Happy New Year's Eve!

I read on A Blonde Ambition's blog today that she made some New Year's Intentions instead of Resolutions :) You know, these are the things that I intend to do in 2010. So I thought I would share my intentions with you too. There are not many:

1. Save more money.

- Brian and I have been doing good in 2009 to save money but I would like to make a larger effort in 2010. I would love to buy a house sometime soon and obviously, we need money to do that.

2. Continue to work out and eat better.

- Cliche, I know. But since August I have been doing the wellness program at the school and I am loving it. I feel better and think I've lost some inches. I need to eat better and over the break, acutally, I've been doing really well. Besides yesterday when we had Chilis AND Panda Express, I've cut back on my helpings and had a lot of salad. Simba also needs to lose some major weight so we will work on that too!

3. Find a church home

- I've talked about doing this for the 3 years that we've been in San Marcos and we haven't made any effort to find a church to go to. I've always had a problem with comparing all churches to the one that I grew up in and none have measured up. But since we are in a town without our family, I just feel like finding a church will help us feel at home, provide support & show us some new friends.

That's really about it. I was going to put that I want to travel more but that would be kind of counter-productive to my number one intention - to save money! :) However, my cousin is getting married in Colorado this summer and Ali is planning a trip to South Dakota with my grandparents. We went to the Grand Canyon a few years ago and this will be another great trip. So I will still get my travel in without spending too much money.

We don't have any plans for tonight. I told Brian that we are just grateful to not be sick this year. I think we have spent pretty much every nye sick for the past 5 years or so. Last year was the worst with the flu. Yuck! Brian has to work tomorrow so we won't be up late.

We are going to Waxahachie again for the weekend. We felt like we didn't get to just hang out with our families last weekend for Christmas since we were only there for less than 24 hours.

I hope that you all have a great NYE and wish you a very happy and blessed 2010!

Much Love!

Who got a new netbook?

That would be me!! Once I figure out how to get my camera software downloaded on here, I will post some pictures! The minis don't have a cd drive so I can't use the disc for the camera software but hopefully they will have something on their website I can use.

I'm so excited! This thing is exactly what I wanted. It is small and portable and light. I've already gotten used to the smaller keyboard and I've downloaded skype so I can chat with my sister!

It's great! Brian is only a little jealous and so I'm sure we will be making another Best Buy trip to find him a laptop. His is currently got some sort of virus or something going on with it and it's pretty old anyway. I did end up getting mine from Best Buy and I got an hp instead of a Dell. I got it at BB because it was going to cost me $100+ to customize and order it on Dell.com. The one at BB already had everything that I was going to customize except for the color. However, BB didn't have the Dell. The HP had all the same stuff and was the same price so that's what I got. It got it in black but it has some swirly designs on the top and my case matches it.

Did I say that I love it?! :)

Will post pics soon!

Much Love!

Laziest. Day. Ever.

Ask me what I did today and I'll tell you nothing. Not because it's top secret. Not because I don't want you to know. Because I just plain didn't do anything today. I was lazy.

I can't even remember what time I woke up but I stayed in bed pretty much all day watching movies. I woke up and put in Julie & Julia. Then I put on Harry Potter (for the 3rd time in 2 days) and took a little nap somewhere around Ron hooking up with Lavendar. Then I got up around 3 and had some lunch. Back to bed to watch Ghosts of Girlfriends Past with Matthew McConaughey & Jennifer Garner. It was cute but not buy-worthy for me.

Finally, mainly because I would feel guilty if I was still in bed when Brian got home, at 5 (yes, pm) I got out of bed and took a shower. And no, I didn't even cook dinner. All we had stuff for was pasta and I wasn't feeling like pasta tonight. So we had turkey and dressing leftovers from Christmas - which is about the best turkey ever. It is so good.

I do realize that I didn't talk about what we got for Christmas. I was too eager to share my parents experience :) but we had a great Christmas. Brian's mom always get us shoes, which I love because I hate buying tennis shoes for myself. So this year I got some super cool adidas tennis shoes. Brian also got some shoes - I don't remember what kind. He always asks for some sort of "cool" shoes :) Brian also got a PS3 and I got the steam mop that I asked for. I haven't tried it out yet but it's all put together. I'm excited about it cause now we can get rid of that nasty string mop. I got some great work clothes and stocking stuff - sweats, bbw spray & lotion, puppy calendar, pjs, and of course, socks. Brian got me a great new purse and some slippers that I love! We got some dvds and I got Brian a new Wii game and some polos.

I know, it sounds like we were totally spoiled, but I like to call it extremely blessed! :) I also got enough Christmas money for the new laptop that I am wanting. I think I'm going to order it tomorrow. I'm excited!

Tomorrow, I'm going to be a more responsible adult and get out of bed at a reasonable time :) I am going to the office for a little bit to finish up everything that needs to be done before we come back for real. Then I may try to find something else to do away from the house :) I still haven't done anything about that scrapbooking thing so that may need to be on the top of the list.

Oh, oh, forgot to mention that I spend 2+ hours at Half Price books yesterday. It was a pleasant time :) HPB was having a 20% off sale and I got 4 new books for only $16.00. None of them were Jodi Picoult books because they didn't have any that I needed but I a couple of Jude Devaroux and some other new authors. I've already started one called "Wednesdy Letters" and so far so good. I'll let you know how good it is when I'm all done :)

A Christmas Story

No, I'm not talking about the movie that TBS plays for 24 flippin hours. The one that I complained about in a previous Christmas movie post. I'm talking about the story that my parents will have to tell for many Christmases to come.

Earlier in the week, my parents drove to Amarillo to see my grandparents. The plan was for them to come home on Christmas eve and we would have Christmas day at their house. We always have Christmas eve at Brian's parents then go to my parents for Christmas day. It makes for an easy time especially when the time comes for us to have kids. It helps that our parents live in the same town too.

Anyway, back to the main story, my parents did leave Amarillo on Christmas eve morning BUT they didn't make it to Waxahachie until 10 o'clock on Christmas morning. The trip should have taken 5-6 hours but because of the weather, it took 25 hours! My parents made it to outside Wichita Falls and sat on the road for 8 hours. Around midnight, they made it Jolly, which is on the other side of WF to a truck stop. There they finally got to eat something and slept for a few hours in the car. They were joined by tons of other people that were stranded. It was quite ridiculous and kept me and Ali very worried. We kept getting different reports but initially mom and dad were stuck on the road because of 4 trucks that had jack-knifed. Then the tow trucks that came to help them out got stuck. Then other cars tried to drive and got stuck. People were trying to get off the highway and got stuck on the off ramps so no one else could exit or they would get stuck too! I just couldn't believe how crazy everything was! The roads were backed up, obviously, for miles and miles. I can't imagine if you were sick or just needed a bottle of water. You just had to sit there and wait because there was nothing anyone could do to help.

So needless to say, Ali and I spent Christmas eve worrying about mom and dad sleeping in their car at the truckstop and then driving the rest of the way on the icy roads. I hated that they had no food and they didn't have a warm bed to sleep in. I was feeling very Scrooge-ish.

But I learned two things: if I ever decide to be in Amarillo during the winter, I will a) likely fly and not drive and b) NEVER decline a big breakfast or sausage balls to go from Nonnie. Both of these were mistakes made by the parentals :) I also learned that, while my selfishness and Scrooge-ness stemmed from the worry that I had for my parents, I am lucky that I had parents that were coming home to me and my sister. I am lucky that they made it home safe. I am blessed that I have family to care about and worry about. There are people out there that have to sleep in their car every night, even if it is 13 degrees outside. There are people that went hungry on Christmas day. There are people that had no family to come home to. My family is so very blessed and I am thankful for our "Christmas Story" that reminded me of that.

Also, on a funny note, my parents were behind a Bud truck on the road and the driver got out and opened up his truck. No, not to hand out beer to the people that had been sitting in their cars for 8 hours (although we thought that would make a perfect commercial) but to fill his own pockets with some bottles and head back to the cab :) Don't worry, he didn't drive anywhere for the night!

While it was an eventful Christmas, it was also very blessed. We enjoyed our (short) time with family and got some great gifts. I only took a few pictures but I will post those later. I hope all of you had a very merry Christmas and appreciated your loved ones and the time spent together.

Much Love!

The Blideside

The only thing on my agenda today was to go to the movies to see 'The Blideside'. Brian hasn't been too enthusiastic to see it with me the past couple of weeks so I thought: I'll go by myself! This movie has not been a priority on my list either - I know, surprise! Most people thought that since it was a football movie that I would be in line at the theater when it came out. I don't know why - because I was interested for sure - but I've just put it on the back burner, kinda take it or leave it.

I'm glad that I saw it. I knew about the story before the movie since, I think, ESPN did a whole story on him when he got drafted by the Ravens. I think it is a fantastic story and definitely tugs at your heartstrings. I loved the message of the story and I loved that they used football as a metaphor for protecting the people that you love, even if they are not your 'real' family...you protect their blideside and they protect yours.

As for my review, it was good. It wasn't great but it's a movie that will go on our movie shelves. It certainly doesn't beat my #1 'Remember the Titans' but it was a good movie. I think the cinematic story side of it was just enough, not too much. It made my chin quiver and my eyes a little wet but I never cried :) It was definitely a feel good story and made you laugh some in between. I also love that it's a true story because you can leave that movie theater and continue to root for Michael Oher (I don't know if that's really how you spell it) while he plays in the NFL.

Now for my movie experience: I must say that I typically go to the movies on a Sunday morning - the first showing - so that I can be in that theater with as few people as possible. I know, that's very negative of me, but people are the #1 reason that I do not go to the movie theater very often. I hate that people are on their phones, that they can't stop talking and that they brought their 2-year old to the midnight showing of Harry Potter. I mean, really? I just rent movies and have Netflix to save myself the irritation. Today, I went to the first showing and was happy to see that I was in the room with mostly older couples and a couple mother/daughter combos. It was a pleasant experience but I would have to sit right behind the lady with the most annoyingly, high-pitched, loud laugh EVER! :) I dealt with it and really enjoyed the movie.

Now I'm watching some Ellen (who I LOVE!) and Oprah. Tomorrow the only thing on my agenda is to pack and be ready to leave when Brian gets home. The dogs will be bathed and I'll clean a little house and be packed and ready.

We are doing Christmas Eve at Brian's parents house and then Christmas day at my parent's house. We've done this for the past 3 years and it has worked out so well. We are looking forward to being home even if it is only for a little bit.

If I don't blog before Christmas, Merry Christmas to all of you! I have a very small following but they are all people who are very important in my life and I wish every one of you a very Merry Christmas and a great time with your families.

Much love!

Oh Winter Break, how I love thee!

Well, as promised, there hasn't been much going on around here with winter break and all. Brian is still having to work which sucks because that leads to some major boredom for me - although it hasn't quite hit yet.

Yesterday, Brian didn't work until noon so we slept in a little and then he had to get ready for work. So I got up and went in to the office for a little bit too. I got quite a few things done - which always happens when there is no one there to interrupt me - and then started some Christmas shopping. Yes, I said started. Brian and I have completed shopping for everyone else as of Saturday. However, I hadn't even started shopping for Brian. I had to make two trips to Target, two to Sam's and one to Wal-mart just to find half of what I was getting him! So after that, I was pooped. Plus I need to start dinner. We had carne guisada, always yummy, but it takes me a good hour to get everything chopped and sauteed in order to put it in the oven for 2 hours.

Today, it's embarrassing to admit, I got out of bed at 11am. I woke up a couple of times in between but boy, it felt good to sleep that late cuddled up with the pups. Anyway, we got up and went for a nice walk/run in the field. It was warm and humid today and super windy. After that I got a shower and lunch and headed out to finish my Brian shopping. I did get that done today plus some stocking stuffers and some books for my nephew (I figure I can say that on here since he can't read - which sounds funny since I got him books but they are sound books :).

On that note, I love books. I could stay in a bookstore for HOURS! Today, I could have sat in the kids section for HOURS! I told Brian today that I really hope that our kids love to read as much as me and their Aunt B do. Ali and I grew up reading and I still love that I love books so much.

In another note, I got my Pioneer Woman cookbook today. I had to admit to Brian that I cheated and purchased an early Christmas present for myself. But I couldn't resist. And I already love it. It has some great recipes that work for anyone and I think I can at least try most of them :) It's good Southern food and I also appreciate that. I'm excited to start on some of the recipes, maybe when we get back from Waxahachie.

That's about all that has been done on my first two days of winter break. Tomorrow, I plan to go see Blideside (yes, by myself) and one day of the break, go get a pedicure. The dogs need a bath too - they have to smell good for the grandparents. And when we get back, I really am going to get on that scrapbook thing. I just need a plan for it.

I'll post again when something crazy and exciting happens - or just at some point this week :)

Much Love,

Kels

I'm SO over work

Today is my last "real" work day before the break. Tomorrow is ring ceremony and department bowling (which I love!). I will be at the office some over the break but that will be on my own time and after I've slept in until at least 10am :) Point is, I cannot focus today. I just want to be in my sweats, catching up on DVR shows and hanging out with the dogs. Ahhh, that's the life :)

In other news, you should go to http://www.txstatebobcats.com/ and look at our department Christmas video. It's there on the front page, you just have to press play. It's really quite amusing - actually, it makes me laugh pretty hard!

That's it for today. Thank goodness the kids are gone for a month. Thank goodness I get two weeks off (especially because I still haven't started shoppnig for Brian!).

I've started a list of things to do over the break so that I don't get bored. Brian insists that won't happen :) So far, I have pedi/mani, scrapbooking our SF trip, give the dogs a bath, Christmas shopping, cooking new recipes...I think that's it. So there's your preview of blogs for the next two weeks :)

Much Love!

Way to Go Niners!

GO NINERS!!

The final score was 24-9 and the 49ers WON!

Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling good so I fell asleep before the end but...

This was ONE HAPPY BOY! :)

Last night I made a sausage potato casserole that I got from the HEB magazine. It was good but very cheesy! Next time I would put some veggies in it (Brian didn't like that idea) like asparagus/broccoli and onions or something. Anyway, it was easy peasy to put together: 1 bag of frozen hashbrowns, 1 cup cream cheese, 1 jar of queso, 1/2 lb of sausage. Bake for 45 minutes on 400 degrees and then sprinkle cheese on top. Here's a pic:

Honestly, you don't even need the cheese on top. It is cheesy enough already. I served with green beans - Brian shared his with me :)

I am SO ready for this winter break. While I have a ton of stuff at work to do, I am just not feeling good and I'm ready to be away from work for awhile. The kids are driving me batty and they are all headed home finally. I love them dearly but by this time of year, we are all ready for a break!

In other news, my cousin got engaged last weekend! I am very excited for her and her wedding is next June in Colorado. The lodge where she is having the wedding is just amazing!

It is right on the lake and it is a huge lodge. I'm excited to be able to be there - it will be a great time!

Well, I'm off to self-medicate and find something for dinner.

Much Love!

We bleed red & gold!

The Niners are on Monday Night Football. Therefore, Brian has on his Patrick Willis jersey, his 49er sweats, his championship beanie and is drinking from his SF cup :) I WILL have a pic up tomorrow!

At halftime, they are up 17-0! Brian keeps saying, why can't we be at that game! He also told me not to jinx them by talking about it too much on the blog :)

As much as I would love to follow up on my promise of previously shown pictures, this laptop is on it's last leg and I can't pull up any pictures. It is slowly but surely dying on us - just another reason we are both now looking at netbooks as our Christmas present to ourselves :)

I am currently sitting here with 3 dogs stretched out on me. Simba & Gus are on either side of me and Jasmine loves to lay out on my chest, semi-blocking the computer screen. But I can't make her move - she too precious and just wants some lovin.

I have been half watching the Niner game, half reading blogs. I have gotten so caught up in this blog world. I love it! I have been immersed to two blogs tonight - one of a woman who has adopted 4 babies from China. What a special family - I am amazed by these people and I think there is definitely something special in their heart that leads them to adopt. I've also been scootin around on Pioneer Woman's blog. She has made a career of her blog and it's amazing. I haven't even skimmed the surface and I'm hooked!

This blog world is just intriging to me and it's neat - everyone is friends. They all feel comfortable sharing their grief, their celebrations, their troubles and their joys.

The only problem about all this blog-reading is that it has made my eyes hurt and my head scream in pain :) That and this drainage/sore throat thing...I'm being pitiful!

Only 3 more work days!

Go Niners!

Much Love,

Kels

Every time a bell rings...

an angel gets its wings!

I watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' last night. I LOVELOVELOVE that movie. It is, by far, my favorite Christmas movie. I can always go for a little "Miracle on 34th St." but Bedford Falls & George are my fave. And it's usually only on once or twice during the Christmas season. Brian has never seen it before but I hope that my kids enjoy it one day as much as I do. It's because of my mom that I love it so much. I remember watching it with the fam every Christmas. Even my dad can quote some lines from that movie :)

Brian likes "A Christmas Story". It is a good/cute movie but definitely not at the top of my list. Maybe it is because they play is ALL THE TIME! I mean, there are so many good Christmas movies that could share that play time and they choose to put on "A Christmas Story" for 24 flippin hours!

Anyway, thought that was a good topic since so many of the channels are showing Christmas movies. I always love ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. They have some great original holiday movies. And of course, no one can forget "Elf". This is for sure my favorite 'new' Christmas movie. "Smiling's my favorite!"

We have had a pretty lazy weekend - much needed. On Saturday, we woke up around 10am, did some laundry, dishes and Brian fixed breakfast. After that, like a couple of teenagers, we went back to bed until around 2pm. How lazy are we!? But it felt so good!! Let me tell you - when Brian and I talk about having kids, sleep is one of the few things that holds us back from making that committment. We are sooo not ready to give up our sleep and lazy time yet! Once we got up, we went out to do some Christmas shopping and got a big bulk of it done! This makes me happy cause as most of you know, I'm an organization freak. I like to have things planned out and then get it all done, bought & wrapped. We only have a few things left and I, of course, haven't even started buying for Brian.

Today, we slept in some (after staying up until 1am!). Brian went to get us Starbucks and and we planned our meals for the week so that I could go grocery shopping. It was a quick trip and I spent most of the afternoon baking. I had promised Brian chocolate chip cookies weeks ago and I finally made them today. I also made cake cookies for our work Christmas festivities tomorrow. I will have to post that recipe later too. They are so yum! I also pre-chopped everything for Kathleen Brady's famous taco salad that I'm also taking to work tomorrow. I LOVE it and I thought it would be something different. I usually take my veggie bites but I am worn out on those.

We also wrapped some presents tonight so that our tree doesn't look so bare. Hopefully the dogs won't think they are toys :)

It has been a great, relaxing weekend. I haven't been feeling 100% - I think it's just either allergies or a small cold cause my throat and ears have been hurting - so it has been great just to relax. I only have one more week of work before my two week winter break. It will be a busy week but the two weeks off will be worth it. I have been looking for ideas of things to do over the break since Brian will be working. I'm afraid after the first day or two of pure laziness, I will get bored! :)

Well, I guess that's enough about our weekend. Tomorrow is Monday Night Football and while pro football isn't my #1, the 49ers are playing and you know that I married into that following. Tomorrow, I will post some pics of our San Francisco trip for you to get excited about the Niner game :)

Much Love,

Kels

I'm not ready!

I was not ready to be done cheering on the Indians for the season.

I'm not ready to accept that the season is over.

I'm being stubborn and blocking out the loss on Friday.

I've also been so busy at work since I got back (I took Monday off).

I have about 6 work days to get a HUGE to-do list done before the semester is over.

HOWEVER...after those 6 days, I have TWO WEEKS OFF! So excited!

That's about all I have today. Maybe tomorrow I will be ready to talk about not having HS football this week :(

Much Love!

No Snow =(

Sorry guys, no snow to show =(

We got some flakes but nothing ever stuck. Which it really okay with me but it woulda been cool. Actually, it was cool - as in cooooolllllddd!

I worked a high school football game last night and it was 31 degrees. Supposedly got down to 18 during the night - ridiculous! It was so cold but so perfect!

I am watching some college football but about to get on the road to Hachie. We've got a pretty important game tonight and you know I can't miss it! Unfortunately, Brian has to work this weekend but we will cheer on the Indians in hopes that they will move on and Brian can come next week!

I'm so excited/nervous/anxious. It seems as if time, this past few weeks, has just dragged on. I guess because this time around, I'm not in the middle of the excitement with pep rallies and sign making as I was in Texarkana. It just seems like the week takes forever to pass so that I can watch another win!

But it's time now...HACH-IE *clapclap* HACH-IE *clapclap*

Much Love!

Ramblings

I know, I know...I promised a new post with pictures yesterday BUT either my computer or Blogger didn't like my pictures because they would not load onto my post. Soooo, you are getting a new post today.

Here are a couple of pictures from the last play-off game vs. HP. This is our family, Bennie & Judy and a pretty great family that we have known since our days in Texarkana, the Duncans. Mack, Becky & Stacie all came to the game and we were so excited to see them. It has been years but they were such good friends to us in Texarkana. Mack used to ask me who I was "plus-ing" as in Kelsey + ________. He was so funny! :) Anyway, good picture of the group.

And here is one of the pub group. It's a little pixel-y because I didn't have the flash on but still cute.

On Wednesday of last week, we had a department Thanksgiving lunch. Basically, we have to be at work on that Wednesday before Thanksgiving even though the kids aren't around and nothing gets done. So we all bring food (I brough 7-layer dip and veggie bites) and eat then leave early :) This little party turned to Christmas fast. We did a video of all of us singing Christmas music to put on the website - I'll be sure to let you know when it's up. Maybe you'll get to see me singing Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer or Jingle Bells :) The picture below is of Amber "remixing" Jingle Bells - "Come on ride that sleigh" :)

Me & Amber after stuffing our faces

Sean and John

So that's an update of the last week and weekend in pictures. Boo on me for not taking any Thanksgiving pictures at Dawn's - I guess I was too focused on the food and then resting, I didn't even think about it!

Not too much else going on around here. I am working a HS game at our stadium tomorrow night in the 34 degree + snow weather. BUT it's Lake Travis and Alamo Heights so it should be good. I will be driving to Hachie on Saturday morning for the game that night.

I'm also looking at buying a netbook (below) but I am still researching to see if it's really what I want. It's a mini laptop and I think it's cute but I'm wanting to know the functionality of it. Brian and I are FINALLY getting internet back at the house today actually. We have a laptop that we've had for a few years but I really like the netbooks because they are so small and portable. Also, I don't need to do much on it - just blog, internet, pictures. We'll see - it will be a few months before I actually make a committment but I am trying to see what the pros and cons are about them. It's hard to get user feedback because not too many people have them that I know. But that's what's great about the internet, I suppose :)

Whatcha think?

It's supposed to snow here tomorrow so I may have snow pictures up tomorrow -we'll see :)

Much love!

Tuesday's List

I'm going simple today. Over at Love from Texas, she does a Tuesday's List every week. This week is your DVR list. And as most of you know, I am in love with DVR. I won't watch a show (most of the time) live because it takes too long and I can't fast forward :)

So here's my list by day:

Sunday is 'Brothers & Sisters'. I have loved this show from the start and haven't missed an episode.

Mondays is One Tree Hill. I have watched this since my college days. I missed a few years there in the middle but keep up with it now. Monday also used to bring my fave: Jon & Kate plus 8 but last week was the last episode. :( I do record Little People, Big World but don't always stay up with the episodes. They are pretty disfuntional - and not in an LP way - but I like them.

Tuesdays is 18 Kids & Counting. I used to gripe about this family but I have come to love them. They are unique and I surely don't believe in all the same stuff they do but it works for them. It is a good family show, I think.

Wednesdays is Criminal Minds. Love, love, love this show. I got hooked after the 2nd season and can't get enough. This is the one show that I can watch re-runs of and not get tired of it. That is rare for me. Wednesdays also brings my and Brian's new favorite, Modern Family. It is so hilarious! I also record Cougar Town, which is pretty good. I'm just glad to see some 30-minute comedies back on without being reality shows.

Thursdays is, along with the rest of the world, Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. I'm into PP more these days than GA but I love them both.

Fridays and Saturdays are clear. These are mostly the days when I catch up on all the shows! :) I used to watch Ghost Whisperer but then I got over that.

There's my list! Tomorrow, I promise to post more interesting stuff. I think I have some pictures to load up but I just haven't had time. We have 13 more work days after today until Christmas break and there is a lot of stuff to get done in those 13 days.

Much Love!