I think I can, I think I can...continue repeating

So somehow we are only six days from Christmas which means I really gotta go get Clay's gifts. Yet, my spot on the couch with Clay's old sleeping bag and a little puppy curled up beside me is just so comfortable this morning. 10:24 still counts as morning, right? Just not early morning.

I had such high hopes for today- clean the kitchen, workout, get all the shopping done. So far, I haven't lifted a dish or if we are being real here, brushed my hair. I think if I would just get up right now, I still have enough time to get it all done.

See friends, this is why I can't have a kid-I get zero done and have no one else to take care of but myself. My mom friends do like a thousand things with kiddos dressed in mostly clean clothes and attached to them at the hip or leg or wherever their little hands can grab onto.

Sorry this post is a little boring but I am hoping it provides me with the motivation to get going on my 3 item to do list. okay, here I go...

p.s. hi Uncle Wally....so glad you found my blog!

Late night and a little random

It's a little past one in the morning as I begin to type this blog. I am wide awake as I often find myself. This past year there has been a lot of being wide awake in too the wee hours of the morning, pacing the house, working, doing anything to get rid of all the nervous energy welling up inside of me. But that anxiety seems to be leaving....all of that is really another blog post. One that I have been waiting to share for months on end and will hopefully be written in a few weeks.

No, tonight is not about fret or worry or useless energy. Tonight I am just plain awake. I hate when I am up this late on Tuesday since Wednesdays are my longest and most energy consuming days of the week. So what do I do, I look through my books. When we moved to Texas, wait no when we moved to our 1st house (as owners) in Knoxville, I gave away my bookshelf. Thinking, well actually, I don't think I was thinking when I left it in the garage with all of our other "old" furniture to be carted off by Goodwill. Ever since that day, we are just shy of two years now, my books have been in boxes.

There is something you have to know about me--more than most any material possession in the world I love two things: stationary and books. My friend Shannon says it is because I am an old soul. I don't know what it is but I love books. Its not so much that I like to read them (well, I do the first time). On nights like this I love to look through them and see what I circle, underlined or made notes about. It just always makes me reminisce about what was going on in my life when I read the book or think about how I have changed since that time.

Tonight, though, I came across a special book....my high school yearbook. It was actually my junior yearbook which I haven't flipped through in years. Usually, my senior year is the one that has the least amount of dust of it. In fact, I use it fairly often.... in fact, it seems every time I get a friend request of facebook, I need to remember "just who the heck is this person."

Rather than looking through the pictures, I read the things people had written. And, I think I almost woke Clay up from laughing out loud. I mean, one guy took up an entire page and seriously wrote, "I really think that song is true 'God must have spent a little more time on you.'" This is NOT a guy I dated. Just a guy I was decent friends with. I would really like to know how many girls' yearbooks he wrote that line in and what kind of return he got on his investment. I know I thought he was an idiot but even back then I was pretty cynical. Then, there is the completely blank page with the paper clip and a note still attached. The note reads: "Brooke's page" I don't think my best friend wrote in my yearbook senior year either. It was always one of those "we see each other so much, let's not waste time on yearbook signing day."

When I was little, I remember reading an entry in my mom's yearbook that said, "Good Luck with George or Fred." She married George and to this day claims she has no idea who Fred was. I used to think she was lying and didn't want to tell me who this Fred guy was. Now, I totally understand where she is coming from. Tonight as I read, I couldn't remember what some of these people were talking about. One girl told me she loved me and my mexican boy....I am 99.9% I never had a Mexican boy. I wonder what my child is going to think when he/she reads through my yearbook....

So, what picture of you does your high school yearbook paint?

I loveeee FFL!

It is that time of year again. Oh, how I love this time of year...

the crisp fall air...no, I live in Texas now so fall doesn't come until the first week of December.

the joys of college football....no, Tennessee has decided to put its focus on the basketball program so Saturdays this time of year aren't quite what they used to be (although, hope remains for a few upsets this season)


No, I am talking about the start of the NFL season. Years ago, I despised NFL football, much like I still despise all other pro sports leagues. However, last year I got hooked on Fantasy Football and I think it may be my new favorite thing.

Thursday night was the opening game and all it did was make me LONG for Sunday. Today Clay and I have watched football ALL DAY long. and i love it.

Between the two of us, we are playing in four leagues. Playing in so many leagues makes it difficult to really cheer on your players. All day Clay and I have been cheering on our guys only to remember that we are playing against those guys in other leagues. Needless to say, it has been a little frustrating especially since I am not sure Clay and I are going to win any of our games. But that is okay I still love Fantasy Football. Besides there is only one game I care about winning...

the one I play against Clay.

should be an easy one ;)

Found!

After much searching, including sticking my hand down in between the couch pillows (Major ick!) I have finally located our camera cord!!!! I cannot tell you how very excited I am that I can finally put some pics up. I can, however, tell you where the cord was finally located.

Earlier this month, my dad brought down an old blackberry phone that I could start using since my current phone for lack of a better word stinks. I decided I didn't really like that blackberry so all of the cords and equipment were put back in the box and put up. I am not blaming any certain person for putting the cord in the box; I just know I didn't do it.

Letter to a Friend

Dear Steven,

I apologize for not updating the blog more. Life has been kinda hectic, and I just haven't found the time to write about how Siler is friends with a toad in our backyard and all the other super exciting things taking place at and around 12300 Durango Root Dr.

I apologize for there not being much content to my last few posts. I believe you can refer to the previous paragraph for the reasons as to why content has been somewhat lacking.

Finally, I would like to apologize for not putting up more pictures. As Clay often tells me, "Christy, pictures make the blog." Unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful on multiple occasions in locating where I put that stupid cord that connects the camera and the computer. Today, my friend Carrie told me that she can just put her memory card from the camera directly into her computer. I thought for sure my newer Dell would have this wonderful, convenient feature, but it did not. But then I thought, Clay's mac! Aren't macs suppose to be the most brilliant, easy to use, coolest computers on the planet? Alas, Steve Jobs did not find it important to include the memory card slot on his uber-cool product. So, the search continues. But I promise to post the following pictures once the cord is found:

1. Cakes I made recently
2. The dogs meeting Scout
3. New pics of the Scout


So again, I am sorry my blog does not really meet the standard to which you aspire. I used to be an overachiever so I will try my very best to channel that personality and make this blog worthy again.

Sincerely,
Christy

P.S. - I hope this post doesn't turn into a fight between us like that one time you made reference to me in the college newspaper and then we didn't speak when we saw one another in public...oh, and I didn't get an invite to that party. Glad we are friends again and there is no bitterness....

Quick Post

Some quick news on what has been going on:

House-Please keep praying for our house in TN to sell. We thought we had a really good deal this past week. Unfortunately (but probably for the best), it fell through. Hopefully, it will sell very soon as in the next day or two!

The Dogs: Scout is almost potty trained; well, she still has a way to go. She hates her crate but LOVES Bear. Bear likes her for the most part. Siler tries to ignore her and has only seriously tried to eat her 3 times. I promise to post pics once I find that little cord that goes between the camera and the computer. Why is it I always put the cord in a place that I think is the most logical location, yet I can never find it when I need it again???

Well, we have some friends visiting so I better wrap this up.

Two Week Recap

Okay...so I haven't blog in awhile. The truth is a lot has been going on and I have just been lazy. So here is a quick recap of the fun we have been having over the last two weeks:

* Went to Dick's Last Resort for Matt's birthday: Dick's is an extremely crass restaurant but we definitely went with the right group. It was so much fun. I don't think I have ever had so much fun at a birthday dinner. Plus, I got to make the cake and it turned out pretty good (I will post a pic later)

*My dad and Uncle came down for a visit. On Friday night, we went to Lonestar Park (horse track). We sat in what were probably the best seats in the house. Unfortunately, I couldn't pick a winning horse to save my life. It was great seeing my uncle since I had not seen him in almost 2 years. On Saturday, we went back to the track for the Lonestar Derby. The Lonestar Derby is nothing like the show of the Kentucky Derby. Still, it was fun and I hit the Superfecta. A superfecta is when you pick 1st,2nd,3rd, and 4th. I picked my 4th favs and put them in a box (so that they could finish in any order for me to win) Some superfectas pay thousands of dollars, mine paid $10. After the track, we went to a Rangers game. Baseball games bore the heck of me. Thankfully, it wasn't too hot, we had good seats, and the Rangers won.

*We brought Scout home! The big dogs were quite confused by her at first, but now they are really starting to enjoy her. They have figured out how to bite her without hurting her and Scout is learning when to leave them only. I will post some pics of them getting to know each other soon.

Well that about does it. So it doesn't seem like we were all that busy so I guess it was just my laziness that prevented the blogging.

Another slow news day...

So, not much has been going on around here...at least, nothing blog worthy.

Clay and I are pretty much settling into life here. For Clay's birthday , I bought him Tiger Woods for the Wii so we spend most of our free time playing it. Clay is quite good. I, on the other hand, am so great. Clay pretty much acts as my coach and tries to guide me through the game. Here is what I have learned: It is good that I don't play golf in real life. There have been several times where I have kicked the coach. It is a very good thing that the Wii remote has a strap that attaches to your wrist. Without it, I think our TV would be broken.

In other news, I have a new favorite website. Chances are that if I talk to you on a regular basis I have already informed you of it, but for the rest of you it is www.stuffchristianslike.blogspot.com
It is a very funny site.

Well hopefully, we will have some exciting stories to report on soon!

Happy Birthday Steven!

Today, our good friend Steven turns 25 so a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him. Unfortunately, he is in Birmingham so we are unable to attend any birthday functions he will be having (which reminds me of another year where we did not attend his birthday dinner....)

Anyways, Steven is a very important part of mine and Clay's life. He is pretty much responsible for Clay and I being together. He provided Clay with my phone number after Clay threw it away. He also told Clay about the wonderful world of Penske which provides meal after meal in my house. You see, clearly Steven's birthday is to be celebrated in our house. I should have baked a cake for the occasion but work was very busy today, maybe next year.

To Steven, Clay and I hope you have a WONDERFUL birthday!

Busy Weekend

This weekend (or really Thurs-Sat morning) my dad came down for a visit. He had some business to take care of in Dallas so he spent some time with us. It was great getting to see him although it made me miss the rest of my family a lot. I have decided that Arkansas is pretty much useless and it should be removed from the US completely. That way Texas would be much closer to Tennessee. We would still have a long drive to see most of the family but at least it would be manageable over a long weekend. Plus, if you have ever been through the state, you would know that it is beyond ugly. I mean, I have friends who purposely go a different route back to Knoxville just to avoid Arkansas all together.

While my dad was in town, he took us out to eat at restaurants Clay and I would not go by our poor own selves (always a treat). Friday night we decided to go to a Japanese place that we had heard was AMAZING....it was nowhere near as good as Wasabi. Then again, my dad pointed out that he has traveled all over and never found a place as good as Wasabi. If I win the lottery, I am totally going to build a Wasabi here. While dinner was not as good as I had hoped for (it was actually pretty good just not the best) the dinner itself did provide for one of the funnier moments of my week. The Hibachi chef was doing the standard routine. You know the deal: make a face out of oil then set it on fire, various egg tricks (all pretty impressive) and the finale being making a volcano out of the onion. Like you, I have seen these same tricks many a time. So, imagine my surprise when a lady (around the age of 45ish) was amazed by the onion volcano. She then proceeded to say how she had NEVER seen that before! Even the chef was like "seriously you have never seen this?" I began to fear that she would pass out from excitement when the volcano became a choo-choo train...Oh, how I love sharing a meal with strangers.
Then, it came time for the chef to give out the various sauces. As he was handing them out, I politely asked if they had white sauce or shrimp sauce. I have heard it referred to as both. He looked quite puzzled. So I asked again...and again. Finally, he asked if I meant seafood sauce and I said sure. The chef then sent a waitress over to the sushi bar to bring back my sauce. I miss going to a place where all you get is the shrimp sauce. :(


Saturday morning, we took my dad for some donuts (the Asian made ones of course--they are the best) and then it was on to the airport. I was very sad to see him go but he is going to visit again in May so that is something to look forward to. After the airport, Clay and I went into downtown Dallas. It was our first trip to the city and it wasn't as big as I had expected. Then again, buildings are not very tall here; everything is very flat and spread out. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to explore -- another day, another blog. Our pastor, Toby, gave us tickets to a Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover Live event. If you haven't checked into Ramsey's Financial Peace stuff, you really should. It is a great common sense approach to living debt-free and really building wealth. I would recommend it to anyone no matter what your financial situation is.

So this weekend was rather busy, but it was a really fun one as well.

Favorite Tan

I hate painting. I mean I really, really hate it. The problem is I seem to forget this fact. Every few months or so, I think to myself, "Gosh it would be so much fun to paint a room." Then, I start painting a room and am reminded by how much I really do loathing painting.

When I first bought our Texas home (since we still own two houses I have to specify), I had a few days to get stuff painted before Clay moved down. With the help of some very good friends, I was able to paint a good chunk of the house. Our walls in this home are all textured and while I love the look, they are absolutely the hardest surface in the world to paint. Not to mention that it takes at least 2 gallons to do a small room. After reaching my breaking point, I called Clay to tell him that there was just no way my sanity was going to make it if I had to paint another wall. Kindly, he assured me we would just finish painting once we were done with the big move. I thought this experience had broken the thought of painting being fun that tends to creep into my life from time to time.

Fast forward three months later and we have yet to paint another stroke. That is until today when I decided we simply must finish all the painting. I am blaming my need to have a fully painted house on this blog. You see, I want to put up pictures but I want the house to be done before I post the pictures. Today, I took the first step in finishing the painting. I painted the area between our kitchen and the dining room. At first glance, it is a tiny area but it still took every last drop of a gallon of paint. In fact it was the 9th gallon of "Favorite Tan" paint I have purchased since October.

Next weekend, the goal is to paint the kitchen. I really hate painting.

The Inaugural Blog Entry

This is our first blog entry...you know the one where you make promises to keep your blog updated all the time and not be one of those people who starts a blog only to go weeks on end without adding anything new....we are making no such promises.

Hopefully, we will be able to update this page often with pictures and tales of all of the exciting things happening in Texas. Unfortunately, for that to happen, some exciting stuff will actually need to take place. Clay and I are about three months into our new life in Texas. We miss Tennessee a lot but are starting to feel like this is home. In the coming days, I will hopefully get a chance to post some pictures of our new house. We still have a few rooms to paint and some decorating to do.

I was suppose to start this blog as soon as we moved down here, but of course, I did not. I am pretty sure there was a time in my life when I wasn't a procrastinator. Somewhere along the way, I have turned into the slacker I secretly admired in high school. Since I didn't start this blog at the beginning of our journey, here is a quick summary of what Clay and I have learned about Texas:

1. We thought Tennessee fans were unrealistic about sports, but compared to Cowboy fans, they are sane, rational people. Down here, Tony Romo is a better quarterback than Tom Brady unless his girlfriend gets in the way and I am pretty sure there are a few people who think there is still a way the 'Boys (as they are lovingly referred to) are still going to play in the Super Bowl.

2. People love Texas. Apparently, it is the best state in the union. To show their adoration, people put up Texas stars everywhere....on the front door, in each room of the house, and most importantly above your child's bed so that the god of Texas will watch over your child as he/she rests. Clay and I have made a vow to never turn into such people. The day one of us brings home a star to hang in our home is the last day we live in Texas.

3. Wind sucks. It is funny how when you take away all of the trees and mountains a place can be really windy. Although our friends who have lived in west Texas tell us that what we call windy is really a slight breeze compared to what they are used to.

4. In Texas, all kinds of people will come to your door to sell you stuff. I used to get annoyed in Knoxville when some twenty something guy would come to my door and try to sell me the News Sentinel by telling me how my subscription would help him pay for college. Here, we have had several cable/dish representatives, window blinds salesmen, and too many security system sales guys to count. After the first few people came by asking if our security alarm was activated, Clay realized that posing as a salesman would be a great way for a would be robber to learn if your house was monitored or not. So the next time, a guy came by Clay told him (in his best redneck voice), "Well I gotta a gun and two mean dogs so that's my security." Funny, we have had a security salesman since then. But, if you are really lucky, on Saturdays, you may get the chance to have a peephole installed in your front door for a mere $5. We have yet to take the guy up on this offer... Although I did buy some steaks from a door to door salesman the other day. Getting the peephole put in would have probably been a less sketchy offer for me to take...