I would like to here by lodge an official complaint against one of my favorite stores! As always, I was filled with glee yesterday when I checked my mail and discovered my Pottery Barn catalog had arrived. This is always a special moment for me, and I do not wish for it to be ruined. But, alas, as I quickly flipped it over to gaze upon its front cover, my eyes were assulted with brightly colored objects! I gasped and cried out, "What is this?!" I don't understand. It is still winter. I should still have another two good months before having to see yellows, oranges, and lime greens! This just isn't right. I'm still holding on to fall. Winter is still in progress. I'm not ready for Spring yet! I'm not ready for the bright colors! I love fall colors! I love earth tones! My favorite color is BROWN!!!
Anyway......once I got past the whole color issue, I was able to sit down and enjoy my catalog.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Restored faith in MANkind!
Monday, January 7th, 2008
Today I ran some errands and shopped around for a gym. No, this is not a part of a New year's resolution, I don't do resolutions. I started this process a few months ago, but didn't want to sign the dotted line yet since I was gonna be out of town so much. I do not enjoy this shopping around process, because I always hate dealing with sales people. I can't stand the way they talk to you like you are a complete idiot as if you can't see right through the smoke their trying to blow up your rear. Anyway, I won't go into the whole story of this one place I went, cause it would take too long, but their sales guy ticked me off. So, I ended up going with 24 Hour Fitness cause I got a really good deal, and I've used them before and liked it, and 2 months ago I used a free 2 week pass at this location and got to check it out, and because they don't make you sign a contract (they're month to month). This one place wanted me to sign a 3 year contract. I laughed at them and went on my way.
So, I was in one of my favorite areas in town today. It's a lovely little place where one can see Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble (my 2 favorite "Barns") within one swift glance. I got hungry, so I stepped inside the mall for some food court Chinese and that's when I saw it! I sat down at my table, and I looked over at the table in front of me, and I saw before me something that my eyes could hardly believe. I thought, "This can not be! This does not exist!" I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, but it was still there! Sitting before me was a man eating dinner in the mall food court with his five children! And he was completely calm and collected. There was no sweat. There was no panic. There was no look of desperation. He was perfectly fine. The kids were all moving about, saying "daddy this" and "daddy that", and one threw a noodle at another one, and one was playing in a potted plant, and one was wearing no shoes, and still, he remained calm. And when they were done they picked up their noodle off the floor, they all picked up their trash and threw it away, and as they walked away, one of the children even turned around and pushed in all of their chairs. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. As they disappeared into the distance, I thought of all the times that I have been with women who after an hour or two of being away, have had to rush home because their husbands were alone with their one child. Now, I realise that I have no children, and that I may be missing something here, and that if one is nursing, that's a whole other story. But I gotta tell ya, the thought of this becoming my own fate, I admit, has often worried me.
So, I just couldn't help thinking to myself....
"Thank you Mr. John Doe Father, for proving that a man is capable of watching his own children. Thank you, ever so much! For you have restored my faith in MANkind!"
This evening I told B about what I saw. This is a topic that we have discusses several times, and each time he swears that he can't understand why a guy cannot be expected to take care of his own children. And if we ever have children, I assure you, these are words I shall not forget.
.......Oh, yeah, you know I wasn't missin' this photo op.
Four girls and one boy (he's the one playing with the tree)!
Today I ran some errands and shopped around for a gym. No, this is not a part of a New year's resolution, I don't do resolutions. I started this process a few months ago, but didn't want to sign the dotted line yet since I was gonna be out of town so much. I do not enjoy this shopping around process, because I always hate dealing with sales people. I can't stand the way they talk to you like you are a complete idiot as if you can't see right through the smoke their trying to blow up your rear. Anyway, I won't go into the whole story of this one place I went, cause it would take too long, but their sales guy ticked me off. So, I ended up going with 24 Hour Fitness cause I got a really good deal, and I've used them before and liked it, and 2 months ago I used a free 2 week pass at this location and got to check it out, and because they don't make you sign a contract (they're month to month). This one place wanted me to sign a 3 year contract. I laughed at them and went on my way.
So, I was in one of my favorite areas in town today. It's a lovely little place where one can see Pottery Barn and Barnes and Noble (my 2 favorite "Barns") within one swift glance. I got hungry, so I stepped inside the mall for some food court Chinese and that's when I saw it! I sat down at my table, and I looked over at the table in front of me, and I saw before me something that my eyes could hardly believe. I thought, "This can not be! This does not exist!" I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, but it was still there! Sitting before me was a man eating dinner in the mall food court with his five children! And he was completely calm and collected. There was no sweat. There was no panic. There was no look of desperation. He was perfectly fine. The kids were all moving about, saying "daddy this" and "daddy that", and one threw a noodle at another one, and one was playing in a potted plant, and one was wearing no shoes, and still, he remained calm. And when they were done they picked up their noodle off the floor, they all picked up their trash and threw it away, and as they walked away, one of the children even turned around and pushed in all of their chairs. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. As they disappeared into the distance, I thought of all the times that I have been with women who after an hour or two of being away, have had to rush home because their husbands were alone with their one child. Now, I realise that I have no children, and that I may be missing something here, and that if one is nursing, that's a whole other story. But I gotta tell ya, the thought of this becoming my own fate, I admit, has often worried me.
So, I just couldn't help thinking to myself....
"Thank you Mr. John Doe Father, for proving that a man is capable of watching his own children. Thank you, ever so much! For you have restored my faith in MANkind!"
This evening I told B about what I saw. This is a topic that we have discusses several times, and each time he swears that he can't understand why a guy cannot be expected to take care of his own children. And if we ever have children, I assure you, these are words I shall not forget.
.......Oh, yeah, you know I wasn't missin' this photo op.
Four girls and one boy (he's the one playing with the tree)!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Friday, January 4th, 2008
Today we decided to do a double feature at the movies. But, we didn't want to see the same movies. So we didn't. I saw Juno, which I really liked (and I had to download some songs from the soundtrack on my Zune). And I saw P.S. I love You, which I didn't really like cause it was way too sappy. As a reference, I would compare it to reading a Nicholas Sparks book. There's some good parts, but over all too much sap. Also, I find that I have a hard time with Hillary Swank when she tries to play a girlie character. She's too masculine, I like her better when she's playing a boy or a boxer or something. But that's just my opinion. Oh, and I didn't know Harry Connick Jr. was going to be in the movie, that's always a pleasant surprise for me, as I happen to be a big fan of lookin' at his face. (hehe) B saw I Am Legend, which he didn't like (he was warned). And he saw National Treasure II, which he thought was ok. Then we went to HEB Central Market and Sam's for groceries since we had no food from being gone so long. Then we went to a surprise b-day party for James at James and Shannon's house.
Today we decided to do a double feature at the movies. But, we didn't want to see the same movies. So we didn't. I saw Juno, which I really liked (and I had to download some songs from the soundtrack on my Zune). And I saw P.S. I love You, which I didn't really like cause it was way too sappy. As a reference, I would compare it to reading a Nicholas Sparks book. There's some good parts, but over all too much sap. Also, I find that I have a hard time with Hillary Swank when she tries to play a girlie character. She's too masculine, I like her better when she's playing a boy or a boxer or something. But that's just my opinion. Oh, and I didn't know Harry Connick Jr. was going to be in the movie, that's always a pleasant surprise for me, as I happen to be a big fan of lookin' at his face. (hehe) B saw I Am Legend, which he didn't like (he was warned). And he saw National Treasure II, which he thought was ok. Then we went to HEB Central Market and Sam's for groceries since we had no food from being gone so long. Then we went to a surprise b-day party for James at James and Shannon's house.
Saturday, January 5th 2008
Well, I woke up feeling yucky today. I'm sick of being sick. I'll have a day of being fine and then the next day it's back. Ugh! We had a late (3pm) lunch with mom, Johnny, and grandma at the Chinese place by our house. Then came home and watched a movie with my sweetie. We watched Stardust, which I thought was pretty cute, what I saw of it anyway, I fell asleep in the middle.
For Jenn N....
I discovered a new tasty treat yesterday, Dark Chocolate Covered Cranberries. Not as good as the Dark Choc. Covered Soybeans from Trader Joe's (that came home with me, hehe), but I can't get those here. Boo!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
St. Louis Trip December 19th 2007 - January 3rd 2008
Wednesday 12/19/07
We're on our way.......
Passing time in the airport.... 
Ben picked us up from the airport - and let us stop at Steak and Shake along the way.
Ben picked us up from the airport - and let us stop at Steak and Shake along the way.
The strange white stuff
Thursday 12/20/07
I was surprised by Krispy Kremes this morning!
City Museum 
Aquarium in the City Museum
Tunnel we crawled through that went through the water. Fish and sharks swam by as we crawled through.
Me - being silly - nothing new
Sea urchin - An example of what B stepped on when we were in Cabo, spike stuck in his foot.
L - reflection and puffer fish
Shells on top of a light - looks cool!
This slide started on the 4th floor and ended on the 1st.
B going down the slide
Lunch break
Looks like a pile of metal, but it's a giant jungle gym called Monstrocity. It was really cold, but we had a blast climbing around on it like big kids.
B - all smiles!
L climbing through a tree trunk.
There were also, tunnels and caves all throughout the building that we explored.
B and the boys
City Museum 
Aquarium in the City Museum
Tunnel we crawled through that went through the water. Fish and sharks swam by as we crawled through.
Me - being silly - nothing new
Sea urchin - An example of what B stepped on when we were in Cabo, spike stuck in his foot.
L - reflection and puffer fish
Shells on top of a light - looks cool! 
This slide started on the 4th floor and ended on the 1st.
B going down the slideLunch break
Looks like a pile of metal, but it's a giant jungle gym called Monstrocity. It was really cold, but we had a blast climbing around on it like big kids.
B - all smiles!
L climbing through a tree trunk.
There were also, tunnels and caves all throughout the building that we explored.Afterwards, we drove through down town looking at the Christmas lights. As we drove past "The St. Louis Arch", I snapped this picture. It was dark and foggy, but in all the trips we've made to St. Louis, this is actually the closest I've been to seeing the Arch.
Don't worry, he's not working while we open presents. I think he was pulling up pictures or something.
The boys playing video games - very intense - hehehe.
B's parent's house.
A long time ago this old log cabin was going to be torn down, so B's grandpa saved it as a gift for his grandma. He took it apart and reassembled it piece by piece in their back yard.
Oh, on another side note - you may note from these pictures that apparently everyone we know in Missouri, only conceives boys.....
wednesday 12/26/07
Friday 12/21/07
Shopping and dinner with Ben and Jenn. Then they dropped us off at B's grandparents for the night.
Shopping and dinner with Ben and Jenn. Then they dropped us off at B's grandparents for the night.
Saturday 12/22/07
Christmas #2 - Went with B's grandparents to his parents house (2 hour drive) for our second Christmas - his parents, Grandparents, Nana, Jeremy, and Mandy
Don't worry, he's not working while we open presents. I think he was pulling up pictures or something.
The boys playing video games - very intense - hehehe.
B's parent's house.
Sunday 12/23/07
Christmas #3 - Went to B's great-aunt's house (2 hour drive). Visited with lots more of his family (his mom's side). I forgot my camera, so no pictures - boooo. Then back to his parent's house (2 more hours, hehe).
Christmas #3 - Went to B's great-aunt's house (2 hour drive). Visited with lots more of his family (his mom's side). I forgot my camera, so no pictures - boooo. Then back to his parent's house (2 more hours, hehe).
Monday 12/24/07
Spent the day hanging out at B's parent's house.
Tuesday 12/25/07 - Christmas Day!
Christmas #4 - Went to B's grandparents house (2 hours). (By the way, everyone around here seems to live like 2 hours away from each other, so we have been doing a lot of traveling back and forth.)
One of the kids knocked some of the pies over, B saved this one - see the big hand print from catching it, hehehe. Still edible!
Grandma and Grandpa
One of the kids knocked some of the pies over, B saved this one - see the big hand print from catching it, hehehe. Still edible!
Grandma and Grandpa 
A long time ago this old log cabin was going to be torn down, so B's grandpa saved it as a gift for his grandma. He took it apart and reassembled it piece by piece in their back yard.
Oh, on another side note - you may note from these pictures that apparently everyone we know in Missouri, only conceives boys.....
wednesday 12/26/07
Penguin feeding - it was so cute. (Wouldn't it be funny if the one on the rock behind the guy jumped on him to get the food? hehehe)
And then I hugged a bronze gorilla.....
And we rode the carousel with B's aunt and cousin.
B and the boys.
Then we went back into the city (oh, yes, you guessed it, 2 hours!, hehehe) to Mike and Beth's to visit with our friends who were in the process of attending the annual "Multi-Day New Year's Extravaganza". Slept at Scott and Tanya's.
And then walked aroungd the rest of the museum.
Today I received my surprise Christmas gift from B. We went to the zoo, and he had pre-arranged for us to go on a private tour behind the scenes at the reptile house to feed the big tortoises. As most of you know, I am a huge fan of turtles and tortoises, so I was thrilled! It was a good surprise!
And then I hugged a bronze gorilla.....
And we rode the carousel with B's aunt and cousin.
B's aunt was interviewed when we left the zoo (I stepped away to snap some pictures) and it ended up being on the news that evening. 
We dropped them off and headed to our next stop - Travis and Sheri's. Went to P.F. Chang's for dinnerwith them and their 3 boys.
We dropped them off and headed to our next stop - Travis and Sheri's. Went to P.F. Chang's for dinnerwith them and their 3 boys.
B and the boys.
Thursday 12/27/07
Woke up feeling bad. I went back to B's grandparent's house while B went to visit with some friends. I slept most of the day.
Friday 12/28/07
Woke up at 5:30 am really sick! Threw up and slept all day - ugh - no fun! Still at his grandparent's house.
saturday 12/29/07
Still sick - slept most the day - suck! B left me at his grandparents and he went with his parents to his brother, Matt's, house (2 hours). Then he went back to his parent's house (4 hours).
Sunday 12/30/07
Jeremy and Mandy picked me up from grandparent's house and we headed over to B's parent's house (2 hour drive). Holly is back from India and she came over to visit with us. We got to catch up on what she's been up to!
Then we went back into the city (oh, yes, you guessed it, 2 hours!, hehehe) to Mike and Beth's to visit with our friends who were in the process of attending the annual "Multi-Day New Year's Extravaganza". Slept at Scott and Tanya's.
Monday 12/31/07 - New Year's Eve!
Lunch with the gang...
Then Ben and Jenn picked us up and we headed to Trader Joe's to get some munchies for the evening and then back to their house.
G in the basket with the groceries, hehehe.
The stroke of midnight - it was some kind of cold outside!!!
.......B and E go to White Castle!
B's not so sure about this idea. hehehe
Then Ben and Jenn picked us up and we headed to Trader Joe's to get some munchies for the evening and then back to their house.
G in the basket with the groceries, hehehe.
The stroke of midnight - it was some kind of cold outside!!! Tuesday 1/1/08 - New Year's Day!
Slept late, did some running around town, then ......
.......B and E go to White Castle!
B's not so sure about this idea. heheheThen we headed back to Ben and Jenn's with a big sack of burgers.
Wednesday 12/2/08
I didn't get to go to Body Worlds when it was in Houston, so I was happy to find that it was at the St. Louis Museum while we were here. So, we went with Ben, Jenn, L, and G to check it out.
Wednesday 12/2/08
I didn't get to go to Body Worlds when it was in Houston, so I was happy to find that it was at the St. Louis Museum while we were here. So, we went with Ben, Jenn, L, and G to check it out.
And then walked aroungd the rest of the museum.History of Flight
B and L - I took this pic, cause I have one just like it from a few years ago during our Memphis trip with Ben and Jenn. I'll have to dig it up to compare how much L has grown.
We're so glad we got to spend several days with Ben and Jenn. Especially since we didn't get our yearly visit from them this fall (yeah, I had to mention it again, hehehe).
They introduced us to a new place for ice cream. Yes, it was the coldest day since we've been here (16 degrees this evening!), but we didn't care! It was good!
So, the trick with G is to take a preliminary picture, making the flash go off, which as a result makes him smile, then you can take the real picture. I figured out your game mister!
I hate saying goodbye! Boo!
B and L - I took this pic, cause I have one just like it from a few years ago during our Memphis trip with Ben and Jenn. I'll have to dig it up to compare how much L has grown.
We're so glad we got to spend several days with Ben and Jenn. Especially since we didn't get our yearly visit from them this fall (yeah, I had to mention it again, hehehe).
They introduced us to a new place for ice cream. Yes, it was the coldest day since we've been here (16 degrees this evening!), but we didn't care! It was good!
So, the trick with G is to take a preliminary picture, making the flash go off, which as a result makes him smile, then you can take the real picture. I figured out your game mister!
Thursday 1/3/08
Well, as much as we hated to leave, I was worn out and really wanted to finish recouping from being sick. So, we cut our trip short by three days, and headed back home. Sorry B!
G quarding our suitcases
I hate saying goodbye! Boo!We're so glad we got to visit with everyone, family and friends. It stinks that we don't get to come up more often. Thanks to all for hanging with us and letting us crash at your homes!
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