Took Mousse out for a walk this morning...and this is what I got in return for the favor...a muddy, paw-printed floor.  Sure wish my dog had a pair of running shoes!  I think I know how I'll be spending the rest of the afternoon...bleh.

Friday Free for All...

TGIF, folks!  I couldn't be giddier that it's Friday!!  I had a rough night last night at Zumba.  I've become painfully aware that my hips DO lie and I have two left feet.  I've got no rhythm...which sucks because I have a few cousins who can bust a move and break it down...but obviously, that talent does not run in the family. 

Even better was when I was driving Girly Merly home from Zumba last night...exhausted and sweating like a pig...my window was rolled down...and suddenly a massive beetle decided to fly in and join us on the ride home.  Girly Merly was in the middle of a very serious conversation...(aka psycho-babble), and I was doing everything in my power to get the beetle out of my car!!  "Everything in my power" included making strange noises to scare it out.  Do beetles have ears?  Can they hear?  Girly Merly heard the strange noises, stopped her psycho babble, and began looking for the sheep that apparently was on the loose.  According to her...my noises to scare the beetle sounded like a sheep "bahhhing."  Finally she realized I was trying to get the little hitch hiker out of the car and advised me to stop the car instead of doing all these shenaningans whilst driving the car!  Finally the beetle flew out!

The funny thing is...I'm not scared of bugs.  But beetles are big sons of guns.  And it was only a week or two ago when my work was having a dance off outside.  (  and no, I can't explain why a corporation where grown adults are employed has a dance off outside).  Anyway...I was sitting on the grass...and I felt something crawling on my leg.  I reached into my jeans and pulled out the biggest beetle I've ever seen in my entire life.  It was just instinct for me to throw it...Hey when instinct jumps in...you don't stop to think about the poor girl sitting next to you that you're throwing the bug at who happens to be petrified of bugs.  Needless to say...she let out a blood curdling scream...Was it coincidence that one of the girls in the dance off who was doing a cart wheel across the parking lot fell on her face?  Perhaps...

Damn beetles!

 

Hersdays...

So, I decided to make Thursdays...Hersdays...inspired by my friend Girly Merly...who is a true fashionista! I've been trying to get her to commit to writing her own blog about all her knowledge about hair, make-up, fashion, and nails...but, she's just a tad busy with a little thing called a dissertation.  That's right, folks...she's got beauty and brains.  So until she's up and running with her own blog, I've dedicated Thursdays on my blog to her!  So I can share the knowledge she shares with me with you!  And by the way, she has no clue I'm doing this...yet!  So, until I break it to her that she will be my Hersday contributor...let me share one of her passions...NAILS.

On any given day, when I go to her house and she's trying to relax, I see her painting her nails.  This is mind boggling to me because this is not my definition of relaxing unless someone's doing it for me.  But, by the time Girly Merly's done...it looks like her nails were professionally "did."...And we're talking complex patterns and true artistry folks...not just some plain ol' red polish.  I snuck on Pinterest to show you some nails that inspire her!

Next week, folks...it will be the real deal herself with a fun and funky post all about fashion...(I hope) so stayed tuned!

Way Back Wednesday...

It worked out perfectly that September 26th fell on "Way Back Wednesday"...because I had these great picture to share of my dad...and it just so happens that today would have been his 70th birthday. My dad only had 44 birthdays in this world before he went to be with Jesus in Heaven. A part of me feels jipped....for him and myself. Jipped for him...because he struggled his whole life, and it was cut short just when he thought the struggle was over. Jipped for me because I was only allowed to have this amazing person in my life for twelve years. Sometimes it hurts too much to imagine what life would be like if he were still here. I try to stop myself when I start wondering. But today...I can't help it. I find myself thinking about the amazing party I would have thrown for him...wondering how he would have looked with gray hair....and remembering the joy he brought to our family...

 

My dad and sister in 1971 ( I think)  

 Me and my dad in 1980. 

 



TV Tuesday

Those of you who know me know that I loveeee reality TV.  A few months ago, I moved into my new house, and  I decided it would be financially wise to cut a few of my cable channels...so, no more Kardashians, Joisey Shore, Mob Wives or any of the other craziness that I used to obsess over.  Thankfully the Bachelor/Bachelorette is on primetime TV, so it hasn't been ripped out of my life! 

So now that smut TV is gone, I've been forced to watch a lot of prime time TV, the cooking channels, NatGeo, and HGTV. 

Currently, I'm obsessed with:

The Voice...Hellllooo Adam Levine!!  Adam's not the only reason I watch...I am a sucker for watching people lay it all out to make their dreams come true. For some reason, I find myself crying every time I watch it!!  There are tons of talented people this season, but of course, I'm rooting for Benjy Kuriakose!  Gotta support my fellow Malayalee!

Go On...I've always loved Mathew Perry on Friends.  I think he's done other shows since, but I never got into them.  I half-heartedly watched this show, but fell in love with it.  If you haven't watched it...give it a try...the story line is really interesting.  It's about a recent widower who is also a radio personality...His boss makes him join a grief group and he hates every minute of it...until he forges relationships with the people in the group!

That's it for now folks....my oven's beeping...which means my baked chicken and seasoned cauliflower is ready for eatin!  Until next time...

 

Weekend in Review...

This weekend wasn't a particularly exciting one...I did the usual cleaning and laundry, caught up on phone calls with the seester, mom came over for a visit, church on Sunday and I watched a lot of TV. I know it doesn't sound very productive...However I did take some time to do a little baking...

First I made a chocolate cake topped with chocolate chips for my friend Merly since she is forever complaining about me not making her enough sweet treats (apparently she thinks she's pretty special and deserves them or something)





 

And then I made a strawberry cake for one of my co-workers, Shelley.  It was her birthday and since I think she's pretty awesome...I agreed to bake her a cake.

I also started planning a party! Now usually when I plan parties...it's for someone else.  But, this time I'm hosting one at my house.  It's a little Halloween inspired "Ghoul's Night Out!"  I'm a excited about it and will share my favorite ideas for decorations and food as the party progresses!