Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Lil' Blue Grass

I have listened to Nickle Creek
since my St. Agnes High school days
and I have never out grown them.
They are a longstanding trio of Chris Thile on mandolin,
Sara Watkins on violin and Sean Watkins, her older brother, on guitar
They are definitely worth a listen...

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Like Cool...

Found this funny/odd website
where you can purchase the following
if they strike your fancy....
This guy looks like he's about
to rob a bank..
wouldn't these be perfect
for a Midsummer's Night Dream play?
As part of the cast of course

Check out the other surprising items available on the world wide web.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Tagging!

A few blogs out there say 'tag' you're it,
and send you a list of questions, here goes!



What is your current obsession? Sprint Mint nail polish
What is your weirdest obsession? blogging

What are you wearing today? flowery dress, turquoise jacket, silver Tahari flats

What's for dinner? I'm feelin' pizza

What would you eat for your last meal? chocolate covered strawberries, champagne, lobster with butter, - yep, that might kill me, and all together it sounds kinda gross, hmmm;)

What's the last thing you bought? gasolina

What are you listening to right now? Tonic

What is your favorite ice-cream flavor? Lemon

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be? Paris

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Forks, Oregon; always wanted to go since Twiligt and if I only have an hour, I think I could see everything there is to see in that time frame.

Which language do you want to learn? Spanish

What's your favorite quote (today)? Lover's keep on the road you're on, runners until the race is won...Coldplay

What is your favorite color? this year it's purple

What is your dream job? Too many things...mother, traveler, photographer, party planner

What's your favorite magazine? a mix of gossip, health, fashion, outdoors and interior design mags

If you had $1000 now, what would you spend it on? house decorating

Do you admire any one's style? Reese Witherspoon

What are you going to do after this? Make a July playlist

What are your favorite movies? Gone with the Wind, Royal Tennanbaums, Garden State, Little Miss Sunshine, The Hangover, A Room with a View

What's your favorite fruit? plumbs

What is your favorite pastime? Hanging out with friends & family, having dinner parties, being outdoors
What inspires you? People, places, things, music

What is on the walls in your bedroom? right now just curtains

Your favorite book? The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Do you collect something? Letters from friends

Sea Shore

Charlie and I had a most lovely time
visiting with my sister and her family
at the beach this weekend!
We only stayed one night but got to take in the
peaceful sea breeze and sunset.
Lots of silly faces were made...
...and a good time was had by all!

Charlie and I were laughing about the
restaurant sign below. 
I said, "Only in America would we see those foods come together"
and Charlie responded,
"Only in Galveston or Mount Pleasant."
It wouldn't be out of the ordinary to see
a re-purposed Sonic Restaurant selling
donuts and Chinese food.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

An Oxymoron

...a great philosophy for life!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Flight of the Conchords

These guys are flipin' hilarious
my fav song: Business Time

Friday, June 25, 2010

Updates from Mairzy

Since I do not get to see Mr. Toby everyday
my mom has been great about sending me picture updates of my fur baby....
...He sure loves him some Pup-Peroni...
...no doubt he is the grand-puppy
...
A quick note on how my mom's grandmother name evolved from Mere into Mairzy...
Kelley sings a song with the boys called
"Mares Eat Oats - Mairzy Doats -"
I had heard them sing it together a couple of times
and one day I finally asked,
"Are ya'll singing in Polish?"
(Travis' grandma sometimes sings polish lullabies to the kids)
Trip and Nate busted out laughing with,
"NO, Aunt Fuzzy! It's just how a baby would sing the song".
...

"Mairzy doats and dozy doats and liddle lamzy divey
If the words sound queer and funny to your ear, a little bit jumbled and jivey
Sing "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy"

 I'm glad they told me or I would have been
showing off my newly found knowledge of the Polish language.

Just a Reminder...


image from here

Thursday, June 24, 2010

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Last night Kelley and I went to see
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at River Oaks Theater.
Why is it that only the expensive theathers show the foreign films...
But the movie was totally worth the $9 dollar ticket!
I thought the movie would be difficult to follow
considering it was in Swedish
but I was able to pick up the general idea of what they were saying.
I kidd...
here definitely were English subtitles.
Considering this is a European film
and the book does have its graphic moments
I was preparing myself for anything over-the-top.
But the movie was done so well and it is probably my favorite "book to movie"
movie I have ever seen. 
Not to gush...but they really did an amazing job on the movie.

images from here, here and here

Summer Lovin'

Some pics from last weekend...
who knew Houston could be so green!
Charlie took this on top of our friend's apartment garage.
It wouldn't be a bad spot to watch some fireworks either!

Charlie and I got up early on Saturday morning
and headed out to Missouri City, Houston for some church softball.
All the little wife-ies basked/fried/sweltered in the sun...
and we weren't even playing!
Those boys are competitive...eeerr...devoted to their sports.
It was hotter than blazes and I never pass up a chance to soak up the vitamin D.
Luckily I had a handy umbrella in my car
but not luckily it was leopard print which did not complement my snake patterned dress.
It was a wild combo but at least I was in the shade!


Later that day we cooled off with my favorite guys in the world...

and he's going....
going....
GONE!
Uncle Charlie is having as much fun as they are!

Lukie-of-pookiness doing what he does best...
being the cutest 2 year old known to mankind!
I just want to squeeze him!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Cultivating Good Habits

Recently I have been wanting to get more disciplined
in my daily routine.
For the most part I'm a easy going, fly by the seat of my jeans
kinda gal but for the important stuff
like having quite time and exercising I just can't compromise those biggies.
I find that if I can at least start the day with these two things, I am ready for anything

If I can get both of those wonderful things in early in the morning
then it's already a good day.
So I decided I needed a plan to keep me on task...a vision board, if you will.

6am: quite time

7:30 - 8:30am: run

8-9am: shower; get ready for work

12pm: lunch

12:30-5(ish)pm: Work

5pm: make dinner

6pm: eat dinner with Charlie


7pm: relax for the evening (take a bath, go for a walk, watch a movie)
So how do I get started on this new and better schedule that will hopefully keep me from sinking into the depths of despair? I guess there are a few steps I can take...

step 1: pray for discipline
step 2: lay out running clothes, watch, shoes/socks, etc. before bed
step 3: set alarm for the morning
step 4: get to bed early

It's going to be a tough regiment
but I'm up for the challenge considering the
spiritual and physical benefits!


images from here

Concerts Galore

I realized Charlie and I have a long list of
musical conquests during our relationship.
This year we have been to see:
Tyrone Wells in Houston at the House of Blues
My fav tune: Sea Breeze

Brooks and Dunn at the Houston Rodeo
My fav tune: 'Ain't Nothing 'Bout You

Five for Fighting in San Antonio
My fav tune: Slice

and most recently...
Lovedrug at Mangos Cafe
My fav tune: We were Owls

Up next on the queue will be:
Green River Ordinance, Switchfoot and Goo Goo Dolls!!!
I am so jazzed to see this group of artists perform together.
So much of their music are tied to high school and college memories.
I can't wait for August to get here!

Give some of these songs a listen if you get a chance!


 
images from here, here, here, here, and here

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Slimey...but not so Satisfying

Well there is a first for everything...
and today at work I tried Escargot.
Our wonderful Executive Chef brought a few ramekins
full of the little guys for my co-worker who enjoys them.
All I can say about that "delicacy" is they are very gummy
and I do not care to try them again....
athankya

image from here

Monday, June 21, 2010

Monday Inspiration

hello!
welcome back from
what i hope was
a most wonderful weekend!

Yesterday our pastor said something that has stuck with me,
"If you aren't thinking it, you won't believe it".
This could apply to both positive and negative thoughts.
These past few weeks have been wonderful and busy,
filled with family, friends and fun.
It reminds me to go out there and live live to the fullest.
it's harder to do than it should be sometimes
because distractions and negative thinking and being plain 'ol tired
get in the way,
but i hope that as the month of July approaches
i can remember to do something every day that ministers to others.

"Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." ~ Frank Outlaw ~

I love the bible also gives similar direction:

"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Romans 5:2-4


image from here.

The Saga Begins

On our way to drop off Trip and Nate with their parents,
Charlie put on some new tunes.
Anyone remember, Weird Al Yankovic from hits such as
Amish Paradise (spin off of Ganster's Paradise)
and
Pretty Fly for a Rabbi (spin off Pretty Fly for a White Guy)?

Well, he also has a song called The Saga Begins
that details all Star Wars' history.
It's sung to the American Pie melody
and the lyrics are amazing.
It is truly impressive how A.Y. can take a such a well loved song,
apply a completely different subject and still have original lyrics.

Trip and Nate are huge Star War fans even though they've only seen a few of the movies.
As you can see they take their lightsabers with them wherever they go!

Here aere his well crafted lyrics:
A long long time ago


In a galaxy far away
Naboo was under an attack

And I thought me and Qui Gon Jin
Could talk the federation into maybe cutting them a little Slack
But their response, it didn't thrill us
They locked the doors and tried to kill us
We escaped from that gas
And met Jar Jar in Bosnas
We took a bongo from the scene
And went to Theed to see the Queen
We all wound up on Tatooine
That's where we found this boy

Oh my, my this here Annakin guy
Maybe Vader someday later
Now he's just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mummy goodbye
Saying "Soon, I'm gonna be a Jedi"
"Soon I'm gonna be a Jedi."

images from here, here and ME

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Acie says you have some dough for me…

Kevin McCallister: This house is so full of people it makes me sick.
When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone.

Last night Trip and Nate watched Home Alone
for the first time.
As you can tell they rather enjoyed it...
I was laughing just watching them laugh.
The above quote cracked me up especially.
The whole idea of Kevin getting married
just to live alone is such a 8 year old mentality.

Charlie and I love having them spend the night because that means
we have an excuse to do fun and random stuff i.e.
throw my fitness orb up and down the stairs
set up our camping tent in our bedroom
eat cinnamon rolls in the morning

Spending random time with the people I love makes for a great weekend!

...one more great quote...

Mitch Murphy: Hi, I'm Mitch Murphy.
I live across the street.
You guys going out of town?
We're going to Orlando, Florida.
Well, actually, first we're going to Missouri to pick up my grandma.
Did you know the McCallisters are going to France?
Do you know if it's cold there?
Do these vans get good gas mileage?

Airport Driver: Gee, kid, I don't know. Hit the road.

i believe in marriage

Happy Anniversary, Kelley and Travis!
My wonderful sister and brother-in-law celebrated
their 11th year of marriage
yesterday!

I admire them so much and look to them as role models for my own marriage.
I love how they respect each other.
I love how they parent their boys.
I love how they always put their relationship first.

Charlie and I have been blessed by their example.


"there is no greater risk than matrimony.
but there is nothing happier than a happy marriage."
--benjamin disraeli, 1870

in a letter to queen victoria's daughter louise,
congratulating her on her engagement.
via the book committed by elizabeth gilbert

Friday, June 18, 2010

Fridays (when you have the day off) are for...

...waking up slowly
...lounging by the pool before lunch

...meeting a friend at Panera Bread for lunch

...hanging out and watching the world cup with friends


...and a fun concert
even though it's not a rock concert this picture was just too cute not to post!

i hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

images from here