Dear God, I didn't mean today

Near the end of my afternoon 3 mile run, I nearly had my Jeff Corwin moment.

I was doing my cool down walk when I almost stepped on a 3 foot snake that was chillin on the sidewalk outside of my house. My first reaction was a little scream that I stopped mid scream with my hand over my mouth. Yes, even this former snake handler can be startled by snakes. I handled mostly conditioned pythons, not wild Texas snakes.

My second reaction, go into the house & grab the camera!

I came back out and the snake had gone into the grass & then quickly slithered into my neighbor's shrub. So, then I had to go get the broom to coax it out of the bush for pictures. I had to take pictures! Duh! (I didn't even know at this point if it was venomous...I know, I'm an idiot.)

I'm not an expert, but it looks like a constrictor of some sort, perhaps a rat snake (not a venomous viper).

How cool is that! And no, I didn't kill it & Jen, I think it would take a MUCH bigger bird to eat this lil guy. ;)

UPDATE: I think it might be a water snake: Nerodia erythrogaster

Let me tell you a story

Once upon a time there was a young teenage girl who was a late bloomer. She was smart, funny, and always had a lot of friends. She was a little bookish, a member of the honor society, the latin club, the theatre club, and was also a cheerleader. Although she was a cheerleader with a lot of friends, she was quite the wall flower. When it came to dating boys, she was very shy. She only had one boyfriend in highschool and only 1 in college and hardly ever dated beyond that. When she reached her early twenties, she began to bloom & come out of her shell. Wall flower she was no longer, yet she always dated the wrong kind of guys. They weren't smart enough, not nice enough, not cute enough, not Chrisitian enough, not driven enough, etc. The right one was hard to find & for a long time, she thought she would never find her perfect prince.

When she first started noticing boys in her young teenage years, she was attracted to those handsome grungy, long haired boys. She looked for a boy that was witty and smart and funny and nice. Was there such a guy? She could never find him or perhaps he didn't notice her. Maybe he didn't exist...

When she entered her twenties, her tastes changed a little. She was now looking for a man that was handsome, clean, polished, but still smart and witty and funny and nice and driven. But alas, this perfect man seemed to be a myth. Perhaps she had to settle for less. Yet, deep down (thankfully) she knew that she could not settle. She'd rather be single than live a life with someone who did not meet her standards.

One day this young lady went to a work party with some of her coworkers & she eyed this handsome guy she had seen at work before, but had never met before. They eventually found each other in the same conversation & there was an instant spark. Although there was some initial resistance on both sides, that spark lead to something wonderful.

Those 2 young people began a friendship where they learned that had much in common and respect for the differences between them. When they shared their pasts, the young lady learned that this was the guy she has ALWAYS wanted. He would have even been "that long haired grunge" guy back in her early teenage years she dreamed of and today he was that clean-cut, successful handsome man. These two shared the same tastes in music, foods, activities, movies, dreams & goals. It was a perfect match!

Today they are happily married and are more and more in love with one another every day.

That couple is Hubby & me.

Hubby, I know you will never read this blog because you don't read my blog (or ETK's blog or TT's blog). You feel that you don't need to read our blogs to know us, and I respect that whole heartedly. :)

Happy Birthday, my sweets.

I love you.

E Hoomau Maua Kealoha

Crap that bores the crap out of crap

I have been tagged to do another meme (rhymes with dream), yet again, thanks to G-man over at Man Overboard! However, this time I have to tell you people SEVEN things about lil' o' me. Cuz' it's all about me.

The rules:

1. Provide a link to the person who tagged you, and spell out the rules of the meme on your blog.
2. Share 7 (seven) random and/or weird facts about yourself.
3. Tag 7 (seven) random bloggers with this meme and post links to their blogs at the end of this post.
4. Let those who have been tagged know so by leaving a comment on their blog, and telling them where to find information regarding the meme they are now obliged to do.

Here goes...

1. Sometimes I daydream that I am a rock star. So, I can't really sing well, or dance well, or play a real instrument, but a girl can dream, can't she? I would totally rock out Gwen Stefani style (when she was in No Doubt).

2. I can't play a real instrument, but I can play a mean air guitar. Apparently in my grunge - Doc Martin & plaid wearing - Lolapolloza going - mosh pit days, I played air instruments every-so-often & my parents saw this. They decided to then buy me an acoustic guitar thinking that I had enough discipline to learn how to play. It is collecting dust under our guest bed. Maybe someday I will learn how to play.

3. Speaking of dreams. I also still dream of being a wildlife biologist or veterinarian. For the longest time, I really wanted to be a veterinarian, especially one in a zoo. I have also often wondered what life would be like if I was like the late Steve Irwin or like Jane Goodall or the goofy Jeff Corwin. I love wildlife! I love it so much, that on a solo business trip to San Diego one time, I spent my Satuday there ALL day at the San Diego zoo from opening to closing & I had a blast!

4. I really want to learn a martial art. This has been a goal of mine for a long time & I don't know why I have never pursued it. I have no good excuse. Hubby is trained in a Kung Fu. He hasn't trained in some years & we discuss that once we are more settled (i.e. I am working & we have moved into the next home) maybe we can find a martial arts school & train together (although he would obviously be MUCH more advanced than me). I am not sure what school I would chose, but some of the Chinese forms are so beautfiul & graceful, I'd have to consider one of those.

5. I have had some gnarly stoopid injuries: When I was 3 years old, I sustained a pretty nasty burn. I was running around a table (b/c that's what 3 year olds do) chasing nothing & tripped over the cord to one of those large coffee urns. The scalding hot coffee poured down my leg & according to my Mom, I had 2nd & a few 3rd degree burns. Luckily, I have no scars. When I was a Freshman in college, I BURNED MY RIGHT EYEBALL with a..... curling iron. I know, sounds scary & stupid all at once, eh? Luckily, again, I have no scars & my vision is 20/20 in both eyes to this day. And my final stoopid injury, again in college & attesting to my nerdiness, I once got so excited for getting straight A's (I was struggling that semester & wasn't expecting all A's) I jumped up in the air out of joy forgetting that the kitchen floor had just been mopped & can landing down, slid across the floor, & my leg slammed into the corner of a wall ripping open the skin on my shin. Thankfully, it was not a huge laceration, but I probably should had stitches. I didn't & I do have a scar, but it is a pretty cool one.

6. When I was 3 (apparently I was a handful at this age) I had an aversion to clothing. My mother would dress me & in zero seconds flat, I'd be all nekkid. Nekkid all the time. It didn't matter who was around. I did not want to wear clothing. Much to her, my husbad, and the rest of my family & friends relief, I grew out of that. I wonder if my mother ever worried that I was headed for a career in the adult entertainment world (JUST KIDDING!!!!). ;p Today I much prefer and am most comfortable to be fully clothed.

And

7. I know I am a big dork & I embrace my dorkiness! But I think I am darn cute dork. P.S. I just learned that dork used to have a not-so-nice meaning: DORK.

I'm not tagging anyone on this one, but if you want to play, feel free.

Thus shalt thou cleanse and purge it

I swear, sometimes I can be such a stereotypical woman.

I have pieces of clothing and shoes that I have held on to for far too long. Some for TEN years! "Well, I might wear it again." "It has sentimental value." "But I got that in Singapore." "It could come back in style." "I spent so much on that." "But I love those jeans!"

My favorite and probably MOST typical:

"Maybe I will be a size 3/4 again."

How rediculous. Really.

Even if BY CHANCE I am actually ever a size 4 again (which I seriously doubt), wouldn't it just be better to get new clothes????

So, I spent a big part of yesterday fighting with my packrat side & CLEANSED my closet. There were 7-8 shopping bags of clothes and shoes that I donated. It was tough letting some of it go (especially the cute size 4 jeans!!!!) How crazy is that? Talk about holding on to too much. It felt good to let it go & to donate it to hopefully someone who'll need it much more than me.

"Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything . . . whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out." ~ Tina Turner

(Ack! I still have my dressers to go through....)

Too Funny! Love it!

I actually know someone who did something similar but during their Father& Daughter dance (but not to Baby Got Back...LOL & ew!).

And I thought I was original for dancing with my Dad to a rock song at the reception. ;)

YEAH! More Pet Photos! Gotta Lov'em!

Everything Tastes Better with Cat Hair in It

Stupid Kitchen/Cooking Action #534

Over the past years of being a non-single woman, I must say I have done a FEW idiotic things things in the kitchen. Not cooking enough food....for ONLY TWO people......accidentally putting what I thought was dishwasher detergent (but was a LARGE bottle of hand washing dish detergent) into the BRAND NEW dish washer.....and I am sure there are many more

WELL....

Last night I decided it would be funny to throw Hubby's home-baked pizza on the open oven door and floor because I love cleaning dried, stuck-on cheese from cooking surfaces and food tastes much better with dog & cat hair stuck in it.

I'm only a little brain damaged.... I can somewhat function in the kitchen.....

I swears!

WWC

This week's WWC from Tink are "Assortment" & "Purple."

Here is an assortment of flowers from the San Fran Conservancy of Flowers, some with shades of purple. What can I say; I love flowers!



Next week's words: "Landscape" & "Orange."

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The holiday joy has begun in the Alli & Hubby household. The Charlie Brown tree is up, the stockings are hung with care (but alas, we have no fireplace...yet), a big part of our shopping has been completed, & I am still in search of the Christmas cards I loyally buy every year. There is still so much to do, yet there is much relief to at least have the ball rolling.

So Shy - A Haiku for You

You read my bloggings,

Yet comment you never do.

So shy, why are you?

New Name, New Look, Same Ol' Me

Since my time as a PA student is nearing an end & this blog involves more of me than just my life as a PA student, I decided it needed a new name & look.

I am sure there will be more tweeking & changes to come.

Change is good.

A Day of Disappointment and Thanks

Several times when I was a child, my family chose to spend Thanksgiving Day volunteering at the Superfeast downtown. My father would leave very early in the morning to go help with the cooking of the turkeys and then my mother and us girls would then meet him down there a bit later to start helping with set up and serving of the food to those in needs. It was a very rewarding experience each time.

This year, Hubby & I spent Thanksgiving with my parents, and the four of us decided to spend it doing what we had done years ago by volunteering at the Superfeast again. H-town now has two MAJOR Thanksgiving meals for the needy & we decided to again do the outside one located downtown. However, this one is heavily sponsored by Waste Management, Walmart, etc, and unfortunately, as we learned, is not very well organized. It was nice to see all the volunteers, but there were just too many of us and not enough to do. Many of those "in charge" were misguiding us.

We spent the first few hours sorting through clothes and putting stupid Waste Management stickers on hats for those who were going to be serving the food. First of all, we were glad to see how much clothes had been donated, BUT so many of the clothes were old & dirty. It made me sad (and kind of grossed me out...why do people donate used underwear? BLEH!). Hubby & I decided we are going to go through our closet this weekend and donate some of our clothes and shoes that are still WEARABLE and CLEAN. Then there was the hat situation. I can't believe part of our volunteering was spent putting stickers on hats just so WM could advertise. How does this help the poor & hungry??? Everyone already knows that WM was the major sponsor. They made it VERY obvious. After we did this we stood around for SEVERAL hours in the cold trying to get some direction on what we could help with next. We were misdirected many times and scolded several times because we were in the way or we were close to violating a health department code. Please people, give us good direction so we can be of use and HELP....that's why we are here....not to be in your way or violate codes....or to help you advertise and make you look good. That's not what this is all about. Speaking of that....

We were FINALLY told how the serving works. The numbers on our name badges (which the people at the volunteer tent had NO CLUE about what they were for) were the number they would call out when it was our time to serve the food and we would only be serving for like 10-15 minutes. My, Hubby's, and my Dad's number was in the 590s or and b/c my mom was in a another line, hers was in the 100s. So, not only would it take forever to get to our numbers, but we would be separated from my Mom, and only serve food for like 10 minutes. How ridiculous is that?

THEN, the most ridiculous part of this experience was when it was closer to the time to start serving the spent over an hour thanking WM, Walmart, this congressman, that congresswoman, this and that "Big Wig", doing WM cheers, Walmart cheers, blah-blah-blah and all the while the poor hungry & cold people were just waiting in line to eat. Again, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks for what we have and this particular occasion was for giving to those in need. It is NOT about boasting and making yourself, company, and your political party "look good." I didn't volunteer to do this to have my 10 minutes on the local news and to put a feather in my hat to make myself look good. I just simply want to help someone in need. That's it.

Many of us volunteers ended up standing around for hours cold and complaining. I decided I did not want to spend my Thanksgiving in that kind of environment and around people with poor and pompous attitudes . I'd rather go to my parents' house, eat turkey, and be thankful for what I have and remember the ethics and morals I have.

We won't be returning to that WM Superfeast again. Perhaps next time we will volunteer at a local church, food kitchen, or Salvation Army or something. And, hubby & I are going to do our charitable part this weekend and donate some clean, wearable clothes.

Anyway, our Thanksgiving Day did turn out to be a very good one. We spent the rest of the day with my parents eating yummy foods near with a fire in fire place & played a couple games of Bocce Ball in the cool, fall weather. I think that morning just made us even more thankful for what we have & for the scruples, morals, and ethics we choose to embrace. We didn't let a bad experience ruin our day or dampen our spirits. It was a learning experience & we chose to turn it into a good day.

There is much to be thankful for. Isn't there?

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have a full plate planned for Turkey Day helping those in need, so I wanted to send this tonight!

A recipe for you!

Pumpkin Bread

1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup water
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans

- Sift flour with baking soda, salt, baking powder and all spices
- Cream sugar and oil, beat in eggs and pumpkin
- Add flour mixture (from step one) and water, alternating a little at a time
- Add raisins and nuts (* or choc. chips), and mix well
- Bake in two 4x8 loaf pans or one large loaf pan at 350 for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean (or you can bake it in 4 mini-loaves for about 35-38 minutes, again toothpick should come out clean)

NOTE:
* Raisins and nuts are optional, you can also do mini-chocolate chips instead or the raisins with the nuts, or only the chips.

I am making it tonight with the choc chips!!! mmmm!!

Tag! You're It!

I have been tagged by the lovely Texaconsin Diva with what is called a "Meme." I don't know what a "Meme" is. Maybe it means this is all about ME!!! Anyway, here goes....

First here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.

2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog.

OK, here comes the randomness......

1. I have met 3 "famous" people thus far in my life. This is a lot of info, so I'll make it my 1-2.
The first person I met was the mailman, Mr. "Speedy Delivery" McFeely, from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. I was in high school & met him randomly at a New Year's city celebration in Erie, PA. I know! You are so jealous aren't you? The next famous person I met was Brendan Fraser. This is a funny story. It was when I was living in Singapore. He was there promoting his movie "George of the Jungle". I was with my parents walking to an art museum to see a Leonardo DaVinci exhibit when all of sudden my Dad says, "Hey wasn't that Brendan Fraser? You know, the guy from Encino Man?" He was referring to a man arguing with a women that we had just past on the street. I looked back, and yeah it was him. He kinda stuck out like a sore thumb in this Asian country. "Yeah, Dad, that's him!" He replies, "Well, here take one of my business cards & pen and get his autograph." I say, "But Daaa-aad, he is arguing with that woman. Maybe we should leave them alone." He replies, "Come on. You may not ever get this chance again." "Oooo-kay," I say. I then quietly walk up to him & ask. He looks at me, with shock, and says, "Not right now." "OK. Sorry for the interruption," I then walk away embarrassed. "Well," my Dad says. "Nadda." We then head into the museum and when we are done we sit outside at the museum's cafe to have some coffee & then all of sudden Brendan comes out with his entourage, sees me & stops at our table. He looks at me and says, "Would you still like that autograph?" "Sure," I say. We then chat for a few minutes and he then continues on his way. That women he was arguing with was his girlfriend and now wife.

2. The 3rd famous person I have met is my favorite of the three & also one of my heroes, so she gets her own number. I had the privilege of meeting the famous primatologist, Jane Goodall. She came to Cornell when I was a student there & gave a lecture. Her lecture was amazing! I love her stories and her work with chimps. I got to speak to her briefly after her lecture. It's pretty cool to be able to meet one of your heroes.

3. One of the scariest days of my life was when I was at a slumber party in 9th grade. I have never told my family this, mostly because I haven't thought about in forever & at the time I didn't want them to worry. I was at one of my very good friend's house with probably about 6 - 7 other girls for a slumber birthday party. Well, as we usually did we were up late playing games, watching movies, snacking, & probably talking about boys and doing what young teenage girls do. Well, someone got the idea that we should go out for a walk late that night. We all had our jammys on & snuck out while her parents were sleeping. We were walking along & giggling about who knows what when this jeep pulls up with 2 older guys we didn't know. They were obviously very intoxicated and were trying to get all of our attention. They turn off the car & come out the jeep running after us. We got scared and sprinted back to my friend's house. I don't know if I slowed down or what, but after half us went around the house one way and the other half the other way, I was the last one to go through the back door when one of the guys grabbed my T-shirt. I slammed the door & part of my T-shirt that he had a hold of was caught in the door. I quickly locked the door & begged him through the door to let my shirt go. He kept saying he wanted to talk to me, but I said no way. I didn't know him, he was drunk, older, and I didn't trust him. Finally he let go of my shirt and went away. I think I had also threatened to start yelling & wake up my friend's step-dad. (I can't believe they NEVER woke up through all of these shenanigans.) I guess I could have just taken my shirt off...no one would have seen me. I can't remember why I didn't do that. Anyway, that was very scary. Who knows what that drunk guy could have done. I was very fortunate & learned a valuable lesson that night.

4. Most of you all know this already. When I was living in Singapore, I worked as an assistant zoo keeper in the small mammal and reptile exhibits at the Singapore Zoological Gardens, now known as the Singapore Zoo. I just learned they changed their name. I wonder why they did that? Singapore Zoological Gardens sounds nicer to me, even if it is more wordy. Anywho, my daily tasks involved assisting in cleaning & helping design the exhibits, preparing and feeding the animals, and helping with the visitor photography/education hours with a python. Yes, I got to carry around the pythons they used for the photos. Very cool! My favorite animals to feed were the Giant Galapagos turtles (such gentle giants & very wise...estimated to be close to 100 yrs old), the pygmy mongoose (what a great matriarchal family that was), and most of all the Oriental small-clawed Otters & their BABIES! These babies were sooooo cute. As I approached the exhibit, I would yell, "Babies!" and they would all start squeaking and swim towards to me to be fed. So cute! I loved working there.


5. My final random thing about me is that people ALWAYS say I look like someone they know. I look like their best friend's sister, someone they grew up with, a cousin, "are you so and so's sister?" yadda-yadda-yadda (sorry, watching Seinfeld as I type this). So do I really have that universal of a look? I really didn't think so. I even have a classmate that always calls me by the wrong name at first and then apologizes and says, "you look so much like my best friend's sister!" Man, it's so weird!!!!!!!

So, there ya go! Just a few more tidbits about me you may or may not have known.

Now it's my turn to TAG 5 others:

TAG YOU'RE IT!

1. ETK: Because I know you'll have some great things to tell us & you'll have fun doing it!
2. TT: Because she is such a sweetie & I know she'll get a hoot out of it. I bet she has some great stories tell, too.
3. Sunshine: Because she needs to blog MORE!!!!
4. Bobbie: Because she also needs to blog more & needs more distractions from studying! Mwahh-ahhh-ahhh!
5. Tink: Because I just recently started reading her blog & it is now one of my favs. I am glad Jen "introduced" me to her.

Have fun!!! I am looking forward to your posts. Don't forget the rules!

Weekly Words Challenge

This week's WWC from Tink are "INANIMATE" & "YELLOW"

INANIMATE

This is Enchanted Rock.

It was at the peak of this rock where hubby proposed to me 4 years ago.

It may be inanimate, but there is much life there & it is where our life together began.

FEEL THE CHEESE!!! ;)

YELLOW

I don't really have any one thing that stands out, so I'll share several pics of mine.

This was taken at Chandon winery with my hubby, BF, & her hubby in Napa Valley.
It is my BF's favorite sparkling wine & also now mine.

This is my Australian Shepherd mix dog, Merlah in her rain coat.

She was thinking, "Will ya hurry up with the stupid pictures so we can go for our walk in the rain!"

This scary looking lady is what I believe to be a Banana Spider. She hung out in our back yard for a number of weeks, and YES, we let her stay until she disappeared one day. Spiders are good people....they eat insects like mosquitos!!! (Sorry if this picture freaked you out, but I think it is pretty amazing....says the animal loving dork.)

Have I mentioned how much I love orchids?!?!


Next week's words:

"Assortment" and "Purple"

Your turn to play!

Jelly of the Month Club

It's that time of year again & yet, again, we have already started to watch Christmas Vacation....one of our yearly Christmas rituals. :)

"It's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year!"

Steps of a cardio lovin' baby

So part of my whininess/"being a girl" this week (aka part of the "dirty laundry") was my disgust of how out of shape I have gotten over that past 2-3 years. I have used the excuses of being married & being in grad school & being busy....blah blah blah. But we all know whining does NOTHING to help a situation (nor does making excuses), it only makes you (and sometimes those around you) more miserable, right? No one but ME can fix what I have let get outta whack. Now I know some people probably get annoyed that I feel this way, but it's all relative. Yes, I know I am too hard on myself. I have always been that way & I am afraid I may always be....unless when I ease into old age & get to a point where "I don't gave a crap!" I have a hard time believing that though, b/c although I appear to be a layed back person on the outside, I am actually a little uptight on the inside. Which probably isn't healthy. I need to let it out more, eh? I guess that's where these bloggy-blogs can help (& perhaps get some in trouble....I'll be careful of that!) So, anyway the other day when I was whining about being out-of-shape (and feeling not so healthy....my BP & heart rate has been too high lately...a little concerning for me), I THEN also said to myself, "Quit whining and do something about it! Get back into running shape." I love running. It makes me very happy. I used to be like Forest Gump...I was run-nin'! I was a little hamster running all the time. I was so in shape! I also said to myself, "Why do you get so down on yourself sometimes? There is so much to be thankful for in life. You have a wonderful husband, family, pets & friends (although wish I had more close-by friends...another thing to criticize myself about...sheesh!). You are about to graduate with a Master's degree & become a PA at the #1 cancer center in the US & work for ONE OF THE TOP liver surgeons/cancer researchers in the US (if not the world). You are going to Maui in 3 weeks! What in TAR-NATION (love that word) are you whining about, you big baby!" You love this inner dialogue don't you? Anway. Why do we, when we have so much to be thankful for, still find things to complain about? Why are we insatiable at times? Why can't we be happy with what we have? Why do I complain about my weight/shape when it really isn't that bad & there are so many worse things that could be. It's pathetic.

So I am shutting myself up this week, getting off my butt, and doing something about it.

I am so proud of myself. I have run EVERY day this week & I don't plan on stopping. I am slowly getting myself back into shape. I want to be a runner again! 4 years ago I ran a half marathon....without stopping...(b.c stopping hurt so much...remember, Jen?) AND I plan on doing that again. Maybe I can shoot for the Jan 2009 H-town 1/2 marathon???? We shall see. Baby steps.

Anyway, I will do my best to stop being a whiner and be a DOER!

I can do this! I got this!

They truly have made me a better person

I agree with their thoughts & it's those thoughts that have gotten me through some of the rough times over the years with my crazy, disabled, & sometimes sickly but oh-so-cute and lovable rescued fuzzies.

"Come to [a rescue] to give, to love, to save a life -- and to mend your own spirit. For [a rescue] will reward you in ways you never thought possible. I can promise you this -- a rescue dog will make you a better person."

HAPPY HAPPY!

Happy Birthday, ETK!!!!!

Dirty Laundry

Sometimes it is so tempting to air the dirty laundry on our blogs and use it as a diary. There are just some things ya don't want the whole world reading, ya know?

Now don't be thinking I or someone I know did something BAD. I was just feeling whiny & complainy tonight & being "a girl" and was tempted to lay it out all there for some catharsis, but decided to keep it to myself (well, poor hubby had to hear it, too)!!! I had to delete it from my saved file. So, no you don't get to read it. Sorry to disappoint.

Think Positive. Think Positive. Think Positive.

There is SO much to be thankful for!

I so would not make a good Buddhist

So last night I walk into the kitchen and nearly screamed. There was a little wolf spider & probably about 20 TEENIE-TINY little baby spiders spread out all around her on our kitchen floor. I have never seen such a site! Apparently wolf spiders carry their young on their abdomen for awhile after they hatch. Interesting! I don't know if maybe I accidentally kicked her & her babies spread everywhere or if that was their time to leave momma. Anyway, it was kinda cool. I decided to save momma spider & let her outside. However, I had no idea how I was going to catch the babies that were just a little bigger than a flea. How was I to save all them spread all over the floor? Well, this is the part where I would make a bad Buddhist & hopefully God will forgive me. I ended up squishing them. :( Am I a bad human/animal lover?

I know.....I am a HUGE dork. Ya don't have to tell me. ;)

Weekly Words Challenge

This week's WWC from Tink are "architecture" & "red."

I decided to combine the two words. Here is a picture of "Old Red," which is a historic building on the campus of the university where I am getting my Master in Physician Assistant Studies to become a PA. I spent A LOT of time on the top floor of this building in Human Anatomy lab. This building holds a special place in the hearts (& minds) to those of us who have been a part of UTMB.

Here is a cool history lesson for those of you that care &/or like history.

"Old Red has played a vital role in the history of the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston since the school began serving the health of Texas more than a century ago. Officially known as the Ashbel Smith Building, but affectionately called “Old Red” by UTMB students, faculty, staff and alumni, the structure today serves as a grand reminder of the university’s history while supporting its modern mission of education, patient care and research."

"Old Red was completed in 1890 as the home of the University of Texas Medical Department, now known as UTMB. The Medical Department, housed entirely in the new building, opened for its first session on Oct. 5, 1891, with 23 students and 13 faculty.

Designed by renowned architect Nicholas C. Clayton, who also designed many other Galveston landmarks, Old Red was built in the Romanesque Revival style. The building’s colorful nickname comes from the construction materials Clayton chose—red pressed brick, red Texas granite and sandstone.

The Galveston hurricane of 1900, which took 6,000 lives and is still considered one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history, destroyed much of Old Red’s roof but left the main structure standing. When the building was repaired, the original decorative turrets were replaced by skylights and a simplified, less ornate roof line.

Old Red continued to house medical school departments throughout the next decades. By the 1960s, however, the building had begun to show its age. Scientific departments were moved to more modern facilities on campus. Though structurally sound, Old Red was in need of repair.

By the 1970s, caring individuals—employees, alumni and friends of the university—began securing funds to restore Old Red to its former grandeur. The restoration began in June 1982 and was completed in July 1985. The building was officially rededicated in April 1986.

Today, Old Red serves thousands of UTMB students, faculty, staff and visitors. It houses student affairs offices, the registrar’s office, the financial aid office, School of Medicine Alumni Association office, an amphitheater, and the Institute for the Medical Humanities, as well as the anatomy laboratory used in the training of future physicians (and physician assistants & physical therapists...us little guys don't always get the recognition we deserve).

But Old Red is more than an office and classroom building. It serves as a fine example of architectural excellence. Its unique brickwork, massive three-story arches, detailed masonry, arcade of small windows that finish the circular wings and main front, and the ornate portico are testaments to 19th-century craftsmanship. As the oldest medical school building in Texas, Old Red has earned true landmark status, not only through its National Register of Historic Places listing and its Texas Historical Commission marker, but in the hearts of the people who’ve worked, studied and visited it over the years."

from: http://www.utmb.edu/tour/oldred/history.htm

The words for next week are:

"Inanimate" & "Yellow"

If you haven't joined the fun, go here for details.

Forever Orange

Gooooooooooo Dynamo!

For the second year of the club's existence, Houston Dynamo will be playing for the championship of Major League Soccer after defeating the Kansas City Wizards 2-0 in the Western Conference Championship on Saturday evening at Robertson Stadium.

Weekend of cuteness

I have nothing interesting to blog about, so I'll post some cute pics from the weekend.

The nephews & the kitties. :)

More hubby sweetness

I am a worry-wart when it comes to finances, which probably isn't bad because it has kept me out of financial trouble thus far. However, since I have been in school & especially now that I am getting down to the end of my student loans, I am EVEN more of a tight-wad these days. I won't buy myself much of anything right now unless I really need it. No new clothes. No new boots that I REALLY want. No hair cuts. I even made a horrible choice to dye my own hair last week, which I have been told repeatedly is MUCH harsher on the hair than having it professionally done. The only thing I have bought myself recently is a new pair of sunglasses b/c I lost my pair that I really liked, and even these new ones aren't that fancy-shmancy...but are cute. Anywho, with me still as a full-time, jobless student, the upcoming Hawaii trip & holidays, & some recent ENORMOUS vet bills (Simon & Marci issues), I am feeling very scroogy with myself. So much so I did something else rediculous yesterday...I drank cheap wine with dinner. I know, it's crazy, right? I mean, it's not like hubby doesn't have a good job or something, but not making money is really getting to me right now. I probably just have too much time to think about it. Anywho, I guess between my cheap wine drinking & my mopiness, Hubby felt bad & I woke up to such a sweet note telling me to get out of the house today, study in a coffee shop or something, get some good wine and to get my hair done so I will feel better. How sweet was that? He's so thoughtful. Best. Husband. Ever. Truly!

So, today I did get my hair done & got those new sunglasses that I needed and it is rediculous how happy that made me. The little things truly do make me happy.

I can never friggin style my hair like they do, so I had to get a pic. This is probably the best it will ever look.

Speaking of cute things

My mother sent me this in an email & thought it should be on my blog. Your wish is my command, momma!

TOO CUTE!!!!


Snopes says it's true.

Thanks, Bobba! :)

Goofy things he does that make me smile

Every once in a while I wake up in the middle of the night to a munching & chewing sound. Do I have rats in my house? Nooooo. It's hubby laying in bed snacking on something. Occasionally he wakes in the night & decides he needs a snack. He goes all the way down stairs and doesn't eat it in the kitchen, but comes all the way back up, gets back into bed, and eats his little snack...in bed...next to me...under the covers and all. And no my husband, for those readers who don't know him, is not a big, fat slob....he is the complete opposite. He is a very fit, handsome man. He just gets snacky at 2am sometimes. ;) The other night I woke up probably around 2am to Crunch, Crunch, Crunch & when I woke up in the morning, there was a box of cookies on our dresser. How cute is that????? No, it doesn't annoy me at all.....maybe if it were someone else it would, but because it is him, I think it's adorable! Silly hubby.

What funny, quirky things does your significant other do that make you laugh & smile?

Go White Boy, Go White Boy, Go!

Apparently this is the most watched video EVER on YouTube. How is that I have never seen it? I guess I live under a rock. So, I'm guessing you all have seen it before. Anyway, I think it's great & felt it blog-worthy.



My Favorites were from the 90's of course...Vanilla Ice, MC Hammer, Cotton-Eyed-Joe...reminded me of Middle School & High School dances. HIL-ARIOUS! What are your favorites?

Weekly Word Challenge

This week's WWC from Tink are "old" & "blue."
Bonus sporks for "Halloween!"

OLDThis is the hubby's 1959 Fiat 500
AKA - "Our Italian Sports Car"
He is slowly restoring it & hopefully will look something like this someday.

BLUE
Blue is MY FAVORITE color.The Alli-mobile in Sapphire Blue

Shaka!!! I mean, I do.
The Hubby & I on our wedding day in Maui 2-12-05
My something blue was in my ring & on my toes

Smurf-blue toes!

Blue water behind The Kiss & First Dance

More blue in the dresses. Who are these lovely people? (sorry for the wedding pics...the upcoming Maui trip is bringing back the memories)

HALLOWEEN
Unfortunately no pics from this year, but LOVE this pic

My parents "Moon & Ledge" - last year's Halloween.

The words for next week are: "Architecture" & "Red"

Your turn to play!

Do you ever wonder?

Do you ever wonder who some of those people are that visit your site almost daily & never comment? Do you ever wonder what it is about your blog that keeps them coming back, especially since they don't know you? I didn't think I was that interesting. ;)

p.s. - to all my readers...those I know & don't know...commenters & non-commmenters, please continue to read on if you wish. I just think it's interesting to have people from all over the country (and sometimes world) read my mundane blog. :)

Soon.....

Just one more month!!!