Thursday, January 31, 2008

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free sample of Dove Cream Oil Lotion.

LINK

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Book Talk

Currently Reading:

SACRED GAMES by Vikram Chandra

MONSTERS OF TEMPLETON by Lauren Groff

BLUE LIKE JAZZ by Donald Miller

Upcoming Reads:

CRAZY SCHOOL by Cornelia Read

INVENTION OF EVERYTHING ELSE by Samantha Hunt

PAINTER OF BATTLES by Arturo Perez-Reverte

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK by Geraldine Brooks

RESERVE by Russell Banks

RUN by Ann Patchett

SENATOR'S WIFE by Sue Miller

TRAIL OF CRUMBS by Kim Sunee

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Thank You and an Update

*UPDATE*
Here is a link about the accident.

Thank you for your sweet response to my last post. I told my husband not to worry. I told him I was going to call upon the wonderful bloggers that I know to pray for his tenants. And I knew you would respond because you are the most generous and wonderful people I know. And I think your prayers and good wishes are helping.

The last we heard, the father and little girl in the hospital are doing better and will probably pull through. The youngest girl was released into the care of family friends yesterday. My heart breaks when I think about that poor family.

As many of you know, nine years ago my father was killed when he was hit by a courier van while walking across the street to work. At the funeral, one of his co-workers told me something that really startled me. She said that she heard about the accident on her way to work while listening to a local Christian radio station. Evidently, the radio station had a traffic helicopter that was flying over when the accident occurred. The pilot asked listeners to pray for the victim in the accident because it didn't look good. My father's co-worker didn't find out until later that it was my father who was the victim. She told me that she knew that my father's soul was carried to heaven on the prayers of all of those listeners. It's a nice thought. I always say a prayer now when I go past an accident. You never know what a difference it might make.

Monday, January 28, 2008

A Favor Needed

Hello my friends.

I have a favor to ask of you today. It is so important to me that I am going to put the same post on both of my blogs.

Last night, my husband got a phone call that some of his tenants had been in a car accident. It's a family of four. The mother was killed. The father and one of the little girls are in the hospital and the little girl has yet to regain consciousness.

I actually believe in the power of prayer. I really do. I am asking you today to take a moment as you read this to pray for that family. It doesn't matter to me what you believe. I think that if we send this family our best wishes, thoughts and prayers, it will help them. I am praying that the father and little girl still in the hospital make it through this tragedy. They have lost enough already. And I am also praying that the father will have the strength to go forward with his little girls after such a horrible loss. I can't imagine going through something like this.

So, if you have a moment today, please send some positive energy to this family. They need it desperately.

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free sample of Chocolate Turtle Chex Mix.

LINK

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Don't Touch the Belly?

Even though I'm a little over five months pregnant right now, I still feel as if I don't LOOK very pregnant. People are very hesitant to ask me if I'm pregnant because I could just easily be overweight.

Some friends were talking about how they hate it when people feel the need to touch their pregnant bellies. Even complete strangers. I have heard about this phenomenon a lot. There just seems to be an instinct in people, especially women, to touch a pregnant belly. I wonder why that is? I haven't experienced it yet since I am not showing too much. But I wonder how I will handle it if it happens. When I think about it, it doesn't really bother me. There is something nice about the universal need people have to connect with a pregnant belly. I think positive human touch can be such a powerful thing. And maybe it's a good thing to connect with your fellow human beings in this way. Perhaps there are sending good wishes and positive energy to the baby through their touch. And that can only be a good thing, right?

When I finally get to the point that I look "without a doubt" pregnant, I think I'm going to look forward to people reaching out. But we'll have to see...

Friday, January 18, 2008

For My Husband

Not for a holiday, an anniversary or any reason in particular. Just because I love you and this song makes me think of you!


Wednesday, January 16, 2008

LBC Freebie of the Day

Sign up for the Biore 2-Week Challenge sponsored by Lucky magazine. Pre-registration now available. You will receive a 2-week supply of scrub and strips.

Coming soon!

LINK

January 14, 1999

I missed an anniversary two days ago. Or maybe I didn't really miss it but tried to push it out of my mind. My father died on January 14 nine years ago. It is hard to believe it has been that long.

I was 23 years old and going to graduate school in Denver at the time. My father took the bus to work every morning in the wee small hours. He was almost legally deaf and didn't have the best vision in the world. He got off the bus at his stop and was crossing the street to go to work when a speeding courier van hit and killed him. The driver tried to leave the scene but fellow bus passengers stopped him. The authorities had some difficulty in tracking down my poor mother so I didn't hear from her until later in the day. She and I are both a little manic now about always having a cell phone or some other way to be contacted in case of an emergency.

We decided to focus the funeral on "living today." Don't neglect to kiss someone goodbye or tell them that you love them. Don't put off doing things tomorrow that you could do today. Because you can go through the same routine that you do every single day and not live through it. Every day counts.

I guess I try to put January 14 out of my mind each year because I don't want to remember my father that way. I always remember his birthday on August 17. That is how I prefer to remember him. I know if he were alive right now, he would probably be out shopping for his soon-to-be grandchild.

If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a favor of you today. Tell someone close to you that love them. That you appreciate them. That they mean a lot to you. Because you never know if you'll get another chance.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free sample of new GLAD microwave steaming bags.

LINK

Have You Seen These (missing) Blogs?

Two of my favorite blogs have disappeared. JASCLO? NABBALICIOUS? Where are you?!!!

I have noticed that there seems to be an ebb and flow with blogging. Some people start out very enthusiastically and then lose interest. Some people blog inconsistently but stick around. Others are dedicated daily bloggers. I am keeping my fingers crossed that these two blogs are only temporarily offline. They certainly haven't jumped the shark in my opinion!!!

In June, I will have been blogging for five years. It kinds of amazes me. What did I do before blogging?

Monday, January 14, 2008

Compared to What?!

WARNING: Political Blather Ahead

I have heard some of my liberal friends comment on how they like Huckabee. That if they HAD to have a Republican in office, they would be okay with Huckabee. That he seems to be a more moderate Republican.

Compared to what?!!!

Read the following article about Huckabee's use of campaign funds as a personal piggy bank, how he doesn't believe gays deserve any equal rights, his anti-abortion stance under any circumstances and more!

LINK

Books Finished and in Progress

I have read two books so far this year:


GARDEN SPELLS by Allen and LOVING FRANK by Horan

I will post reviews of both books soon.

My friends Greg and Gary are having a readalong with me. We are attempting to read the Indian chunkster SACRED GAMES by Vikram Chandra. I'll let you know how it goes. And feel free to join in if you are so inclined!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Bringing Cosmos Back!

I was an ardent fan of SEX AND THE CITY. I still am. And I have been waiting for something to fill the void that it left behind when it left the air for good. Now, there are two contenders.

I have watched two episodes of CASHMERE MAFIA so far and it's not bad. It has lots of the creative people from SEX AND THE CITY attached to it which bodes well. The other contender is LIPSTICK JUNGLE which hasn't aired yet.

There is a cool little site called House Party where you get to sign up to host different parties that showcase products. It isn't a sales thing like Tupperware. More of a "get the word out" thing. I was chosen to host a LIPSTICK JUNGLE party and I'm so excited! I get a sneak preview DVD of the show to play at the party along with free Mabelline products to give away. I'm so excited! What could be more fun than having your buddies over for some chick tv and free makeup products. And wine, of course. Although, I'll have to stick to sparkling water or cider.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

5 Places to Eat

The lovely Sarah over at Experiment Land has this great meme that I just had to try.

If you could only eat at 5 restaurants for the rest of your life, what would they be?

1. EL FENIX


The first one is easy. My favorite Mexican food in the whole world!!! And you can only get it in Dallas.

2. Kuby's



I have been eating at Kuby's Sausage House since I was very very little. I adore their Polish sausage plate which comes with German potato salad and sauerkraut. Half of the place is a restaurant and half is a market. Again, you can only get it in Dallas.

3. Highland Park Cafeteria



You are going to think I'm weird but I really love cafeterias. One of my first outings as a baby was to this cafeteria where I cultivated my early love of macaroni and cheese. I am perfectly content with one of HP Cafeteria's plates with fried fish, macaroni and cheese and either blackeyed peas or fried okra. I'm a southern girl, okay?

Again, only a Dallas location. Do you see a theme?

4. Vesta Dipping Grill



Gary and I had our first date here. It is so delicious. Every dish comes with three dipping sauces of your choice and their salmon is utterly amazing. A really trendy romantic spot. Only in Denver!!!

5. The Palm



I know this may seem like an odd choice but I love it. It's hard to imagine getting lobster anywhere else. A restaurant of old school decadence, there are many locations throughout the U.S. But not one close to me. Boo hoo.

I can probably think of lots more but that's a good start!

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

LBC Freebie of the Day

Get a free sample of either a Quaker Simple Harvest granola bar or packet of oatmeal.

LINK

The Big Reveal

Well, the verdict is in.

We're having a boy!

Monday, January 07, 2008

Goodbye to a Dear Friend

When I was a junior in high school, my parents and I went to the local SPCA to get a kitten. My mom had her heart set on finding an orange kitten. We ended up going home with two black cats. Mom had the inspired idea to name them Holmes and Moriarty. Moriarty was always very outgoing and vocal. He would carry on conversations with you and was always a cute little black fluffball even as an adult. Holmes was much more shy. He didn't trust strangers. But once he trusted you, he just couldn't get enough affection. He loved to lay on one's chest and loofah their chins for them. A total sweetheart. The kitties continued to live with my mom after I graduated from college and moved away. I always loved hearing her update on the cats when I called.

We lost Moriarty in January two years ago. It was really devastating. Mom was with me in Denver and couldn't get back to Texas in time to be with him. This past Friday, we lost Holmes. Mom was with him and he was his sweet self until the end. I just can't imagine going home to Texas and not seeing him. And I know the house must feel so empty to my mom without him. It is so hard to let go of the pets we love. They are part of our family and make up such a huge part of our lives. I didn't know how empty my house in Denver truly felt until I adopted Toulouse in
2001. Now, I can't imagine life without him.

I heard a story on NPR recently where someone (David Sedaris?) said that pets tend to bookmark parts of your life. I got my first cat, Buttercup, when I was in kindergarten. He died when I was in high school. To me, he defined my childhood. Holmes and Moriarty defined my teenage years through young adulthood. Now that they are gone and I'm married and pregnant, I feel like that part of my life is officially over. The loss of Holmes is like the loss of my young adulthood. I suppose Toulouse is defining adult single life and early marriage for me. And now, perhaps early motherhood. It is really hard to let go and I'm trying to think only good things today. Otherwise, I will just be too heartbroken.


P.S. I have my first sonogram today. That will be momentous and exciting and nerve-wracking. I'll let you know how it goes.

Saturday, January 05, 2008

My 2008 Year in Books

1. Love, Lies and Liquor --Beaton
2. Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers --Braun
3. Night --Wiesel
4. Mephisto Club --Gerritsen
5. Aeneid --Fagles translation
6. Labyrinth --Mosse
7. Suite Francaise --Nemirovsky
8. Echo Maker --Powers
9. Birth House --McKay
10. When Madeleine Was Young --Hamilton
11. What Came Before He Shot Her --George
12. Absurdistan --Shteyngart
13. Book Thief --Zusak
14. Terror --Simmons
15. Arlington Park --Cusk
16. Light of Evening -O'Brien
17. Last Empress --Min
18. Grotesque --Kirino
19. Heart-Shaped Box --Hill
20. Other Boleyn Girl --Gregory
21. Famous Writers School --Carter
22. Lover of Unreason --Koren
23. 24 Karat Kids --Goldstein
24. Camel Bookmobile --Hamilton
25. Angelica --Phillips
26. Witch of Portobello --Coelho
27. Finn --Clinch
28. What is the What --Eggers
29. Helpless --Gowdy
30. Quaker Summer --Samson
31. Infidelity Pact --Karasyov
32. Little Pink Slips --Koslow
33. Saturday --McEwan
34. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows --Rowling
35. Kite Runner --Hosseini
36. Dedication --McLaughlin
37. Ines of My Soul --Allende
38. New England White --Carter
39. Memory Keeper's Daughter --Edwards
40. Family Baggage --McInerney
41. Stardust --Gaiman
42. Ghostwalk --Stott
43. Double Bind --Bohjalian
44. Thousand Splendid Suns --Hosseini
45. Broken Shore --Temple
46. Art Thief --Charney
47. Scandal of the Season --Gee
48. Boleyn Inheritance --Gregory
49. Witch's Trinity --Mailman
50. Reincarnationist --Rose
51. Kissing Christmas Goodbye --Beaton
52. Abstinence Teacher --Perrotta
53. Interred with Their Bones --Carrell
54. Bridge of Sighs --Russo
55. Almost Moon -Sebold
56. Cleft --Lessing
57. Road --McCarthy
58. Peony in Love --See

I try to read fairly meaty books so I'm not always the fastest reader. I try to average a book a week. I don't think I read anything utterly repellent this year. My favorite book this year was QUAKER SUMMER. It really spoke to me for some reason. I also really enjoyed both of Hosseini's books. I can't wait to see what books the new year will bring!

Thursday, January 03, 2008

LBC Freebie of the Day

Try a free sample of SOUTH BEACH LIVING granola clusters.

LINK

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Happy New Year!

I can't believe it is already 2008! It's gonna be a momentous year!

I had a nice holiday at home with Mom and Gary even though we were all sick with bad colds. Once I felt better, Mom took me maternity shopping and we started my baby registry which was lots of fun. We received so many wonderful gifts from friends and family this year including several for the baby. Thank you to everyone who sent something. Thank you notes will be forthcoming in the mail!!!

Mom and I managed to see three movies over the break: "Sweeney Todd," "Juno," and "Atonement." "Juno" was my favorite. Maybe it just feels really timely to me right now.

It's hard to be back at work but I'm grateful for the week I had off. It was nice to get a break. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!!!