Catching Up

Wow! I haven't posted since Mardi Gras. It has been a roller coaster lately. Work, fun times with friends and family, more work and vacation. 

I can't even remember all the things I've been doing. A weekend in Austin/San Antonio with my sister at a spa. A weekend in Houston with some good friends I've known since high school (my wallet was begging me to go home after that weekend! Tons of shopping was done!). Dinner with old high school friends. A night out with old high school friends. (See a theme? It's my 20th high school reunion this summer. Yikes!!!) 

I've been working a lot of hours lately but it is finally getting back to a normal 40 hour work week. A new position within the company should drastically reduce my traveling but maybe not my hours until I get the hang of it. 

 I haven't had much opportunity to stitch so no new craft pictures. But I head out on vacation tomorrow and plan on taking at least one project with me. I am headed to see my grandparents and family for 9 whole days. I can not wait. 

Below are some pictures from random events that have occurred over the past few months. Sorry for the random order but blogger mobile makes it difficult loading pictures. 

Views from my room at spa in San Antonio

Night at Alex Box Stadium for LSU baseball with Jill. 

Sarah and I at the Chimes. 

Hannah and I in Houston. 

My birthday in Houston. The kids made me wear the crown. :/ 

Jenny and I at convention. 

Jenny and I at convention. 

Stacy and I heading out for a girls night out. 

David and Micah at Boudreaux and Thibodeaux's for 20th reunion. 

Chad and I at Boudreaux and Thibodeaux's for 20th. 

Stacy and I at Ninfa's for our second night of an all girls weekend. 

Memorial Day Weekend

It was my birthday weekend and it was full! 

Friday was my actual birthday.  It didn't go exactly the way I wanted it to go, but it was a fairly ok day.  I did go to Biloxi to the outlets.  Got some new jammies from the Disney Store, Eeyore ones (my favorite character).  And enjoyed a ride in my car, with the windows down and the music cranked.  That's always a good time and I actually did that a few times over the weekend as I shuttled back and forth from my friend Jenny's house.  I did get to speak to most of my favorite people on that day.  There were a few that were late and then there are some that are now on my naughty list because I didn't hear from them. 

But with my birthday not being exactly how I wanted, the rest of the weekend was pretty fun. In addition, I made some goals for myself for this summer. I want 37 to be a great year. I've already started that off by having already lost 21 pounds. I am headed toward my first goal of 35 pounds. I hope that by the end of the fall to actually reach that number. I am also going to get out more. I don't mean to like bars and such. That is just not my scene, any more. But out to the Lakes and parks, coffee houses, etc. Time to meet some new people!


Saturday was a full day!  After a very restless night where the insomnia was kicking it up badly, I started the day off pretty early going to Sam's with Jenny and her mom to get stuff for our BBQ later that day.  The highlight of the trip was Jenny and I looking over the steaks and asking each other which cut of meat was the best to grill but still cheap enough so Phil, her husband, wouldn't be upset that we bought too expensive of meat.  Yeah, the guy next to us was laughing so hard, he could barely choke out that anyting in that section woudl be fine for grilling. 

Then we went to the pool for a few hours with the kids.  I love, love, love, being in the water and sun.  It is the most relaxing thing ever!!! We also went to get sno balls afterwards.  Now that is always fun!!!

Sunday was a little calmer. Ok, not really. We left super early for a quick trip to New Orleans for a birthday party. It was at City Park's amusement park area at the Carousel. Jenny gets dizzy really easily so I was the lucky one who rode the carousel with lil Phil. I think I went around 7 straight times. I didn't walk too straight once I got off that Carousel!!



This was me after about the 5th time around.



I love this face!

After the birthday party we went to a local mexican restaurant in Metairie. I made the big mistake of going to the restroom at one point in the meal and ended up with the sombrero and a birthday flan. So of course Jenny had to take pictures and then proceeded to post them on facebook. Oh yay me!!! I had managed to go 37 years without ever having to be embarrassed in this way. I figure the picture is already up on facebook, why not my blog too?

Monday was a day of rest for me. Well, sort of. I did manage to stay around the house. I folded 2 weeks worth of laundry. Washed the dishes in the sink. Finished my laundry. Spent time with Duke (poor man, he's been so neglected and I am traveling at the end of the week. He is not going to be a happy camper). Made a quick trip to Walmart because Duke literally killed his monkey toy. He split the butt open for a 2nd time (I'd already sewed it up once) and there was stuffing all over the living room. I had to throw it away. So off to Walmart for a new one and a spare. I also stopped at Jo-Ann's. Did any one else go and hit the sale? DMC threads were on sale 3 for 99 cents. I now own all the colors through the 300s. Yay!!! Now to just put them all away! I went out to the Lakes for a walk in the middle of the afternoon because I thought it would be a great idea to go walking in the blazing sun, 93 degrees outside. I was restless and needed to do something! A late lunch with Dad and my day is over. Ok, yes, it is only 5:30 but I plan on vegging for the rest of the evening. I have a busy week ahead of me with lots to get done.


Happy Memorial Day!!! Thank you so much to those who are serving and who have served! You are much appreciated!

Happy 35th

Today was my 35th birthday.  I have to say it was a good day.  I honestly couldn't have imagined it to have been any better than it was!!!

Birthday celebration started this past weekend with time spent with my mom.  We went to a tiny German restaurant in Ponchatoula for breakfast followed by shopping at the outlet mall. 

My actual birthday started at 12:20 am when the text messages started to come in.  I never realized how many "night owls" I have for friends! Phone calls started at 7:45 am.  So much for me sleeping in!!!  I got the business of renewing my driver's license done with early and quickly!  Then the rest of the day was spent receiving birthday wishes, shopping with my mom and seeing the movie "Letters from Juliet".  I highly recommend the movie to anyone who is a hopeless romantic!!!

Dinner with the parents at my absolute favorite restaurant "Louisiana Lagniappe".  That place is so good!!! Then back to the 'rents house for presents.  This year my parents outdid themselves.  I got the book "Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang" and a pair of emerald and diamond earrings.  The earrings are gorgeous!!!  Love them!!!  This was in addition to the outfits my mom had bought me this weekend when we had gone shopping. 

I've been informed that I will be receiving more gifts in the coming days as my grandparents and my aunt seem to have "lost track of time".  My grandmother called to tell me that her and grandpa were out shopping for my present today and she was excited because she found something she just knew I'd love and was going to mail it tomorrow to be here "in time."  When she showed the gift to my Uncle, he kindly informed her that TODAY was my birthday.  LOL!  She swore to me that she thought she had another week!!! It's all good though.  I don't mind.  I'm just blessed that I still have my grandparents around!!!  My aunt calls being late "stretching out your birthday celebration!"

I didn't know what to expect for this birthday.  Had I gone by my "old" plan, I am so far away from the goals I had set for myself at 18!!!  But I tossed that plan out a long time ago.  I'm thankful to have a job that pays the bills, great friends and a huge, loving family!!! I am actually happier now than I have been in a VERY long time!  (I hope I didn't just jinx myself! LOL)

I look forward to seeing what the next 365 days brings!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday! I am 34 years young today. Although to be honest, I don't feel a day over 25! Things haven't been so great lately, but I'm going to use today as a starting point for good things to come!


So what did I purchase when I went on my run to the LNS in New Orleans? I bought the Letter M by Nora Corbett and Tigerlily of Nora's Pixie Couture collection. I bought all the materials for Tigerlily and will start that one WHEN I finish Holly! One at a time!!! LOL Or at least that is what I tell myself! I am toying with the idea of doing all the pixies in the collection. Has anyone seen the new ones just released? I just might have to buy those too!







On Sunday, I had lunch with two old friends from high school, Joy and Sarah. Joy lives here in town and I see her often but Sarah lives in Houston and is now a mom of 2! So it is very rare that we get together. It was fantastic to see her. It's always like we've never been apart from each other. We can always just pick right up from where we left off! Her two girls are adorable! Eden is 2 1/2 and talks and talks. She is absoluletly the sweetest thing! Zoe is 7 months old. Didn't get to spend to much time with her as she napped through the whole lunch, which means she was quiet and thus a very good baby!







I also saw the movie Wolverine on Sunday with Joy. All I can say is that Hugh Jackman is one very sexy man!!! If you liked the X-men movies, you will like this one!



Today, my actual birthday, I didn't do very much. To be honest, it was just a normal day off. I did do some shopping and indulged myself at the bookstore and Ulta. I picked up the book that the series True Blood is based on, Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. I've only seen the 1st 3 episodes of the series so I'm hoping to enjoy the book. I had hamburgers with my dad at the house and then some birthday cake. Then I did my dad's laundry! LOL! My mom has been out of town for a while now and well, with all the renovations my dad is doing to the house, things are not being done!





While I was at the house, I just had to take pictures of some flowers from my Dad's garden. I think they are just absolutely beautiful!








On a side note, the verdict has come in about the car. It seems that my brake lights were not going off and thus drained the battery. My dad and a friend of his pried out the brake light switch and are hoping to replace it this week. But while digging around in the car this weekend, my Dad also found that my radiator is cracked! Oh yay! So the final verdict is: time to buy a new car! Soon!

Cross Stitch Update

I do have an update on stitching! I actually was able to get a few hours of stitching in the mornings done while I was waiting for my sister to get ready! While on vacation I worked on Dragon Knot 2! I am loving the way this piece is really starting to come alive! The pictures do it absolutely no justice at all! The lighting here is pretty dark since we are having an overcast day!

I've also started a new project. I know I shouldn't have but it has been calling to me! I started Nora Corbett's Holly. This picture is pretty out of focus but was the best of the many I tried to take! The picture below it is of the final product.

This weekend is my birthday weekend. My birthday is Monday, Memorial Day. So I am treating myself to a trip to a LNS in New Orleans. I am sure I will find something but just what it will be is the best surprise!

I am also going to get caught up on my sleep, get back into a routine and clean my apartment. Now a days, one needs a vacation from the vacation!

Spring is here!

Today was a beautiful day! Ok, I admit, I didn't know that till I left work today, I was still able to enjoy some of it! Duke and I took a little walk in the business complex across from my apartment. Got a little sun and fresh air after 5 days of rain! It was so nice to move around, clear the head, and well, I think I actually got a little pink today! LOL! As you can see in the picture, the azaleas are blooming! It was 80 degrees today and it is supposed to be in the upper 70s to low 80s for the rest of the week!

Has anyone seen the new Passione Ricamo patterns? I am lusting after Spring Beauty Princess. I am trying to refrain from purchasing this one. I've never done one of these patterns, although there are some very beautiful ones. I might put this pattern and the fabric for it on my birthday list. I can hold off for 2 more months. My birthday isn't that far away!