From Las Vegas to Eragon...

Its been quiet a while since I blogged. I finally got to go on my birthday adventure to Las Vegas...It was a blast. I had so much fun...We went to see lots of shows and went skydiving which was fantastic. I am ready to go again. I tell you I never thought I would jump out of an airplane but I did now I think I may be an adrenaline junky...oops. I gambled a lil bit but didnt win so gave up and went shopping instead.

Since Ive been back I finished reading "Season of a Witch" which took me forever to read for some reason. I think I read on that book for 3 weeks. I just couldnt get into but after I read it I started reading Eragon...which I know is a young adult book but it is really good. I started it late Sunday night and only like 90 pages finishing it. I would have last night but I knew I wouldnt want to get up to come to work today...It is a really good book and I cant wait to read Eldest, the next book in the series...

I have also started working my way up to running a 10 minute mile...So far the best Ive done is close to 12. I will let you know how that progresses. I bought this really cool Ipod Nike + sensor for my shoes so it monitors my time and distance as well as my calories...I really like it a lot. I have only lost 3 lbs but Im hoping for 15 to 20 before October...We will see ...

My New IPhone

I have gotten tired of Sprint so I switched to AT&T. I got the new IPhone 3GS. So far I like it. When I get everything figured out I will let you know exactly how well I like it. In the mean time I will be texting all of you my new number.

Bloody Day

Some guy at work managed to chop off one of his fingers today and I was the privileged one to take him to the hospital. This happened about 11 am...so it pretty much ruined my lunch. I was really getting hungry till he bled all over the office. I tell you I think my fingers are pretty important and don't intend on sticking them anywhere in the vicinity of a saw blade...

I am going to go to Ft. Worth on Saturday and see my girl Nancy and her new house. Yes they moved again. So I will be sure to take pictures of our weekend activities...

Wicked

I finally finished "The Sleeping Doll" after reading on it for over a week. For some reason I felt I was never gonna finish but alas this morning I did.

I have now started one of the books I picked up Sunday when Brandon and I went to Books A Million. I have been looking at the book for a while and wasn't sure if it would peek my interest but I figured I might as well try it. So I picked up "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire. It is the story of the Wicked Witch of the West. Its a lot more graphic and more adult than the Wizard of OZ for sure. I am only 50 pgs into it but its grabbed my attention. I'm hoping to make a good dent in it tonight so Ill let you know when I'm done how it turns out.

Recently...

Its been quite a while since Ive blogged...I have lots to blog about but I havent been able to get my memory card to pull up the pictures on the computer...

So I will just do a few quick notes of whats been going on...

Last month I got to go see Jason Boland at Cowboy Jims in Pittsburg. It was lots of fun and outdoors so it was really enjoyable. I went with Cole and we went to Mardi Gras and ate Crawfish before the concert.

On Memorial Day we went and camped at Mt. Fork River and went Canoeing it was super fun. I had a blast. I cant wait to go back.

I have been reading a book called 'The Sleeping Doll' by Jeffery Deaver... He is one of my favorite authors but his books take me longer to read than most. I think its his writing style that really throughs my mind for a loop. But none the less they are real page turners...

I went to the book store not once but twice last week so I have another large stack of books beside my bed to read. Not counting The House of Night Series that Michelle said was really good. (Vampire stories of course)

A lil note just for those of you who read: go to Books a Million and go thru the Bargain section...and the Library Book section you can get really good hardcover books that came from the Library for like 3 or 4 bucks...I will really start looking thru those before I buy the $25 copy. I saved about 30 bucks on Sunday by doing this. I was shocked.

I have so many books to choose from Im not sure what I'll read next...decisions decisions...

Robert Earl Keen -- The Road Goes on Forever!

I got to go on Saturday night to Linden to see Robert Earl Keen. I had previously not heard of him until I started going out with Cole and he introduced me to it. It is typical Texas country, songs about life not just love. The concert started at 8 and of course we were a bit late but made it in time to see him. If you've never been to Music City Texas Theatre (www.musiccitytexas.org) you should try to go the acoustics are fantastic. I was totally taken by the sound. I got to meet him and get him to sign a book for me. We had lots of fun and are planning to go next month to see Brandon Rhyder. I'm sure it will be just as fun. Oh! I forgot the best part its BYOB. Just carry in a small icechest you can put under your chair and a cup to drink from.

Reading List

I have the longest reading list I've ever had. I read a book or two a week now days and love every minute of it. I started the latest Sookie Stackhouse book yesterday morning and now only have a 100 pages left. I will probably finish it this afternoon and start something new tomorrow. I ordered 4 books last week from BAM and got them on Tuesday. Ive already almost finished one. Now I have to choose between Envy, Run for Your Life, or Angels and Demons. I also have a few others laying beside the bed that have gotten pushed to the bottom of my reading list because I have all these series that I've been reading. My friend Michelle read the House of Night series and said it was great...So after I get done reading whats beside the bed, I think I'll borrow those from her and read them. She says they are better then Twilight (I know Kasey you will never agree with that).

Poison Ivy

I am really sick of this but almost 2 weeks ago now I went and rode four wheelers with a friend of mine and apparently I got in Poison Ivy. I have never been allergic to it until now so I never thought much about it. I didn't do anything to it the first week just left it alone but on Friday it started to spread. By Monday I was about to claw myself to death. I went and got a shot for it on Monday afternoon. Before I did that I used this Poison Ivy Wash that was suppose to make it dry up. Apparently I'm allergic to it too. I now have these big red whelps on my arm and they itch worse than the Poison Ivy. I have been covering my arm in Calamine lotion but it still hasn't went away. I am getting sick of it. I just want it to go away. Looks like my days of roaming in the woods carefree are over. Ill be watching from now on what is around me. Definitely do NOT want this crap again anytime soon.

Cinco de Mayo at Chilis!!!

In honor of Cinco de Mayo we went to Chilis (our favorite place) and had a few drinks. We got there around 7 and left at about 10. Which if you know us is pretty good considering out usual Friday nights we close em down. Its crazy but its fun and we enjoy it. As you can see sometimes we get a lot crazier than others.

Gloomy Rainy Day...

I've spent the last couple of days just relaxing and thinking about what I need to do to get my life together. I am kinda in a place right now where I dont know which way to go...I can go up or I can go down. I want so much but right now dont know what to do to get it. I have to get my life together and start planning for the future. I can't continue living my life in limbo...I just want to be able to have all the things I've always wanted and I know that I can...I just have to make a plan and stick to it. So starting today, I am going to be creating a life plan. I have lots of things to include in it...I'll let you know how the plan turns out...

Poems that Touch your Soul

Count That Day Lost

If you sit down at set of sun
And count the acts that you have done,
And, counting, find
One self-denying deed, one word.
That eased the heart of him who heard,
One glance most kind
That fell like sunshine where it went --
Then you may count that day well spent.
But if, through all the livelong day,
You've cheered no heart, by yea or nay --
If, through it all
You've nothing done that you can trace
That brought the sunshine to one face--
No act most small
That helped some soul and nothing cost --
Then count that day as worse than lost.

George Eliot (Mary Ann Evans)

Makes me think...

Swallowing Darkness

So I finally have finished all the books in the fairy series I was reading. The last book, Swallowing Darkness, was a nice end to the series. I'm not real sure if she is leaving that as the end or will write more. I think that would be a nice end. She is finally pregnant with twins with 3 fathers each. She killed her cousin, Cel and turned down the role of queen so she could have her Frost back. In turn she moved back to LA where she is far away from the faerie mound.

Overall I would say the series was a good read but the last couple books I had to force myself to read just because I was tired of them. I would really recommend that she not elaborate so much. I did like the dreamy aspect of fairy land.

Changeling...

This is a FANTASTIC movie. It was released in 2008 and nominated for 3 academy awards. Producer Clint Eastwood did a phenomenal job. Angelina was great. I highly recommend this movie for anyone who loves drama. The movie was based on the 1928 disappearance of Walter Collins from his home in Los Angeles. Once you watch the movie you have to look up and read about the actual history behind it. It is very interesting. The movie is a little long but it is very interesting so you will definitely not want to miss any of it. WHATEVER you do; don't look it up before you watch it...Let it be a surprise. Now go out...get some popcorn and rent it!!!

30th Birthday Celebration!!!

My 30th Birthday is in July and I wanted to go on vacation and celebrate it in style. I started out wanting Vegas but then changed to Mexico but after all the drug cartel stuff going on we decided that we would be better off to stay in the US. After much deliberation we finally chose to go to the LAS VEGAS! We will be staying at the Luxor on the Strip for 3 nights. It is going to be so much fun and definitely a great way to bring in my 30th Birthday. I cant wait till July.

In the mean time I have to get busy working out and get my figure back. I can't bring in my 30th fat and frumpy. I want to be able to wear some cute dresses (and some hot swimsuits) while I'm there.

I'll update you on the party planning as it progresses.

Kendra's Pictures

So on Saturday I went and took Kendra's pictures. It started out to be slightly overcast and a lil cool outside but we made due. Before the day was over the sun came out and warmed up really nicely. The pictures turned out great. She did a great job. I hope to get to do more photos this weekend. You can see the photos on my flickr page which is a link on here.

Lick of Frost

So I finished reading the 6th book, Lick of Frost. I spent three hours sitting outside yesterday soaking up some of that BEAUTIFUL Texas sunshine. I Am suprised that Merry is finally pregnant she is having twins...but somehow they will have 4 fathers. So Im guessing she will have 3 kings since the 4th one was transformed into a horse at the end of the book. The author is very imaginative. They are crazy but lots of imagination. I have one more left that has been published so far so based on what I can tell there will be more books in the series....I'll let you know how the next book turns out.

To be princess or Not to be???

I have been reading the Merry Gentry book series by Laurell Hamilton. Its about a fairy princess who is living in LA and she is brought back to the fairie mound because the Queen, her aunt, wants to offer her the chance at becoming queen. In order to become queen she must become pregnant before her cousin, the queens son, can get someone pregnant. Merry is able to get Cel, her cousin, locked away for six months for trying to kill her. This allows her a head start on the getting pregnant...I have read six of these book now and 1800 pages later...she still IS NOT pregnant.

I bought these books on clearance at Waldenbooks cause they were going out of business so I bought the whole set but I didnt know that it was gonna turn into some craziness as this. The other series Laurell Hamilton writes is the Anita Blake Vampire series which some of you may have heard of...Its fifteen books long. I hope this one isn't going to be that long Im not sure I will read anymore after the seventh book. Don't get me wrong they are a pretty imaginative read for sure but she could get to the point a lot quicker...So if you have time I have the first seven books. Your welcome to borrow them...

Bare Escentuals Addict

So I have decided that I have an addiction to BE. I first bought this off of their infomercial several years ago because I was having some allergic reactions on my face and I thought it was the makeup I was using. (Later I found out I was allergic to fluoride) However, it worked out for the best because I love Bare Escentuals. I try not to look at their sites to often cause every time I do it costs me money. I do pretty well most of the time but I have spent $200 in the last couple weeks on it. However it is not as bad as a friend of mine who has spent closer to $600. She can't stop herself. We actually were joking about needing to go to BEA...since we obviously have issues. So today I googled it and there is an actual website entitled BE Addicts...They have a whole forum on different things relating to the makeup and even this really cool page that they have tips and tricks on all the collections. (http://www.beaddicts.com/BEOfficialTips.html)

Life Is Like A Bowl Of Cherries?

"LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES. DON'T MAKE IT SERIOUS. LIFE'S TOO MYSTERIOUS. THE SWEET THINGS IN LIFE TO YOU WERE JUST LOANED, SO HOW CAN YOU LOSE WHAT YOU'VE NEVER OWNED? LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES, SO LIVE AND LAUGH AT IT ALL"

I never did really get that analogy. I have heard many say, "Yeah life is like a bowl of cherries alright, it's the "pits." I have heard others say that the bowl of cherries represents pure happiness and bliss with no worries, and no cares. I don't know about your life, but mine has not been one without worries, cares, and difficulties. I do thank God for this life everyday and would never call this gift He has given me the pits.
This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it no matter what kind of pits this day may spit my way. After wasting a lot of years with much grief from worry, God has finally taught me that worry gets me no where fast. He has taught me to be content within my bowl of cherries, my circumstances, pits and all.
Another analogy of life, that I think best fits my life, is life is like a roller coaster. Ups and downs, ups and downs, with the downs coming so quickly and unexpectedly sometimes that you just grab on to something, hold on very tight to someone's hand that you love, and try very hard not to throw up. Sometimes on roller coasters you try to climb a hill that seems as high as a mountain. As you hear the gears grinding, you just close your eyes and pray that the belt doesn't break and you can actually make it to the top. As you climb, you know once you reach the top, it is almost certain that you will quickly descend once more. The thing is, it feels really great to reach the top and know you made it without falling backwards.
In the roller coaster world, believe me, falling forwards isn't half as bad as falling backwards. If you should go backwards, you never know who or what will be behind you that you have already conquered that you will have to go all back over again. There is no assurance that you are not going to crash, which won't be a pretty site. At least going forward there is a clear path in front of you.
Analogies of life are cheap, a dime a dozen, or usually free to the listening ear. Cherries are for eating, enjoying, and appreciating every bite that doesn't contain a pit. Roller Coasters are for climbing on without fear, holding on tight to someone's hand that you love, and praying that you make it to the top of the mountain without throwing up, without falling backwards on things you have already conquered, or without falling forwards flat on your face.
If we never take a chance and eat the cherries because we are fearful we might bite into a pit we will never know how delicious cherries can be. If we never climb on a roller coaster because we are fearful of falling we will never experience the thrill of the climb and the joy of reaching the top of the mountain.
Life is like a bowl of cherries. Life is like a roller coaster. Take a big bite. Take a chance. Life is a gift given by God. Today I pray we each go out and climb mountains that we think we can't climb. I pray we each reach the top without falling backwards. If we fall forward after we reach the top, may we each get back up, and have a clear path in front of us to conquer new territory for the Lord.

© 2006 by Judy Parker

http://deliverabledevotionals.com/

I found this today while I was changing my blogger background I wanted to look up the quote on Life is a bowl of Cherries and this is what I found. I thought it was a good idications of how we all need to be more positive in life and think about all the good things that we have and be thankful for them. I believe that we know that life has its up and downs and we will always overcome the "pits" in life. We should all be happy and make everyday the best day of our lives...

Photoshoot with Lauren

On Sunday, March 8th the sun was out (after recooperating from a long night out with my girl, Kelli) and I decided that it would be a perfect day to go take some pictures. Lauren and I went several places that day and spent more than 4 hours taking pictures. When we got done I had almost 350 pictures. After deleting the blurry ones and the ones with her eyes closed and such we had about 125 workable ones. I have picked thru them and started processing them I will post a few of them here for you to see but there will be more to come Im quiet sure. It will be Saturday or Sunday before I get to process anymore and hopefully by then I will have some new software downloaded.