For Better or For Worse

I try to drag my new camera around with me everywhere I go (forgot it at TGIFridays when I needed it to get a picture of the chocolate chip in the ice) and so I took it to the wedding on Saturday to get some snapshots. I grabbed extra batteries 'just in case' and as my luck would have it, I got to the wedding and before the dang thing even started my batteries started flashing 'low'... and i went to grab for my new ones and realized i'd grabbed the old ones! So, I spent the entire wedding, rationing precious battery time. I snapped pics as fast as i could and shut the camera off. I got a ton of good shots though... i'll share a few here.

Richard finally dressed and ready to go... I fixed his crooked bow tie after the picture ;)

The wedding party. Her dress was white with black stitching and the accent color was red. The entire thing had a 20's feel to it.

One of the kiddos took this picture of us at the reception.

When the bride and groom leave for their honeymoon, most (or they used to) have rice thrown, Dale and Judy had bottles of bubbles. The only thing is, by the time they got ready to leave... everyone else had already left. It was Richard and I and about 4 other kids (and a couple of adults stuck inside) that got about 100 bottles of bubbles to play with. The big kids had the most fun.... as you can see. :)

This kiddo was chasing me and trying to blow bubbles on me. I stopped and turned... armed only with my new camera... and started snapping pictures. This one turned out really well I think!

An Extra Shot of....

Last night P and I met my sister at the mall to hit some of the after Christmas sales and to celebrate our purchases we decided to throw back a margarita (and a martini) at TGIFridays. P sat quietly coloring a picture while we laughed and whooped it up... round two of the drinks came out and Sis gasped for air and said 'what is this!' - while digging around in her drink with her straw. I was thinking 'it's a lime, you doh-doh head!' lol

She reached in (with sanitized fingers i'm sure) and pulled out an ice cube and said to our little waitress (who was as cute as a button and had the most wonderful sparkling personality flare) 'that is a chocolate chip in my ice cube!'

We busted up laughing. The little waitress girl laughed, but with shock. Sis handed her the cube and we all inspected it. I told her it was a rat turd... she insisted it was a chocolate chip. This all sparked the interest of P... who now wanted to keep the ice cube because, you know... that is 'cool'. She offered to bring P a whole bowl full of chocolate chips (probably trying to smooth all this over but we were laughing at it... was no big deal). She brought P a glass full of chocolate chips and they were frozen. So apparently they keep chips (for dessert) in the freezer and somehow one little lone chip got loose... it was the funniest thing!

I wish I'd had my camera...

Nothing in Particular other than TGIF

I'm so happy it's Friday!!! Although this week was a short week, it's been long and hard. Alot of projects happening at work and with people off on vacation, having babies, sick, etc... trying to help with their work and keep up on my own is tiresome.

We don't have much on tap for the weekend. We have a wedding in Tulsa tomorrow and massages scheduled for sunday - gosh I love those! I actually had purchased a massage for Richard, but he wants me to tag along so he scheduled me one too! C is going for foot reflexology.... we'll see how that goes. He's pretty excited about that too. He complains that his feet hurt... probably all that soccer ball kicking and basketball playing that he does!

I think i'm going to spend this afternoon googling Europe. We are itching for another trip (it's been a whole few months since Florida and a whole year since the cruise!) and i've asked my sis and a friend of hers if they'd like to go, so I guess I better get some info together. C and P have been asking about deep sea fishing... another cruise... anything. I think they are really beginning to like travel. I love it!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

"I'm No Superman"

I know this witty showed has aired for several seasons but I have just recently become a staunch aficionado of the ever popular Scrubs and remain glued to the TV between 6 and 7 pm most Monday through Fridays in a vain attempt to play catch-up. Well written, often hilarious, and possessing a well-rounded, talented cast, I revel in its strong writing and relevant themes. While JD is fantastic as the playful soul and spokesman for the show, I do have my more mature preferences. So here goes, my two favorite characters on this stellar addition to prime time viewing.

Carla (Judy Reyes) is the raven-haired caring, responsible beauty. I was thrilled she married the man of her dreams (Turk) because if anyone deserves happiness, it’s her. But by far, my favorite individual is the surly Dr. Perry Cox (John McGinley). OMG, can you say hot with me? It’s not so much his physical looks which are pretty much so-so, but rather he epitomizes the ballsy, no-holds-barred, wry, witty, tell-it-like-it-is sarcastic personality whose sharp, pithy retorts cut to the very quick. His sparkling verbal banter wins me over in spades. Even his predilection for dark-haired Medusas (aka Jordan and the aggressive nurse he dated) fail to deter me from adding him to my male wish list.

“The actor won a new set of fans when he was cast as the creatively insulting, professionally demanding but far from heartless Dr. Perry Cox on the NBC sitcom "Scrubs" (2001- ), a role that would prove defining in the actor's career by providing a showcase for his diverse comedic and dramatic skills.”

Underneath his scratchy exterior beats the heart of human who endured a rough childhood and rarely lets the audience or anyone else glimpse his soft underbelly. Only caring Carla possesses the magic words to tame this wild beast. Long live the mortal saints treading the halls of Sacred Heart Hospital.

A Few More Notes and Pictures

I danced with Richard... if that's what you call this. I think I was really just messing around and click-happy sister took a picture.
Sis told Dawna and I to growl and be Lions... OBVIOUSLY only one of us listens to directions!
They all complained because I kept sneezing (you can see my poor red eyes here) and snotting around... and eventually they said "put a cork in it!" So, I did.
I am so lucky to be married to this wonderful man. He tolerates my crazy ways so well. He says i'm 'fun'. I think its just that I keep him laughing and wondering what's next! We have a good time! (Thanks sweetie, and Happy New Year to you!)

A New Years Eve Story (clean version)

The Beads. They become important as the night goes on...

Flying high on DayQuil and Sudafed, I got all spiffied up to spend the night celebrating with my hubbie, my absolute dearest friend Fowler, my hot sister and her twin (who isn't related to me but they might as well be twins... cuz that a whole other story) and 100 of our other closest friends.

Me, Richard and Fowler. I love their baby blues! I am a very lucky girl!

My sister and her twin showed up... showin the man some lovins right here!

Apparently, Richard was really funny that night because they were totally cracking up... and I missed it. I was either taking the picture, dancing or....

... being coerced into taking a crotch shot of a girl because they wanted a picture. I just got a hiney shot. Maybe that was what they were laughing at... because I took the picture. hmmm

We aren't dancing here... thats a whole other set of pictures. I think he was trying to rewrap the beads for me. He told me I wasnt cooperating... and I quote "you keep squirming around and won't be still!"

While fiddling around with the beads I looked just over Richards shoulder and I saw boobs! Two girls were flashing their boobage and dancing around. OMG. I stood there gasping for air and scrambling for my camera and we all gawked.... One of the girls looked straight at me, smiled and started moving towards me - boobs all in my face. She danced and jiggled... This must be a pic of me looking at her. lol

I told her there was no way I was going to do that... she said 'NO! I show you and then you give me a string of beads!" okie... So I hung a string around her neck and I got the biggest hug :) hehe Richard said "why is it always you!" hahahahhahaah I dont know....

So after my boobie experience.... I partied on. I posed for pictures with people that had no idea who I was, I didnt know them and even some of them had no idea they were posing for a picture with me (see lady above who is either screaming at Fowler, or singing along with the DJ, or in some sort of pain. Gas pains maybe?!)

All this while on cold meds.... there are alot more pictures but that would take pages of posts to show all those! lol

Dagnabit!

Is this flippin' Blogger having issues again!? I will not let me upload pictures!!!! *ugly frown face inserted here*

Just a Taste

In between chatting online with my sis, answering emails and helping anyone and everyone that runs in here to talk to me.. I have managed to resize all my pictures so now I can dig through them and post the ones I want (can) share. However, now it's too late. I'm on drugs (fighting the cold still) and so i'm fixing to go curl up in my cozy bed and shove my cold toes behind Richards knees to help warm them up. My goal is tomorrow night... post pics! whooohooo!

New Year Begins with a Blow

I've started the new year off with a real bang!

I've got a cold.

For weeks I have managed to avoid the cooties that have floated the airways in my office area. Everyone here has been sick - coughing and snotting around. I've done my best to dodge the germs but over Christmas break my sweet lovie caught a cootie bug and was a bit under the weather. I'm guessing that what happened is... at night, when I wasnt looking, one of his cootie bugs crawled off him and bit me in the butt because when I woke up New Years Eve morning, I felt like poo-poo.

I was determined to carry on with our New Years Eve plans, so I drugged up and went full speed ahead. I got my hair colored, we loaded up C, P and Z (friend) and headed to Bricktown where we ate and went Snowtubing, we rented movies and later Richard and I met some friends for some fun times and boobies (not mine... and that story comes later).

I didn't notice my aches and pains so much while out whooopin and hollerin', but New Years Day I woke to have the worst headache, runny nose and congestion and the all over just poopy feeling. I laid around the house and tried to take care of myself. I downed gallons of water and had a big hit of diet coke along with DayQuil, Sudafed, Motrin and tons of vitamins.

Today, I need to be in bed. Why in the world did I try to come to work? It really makes no sense... I'm here breathing all over the people that have had it and have gotten rid of it (or still trying)... and I'll probably just reinfect them and it will all cycle over again.

Makes perfect sense.

New Years Pictures will come later... i'm still editing :)

Boys Don't Make Passes...

One thing I learned early in life was the paramount importance of possessing golden locks and lacking horrid glasses. This harsh revelation came about early in life for me in the second grade. Danny, a handsome charmer, had an overwhelming proclivity for yellow tresses and I most certainly fit the bill. I still remember his loud declaration of ‘loving blondes’ as he chased me and other flaxen-haired females around the playground at recess. I was in ‘sought after heaven’ the entire year as my natural attributes held his rapt attention and obvious approval, but oh what a difference a year can make! The lofty heights of second grade were closely followed by the depths of third grade despair as my looks went to hell in a handbasket. Much to my chagrin, my alluring mane had the audacity to darken to a disgusting mousy brown and my eyesight plummeted to fuzzy, nearsighted blobs on the overhead thus sealing my fate as a four-eyed geek. My physical failings paralleled my dismal failure to hold Danny’s interest any longer and other cuties now held his male attention. From the ashes of my abject misery rose the steadfast resolution to regain my rightful title as blonde princess. Years past as I endured the awkward prepubescent era of shapeless skinny bod topped off with a hideous thick, brown mop and pop-bottle specks, but eventually the day dawned when the glasses were replaced with glorious contacts and peroxide application lightened the dark tresses. Slowly but surely I transformed into a late blooming teenage goddess pursued by the male admirers I had long coveted. Though not yet a ravishing blonde, dear Danny’s gaze once again swiveled in my direction in our junior year and he asked me out. I declined. No, it was not out of spiteful revenge but rather a lack of interest on my part that precipitated that gracious refusal. Not long thereafter I did morph to flowing saffron-hued tresses and have never looked back. Blonde suits me and always has. And though I no long have a knee jerk revulsion for spectacles, I still prefer contacts and wear them whenever I leave the house. The days of that callous discovery have long past but the girl I was will forever have etched in her memory banks what it truly takes to charm and intrigue a guy. Funny how ancient lessons are never truly forgotten...

Happy New Year!

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS YOU CAN KEEP

Are you sick of making the same resolutions year after year that you never keep? Why not promise to do something you can actually accomplish? Here are some resolutions that you can use as a starting point:

1. Gain weight. At least 30 pounds.

2. Stop exercising. Waste of time.

3. Read less. Makes you think.

4. Watch more TV. I've been missing some good stuff.

5. Procrastinate more. Starting tomorrow.

6. Not date any of the Baywatch cast.

7. Spend more time at work, surfing with the T1.

8. Take a vacation to someplace important: like, to see the largest ball of twine.

9. Not jump off a cliff just because everyone else did.

10. Stop bringing lunch from home: I should eat out more.

11. Not have eight children at once.

12. Get in a whole NEW rut!

13. Start being superstitious.

14. Personal goal: bring back disco.

15. Not wrestle with Jesse Ventura.

16. Not bet against the Minnesota Vikings.

17. Buy an '83 Eldorado and invest in a really loud stereo system.

18. Get the windows tinted. Buy some fur for the dash.

19. Speak in a monotone voice and only use monosyllabicwords.

20. Only wear jeans that are 2 sizes too small and use a chain or rope for a belt.

21. Spend my summer vacation in Cyberspace.

22. Not eat cloned meat.

23. Create loose ends.

24. Get more toys.

25. Get further in debt.

26. Not believe politicians.

27. Break at least one traffic law.

28. Not drive a motorized vehicle across thin ice.

29. Avoid transmission of inter-species diseases.

30. Avoid airplanes that spontaneously drop 1000 feet.

31. Stay off the MIR space station.

32. Not worry that the Y2K bug will cause the end of the world.

33. Get wired with high-speed net connections at home.

34. Not swim with pirhanas or sharks.

35. Associate with even worse business clients.

36. Spread out priorities beyond my ability to keep track of them.

37. Wait around for opportunity.

38. Focus on the faults of others.

39. Mope about my faults.

40. Never make New Year's resolutions again.

Hair of the Dog

Good Morning blog readers! This is my first post for 2007 and I thought it would be very fitting to start with some hangover advice and information. I'll save my story and pictures for later.

If you gotten up this morning and found yourself in a situation where your head is throbbing, your mouth is dry and you have the all over aches... you might have a bit of a hangover. To help remedy the problem...

Rehydrate. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after consuming alcohol.

Eat. Eating helps decrease the absorption of alcohol systemically. Eating salty foods will also help the body retain fluids. (I once knew a guy from Denmark who swore that he never had a hangover because he took a teaspoon of table salt after a long night of drinking. Be warned - this remedy is not verified!)

Replace Vitamin B. Brits and anglophiles swear by a product called Berocca which is a fizzy tablet like Alka-Seltzer that contains high amounts of Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C. Berocca is not available in the U.S. currently, but a similar product, called Emergen-C is available.

Choose your poison. Some drinks give you worse hangovers than others. Clear liquor like vodka and gin are lower in congeners (alcohol impurities) because of the filtering process involved. Fewer congeners mean a lower risk of hangover.

Good New Years Day to you!

Departing From Gate ‘06

Greetings blog nation! Yes, once again the annual cycle has completed its customary circuit and we close turbulent 2006. I believe I mentioned that I rarely write down resolutions anymore but I most certainly keep an aspiration list in my head. As usual, it contains both spiritual and physical goals and finishes up with the heartfelt desire to become a kinder, gentler human being who treats others as she wishes to be treated. Musing and contemplation are good, right? I try to forgive the past and look forward to the future so that is what I shall do. I hope to keep each and every one of you abreast of sorrows and joys in the coming year and always be there for you, our precious readers, should the need arise. My favorite part of this time of year is not the remembrance past but the clean slate and fresh start. My new calendars are ready to launch and a sparkling, pristine planner awaits the anticipated jump into 2007. My fervent prayer is all of you share it with me. So let’s start these new beginnings by sharing my delicious zucchini appetizers and chilled Chardonnay, shall we? ;)

Love always,
Circe

May All the Blah blah blah... blah blah

Happy New Year!

Everyone be safe and I hope your start for the New Year is a good one!

I'm nursing a cold (what I thought was allergies is now a cold) but I'm tough and we're heading out with some friends. Best wishes to y'all!

Sit and Spin My Friend

Ever since I've known Richard he's had a squeakie computer desk chair. The back on it was loose or something and it would wobble around and made noises that drove me (and him) nuts. He's never really made a big scene about wanting to replace it, but he did mention one time that he'd like a new one - he'd had this chair for many moons... ever since college. When we moved this summer, he did suggest that maybe one day he would get a new chair.

Considering his computer is in our bedroom, I found the nicest most comfortable brown leather chair that works with our decor and is comfy on the ole hiney when spending hours writing code and/or surfing. He was completely surprised! His gift was one of the first ones under the tree, and everyone was baffled as to what it could have been. (I think at one point they might have thought I got them an Xbox 360. HAHAHAH)

I think he was and is happy with his chair... he had big smiles while putting it together!
Here I was testing the timer on my camera. It works.
After it was all complete, I sat down and took the chair for a spin. Literally. Richard snapped glamour shots while I played.
I couldn't think of a title for this post and the first thing that came to mind was Rosie saying "Donald, sit and spin my friend... sit and spin". lol

Informed Decisions

Brown's fan vs Steelers' fan









Ker sent me this one...
Browns vs. Steelers - You make the decision!

First Christmas Story

After all of our gifts were open, Richard handed me my stocking. I began digging things out of it... opening and inspecting each item. You know how you do when you think something is empty, but you shove your hand down into it just to make sure you got it all... well I did that... and found a piece of paper.

I unfolded it and found this note:
So I run to inspect the TV... nothing... so I slide the doors open to reveal the top and there is a package wrapped in bright red paper.
Baby girl got a new digital camera!!! whooohooo! Mine went completely belly up a few weeks ago and i've been shopping around. Santa brought me a new one!
I've been testing out the different options and settings so bare with me if the pictures might not be so great. I'm testing. If they are wonderful, I definitely took them with my new camera!

The story is... a week or so before Christmas, Richard and I looked at camera's and he took notes on which one(s) I liked. That very day he ran out and purchased it for me. He knew (because I am so extremely smart) that if he wrapped it and put it under the tree, i'd know immediately what I got. So he and C plotted and planned against me. C told him to hide it on the shelf above the tv... because i'd never look there. If I watch tv, the doors will be open which will hide the package - and the odds of me dusting are dang near zero... so it was safe.

My Santa present had been looking at me for an entire week before the big day! Richard sat down at his computer to come up with something creative to get me to the gift... and he came up with 'On the last day of Christmas my true love gave to me... something above the tv'.

He rocks!

MIA Culpa

Yes my darlings, I’m alive and well in Okiedokieville! Sorry for the lack of posts but being home this past 1 ½ weeks has meant a) intensive cleaning b) excessive cooking/baking and c) fam, fam, and more fam visits and d) rare fleeting moments of computer time as TBC is always underfoot and my preshus shared online journal is our dirty little secret. (shhh!)

Though very much enjoying my time off from Chaos College the down side has been eating, A LOT of eating and fear of hopping on the scales as I shudder to think of the extra poundage I have recklessly incurred in my wild orgiastic munchfests. It doesn’t help having a broken treadmill sitting forlornly gathering dust in the utility room of all places. I really must either get it fixed or replaced as this situation is downright intolerable in my book. I know I have many tales to regale you with but it’s late and I heard an alarming crash in the kitchen. I think Oreo or Snickers has sent some dinnerware to a splintery death. However, I did want to stop in and say hi, give you my Circe love, and promise some sappy New Year’s post where I tell you how appreciative I am of your supportive patronage and regular reading. And I/we very much am/are. :) Hope your holiday was everything you hoped for and more and I’ll post again later this week, k?

hugs and eggnog kisses,
circe

One Special Picture

I'm going through all the pictures we took over Christmas... and I notice this picture. I'm all into the boys opening their gifts... HE is all into my butt bent over the coffee table.

More on Britney

SPEARS TO LEAK HER OWN SEX TAPE?

BRITNEY SPEARS is reportedly planning to leak a tape of her having sex with KEVIN FEDERLINE in a bid to stop her estranged husband from profiting from their Honeymoon movie. Celebrity porn merchant DAVID HANS SCHMIDT has already offered $100 million (GBP55 million) to a man claiming to have a digital copy of the sex tape. But the TOXIC singer is considering leaking the 45-minute film on the internet in a move which would make all copies worthless. Her close friend and confidante NYLA PRICE tells British newspaper the Daily Star, "Brit figures she'll beat that sucker to the punch. Half of nothing is nothing, and that's what her lying skank of a husband will get if she gives that video away before he can find some sleazeball to buy it."

Way to go, Brit! Beat him to his own punch. If there is one (movie), it's going to get out one way or another... so you might as well throw it out there before scumballnastysmellyskank has an opportunity to make a dime from it. Even if he does sell it, she can make it available prior to when 'whoever buys it' can get it released and make any mooolah from it.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas!

I hope Santa brings you everything that was on your list.... and be safe!

The Sweetest Things

I love this man...

This morning, he leaned over the side of the couch, told me I was beautiful, gave me a kiss and headed off to work. I peeled my butt up and staggered to the kitchen for a glass of water and then to our bathroom to pee where I noticed this note.

One of the greatest things I've ever done is marry him..... its these little things that make me melt for him all over again.

You're Fired!

I have never really been a fan of Rosie O nor have I particularly liked Donald Trump... however he fascinates me and he does say/do some good things and you gotta hand it to him.... he makes shitloads of mooolah!

I was heartbroken when I heard that she was joining The View. I didn't think she was the right mix for the show and then when all the crap went down with Star Jones... and Barbara choosing Rosie over Star... well then I really got to paying attention. Not because I like them... but because I wanted to see the fur fly when the time came. The whole time Rosie has been on the show, she has caused problems with the cute little blonde and then last week I saw a blip where she peeved Barbara off over some comments concerning Barbara's lifestyle and luxury apartment. Now, she's tackling Donald.

Who does she think she is? She thinks that she is over and above everyone... and to even think she can tango with him is assinine. I hope he chews her up and spits her out. I watched the video on CNN this morning and heard it all over the radio... the slams that each of them were making. He made some good points. She was out of line to say what she said on the show about any bankrupcy and about his appearance.. and to attack him personally was uncalled for very unprofessional.

Did she really expect him not to come back at her personally? Her show was a flop and she isnt a pretty person at all. Inside or out. Anyone who would attack like she does (and not just him) isn't a nice person...

He can be very cutting also. I've watched many many many of The Apprentice, but he is by far more professional than she ever dreamed of!

A Car Haunting

You aren't going to believe this story... but it's true!

Here goes....

It was in the forecast for our area to get quite a bit of rain yesterday and possibly today. As luck would have it, it didnt start pouring until about 5 o'clock rush. After work, I had to rush home (rush means go about 1/2 the speed because everyone tends to drive slower and crazier when the weather is weathering) get Richard, C and P and head south about 50 miles for a little Christmas visit.

By the time we grabbed some dinner and loaded up in the MM, it was dark and the rain was dumping on us pretty good. It was hard enough to use the embarrassingly fast wiper speed! I toodled along... making my way through the residential areas to get to the highway. I followed a few cars through the stop light and onto the entrance ramp to the 8 lane highway where we should have been picking up speed so we could all get on this raceway.... but we were toodling along at a snails pace. Regardless of the rain, we can still reach a decent driving speed - there was no need to creep! The car in front of me refused to accelerate and proceeded to enter the highway at a whopping 40mph or so. A speed that could prove to be deadly because the traffic is sailing at double that (on a normal day).

On this rainy night, everyone was cruising about 60-65mph. When I had access to another lane, I accelerated into the next lane and went around the doh-doh head that was holding everyone back.

Richard said... (and I am not making this up, Egan!) "look, its a black Lexus"!!!

Sure enough! It wasn't the same one that stalks the mall... but it was a black Lexus.

AND I dreamed about Pythons last night. What is up with all that!?

7 Undies for 7 Days

I've been thinking about stocking stuffers for the boys. Richard in particular has been really hard for me to find things for.... for some strange reason. Well, I can think of things... but nothing I want him to open in front of other people!

At lunch I heard something on the radio and it hit me! I can get him Days of the Week undies! I remember those from when I was a iddy bitty wittle girl. They didn't make undies that said 'hot' or 'precious' or 'delicious' when I was a kid. They made Days of the Week undies or we wore under-roos... or just plain ol pink or white ones.

Now....... to find said item will be a chore. I'm pretty positive they arent at the mall!

Parking Lot Rage

Avoid the mall at all cost.

People are everywhere and that one chick driving the black Lexus with her unruley blonde pony tail, screaming kid in the back, and clueless mother/in-law riding shotgun will totally piss you off because she can't drive worth crap. Obviously got her driver's license at a second hand store where they teach (or dont) you to not understand the proper use of a stop sign and when you should be done stopping and finally GO already! and then to take your own flipping sweet time to turn the corner only to straddle both lanes - keeping everyone from being able to go and make the next light!

Yes, she will piss you off.

Melons of all Sizes

I never thought I'd be the mom that would ever suggest Hooters for dinner, but It sounded like the best deal considering our situation last night.

Richard scored all four of us tickets to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Ford Center so right after work we headed off to Bricktown for dinner at Crabtown before the concert. The traffic was a bit of a pain, but to be expected (somewhat) considering there was also some function going on at the Cox Convention center and also the concert had been sold out so there would be 80,000+ people heading for the area within a few hours.

I darted in the doors at Crabtown to put our name on the waiting list but there was a 55 minute wait! We didn't have 55 minutes to spare because we'd spent any extra time we had sitting thru stoplights 5 and 6 times. We decided to head down the street to Bricktown Brewery where we find a nice comfortable 1 1/2 hours wait. I laughed at the little greeter girl... she apologized, but not her fault! Debating on where to try next... I mentioned that everyone is trying to eat at the bigger more touristy kinds of restaurants, so let's try going somewhere off the beaten path. That's when I looked up and it was like Heavens gates had opened and bright lights beemed... I saw the Hooters sign. It was off the beaten path... and surely people weren't making mad dashes to eat there!

I stated my case, and with zero complaints from the men, we headed to Hooters. We waited our 5 minute wait and was promptly seated by Megan or Gretchen (whatever her name was). Courtney came over to take our drink order as we looked over the menu. I'd never eaten there... I'd had take-out from there... but not actually gone in and sat to eat. We sized up the waitresses and determined that the clothes that they wear have got to be the worst getup we have ever seen. It is so not attractive nor pleasing to the eye. They make what is a cute girl look like an out of shape Michelin Man stay-puff marshmallow. They have to wear hose, which are tight and cut them off at the waist, but the shorts ride lower than the hose, so you see their roll because the shirt is so dang tight. The shorts are pulled way up, so there is massive camel toe going on... and its not attractive.

Anyways, we scarfed and headed off to the see the concert. It was the most amazing thing! They were as much and way more than what I expected. The show was amazing! They use tons of lights and lasers... and fire and fireworks... you name it, they use it. The entire first half of the concert was their Christmas music which they arranged with a narrator who told a Christmas story. It was beautifully arranged! The second half, we rocked like rockstars. The whole group is fantastic at entertaining and humor! It was just so much better than I had ever imagined. They were a very personal group... full of energy and excitment. They could sing and boy could they ever play instruments!!!

If you ever get the chance to see them... go! We have some of their CD's... and they are good and we like to listen to the music, but it is incredible to see them in concert! We will definitely do that again!!

Blog Crush '06

Da Rules:

A) You can't wait to read what they post next.
B) You want to be friends with them.
C) You think they are the cat's meow. Meow!
D) You might find them attractive- physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, whatever floats your boat.
E) If you met them in person, blushing might occur.

First off, I must convey to all how much I enjoy reading each and every one on our blog list and how difficult it is to award two lucky recipients my Blog Crush '06. The amount of sheer writing talent is overwhelming and regularly immobilizes me in my tracks as I compare my most humble offerings to others far more talented. In the 1 ½ years I’ve been blogging, our blogroll has periodically changed as some fade into the twilight and fresh discoveries are made. There are several we read regularly but simply haven’t gotten around to adding. Before announcing the winners, I wanted to express a few thoughts regarding several of our special compadres. :)

Ms. Sizzle—no one has the knack for baring her heart and soul to her faithful and many readers quite like our beloved Ms Sizzle. She is a total joy to read and we all love her in return. You are a treasured find, sweetie. (((hugs)))

Bone—he has got to be the sweetest, most likable Southern guy on the blog planet and has a tremendous talent for turning a phrase or posting a poem.

Trouble—wins the Sexiest Male Blogger award. Our hedonistic island guy is a pleasure to read when he shares his frolicking adventures with his avid fans.

Stacey—always entertaining, our Canadian gal brings both laughter and tears as she courageously marches her way across the daunting obstacles life has thrown in her path. And pics of her most famous feline, Yoshi, are icing on the cake.

Twisted Panties—our Texas gal wears her redneck trappings with pizzazz and flair and we love hearing about life in the Lone Star State.

OC Gal—winning the Sexiest Female Blogger award, she is currently in transition as she embarks on a fresh blog start.

The Daily Dump—another male blogger switching blog gears who manages to totally blow me away with his amazing genius for writing.

Discombobulating Grant—our favorite twisted psychopath is currently on permanent hiatus. His look at life through sinister, jaded lenses holds all transfixed with his pithy tirades and dissimilar introspection. Grant, we miss your biting wit. Come back soon.

Without further ado, would the Blog Pixie please hand me the coveted envelopes declaring the victors? *drumroll*

In accordance with the rules stipulated in regards to Blog Crush Day, I hereby award my Female Crush to: Traveling Chica and Male Crush to Wombat from Kiss & Blog!

Dear TC is sweet, friendly, and extremely talented and the first female blogger I check each day. One of our newest additions, our Wisconsin gal became my girl blog crush immediately and I would relish clinking glasses with her. Though far more traveled than I, we share a mutual love of the Outer Banks, and I must say this may have tipped the scales in her favor. Smooches Amanda!

Joining the large crowd of jostling female admirers, I cast my male vote for the ever suave, debonair and exquisitely mysterious, Wombat. Clever and outspoken yet always a model of diplomatic tact, it would be a rare female to not succumb to Mr. Wombat’s delicious Aussie charms. Always an entertaining read, he (along with darling Aspen) is first and foremost in my male blog reading pastimes and their thoughts on various topics are a pleasure to peruse.

There you have it. The Circe Blog Crushers of 2006. In all honesty, there isn’t one of our fellow blog buds I wouldn’t look forward to meeting and sharing stimulating companionship and in my humble opinion, every one of you is a fabulous winner. ;)

kisses,
circe

Always Brush and Floss

Tonight I went to my POWER class (it's a form of weight training by doing lighter weights but massive amounts of repetition) and I was greeted with some girl I'd never seen before. She bounced around the room and obviously was preparing to teach the next hour. She asked if we wanted to do new material or stick with the old favorites... we all kind of muttered underneath our breath. It really made no difference... pain is pain regardless of what music you're using. lol

She proceeded to go over techniques and how to bend, twist, flip your body and your weights (as if we'd never done this before)... and then we started. Our warmup was complete and we headed into squats. Before each segment she went thru this whole 'i've got to tell you guys every little thing to do and not to do because, heaven forbid you point your elbows the wrong way or have your feet too far apart'... it was driving me nuts!

But it was during shoulders that I noticed something. I'd been checking her out the entire time (that's what you're supposed to do, right!?!?) and I'd determined that she must have been a gymnist at one time - but was now into retirement and eating. She was by no means thin. She wasn't fat... but certainly wasn't thin. She was thick. Not blubbery thick... but thick like muscle with a little fat on top... just thick. Thru this whole hour she kept telling all of us to pack on more weight. The entire time i'm thinking 'no way... i dont want to be thick like that!' I'd checked out her butt alot during this time together... it was in my face most of the time so I had no choice. When we sat down to do some shoulders.... plop! there it was.... a big ol white pair of thong undies, not peeking, but hanging out of her tight black workout pants.

I focused on her butt floss the rest of the shoulder segment and tried with everything I had to forget about the visual during lunges and situps. I'll probably dream about white butt floss tonight... I just hope they are clean and not sweaty and ... well this could just get bad really fast!!

And Finally...

I promise I'll quit after this... ;)

Toys Pt 2

Christmas Bells Are Ringing

This past weekend Richard and I along with C, P and my sis, headed out to the lake to take some christmas pictures to send to family. Well, let me back up. We first stopped at the mall to take some pictures inside. There is a little mall just down the street and around the corner that is pretty quiet on Sunday's, so we thought we'd do some pics using their decor. Here's a sneak peek of some of our Glamour Shots.

Tuesday Tidbits

TOYS YOU WON'T FIND SOLD IN STORES

In National News Highlights:

IRVINE, CA—Local house cat Tibbles woke up, arched his back, took five steps, fell asleep, woke up, shat in a box, brushed up against the television, fell asleep, woke up, killed a small thing, and fell asleep.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)

You'll be torn a new asshole this week by some of the top reconstructive surgeons in the country.

A Few Hours to Vegas

Sometimes my job is so hard and demanding.

Last night, my company treated me and my sweet little hubby - along with about 14 other employees - to an outstanding dinner at the Iron Star restaurant (drinks included). For months, our financial software package has been in a 'upgrade and testing' mode and it's been very stressful and taxing. Not so much for me and our department as it has been for people in Accounting, but nonetheless, we're still involved.

The project is up and running full force... and live! So, we got to celebrate the completion and the fact that now, the finance department and some of the I.S. staff will get to work more normal hours - leave and depart at regular times.

The food was scrumptious. For the first time in my life I tried Quail. It came as an appetizer and wrapped in some honey flavored bacon. I'm not one to eat odd birds, but I tried it so as not to be a stick-in-the-mud. It was pretty good. The salad was a hunk of lettuce topped with candied pecans and some sort of sauce (sweet).... which i devoured! Richard didn't touch his (said he was saving room for the real food. lol) and I wanted to gobble his salad too. Had we not been with the rest of the group I would have grabbed his plate and finished off his hunk of lettuce.

I got the Prime Rib... Richard got the Chicken and both were very yummy! There wasn't much there we didn't like... except the green beans. I'm not a fan of buttery, crunchy green beans. I kind of like mine more mushy out of the can. haha

We had a good time.... its fun to socialize with co-workers outside of the office. I got to see some of them in a whole new light! People are different when they are at work.... and obviously some of us stress alot more at work.. and relax a ton when we're out! (not referring to myself or Richard either)

There is always so much I leave out when I try to tell these kinds of stories.... but, our waitor was a drummer in a rock band! I spotted him... I knew he was a drummer because of the way he rolled his ink pen in his fingers while he was taking our orders.

There was no way he was a twirler....! lol

Richard made a phone call... got his name... and I asked him. Yep... that dude is a drummer in a local rock band. Sweet! I called it right!

Dark December

The disturbing call came while I was at work on that cold, clear, sunny Saturday afternoon. “Your mother has been in a bad car accident, is comatose, suffering from severe head injuries, and her survival is uncertain.” My safe little world came crashing down around me. These are not the words an 18-year old daughter ever hopes to hear, even if your rancorous relationship is far from ideal. Mothers are supposed to be there for loving guidance, needed counsel and profound wisdom. They should fearlessly maneuver you through the frightening obstacles of serious illness and give their unwavering assurance that things will turn out just fine. In shock and disbelief, I called my dad who was also at work and we raced up the beach heading north into Virginia for the two-hour ride to the hospital. This life-altering occurrence affected me in several ways; I grieved, I grew up, and learned to rely on a power greater than myself.

Initially I experienced all the normal stages of grief—the denial, the anger, and finally acceptance. The intense grief was overwhelming, and the sense of loss unbearable. Then the anger and outrage reared its ugly head. How dare this have happened to my mother? How could that bus have obliviously been unaware of their presence and plowed right into them? Why couldn’t she have been wearing her protective seatbelt like my sister? I thought the lump in my throat would never dissolve. She remained comatose for a month and when she slowly emerged from her dreamlike cocoon, she was severely brain-damaged needing skilled, professional care.

After the grieving, anger, and passage of time, I got my act together. Before the accident, had you looked up "rebellious" in the dictionary, you would have seen my picture. But this 18-year old rebel was forced to grow up, face reality, and see life in a new, harsh light. I was no longer the carefree teenager just a few months out of graduation. I was no longer the defiant firstborn who placed her self-centered needs ahead of all others. I no longer champed at the bit to leave home and be out on my own. I quit my job to take care of things and my sister returned to high school. My family needed cohesiveness and we pulled together to return to a semblance of normalcy. Probably the most profound change was drawing closer to God. I had prayed off and on before, but it now became a regular daily habit. I poured my heart out to my heavenly Father, begging him to make her well again. I tried to bargain and made a lot of promises, and while my prayers weren’t answered as I hoped, His loving care and critical comfort sustained me through this dark period so long ago.

Life has thrown a lot of obstacles in my path since that December day and I’ve had to learn lessons without an experienced maternal presence. She languished in a distant nursing home for about a year before pneumonia ended her existence. She missed the good and bad times in my life; however, all was not lost. Positive changes occurred as I grew as a person and I gained a close relationship with the best friend a mortal could ever have: our loving heavenly Father. Out of the broken shards of my shattered life rose a deep, abiding, and forever renewing living faith that has continued to console and comfort through these past decades. I love you, mom.