Happy Halloween!

It has been some time since I've posted. This year has had its ups and downs so I haven't felt like posting much plus my laptop has been on the fritz so without that blogging isn't exactly possible.

With my favorite time of the year coming up I wanted to get started with my blog again so Happy Halloween to everyone!

It was a pretty quiet Halloween weekend, but the weather was beautiful so I made sure to get out and make the most of it. Saturday was a day of errands and cleaning, but ended with college football and a Halloween party.

A bee and a sheriff!

Thanks to Glee this week and given that today is Halloween my friend Kelan and I grabbed dinner and watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I had never seen the movie before so while watching Glee I was completely lost. I must say the movie was not what I thought it would be and rose my eyebrows a few times, but the musical aspect was fun.

I hope everyone had a great Halloween weekend. November is going to be a busy month so many posts to come!

Weekend Recap!

In May, I was out of town for just about every weekend. I didn't document these trips very well either as you can tell by the lack of posts, but that aside I was finally home for a weekend and it was much needed.

No picture, but had a great dinner with friends Friday night and a little retail therapy, which everyone needs from time to time. I actually meant to just get one item and came out with a truck load of bags. Oops!

As I mentioned in my previous post, summer has arrived and Dallas experienced its first 100 mark this past weekend so I knew I would spending some portion of the weekend in a pool to escape the heat. Therefore on Saturday, I did just that. My sister's good friend, Georgia, has the best pool for just relaxing. Needless to say I got a little too much sun. Oops!

Saturday night was spent with some of my most favorite people. My sweet friend, Morgan, was in town from Denver. She just moved there a few months ago from Dallas so it was great to see her and celebrate. Happy Birthday Morgan!

Great night of patio fun! You can see where the sun got me.

Favorite Summer Treat!

The heat is setting in and the beast of a Texas summer is quickly approaching. While the heat can be brutal there are several things I enjoy about summer and one of them is the snow cone!

I was in Abilene last weekend for a family friend's wedding. My sister and I drove together so on our way back to Dallas we decided a snow cone was the perfect road snack if a snow cone can be a snack. I'm returning to Abilene for a family occasion this Memorial Day Weekend so it's quite certain I'll be going back for another summer treat. What flavor will I try this time?

Grape, Cherry, Blue Coconut....Oh My!

Birthday Celebration!

So my birthday was a month ago, but better late than never, right?!?

As some of you may know, I share my birthday with two good friends so it's a great time to plan a fun event and spend time with friends. This year, we decided to have a cookout and see the Texas Rangers play. I enjoy baseball, but in the Texas heat it's hard to get into so I was glad to be seeing the Rangers play in April before the real heat sets in. The weather was perfect and we all had a great time watching the game even though the outcome was not a W for us.

The Rangers take the field!

Batter up!

Kelan and I enjoying the game!

Getting back into the swing of things.....

Clearly I'm still struggling with my resolution to keep up my blog. I've been terrible!

However, the past few months have been a struggle in most areas of my life so I've been trying to weed my way out as of late and promise as a cleanse to myself that I will start blogging again.

I've gone back and forth as to whether or not I wanted to post about this, but since most of you out there are friends I feel I can. I lost my dear grandfather in March. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in February right before his 90th birthday. The family had planned a huge celebration for him, but a couple weeks before the party he went into the hospital due to a sharp decline in his health that we had all started to notice. The results that came back took us all by surprise and the next month was definitely the hardest I've ever been through. He had surgery to try and remove what the doctors could, but it was just too aggressive and took its toll on his body. He spent most of his last month in the hospital, but was able to come home for a week before he passed away. We held his service on Good Friday and I can't think of a better day to celebrate what a wonderful man he was. It was two hours long filled with laughs, tears and close to 500 of his family and friends.

Many have sent prayers and thoughts my way for which I'm extremely grateful. It's been a tough road and one I'm still navigating, but I know he's in a better place and with my grandmother again looking down on all of us.

I love old pictures and through this process we've gone through so many photographs of our family from when my Pipa was a baby to his final days and the legacy he has left behind. I have a few favorites I wanted to share and plan to hang several in my house.

My Pipa when he was in WW2

Pipa and Nana with my twin unlces

Pipa and Nana

I just love this picture and it really shows the love they had for each other!

On a different note, I've taken a new job opportunity for which I'm very excited. In my two years at Travelocity I've learned a great deal, but have found a new venture that will push me even further and into the energy industry, which I believe is an exciting place to be right now.

Looking forward to getting back in touch via blogs with everyone!

Snowmageddon in Dallas

Record breaking snowfall in Dallas! After my post yesterday the snow didn't stop and didn't stop and didn't stop. After 12 inches it finally decided to quit at some point during the night and the city woke up to snow EVERYWHERE!

Lots of people lost power including my good friends that live down the street so my house has turned into somewhat of a shelter. Despite the loss of power it was fun to play in the snow, throw snowballs, make snow angels, see all the fun snowmen neighbors have made and gather with friends at a favorite neighborhood spot, Capital Pub, for drinks to try and keep warm.

It's supposed to warm up this weekend so there is a lot of snow to melt. Should be nice and slushy!

View of my street

Crystal making a snow angel

Watch out! I'm armed and dangerous!

Front of my house totally covered

SNOW!

There has been some major snow in Dallas today! Luckily, I have a flexible work environment and can work from home so today I've been nestled in the warmth of my heater and have been watching the huge snowflakes fall. Snow is not as common as ice in DFW so to have thick and fluffy snow is a treat!

Looking outside my front window - SNOW!

View down the street from my front porch

Happy New Year in February

So all the high goals and expectations I made for myself at the start of 2010 have not really started out well. I was going to start cooking more, planning meals so I wouldn't spend as much on groceries, start running again, post on a regular basis and the list goes on. Well, shame on me because I have done none of them. Therefore, I'm starting over in February and declaring that the year is beginning for me then.

Here is a tri-toast among friends to the New Year!

It's not easy toasting with three, but we made it work and without spilling!

These drinks we are enjoying are called Poinsettias. They are so good and very easy to make with just the right festive flare. Fill your glass with around 1/3 of cranberry juice, fill the rest with champagne and add a cherry. Enjoy!