I Bought a New Car!!!

Okay, so as the price of gas continues to sky-rocket into oblivion; I was forced to look at the gas guzzling Lincoln Aviator that I was driving. With an average of 16mpg and having to put premium gas in it, I was paying way to much to get back and forth from work. It was slowly wiping out the majority of my paycheck.

So I researched fuel efficient vehicles and started test driving. After looking at the Mini Cooper, the Saturn Aura, the Toyota Corolla....I feel in love with the Honda Civic. It's a great car at a great price. They paid off my loan on my Aviator and covered it clean and clear, and they even gave me a few upgrades on the car free.

In the end I came away with a beautiful new car for a great price, and it gets 29mpg!!! Yeah!

It looks just like the one above. It's white with biege leather interior and a moonroof. And it only had on it 18 miles when I drove it off the lot.

So praise God, I am in a great little car that doesn't suck down gas!

Waking from the Dead!

I have been on sabatical for a loooooonnnggg time when it comes to blogging. I had many things in my life happen all at once, and then lost my job. So I searched for a new job fervently, hoping to be able to write about the good news on my blog.

Well, as luck would have it, I didn't get a job until a year later. So I spent an entire year helping my mom out at her business and doing some free lance marketing stuff. But, now I am finally employed full time as a Development Manager for two non profit charter schools. I am loving my job and loving the freedom I have to shape the Development Department at these organizations. Check out the websites: Southwest Schools & Young Learners School.

I'll try to update a little more regularly now that I am gainfully employed. I also want to take the time to thank all of my wonderful and amazing friends that prayed for me during my hard times and kept the faith for me when I was having a hard time seeing the future in a good light. You guys are the best!!!

My New Toys

This week my mother got it in her head to buy waverunners. It was a whim that caught her fancy and something that she thought would be a lot of fun for everyone. I thought she was only kidding and would never really go through with it.

But to my surprise, the next day she asked me to look up how much a waverunner would cost to buy. I started searching through Craig's List to find what was available. Before I knew it I found a guy that had three waverunners for sell and was selling them at a good price. My mom is buying two of them with my Aunt Marilyn; and Jim is buying the third one.

See the picture above to get a look at them.

...Well, tomorrow I will get my first chance at riding them and I can't wait. My mom is excited and is starting to make plans to head up to the lake almost every weekend. Here's a close up of the one that I have laid claim to... I was thinking of naming it "Hayley's Comet" (it was the name of my first waverunner when I was younger); unless any of you have a better idea. Kelly's waverunner when we were younger was called (Kelly's Kruiser).

Why I Must Travel...

Your Travel Profile:

You Are Well Traveled in the Southern United States (54%)You Are Mostly Untraveled in the Western United States (11%)You Are Untraveled in Africa (0%)You Are Untraveled in Asia (0%)You Are Untraveled in Australia (0%)You Are Untraveled in Canada (0%)You Are Untraveled in Eastern Europe (0%)You Are Untraveled in Latin America (0%)You Are Untraveled in New Zealand (0%)You Are Untraveled in Scandinavia (0%)You Are Untraveled in Southern Europe (0%)You Are Untraveled in Western Europe (0%)You Are Untraveled in the Middle East (0%)You Are Untraveled in the Midwestern United States (0%)You Are Untraveled in the Northeastern United States (0%)You Are Untraveled in the United Kingdom (0%)

How'>http://www.blogthings.com/howwelltraveledareyouquiz/">How Well Traveled Are You?

As you can see by the results of this quiz I have been stuck at home to much! I have, for the first time, my passport and I am ready to go. I hope to have a stamp in that thing by the end of the year. I know it seems crazy, but I have the desire to travel all over this world. I want to go everywhere and see everything. I hope to be on my way to Switzerland or Italy or England very soon. Maybe I'll take a ski trip this Christmas to Switzerland. I went this last year to Breckenridge and found out that I love skiing.

Anyone want to go with me!!!

The End of An Era

The Great Caruso has perished. On Sunday morning (around 6am) a fire was reported at the Great Caruso. The flames took over the building and destroyed it along with its nieghboring businesses. The fire was categorized as a 3 alarm fire. When I saw it I was shocked to see that all that is left is 9 feet of black rubble.

The weird and slightly creepy thing that happened is that I went to the Great Caruso on Saturday, December 10th. Therefore, I saw the last show at the Great Caruso. I went with my mother, sister, and aunt and enjoyed the Christmas show. We were guests of the owner and our meals were free. We had a fabulous time...it was my mom's first time to go.

While we were there we talked to the owner and found out that the Great Caruso had been there for 30 years. We talked about how unique the place was and how much fun we had. He was glad to host us and wished as a great holiday season.

The next morning we were standing outside the rubble as the owner and his wife looked devestatingly at what was left of the restaurant. He was so worried about his many employees; he hated that this would happen to them so close to Christmas. He only hopes that they can make it to the new year and find something new.

At this time he hasn't decided if he will rebuild. But he does have insurance, and the fire department feels that it may be the result of arson.

So I say goodbye to a truly unique and wonderful place. The only place that housed one beautiful man. We will miss the Great Caruso and its memories. Houstonians gather in sadness of it's passing.

What Kind of Shopper are You?

On Thanksgiving I was assigned the duty of taking care of my sister's kids while she did Black Friday shopping. If you aren't familiar with Black Friday, that is the day that everyone in the world shops for Christmas gifts. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is usually the busiest day of the year for most retailers. They put out at least one mega-deal to entice you to their store and try to get you there early so you get caught up in the action.

This year I decided to be the babysitter and wait patiently at home while the world shopped. My sister and cousin both got up before dawn and headed out to the stores at 4:00am. They were trying to get a LCD TV and toys for their kids. They went to four stores looking for the good deals on TVs, and all of them were sold out.

Finally, at Toys r Us they lucked out with many good deals. They worked together and one would guard the carts and wait in the checkout line, while the other would run around the store and get items to buy. It was all very exciting. My sister said, "You get your adrenaline running, and you start buying things you don't need...you're just caught up in the whole buzz of it all."

I noticed by noon that the news was already saying that this year's Black Friday was the most successful in the past five years.

My sister was prepared she had a backpack to carry all of her stuff in, including turkey sandwiches and mugs of starbucks coffee. She was not going to let sleep deprivation take her down. One lady in the store with them watched them with all of their supplies and commented, "Man, I'm an amatuer at this...I didn't think to bring food with me."

So, in honor of the shoppers I took this quiz to find out what kind of shopper I am:

You are most like: Sentimental Shopper
You spent hours on each persons gift. Browsing as many stores as possible to find the perfect present. Each gift is based on your feelings for that person. Cost (no matter how great or small) is never an issue.
Take this quiz: What kind of Christmas shopper are you?

It Has Been Confirmed: The Hottest Guy in the World Lives in Houston

If you're wondering how I know this little bit of information, then please read on. You see, it all started on Saturday, November 11th, just before my birthday. I was being visited by a college friend, Jacque, in order to celebrate both my birthday and her own. We decided to go out to eat a place in Houston called The Great Caruso. This is a little restaurant in Houston that provides their guests with food and entertainment. The play that was in production that night was "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!"

When the show started I noticed that one of the guys in the ensemble was rather good-looking. But as the night went on I began to think that he was really good-looking. He showed an amazing talent in both acting and singing, and he was just down right funny! I became enamored with watching him throughout the evening.

Now, comes the fun part...Jacque and I were sitting up in the balcony on the side of the stage. As I was watching him I noticed that he would look up in the balcony a lot. Before I knew it he was making direct eye contact with me (gasp!). He continued to do this, and he would hold eye contact for extended periods of time. I was shocked and just a little bit thrilled to my core. I don't know what it is about this guy, but he has an intense gaze that just sucks you in.

Jacque and I discussed this on the way home and decided that if it was just his way to flirt with the audience, then it worked, cause I'm planning on going back. The evening was made so much better simply by his presence. It seems that I have been living in Houston all this time and I never knew that he was around.

Those eyes will haunt my dreams...

Thou Shalt Not

I have been meaning to write about this little incident for over a few weeks now, but life has gotten in the way. But here's how the story goes:

I went to a little local burger joint on the outskirts of Katy in the country area of town. I met my mom there and we stood in line to order. There was a man with his son standing in the line behind me. The man's son was around 3-4 years old. After awhile the boy stuck his hand up and grabbed my booty. I moved aside in order to dislodge his hand from my behind and saw the father swat away the boy's hand and say, "you don't touch people there."

Then the father shocked me by leaning down to his son's ear and saying, "Wish I could trade hands with you."

Yuck!! I was comlpetely flabberghasted by this father's inappropriate behavior. I now he was doing it to get my attention, because I'm sure his son had no idea what he was talking about. What grosses me out is this country bumpkin trying to flirt with me while he is standing in line with his son....not to mention that his wife and daughter were sitting at a table waiting for him not far away. It was not cool and so uncalled for...

No Dice, Buddy!!!!

I'm Going to Disney World!!!!

On September 1st I'm heading out and going to Disney World. I have been trying to get away for a vacation for a long time now, and I'm finally doing it. I know some of you are thinking that it's juvenile and silly for an adult to go to Disney World...but I can't wait. I think I missed out of that kind of fun when I was younger because I am itching to leave and see the happiest place on earth. I think the main reason that I am so excited is because I'm going with a friend around my age and we won't have to cater to little kids. It's our agenda and only ours. Plus we are staying in the park. It's all Disney all the time.

See the characters and how happy they are....now picture me standing there in the middle of them all. That will be me in less than a week. Actually in four days! I will finally get to ride those famous rides like the Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean or even venture to try the Hollywood Tower.

When I was in college in Florida I used to trek out to Disney on occasion to see Downtown Disney. It's the shopping Mecca of Disney and the only free part of the park that anyone can visit. It was as close to the real thing that I could get without chucking out $60.00 for one day of fun. Being a college student I was low on cash and didn't have the funds to actually enter the park. I remember how magical the place really feels. It's sad, but the whole place is designed to make you feel like you are in a truly magical place that caters to your every whim. It plays upon your dreams and fun nature to make you smile. It really is a whole other world that can earn it's name as the 'happiest place on earth.'

Which you were coming with me...maybe next year. But then again, I hope to be in Italy next year at this time, living in a castle.

"Steer" Clear

Last night I made the fatal mistake of going to the theater to see Talladega Nights: the ballad of Ricki Bobby. The saddest part of this outing is that I took my mom and aunt along with me to see this flick. All of us watched the trailer and thought that it would be a funny, satirical spoof on Nascar. The problem is that the entire movie is riddled with horrible language, back-talking kids, tacky and bad taste. It promotes white trash in all its glory with no excuse. I was disgusted at the levels that they went to in order to get laughs.

In the end I walked out of the theater with my mom and aunt. Luckily the day was not completely ruined. We took the rest of the day to walk around the mall a little and take advantage of tax free weekend. So, for this film I give it a prominent thumbs down!!

Appreciating the True Beauty of God's Creation

I was searching the internet near and far today for a picture to put in the weekly church bulletin that I prepare at work. I always try to find something poignant and beautiful to compliment the sermon topic and scripture that is being discussed that week. By accident, when I was searching for "the finer things in life" I came across this picture:
This breath-taking photograph is titled Silent Appreciation. Just take the time to bask in its glory. I don't know why it made me pause and just stare, but I want to be there on that mountain top, enjoying the sight before me.

That is all for now.

Live Show of Super Mario Bros.

Golden Goose - A yearly talent show held at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. This video is a "live" performance of the first level from Super Mario Brothers. I found this by accident and I love it!!! It takes me back to simpler times...those times that involve sitting around, playing video games, and hanging out with friends. The times that were of yester-year....college. I know it's sad; but I loved hanging out at the dorms playing old Mario Bros. games on a little black and white tv. The original Mario Bros. will always be my favorite video game. Sad Confession: still, to this day, I cannot finish this game. I have yet to win. I got really close one time, but that included all of the cheat levels (you remember the tubes that let you skip to higher levels). Oh well, one day I will defeat this game. And then move on to Super Mario Bros. 2.

Southern Living at Home

I hosted a Southern Living at Home party this weekend. It was a blast! Not only did I get to have an excuse to bring together all of the people I love at one time, but I also had it catered by this amazing woman, Monique. The food was great, the fellowship was uplifting, and the fun was surprising.

We had a chance to auction off a few of the items to the guests with Southern Living Bucks that were awarded throughout the party. I truly love the product that Southern Living at Home provides and am always surprised when I receive the items. They are always sturdier and better than the catalog ever shows. It was a successful party and lots of fun for everyone.

If you want to look at the catalog or the July specials please go to this site www.southernlivingathome.com/terra . I have to close out my party by Sunday, July 30th at the latest. But you never know you just might find something that you like or have to have. I wish more people could have come...we have so much food left over that we are bursting at the seams with 7-layer dip, Spinach and Artichoke dip and Southwestern eggrolls (can I just say yumm!!!!).

I don't usually throw parties like this, but I was in it for the free goods (since I like this stuff so much). Plus, with the monthly specials I usually get one of them (cause they're cheap) and give them to people when their birthday comes around or for holidays. Great gifts!!! I think my sister is thinking of throwing a party as well so she can get the free stuff. More fun!

Pirates of the Carribean - Dead Man's Chest

I went to see this movie this weekend, with everyone else in the world (or so it seemed). It was fun, entertaining, and ended with a great cliffhanger. The only downfall to this movie is that the bad guys are quite hideous and a bit of an overkill when it comes to monsters in a movie. Also, I don't recommend taking young ones to this movie. There were quite a few little kids in the theatre with me, and they got scared many times and wanted to be taken out. What amazed me was the selfish parents that tried to convince their crying children that the bad guy was 'silly, not scary' and stayed in the theatre. Advice to all parents out there, if your kid is scared take them out of the theatre...don't stay and scar the children and give them nightmares.

But, for the big kids (and people like me) it's all kinds of fun to watch. I also have to say that the fight scenes were well choreographed and unique. I can't wait to see the third installment of this story.

The Mummy Returns

I know a few people that will enjoy this as much as I do.

Whatever It Is I Think I See...

Becomes a Tootsie Roll To me!!!

Unfortunately, I was very hungry this morning with nothing to eat. The only thing in our office to munch on is Tootsie Rolls. We bought a couple bags of them online once to help fill the candy bowls around here. But, what we didn't know is that the bags were huge and we know have an endless supply of these things.

Karen, my co-worker, continually fills each bowl everyday and hopes to get rid of them. Until today I have managed to not eat any of them. But the result has been me bursting out with the Tootise roll song on occasion. One of the workers here (about my age) will join in with me and we start a duet.

These are the sad states that you get reduced to when you are at work and bored. Yesterday I planned a vacation to Disney World during my birthday. Oh, how much fun that would be!

"Tootsie Roll I Think I'm in Love with You!!!"