Black Friday Hang Over

Sitting at a desk behind a laptop all day long does not make good physical fitness for all day shopping. Especially when you have had minimal sleep. My feet and legs ached. Then I did not even sleep well last night and woke up with a migraine this morning. Geez. All this for a savings of approximately $500. I guess it was worth it on my tiny check book. After all it was better than the retail prices totalling $750.

A friend and I braved the crowds at a late 6 o'clock in the morning to save lots of money on those necessary purchases and play "Marco, Polo" in Kohl's. Both of us ended up purchasing more for ourselves than for those on our Christmas lists. Sorry friends and family, but we felt it was imperative that we have these items. Seriously, when else could we get these items any cheaper?

My day ended at approximately 5pm or so. Then My Lil' Girl and I hit the movies at 7:45 to watch Madagascar II. Good flick. The kiddo loved it. I crashed by 10:30, which is really early for me, then said hello to today at 7!

Today, we rest.

Is That A Puggle In Your Ear???

2 posts in 1 day. Feel special?

As I mentioned before, Uncle Chad and I came across a dog breed called a Puggle while we were in Houston for the Madonna Concert and it is the cutest darn dog! Here are a couple of photos from our experience with this cutie!!!

BTW in case you forgot - it is a cross between a Pug and Beagle. Who would have thought?!? I know I did not.

Not Falling Off the Wagon - I promise

I know I have not posted since the 17th. "Terrible" as my Granny would say. Or what Emma now says when she sees Tech football on TV after this past weekend's game in Norman, OK. TERRIBLE!

I have been working out of town during the week with no time in the evenings, and then just crazy busy this past weekend with a soccer tournament and end of season party, along with trying to get ready for Thanksgiving at my house.

Thanksgiving prepping was going pretty good until yesterday when The Mother called to tell me she put Mr. Turkey in my fridge. I did not know I was doing the turkey. I do not know if I know how to do the turkey. Why am I inheriting this responsibility already? If I remember correctly, it has only been over the last few years The Mother inherited it from Granny. And probably if Granny had her way, she would still be doing it or making us go out to eat Thanksgiving dinner. I should have several more years before I should have to do this, right?

I think actually my biggest question (other than seasoning this lil' guy) is how do I bake everything and Mr. Turkey, too? I only have ONE oven! I guess I will just have to figure it out. Like make the pies and other reheatable items tonight after I get back in town from dropping Granny off with The Uncle in Bastrop. I think I have a long night ahead of me.

BTW, I am also in denial that Mr. Turkey is in my fridge. When I opened it last night, I did it quickly while focused on only the item I needed to get or put in. I think he is on the bottom in the back. I do not know how big or small he is, or whether he is already cooked. They come like that, right? Geez, this oughta be an experience. Wish me Luck!

Dinner at Benihana-$135; Seacret Facial Products-$400; Madonna in Concert--PRICELESS!!!

What a phenomenal weekend! I scooted out of Hictoria on Saturday around lunchish to go pick up my best friend from college, Uncle Chad, at Hobby. It has been a long 3 years since I saw him when My Lil' Girl and I fled to Dallas when Hurricane Rita was supposedly barreling for us in Houston. It was an exciting reunion that I have been patiently waiting for since around April when he shocked me with the news of being able to hook us up with some great Madonna seats at Minute Maid for her Sticky and Sweet Tour.

After I picked him up at the airport we cruised on over to Sugarland to meet The Parents and My Lil' Girl for dinner. I figured it would be a perfect opportunity for them to see each other again since she has grown so much since he saw her last. After all she was only 2 years and 3 months old when we were in Dallas. A lot changes in a kid from then to 5 years and 4 months! And while waiting, we just happened to go to a pet store (because Uncle Chad has been having the doggie cravings) and he fell in love with the cutest PUGGLE - pug and beagle mix. Adorable! But not $800 adorable. Can we say ADOPTION?

We ate at Benihana and the food and atmosphere was great. Of course My Lil' Girl loved the Master Chef fling knives and shakers all over the place as he tosses shrimp tails and eggs in the air to catch them in his pocket or atop his tall, fluffy, red hat. Her eyes were HUGE with amazement while watching his skills and ability to make fried rice in to a heart with an arrow that beats then breaks, as well as talking Mickey Mouse and the zucchini/onion smoking choo choo train. And most definitely we cannot forget about the chopsticks. Oh she tried with all her little might to use those things. But as usual, she thinks outside the box and comes up with her childlike crafty way to use them by taking only one stick to stab her chicken. Easy eatin' that way.

After dinner, Uncle Chad and I did a little shopping and checked in to our hotel. Yay for hotel screw ups! We go two sweet rooms instead of one with double beds! We sipped wine and chatted till the wee hours of the night. Time just flew as we reminisced about friends and fun in college, and what has been going on since then. It was great! It was relaxing.

Sunday morning we woke up and went next door to the free breakfast. Yes, I said free breakfast next door. We stayed at a Marriott Courtyard that was 20 ft from the Marriott Residence Inn. Our breakfast was $9.95 per person for a make your own Texas waffle, fruit, cereal, muffins..., and an omelet cooker guy. Free breakfast was make your own Texas waffle, fruit, cereal, an assortment of muffins and donuts, scrabbled eggs, bell pepper and potatoes, sausage, french toast or biscuits and gravy. Hmm...lets see. I will take one walk next door for one FREE breakfast.

The rest of the day before the concert we cruised around the Montrose area, and went to the Galleria where Uncle Chad met Eli who talked him into buying about $400 bucks of sea salt scrub, hand and foot lotions, nail buffing kits, and eye gel. Oh, Uncle Chad is going to have a face, hands, and feet as soft as a baby's butt. At least they better be with that price tag. Oh, and he best lose that luggage under his eyes! ;) Maybe we should have taken before and after shots! And your welcome, Uncle Chad. If I would not have been suckered in to the "would you like to try one" line none of this would have happened. I still say he should have given you a better discount since the thing he gave me that I bit in to was soap and not rock candy like it looked like on the pretty plate. Who serves candy looking soap on a plate to people who have no idea what they are getting? And who says, it happens all the time but yet still presents it in the same? (see I was not the only one).

CONCERT TIME!!! Uncle Chad and I grabbed a yummy burger and drinks across the park at Home Plate Bar & Grill. Quite possibly the longest women's line I have ever been in at a bar. Made for a good night's start of people watching as women began to trickle in to the boy's bathroom. I giggled each time a boy would take a step back, while halfway through the door, to take a second peek at the sign outside. heehee.

I have been in Minute Maid several times for baseball games, but this was a different experience all together. Surreal. It was odd that there was not a field with bases, but in their place a massive stage and catwalk, with enormous M's on each side, and lights and speakers galore. I was captivated by it all. Especially since we had floor seats and I was down on the field. I stood where I think home plate is, touched the gravel, and the grass which was exposed in several areas. I got to take it all in for about 2 hours. She was fashionable late. But so worth the wait!

I do not think that I can actually fully explain experiencing Madonna with Chad. There was a flood of emotion and thoughts going through my head. As usual I was trying to take shots and video clips of everything so that I can remember as much as possible from this once in a life time event for me. My words of choice will be exciting, crazy, exhilarating, fabulous. We watched the various decades of people and their dress, enjoyed DJ Inferno before the start, sang, laughed, and danced nonstop. Madonna wore her typical clothing, danced effortlessly, had worldly messages in parts of her songs and video, took on a Spanish/Latin theme, and just rocked it out. Hands down the best concert I have been to see and would see again and again. Thanks Uncle Chad, I LOVE YOU!!!!

THE END

What to Look For in A Man and other tidbits...

Ran across this today...

Essential skills of a competent man

Possible or impossible?

I have also been playing with some of the blog options. Here is my attempt to put a video clip of last weekend's soccer game. Even though we do not score here, we did win.

Looking Forward to the Weekend

This weekend I am going to get to see my best friend from college Uncle Chad. I have not seen him in 3 very long years! So many things have happened and changed. I cannot wait to catch up with him and he see My Lil' Girl. (Hopefully she minds her manners).

BTW, the pic over there ---> from college the way we were. And are you standing on something??? I do not remember you being that tall!!! lol But I do remember the Golden Ducks on the wall in the background. Oh what fun those were ;)

OH - Realization

So Friday evening an acquaintance of mine who I have known since I was 15 or slightly younger (and is 10 years my elder) called me up and asked what Squirt and I were doing Saturday night. I told him nothing, and he asked me if we would wanna grab a bite to eat? "Sure," I said.

He and I were midway through the salad bar when My Lil' Girl came up and said, "Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom reeeeeeeeeeeeally bad."

So, I put my plate down and took her to do her thing, finished, and went back to the end of the long, slow line at the salad bar.

Well, when we went back to the table, The Acquaintance was waiting. Meaning did not touch his salad at all. I swear he had to have been sitting there a good 5 or so minutes. It was then when I first thought "I think this is a date."

He did not let me pay. He lingered at my car. He called the next day. My initial thought I think has been validated.

What do you think? And what is wrong with me? Why did I not know this at first? Has this happened to others or am I just that naive?

Forget the Lemonade Stand - The Money is in Sticks

This post takes a little bit of a detour from the previous one - The Things Kids Say. How about - What My Lil' Girl Does: Cute, Smart, or What the Hell Were You Thinking??

A few months ago my Granny and I were trying to teach My Lil' Girl how to earn money. Granny told her for every stick you pick up off the yard, I will give you a quarter.

My Lil Girl ran around picking up sticks and breaking them in half before she turned them in to Granny. - Smart

The Things Kids Say

I almost always share the jaw dropping things that come out of my Lil' Girl's mouth with one of my best friends from my childhood, CJH. She told me I needed to write all this good stuff down so when My Lil' Girl grows up, I can share with her all the funny and shocking things she said as a child that she will not remember. So therefore, another reason I wanted to start this blog before I forget it all. In fact I might have to call upon CJH to help me remember! (hint, hint) ;-)

Because of the election over the last few days she has said/done this:

• On Monday: "You have to vote for the guy with the white hair." (as she points to Biden; she was talking about McCain)


• On Tuesday: "I voted for John McCain [at school] because he is a soldier and soldiers protect us." (awwww)

Last night at dinner with The Dad and Grandpa, she appears to be very hungry and is trying to concentrate on gobbling up everything in sight. The Dad is trying to stimulate conversation with The Grandpa, who she does not get to see much, and she tells him with calm polite matter-of-factness:

• "Dad, please don't talk to me." The Grandpa and I find it hilarious; The Dad - not so much!

On the drive to school this morning:

• "Mommy, when I grow up I do not want to have a baby." [which I say, 'okay but why not.'] I do not want to have it come out. [In a whole nanosecond I am thinking OMG - why did I ask; how does she think it comes out; do I ask her why not or just say 'OK'?? So I go ahead and say 'Really? How do you think it comes out?'] "They dig and dig it out of your tummy and I do not want that" as she makes shoveling motions and has a look of struggling to perform hard physical labor (not that labor :-\) on her face.

I admit...

I am not one to follow politics, and I have not voted more than voted. But today I definitely will and I hope everyone else will too!!!

What a Weekend!

To kick off the weekend, Friday night we enjoyed some good trick-or-treating in the neighborhood and out at Granny's. We had lots of fun-even the dog! My Lil' Girl has had her heart set on being the Little Mermaid all year and in the beginning of September I adopted a Shih Tzu Poodle Mix from the Dorothy O'Connor Pet Adoption Center. As a result, I thought it would be fun to dress up the dog too! The task of finding the dog costume was a long journey. I tried to find Flounder but ended up with Sebastian, who everyone just loved! But I did run across a trick-or-treat bag fish style and was able to incorporate all three characters. Maybe I should have dressed up as Ursula; especially since her favorite part of the movie is when she steals Ariel's voice.

On Saturday we woke up at Granny's, had a great breakfast, watched Diamond (The Dog) be hesitantly brave at her first attempt at herding cows, and then were off to the My Lil' Girl's soccer game. They have had a really good season and its been so interesting to watch the girls' skills develop. It's amazing how these little, often times awkward, bodies hustle to get in to the mix, steal the ball, turn it around, dribble down the field, and score! My Lil' Girl tends to be more of a defensive player and also loves to kick the ball in to play. She has quite a powerful little kick which allowed her to score her first goal of the season this weekend. It was quite impressive. She was kicking it in (meaning starting off play from out of bounds), aimed for the goal where some of her team mates were waiting for the pass, and the ball just went by them all and straight in to the net! She was sooo very excited and gave her traditional celebratory Thumbs Up!

How about...GUNS UP!!! WHAT AN AMAZING GAME!!! We watched on the edge of our seats the entire time just as I did when I was actually there for the win in 2004. My Lil' Girl was so in to the game she decided for next Halloween she is going to be the Masked Rider and when she goes to Texas Tech she will be the one who rides across the field at the start of the game.

Oh and during the first quarter, I pulled out her fourth tooth to lose. Now she can honestly say all she wants for Christmas is her two front teeth!!!