Hooray for America

My eagerly awaited three day weekend commences in t-minus 7.5 hours.

Thanks for gaining your independence, America!

I will celebrate you in this manner:



I'm so sexy in my flag ball gown and classy dyed hair.



Seeing as how I'm going home to San Antonio this weekend, how appropriate that this character is wearing an American flag while standing in front of the Alamo!

I think it would take several strong drinks to ever convince me to celebrate the 4th by traipsing around in front of the Alamo in this kind of get up.

But for humor's sake, just imagine that this is what I'll be doing this weekend.

I hope everyone enjoys this 4th of July weekend and eats copious amounts of hot dogs, hamburgers, and ice cream.

'Cause that's how we do it in Amuuuurica!

A little late

A few pictures from Thanksgiving

I'm off to Dallas this weekend for a farewell party for an old roommate. Lucky girl is moving to LONDON. Jealousy.

Have a fantabulous weekend!

Thanksgiving in retrospect

What a Texas traveler I was these past few days!

San Antonio for a night, Georgetown for the Thanksgiving meal with the parentals, Aaron, and family friends, immediately on to Arlington, then back to Houston last night.

Oddly enough, it was quite the relaxing weekend.

The Thanksgiving meal was delicious [even though my mom didn't cook it. I survived!], and I may have consumed three pieces of pie.

Our time in Arlington with Aaron's parents was lovely as usual. I partook in my first Black Friday shopping in I don't know how long, and came out a winner with my mom's Christmas gift, gorgeous black boots [that I paid for but will end up being a Christmas gift from mom. Thanks!], and some goodies from Ulta. The day was all about Aaron, though, who is turning into a girl when it comes to shopping.

We also watched all the episodes so far of The Walking Dead. Have you seen it? If not, DO IT! It is so good. A show about zombies may sound a little corny, but I promise it is very well done and will have you wanting more. Maybe we all stayed up until 1 am watching them all.

Last night I put up my very first Christmas tree! Aaron's grandma gave it to me, and I am so excited to have my very own. I still need some lights and ornaments, but it's a nice start. Chester is enthralled with it and won't stop running around it while meowing.

Now it's back to work. Booooo!

But Christmas is in less than a month!

Family time

This past weekend I ventured from Houston to San Antonio to celebrate my dad's birthday. It was a big one, so my mom threw a little surprise party for him. It's always so nice to go home where it feels safe and there is never any shortage on love and good food.

They're such Aggie parents.

He missed the biggest football game of the year at A&M to come with me.

My sweet dog, Boagie. He obviously had nothing to do with the birthday celebration, but isn't he cute?

I'll be heading back home tomorrow to spend Thanksgiving with my parents and long time family friends. This will be the first Thanksgiving that my mom hasn't done the cooking. I am hesitant to partake in anyone else's Thanksgiving feast, but I'll try to embrace the change! Then Aaron and I will move on to Arlington to spend the rest of the weekend with his family. Road trips!


Other tidbits over the last few days:
1. Have you heard of Rue LaLa? If not, you should check it out immediately. They feature HEAVY discounts on different designers every day. I snatched up a pair of skinny Seven for all Mankind jeans for $100 less than they should have been. Having them arrive at my door was quite exciting.
2. I partook in this thing called "working from home." Novel, right? Well to me it certainly was! I've been pretty sickly since Thursday, so my boss told me to just stay home and work. I AM ADDICTED. I didn't have to put on makeup or proper clothing. I drank hot cocoa. Chester supervised as I did research. Besides the sickness, it was perfect. And I get to do it again tomorrow before I leave for home. Score! Can I do this at all times, please?

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving, everyone!
And remember, gorging on delicious foods is quite acceptable during this time of the year. So do it!!

Home, sweet home

After my weekend at home, I can add one more item to my "Older than 23" column mentioned in the previous post:

Reading magazines such as Women's Day, Better Homes and Gardens, and Family Circle.

Thanks, mom.

Lovely lady that she is sent me home with a huge stack of these magazines so I could "find cool beauty stuff and bake to my heart's content!"

I'll just pretend that it's ok for a 23 year old to read mom magazines.

It was wonderful being home. I don't see my parents nearly enough for living only about 3 hours away, so I cherish the time I get to spend with them.

My step-brother is being sent to Iraq for the second time, so there was a going away party for him Saturday night. It was such a typical San Antonio family gathering: BBQ, beer, cheap wine [this is mine and my mom's fault], and tejano music. Yes, tejano music. Oh, and let's not forget the women who were voluntarily drinking Smirnoff Ice.

Home time also included bean and cheese breakfast tacos, homemade waffles with strawberries, fajitas [notice the food theme?], shopping, champagne time with the lovely Swampy, and playing rummy with my mom.

The next time I go home our house is going to look completely different, thanks to a huge remodel my mom initiated. This is what happens after retiring, I suppose.

Happy Monday!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today my wonderful mom celebrates her birthday.

Not only am I her only child, but she was also a single mom for about six (early) years of my life. Because of this, I grew up being extremely close to her, sometimes to the point of refusing to leave her side when I was a child.

She had me when she was almost 40, but I like to think that I keep her young :)

I owe everything to this woman; she has made so many sacrifices for me and has always given me the world.

So here's to my mom, to MANY more birthdays, and to being my biggest fan and constant supporter.

A&M graduation

23rd birthday

Taken a few years ago at the coast.


Where I get my silliness from.