Happy New Year!

OMG. I cannot believe 2009 is upon us.. CANNOT. That means it's officially 10 years since I graduated high school-WHAT?! The emails starting to ask for contact info, pictures, etc for the reunion really just kinda make me feel a sense of excitement mixed with dread.. haha....

So, I guess I should post some resolutions, huh? Well, I havent really dedicated a lot of time to crafting really genius ones....but let's see what I've got...

Let's start with what I've learned in 2008... some stuff I already knew, but just learned in a different angle so to speak this year..haha.. I've learned that I need to be selfish sometimes. I've learned that have some seriously devoted friends (again with the broken back) I never knew cared so much. I've learned you cant plan everything and it's possible to practically kill oneself trying. I've learned to dig deep within myself to figure out what makes me happy...and more than that...what I need in order to be happy. I've learned getting away for a vacation brings sanity to my entire year. I've learned to let someone know when I'm upset...even if I think I'll hate their reaction. I've learned to stop talking sometimes. I've learned that letting someone know you care and seeing what they do with it...is much more telling than anything. I've learned to hold the handrails when I walk down stairs. Most of all, I've learned how happy you can be when you really do work on staying true to yourself... (last years resolution) :)

Okay...sooo...

1. Development. I'm happy in my job and have some time under my belt now. I dont need to PLAN everything, but I want to take steps toward where I may be going... investigate other positions within my company, talk to mgmnt, figure out what I need to do in order to get there if I want. I want explore other opportunities to grow professionally.. Yes, this is vague and I dont really mean it to be...sorry!

2. Get fit. I was SO good at this last year. And with a trip to Vegas and high school reunion approaching, there's no time like the present to get back in it. I've been checking out a new gym b/c they have better trainers and a pool. I think a pool would be good for my back...and I used to swim...so why not, right?! We'll see...

3. Volunteer. This was one of my "mini" goals for last year...but this year, I want to up it. There's some part of my life that just doesnt feel as fulfilled...and it's this part. You're never too busy to give back, so I will find the right philanthropy and will help out! And you can come too!!

4. I plan to continue with the financially responsible thing and build from it... I have plans...but I dont feel like writing about all that on here. :)

5. GET.A.NEW.CAR. Sheez!

6. Continue to travel, etc, when I have the chance. Life is about planning, saving, etc...but if there's one thing I learned while I was working every break, every summer, every Friday afternoon at the firm...Life's about memories and family and friends and experiences more than its about billing hours, saving a few hundred extra dollars, etc... You wont always have the chance to take "that weekend trip" etc...

So, there's some off the top of my head...and now my happy new year self is headed home to get ready for some celebrations!!!! Happy 2009!!!!!!!

The LAST Monday of 2008!

Soooo..I may have just gotten myself on the hook to help my vp's daughter find an internship. Nervous. It's a long story..but basically b/c I'm an atty, it kinda hooked me. It's like someone who asks me to tell them about intellectual property law...when I practices med mal. Or when someone knows a brain surgeon and asks them about boob jobs. I guess people just make the correlation even if it's not exactly on point..haha..

So...nervous. Emailed a ton of people. Cross yo fingers. :)

So, with this whole not tanning as much thing, I feel flat. Not chested. haha.. But I laughed that I had that thought first and foremost. But...I just dont like my powder. It's too matte. I dont think skin should look matte. It should look luminous and fresh! *said in a breezy, ad campaign voice* Soooo..I booked an appt for me at Saks tomorrow to go back to Laura Mercier. I used them once in law school....and really liked it. I dont remember why I stopped actually. I think summer hit and I was wearing less makeup and just got off the bandwagon. Anyway, I'm kinda excited! I like people doing my makeup, playing with my hair, etc.. It's so relaxing to me. Since I cant get massages anymore (stupid back) this is my fix. tehe! But, really...hoping to change powders/foundations to something more sheer and less matte. I realize you dont care about half of what I just wrote, but whatever.

Headed to OKC for a meeting soon and get to go to Red Pin! Fun. I've never been! (I didnt mean that to rhyme).

Alright, I have to go write something motivational. Michele's getting me Sonic since I worked through lunch. I think tater tots will make the motivational messaging flow....ahhh....:)

DId you know the sheep are REAL at the Rockettes?!

They are. As are the camels and a mule. Crazytown. (Went to the Rockettes on Christmas Eve) :)

Went to Brooke and Paul's per usual (when they're here!) on Christmas Eve, followed by church with my mom. Good times, despite a growing sore throat. By the time church started, I was pretty sure I had tonsilitis. (I did.). Hey, whatever, it got me out of singing the songs my little voice wasn't made for. haha! (Got meds. I'm better.)

Mom and I had a great Christmas. We played with the camera timer and ended up with some interesting shots. I'll post one next time I remember. They're hilarious. Mom, me, both dogs...and a camera timer. hahahaha... Anyway, we had a great time...cooked, chatted, opened gifts. :) Very thankful to have her. :)

Gracie is one weird little beast. Please see her with her Christmas bone...which she wouldnt put down. EVER. (She also got toys and other treats, but only liked the bone). She carries it down to potty, goes to the bathroom with it in her mouth then wants to go back upstairs. She sometimes will drop it at the door..just waiting to take it downstairs again. Very odd. LOL! I love my little dog. 

I went car shopping Friday. That was kinda a disaster. Kinda. I think I like the Nissan Rogues. I think. Jeez. I'm mainly just really disappointed that I'm not getting one by year end... unless I find what I want soon. :( I dont like not hitting goals...and I've been thinking I'd have one by 09 for MONTHS now...I need to lighten up, I think...

Anyway, I found a cutetastic dress for New Years! It's hot pink! I always go with black, so why not change things up to ring in 09, right?! Im really excited for new years this year! I'm not stressed, I'm in a great place, and I feel like only positive things are to come. Resolutions coming soon...I really wanna focus on development this year...I'll explain in my resolution post!! 

My dvr-ed show just ended and it flipped to "a double shot at love" on mtv.. um.. SICK. SICK. SICK. I should so have my own show if this trash gets ratings. Then again, I'm not trash...so I guess I wouldnt get ratings. *sigh* 

I'm DYING to home improve btw... I want to paint my bathroom and re-do it. I want to get a new bed and dresser. I think I see a trip to ikea in my future. I want my bedroom to be my favorite room in the house...not just the room where I sleep, ya know... (I see another resolution coming on). ;)

Hope you had a great Holiday!

Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas!

Ho ho ho! Happy Christmas Eve! Hope you're not at the malls today... I finished up everything on my lunch break yesterday. :) Still have to wrap...a lot.. *sigh* I think I'm getting ready to bail from work...going to see the rockettes *insert shoulder shimmy I just did for some reason*

I'm utterly cheerful today. It's kinda annoying. Sorry. Had the best dinner last night with Alove and Lauren! Kinda a last minute thing that ended up being fabulous! Then again, Dallesandros doesn't usually disappoint. You leave smelling like garlic and feeling like you may DIE if you eat ANYTHING else. Pretty good if you ask me. haha!

I'm still workin on those resolutions, but one of them is skin care... when did I go tanning last? Oh, right..THREE weeks ago! WOO HOO! (I will likely step it up for new years...fair warning..whatever). And, I got some awesome skin care stuff b/c I noticed my face wasnt as bright as it should be... You just wait. I'll be brighter than...well..something really bright.

Hooray Christmas tomorrow! I hope you're all preparing for an awesome day and evening tonight. :) I'm looking forward to hittin up B&P's since they're in town this year! YAY!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!

How'd I do?

I started thinking of my resolutions for this coming year...and then decided to reflect on mine from last year.

How'd I do?
1. (grow the hell up with my finances). Well, I didnt really NEED a planner. Once I figured out it wasnt that hard (and quit avoiding it), I was fine. I got organized, got a credit card, paid more attn to my savings, and feel confident about it! :) YAY! So...I have a ways to go, but am definitely on a very good path! HOORAY!

2. (stay true to myself). This year really challenged this part of my resolutions...much like every year, right? We all go through things that really test who we are I suppose. Anyway, I'm ending the year very pleased with this one. I'd give myself an A- on this one...just b/c...I mean..I was good, but I wasn't perfect. haha!

------
1. (travel more/move)- Well, I didnt move. haha! But, I did go to Chicago a TON, Costa Rica, Washington DC...Yeah. So, I traveled. This will likely remain for this year.. I want to go on another vaca this year. It keeps me sane I've realized. Who knows.

2. (work out more)- I was a ROCKSTAR with this.. from Jan all the way til I smashed myself in Costa Rica. And I was SUPER pleased with the results. :) Then, I slowly got back into it...and broke my back. Soo..here goes 2009! Gonna try pilates, I think.

3. (volunteer)- Yeah, I sucked at this one. I want to be better this year. I need to find a good organization I can get passionate about.

Alright... start crafting those resolutions!

Christmas shopping almost done for me! Things are wrapped and I'm getting excited! :) AND I'm planning to car shop this week b/c it's supposed to warm up!

Okay, lunch with my VP and team for Christmas! Happy Monday!!

Things

Currently sitting on phone with sprint..and getting frustrated that I dont think they've even SENT my new phone yet...

Checking out of hotel room soon b/c meeting's over, but my flight isnt til 4.. so.. things I've learned this week:

1. My snow boots really DO work in helping me not bust my ass.
2. American Apparel bags work as ponchos/umbrellas when shopping in sleet on the plaza (pics to follow..haha)
3. I CAN survive without my phone, but I'm not happy about it.
4. I need to touch base with someone about my day, their day...etc...on the "outside work" world. it's not a want, it's a NEED. I go nuts otherwise. Email has been a saving grace without my phone.. But it's like vegetables for someone who loves steak...gets the job done, but man alive am I ready for some interaction and quiet time...all at the same time. Make sense?
5. a new recipe for sangria thanks to the bartender at the awesome place we ate last night
6. getting lost when I'm NOT driving really totally aggravates me
7. I have some SERIOUSLY awesomesauce co workers who have diverse backgrounds, awesome stories and are basically just kick ass people.
8. In a trivia game we played about Christmas movies, I got the one right that featured shopping. Wow. (thing Miracle on 34th Street--Macy's). ;) I laughed at myself.

Still on hold.. Suzie Sprint is telling me she thinks my phone will arrive today or tomorrow! WOO HOOO!!!!!! Gotta pack, peeps.. Oh.. another pet peeve: I am SO crazy neat in hotel rooms. I cant stand the thought of leaving things behind...or leaving a mess for someone else to clean up. So my packing consists of puttling all the items I folded and placed on the armchair into my bag and zipping it. Yeah, I know. I'm OCD. Whatever.

After 29.5 minutes, my call with sprint just dropped.... Soooo.. let's hope customer service girl is right. I want my phone.

Goals for the weekend:
* CAR SHOPPING
* CHRISTMAS SHOPPING :)

My phone's a whore

Best line of the day:

"Hoy sync makes me think your phone was trying to hook up with another phone...that's awesome"- co worker. LOVE.IT.

I'm laughing at this funny trip now. I think I just needed some sleep... And no, my heat still isnt working right in my room...and my phone is still broken...and it's still supposed to ice really badly today...but... whatever. It's comical. My phone's a whore. Bah hahahahaha!

Alright, well, gotta get to lunch then to the rest of the meeting... Have a good day, peeps! Tonight: dinner ON.THE.PLAZA. Shopping makes everything better.... :)

I need your numbers, lovelies!

There are certain things that make me very cranky...

1. Early wake up calls (aka like FIVE AM today)
2. Driving in bad weather (aka during the SNOW STORM in KC today)
3. When Gossip Girl/Lost/any of my fav shows are interrupted by weather (that didnt happen, but it makes me cranky.. Whatever)
4. when technology backfires...AKA the below...

So, I'm tired...I get out of the shower thinking "Yay bed!" until I hear a clicking noise. A little disoriented and confused, still clad in towel, I find my cell phone...and stare at it while it clicks trying to "sync." I immediately was like "what the hell are you sync-ing with you stupid phone?" I hit "cancel" and guess what...it wouldnt.stop.sync-ing. Awesome. Took the battery out. No go. Called sprint...got disconnected FOUR times...Yes.. FOUR.

Finally...after being put through from customer service...to tech support...to advanced tech support (with disconnections in between causing me to start the whole process OVER), a lovely gentleman told me we had to do a hard reset to fix the issue. I'm not a moron. I realized that would delete everything, but by that point, I was like I DONT CARE. So, we did it.

Guess what?!

It.didnt.work.

So, all my info is gone now...and I have no phone. And, while I told my little tech support friend I understood it wasnt hit fault, I believe the phrase "D**MIT STUPID PHONE!" escaped my lips. Yeah, a few times. I am fairly certain he was afraid of me when he said "Can I put you on hold?" and I replied "Sure, but if I get discocnnected again, the phone is going out the window and I'm consdering US Cellular my next provider. No offense." He was like "uh...how about I just put the phone down for a second?" haha.. Nervous.

New phone to be delivered in 3 days-hopefully.

Til then, I have my work phone. Lemme know if you need it for any reason. And, I may have invited you to a fb thing for your number. I may not have. I'm tired. Whatever. Send me your digits in one way or another pppllleeasse. :) Thanks!

And yeah, I need to go to bed. Not even my vampire book I bought at the airport will make me happy right now. Bring on hump day b/c seriously... I'm OVER tuesday.

Black ice can kiss my ass

Things that are not smart:
* putting your body lotion in front of the space heater to warm it up. I almost scalded myself.
* driving to work when I could have worked from home today
* putting my wallflower next to my coat rack...my coats all smell like "ginger spice" or something.
* the girl who keeps emailing me with superflous tasks and obviously needs more on her calendar. I have plenty to give. Consider it a gift.
* not buying my white elephant gift yet. I leave tomorrow. for my work thing. And I have no white elephant gift. HELL.
* the SUV that got railed this morning in front of me when it slid into traffic cause it couldnt stop. (everyone was fine. I waited to see.)
* parking on the street and getting pelted by sand trucks this morning. BLAH.
* that a Christmas flower is poison.

Things that ARE smart:
* getting a ride to the airport in the morning b/c ME driving on this crap is like watching a train derail (think two totaled cars in the ice. boo.)
* bronzer. Bronzer is always smart. Rule.
* Having BDAY dinner for Jenny bug tonight! :)
* Getting almost all my xmas shopping knocked out and hoping KC will provide the rest while I'm there this week
* taking 2000mg of vitamin C every day.
* one word. chapstick.
* parking in the visitors lot today...b/c hello.. no.mo.broken.backs.

Hope you're having a great Monday! Drive safe.

I hate sleet.

Dude. It sounds like someone is pouring sand onto my apartment...oh wait..that's just sleet. Pish posh. 

Before I get going on the bloggage, Sat I noticed my DVR was recording...and it was GOSSIP GIRL! Holy hell! A NEW ep was airing! And...I'm sitting here re-watching it now. B/c it's.that.good. I cried. for CHUCK. But, now we have to wait til January 5 for new ones. Blah.

So, Sat was Brandy's bday celebration. We ended up at that new bar on 15th, White Owl. First of all, it's an owl (which kicks ass for obvious reasons). Second of all, it's an AWESOME bar! It's huge! And casual. But classy. I like it. It's not "I want to find someone to take home tonight" dark and creepy. It's just a damn good bar. Way to go, White Owl.  You have my vote of approval for now. 

New pose...Trying to be a Christmas tree. Michele said "I'll be lights!" and I started laughing so hard, I couldnt help it. This was the result. 

The light in this mini room consisted of a couple bud signs...hence the horrible color of the pic. Eh. Whatever. Cute anyway. :)

Sat was non dramatic, non over intoxicated, not super late.. Perfect. :) 

Friday was Andrew's bday happy hour! Good times! I forgot my camera (I know, right?! What?!) but good to see Brooke, Paul, Sarah, Andrew, Jenny, Jeff... :) AND while I'm at it, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNIFER LENORE!!!!  Then, headed to see xtreme fighting at the Spirit Event Center! (Again, I know, right?! haha!) It was actually really fun. I was kinda scared I'd be "that girl"...ya know..the one who cringed with every punch. But, while I wasnt screaming "git him! git him!" like the guy behind me, I started to get kinda into it..haha! The girls were ape.shit.crazy fighters. Women are better. Duh. ha!

Today was cleaning, catching up, and a "mental health" day. :) Glad I ran to work today to grab my laptop...b/c from the looks of it, I'll be on my 8:30 conf call from the comfort of my apartment while cars slide down the street...  

AND SPEAKING OF CARS..... I am officially preapproved for the car loan I applied for. Yes, that's right, folks, I have 60 days to get this car that's taken me FOR.EVER. to get. What's "this" car, you ask? Yeah...I'll let you know when I find it. hahaha.... *sigh* 

And....I got mom tickets to see Elton John for her bday/part of her xmas!! HOORAY logging in through grogginess on Saturday morning! WOO HOO! She was so excited. :)

Hoping this crap clears up before I have a SUPER early flight to Kansas City for my meeting this week... blah. 

Fridays shouldnt be this busy

Busy! But...

1. If I havent written you or called you back about something, I'm sorry. :( I'm slammed at work right now.
2. I am obsessed with chunky necklaces. It's becoming an issue.
3. My doctor said I'm a rockstar! T12th doesnt look like it was really that broken! It's healed THAT WELL! I'll still have arthritis blah blah.. Whatever. The t7 still looks crappy, but is healing awesomely! my doctor said he takes 4 THOUSAND mg of Vitamin D per day! Talked about some interesting studies about it preventing bone cancers.. Anyway. My mobility restrictions were somewhat lifted! HOORAY! I go back in 2 mos for more xrays and a bone density test. Oh and the numbness is normal. It might not ever go away. But, hey, I'm walking and I'm doing great..and it's only been two mos. :)
4. I seem to have beaten my cold! WOO HOO!
5. I'm already thinking I need to get back to work. Sooooooooo...

HAPPY FRIDAY!

XOXO!!!

Happy Bday Mom and 16 things :)

First things first, Happy Birthday to my mom! :) She hates pictures, so finding a couple on my fb while at work was challenging...law school grad and Easter pics below. Odd since my dad was a photag, huh? Anyway...She's such a fabulous little lady and I hope she has an awesomesauce day!

Now, a certain Melissa tagged me on fb, but I'd rather just do it here.. Soo..16 things about me. Ready....GO. In random order...

1. I used to sing "Gangstas Paradise" in my head when I swam long distance in high school.

2. I like to eat uncooked pasta.

3. I've spent a few years trying to find a really cool, vintage-looking jewelry box. Thought about that this morning as I scavenged my apt looking for where I laid my earrings. (aka what I do EVERY morning..haha)

4. Saunas scare me. I'm afraid the door will lock behind me.

5. I want to swim from alcatraz.

6. I want to try cardio striptease/pole dancing. Maybe I can ask my doctor about that today when I go in...haha.. maybe not.

7. Overly pessimistic people aggravate me.

8. I think Queenies tuna salad might be the best sandwich ever invented.

9. I get nervous opening presents b/c I can feel the person staring at me.

10. I can't ever remember jokes. Ever.

11. I believe that clothes and objects can be unlucky/ lucky. Whatever.

12. My swiffer makes me happy. Sad. True.

13. I prefer working in noise to working in quiet.

14. I always see the shops on 15th street and wonder how they stay open...I guess since I dont go in them, I assume no one does. I'm crappy like that.

15. I bring a space heater in the bathroom every winter morning as I get ready.

16. I believe smiling is the easiest way to both change your mood and confuse people.

Whew.

Okay.. now.... I tag: Michele, Kat, Jenny, Joy, Carrie, Brooke... Okay, jeez.. I tag everyone. Do it.

Wish me luck at the doctah today! I've got this awesome numbness think going on now, so I think I pinched a nerve. Blah.