Trip Around the Sun-Chapter 23

Hello Dolls!

I hope that you are all having a wonderful week thus far. For me, it’s pretty much impossible to catch me without a smile. Not only is this a 4 day week for me, it’s also Trevor and I’s 5 year anniversary and my birthday party weekend. (Actually birthday next Tuesday).

I will say though...I am having the absolute hardest time finding a new dress for this weekend and I live in the 4th largest city in America...WTH is wrong with me? If you have any suggestions on where to look, excluding the Galleria, and Memorial City mall, I am all ears.

Last year I wrote a blog about the past year and with my actual birthday exactly a week away, I found it fitting to do the same again. You can see last year’s blog here. I found it extremely interesting and entertaining to reflect back on the previous year. Some things have changed, and others, not one bit. One thing that did change is my job. I left the the job that I started my post grad career in for something more fitting for me. So far it’s been great, and definitely a learning experience. I hope that I continue to advance here and gain valuable experience that I will use in my career.

I moved out of the tiny 1 bedroom, 1 study, 1 bathroom (it shouldn’t have counted at a 2/3 bathroom for how small it was) apartment and moved into a house! A house with a yard, garage, guest bedroom and all that jazz! I wouldn’t take back the time I spent in my first place I paid for all on my own but I would NEVER go back. J

Made new friends and also decided I didn’t need some old friends in my life anymore. You only live once and life is too short to have people around who aren’t honest with you or spend their time talking behind your back. I left high school 6 years ago anyways. More importantly though, is that my real friends haven't changed a bit and no matter how far apart we are/how often we actually get to see each other, nothing changes. :) I love all you girls like sisters (You know who you are).

With that little recap of my past year, here are some photos of some of my favorite moments. I do want to thank you all for taking time out of your day to read my blog. Whether it’s your first time or your 30^th time, I appreciate it so much.

 August 2011-This was Trevor and I celebrating our anniversary last year at Vic and Anthony's Steakhouse. A year later we are getting ready to do it all over again. :)

July 2012-3rd Annual River Trip! 3 days worth of sun, fun, lots of a few drinks, and some of the best friends a girl could ever find.

 October 2011- Superman and Superwoman. :) We had an awesome time celebrating with some great friends. Even if I did get attacked my Snow White...

 November 2011- As sad, upset, and angry as I was that we lost this game, the t.u. vs Aggie game this year was some of the best tailgating of the year. I am very excited for the upcoming season!

 February 2012- LESSE BON TEMP ROULER! Mardi Gras Galveston was once again an absolute blast! Even with the 30 degree weather and biting wind, we still had an incredible night out.

 March 2012- This little guy was running from rising water in SETX, had no home, and no one wanted him. We couldn't bare the thought of him getting put down so Trevor and I met my Mom halfway between Houston and Bridge City to bring him to a shelter in Houston. Yeahhhhh, about that...5 months later he is now part of our family. He has grown from a scared, tired, sad looking stray to a loving, playful, calm puppy that everyone wants to take home with them.

 (Picture on top is the day he was found, the picture on the bottom is present day.)

  

 

June 2012- Jimmy Buffett Concert at the Woodlands Pavilion. Seriously one of the best concerts I have ever been to. It was awesome spending the day with my Dad listening to the music I grew up jamming out to with him.

 June 2012- NEW HOUSE! Left the apartment life for the house life and never looked back. Love.

 October 2011- Myself, Katie, and Marina decided (literally an hour before) that we were taking a road trip to Austin. Hands down one of the most fun nights of the year. From meeting fellow Aggies in Longhorn Land, Marina becoming a bar tender, Katie getting me free pizza, and the delicious hot chocolate that may or may not ended up on the bed, it was a night to remember.

December 2011/January 2012-New Year's Eve Celebrations! What a fun group we had! One of the best NYE celebrations to date.



December 2011-This Christmas was wonderful. Being home for an entire week and spending time with family was perfect. I truly am blessed with an amazing family back home and also a wonderful man who loves my family just as much as I do.

 August 2011- WOW, I can't believe this was already a year ago. This shot is about half the group from my birthday last year in front of the hummer limo my amazing, awesome, super friend Reeves rented for me. One of the best birthdays ever. I can't wait to try and top it this year!

I'm taking a paragraph from last years blog because it's just too good not to share again with the birthday only a week away...As a huge Jimmy Buffet stalker fan I live my life inspired by many of his songs. This one in particular I always end up listening to a lot when August rolls around each year. I think it's a great message and an awesome song. If you have never heard this song, I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to it. It's called "Trip Around the Sun"-By Jimmy Buffett featuring Martina McBride. There is a particular line that says "Only time will tell if it was time well spent" and that is kind of how I want to live my life, no regrets, not worrying about everything, because eventually time will tell you if your decision was good or not. You can't predict the future so you might as well enjoy the ride.

As I close on Chapter 23, I am beyond excited what Chapter 24 is going to bring! I like even numbers so I've got a good feeling 24 is going to bring me good luck. Who knows what this year will throw my way, but with God's blessings and my friends, family, fur-babies, and amazing boyfriend by my side, I know it's going to be a good year.

Until next time dolls, have a great day.

New Job, Mardi Gras, and a Wedding

HELLO Blogging loves! Sorry for the long absence but things have been C-R-A-Z-Y!!! The good thing happening that I spoke about on previous blogs happened! I am finishing up my first week at my new job this week. I left my old job last Thursday and had a near perfect exit. (There is always one that messes up the perfect record). I learned a lot at the old place and will miss working for my boss big time but I think the new place is going to bring great things for me. The new place has more room for growth in marketing (which I love), is 5 miles from my house versus 26 miles, and offers me a  MUCH bigger salary, how could I have said no.

This week has been a good one with some mole hills that I had to get over. (Which I have learned is typcial with new jobs) Tuesday after work though, I definitely cried on the way home. (blogging honestly) It was an overwhelming day and a situation that normally doesn't occur just happened to happen on my second day of work. Long story short, a gentleman I work with likes to wait until the last minutes to get together his proposals...and he was thinking that myself (and the girl who I am replacing who was here training me) were going to stay until ...6, 7, or maybe even 8 until the proposals were all put together...Does anyone happen to remember what Tuesday was... OH yeah! It was Valentine's day! A day and holiday that I actually enjoy. (Unlike all the facebook cynics) Luckily my other co-worker, who just happens to be an Aggie, told me that I needed to get the hell outta dodge, and that it was his own fault that this was happening. But then you don't want to be the new girl who isn't a team player but after talking to many people (including my own boss) I realized that I had every right to leave. Undoubtedly this rarely happens...I guess I just have really awesome luck. Poor Trevor, he walked in the door with roses and a V-day present and I was in tears. But, of course, he turned the whole day around and made me feel 1,000 times better. That is why he is my Valentine (5 years running). Since Tuesday things have continuted to get better and I am positive I made the right choice accpeting this position.

This past weekend we went to Galveston Mardi Gras. Overall,  it was an awesome trip, MINUS the below 40 degree temperatures. Seriously, it was "bleeping" cold. So we spent most of the night hopping into the little bars on the strand which was a lot of fun, it just didn't feel like Mardi Gras as much as normal since we weren't watching parades and catching beads in the street. Heather, Henry, Cody, Trevor....all I have to say is "TA DA!" ;-)

Trevor and I celebrating Mardi Gras 2012! I'm so glad I exposed him to this wonderful Holiday. :)

Our whole group! Cody, Trevor, myself, Heather, Henry, Brittany, and Patrick

Cody and me! :)

Heather, Myself, and Brittany...Notice the wand (If you want to hear a funny story about that ask) 

Okay now this is just funny, the picture was actually taken before the first group shot but this very rude, and terrible haired girl decided to walk right in front of us. I think Cody's face says it all.

Today starts all the festivies of Heather and Coco's (Michael) wedding! Rehearsal begins at 5:15 and with a small miracle, I should be their on time. Please send your prayers my way that I don't completely screw up my MOH speech. Thanks and Gig'em. :)

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Friday! And for those of you in H-town, have your row boat ready, flood watch is in effect.

Happy Friday Dolls. :)

Random Friday Thoughts of a Houstonian

Wow, this week has completely changed my view on 2012/20-hell. I'm now a fan. Incredible things happened to me this week and hopefully come Monday I will be able to share the amazing news with the blogging world. :)

This weekend is going to be a good one. Although I'll be missing Trev (If he's not with me I miss him, simple as that) I can't wait for 4 O'clock to get here today. With him being on his way to Shreveport, and Chanel off with a friend for the weekend, I will have the entire evening to myself to run errands, workout, and pack/get the last minute things ready for the bachelorette party. It's going to be a busy Friday, but I plan on being in bed by 9 with the last hunger games book and a big glass of wine. I need to be completely rested for all the fun that will be happening come Saturday morning at 9AM.

I think February is going to be a great month. Along with Mardi Gras Celebrations, a wedding, and a fancy work party, I will most likely get to see my BFF/Housewife sometime this month also. I can also begin to pressure her explain to her why she should make Houston her first choice for her job search. :) (Love you Lauryn).

I have to say I am beyond ready for some weather change. It's been rainy and muggy the past week. And from what I hear Phil the groundhog saw his shadow, meaning we have 6 more weeks of winter....Ummm where is our winter to begin with. C'mon Mother Nature, I would like to get a little more use out of my winter clothes.

Quote of the Week: "The tongue that belongs to a fake friend is sharper than a knife."  There is some big time truth in that.

Annoyance of the week- The wedding and parties section on pinterest being filled with prom dresses. Super lame.....

Lastly dolls, I leave you with 5 of my favorite songs that go well with a bachelorette party. After this weekend I look forward to sharing some posts on planning a bachelorette party including a song list, themes, day time activities ect. So stay tuned for that.

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)- Beyonce'

You gotta love this song at a bachelorette party. Makes you want to put on a leotard and dance around like a diva.

Girls just wanna have fun- Cydie Lauper

Seriously, on weekends like this, that is pretty much all we want to do, am I right?

Tik Tok-Ke$ha

I have to admit, when this song first came out, I wanted to find this girl with the dollar sign in her name and kick her. But after it died off the radio waves, it's actually pretty fun. Plus the lyrics are as easy as a Disney song so anyone can sing along.

Pour Some Sugar on Me- Def Leppard

Greatness, that is all I have to say.

Buy UA Drink-T-Pain

I know not everyone may agree with this one, but really it's such a fun song and is all about buying you a drink, Yes Please. :)

Have an incredible weekend dolls.

Random Thoughts of a Houstonian

Thursday, nice to see you again. I remember in college Thursday was my absolute favorite day of the week. Even though it technically wasn't the weekend yet it always felt like it. My freshman year (even though I had Friday classes) I remember every Thursday I would get picked up by my former BFF,  head to our friend Joel's house for some "pre-gaming", and around 10:30 we would head out to the Aggie-loved Texas Hall of Fame. We always had a pretty great group. I heard recently that they closed the Hall, makes me so sad. Some of my best memories of college are from nights at the Hall.



A shot of the place on your "typical" Thursday night. Man this makes me sad. :(

Anyways, now Thursday typically means a 50 minute commute home (an hour now-a-days with the dang construction), picking up Trevor, working out, cooking dinner, and watching Grey's Anatomy followed by Jersey Shore. Occasionally we will hit up a happy hour, especially the once a month "Aggie Happy Hour". By the way, if you’re an Aggie, you live in Houston and haven't heard of Howdy Club yet, check this out! Howdy Club

Anyways, Thursday means tomorrow is Friday and that my friends, is awesome.

On Wednesday I got called a "Professional Bridesmaid", and that made me laugh for a good 3 minutes. (Thank you Jen) It's a fairly accurate statement. I have been a bridesmaid in two weddings previously and am going to be in 3 in 2012.

(Not quite to this level yet, but getting close :)

One is actually only 24 days away and we have the bachelorette party next weekend. Myself and the other MOH, Marina, have been planning it since September so we are very excited for the big weekend to be so close. After getting asked advice from several girls on how go go about planning bachelorette parties, I plan on doing a couple of posts on "The planning of Bachelorette Parties", because I know when faced to plan one with no experience can be quite the challenge. Stay tuned.

I don't know why I do this to myself but I am NOTRORIUS for saying I can't wait for a relaxing weekend and then fill up an entire month's worth of weekends. Starting in February I am completely busy every single weekend. I mean all plans totally worth it, but come March I am going to go into hibernation. Next weekend is the bachelorette party, as I've already mentioned. The second weekend is a holiday that is after my own heart...it's the start of Mardi Gras.

Galveston Mardi Gras

Being a Cajun, Mardi Gras is up there with Christmas, and 4th of July. Every year of my life, I am almost positive that I have always gone to a Mardi Gras Celebration. And this year is no exception. (Even though the past two years, I have had to settle with only participating in the 1st weekend because of, you'll never guess, wedding stuff! "Sigh") I'm counting down the days till I'm down in Galveston listening to that Zydeco music and catching beads (NO FLASHING!!!) with a cold beverage in hand. 15 to go....

The third weekend in February is the ACTUAL wedding that goes with the bachelorette party and the following weekend is Trevor's company appreciation party, which is going to be a lot of fun. Not only is it at the Aquarium Downtown and has all the food/beverages you can handle but two of our best friends, J.C. and Marina will also be there since that is where J.C. works too.

Houston is seriously bi-polar or maybe just a crazy woman. It was in the 70's and sunny all last week then yesterday we get this massive storm that floods places and causes tornadoes, now today it's cold and partly cloudy. #overit

The very vague subject that I keep bringing up in my blog that is causing me stress is actually on an upswing now. Praying so much that is continues to do so, and then I can finally share my January woes in more detail. :)

Enough rambling for now, have a great Thursday dolls.