the big apple

these streets will make you feel brand new

the lights will inspire you
lets here it for New York, New York, New York

It's official. I am headed to New York in less than three weeks. Sixteen days. A little less if you consider that my flight is at 10 in the morning. Actually, in sixteen days (God willing), I'll be in a supershuttle traveling from the airport to GC's work. You see, I'll be meeting her there and once she's off we will begin our girls weekend. (Save the half day she'll put in on Friday while I traipse around her neighborhood keeping an eye out for Ed Westwick.) Then Sunday afternoon, Boyfriend and LM will fly in to meet us. I am so looking forward to spending time with GC, who I haven't seen since 1996! (and that was the only time we've seen each other since 1991, when we wee little 6 year-olds were separated by 800 miles!) That's right ladies and gents, GC and I were kindergarten BFFs and have been keeping in touch for the 20 years since she moved away. ::sniffle:: But alas, we are finally getting together again! And oh what fun it will be to spend time in the city with Boyfriend and LM too! YIPPEEEEEE!!!

So...for any curious minds...this is a general idea of where we'll be. I'll actually be staying with GC and her roomie Thursday-Sunday, then Boyfriend, LM and I will head to a hotel right near Little Italy. Pizza, anyone?

In the spirit of Christmas (it still counts) I'm making a list and checking it twice. Though this list has nothing to do with behavior. The truth is, I'd make a list even if it wasn't the holidays cuz that's how I roll. (I even received Love Listography for Christmas to satisfy my penchant for list-making)

1. Figure out which luggage makes the most sense for me and Boyfriend to take
2. Decide which clothes to take (this will soon become it's own list)
3. Organize travel documents for myself and Boyfriend
(including details for navigating from the airport to Manhattan for Boyfriend,
who is certain he will get lost)
4. Camera (purchase or borrow because mine broke)
5. Book for the plane
6. Pack airline friendly purse and carry-on (more lists!)
7. Find a new pea-coat!
8. Compare "to-see" items with Boyfriend an LM so I can
hold off on certain things they would like to be a part of

That's all for now. But you can be certain I am not done penning checklists.

More to follow. Ciao.

oh, the things I've missed

So...I've missed quite a bit. Call it lazy. Call it unmotivated. Call it whatever you like, but the point is I've been absent. The following is my attempt to make up for my lack of blogging:

New Car! 2011 KIA Soul-My first new car, and only the second car I've ever had.
(You will notice Ryon's truck in the background, which he also got this year)

Other happenings:
2-Year Anniversary!!!
Captured Conference 2010 with B-Rad
Sarah & Robby's Wedding (Now they are the Hassell family in time for the Holidays!)
Camping @ Lake of the Arbuckles with boyfriend
26th Birthday
Family Reunion in East Texas
Camping @ Lake of the Arbuckles with TreMandi & Jon
and other small happenings, but that's the gist of it =)

Now, back on board with the blogging. Ahhhhh....

crack addict?

Can crack come in the form of a tv show? The psychological effects seems to point to yes: causing euphoria, supreme confidence, loss of appetite, insomnia, alertness, increased energy, a craving for more gossip girl crack, and potential paranoia (ending after use). I think I'm a crack addict.

I am runner.

So here's the deal. I really, really wanted to get up for the last several months weeks days and run. I encouraged myself every evening chanting, "I want to get up and run. I want to get up and run." Each night I climbed into bed certain that by the time 6:45 reared it's ugly head came about I would hop out of bed and enjoy my morning run with Lucy. This has not happened. What's really the problem with this (besides the obvious that I can't seem to motivate myself to get in better shape)? I will tell you.

October 2 is The Great Urban Race. It's a six-mile scavenger hunt that Tecia and I are signed up for. Two things in that description are very key: #1. Six-mile. This distance when mentioned alone does not frighten me. It is a distance that would take a few minutes by car. Probably a couple hours walking. And if I were trying to complete a six-mile hike/trail, could I do it? Sure! Enter #2. Scavenger Hunt. This means competition. This means we are attempting to finish BEFORE other people. This means I have no hope. At the rate I'm going, which is 0 in case you weren't paying attention to the aforementioned lack of progress, I will be staring at people's backs in no time. Tecia will have to constantly wait on me, and we will lose. Bad. I will probably look something like this:


You may be wondering, "Is this a classic case of an individual struggling with internal conflict?" While I have often pondered the same question, I am pouring my heart out now to tell you it is not. Is it, in fact, the case of an individual struggling with society, with media, with pretty pretty pictures. I present to you Exhibit A:

Okay, okay, I know it's just a woman running, but look at her! She is fit. She is in shape. (look at that bum!) She is enjoying her lovely afternoon jog along an open road in the pretty countryside. Most importantly, she is not losing The Great Urban Race.



And now, the pièce de résistance:


At this point you may be thinking, "Those are just photos. So What?" Well, my friend, photos are very important. They serve as inspiration. In this case, they have inspired me to think I would love the be a runner. However, an inspiring photo is only half the battle. The other half had me at tank top. In addition to suffering the never ending photostream of gorgeous runners, I am also at the mercy of athletic gear. I just love it. Seriously, take a look.

This little top from lululemon is too too cute!

And of course I need knee support running tights.

Vibram Five Fingers...I will make you mine!

Somewhere between registering for The Great Urban Race, coveting runner's bodies, and being in love with running gear I convinced myself not only can I do this, I want to do this. However, it's becoming more and more apparent that I prefer the idea of being a runner.

And has this very recent revelation changed anything? Should I give up on my dream goal delusion of becoming a runner?








Absolutely not.










I am runner.

DENVER & other parts

This place deserves its own post. If you squint and look at most things sidesways through your sunglasses, it still posseses all the glamour and swanky stlyings of it original state. However, with open eyes and tinted lenses removed the place is pretty run down. On the upside, the indoor pool with its huge western mural and twenty-five foot skylights is predy-friggin-cool.

This is the hotel's ride.

Ryon's attempt to photograh of a solar car while in a moving vehicle. Ha!

If you've never seen this episode of South Park, not only are you missing out, but you may have no idea of the fabulousness that is Casa Bonita. And if you have been there, well, you understand why I had to make record of our trip there (Ryon's first).

Inside Casa Bonita. Yes, those are pirates.

Wristbands from The UMS. Woot woot! (that was for The UMS, not the wristbands though I was rather fond of the sparkly one.)

Pretty boyfriend looking at Red Rocks.

Cooper & Charlie

This is Bob.

I don't really know what this is. Ryon took this photo. I do know we were at a Colorado Visitor's Center where we received free hats in exchange for our email addresses. Neat-o!

Last but not least, us!

wa-shing-ton!

Washington here we come! Ok, not right this minute, I mean we did just get back from Colorado...which, by the way, was WONDERFUL!...but soon enough we are definitely making our way up to The Evergreen State for a visit. I have never been, but I have pretty much decided we are moving there. I imagine it's not the brightest idea to move to a place we have never visited, so...Washington here we come! =)

Seriously, look at this:













We'll find a little fishing town, buy a house, be all outdoorsy...it'll be great!

midsummer celebration done right.

I will have you know, I thoroughly enjoyed prepping for Midsummer right up until Ryon called to inform me we had a new party decoration in front of our house:

I was not what you would call excited. In fact, I was quite mortified. (An emotion I would later describe as an overreaction. Imagine that.) Once I got over the slight aversion to having a port-a-potty in my front yard, I resumed happily cleaning and decorating for Midsummer.

Saturday morning I went to the store shortly after waking up to complete last minute shopping. Well, not really last minute since I wasn't expecting anyone to show up till after five...but I think you get the point. After a short jaunt to Super Plaza and The Dollar Tree, I was back at the house chopping, dicing, slicing, frying, and storing for later. I finished prepping, decoration, cleaning and getting myself ready by about 5:30. Ryon and John hung white Christmas lights in the back creating a perfect little border around the patio.

Inside, I had a beverage table with ice tea, wine, cups and ice. A green tub with water bottles. Coolers and fridge space for beer. A 6-foot table in the living room adorned with a global hot dog menu, about 15 hot dog garnishes, several sauce options, chips and guacamole (provided by Melanie). Priest made two amazing chili-cheese-hot dog pizzas. And for dessert...I made banana pudding and Beverly made chocolate covered fruits (they were delish)! Everyone visited, ate and drank the night away. See below for proof =)