Sunday, February 27, 2011

Gray Hair

Conversation between student and myself during a TAKS review Friday...very relevant ya know?!

Student: "Mrs. Williams, is it true that having gray hair makes you smart?"
Me: "Yes, of course. Why?" (jokingly)
Student: "Well you must be smart because you have some."
Me: "Thanks for noticing (insert name)." (sarcastic tone)
Student: "Do you think we can all have some for next Tuesday? We might need it."
Me: "Luckily, your smart enough to not need it. And anyway, I don't think I have enough to go around."
Student: "Yes you do!"

Happy 28th Reality Check to me...My kids tell it like it is! Go a few weeks too long without coloring your hair and the kiddos will notice.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Space Invaders

I had a wonderful weekend spending time with some of my fav ladies! Mitch went to his dads, so I had the house to myself...which is now covered in clothes. There are at least three loads of laundry that need to be folded...that I DON'T WANT TO DO!!! Instead, I'll blog about it?!

This was not my typical weekend. I got absolutely nothing productive done and I don't even care. I went out Friday to celebrate Em's birthday. We had a ton of fun! She had to reschedule her bday plans because of snow, but it was all worth it because the weather this weekend was fantastic.
Emerald & I on her birthday
Saturday I SLEPT...what an old woman I feel like sometimes. Two late nights has brought on a drained immune system that is tempting a cold to come on. Yes...I've been hydrating myself and fighting off any sign of sickness with an assortment of meds. The allergy thing that has already sprung up might keep me down though...There aren't enough meds in the world to keep my throat from being itchy from whatever is flying around in the air.

Saturday night was Girls Night. Had to get those moms outta the house! We started off with drinks and dinner at Neighborhood Services. The mixologist there made amazing drinks. It's all about fresh ingredients. We were quite impressed with his mixing technique. He knows how much liquor and what-not to add by smelling what he's making. A classic that makes me think of Spring/Summer - Pimm's Cup. Always delicious.  If only I was sitting by the pool soaking up the summer sun having one! Ahhhh. Instead, I'll settle for the temps in the 70s (in February).

After our 2 hour wait and a yummy dinner, we headed down to Cedars Social. Only open for a couple of weeks, this great little 1970s themed cocktail den serves up punchbowls. Yep, I said it...boozed-up punchbowls. So, since that's what they were written up for on UrbanDaddy, we had to have one. Super tasty, fresh fruit punch that could knock you on your ass. It definitely wasn't lacking in the liquor department. There wasn't much of a crowd (probably because they're new), which was perfect because we (okay...mostly Charlotte) chatted with the owner...who provided several desserts for us to try. Free sweet treats topped off our night perfectly. I will definitely go back. Although, it's more of a bar, I'd like to try out their fantastic-looking menu (Surprised?).
Tara, me, Charlotte, & Angie out on Knox/Henderson
My birthday is only a week away. I can't decide what to do! By now I've usually planned a big to-do for myself, but I'm just not feelin' it right now. 28...who cares? I mean maybe I should celebrate big...only two years until 30! Then what? Charlotte and I are thinking about having a joint bday celebration. I had originally put on my calendar to have dinner at La Duni with a couple of friends and that's it. Low key is what I was thinking. But a joint celebration would definitely be fun if we can to agree on what we want. I dunno...I'll think about it this week. I know for sure that I'm going to be selfish and drag my exhausted husband from work to celebrate at Toulouse in the middle of the week and then have a "party" that weekend too. It's my birthday and that's what I want, so there. Then Spring Break will be here and I'll celebrate again in Austin with the fam and friends down there. Three birthdays...I don't mind if I do ;0

*Did you know that technically you're not supposed to space twice after each sentence? It should only be one space. I didn't know this until my writer friend posted something about it on FB. So here I am, trying my darndest to only space once. On a word doc though...it's going to say that an error needs to be corrected because it thinks you need two spaces. Here's the info if you're interested - Space Invaders

Hoping your week is wonderful ~ Love B

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Kitchen Curtains

So if it wasn't obvious, I am never truly satisfied with the look of my blog.  I like vintage, yet contemporary designs...I should just create my own, but that would take a lot more time.  Time that I'm just not willing to spend right now.   When I found this background it made me think of my kitchen curtains in the Colorado house...which I love love loved!  Tribute to kitchen curtains I guess?
All bundled up for yet another Oscar Nominee
We have almost completed the Oscar Nominee list for Best Picture.  We lack True Grit and I want to see Biutiful that's up for Foreign Film.  We do it every year.  Honestly, I prefer indie films and stuff that didn't make it big.  But I really did LOVE Black Swan, 127 Hours, The King's Speech, and The Fighter.
*Side note: Don't see Casino Jack...although enlightening about lobbyists, no entertainment value (not an Oscar nominee)

The Super Bowl came and went...I could care less.  If it's not the Boys, then I just don't give a damn.  Not that I ever have high hopes for them anyway.  If they make it, they do.  If the don't, they don't.


I was happy to spend a little time with friends & my favorite twin girls on Sunday.  
PUT IT ON THE CALENDAR!!! - Mitch actually made it to a social event...which consisted of seeing friends at their house while watching football...so he almost doesn't get credit.  He doesn't make it out much otherwise (only because he's a work-a-holic and not by choice).  Shame on me for having no picture to prove it!
Leyla & Hallie are getting so big!
Tomorrow may be yet another snow day!  Excited? Can't decide.  We have 3 weeks before Writing TAKS and there's no time to waste.  We've lost 4 days already.  Most of my precious darlings are more than ready and capable, but there's a select few that I can't afford to miss a day with.  Stay tuned to find out if we got to stay home due to "Inclement Weather" conditions (AGAIN). 


P.S. What do you think?  Can I watch a youtube video and figure out how to reupholster this myself?  Or should I just pay to have it done?  Fell in love with this 1940s Slipper chair that I found at Again & Again.  Can't stay away from that place!...and to my crafty friends...how in the world do you do piping?!
When it's done, there won't be a skirt
dark stain? opinions?

Friday, February 4, 2011

Snow Day 20eleven

Snow Day...Love that I got to be home today more than any other this week.

Unfortunately M had to go to work...Boo
5-6" of snow here in the Metroplex
I busted my ___ soon after this...Caution: Ice still below snow
Needed a moment of childish fun

Forced snow fun once the sidewalk was shoveled...
Hoodies weren't optional and they hated every minuted of it.

What the...

"Momma, I'm miserable!!"
Peace!  That's enough!
Not once did they attempt to walk through the un-shoveled yard

"PLEASE LET US IN!!!"
Today was one of the most beautiful snow days I've ever seen in Texas.





Thursday, February 3, 2011

Clean, Organize, Be Productive...Ha

So basically I've been trapped in the house for two days.


No school Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday...oh wait, GISD just posted...NO SCHOOL FRIDAY!!!


Let's work this backwards...


I was trapped for only two days because today I ventured out alone (Day 3).  Starbucks was first (where it took 3 tries to pull up to order), followed by REI.  I needed a little Cozy Colorado Pick-Me-Up.  Got a new beanie & some socks.  Could've done a lot more damage, but thought I'd wait to see what the next few weeks' forecast looks like since I'm not actually venturing out of the house much.  Decided around "rush hour" to pick up Em and make a run to the liquor store.  We were bone dry...Now doing a happy dance b/c I can partake in yummy beverage wonder this evening and not wait until tomorrow.  I definitely feel comfortable skating in the 4Runner on ice now.  It's the other idiots I worry about.
*Anthony Bourdain today - Namibia...The most disgusting I've ever seen.  I mean sick. Ash, dirt, sand crusted ostrich egg.  "Eat as the locals do"...No thanks. " The worst meal" of his life?!  No, the egg is not what he's speaking of...rectum, barely cleaned, poop-shoot of a wart-hog.  Are you kidding?!?!?!  Just youtube it.


Rolling Blackouts Wednesday...what is this?...the Middle East, Ghana, some third world country?!  I will never understand why power must be pulled on someone who's only entertainment is two lazy-ass, sleeping dogs and the TV.  I've cleaned as much as I can stomach (which is very little...hence the reason for my housekeeper).  Organized a little...ha...just kidding...no I didn't...must've read on FB that people were doing such things.  Mitch put my clean laundry on the kitchen counter in hopes that I'd fold and put it away...haven't done that yet either.  I stayed in all day until my hard-working husband arrived (I could tell he was annoyed that he had to get back out).  I wanted to make sure I was capable of ice skating/driving in case there was work the next day...I did fine...Mitch is great a making me feel like I can do anything!!
*Side note - I do plan on traveling to the Middle East, Ghana, and various 3rd world countries, so that wasn't actually a knock.


Tuesday...Went with Mitch to the bookstore...that was my outing.


Birds - sitting at the computer during the day this week has allowed me to see some beautiful birds that I don't usually see.  It's the time of year that they're here and not somewhere else and I guess I'm normally working, so I've never seen them before...which makes me think of my aunts.  They have a lot of bird watching books.


Until this week, I almost forgot how Colorado felt...then I had a warm cozy Colorado feeling of being home...oh wait.  Now our beloved little GJ wonder belongs to someone else.  Will I ever get over it?


And back to the present...tomorrow is Friday!  No work for me.  A six-day weekend.  If only I could have planned it and traveled to some far-off, exotic place that would have nourished my mind and soul.  Instead, I sit here writing about subjects like "driving on ice" and "did I take a shower today?"  Enlightening?  Not really.  Another dose of my sarcasm...you got it ;o


...and yes, I did take a shower today...won't comment about the other days...


This blog was formally titled "Hershey Highway" but I'm sure I grossed out enough people that they wouldn't actually watch the Namibia episode.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Colorado House - Done & Done

So we closed on the Colorado house Monday!! 
"FINALLY!!!" she cheers.
Closing that chapter in our lives.


It's snowing outside...It rained and sleeted all night.  That only means that the roads are covered in ice!  Definitely a disadvantage  to having a skylight in the bedroom...We heard it all night long, which meant no sleep.  We awoke exhausted at our normal time, but school was cancelled for me!!! Mitch still had surgery, so off he went.  Hardly anyone was on the road, so he didn't encounter any crazy drivers.  I had an appointment that got cancelled, which sucks because I would have gladly braved the roads so I wouldn't have to get another sub.  Oh well.  I slept until 11:10 instead...When I woke up, it felt like the best rest ever.


I don't mind snow/ice days, but I really hate being trapped in the house.  There's a lot I could be doing right now!!  Then I realized that I probably can't get out of the iced-over driveway anyway.  It's on a hill in our alley that backs up to our neighbor's fence, some electrical boxes and the water meter.  "Drama" & "Expensive" flashing through my brain right now...I'll stay put.


So in the mean time, I've made a list of some books I still haven't replaced with First Editions.  This is my new hobby I suppose.  I only buy hardbacks and they have to be first editions.  I've replaced about 20 so far of the stuff I really love and want on my bookshelf forever, but here's what I lack...


The Kite Runner
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Shack (never was 1st ed hardback, so I'll settle for a reprint)
Living History Hillary Rodham Clinton
The Glass Castle
Three Cups of Tea
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime


...and I'm sure there's more, but that's all I can think of.  They have to be in almost-mint condition, not read more than once and if they're autographed & priced decently, I'll buy them.  No tears in the jacket, clean, crisp squared edges, no markings, no book club labels/notes, only very light shelf wear...Is that too much to ask?


To think that just this past weekend we were strolling around neighborhoods with the windows down house hunting in Kessler Park.  We brunched on super yummy food at Oddfellows.  Took the dogs to the park for at least an hour, where we chilled out on our blanket and read books.  It was gorgeous outside!!  We hope to move this summer, but we want to be confident in where we're going, so we're trying to spend some time in neighborhoods we "think" we like.  Of course, I'm the picky one.  I want: historic, cute neighborhood, darling little (or not so little) home that we can entertain in.  Kessler Park/Stevens Park is near the Bishop Arts District in Dallas.  Great restaurants, good little boutique shopping, homey. Unfortunately, as much as I love it there (which I really do) a major disadvantage is that everything completely surrounding it is GHETTO!  So, we'll keep it on the list until we find what we're looking for.  We like White Rock of course, so something near there would be nice too.  Neither of us are willing to drive any longer than we already do, so we'll see what happens.


Quick Beau update - Shoulder, neck fine! ACL ruptured...surgery imminent.  Going to have to wait a month or so though.  Poor pup thinks I'm purposefully torturing him with regular vet visits.  He's not too impressed or loving towards his momma right now.


Trying to stay warm with my sweet pooches...Hoping boredom doesn't kill me & the boredom of this post doesn't kill you..Lots of love!