lazy watching movies.  Will be here all night before heading home to sleep.  Then coming back here tomorrow morning to watch the Mizzou football game and Fall Fest.  Fall Fest is a pre-Halloween celebration we do.  We watch Halloween movies (primarily Hocus Pocus), eat fun Halloween themed food, and discuss our Halloween costumes.  I think this year we are going to be Peter Pan and the Lost Boys!  I have dibs on Rufio.

Sunday is family day.  I will be heading to Jeff City to see P & J.  P is going to dye my hair and they want me to see the new landscaping they have done around the house.  

Have a good weekend Bloggers.

Every Girl...

deserves this moment....

God I love this movie!  I have seen it hundreds of times but still watch it every time I find it on T.V.  Never ever gets old.  Oh where is my Jake Ryan??

Feeling productive tonight.  Did 2 loads of laundry, cleaned the bathroom, cleared my counter of all the receipts and mail that was piling up, painted my toenails, and straightened up the living room.  Tomorrow morning have to vacuum and take out the trash then my cleaning for the weekend is done.  Time to kick my feet up and enjoy some more great movies.  Sometimes being old and boring is not so bad.

Keep it classy bloggers.

3 Cheers for Friday!!!

Hip-hip Hooray!  Hip-hip Hooray!!  Hip-hip Hooray!!!!

Ok I am a big dork.  But very excited it is Friday.  No clients today and I get to leave at 2:30!  Oh yeah.  Daydreaming about having dinner at Addison's tonight.  Oh Addison's...how I love thee.

Tomorrow is another Mizzou home football game vs. Colorado.  Might be a tough game so should be exciting.  J and P (my parents) are coming up for the game so looking forward to spending the day with them.  Who knows what shenanigans Team Shambles will get into Saturday night after the game.  Stay tuned for the dets.

So last weekend I mentioned how fun Friday night was with my girls.  I, however, did not mention that I was able to spend some time (mostly on the dance floor) with a very attractive law school student from New York.  I mean, this dude is hot.  Dresses all classy urban (think Jay-Z or B.O.B.) and has that intoxicating New York accent (yes...I love it).  *SMH*  He is a bit young though and probably a player.  But he is fun to dance with so I will keep enjoying that.

In other exciting news, one of my best friends (C.S.) is coming to visit on the weekend of October 21st!  I am sooooo excited!  She is amazing and we always have a blast.  It has been almost a year since I have seen her so this is awesome.  After her weekend visit, she may be coming back to live with me for a month or two!  Gotta love her sense of adventure.

Well back to online shopping work.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Feeling Poopy

I feel like poop.  I hate it.  I want to sleep all day but instead drag myself into work so I do not have to cancel on my clients.  I really hate my work ethic as well.  Grrrrrr

On another note: really loving the Mumford & Sons album.  Also happy the full Bruno Mars album was released.  He may be an alleged crack-head but he makes some damn good music.  

I am looking forward to Friday like its Christmas or something.  Seriously I am giddy (in a low energy kind of way) about it.  No clients and I get to wear comfy casual Friday clothes to work and I will be leaving early (I hate you Social Comp but I love the flex time I get from you).

Well, enough procrastinating.  Back to work.  Have a wonderful day Bloggers.

Lovely Fall Weekend

With the beginning of October has come the first wave of fall weather here in MO.  Its a crisp, chilly Saturday and the cats and I are enjoying it with the windows and glass door open while relaxing on the couch.

Also did some damage to the old bank account this weekend.  Hit up Anne Taylor Loft (saved $100 with discounts thank you very much), online shopped on Amazon and Macy's, and paid my Anne Taylor Loft credit card from last month.  Ah...nothing like retail therapy to put a girl in a great mood.

Had a fantastic night last night.  All started with an early happy hour with the ladies.  Somehow was talked into going out to Deja Vue for some dancing and $3 bottomless cup.  After dominating the dance floor moved on to Alley Bar to shake it to some 80's dance music.  Ah, good times with great friends.  So many good moments.

Its a sweatpants chill night tonight.  Cant wait to sip wine and giggle with my girls!  Then Cardinals game tomorrow with the fam.  Box seats with free buffet and beer!  This is really turning out to be a great weekend.  *Le sigh*

Hump Day Blues

Good news is the week is half over.  Bad news is I have a busy few days ahead of me.  I have a final exam for my BCBA class tomorrow morning and I am a tad nervous about it.

I thought Glee last night was good-excellent Britney renditions.  Side note:  I will now being doing half an hour sit-up workouts every day.

Well back to the land of the working.  Happy Hump Day!

It's Just (just) a Little Crush

I have a crush.

Oh why do I live in CoMO where men like this do not exist???  Le sigh.

Oh a happier note: ending the work week with some wine and Crim Minds reruns.  Spending tomorrow with mi madre and padre attending a Mizzou football game.  Go Tigers!

Random Thoughts

I need a new camera:

I am enjoying moving/unpacking at the new office building.  The building is so nice and the furniture is sweet!  I am loving decorating it!

I am excited for new Bones and Grey's Anatomy tonight.

I am more excited tomorrow is Friday and I only have to "work" (AKA decorate my new office) a half day.

I want to cut my bangs but am scared to do it myself.  Even more scared to go to a hair stylists because last time he chopped all my hair off.  *shiver*  Very traumatizing.  

That's all the random for today.  Have a wonderful night!

The Maiden Blog

As a newbie at this bloggin thing, my first few posts may be a bit shaky.  I do not feel I live a very exciting life so reader be warned these posts may induce some serious ZZZZ's.

Let's start with some rules and regulations:

1. I will try my best to be positive on here and limit the amount of ranting I do.  (Though it will happen from time to time because I am easily angered by the stupidity of others).
2. I will not post actual names of peeps unless they are ok with it-I work in a field ruled by HIPPA so no violations of privacy.
3. I will try to keep it classy but at times the ghetto in me just has to come out (yes, even though I am a white girl-stay tuned and I am sure you will learn all about my background).
4. I am a grown woman and will cuss from time to time-to me a word is a word.
5. Pictures and links will be frequent guests of my posts because I think they are highly entertaining.
6. Followers are not allowed to get cranky when they realize how boring I am

Now a bit more info about me:

• I am old.  Like really old.  Like pushing 30 old. 
• I love my cats like they are my children.  There.  I said it.  Talk poop about them or even attempt to hurt them and you will find my fist making contact with your throat.
• I miss Cali like a former fat kid misses cake.
• I love New York City.  Love it.  We are secretly having an affair.
• I have never been to Europe and it makes me very sad.
• I hate violence but will throat punch immediately to protect my friends and family.
• Love college football-am completely happy spending the weekend on someone's couch watch the games with the boys and drinking beer.  GO MIZZOU!
• I am from the desert of So Cal.  A legit desert.  Small town with big city diversity.  Gave me the best of both worlds.  
• I am a vegetarian.  Never eaten red meat and gave up chicken, turkey, and pork in January '10. It has been difficult and still not a good vegetarian (need to eat more fruits and veggies) but I do not want to cry every time I eat something.  Did it for health reasons but mostly because I love animals so much and could not stand the thought of what those animals go through to get on my plate.  We need to be kind and loving to ALL God's creatures!
• Speaking of God, I do believe in Him/Her.  I believe God made all people and loves us all so much (no matter our color, race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation).  I think on the whole we as humans are letting Him/Her down and it scares the poop outta me.

Well Blog-Fans, that is all for now.  Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!!