Guess the Movie Monday

Saw this on 30 Something and who doesn't want to waste some time to get to 5pm sooner?

- Pick 10 of your favorite movies.
- Go to IMDb and find a quote from each movie.
- Post them here for everyone to guess.
- Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
- No Googling or IMDb-ing. That’s cheating and that’s no fun.

-I'll warn you these are not my Top 10 fave movies; just ten of them. And they are an eclectic bunch. I tried to pick off beat quotes as not to make them so obvious. Good luck!


I don't think I've ever drunk champagne before breakfast before. With breakfast on several occasions, but never before, before. - Breakfast at Tiffany's (Distracted Spunk)

Why does everybody keep asking me if I've been drinking? What? Is there like a coaster stuck to my butt or something? - Hope Floats (Michelle)

This is an elegant crime, done by an elegant person. It's not about the money.

Number one - shut this door, it's freezing. Number two - shut that door, it's freezing. I'm laying on my back, with my fingers poked in my ears trying to shut out who's got a bag of diamonds and who's carrying a tray. If you want to get three feet up a bull's ass, listen to what sweethearts whisper to each other. Now, if you're going to wimble wimble all night, I'm going to sleep in with him.

Six years from now, I'll be back here with my wife and two kids. And I'll see you, and one of my kids will say, "Daddy, who is that?" And I'll say it's not nice to point at single fat women.

Hey, Cameron. You realize if we played by the rules right now we'd be in gym? - Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Michelle)

Where is this love? I can't see it, I can't touch it. I can't feel it. I can hear it. I can hear some words, but I can't do anything with your easy words.

Your aim's as bad as your cooking sweetheart... and that's saying something!

You can be my wingman any time - Top Gun (Distracted Spunk)

Sat in that jail, I sat in that jail til I felt like I's bout to rot to death. I know what it like to wanna go somewhere and cain't. I know what it like to wanna sing... and have it beat out 'ya. I want to thank you, Miss Celie, fo evrything you done for me. I 'members that day in the store with Miss Millie - I's feelin' real down. I's feelin' mighty low. And when I seed you - I knowd they is a God. I knowd they is a God.


I challenge Beth, Swishy, and Bev (if she has time) to do the same.

Packing it in

The good and bad news that my apartment office called me last night, you know, after waiting all day – they called me at 6:10pm. After they closed.

The manager told me that her supervisor had a couple more calls to make (I’m assuming to their legal department) before making a decision and that she will call me this morning with the news. I’m still waiting (and it's 2:45pm)

I’m being hopeful only because I feel if it was a straight out no; they would’ve responded quickly. But then on the flip side, I feel they could be researching and consulting about what to do about this mess – buying up time I really don’t have. I can so see them making final decision tomorrow afternoon letting me know that I can be out by end of the month. Monday!

I’m not scared, I’ll do it. My living room is already packed away in boxes. You so know last night I started packing like a wild woman because I was (am) so sure I can get out of this lease. I could have my entire apartment packed up and ready to move before I leave Friday night to San Antonio. Crazy?

If I can unpack in one day, I can so pack it all in two days. I’m just waiting for the go ahead from the powers that be aka my apartment management office. I’m ready to go Norma Rae on their asses – well if Norma Rae was fighting for tenant’s rights and you know what I mean.

Honestly? I so wouldn’t mind having that extra lump sum of money to go play at Z Gallerie. Speaking of Z Gallerie…I want a flokati rug. Cowboy not so much. He thinks they look dated. I want a small one for underneath our leather ottoman/coffee table. I think it’ll play up great textures. Decorating has become my new part time job.

And like the list maker/ day planning nerd I am: I have a list and breakdown of how its going down. I like to be organized when I walk into a store. I make maps/plans when I go to the mall, so this was easy…I broke it down per room. Each room has its own color scheme and a grid for what new items we are looking out for or where to go find them and how much it will cost (the online listed price). Easy peezy.

At first I had an inspiration board made from pictures I found online, more for Cowboy, so when I’m talking in code of a three way split paper lantern – he could see exactly what I meant. Boys are visual. The inspiration board lasted a week because I was so over being techie, I’m so old fashioned. I like paper. And now I have a crazy folder full of ideas and my decorating plan/map.

It’s gotten a bit out of control due to the fact that now I’ve added in tons of recipes and party ideas. Because get this – the world has stopped spinning because I am getting rid of all my magazine back issues. AAAAACK! Each morning, I’ve set aside some wake time to flip through them and cut out any pictures I must have. And now all my magazines look so sad sitting in a pile to be recycled.

Boo hoo.

As If I Needed This

Who needs stress on top of stress. I present to you a very real letter to my apartment complex:

To Whom It May Concern:

On Tuesday, March 25, I came home around 6:30pm to an open door and an apartment issued key in the lock. I walked in and called out to see if anyone was inside and no answer. I walked back out of the apartment and called the office. Being after, 6:00pm, the answering service answered the call.

The operator informed me that the office was closed and everyone was gone for the day. She put me on hold while she tried to contact the manager, twice. She took down my name and phone number and told me she would leave the message.

Then, I locked my apartment and left to spend the night elsewhere. Returning the next morning, to get ready for work, I felt very uncomfortable taking a shower and doing my normal routine. At 10:00am, Wednesday, March 26, I called the office and spoke to the manager.

She apologized that the incident happened. She also told me that it was because of the fire safety checks they are doing this week and that my key was checked out at 1:40pm. To me, that indicates that my apartment door was opened since that time to the time I came home = 5 hours. I told her that I didn’t spend the night there and that I am uncomfortable spending any nights at my apartment from here on out. My lease expires at the end of April. I asked her if I could just move out as soon as possible, as I feel violated and vulnerable. I asked to be let out of my lease agreement, one month earlier. I could be out by next Monday. She said no and offered to change the locks.

Changing the locks will not ease my discomfort. To my knowledge, nothing has been taken, but I haven’t been in long enough to take count, since the incident. I live alone and it will remain in my mind that my apartment was open to anyone. I have personal items and mail that could’ve been looked through – anyone could know that I live alone; my bills; account numbers and the inventory of my personal belongings in my apartment.

I stated this to the manager and she informed me that she would contact her supervisor, but she felt that it was highly unlikely it would happen but doesn’t hurt to ask.

My lease agreement has been violated by the offices of my apartment complex. It is their duty to make a diligent effort for my safety. I must be provided with a home, free of safety risks. This incident has clearly violated that agreement. My life and safety were put at risk by the management office. There is no way that I will feel comfortable or at ease in my own apartment. I wish to be let out of my lease immediately, which is also only a month earlier than planned.


Thank you,
Golightly

Keeping Calm

All I need to do is close my eyes and think of this past weekend. Serenity. Now. Can I just give you an overview of the next month, starting today?

This week, at work we are hosting our agency. That means, all day long meetings. All day. After those meetings, it's dinners.

This weekend, I'll be in San Antonio for Bev's shower, I'm a co-host and seeing a couple of friends.

Then, April 1 - we move into the new apartment. Cowboy accidentally left it unlocked when we last viewed it; so we have been popping in and out of it all weekend long, unbeknown to the management. It's been fun. Each time I pop in, I pop back out with a new idea for the space. We're doing something wild - 2 living rooms in one. Actually, a sitting room and a living/den all in one space. Basically a daybed in the sitting area - which can convert to a guest room spot for guests. I'll take pictures to share once complete. (FYI: The infamous Keep Calm poster will be the focus of our living space)

April 4-5, Cowboy is out of town for his drill weekend.

April 9-11, I'll be in Salt Lake City, Utah for work.

April 11 - 14, Cowboy and I will be in Phoenix, meeting the families.

April 15-17, work just tentatively scheduled a work play day with our agency in San Antonio.

April 18, we are hosting a Game Night/Housewarming/Good Bye Party.

April 21, Cowboy is deployed to Iraq.

Anyone want to switch with me? Anyone? Anyone? That's what I thought.

I glance down at my day planner, yep I have one of those, and my body just sinks, my head aches and tears dwell up. How in the world are we going to do all this? How? Then I think of this past weekend.

My boss gave me last Thursday off giving me a 4-day Holiday weekend. Each day was perfect. The days lasted long and the weather was sunshine. The only thing it lacked was brunch...I won't go there. We went furniture hunting, PSP purchasing, lunches and dinners out, rented movies, attempted to watch one at the theater (I'm so not recommending Funny Games. Let's just say, it's the first movie I have ever walked out of.) and making plans for the hectic upcoming crazy month ahead.

When we were planning it verbally, it sounded doable. Looking at my calendar visually...not so much fun. Not one bit.

Serenity. Now!

New Blog Tuesday

I present to you Fluff Life. The girl loves cupcakes and making things by hand. Enough said? Not really. She has some great pictures of cupcakes and all things cute. Her blog is very inspiring for me to get off my butt and do something handy. She also has her own Etsy store.

I quickly developed a scary addiction to Etsy. You want it? They got it. But they have it handmade by all these sellers with the cutest knacks for beautiful things. My friend Beth told me about this site. At first, I was like, yeah this is cute. Then I discovered the artwork. Then the stationary. And I was smitten and addicted to it like its buttercream frosting. They update all the time, so the front page is chockfull of goodies that are fresh.

If you should want to take a lick, here are the links: www.flufflife.com, www.etsy.com

Financial Planning in the Form of We

I don’t have a money market account or an IRA. I won’t pretend to even know what any of them are when brought up in conversations. My eyes just glaze over and I start to daydream about what outfit I’m going to wear the next day. It’s true.

When it comes to money, this is what I know: I have a checking account, a savings account and one credit card. The checking account is my go to. The savings account has enough in it to last me two months, on my lifestyle, if I should be fired tomorrow. The credit card is only used for big time purchases – mostly anything over $300. I always use my debit card and rarely have cash on me.

Recently, I went on a budget to save for a few major things that are coming up: any new decorations or furniture for the new place and all the expenses for my friend’s California wedding in August. Putting myself on a budget is a huge task. It mostly consist of not buying any new articles of clothing until September; not purchasing any magazines off the newsstand and curbing my restaurant habits. Most of my entertainment costs are provided by Cowboy, so I didn’t have to scrunch it there. And I paid all my bills ahead of time as to only owe as little as possible when it comes time to cut them off while moving. I generally save about $200 a month.

That’s it. Golightly’s finances. Very simple, no? I think its good for a single gal like me. Apparently, I will need to be doing more.

Last night Cowboy straight up broke down his finances and his bank accounts since I will be the one in charge of all of it when he is in Iraq. Basically, I will be taking his money for his half of the rent; paying his credit card balances and transferring funds. Simple, enough. Then he started talking about when he comes back what we are going to do with our money then. We and our? He thinks we should start a money market account for the both us. I immediately came up with my outfit for today: black pants and an ethnic patterned shirt with a red beaded necklace and black patent pumps. I’m not joking when after the outfit was planned, I kinda fell asleep. Then he said something that woke me the F up, “we should also start a college fund.” What? For whom? I’m not going back to school that’s for sure...
Our unborn child(ren). Who? The kid(s) that we’ve been naming but aren’t born yet. Uh huh.

This conversation would have a lot more merit to it, if, let’s say, we were engaged or married. No? And this conversation would also be more exciting, if I didn’t think that something-something was happening. I ain’t going to lie. I’m a girl and any fishy business makes me think there is an engagement nearby...fishy business like this.

Last week, his coworker came over to shoot the breeze. I just happened to be at Cowboy’s apartment. Shoot, I’m always there. Coworker settled in on the couch across from me and Cowboy decided that was the best time to start cleaning his room. Let me also mention, I have never ever met Coworker before, so this was unusual, in my eyes. Coworker is also recently engaged, as in two days engaged. For a guy I was shocked at how he was discussing it at first. Then he went into TMI. He started off telling me how he went and picked the ring – asking me a lot of questions in between.

Questions like, what cut do you like? How big of a carat is big enough? What’s the deal with color diamonds? And at first, I thought he was asking me this because of my previous experience in the jewelry business. Oh yeah, you’d be shocked, apparently working for a jeweler makes you all sorts of expert and awesome to people once they find out. That was a perk when I worked there, I’ll admit. Buuuut then I remembered whoa I never mentioned I worked for the jewels in this conversation. Then I did. He was impressed and then he went on asking the questions and I went on answering.

This conversation became very dull because I knew he already had the ring and proposal, done. Why did he need confirmation? And let me tell you how discussing diamonds is not my most favorite thing in the world, even when I shelled out for them. Yeah, when I worked there, I was probably the biggest enigma ever. I just don’t like diamonds. There, I’ve said it. It’s okay, too.

It has to do with the markup, value, origination and my fashion sense. I feel that there will be days when I’m wearing something and it just won’t go with a diamond. Plus, they’re not my style. If you know me, you know. Coworker was shocked and appalled – he wanted to know what talisman could I get that would show the world that I was engaged, where was the sign of commitment? My answer was if a guy doesn’t have to wear one until the ceremony, do I really need to? It’s not that I don’t want a ring. I want a band given to me on my wedding day during the ceremony. A band is so much more me. So much more. That conversation happened.

A day later, I replayed it in my head and was convinced I was getting engaged. Convinced. Since I don’t do disappointment well, I had to confront Cowboy and call him out on his cleaning during the diamond convo. He admitted it was odd for him to play maid at that moment in time but there are no plans to be engaged before he leaves for Iraq. Whew?

If that’s the case – what’s up with the joint money market account and college saving plan for unborn children? I’ve sworn off using the M and W words in any conversation with him. It gets me too worked up in a fantasy. So I didn’t ask him when he brought up all that talk last night about our financial future.

But, I sure do have a week’s worth of outfits all planned out.

Not Looking Forward to It

Those four months are quickly creeping up on us.

I’ll admit I don’t think about it as much as people assume I do. I’ve been way too busy. Not too busy not to think of the boyfriend. Just too busy to think of what its going to be like without him for four months.

You may be thinking, four months is a walk in the park. It very well may be, but…the thought was heavy on my mind last night.

After a great Rachael Ray recipe – I tried out her toasted ravioli – yummo and then cupcakes for dessert, we settled in to watch Here Comes the Newlyweds, my new favorite reality show. We’re no newlyweds, we watch it for entertainment. The couples on it crack us up. The black couple and the high school sweethearts are our favorites. I’m so sorry, I cannot remember their names. They are hilarious. The Freises have got to go. See, I remember who I dislike more than I like. Hmph. During the show, the thought came into mind.

It’s going to be very depressing was all I could come up with. Let me tell you why so in particular. For starters, our new apartment is directly next door to Cowboy’s current apartment. Our living room wall shares a wall with his roommate’s room. The front doors are less than four feet apart. We’re that close. For the four months that he will be away – I’ll be trekking up to the same floor everyday, but instead of heading into his apartment where I’ve come to love being, I’ll be entering our minus one cohabited place. A place where all his stuff will be with me, but not him. That just saddened me.

Our new place is half a block away from Blockbuster. I can just see myself walking it and pondering movie rentals alone. Something I always do with Cowboy. And the evening walks we take around the neighborhood. And his laugh. His smile. It’s just depressing when you think about all the small things that you see everyday will be a memory even though for a short while – still a memory and a longing emotion. I just don’t know how I’m going to do it. I know I can.

It’s the logistics that worry me.

I know I’ll be very busy being a maid of honor and traveling for said wedding. I know four months can go by like that! (snaps fingers) but still, it’s going to be rough. I’m anticipating more rough during the first couple of weeks. I’m expecting the roughest when we will be saying our goodbyes and I have to watch him drive off. It may be rough watching the news. Very rough.

I’m going to try and come up with many projects to busy myself over. I’ll most likely still be putting the apartment together, but that’s not likely. I’m the type where once I move in, I want it all in place that very same day. And Cowboy is lucky that our first weekend living together, he will be away at drill. Meaning I will have free reign to put the place together. I hate living out of boxes or with my stuff not put in its place. Still, I think I can try to curb some decorating until he leaves. There’s that.

And there’s my friend’s wedding, like I said. And whatever other projects can possibly come my way, I’ll take gladly. I’m also thinking of joining a few classes –

I want to go back to ballet. When I graduated college, my daily routine felt empty without classes, so I took up a ballet class. It was so fun. I was more toned from that than any strengthening workout.

I also want to enroll in some cooking classes and become a Big Sister with Big Brothers and Sisters. Hopefully all of that will make four months turn into where did the time go?

Of course that’s if I don’t procrastinate any of it

Celebrity Stuff

Does anyone else feel uncomfortable when Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell go at each other?

I understand it makes for good television – as if the contestants weren’t enough, but seriously, it’s like sitting at the dinner table in between mommy and daddy while they go at each other’s throats. Very uncomfortable.

That’s not the only celebrity related uneasiness I’m feeling…are you just as disturbed that Nicole and Paris are both dating brothers? I am! I’m down with Nicole and and whichever Madden brother she is dating/canoodling/baby mama-ing. Then Paris entered the scene hand in hand with the other brother and something in me went ICK. Ew. And now every time, I scroll a gossip page, I have to see it.

If one of my good friends started dating Cowboy’s twin brother, I’d be a little worried and very on guard. WTF.

And let’s talk about the Preggers. Loving – Gwen and Angie. Not so much – Jessica Alba. Is it just me or did she turn straight up not nice as soon as she released her expecting news? Every interview I’ve seen her in, she just seems, well, put off and sassy.

And then, here comes something I never thought I’d hear myself say, I am loving Halle Berry. Even more so, her pregnant.

I’m allover her like she was when making babies with her hot ass boyfriend. As you may know, from the past, I couldn’t stand Halle. My dislike started once I saw her in Maxim after her Oscar win.

I’ll share – I think there is a list of celebrities that can pose in Maxim and then there are those that just can’t. Or more so, I’d be shocked and opinion 180’d if I saw them in Maxim. Celebrities that can do Maxim (in my opinion): Jessica/Ashlee Simpson, Eva Longoria-Parker, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Alba, Amanda Bynes, Eva Mendes , Angelina Jolie (pre-babies) and the list goes on. Celebrites who I’d be shocked to see do Maxim: Nicole Kidman, Naomi Watts, Calista Flockhart, Jennifer Aniston and Halle used to be on this list. And please if any of these women have been in Maxim, my mistake, this is just to my knowledge and opinion. But you get the idea of where I’m coming from, if I see a certain who on the cover, it just makes me go ‘hmmm’.

Halle’s Maxim doing was years ago and I have held the grudge since until I saw her on Oprah (it may have been a repeat) last week. She was cuter than the cutest. And fun. And then there was the story about how they intentionally tried to have a baby and how long it took. It was so sweet. Let’s not get me started on how she explained that she is finished with marriage because the stuff she was saying was making sense to me. Me! Girl over here that scours wedding blogs and has never been married. I can so see not ever wanting to do it legally. She gave the best, eloquent reasons not to.

Probably what really did it for me, was the way she described how she and the hot guy met. Something about how the ‘molecules in the room changed’. She had me at that moment and we weren’t even to the first commercial break. There is no doubt their baby will be adorably cute. And I just cannot wait.

You Get Two in One Day Because I Had Time to Kill and it's Decorating (my new part time job)

It’s the little things that make me wish it was April 1. Right now. Not because I have a really good April Fool’s. But to get my ass into that apartment. Pronto.

No worries – I am so inspired by my new blogs that I stalk, that I’ll so be posting pictures. Yes, there will be photos of this journey. And we start with this photo debate.

Currently, my comforter set is a brown background with rose colored squiggles and flowers doodled on it. I say doodled because it’s the best description. Cowboy says its pink and not rose; and even it were rose, he is not sleeping in a girly bed. OK – I found that puppy at TJ Maxx and I can never, ever find anything at TJ Maxx.! I got over that initial shocker and saw the bright side: brand new bed linens, oh my, can you imagine anything more fun that that?

I should also let you know, that I am a super freak and love the smell of new bath/bed linens. Love it! I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect bed. I have a king size bed making it a nightmare to shop for these things at Marshalls, Ross or TJ Maxx. They never seem to have anything cute in my size. Leading me straight to the full price stores and as you can imagine, a pain in my wallet. King size = $100 plus. Always.

I started my search at my fave, Target. I found the first picture below. It’s cream and orange. And has cute little birdies on it and a design Cowboy is down for. Then there is the picture below it, from Pillows & Throws. It’s grey and orange – from the website’s description those are woodland animals in the design. Cowboy likes this one as well.

Why all the orange? My bathroom color scheme is currently orange and chocolate. I get great compliments on it. The best part, in my opinion, are the accessories: I found cream color with orange coral designed toothbrush holder, soap dish and pump dispenser at 80% off at Stein Mart a few years back. I love them and I’m keeping them. I always wanted my bedroom and bathroom to kind of go hand in hand. I didn’t want it to seem like you walk into a completely different room. I’m keeping the orange in the bathroom.

There we have it, installation for the move in/decorating.

Taking Me Back

I confronted Naysayer #1 and Naysayer #2. I couldn't feel better. Seriously, what a weight lifted off my shoulders. I did it for two reasons - one, they would never know this bothered me and I didn't want it hanging over me and/or us. Two, gosh darn it the judging and cynicism must end! Naysayer #1 was very apologetic and excused it with her own drama. Understandable.

Naysayer #2 didn't think I was serious when I told her it bothered me. Her excuse was why would it matter to me what she thought of my relationship. Not getting it, I had to explain to her, that I don't care what she thinks about it but I also don't need to hear any negativity about something wonderful for me.

Drama one down...two more to go!

I had some serious family drama over the past two days. To make the story short, I have two cell phones on my one T-Mobile account. One for me and the other for my brother. My 27 year old brother! This boy doesn't know what a bill looks like to save his life. I am so not joking. I blame his mother and then I blame me. Because I've had his cell phone on my account for the past six years. Uhm hmm. We used to have a great pay-me-back schedule. He gave the cash to my mom and she would transfer money into my bank account. Why the cash to her? Because the fool doesn't even have a bank account! Look out the window - see that bum out there? That's him, my brother, except add a part time job to his butt, a car, a roof over his head and everything handed to him and that's my brother!

Back to the drama...for the past eight months he hasn't paid me a cent. I've been covering his $50 portion of the bill on my own. I didn't mind the first couple of months because I could definitely afford it and he is my brother. Then, the other day I realized that he doesn't even attempt to tell me he cannot afford it, it's like he knows I'll pay for it and his phone will always work.

So, when I heard he went and bought a new cell phone for $200, I knew I was being bamboozled. How do you buy a new phone and know you owe the month to month charges for it to keep working? I confronted him and he told me all he could do was $50. Tell that to T-Mobile and they cut your service off. Guess what I had to do? Uh huh - cut. it. off.

I figure he is well damn old enough to go get his own account and see what a bill looks like for once.

Last piece of drama...I feel like whatever happens with Cowboy is somewhat of my problem as well. He had some serious hella family drama last night. It made my bum brother look like cake. My poor boyfriend has been caught in the middle of a bitter, bitter and serious argument between his parents. He in only involved because it affects his relationship with both of them and one of his brothers. I hate to hear him talk about it because there is nothing I can do to help.

Naturally, all I could do was listen. Once I hung up with him, I tried to fall asleep. I kept waking up at odd hours of the night. I couldn't shake the feeling that there has to be something that I can do. Something. That thought alone is stress.

In other news, I decided to take back me and my mornings. I'm a morning gal and lately, with the new job came the come into the office when you please boss. Yeah, how lucky am I? I still need to put in the hours, but she is all about get here at 8, 9 or 10. Holla. With that came me being the laziest bum ever and staying in my bed up until whenever I wanted to roll out, which always happened at 8:10. Meaning, all I was doing was waking, showering, getting ready for work and then getting to work.

No way, Jose. I'm an early bird do goer and like an 8 - 5 workday. This morning, I woke at 6:40. Ran, ate, watch the news, shower, get ready, go to work. All in taking my sweet time and never rushed looking at the clock. I was at work at 8:05. Niiiice.

Yep, I'm taking me back. One day & morning at a time.

Pretty New Things

I love finding new blogs.

Each time I find one I feel like the invisible stalker – reading and skimming every post until I get to their first one. I feel like I have blog seasons.

They usually last a week, sometimes a month. I never dump a season though, I always drop back in from time to time or maybe it becomes that season all over again at a different time. Sometimes, all I’m into are foodie blogs and I’ll be allover that scene like white on rice. Commenting, trying out new recipes and swapping recipes. Another season is the fashion scene. And of course, I can devote hours and hours to any blog wedding related. Let’s just say, it’s always wedding season when it comes to reading those blogs.

As of late, the scene seems to be anything pretty. Anything. Weddings, stationary, home décor or just plain pretty things. My new motto when it comes to Style Me Pretty and telling someone about has been: “I’m on there at least three times a day because sometimes I just need something pretty to look at during the day.” It’s so true.

My favorite finds are when I find a fabulous blog through one I already read on a daily basis.

This had lead me to my current stalking. And thus to my current love to look at blog.

I don’t know how I found Emily. I think I was searching something or followed a link to her during my fashion blog season. Emily is a stylish girl who lives in San Francisco, a sneak into her blog, is like a sneak into her fascinating world (ooh I sound like a book reviewer, kinda).

She includes the reader with her What to Wear suggestions; local places she enjoyed a nice meal, her wedding planning during Wedding Wednesdays (which I am so stealing if I’m ever engaged); her ladies activity group, which I’d like to think I’d be a part of, if I knew her or maybe I should start one up if I think anyone would show; and her wonderful adventures around the city with her fiancé. Her blog is a daily dose of fresh air for me like Style Me Pretty is a daily dose of pretty.

From Emily, I have found a couple more fabulous women to sneak peek into their lives daily. There’s Clementine. There’s In(side) the Loop. There’s Oh Happy Day. And then, oh holy moly, then there is who I think is darling I Suwannee. I’ve spent hours and hours lurking into her world last night. Just like when I find a good book and have to share it – here I give you a few girls, maybe you’ll like them too. If not, at least it’d definitely something new to waste the hours with today.

Enjoy.

Maybe, I’ll start to implement New Blog Tuesday?

Thought Y'all Could Use a Visual

I love Cowboy to the moon and back.

I want to bottle up what I feel for him and never have it not next to me. Never in my life did I think I’d meet someone that makes me laugh, question, and love. He is so patient and loves me so. Unconditionally. That’s super important. I can say or do the silliest thing. I can throw a temper tantrum like the scariest 3 year old you know. I can be very selective. I can be Ms. Know it All. I can be very un-decisive. I can be an emotional wreck, a hyper one, the sober one, a drunk crazy or a mess. And you know what? All that is okay because there is unconditional love.

Especially when I decide that he would look so much cuter downloading music in my hot pink scarf.

My problem is I don’t think I share this enough with the people in my life, other than him, that I care about. There are two reasons for this. Other people’s opinions and sacred privacy. I have learned in the past, the hard way, not to share all your intimate details with some friends. They will either share them with others or judge. And sometimes, they just don’t understand.

Sharing with others isn’t so bad but I wonder what the intentions and context are. I know I shouldn't care, but its my relationship and more importantly my boyfriend, so I tend to.

Judging, I think is natural. We all judge to some degree or the other. It’s how you display that judge that can irk me to death. Some people make the nastiest judgments that I honestly think they cannot hear the words coming out of their mouth. Especially when they know its someone you care about. In that case, I often blame myself than the other person. I’m the one that decided to share intimate details with Judgement – even though I know it’s always high judging season with this particular person.

Then there is the clueless. I say these are people that have never been in love or are just plain cynical. I’d share something with them and their response is more often than not, “Why would you do that?” Uhhhhhhhhhm because I love him. “That’s dumb” – well, you can imagine how frustrating it all can be. And maybe you have people who are bystanders in your relationship that fall into one of these categories.

This problem of mine is getting in the way of other friendships. Some of my friends are complaining that they had no idea Cowboy and I were that serious to move in together. Some are saying that they had no idea that I care for him so much. Some don’t know anything personal about him or us. And I am to blame. I’ve taken past experiences and other’s opinions as the scapegoat. No more.

Whereas I can praise him and his love so much on the blog to the internets, why can’t I do it with my friends other than you? It’s a problem that I’ve been trying to answer lately and that’s what I came up with.

It all came very clear to me when I was chit-chatting with my mom Saturday night. Everything I told her about Cowboy, she had the response of, “What? You never told me that." If my mom didn’t know, then I know tons of people don’t. And what the F was stopping me from telling her?

Like my friends, her response has always been, “I’m so happy for you."

It’s time to shut those two naysayers up. If you know me, on the flip side, be ready to hear tons of gushy stories about the man who is not afraid of my hot pink scarf.

I'm Easy Like This

The most important news is I finally chose the apartment Cowboy and I will be moving into. Yeah, not only am I difficult when it comes to choosing a job, I'm even more so when it comes to picking out a floorplan. Probably because I love floorplans. I love looking at them, live and then staring at the paper version for hours and hours on end.

We had 4 floorplans to choose from of apartments that would be available in our timeframe. Cowboy had made his decision day one. Golightly, not so much. Each apartment had a pro/con to it. Obviously, I wrote them all down and had to rehash them with Cowboy, repeatedly. Aren't you glad I'm not dating you?

Cowboy had only one request for our apartment: a separate den area.
Golightly had more than one request (especially since she was doing the farthest moving, we're moving into his building where he currently lives, so I think I should have won out, no?): a good view, a bigger kitchen than the one I'm currently residing, and a big closet since I knew we would be sharing it and I am not giving up any of my clothes!

My favorite pick was his least favorite and his favorite pick was my number 2. After much thought and the best tuna sandwich ever, my brain finally fell in love with his pick. For some odd reason, I looked at the floorplan with different eyes and the apartment was then full of possibilities.

Yah, yah, yah we have a place!

Next, that poster up above. Cowboy thinks I'm the craziest and best girlfriend ever that I'm making it a focal point on one end of the shared living-dining space. He's so happy that I'm embracing something he thought he was going to have to either hide out of visitor view or get rid of. I shouted, "Are you crazy?!"

We/I am so using it, I don't know how just yet, it will tie in or what else I'm adding to make it fun. I just think it'd be the funnest thing ever to look at while eating dinner or breakfast.

Maybe, More of Me

OK - maybe I did a little fib of foreshadowing when I said you'd see less of me. Today, I was let out of work early - way early - to beat the ice/winter storm. I'm praying hard for icy enough conditions somewhere so I don't have to go in tomorrow. Hello, three day weekend. That will be nice. So, I'm the boyfriend's apartment.

And I'm doing the most fun thing ever. Searching for songs with the words "baby" or "girl" in the title. (Thanks, Bev) It's really ironic because the other day Cowboy and I had a conversation about how whoever gets to pick music out for televisions and movies must have the most fun job ever. So, thanks Bev for allowing me to have that job for your shower. Because it is super fun.

We had the conversation because of the L Word. Do you watch? If not, I say you must. It's not just about lesbians. It's life, love, drama and real stories. And it can get real deep and real hilarious. I love it. Anyways, the most recent episode had the most incredible ending ever. It was a montage of a lot of love making during LA's rolling black outs. The scene was a montage of all the characters' love scenes. What made the scene so great was the song. Playing was "Swimming Pool" by Freezepop. Unfortunately, I cannot find anything on youtube. I scoured the internet and nothing. Finally, I used Cowboy's iTunes account and downloaded it that way. It's a really great song - you won't regret downloading it before hearing it first. I guarantee. Here are the lyrics - just for a teaser...

Late at night, the air was cool
We snuck into the swimming pool
You dove headfirst, I waded in
The scent of chlorine upon our skin

The stars were bright, the water clear
I felt your heat as you swam near
I held my breath, you held my hand
Moving away, further from land
The moon was full, everything blue
The water stilled, reflecting you
Floating right here with you next to me
Gazing at stars, we drift silently

Late at night, the air was cool
We snuck into the swimming pool
I went under and you followed
Let's not think about tomorrow

Everything is perfect now (x8)

Everything is perfect now - I held my breath
Everything is perfect now - You held my hand
Everything is perfect now - Moving away
Everything is perfect now - Further from land
Everything is perfect now - The stars were bright
Everything is perfect now - The water clear
Everything is perfect now - I felt your heat
Everything is perfect now - As you swam near

Everything is perfect now (x4)



Speaking of great television...last week's LOST. Holy moly! That was the best episode of anything I've ever seen on television. Hands down. Ever. I made Cowboy download the HD version of it on his Xbox. Have an Xbox Live - I highly recommend downloading the High Def version each week. I've seen the episode 4 times now. Each time I find something new between Des and Penny to cry over. They are so freaking cute. And if that last scene alone doesn't earn an Emmy for best editing - I don't know what to think. It was purely the best.

There you have it. Great music found from a television show and a great television episode.

Now I have to quit and get ready for tonight's LOST...I'm not even near missing Grey's Anatomy, LOST is heating up so much.

10 Happy Things

Don't you just love the back page of Domino? Sometimes, I'm so excited about who and their 'Ten Things That Make Them Happy' that I flip to the last page while standing instore. Sometimes, I forget about it and its a pleasant surprise waiting for me.

I thought since Domino's back page makes me happy, I'd list ten other things that make me happy...in no particular order.

1. Cowboy's guitar playing. I don't think a lot of people know this. And I know for sure I haven't told many people. Nor has he. My man can play the guitar. He taught himself. I also think he can sing, but that's debatable. I love laying back and watching/listening to him finger the guitar. It's soothing and sexy as hell.

2. My baby pink super soft pashmina. I've had it forever - probably since pashminas first entered the scene. Years ago. It's so soft, I can curl up with it anywhere.

3. Brunch. If I said it once, I've said it a million times. I heart brunch. I read somewhere (I think it was here) that brunch was the best invention ever. I have to agree, completely.

4. The Porch's french fries. So there's this restaurant here in Dallas, it's supercute. They serve tons of yummy comfort food. No matter what I get, there has got to be french fries on the table. They are the best damn good fries ever made. Salty, crisp and heaven.

5. Damien Rice's O. Yeah, I'm still rocking a four year old CD like it came out last week. No joke. It's the only CD I own where I can say that I love every track on it. Some say its depressing. I really find it to be the best, whether its getting me through a good or bad mood.

6. Extremely sudsy shower gel. OK. I have to have suds. No matter what. I will put gobs and gobs of gel on a shower poof if its not sudsy enough. Whenever I find a really good sud, I'm allover taking showers like crazy.

7. Packages left on my doorstep. Send me anything, I'm happy.

8. Sound of a baby breathing. That little puff of air coming from a baby's lips are precious platinum.

9. Fun, quirky stationary. I can stare at quirky and unique stationary all day long. Something about a great design just puts me in a happy mood. Whenever I want to see something pretty, I'll scour the internet for stationary sites.

10. Making other's happy :)

Less of Me

Today I cancelled my at home DSL service. I'm officially moving in with Cowboy at the beginning of April. Before, we were going to wait until he came back from Iraq. With my lease up for renewal and an increase in rent. It's a lot cheaper for me to move as soon as I can versus increasing my rent and being in a lease when he gets back.

So, it's official.

I'm sure I'll freak out closer to April. Because? Me live with a boy! Will I survive? Will he survive?

The new job gave me a brand new laptop with wireless, so from time to time, as I am now, I'll link into my apartment's wireless service and try to keep up with all of you.

Just thought I'd send out the don't worry note now.

In other news, the new job has me beat. I worked more than 8 hours everyday last week, from day 1 to Saturday. Yeah, Saturday. Meaning I had only one day as a weekend. Not. Fun.

And when I say Saturday, I mean 7am to 8pm. Uh-huh. I'm not sure if it's just that they are super busy or it's let's take advantage of the new girl. Because why would I say I cannot work on a weekend? When you're new, you accept all favors and any extra time for projects, conferences, meetings and dinners.

Being new is tiring.