Music Snobs please leave the room

Off the top of my head these are some songs that as soon as my I tunes shuffle brings one of them up my mood is shifted or if I am lucky flooded with memories. 













 



 

It takes a long time to grow an old friend

Yesterday I sent this text

to this lady

Down on the banks of the hanky panky. Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky. With the eeeps, ops, soda pops, the frog missed the lily and he went ker-plop

Today while driving home I pulled up behind a school bus and as I waited for the childern to find their way off I saw most of the windows had been turned into individual pieces of art with hearts, names, and squiggle lines. I then started thinking about my school bus window art.  My go to thing was to use the side of my hand to make tiny foot prints to make it look like a baby walked across my window.  Then I would turn around to find one of my friends sitting across from me to play a hand slap game and sing......

Miss Suzie had a steamboat, her steamboat had a bell.
When Suzie went to heaven, her steamboat went to
Hell-o operator, give me number nine.
And if you disconnect me, I'll kick your big
Behind the yellow curtain, there was a piece of glass.
When Suzie sat upon it, she cut her big fat
Ask me no more questions, tell me no more lies. The cows are in the pasture baking apple pies. 

When was the last time you thought of this song?
And why did our mothers let us sing it?!

Love Notes

Dear Hulu,
I was feeling under the weather this weekend but you came into my life and gave me hours of entertainment. Probably too many hours of entertainment.

Dear October Road,
Your pretty people, perfect streets, and never changing weather makes for a wonderful TV drama. Too bad America didn't get hooked and I only have two seasons to watch.

Dear Disappointing Email,
This is not a love note. This is a hate note. I wish I never even opened you. I have not felt that much disappointment in a very long time.  I am going to pull a little sour grapes and say I didn't want that job anyways......who am I kidding.....I did want it......but there is something even better out there. Now if I could only find it.

Dear Toystory Cupcakes,
You showed up magically at my door and made my nose no longer stuffy and my ears no longer itchy. I know it was you. The 16 hours of sleep had nothing to do with it.

I think....

...a glass of ice water made by someone else tastes better
...every lady should have backup of her favorite lip gloss
...all Christmas decorations should take themselves down
...batteries should be included
...every fridge should have fresh fruit and a box of wine
...everyone should have 3 written down goals
...no meal is complete without a dash of salt
...something needs to be done about health care, i just do not know what
...the Harry Potter movies are better the second time watching
...a $125 hair cut should somehow magically make your roots not grow as fast or wash your car
...everything has a place and everything should be in it's place
...if someone gives poor customer service smile back at them, they are probably simply having a bad day
...the world would be a better place if everyone could take their pet to work
...a compliment from a stranger feels extra special

...it's going to be a girl.....or a boy.....no it will be a girl for sure.....boy?

The universe thought my sister's family was needing a 3rd rug-rat and gave them a mega surprise a few months ago. The end of June will be an exciting time! I am nervous for my sister since her hands are already more than full with these dudes.

Another nephew or niece to love?
YES, PLEASE!!!

Good thing they are so cute

While the sun has yet to make its grand entrance for the day and all is quite in the house I am woken every morning to one of my dogs dancing at the backdoor. I some how wiggle my way out of my boyfriends arms to let the dancing dog out while the other furry baby still has no intention of leaving his comfy spot on his bed.

I find my way back to bed trying to do this without opening my eyes not to wake up fully.  I am swooped up and a soft beard is now nuzzling my neck.  As soon as I fall back asleep the other little fur covered love is moving around waking me with his collar and tag reminding me it is his turn for the backdoor to magically open.  

Once again I am dragging myself away from an anaconda type squeeze reminding myself no one makes me hold it so I should not make him do the same. With still half closed eyes I let the dog out and giggle to see the boys jumping around with each other in the yard like they have not seen each other in days.  Now my body is all most awake and tells me it is my turn for the restroom.  As quickly as possible I get back into bed and find the perfect spot on Jeremy's chest and as soon as I let out a sleepy sigh Otis will be back at the backdoor throwing himself against it telling me I am being a bad mom by making him stay outside.  I let him in, give him a pat on his sugar bottom and see Carson is not done chewing on firewood and unsuccessfully climbing a tree to get to the birds.  As soon as I am back into bed Otis is now barking to get into bed with us.  Now he has steps to assist him in the process which he refuses to use.  

 

I pull him up and now my boyfriends arms are full of a 18 pound ball of sweetness and are no longer needing me. 

Just as my body is relaxing Carson is now at the back door barking.  I fall out of bed, dust the dog off from the leafs he was recently rolling in and find my way back to my boyfriend and little sidekick.  As I am pulling the covers up snuggly I will receive my first kiss of the day with the words 'are you ready to start our day?' to follow.  

Yes I am ready to start my day.

Ian Axel - This is the New Year

Do yourself a favor and turn this up, sing along, and dance your little heart out.  

Seriously....do it.....no one is watching.

I just did and I am now feeling ohh so fine! 

A night which will not be forgotten

My list why NYE was perfection. 

• too tight of a dress for a four course dinner
• red velvet and chocolate cake served with champagne
• a smartly packed knapsack
• not ruining a dear friend's brand new, never been worn, $175 pair of boots
• a neighbor taking care of my fury babies
• 3 of us in a teeny weensy bed
• a movie romantic midnight kiss
• arm and sumo wresting 
• staying up entirely too late
• my dashing date
• knowing a fresh start is at midnight
• taking zero pictures at the swanky restaurant  
• stilettos which treated my feet well 

This was the girls unsuccessfully trying to take a nice picture together.

We were a mess needless to say.

Thank you my friends for helping me celebrate the new year 

the only way we know how.....being the dorks which we are.

Happy New Year!

Dear 2011,

I have only one request. Please good to me and the ones I love.   I have some small hopes and dreams for the new year but they seems silly when comparing them to a brand spanking new human growing in my sisters tummy and my parents taking on the battle of downsizing. I simply ask if you need to teach me lessons keep them one at a time.

Much Love,
Me

 This next year.....
1 - Get a job
2 - Pay off taxes
3 - Paint bedroom, kitchen, entryway
4 - Wash car more often
5 - Teach Carson to not jump when people come over
6 - Build trust where needed
7 - Figure out a way for more days in the week
8 - Be proactive with issues before they become problems
9 - Win the battle with my skin
10 - A trip to Ikea

 

Through her eyes

I am excited for this post. It's my first guest blogger! 

Taylor Jane is new to the blogging world and so far I give her two thumbs up.
Something I am slightly jealous of is her perfect grammar and zero typo's. How is it possible.....

TJ and words go together like two peas in a pod. 

Kinda like her and I.

Without further ado..........

  

So I recently started a new blog and sent my “about me” section to my darling Christel for her approval since she is, in my eyes, the blogging queen.

She liked it so much that she asked me if I would be a guest blogger on her site and write one for her as well.  Of course I said, “Of course”.

Now, it’s really easy to talk about yourself because you know yourself better than any other person ever could…but I’m going to give this thing a shot.  After all, we have been friends for 23+ years…I kind of know her better than most.

My style is a bit different than Christel’s, I make up words sometimes, and you may think this is just a bunch of random gibberish…or you may really like it.  Let’s find out. 

Even though I’ve known Christel for SO many years, I got to know her even more through her blog.  I’d never known her to really be a writer-the shiz that comes out of that girl’s brain sometimes just amazes me…this I’ve always known, but the way she writes is not the way she talks.  Her writing is truly giving the world a glimpse at what really goes on in that head of hers. 

I’ve never met someone that can logicize the world the way that Christel does.  You could throw that girl out of an airplane over a desert and she’d, with a smile on her face, build a sand castle to live in.  She’d dig until she found water and then have a pool party.   The whole lemonade out of lemons phrase was written about her.  Swear.

She likes to sing (not very well), she dances when she’s happy, she loves cupcakes.  She likes it when her boyfriend picks her up from her waist and she kicks her legs like she’s running in the air.  She can find the silver lining in anything in the world.  She has the best, “It could always be worse” attitude I have ever seen. 

She can’t smell and loves it when people describe smells to her…something, even after two decades, that I am TERRIBLE at doing.  As hard as I try, I just cannot do it well.  Try it sometime.  Leave her a comment and tell her about your favorite smell.  Try it and then giggle at yourself when you start to type, “It smells like, you know the way a peach smells?”  No, she doesn’t…because SHE CAN’T smell.  I love this about her…I just wish I was better at describing the indescribable.  Challenge yourself, accept my challenge.  I dare you.  J

She says things like, “don’t yuck my yum” when someone doesn’t like something that she adores.  She gets tipsy after two beers and her head will hurt for three days after.  She doesn’t like taking medicine even when she feels like she’s on her death bed.  She doesn’t use curse words…*unless you REALLY, REALLY make her angry…and even then, she will only say them in front of a few, select people.  She texts them more than she says them-I think that’s her way of convincing herself that she hasn’t really said anything bad at all.

Christel is the only person I have ever met that still lives by things that her mother told her when she was a child.  At least once a month I will hear her telling someone that the reason she does a certain thing is because her mother told her it should be done that way.  And sometimes, because her mother told her that if she didn’t do something then she wouldn’t like the repercussions.  (Like don’t swallow that watermelon seed Christel, or a watermelon is going to start growing in your belly.)  

She loves to travel, write, giggle and hang out with her family.  They are one of the closest families I’ve ever seen.  She forgives and forgets…and seriously forgets…if it’s out of her sight, it’s out of her mind.  She can trick her brain into believing anything she wants without ever giving it a second thought.  I wish I had that quality.

There is always something that can be done…a drawer to be cleaned, a window to be windexed, shelves to be rearranged.  She will get up from even the most mind-blowing movie to go organize her silverware drawer, or remember that she doesn’t like where a box is in her attic-so she’ll go move it.  She also organizes her friend’s houses too…which is a nice plus!  

If you tell her no, she’ll do it just to prove you wrong…and then tell you, in her ever-so-nice manner.  And if she ever doubts herself, she’ll prove herself wrong, one way or another. 

Her handwriting rivals that of a grade schooler, which is something she embraces.  And something that I still laugh about, lovingly.  She’ll tell you when you’re being stupid and she’ll tell you when you’re being great.  She can find greatness in all things flawed and give you 27 reasons why a piece of grass is the greatest thing on earth.  She can spit off 934 reasons, without a second thought, why that decision you just made was the right one…even if you don’t think it was. 

I don’t know how she does it but she does it every day.  She’s the best friend a girl can have…and I’m proud to have called her mine for so long. 

 *this is really NOTHING like my “about me” page on my blog…I’m going to chalk it up to the fact that Christel is much more complex than I.  AND…it, again, is a whole lot easier to just say random words about yourself.  I’m not sure if this is what she wanted…but I dig it, nonetheless.

Thank you Taylor for being a guest! And I must say reading how a very close friend views you in her own perfectly placed words is an incredible moment which I didn't know existed.  I have now read this 6 or maybe 10 times.  

Now we should all go read more of Taylor's thoughts at www.coherentlychaotic.com

 

She's entertaining.....I promise.

No one would find us

this past weekend we drove one hour south and found ourselves giggling at life in a small town wal-mart.we were on our way to a weekend cabin to do much of nothing. it was cozy and perfectly decorated with symbols of the simple country life.

we had our four dogs with us, played a ridiculous card game and ate steak and shrimp for two meals.

we wanted to scare ourselves and thought the idea of a homemade Ouija board was a good one.

it didn't work and then had to google the proper way to get rid of a Ouija board.

just in case....


come to find out even city dogs love cow patties.


the only thing which made us leave our cozy cabin in the middle of a field with no one knowing were we were was we ran out of food.

next time i say we take extra.

Paper Snowflakes

While making paper snowflakes with a lovely 6 year old for her dad's window I said 'I am not very good with crafts.' And this little lady smiled at me and said 'Christel, do not say that. You are perfect.' And then went back to her tiny cuts while she excitedly decorated the window which framed her Christmas tree. She thought the snowflakes needed to be colored with markers and crayons so people driving by could see what a great artist she is.

When do we stop having so much faith in ourselves?

I want to be my own biggest fan again.
And starting today I am!

2010

i have decided to conquer my year long writers block by looking back to where i was a year ago. i set a few goals for myself. lets see how i did.

goals for twenty-ten

finally get 3 numbers to say what i want them read - Double Check!
pay off debts - Check
wash my car more often - Ha, I was kidding myself with this one
workout more often - I have learned to love my time at the gym. It's where I find a little peace in the chaos called life.
vacation somewhere by plane - Did not get to this one.
be aware of my vices and try to conquer them - Check on a few. Working on some others.
start separating my laundry - Not even close.
be a better version of myself when we meet 2011 - TRIPLE CHECK!

I said multiple times in 2010 'why does the universe hate me?' This was simply me forgetting for a moment that a broken cell phone, being laid off from a job i love, or a totaled vehicle is ridiculous to spend more than a moment ruffling my feathers. In between the little life lessons the universe thought I needed to learn I had a spectacular year. And if I would of known I would of set these goals for myself this past year.

get a gorgeous golden retriever and name him Carson
start a massive bathroom renovation
fall madly in love
own 3 different vehicles
remember action fix most problems
bleach my hair like crazy but never cut it

become even more aware of the love and dedication these two individuals share

i am back to blogging. wish me luck to stay with it.

Going to give this another try

I do not know where to start.
It has been over 7 months since my last post.
So much has changed.....yet so much as stayed the same.

I still have the best friends a lady could ever ask for.

And yes they are still beautiful.

There is still nothing better than the perfect sundress.

These little men still hold my heart in their tiny hands.

I have a new furry friend.
Meet Carson.
He is 6 months old and Otis's best friend.
There is something fantastic about a puppy golden retriever.

And there is something fantastic about this man.

Hello 2010 it's nice to meet you

i have grown tired of blogging.
maybe someday i will start again. but for now it is farewell blog land.
this is the my last blog...........i think.....

Dear 2009,
i can't decide if i love or dislike you. so i will leave you with just saying goodbye.

Dear 2010,
i think i see love in our future. fantastic precious moments are ahead of me....i can feel it.

goals for twenty-ten

finally get 3 numbers to say what i want them read
pay off 2 more debts
wash my car more often
workout more often
vacation somewhere by plane
be aware of my vices and try to conquer them
start separating my laundry
be a better version of myself when we meet 2011

.....another year older and much much wiser

Miss Smith

yesterday i officially became
Christel Elizabeth Smith

i am sad my marriage failed.
but i am trilled to have it behind me.
it is a beautiful thought knowing my future has a blank slate.
anything is possible.......
after court i went straight to the tag agency to get Smith back were it belongs on my license.
i think i might be in love with a piece of plastic....

my two besties came over with wine and wrapping paper in tow
to cheers me for getting over this hurtle.
i should probably call it a mountain not a little speed bump.
because the past few years have been trying....but as of now all i see rainbows and sunshine.
thank you Judge Walke.

last night ended up being one of my most favorite nights of all time.
taylor was coming over to help me wrap presents.
linzi caught wind of this and wanted in on the fun.
sweat shirts and sleeping pants were the dress code.

is it too late to add something to my christmas wish list?
wine bottle opener, please!
we had to switch to the box.

world i would like you to see 2 women who know me better than i know myself.
the 2 women who i trust with my secrets.
the 2 women who tell me when i am acting foolish and simply only want me to be happy.
these women will let me dance while they sit on my couch and talk about me.....speaking of i wonder what they were talking about....hmmmm

i have a secret....but don't tell anyone.....

we are dorks.

we might look cool.
but it is a front.
we are about as geeky as they come.
what is great about this is we are always guaranteed a good laugh.

we have a million ridiculous inside jokes.
you go to detox
meow
fingers for teeth
TLC
...from the back
it's coming back in the window
all of which i would never want my future children to ever know!

December 21, 2009 oh what a happy day.

Thank You Linzi & Taylor for being the best friends
a girl could ever ask for.

baby it's cold outside

this weekend...

i am baking fudge with a lot of hope it turns out successfully since someone is depending on me. this morning i have already went shopping with my mom and successfully made her laugh at something which mr hefner would of enjoyed. sunday i am tagging along during some christmas present shopping. i hope they need to buy gifts for some kiddos. they are the most fun to shop for.....i am also thinking about making someone dinner...decisions decisions....oh and the best part i am wearing a new dress, after not wearing another new dress. cocktail party's can be complicated. true cocktail is one thing but the guest list might make it go another way. i think i found a happy medium.....we shall see....

also this weekend i will do a lot of looking in the mirror since this lady went blonde!!!

the weekend is revolving around going to the annual Black and White Party tonight. it should be an enjoyable party with lots of friends and yummy martinis!

this is a picture from the 1st Black and White Party 5 years ago.

we are just babies!

i am officially excited for christmas. still no christmas music and stockings but i am loving helping friends with their holiday plans, the presents, and the feeling of warmth i get when i think of christmas with my family.

so without further ado here is my favorite holiday song. not christmas music but close enough....



i hope you have a fantastic weekend, i know i will!

jodi picoult

"there's always going to be bad stuff out there.

but here's the amazing thing,
light triumphs darkness, every time.
you stick a candle into the dark,
but you can't stick the dark into the light."

i am confused...

i guess she is sad she got a ticket??