Hello Lover....

I found the cutest black dress last week, on clearance for $10!!!! (sorry I couldn't find a picture online) Immediately, I was on the market for leopard print pumps to wear with it. The dress was $10, the shoes are $100. I could justify this very easily had I not spent so much last weekend on a new bathing suit, jewelry and another dress.... that was NOT $10. Turth be told, I don't need to be shopping at all... but I think these are going to have to go on the birthday list... I lover lover lover them.....

And the truth shall set you free....

I was going through old blog entries, and ran across this one. I wrote this post a year and a half ago while I was still living in Chicago. I thought it was very ironic that I ran accross it, because my husband is turning 30 this week, and I can't believe how much we have gone through since we started dating almost 7 years ago.

I do remember why I never published this however. It's because I get a little embarrassed about writing about my husband sometimes. I am a bit.... well... I guess you could describe me as...ummm.... ok, I am super high maintenance. So when I start writing a post about something that I think is wonderful that he did, I am instantly embarrassed by the reason in which he did it...... The obvious and honest reason is because he loves me and wants me to be happy....but the underlying reason is typically because I act like a bit of a diva....

So this story, is a perfect example. What I wrote originally is not exactly how it all went down.... the "truth" is highlighted in parenthesis:

For about a month now, (embellishment...it might have been 2 weeks) our gate in the parking area of our building has been broken. It operates on a remote, kept in the car, so that we can get in and out of the parking lot safely. Since it has been broken everyone in the building has had to drive up to the gate, get out, open the gate, drive through it, get out, close the gate, then leave. This is annoying, but it goes from annoying to " the most wretched experience ever" when there is 12 inches of snow, and its 2 degrees with a -5 degree wind chill. (it was not the most wretched experience ever....it took like 30 seconds) We have been bugging the building developer to come out and fix it, we've called the gate company to come check it out, and nothing has been done about it yet.


Ken has been so accommodating to me, being a southerner and making it through these winters. He walks the dog, he shovels the snow, clears the snow from my car windshields and warms my car before i get in it, so i wont be cold on the way to work. (this is all true..diva...diva...diva..) But, on Saturday when i was again, struggling with the gate late at night, he saw the frown on my face and decided that enough was enough. (ok, the truth is....i came in the house, threw my stuff down, and glared at him...he probably could feel the evil radiating from my body)

I woke up Sunday morning and heard him digging in his tool box. I also heard him going in and out and in and out of the door. This went on for about an hour, and I finally asked what was going on. (ummm...no...i was very irritable when I asked what was going on, because he woke me up, and I was not at ALL happy about it!) He told me everything was fine, and to go back to sleep. So I did. Another hour passes, and I wake up again to find him standing in the entrance of our bedroom, covered in snow, with the biggest smile on my face. He then states, very proudly, "I fixed the gate so my wife doesn't have to get out of the car in the cold anymore....and i think i might have frostbite."

Of course I asked him how in the world he got a remote controlled, electric gate fixed. He told me the night before he got online, printed off diagrams, bought the tools he needed from Lowe's and went out there and fixed it. " I just didn't want you to have to deal with that anymore" he said.

Totally sweet right? So of course at the end of this, I feel like crap because there he is standing there with blue, numb, almost frostbitten fingertips, from spending two hours in the snow fixing a gate for me. All while the princess under the warm down comforter was snapping at him for waking her up because he is "making too much noise" and "letting cold air in!"

Seriously...where do I get off?

I guess I can say that I am just so thankful that I have such a warm, loving, and patient man in my very flawed life..... Don't get me wrong, he has his flaws too, and I am sure all of you married ladies know the challenges that marriage brings. But I am not so much of a diva that I won't acknowledge that dealing with me is no easy task....and I figure since its his birthday, I can remind him of that.

That's what you get for wakin' up in Vegas.....

Gosh I'm terrible! And the verdict is! (in case anyone still cares)....Went to Vegas and had a blast. My lucky dollar did not hit (tear), but I had a ton of fun gambling. I ended up coming home $80 richer, which to me is a HUGE accomplishment. Here are some pictures from the trip.

Hands down, it was the best trip to Vegas so far. We tried to not go to the same places as last year so instead of Tryst and Body English, we went to Studio 54, Pure, Ghost Bar and Rain. Can I just say the rooftop at the Palms is AMAZING!!! It's almost worth the $20 cocktails they serve...

I mostly ate room service, but we did make it to Mesa Grill for dinner and cocktails, and it was DELISH! My blackjack skills have improved tremendously, so I really enjoyed playing this time around. It's funny how much fun gambling is when you are winning!

I am sad even to write this post because I am not sure if I'll be back for this particular Vegas trip again. My dear friend has a boyfriend now, and has already (9 months ahead of time) announced that he would be joining her next year. Of course I was invited to tag along, but it's not the same.... It was bound to happen though...the trip is always over Valentine's Day, and it was only a matter of time before the double bedded room shared with the old married lady became a romatic suite for her and the man in her life. Nevertheless, I am sure this won't be my last trip! Maybe they will break up ??:-) (just kidding!) (am I?) Ha!

Viva Las Vegas!!!!!

Shut up and put your money where your mouth is....

This was me, one year ago, on my very first trip to Vegas..... needless to say, I had a good time!

Every year, my friend Callie goes to an annual Veterinarian conference in Vegas, and last year she invited me to crash in her room to enjoy the city. She had spent a summer there interning while she was in vet school, and her stories, and documented pictures led me to believe that I had been missing out on an incredible experience...... and she was right.

So here I am again, so anxious I can't even sleep, 10 hours away from heading to the airport Vegas bound, for a fun filled weekend in a city that I am completely in love with...

Last year's visit did not disappoint. It was 4 days filled with bright lights, tall drinks, delicious food, and unbelievable shows. But as much fun as I had, there was one missing element....ummm...aren't you supposed to win big in Vegas?

Sadly, that was not the case last year. I returned home far poorer than I came. I could blame this on a lot of things, first of which, my frugal-ness. I mean, you kinda have to spend money to win money right? My designated $50 of gambling money quickly left me one evening at the $5 blackjack table. Okay, let's be real....it was $150 dollars, wasted away at the slot machines, roulette tables, and my very silly roll at the craps table.....

But not this year my friends....this year will be different...I present to you... MY SECRET WEAPON!!!

Today at work, I stepped in and did a tour for a client from Denmark. Let's be honest, it was not my overwhelming attitude of helpfulness that compelled me to take on this venture as a favor. I was the only person in the office to fill in today, while everyone else was out. The clients were very gracious and kind, and even though I put my best foot forward to sell my hotel, (IN THE SNOW!!) a big part of me really wanted me to be able to rush home, anticipating the very long commute that this unexpected inclement weather had presented me with. ( I mean seriously Atlanta.... snow???) At the end of the tour, our client whips out his wallet and presents me with a very clean $1 bill.

He says to me, "Christina, I know you are going to Vegas (pronounced Wegas in his Danish accent) tomorrow, and I want to give you zis very special dollar. I have been to Wegas many times, and I always come back a "vinner". Zee first time I went, I put all my money on one number on the roulette table. That number hit on zee first roll. One my second visit, I put one dollar in the slot machine and I won $750. I want to give you zis dollar, with my signature. Put zis in the 25 cent machine in zee casino at New York New York, and YOU TOO will be a vinner this year."

I can feel it my friends. I have been feeling it all week......THIS is my year. I will come back richer than I came!

Speaking of money, I want to take this opportunity to thank my wonderful "sponsor." He is my ever loving, hard working, husband, who for the second year in a row, ships me off to Vegas, cash in hand, to enjoy Valentine's day with my friend. Ken and I have never been the couple that is completely stuck on holidays. This is mainly because he finds so many regular old days in the year to do extraordinary things for me. It doesn't have to be my birthday for him to surprise me with a gift, or a holiday for a special night out. When he knows there is something he can do to put a smile on my face, he just does it...no matter what day it is.

I snapped this picture tonight, and this perfectly describes how I find him every night.....sound asleep, laptop open, because he was up late still working to be the best provider he can be for his wife.

Win or lose....I have already hit the jackpot.....

I can't wait to update next week and let you know how it all unfolds!!

Terri's Engagment Party....

Let the festivities begin!!

Last week was the first of many celebrations for Terri and Adam's wedding. Travis and I threw them an engagement party at Beleza to celebrate. It was a HUGE success, and we had a bunch of people to come by and celebrate with us.

Their cake! Adam loves Transformers, and Terri loves shoes...thus, the perfect cake for them!

Leave it to me to bring a little bit of white trash to the celebration...these are the names I so lovingly call them, slathered on a vanilla Publix cake with cream cheese icing...yuuuummm....

The bride to be....

The very happy couple....

Congratulations Terri and Adam!! Cheers to the first of many celebrations!!

Happy Birthday Paul.....

This post is about 60 days late...but you all know i am a lazy blogger... :-)

I get teased all the time about the fact that I have multiple "best friends." It's kinda true....I have accumulated a lot because I have moved around a lot in my life. I was a military brat and moved 7 times growing up, then moved away for college in Tennessee, then moved to Atlanta, then Chicago, and now back to Atlanta. I think growing up I really hated it, but as an adult, I realize it really has shaped me into the person I am today.

There is one friend that I have known the longest...my friend Paul. We met in seventh grade, working at the concession stand in school to raise money for Student Council. Every week we had the same shift during lunch, and we have been best friends ever since. He actually took me on my first date to the Puff Daddy and the Family concert....(he was the only guy my dad trusted to take me out....i think we all know why now...wink, wink).

Our friendship is very different from others I think, because we have been friends for 15 years. He has been around for every major event of my life so far. Typically, as a military brat, you don't keep friendships that long. You move, you lose touch, but never with Paul... Since I have been back in Atlanta, we get together every week, and recently realized, after 15 years of friendship, we have never gotten in one argument.....not one.

I have tons and tons of stories of laughter and fun, and I could probably do an entire separate blog full of stories...but some things should just stay between old friends....
I do however want to take the time to thank you Paul for some very specific things throughout the years....one for every year that we have been friends:

1. Thank you for not telling our Student Council advisor that I stole 1 pack of Now and Laters every time we were in the concession shop. Well, stealing is a harsh word...i just conveniently gave myself a 50% discount for my complimentary services. :-)


2. Thank you for always engaging in ridiculous songs that we made up in honors English. In fact, you should be thanking me...now that you are a part of a music production group, it was probably my influence that got your creative juices flowing.....i'm just sayin....


3. Thank you for letting my copy your Algebra homework....you knew I sucked at math and never held that against me...


4. Thank you for convincing my dad to let me go to the Puff Daddy concert with you. It was the perfect first date, and opened the door to my entire dating experience. (it all went downhill from there)


5. Oh and speaking of that concert, thank you for buying me pancakes at Ihop after my friend Tiffany forgot where she was supposed to pick us up, and we ended up walking aimlessly around the Alamodome for hours.


6. Thank you for not telling my brother that i made out with BJ at Tre's end of the school year Pajama Party....he would have killed him and then Judson wouldn't have made it to the state championship that year! AND! He wouldn't have been alive to be an extra in that Disney movie about that college basketball team....


7. In fact, thank you for telling my parents that I spent the night at your house instead of at Tre's house that night...even though nothing happened...they would have been PISSED!


8. Furthermore, thank you for protecting me when Tre became psychotic about me years later.


9. Thank you for spending an entire Sunday looking for my lost keys after that wild and crazy night out with the "kids." Even though, it was kinda your fault...you let big Paul make me all those drinks with Vodka and Crunk Juice....i can hardly be held responsible for losing them in his couch, and making you drive back to every place we went to the night before until finally realizing around 9pm where they were.


10. Thank you for bringing our middle school yearbook to my wedding....really....thanks a lot.


11. Thank you for always finding a nice way to tell me when i look a mess....instead of just saying..."Tina....you look a mess." wait.....you do say that...so thank you for saying it in a way that never hurts my feelings...


12. Thank you for always driving 30 miles to my side of town to go to dinner. I know its a pain in the butt...but so worth it once you get here right?


13. Thank you for never judging me....EVER....when you had every right to...


14. You don't have a selfish bone in your body....thank you for that...I always know what you tell me comes from a truly loving place


15. And finally, thank you for your friendship. I can't imagine my life without it.

Happy Birthday Paul! I LOVE YOU!

A Loaded Present.....

Christmas has always been a big deal in my family. My mother has 6 brothers and sisters, and between the 7 of them, there are a total of 14 grandchildren....Most of us are all around about a 3-4 year age range. We try to always get together and stuff ourselves into my grandparents home to celebrate the holiday. Needless to say, back in the day, 14 young children calls for a LOT of presents, and a LOT of noise.

When we all grew up and became adults, we started a new tradition, which was no presents at Christmas. It is the best idea that we have ever come up with, and took a huge load off of everyone. It's not as if we don't want to buy things for each other, but we figured we are all working adults, and there is nothing that we want that we couldn't afford on our own if we didn't have 30 people (literally) to buy for in December. We of course buy gifts for the little kids and fill the tree, but for the most part, we all just buy something that we want for ourselves, make tons of food and bring our favorite bottle of wine. We have been doing this for the past 5 years and I LOVE it.

I rolled out of bed on Christmas morning....I say morning as in 11:30...(we were out at my uncle's bar the night before) and joined my family in the living room when my mother comes up to Ken and I with a beautifully wrapped gift. Of course, I feel terrible because I followed the rules, and didn't get her anything. She smiled and said, " Just open it. I wanted to get you and Ken something very special this year."

This is my mother's "special" gift.

Of course everyone in the room erupted in hysterical laughter.... I on the other hand did not think this was funny. Does anyone else think that this gift is a bit psychotic? I am not pregnant, and even if I were she is already assuming she is having a grandson? Granted, when we decided to move back to Georgia, starting a family was a big part of the consideration, but good grief, we have only been here 9 months!

I feel like the baby talk starts as soon as you say "I do." I love how everyone encourages you to have a baby.....as if they are going to help with the 3am feedings, diaper changes, childcare costs, or stretch marks.

I love children, and it did make me think about what exactly I was waiting for. Do I think I am mentally and physically ready to have a child? YES. Am I willing to give up a big part of my social life for parks and potty training? YES. In fact, my liver would thank me for it. I know that it will be hard work, but truly believe that if I do become pregnant, I will be excited, happy, and confident that Ken and I will be committed to being the best parents we can be. So why aren't we having children now? The answer is................. None of your damn business!

I have a very sweet client who has been married for over 30 years and never had children. Her and her husband are very well travelled, throw amazing parties, and spoil the crap out of their nieces and nephews. I know that Ken and I will probably not be that couple, but she did give me great advice on a tactic to get people off your back about getting pregnant.

She said whenever someone asks you when you are going to have children, drop your head, make a pitiful face and softly say, " Oh, ....we're trying...." This will make people so embarrassed for their nosiness, that they will likely not ask you the question again. When you do become pregnant, they will be even more excited and happy for you.

Sounds like a plan to me!

P.S. I am quite aware that I might have to eat my words. I am sure I will be writing a blog entry in the next couple of months with a title... "We're PREGNANT!" Isn't that always how it happens?