Sunday Funday

Stop Light Shots

Erik vs Dustin Basketball Challenge

Sunday afternoon

Beer Fest on Saturday

Ummm?

Natalie, were we dancing at Happy's? I told Dan I couldn't drink Hooligans! Damn!!!

Home

I decided since boss is out of town and all of the other divisions of my company leave at 11:30 on Friday, my time would be best spent working from home. When I am in that office alone, I get very little done because I am so afraid. So this morning I went in to the office, picked up my laptop and all of the materials I would need to be productive from home and headed on home. This makes me happy! Especially on a Friday. Even further on a Friday when I have plans to meet up with some folks after work just few blocks from home!!! It would be even better if I had a fun frozen drink like the man in the photo!

Black Beans

Usually the chore of grocery shopping Chris and I do together. This is a result of me going alone and the question being asked when I return..."Where are all of the snacks?" Shopping and cooking arrangements have somewhat changed since Chris changed jobs. I will make a list and he shops. I mentally go through a few menu items and then add the everyday staples we may need to a list I write at night while he is at work and the following day he will shop while I am at work. Planning meals to cook for just me at night that he can heat and have for lunch the next day has been a bit tricky. We have been using the slow-cooker a lot. Maybe too much! I find it very funny to look through the groceries he returns with that were not on the list. Example: Black Beans. I think he bought six cans of black beans! Whats a girl to do with that many cans of Black Beans??? I am now looking online for black bean recipes to use the darn things. Suggestions?

Dentist Appt Cancelled...

and I didn't do it! I had a 1:00pm teeth cleaning scheduled (with my mother) and her office had to call and cancel becuase my mom went home not feeling well. Yippy! Now I am not happy that my mom is ill, I did call to check on her and also to see if I could bring something by for comfort, I am happy I can postpone the Dentist!!! Even though it is my mother's hands in my mouth, I hate it as much as any of you.

Funny

Easter Night...

Because Kristen decided to stay in town Sunday night, we HAD to go listen to our favorite guitar player Cam Pyle. These pictures are of me and Will (cousin) dancing to Jesse's Girl...

Easter Pics

Holly, Kristen and I

Guys and Grills

Hank and Mattie, a size comparison

Hank is done with the play time!

Into the Wild

I remember really enjoying the book Into the Wild when I was younger so was excited to pick up Sean Penn's movie version (Chris told me he wrote the screenplay and directed it). I guess I was too exhausted from work (left the office at 8) to watch any movie last night. I was asleep about 1/3 into it (if watching a movie in bed, I usually don't make it that far!). I will attempt to watch the remaining 2/3 tomorrow night I guess. But tomorrow night may not be much better. 2 hour manager meeting at lunch (fun fun) then off to every store to change out some window marketing materials. Starting tomorrow, we will have a Family Size (16") 2-Topping for $8.99 advertised in the window!!!

Meanwhile, I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. I will post some pictures as soon as I have time to get them off of my camera - maybe by Wednesday. Holly and her mom joined us for lunch Sunday and Hank, Holly's pup, came by for a bit to play with mom's new pup Mattie...those are the funny pictures.

Peeps

When we were kids, Kristen must have announced that peeps were her favorite Easter candy. I don't know why, those little things are nasty!!! From that point forward, they were always included in our Easter baskets from everyone (Grandmothers & Aunts too). As adults, my mom still puts a little candy out for Easter for us. Not a basket for each of us, just a community candy stash. The past few years it has been only Peeps! What the heck happened to the rest of the Easter goodies? No chocolate bunnies, no jelly beans, no anything but Peeps! Should I suggest yet again to my mother that perhaps Kristen is the only Peep-lover in the family? We will see what today's goodies are and then I must conference with Mom. Oh and now that Peeps are made for other holidays (Halloween, Valentine's Day etc)....we get them then too!

I am excited Holly and her mother are having Easter with us at Mom's. My dad is grilling ribs, so I hope the weather will be nice so we can dine out on the deck today!

Happy Easter!

Some Easter funnies for you guys...






ha ha ha

Blue Mountain @ Chelsea's and sooo much more

Will and I started WAY too early yesterday, like 6:30! Heidi, Holly, Lunchbox and Chris all eventually met up with us. Show was good, drinks were good, Jager shot was good too! Here are some pics...

Blue Mountain

with Will

Holly and Heidi

At Chelsea's we decided we should get closer to home base, so we headed downtown to Avoyelle's. Erik was sending text messages galore trying to get us to go drink there since he was bartending....so we did.

Erik and Justin

Jager Bombs were waiting, then we had a stop light shot (green shot, yellow shot, red shot which get progressively nastier) then I was ready to have my conference with the DJ.

Will and I after completing the Stop Light Shots

In my bar experience, I have found DJs like money and shots, give them either and they will let you create the playlist. Mine = everything Michael Jackson ever recorded so that I could do Thriller dance over and over. I do it every time I hear an MJ song (after drinks) even if it is not Thriller!

Me Thriller Dancing!

A Bachelorette party showed up not long after and we did more shots...geez. Finally, at about 3 we left Avoyelles to head home. Some one needed cigarettes so we went to a store, I have no idea what time we finally got home...it was VERY late. Will was staying with us and Sheridan was just getting home from work so she walked over. My neighbor, Heath, was outside so I had to vent to him about the cheap ass man he works for (owner of my neighborhood store). I went on and on, poor guy! Chris, as usual, must start some cooking process. This time it was pasta and shrimp with some cream and cheese sauce. While Chris was cooking, Sheridan and I were trying to play MJ on Pandora so I could dance more.

I feel like poop today and will be having lots of bed and couch time...

Lunchbox

So my friend, H, has a new "friend". She calls him Lunch Box. How funny is that? I may have a chance to meet Lunch Box tonight if they meet us at Chelsea's to see the Blue Mountain show tonight!!! I will report back to tell everyone if he is deserving of such a kick ass nickname. Meanwhile, I think I would like to have that Curious Goerge Lunch Box for myself. I chose Curious George because it kind of reminds me of H. Love you H!

Spooked

I am the ONLY person in my office today. This building is very spooky when here alone. I am trying to distract myself with music from pandora.com. If you haven't been to that site, check it out...kind of cool.

My Neighbor...

My apt complex is very small, only eight units, so we all know each other very well. Directly next door to me an older man lives alone. I see him almost every day and we speak often. He is always very pleasant to Chris and I. He has even tolerated a few late night get-togethers after Red Star closes, we are talking party until 4 or 5 AM. He works in a plant and is always gone well before I leave in the morning for work. I have noticed his truck in the parking lot all week and chalked it up to him being out of town, off from work or something. Passing his apt on the way to mine this afternoon, he steps out because he heard me come up the stairs (I am the only female upstairs, so I guess the clatter of the high heels gave me away) and he was connected to an oxygen tank (the portable kind). I asked what was wrong..he went on to tell me he had a virus that turned into a serious respiratory infection and he has been in the hospital since Sunday evening. I feel like such a shit for not checking on him when I saw his car all of those mornings! Then I realized I would have no way to check on him if he wasn't there. I don't have a cell number for him or the phone number of a relative. I must get that from him as soon as he is well again. He has a lady friend there with him right now to care for him. I am making a quiche tonight and will bring them one so she doesn't have to cook. I win the bad neighbor award!

My Landlord is a B*#@H!!!!

My landlord does not allow pets of any kind in our small, old, falling down apartment complex because they actually may make it a more pleasant place to live. My downstairs neighbor is a single girl in her last year at LSU Law. You don't hear peep from her. About a month ago, she got a very small dog. Full grown this thing might reach 10 pounds. The first time I saw her walking the pup, I asked if she had cleared it with landlord lady, MJH. She told me no and she dared MJH to say anything about the dog as she would have a list of problems to throw right back at her. Last month, Law student told me she withheld some of her rent and sent MJH a nice note saying the money lost in the coin operated dryer that never works has been deducted from that month's rent. They went back and forth with nasty phone messages and conversations. Law student is on top of the world and thinks she can fight any legal battle at this point. I had to inform her that MJH's husband is a BIG attorney here in town and that she might have a tough time fighting her. Meanwhile, today I went home for lunch and ran into Law student outside with pup. She told me MJH saw pup today for the first time!!!! Uh-Oh! MJH is furious and wants to hear no excuses. I was thinking maybe we should make my apt the headquarters for Lost and Found Hound!!! lol, MJH is a witch!

Seriously...wtf?

I had to leave work due to the worst headache I have had in years! I am unclear weather it is due to my giving up coffee all together and this being day #1 or there is something horrible in the air making me feel this bad. Our cars were all covered with pollen until last night's rain storm which should have washed away all of the allergy causing nastiness. Ouch!

If this is coffee detox, please bring me some starbucks!

Azaleas are in Bloom!

Most of my exercise take place inside the walls of the YMCA, but when the weather is too perfect to be inside, I hit the streets. I decided to take my camera with me while I walked my neighborhood yesterday because the Azaleas around the Capitol are beautiful right now. I thought I would share...





I Love My Neighborhood!

Arggg

So the mechanic just called and apparently I need new front Rotors (thanks Natalie & Finicky)!!! DAMN, there goes my shopping plan for later in the week!

St. Pat's

I almost forgot...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Car Repairs

Late last week when on my way home from work I noticed a nice grind sound when coming to a stop in my neighborhood. I know what this sound means even though I am very stupid when it comes to car maintenance and repairs. I need new brake pads. Before I took this job my driving consisted of rainy days or way too cold days for the pink beach cruiser to make it the eight or so blocks to Avoyelle's or if I really needed to leave the neighborhood for groceries, a family visit etc. Now I am driving 1,200-1,500 miles a month for WORK. I am getting paid for my mileage but still. In the last six months, I have had three oil changes, four new tires and now brake pads and my fourth oil change. Geez! Because Chris is off on Monday's I decided to bring the car in today for the work while at lunch. Chris took me to the three places work required I be this afternoon and now am waiting for the call from the mechanic to pick up my car. While being home with nothing better to do, I watched Bee Movie!!! Chris and I went to Blockbuster together. His selections...No Country For Old Men & Rendition; mine...Bee Movie. We watched mine first!

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Kristen picked me up early so we could make our way to Mike's house, the best party spot for parade day! I was sad to hear he will be moving out of the house in May as we have spent 4 or 5 fun St. Patty's days there. There is something about sipping on draft beer at 9:30 in the morning that isn't quite right! Maybe it is how you feel by 3:00! After the parade, Kristen and I went to Chelsea's, I have never seen it that packed. It was ridiculous!!! We met up with Alise, Erik, Glen, Mike and Lauren. Also saw Freeze and Chuck, I haven't seen Chuck since we broke up about nine years ago. That was kind of strange. He is now married with two children. Who would have thought? All and all it was a fun day, but as usual Chris had to miss the party so I was pretty sad about that.

Work Dinner

At the conclusion of a somewhat long week at work with lots of visitors from the corporate office in and out all week, our favorite corporate visitor, Jerry, decided to treat Carell, Dan and myself to dinner. Carell selected Marnsur's. I was quite impressed as I am the only BR native and the only one to have dined there before. Since we went straight to the restaurant from the office, all of us are in jeans (with it being casual Friday and all) so they sat us in the very back of the restaurant in a tiny room with four tables which I am sure doubles as a private dining room on occasion. It was freezing in there and the room had a distinct odor of old lady perfume. When we asked our waiter, Moe, about the smell he said their carpets were cleaned after closing the night before. The smell was so strong I think I began to taste it at one point! Carell quickly ordered a nice bottle of wine, PM corporate office was footing the bill, and we were given dinner menus. While scanning for my dinner choice, I noticed my dear friend from high school, CN, is still the Executive Chef there and ask our waiter if he is there. No, he is off on weekends! How does that happen? Anyway, I was sad because I had not seen him in quite some time. He was my CHS prom date circa 1993! Now he is married with a baby girl named Emma and his wife is Executive Chef at Mansur's sister restaurant, French Market Bistro! They must eat well at home huh?!? We had a very nice dinner and managed to keep the work talk to a minimum and laughed often. I am fortunate enough to work closely with people I like spending time with away from the office. In the end I chose the Tuna, rare, and it was a great selection. Not much can go wrong at Mansur's.

After telling Jerry goodbye, I made my way back downtown to Red Star where I was meeting Holly Bof for drinks. It has been SOOOOOO long since we have had a chance to catch up just the two of us. She filled me in and I did the same. We had about two hours of gossip & catch-up time before Chris and his friend Collin arrived. Managed to almost close down the bar. I guess I was semi out of my mind since I knew today would bring an early wake-up with it being St. Patrick's Day parade!

Kristen is driving in now from NOLA to pick me up. Yay! Chris can't go with us because he has to work. Boo!

King of California

I watched this movie last night sans Chris and really enjoyed it. I recommend you all rent it, nice little story. I also watched Snow Cake (good too) and No Reservations (it was ok)...yes, I locked myself in the house and was glued to the boob tube!

Melting Pot

Does anyone else think that place is a rip off and a joke??? OMG, the prices are ridiculous!!! Green Bean wanted to go there for her birthday celebration. 10 girls, wine, cheese and chocolate...it was a bit much! I thought the atmosphere was ok, but just having a glass of wine, cheese and chocolate can break the bank.

Goodbye HP, Hello Dell

My work laptop is a six month old HP, or as I call it on a daily basis "piece of shit" as I restart for the tenth time by noon. A month ago a Dell was ordered for me and it came today. Our IT guy, Will, is here now installing all of the updates and adding all of the software I need!!! Yay! No more frustrating moments in which I want to throw the thing out of the window. I should be on it first thing tomorrow morning. Meanwhile I am having the conversation with my boss about what to do with the HP Pavilion dv2000 (piece of shit) now that I won't be using it anymore..my suggestion is to use for a paper weight! It is good for nothing else.

pretty day

It is beautiful today. Going to Champps to hang out with some buddies on the patio!

Busy Bee

I have SO much to do to get ready for this party I am hosting tomorrow night!!! The hours are going by too fast. I feel like screaming. I know everything will be fine and I tend to over-stress about things like this, but geez!

I almost forgot...

Christian Won Project Runway Season 4! He is so Fierce!

I am a victim!

When I checked the voicemail on my personal cell today at lunch (which I only do about twice a week - I just keep the number because I have had it over a decade), I had a voicemail from an Investigator Sosa. The message states I must return the call today as there is a possibility someone in the Dallas area is using my social security number! I returned the call to find out this private investigation firm was hired by a Dallas apartment complex when an applicant's rental history was flagged because the name and social security numbers did not match. This investigator will confirm there is criminal activity and then contact the Dallas DA's office to press charges. Towards the end of the call, I became a little suspicious because she was confirming the last four digits of my social, my home address, my phone number and finally my employer. She had my employer as Pizza Hut. I told her that was correct, even though it isn't because I have no idea how she would have gotten such information. I am now thinking my sneaky ex-husband is up to something tricky concerning our property settlement which is STILL not complete after 3+ years of divorce!!! Maybe I am paranoid?