I've never been one of those girls who used my feminine wiles to get what I wanted. Let me just be frank here, I've never even had the opportunity to use my feminine wiles. Hell, I didn't even know I had any. But, I've often marveled at girls who batted their eyelashes a certain way and thus manipulated situations to their advantage. I never thought that I had that in me. Until...

I was working a wedding last Friday night. I was short on helpers...save my one trusty assistant. But, things were behind...and I needed ten more trusty assistants to make up on lost time. We were at the reception site and an old, bald, Egyptian man fancied us. Since we were sweaty and disheveled...I'm pretty certain he was just one of those types who see Indian girls and automatically think they're beautiful because they're Indian...so things like sweat, dishevelment, and steam coming out of my ears didn't dissuade him.

He was ever so eager to be at our beck and call. "Oh, I pick this up for you, mam." "Let me move this box for you, mam." I found it a little creeperish because wherever I turned...there he was...at my service. "I cook good biriyani, mam." I was short-staffed, short on time, and short tempered. So, I wasn't really in the mood to deal with this overly helpful, overly informative creeper. My assistant and I did our best to ignore him, make as little conversation as possible without being completely rude, and get the heck back to the church in time for pre-wedding tasks!

After the wedding we raced back to the reception site to make sure everything was set up properly and ready for show time. By this time, we were parched. It was now 8 pm, and we had been working since noon. As soon as we entered the ballroom....there he was. It was as if he had been waiting for us to return since we left. But, this time, he had a cold glass of tea in his hands for us. I had never been more excited to see unsweetened tea in my life. I took it from him...appreciatively....and drank it as if I had been in the desert for the past 40 years.

And that's when it hit me!...like a ton of bricks! I could totally use my feminine Indian girl wiles to get what I wanted. And what I wanted...was more assistance! "Mo, can you carry this box out to the foyer?"..."Mo, can you please get the sound guy some water?" "Mo, can you please find a to go box for me so I can take a piece of cake home to my husband?" I know...it's horrible....but it was wonderful all at the same time! I've never had someone so eager to do everything I asked! Now, I'm not a complete wretch...I did say thank you and good bye.

Don't worry...I very rarely run across people who think I'm gorgeous just because I'm Indian...so this feminine wiles thing won't get out of hand! And if given another opportunity to try it out again...I will only use it for good and not evil! =)

I've noticed something...I don't do things that I used to really enjoy doing. For instance, I used to make my own jewlery (earrings/bracelets/necklaces) and I stopped doing it because buying jewlery is cheaper. But I miss designing my own accessories...and beading was always a great stress relief! Anddd, I used to be a card sender...I loved sending people greeting cards because I knew how they'd brighten someone's day and break up the monotiny of bills, bills, bills....but I stopped sending them out because blog and facebook shout outs became so much easier. Anddd...I used to be obsessed with eyeshadow. I loved matching my dual-colored indian clothes with the corresponding eyeshadow. My sephora eyeshadow box was my most prized possession...but then I stopped wearing eyeshadow when I realized that my glasses covered it up anyways. Andddd...I used to love taking walks at the lake with Mousse. I really enjoyed the view while I walked...and people watching was always fun. And I stopped walking there because...well, I have no idea why I stopped. So, this week...I walked at the lake twice....and Iit made me realize that I've stopped doing lots of things that I used to love doing. So I'm going to make a conserted effort to bring some of that stuff back into my life....and enjoy myself a little!

Doggie sitting...again. This doggie was an easy one...she's just as luh-azy as Mousse!

I saw the strangest thing on TV the other night. Two women were conversing in Spanish, but they were dressed in Indian attire...as in Sari, dot on the head, bangles, chunky earrings and the whole nine yards!! It was the strangest thing...and I couldn't stop watching. Next there were other shots that were clearly filmed in India, more people dressed in Indian clothes....but everyone was still speaking Spanish...save a few Hindi words like "chalo" and "thee k" (excuse the spellings...I'm sure they're wrong) So, I had to investigate this further....what was this strange show?? Apparently the Spanish Channel created a new television show called India...which airs in Brazil (and obviously the U.S. too!) The soap opera reflects Indian culture and the plot is about a Dalit boy who falls in love with an upper class girl. Brazilians LOVE the show and it's causing an uproar in the country! Brazillians are now apparently obsessed with Indian customs, culture, and fashion! I'm not sure how accurate the representation of India and its culture is....because I can only understand a few words here and there....but I do think it's highly interesting that Brazilians have made an Indian soap opera! Ha!

People say that pets begin to act/look like their owners. And, I'm definitely beginning to see that in Mousse. She's only five...which isn't too terribly old for a lab...just like I'm not too terribly old for a human....but we both just lack energy. If I lay on the couch watching TV, she's typically laying right beside me on the floor...and we both tend to dose off watching Dr. Phil. Of course, she has a passion for food as well...and although she shouldn't eat chocolate, she feens for it...just like I shouldn't eat sugar, but just can't seem to say no. Our friends, Shmerly (Shines & Merly) have two puppies... Freddy Murphy (Murphy & Freddy.) They love Mousse...and that's an understatement. But, she just can't be bothered with them. It reminds me of when I was 9, and my friend NC was 5, and I hated when she came over to our house and threatened to tell my mom if I didn't play with her. I just couldn't be bothered with such a bratty, immature child!! So, as you can see, we have lots in common...me and my Moussey. And then, yesterday something happened that made me realize this doggie was truly meant for me... apparently we are both scaredy cats. She has a big bark...and no bite. And, I try to act tough, but am definitely a weenie inside. So, yesterday a huge fly flew in through the back door. It was one of those massive horse shoe flies. Mousse is typically pretty great at catching flies and anihiliating them....but this one was unstoppable. I think she began to think it was some mutant fly...and if she couldn't get it...maybe it would get her! Whatever the case, it FREAKED her out...and she went and hid in my bathroom.....for hours!! No dog snack or pepperoni could lure her away from her safety zone. It reminded me of when I wasn't feeling well one Sunday and decided to stay home from church. A bird had flown through the chimney and down into our fireplace...and decided to come in the house when it knew no one but me was home!! I have to admit, I hid in the bathroom too...until my mom came home. I love my Moussey!

So, obviously the challenge is OVER...and I failed miserably. Taking pictures AND blogging proved to be too much for me to do. I saw my good buddy, SnuK...at a baby shower this weekend. She told me to take my 30 day challenge and shove it up my ahhh...(she was a little volatile...and understandably so) The people who have read this blog since 2005 are disappointed with my inability to hold it together now. SnuK and I talked about why I don't blog...She's a great listener and very easy to talk to. And before long, I was able to psycho analyze what my problem is......Back in 2005, this blog was my diary. I wrote my daily rants and raves...and it was 100% ME...and what was REALLY going on in my "so called life." But, these days, my "so called life" isn't all that interesting...not much goes on a daily basis. And sometimes, things do go on, and I'm not so eager to share it with the world wide web. So, SnuK gave me some great advice...she said to share short stories...or write whatev...it doesn't have to be a diary of my life events. BRILLIANCE! So, I'm giving this another go...no blog challenges...no promises that I will write daily...but I will make a conserted effort to keep my blog alive. A big thanks to SnuK for asking about my blog, for listening to me ramble, and for caring enough about me to encourage me to keep my passion for writing alive. Anddddd...an even bigger congratulations to her....She received her Doctorate degree and is officially Dr. K!....So very proud of you!!! I love to see people succeed in fields that they are truly passionate about. She takes "history buff" to a another level!!

Day 4

So sue me (no pun intended) for taking a breather in the middle of my 30 day challenge. Three days in a row was quite difficult!! I blame the weather in Oklahoma City...since I have to blame something...It's been dreary and gray, and I'm definitely solar powered. So, since the sun decided to make an appearance today, I decided to write a blog post. =)

Last week, Matt and I were cruising around town in Black Beauty...also known as my 1998, Honda CRV. My old, faithful car is full of dog fur and memories. Lodged under the seat of my car, Matt found a black hair clip (which I would post a picture of, but blogger isn't giving me the option for some reason)...I haven't seen it since the 90's. I used to wear it nearly every day as I twisted my hair in a french twist and clipped it with my favorite clippie.

Since the day he found it under the seat, I haven't stopped wearing it. Although the only person I see wearing this kind of clip now is Snookie. (Sadly, I have more in common with her than just that...I love pickles and am a self-proclaimed "meatball" as well) Anyway, I take it off to sleep, and the first thing I reach for now in the morning is my hair clip...(and I think my glasses are beginning to feel a little neglected).

I stopped to think about why I have this new attachment to something so trivial and ridiculous...and I realized that it is because it represents a good time in my life. Over the past few weeks, I've talked with a few of the "girls" about the lack of friendship in our lives these days. We rarely call each other and see each other even less. Life is now full of family responsibilities...and a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Although this is one of the least busiest times in my life, I find myself making less of an effort to keep in touch with my friends...only because I know how busy they are. Life is never dull, and I'm not bored or in a funk, but I do miss my friends. I miss deep conversations and laughing hysterically about nothing in particular. And, since I currently don't have that...I find myself reminiscing a lot...and holding on to the littlest things that remind me of good times with good friends.

Day 3

Man, it's going to be a long way to 30 days. I'm quickly running out of things to photograph and blog about and it's only day 3. But, a quitter I'm not...so I will keep blogging even if it bores you to tears.

These are my kicks...my sneaks...quite possibly my favorite pair of shoes. I love them because they are easy...and versatile. But, I catch a lot of slack for wearing them. Mainly because of how I wear them....I don't like wearing socks with them because they make my feet sweat. And, I just slip them on instead of carefully placing my foot in them and then tying the laces. Apparently, it bothers a few people that the tongues of my shoes are crammed into my shoe, and I don't do anything to fix the situation. But, if I did...they wouldn't be easy...and I wouldn't love them. Is there something so wrong in going out in public like this? Are there really people out there that are paying attention to the tongues of my shoes??

Anyway, I love/d my shoes up until last week. It was Spring Break, and my 13 year old niece was visiting...she was sporting shoes juse like this but with the tongues in proper position. It made me wonder....Should a 30 something be wearing shoes that a 13 year old's wearing? My 20 something cousins assured me that it was fine...that it showed I was modern and keeping up with fashion. But, err...I'm not quite so sure. I see 40 somethings dressing like their teenage kids all the time. My pet peeve is when I see adult women wearing those knit/sweat pants with something stamped across their posterior. The whole thing has made me reevaluate my wardrobe.

Getting older is not an easy thing to do. I wonder sometimes if it's still okay to like the music I liked in my 20's...because I'm not ready to let Biggie Smalls go!!! I think I will forever be "Hypnotized!" Sometimes I feel weird talking to my nephew and niece about music because I wonder if they think I'm some old lady who is trying to be hip.

I realize I'm not a spring chicken anymore....And I do try my best to dress my age, although I may not always succeed. There are a few staple pieces in my wardrobe that I'm not ready to let go of...whether it's age appropriate or not....#1. my sneaks and #2. my tights and #3. my black cardigan (which is just timeless in my opinion!) =)

Day 2

Happy Birthday to my dear friend, Sunu

We have spent many birthdays together...driving around trying to find ways to celebrate. Back then we thought celebrating our birthdays in OKC sucked. Now, I'm quite sure she's wishing that she could be celebrating here.

Sunu, you may be far away...but you're definitely not forgotten. I hope you are having a fantastic day with your hubs and friends. Wishing you many blessings for the new year in your life! P.S. Come. Home.

Day 1

So, I got called out by my friend, Terrance about the 30 day blog challenge that never was. So, I had to stop making excuses about it and do it! One night as I tossed and turned, I thought that this challenge was a pretty great idea...a perfect way to keep me blogging. And the next morning, I thought..."what were you thinking?!?"

So...here's the premise. I remembered how I used to carry a camera with me...EVERYWHERE. Nowadays, I never have one on hand...and my camera phone bites, so I rely on the kindness of others for photos. So, I thought that perhaps I could tote my camera around daily again...and blog about my pics. And thus, my 30 day blog challenge.

So far, I've failed miserably!! But, Terry sort of made me realize that I left the blogosphere hanging, so I guess I will give it a try...

Today's pic is of my niece, Marissa. She turned the big 1-3 today!! So a big...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to her. Unfortunately, I'm painfully aware that my niece and nephews are no longer babies. I was lucky enough that they all lived close to me as babies...and I could give them their bottles, put them to sleep, and play with them. It's been fun to watch them grow up...but I also miss how cute and cuddly they were as babies! I remember how Marissa used to toddle around my house when she was a baby. She was the ultimate girly girl...I remember coming home from work one day and finding her in my room, in a laundry basket, with nail polish all over. She was passed out...I'm pretty sure it was from the fumes! And now, here she is...all grown up...a smart, resilient, beautiful teenager.

I know the years are just going to fly by...and next she'll be in her twenties (SHREIK!) So, Sue Aunty is going to cherish every visit and every birthday party that I'm invited to =)...

The "I Do Events" blog had a facelift....check it out! http://www.idoeventsokc.blogspot.com/

PS...stay tuned. I'm doing a 30 day blog challenge starting tomorrow!

I watched a show last night on OWN. Lisa Ling was reporting on faith-based healings/healers. I was already in a very emotional mood and probably should have recorded the show and watched it another day. But I just had to watch it last night...One story in particular really tugged at my heart strings. A man had gotten in a car accident at age 18 and had a brain injury which affected his speech. As if that wasn't bad enough, years later he fell off his roof and is now paralyzed. He attended a healing conference and believed 100% that God would heal him on the last day of the conference in the last 10 minutes. He said that God spoke to him and told him this.

Perhaps it's my lack of faith...but I knew he wouldn't leave the conference healed. But as they showed the last ten minutes of the conference (the time he was supposed to be healed), I found myself crying and praying..."Please God let him be healed." Well, he wasn't. Lisa Ling had become very attached to the man, and she too was crying watching him still sitting in his wheel chair. She went to him and checked on him to see if he was okay....and instead of being disappointed or angry...he lay his hand on Lisa Ling's and prayed for her. He also said that the life he's living now is just but a moment in time...but in heaven, he'll be healed and that will be an eternity. Now, that really made me cry!

I thought that a lot of people probably watched this show and thought that faith/healing/God is all just a bunch of hocus pocus. But, I thought that showing this man and his story really was a great example of what faith truly is. It was really encouraging! I could completely relate to his story...and I'm sure a lot of people can. I've prayed and believed a 100% for a miracle before. Unfortunately, that miracle never happened. It took me years to believe and have faith again. I avoided praying for important things because I didn't want to feel like I was being ignored or feel like God didn't care...or just be plain disappointed. But over the years, I've realized that faith is not just believing in the outcome you desire, but believing God is always in control....trusting in Him through the good and the bad.

It's not easy...I find myself struggling with it on a daily basis. When you're dreams are dashed...it's hard to immediately refocus your mind on God's goodness instead of the terrible pain you're feeling or the heartbreak you are going through. But, that is what God wants from us...an unwavering faith and understanding of how GREAT his love is....at all times.

So, the other day my sister and I were talking about our favorite things to do during "me time." My sister is really routined...she shops on a specific day, cooks on specific days, and even eats specific things on specific days. I'm not so routined...although I wish I could be. So anyway, she loves tea, but refrains from drinking it every day because of the caffeine and sugar. Once a week, she drinks her tea, eats a biscotti, and watches the View. It's her favorite day of the week.

I started to think about what my favorite day of the week was...The only thing I could come up with was Friday nights. Matt and I lay on the comfy red couch, and we watch Dateline together. But that's just it....we're together. It's not really me time it's we time!!

So, I started thinking about ways I could treat myself once a week....

I thought about going to B&N and reading for an hour or so...since reading more was one of my goals for the new year. But then I remembered that something about that store makes me really sleepy. And every time I go there to read, I fall asleep, and wake myself up with my snore!

So then I thought about a few hours of just turning on the music and painting my toes and maintaining my brows. But those really aren't enjoyable tasks unless you're leaning back in a comfy chair and someone else is doing it for you!

Then I thought about meeting up with a friend once a week for coffee and a great conversation, but I don't have enough friends for this to last more than 3 weeks.

So, now I'm back to Friday nights on the comfy red couch watching Dateline...maybe I'll kick Matt off of it and make him sit in the chair. =)...Unless, of course...you have any ideas!

Vappy Halentine's Day...

I think I've confessed before that I'm one of those people who on the outside....claim to hate Valentine's Day, but on the inside...love all the pink, hearts, flowers, candy, stuffed animals, sappy cards, and did I mention the pink??? But, here in the Thomas household we refuse to celebrate a holiday created by greeting card companies to sucker Americans into professing their love for one another by buying, buying, buying. Atleast, that's what Matt tells me.

However, I can't seem to let the day go by without celebrating it...just a little. So, although I'm married to a work-out fanatic and food nazi...I know that he has a weakness. And that weakness would be SWEETS. So, what does the sweetest wife on this side of the Mississippi (and yes, that would be me!!) do??? I've decided to make some chocolate covered strawberries.

I thought I'd include the recipe below for those of you procrastinators who are lookin' for a last minute gift for your sweetheart....it's easy, it's quick, it's cheap...errrr, i mean "cost" "effective."

Ingredients:
5 oz chocolate
1 pint fresh strawberries

Directions:
In a microwave-safe bowl, or in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, melt chocolate. Holding berries by the stem, dip in chocolate about three quarters of the way. Place stem side down on wax paper and refrigerate until hardened.

For extra fanciness:
Melt white chocolate and drizzle over chocolate.

Yep, it's that easy folks!! HVD!!!!

I'm a tupperware thief. I was preparing for the Sunday Scrubdown (cleaning the house), and as I was cleaning the kitchen, I opened the cupboard and stared at all the tupperware I have! Do they just multiply in there while I sleep? I never remembered having so much tupperware. But, as I looked through it I realized that half of it is not mine. Most of them belong to local mom's around OKC...Mary Varghese (my own mom)...Mary Paul (merly's mom)...Sandy Abraham (Sonia's mom). (Thank you, ladies) Although I'm sure you're not even aware of the fact that the tupperware you've been madly searching for all over your kitchen, is actually in mine. I should be a good citizen and return them all, but they're all sorta of curry stained and have worked their way into my heart. This could be why my mom own mom now sends stuff home with me in cool whip containers....cuz she knows her daughter has become a tupperware thief! She knows better than giving me the good stuff anymore!

Happy Birthday to my CCL!!!
I thought I'd bring back a fun little somethin' from the past....CHARACTER PROFILES! And, of course...this is the birthday edition!

Nicknames: Lisa, Kuriani (my sister's creation)

Character Traits: quick wit, brutal honesty, a touch of sarcasm, queen of exaggeration

Best known for: khaki pants, chocolate chip cookies, and that infamous punch in the gut

Favorite Food Items: vegetables and water

My birthday wish for her: Lis, I hope this year brings us closer....like the distance between OKC and Eulyss, Bedford. ;) Have a wonderful day...and enjoy that masala dosa!

So, let's talk reality TV!

Sunday...
K & K take New York- I'm not really sure what Kourtney sees in Scott Disick...but it's more than obvious the girl loves the guy. She is so happy around him...despite the fact that nearly all her family hates him. I love how layed back she is...never gets riled up like her sisters do. She's just even tempered. Usually you see Khloe and Kourtney and all their shenaningans...so it's interesting seeing Kim not being uptight and just hanging with her sister.

Monday...
Oh my gosh...the Bachelor! So, can I punch Michelle? She is so PSYCHO. I seriously can't wait for the day Brad dumps her. At first glance, I thought she was pretty and possibly the one for him. Until she opened her mouth, that is. Now I see her looking a lot like a chihauaha or some kind of rat terrier breed.

Tuesday...
Teen Mom 2- I am so glad Leah and Corey both decided to grow up and and get back together. It's terribly sad that they're so young and have to deal with the obstacles that they're going to have to face about their baby's health. Now, I do agree that Janelle needs to be more mature and responsible and take care of her baby instead of "we B clubbin" but her mom is more than annoying. She needs to back off and stop doing everything for the baby and making Janelle feel like she is incapable of doing simple tasks. Something tells me that Adam is going to burn Chelsea again....I just dont' trust that kid. Out of all these girls, I feel most sorry for Kailyn. I feel like smacking her mother who has no responsibility whatsoever for her daughter. It's horrible that she has to rely on her baby daddy's family for a roof over her head. Baby daddy is a total jerk...and she has no choice but to grin and bear it and live by their rules. I agree it's weird and inappropriate for her to date another guy and still live their....I just think it's so sad she has no other place to go.

Wednesday/Thursday- American Idol- I so love the addition of J-Lo and Steven Tyler. The trio is just so funny!!! I don't remember laughing this much in the past seasons!

Thursday...Joisey Shore!-WTF?!? Ok, I soooo didn't see this coming. I was all prepared for Sammi to pack her bags and get the hellz out of their....GOOD RIDDENS!!! Boy was I shocked when Ron forgave for poppin' him in his jaw for the terrible sin of talking to Jwow!! And then, I was left feeling shocked again when Jwow made amends with Sammi at the club. It was akward...because they hated each other so fiercely...but then it was kind of a relief too because that akward tension that's been building since last season is finally squashed.

And that's my reality TV wrap up, folks!

I tried to take a picture of it, but it just went too fast. I saw a commercial and I knew I had to try it...Sonic has a new Sonic blast. It consists of red velvet cake batter ice cream and strawberry cheesecake bites. I absolutely love red velvet, so I couldn't resist trying it despite the 30 degree weather.

It was UH-mazing! I usually get burned out after a few bites of ice cream or something really sweet...but nothing was burning me out on this. It was delish...and I have to stop myself from going back to Sonic for more!

If you haven't tried it...do so...but try at your own risk! It's addictive!

And.....I'm back. I had laryngitis for three weeks, blogosphere! I guess when I was forced to stop talking...I stopped writing too. But, Friday my voice came back, and I thought it was time to blog again. A life of silence is a lonely life...I relied on texting and emailing quite a bit. My fingertips are glad my voice is back so they can get a break.

A few funny things happened during my three weeks of silence....

One day I went to my mom's house. My aunt (a nurse) called my mom and asked her how I was recovering from the flu.
'Mom: She's feeling better, but now she has meninigitis.
Aunt: What?!?!?
Me: Noooo! Laryngitis!!
Mom: (who can't understand my hoarse voice) Yah, she has meningitis.
Aunt: What?!?
Me: Laryngitis!!!
Mom: Meningitis!!!
Aunt: What's wrong with her???
Mom: Sue, here talk to her.
Me: I can't talk!!!
Mom: She can't talk. She has no voice.
Aunt: Ohhhhh. Laryngitis. *** Sigh of relief***

Yep, that was a funny conversation...but even funnier was when my cousin SueTee called. To preface this story...I must tell you that I don't have a very emotional family. The most love I get from them are side hugs. Never do they utter those three sweet little words...and I do mean never....especially after that one time one cousin said "i love you" to another cousin on her wedding day and she punched him in the gut for showing too much emotion! So back to my story....
SueTee called. Matt picked up the phone. He told her I was still out of commission but if she wanted to say something to me she could....and then he proceeded to hand me my phone.

me: Hmm (Hi)
SueTee: Still no voice??
me: Mmmhmmm
SueTee: Well, ok I just wanted to know if you got your voice back yet. I'll let you go...
me: hmmhmmm (okay)
SueTee: I love you!
me: Hmmm???? (What the hell did you just say?!?!)
SueTee: laughing hysterically

After I hung up, I thought to myself....she only told me she loved me because I was struck mute and couldn't share the story with the rest of the cousins and reveal her moment of emotional weakness!!! Thus, I'm sharing the story with the blogosphere!....I'm sure I'll get a punch in the gut for this one!

Been out of commission, blogosphere. I was bitten by the flu bug last week. I've had the flu before...it's always nasty. But this time it was particularly nasty....even my scalp was in pain! I'm feeling much better, but I lost my voice and it's not back yet. I've tried everything...drinking hot things...resting my vocal cords...garling salt water...but nothing has worked. Going to work without a voice is not a possibility...so, I need it to come back quickly!!! If you have any tips for me on how to get it back...please let me know!

I'm not one to jump on the wagon of the latest fashion trends...but there's one that I just can't escape this winter!! Boots over jeans! Every time I go out, I see the entire town in them...no joke...atleast 98% of the female population! I tried to explain this to my sister before she came out to OKC for a visit, but she didn't get it until she got here. And then the next thing I knew, she was even wearing her damn boots over her jeans!!

So, seeing all these boot wearing folks made me want a pair too. Of course, I had some major obstacles to deal with. A. my almighty calves. B. my jeans are all baggy and excessively long, which makes it pretty challenging to fit in a boot with the almighty calves! So, I set out on my search...which took approximately 24 days. I searched high and searched low for the perfect boot. I can't get the almighty calves into a pair with a zipper, they just don't zip all the way. I don't like any with metal buckles cuz they look a little too rockerish for me. Uggs are cute on others but the whole round toe thing doesn't float my boat. And pointy toes don't either. Boots that are too long look a little hookerish. Boots with furry stuff on them just aren't me. And boots with heels are a hazard to my health because I know I'd be flat on my face in approximately 2.5 seconds.

I finally found the perfect pair in the most unexpected place at the most unexpected time. I was getting a few final Christmas goodies at Walmart on Christmas Eve morning...and lo and behold I found the perfect faux-suede, flat heeled, boots. They had a tinge of elastic at the top which made me smile because I knew it was exactly the little stretch I needed to get over my calves. I scooped them up. I was so happy!!

And then I came home. They are nothing but a pain in the posterior! It's an act of God getting them on. Unfortunately, my leg and the 10 yards of extra denim in my jeans makes it virtually impossible! I took the boots with me to my mom's on Christmas and asked my sister and cousins for advice. Cousin Les suggested jeggings. At first I scoffed...skin tight legging/jeans aren't exactly the best look on me. But then my sister and I went shopping the next day...our goal was to find ankle boots to solve the calf/jean leg problem...but no dice. So next, we looked for jeggings.

I gotta say...they're uh-mazing! I mean, they're almost as great as the elastic pants I wore when I was 8...And the best thing about them is they're not baggy so I can wear them with my boots. So, I've resigned to the fact that I bought shoes that only go with one pair of pants in my closet. I'm not happy about it...but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do for fashion!

I've had my eye on an ebelskiver pan since early November, and when Williams-Sonoma had them on sale for just $19.99, I jumped at the chance to buy one. I knew it would be a perfect treat for Christmas breakfast. Most the time I say "ebelskiver"...no one has a clue of what I'm talking about, so I thought I'd post a picture to explain...

They are perfect little golden, crispy pancake balls stuffed with your favorite filling and sprinkled with powdered sugar. So far I've made them with nutella (house favorite), caramel, and raspberry perserves. Williams-Sonoma has the recipe for the batter from scratch but to save time, I use regular ol' Aunt Jemima or Hungry Jack, and they're just as delightful!

So, if you're looking for something new to add to your brunch menu....try an ebelskiver!

I had work at 7 am, which is not really how I wanted to spend the first morning of the year. But it was a slow and painless work day, so I can't complain. After church, we had a most delicious New Year's meal at the maternal unit's and then headed off to church to meet a friend for New Year's service.

I love the first sermon of the year...it's always full of hope and leaves me feeling like I have a sense of spiritual direction for the next 365 days to come. This particular sermon was about "First"...seeking God first, in particular, and how everything will be added to you. Not just seeking Him at the beginning of the year...but at the beginning of every day in prayer and scripture reading...at the beginning of every week with corporate worship...and the beginning of every month with tithes.

It was a particularly a spiritually charged night for me because the friend we met at church tonight was not Christian. She's Hindu...and she's seeking the true God in her life. I feel like I've been on this journey with her since early summer and it's been really interesting to see how God is working in her life...to see the way He speaks to her...how He's revealing Himself to her. At times, I've been jealous, in a way. I see these little spiritual revelations happening in her life, and I've thought...Hey, I want that! But then I realize that it's the way in which she's pursuing Him...the passionate way she's seeking Him. And I realized that I need to seek the truth in the same manor...instead of taking for granted I was raised knowing the truth. I need to do more than just know it...I need to experience it.

So, in short, my verse for the year is ...."Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, Then all these things shall be added unto you."

What's your verse for the year?

It's the last night of 2010!!! How are you spending the night?? I made a special dinner...lasagna and blackberry cobbler...the hubs and I are ringing in the New Year watching the ball drop in NYC as we lay on our comfy red couch! I know, I sound like an old fogie...but, it's so cold out tonight and we have work at 7 am tomorrow morning! So, we thought this was the perfect way to spend the evening.

Today I asked a few people how they felt about 2010. The last day of the year always brings out the reflective side of me. It was encouraging to hear that most people felt that 2010 was a good year for them. By God's grace it was a good year for me too. I think I truly learned to trust and rely on God this year. That's a lot coming from someone who has spent a lifetime struggling with "faith." This was definitely a growing year...and I realized that I can't control many aspects of my life, but there is someone who is always in control. Although, there's been so many times that I've asked God, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING??!" I learned that His ways are definitely not my ways...but it's always the right way.

I enter 2011 with lots of hope...It's nice to have a fresh start, new goals and aspirations, and 365 days of possibilities. I don't have any resolutions this year...because I find that when I resolute to do things, it often leads to failure. But, there are lots of things I would like to accomplish. I hope 2011 brings all of you lots of joy, and that God will bless you and surround you with His love! Happy New Year, Blogosphere!

Christmas was great this year! My sister and fam were in Okc...and it's been years since we've been together for the holidays. My brother-in-law came in on a later flight and was supposed to fly in on Christmas Eve, but due to some technical difficulties with the airplane, had to take a later flight and came home Christmas morning just in time for breakfast! It was definitely a Christmas miracle....because we were all PRAYING he'd make it in time.

Mom, sister, aunt and cuzzies...

the guys...

a sibling pic...I usually insist on being in the middle, but this time I thought we should be in birth order...and I thought I'd let my sister have the honors of sitting with my brother. =) I think the last time we took a sibling picture was back in 1979...we were all a lot cuter back then!

I thought we'd do things a little different this year and play Dirty Santa instead of Secret Santa. I thought the family could use a little fun-filled game. The whole concept was a little foreign to them and it didn't go over very well...at. all. Next time, we'll stick to the same ol' tradition.

This year I really didn't reflect on presents...I mean, I love giving presents...so I did pick things out carefully and enjoyed doing so. But, I didn't think about what I was getting or care about what I was getting. I tried to mentally put Christ back into Christmas and think about His gift as the ultimate gift! Although I enforced the "don't care" attitude...I got awesome gifts!! My sister got me an electronic book reader, which totally blew my gasket! I didn't see that one coming at all!! My brother got me a digital frame (courtesy my wonderful niece Marissa who picked it out for me), which I've been wanting forever! And then....let me tell you what my BF did for me!!

A few weeks ago, I had her look at the Vera Bradley website. For those of you who don't know what that is...It's a brand of quilted bags, purses, totes, wallets, etc. I absolutely love quilts... (can't help it...it's the country girl in me!) and fell in love with these quilted bags when I saw them. Of course the pattern I loved the most was out of stock and so I thought I'd seek Sonia's opinion on the second best. I wasn't in love with the second best...but still asked Matt if I could get one for myself. He thought I was absolutely nuts... he thought they were way too country...and he just bought me a really nice bag for our anniversary...not to mention, he thought someone in India could make it for 2 bucks. So I put aside my dream of having a Vera Bradley....

When I picked my sister up from the airport, she opened her suitcase to get her coat out. And I saw this familiar pattern. My eyes bulged out of my head! "You got a Vera Bradley bag?!?" I exclaimed! She told me to calm down because it was mine... and that my BF & Sheryl got it for me and sent it with her from Florida! I was ecstatic and haven't put it down since I've gotten it. It's a little big to carry as a purse but I don't care. I've gotten lots of complements on it too...sure the women who complement me are in their 60's...one actually told me to keep my eye on it cuz she wanted to steal it!!! Sometimes I wonder if the fact that 60 year olds want my bag should tell me a lil' somethin' about my sense of style...but I don't care!

What has Christmas turned into in this country?? I went to the mall thinking it's still early...there shouldn't be a crazed Christmas rush yet...I mean there's still 10 days until Christmas. Boy, was I wrong. Watching people shop during this season is extremely disheartening. It's supposed to be this joyous season of good will towards men. But, people are walking around looking all pissed off and grumpy about either spending too much money or not knowing what to buy or waiting in lines or being man-handled as they shove their way through crowds or driving aimlessly looking for parking spots that are somewhat near the stores. There's just nothing joyous about it. It's like we've completely lost our focus...people are more concerned about the perfect tree, the perfect presents, perfect gift wrapping, perfect Christmas meals, perfectly golden Christmas cookies...and we've completely lost sight of the real reason for the season. Jesus. I sometimes wonder how He feels about it when He gazes down upon us lovingly from heaven....His children who He died for thinking more about the greatness of Santa Clause (who doesn't exist) than Him. This Christmas...I challenge you...my faithful readers...to put Christ back in Christmas...

I have very few "favorite" people in the world...but this is girl is definitely one of them. Suetee,

my most favorite double cousin. My cousins and I don't get to see each other very much...once a year if we're lucky or at family weddings...which seem to be few and far between lately. But, it doesn't really matter because we talk on the phone incessantly (thus my unlimited minutes on my cell phone).,,,and we just have this special bond. I know if either of them are reading this they're probably gagging or rolling their eyes...or just feeling plum embarrassed because I'm "over emotional"...which is the kinder/more politically correct word than what they would use. But it's true...we do have a special bond. I sometimes wondered if we'd be friends if we weren't cousins...and the answer is... I highly doubt it. We are polar opposites in every sense of the word, but our family bond makes us accept each others quirky ways, stay close, and love each other (there! I said the L word too!) beyond measure. Happy birthday to my cousin, my friend...and one of my most favorite people in the whole wide world!

S is for SECRET keeper...because she's the best!

O is for OBSERVANT ... she notices everything!

N is for NICEST person I know.

I is for IMPECCABLE taste in purses and shoes!

A is for ABSOLUTELY AWESOME...that's what kind of friend she is!

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, BF!

Why I Love Thanksgiving

A Short Essay by Suevee

There are many reasons why I love Thanksgiving. I love that it falls on a Thursday, which assures the majority of folks a day off. I love it because I love turkey...white meat to be exact....the drier the better. Who am I kidding? I love stuffing and grean bean casserole and honey butter too. I love Thanksgiving because it's the one day of the year that you can stuff yourself shamelessly because it's expected of you. I love it because it's a lazy day...and it's okay to take a nap right after eating because turkeys have tryptophan and tryptophan makes you sleepy. I love Thanksgiving because it's the one day that forces you to dig deep or not so deep...and think about the positive aspects in your life and be grateful. In short, I LOVE Thanksgiving.

The End

The news that made my day...

When Maddicakes was here a few weeks ago, Sonia tried to teach her how to say my name. Instead of calling me "Sue Aunty"...Sonia has decided to teach her that my name is "Sueny." This is a name my niece, Priya used to call me when she was a baby and couldn't pronounce my name. I thought it was so cute...and I guess Sonia did too.

Maddi couldn't seem to learn to say "Sueny" when she was here. So when she saw me, she'd point at me and smile...which let me know that she knew who I was and was glad to see me. That made me happy enough. She calls her other aunts "Aunty"...but she didn't call me that either. So, I guess she knew that my name was something else, but couldn't remember what.

Well, today she was looking at pictures on her own, and her daddy heard her say "Sueny!"...He went to look at whose picture she was looking at because he had no idea who she was talking about. And when he looked...it was MEEEE! She finally learned my name! All on her own! What a little genius! Sonia made sure to call me and let me know the good news....I told her it made my day! Heck....it made my entire week!

Five years ago, I made the best investment that I've ever made in my life. My dear friend, the Illustrious Finuji told me that her co-worker had some labrador puppies for sale. I had always had my heart set on having a lab, an SUV, and 4 kids...in no particular order. So, I told Fin that I wanted to see the pups. I always wanted a blonde lab...and had pre-picked the name "Brooklyn." (This was obviously in my I LOVE NY phase). (Some might argue that I'm still in that phase)

The little puppies were all snuggled together in a huge wooden crate. Among the black and blonde pups...I saw a little chocolate one with a white patch of fur on its' chest that looked like a touch of whip cream. It was pretty much love at first sight. She reminded me of the chocolate mousse with whip cream on top that I had at Serendipity Cafe in NYC just a few weeks before. I instantly named her Mousse...and waited patiently for a few weeks for her to be weaned.

The day I brought her home...she was so sweet and quiet. Then, there was day 2. She definitely had an ornery streak. She made it very evident that she was my new #1 priority...and in case I forgot that fact, she'd make sure to have newspapers shred all over my apartment to remind me....Or, even better she'd gnaw the heels off of my leather shoes. There was a time or two that I wondered if I could possibly get my money back!! But, I didn't give on her...and she didn't give up on me.
She had really bad habits....like jumping all over people as soon as they walked through the door, sleeping on the bed, sleeping on the couch, and demanding attention. Actually now that I think about it...she still has lots of these bad habits...but they're not as annoying anymore. I had bad habits too though...I neglected to walk her and didn't realize how important it was for her to release some of her ENERGY. She spent a lot of time in lock up...while I researched how to train a dog online and in books.

I have to be honest...it wasn't until Matt joined our little family that Mousse was officially trained. He practiced "spare the rod...spoil the child." It didn't take Mousse long to understand that bad behavior was no longer appreciated or tolerated. And now, there's no doubt that she's our #1 priority.
People don't really realize how much you can love a pet. It almost seems so silly. But they have character and rely on you completely, so it's really easy to fall in love with them. Mousse is way more than just my pet....she's the apple of my eye, my pwecious pwincess, and my BFFL. Happy 5th Birthday to my Moussey...

Now, isn't that a scary sight?? Matt and I toured our local Halloween superstore...and I forced him to try on a few masks.

This one was my favorite.

Our Halloween was pretty uneventful....we didn't have any trick or treaters...not a one! Cousin Les came over and we watched "Get Him to the Greek"...which is a comedy...not a horror movie. But, all the raunchiness horrified me!

I did record the movie "The Strangers," but I convinced Matt that we should watch it during the day and not at night so I wouldn't be so scared. But, I tried it to watch it today in broad daylight...and I was still too scared. =/

Now, November is upon us....I'm looking for new and delicous Thanksgiving recipes, so if you have one...please do send it my way!

I, myself am getting tired of looking at Sheryl's mug...and decided to do something about it. I can't believe there are only 3 days of October left. Where did this year fly off to?? I have to admit that October is probably one of my most favorite months of the year....Partly because it's the birth month of some extremely cool people ;)...but mainly because fall weather finally kicks in Oklahoma. I love me some cool mornings and some frigid nights! And even though Halloween is supposed to be all wicked and sinister...I love it too...costumes and candy...what's not to love??

Since I haven't written in a long while, I thought I'd catch the blogosphere up to speed with all the happenings of the month....

On October 5th, Baby Tyson "chicken chunk" Chacko Ingle arrived! He is Tessa's baby bro and the latest addition for NC & Andy. He was supposed to arrive on the 6th, which would have helped his mom remember my birthday...but he betrayed me and came a day early. That's okay...I love him anyway. Who wouldn't? Look at those cheeks!
The 6th was my birthday. It was a great one...my phone rang off the hook and facebook blew up with messages and comments and it made me feel oh-so special! BF and Maddicakes also flew in that day...and I got to spend the week with them which was like icing on the cake!

BF and Madison were in town for the engagment of this very cute couple...Wins & Soni. They will be tying the knot in July 2011 and have asked yours truly to be their wedding planner!

I have been keeping myself busy this month with weddings and parties...I'm working on a birthday party for a very special person...my niece, Sophia. It's Dr. Seuss theme and it's been a blast to work on...although my apartment looks like Hobby Lobby exploded in it. I'll give you a sneak peak of the decor...It's a little fuzzy, but stay tuned to my other blog for more pictures soon to come...

PS...this picture was brought to you by my new cell phone! It was a steal of a deal at just $30!! I haven't had a camera phone in quite a while, so I'm going a little camera crazy these days. But the best part about it is the Qwerty keyboard, which makes text messaging brides so much easier!!

So, that was my month in a nutshell...ohhhh, almost forgot the most exciting thing about this month!!

October 28th, McDonalds brought back the McRib sandwich!! Boy does that sandwich conjure up some memories of my childhood....Matt and I went out and got ourselves McRibs for lunch today. They were just as delicious as I had remembered! So if you haven't had one yet....go out and get one!...and Monopolys back...you might win some free fries...I did!!

HBD, Sheryl!

Happy Birthday to Sherika Jenkins James Jacob...on this, her 30th birthday!It's dawned on me a few times over the years that I'm getting old. But, knowing that Sheryl turns 30 today makes me feel really old. It seems like just yesterday that we were cutting her cake for her 16th birthday...my how time flies! I feel like I've watched her do a lot of her growing up and seen her through many of her stages...and it's been a pleasure watching her journey and seeing how God has molded her into the person she is today!

Though life has changed immensley since this picture was taken...I think it perfectly depicts who she is to me. She is the one who always brings the fun into my life with her misadventures that she drags me into...and makes me smile and laugh even when I don't feel like it.

Happy Birthday, Kid!

Spent the weeked in Houston this weekend...I had a good time visiting CCL and Suetee and spending time with their kiddos.Now it's back to reality...I'm on a time crunch. I have to find a church and reception hall this week for a wedding I'm working on. That means I have 3 more days, folks! I've been on the phone all morning! P.S....the lunch with the total stranger went fabulously. She was an event planner at a fancy schmancy hotel downtown. We had a great time...never a lull in the conversation! Maybe I'm getting better at this!

False Alarm...

So, my friends went on vacation this past weekend, and I was left to watch over their puppy and their home. They live approximately 65 seconds away from me, so I didn't think it was necessary to actually stay in there home the entire time. I went by and checked on the house Saturday. And although I told my friend I'd be staying there that night, I was bit by the lazy bug and decided that the 65 second drive was just way too long...and snoozed at home.

Sunday morning at 7 am, my phone started to ring. It was my friend calling from vacation. Considering it was 5 am there, I knew it couldn't be good. When I picked up, he asked if I was at the house. I said no. He said the alarm was going off at the house, and the alarm company called him. He asked if we could go by and check it out...and he suggested we take Mousse along. (What was she going to do? Lick the intruder to death??)

We raced out of the house...during the 65 second drive, my mind was racing with "what ifs." What if the intruder was still there? What if he had a gun? Suddenly the fiction writer in me came alive and my mind was creating a million stories that all ended badly!! (I'm not quite sure if the writer in me awoke from her deep slumber or if I've just been watching way too much Forensic Files, Investigators, 48 hour Mysteries, and Dateline)

We got to the house and I opened the garage. So far, no criminals. Then, I opened the door leading to the house. My heart dropped to my toes. Every single light was on in the house, and every bedroom door and closet was open. That was definitely not how I left the house the afternoon before!! My friend was still on the phone with me, and I said, "dude, some one's definitely been in here." He urged me to...."Get the hell out!" And that's exactly what I did. Shoot...no one needs to tell me twice!

I ran to my car and called 911. I'm not quite sure how I got my fingers to stop trembling long enough to press the numbers. The operator assured me that the police were on their way. So, I sat and waited. Two minutes later, I got a call from the police. They said they had already responded to the alarm...and that the front door was open, and they came in and THEY were the ones who turned on all the lights and opened the doors! Can you believe they scared me like that? I couldn't believe they didn't turn off the lights...or at least leave a little note that said "sorry we missed you....we turned on all the lights, and there are no criminals on this premises."

Uh, I guess you're wondering how the front door was open....Good question. Well, I guess I sort of forgot to chain the door, and although I locked it, it didn't latch correctly. =) It was a windy morning...and the door blew right open. Oopsie!

The Art of Small Talk

I went to a party tonight...and as Jason Derulo would say, I was "ridin solo." I knew a lot of people would be there and so I was very apprehensive about not having an FBF with me in case I ran out of people to talk to. What's an FBF? (Excuse me, I've been watching a little too much Jersery Shore, which has inspired me to use more acronyms these days) FBF= Fall back Friend. This is the person that usually accompanies you to a party or social event, and although you may get separated whilst socializing with others, you eventually make your way back to...and you can rely on talking to this friend when you are officially out of other people to talk to. Pretty much when you're married...your FBF is your spouse by default. But, when you're spouse can't make it and you're ridin' solo...you got no FBF, which is not good for someone like me.

I've realized that to successfully socialize among a group of people, one must master the art of small talk. I've attempted to do this time and time again, but fail miserably. I'll talk to someone and think to myself..."That's it...you're getting it!" And then the thought triggers my brain into a relapse, and I start feeling akward...and before I know it, I've failed yet again.

My friend, Shines is like the Pablo Picasso of small talk. The guy can start a conversation with a cashier at Walmart. He's forever lecturing me about the importance of talking to people because you never know what a simple conversation can lead to...business/job opportunities, new friendships, discounts, etc, etc.

I guess my issues is that I like in depth, meaningful conversations. I can't do the "hi, how are you?, good to see you, give me a call sometime" thing. It seems...well, not meaningful. I feel like I have to know the person, and at least know about some aspect of what's going on in their life, so I'll have something to talk about. I'm just not good at asking questions to people I don't know to find out more about them.

This week, I am stepping out of my little social box...or should I say my anti-social box?!? I have a lunch meeting set up with a perfect stranger. I am quite nervous...but in a way, a little excited to see if I'll pass the test that I usually fail. Will I master the art of small talk?!? Stay tuned...

I've spent the past few days helping my friend NC set up her 3rd grade class since school will be starting in just a few days. She's very pregnant and having a hard time dealing with the heat (AC is out in the school) and all the work she's gotta do before school starts. Spending the day in an elementary school made me quite nostalgic...especially seeing my 4th grade teacher! Oddly enough, she remembered me and said, "Yes...Susan..I remember you. You were always so quiet in class and only spoke when you were asked a question." Yep, that was me. We moved quite frequently, so I was really shy and hesitant to make new friends. (Which is still how I am to this day.) Anyhoo, I thought it was interesting that she remembered me after all these years (it's been a long time since I was in 4th grade!!).

I recently found a picture of myself when I was in elementary school. It reminded me of a time when life was easy and good...My jeans always fit because my mom always bought elastic pants ;) and I always had good hair days because I wore pigtails every day. Back then, we played outside with neighborhood friends, rode bikes, and watched cartoons on Saturday mornings. Life was simple. Today, kids are inundated with modern technology...and sure, it has simplified their lives in ways, but it has taken away the simplicity of life as well.

I'm glad I was a kid when I was a kid....before there were Wiis, ipods, cell phones, and strange cartoon characters. =)

I've spent the past few weeks hanging out with my niece and nephew. Today, we did a photo shoot with their favorite chocolate lab...Moussey. I thought I'd post a few shots so the blogosphere could not only see how big Mousse has gotten...but how big the kids have gotten as well!Mousse was beginning to get a lil' tired of modeling...but the kids never get tired of modeling with her.
And finally, she could take it no longer...She needed her beauty rest.

I believe that most things that happen in life happen for a reason. Sometimes you come to find out what the reason is...and sometimes you can go through your whole life and never really understand the "whys".

A few months ago, I was house hunting. I had found a great house, in my budget, and in the perfect location. I put a bid on the house and was so positive that we'd be home owners within just a few short weeks. I mentally thought about where to put my furniture and what colors to paint the walls. And then, a week later I got a call from the real estate agents saying a higher bidder came along, and the house was sold.

I was bummed to say the least. I couldn't understand why I had gotten so close only to get the rug pulled out from under me. I couldn't seem to find a house as perfect...and before I knew it April 30th had come and gone...and so had the first time home buyers tax credit. I stayed bummed for several months...

And then, about a month ago, I lost my job. And, I realized that although I thought life would have been perfect in that house, God knew better....much better. And so here, I am...jobless for the first time since I was sixteen years old. I haven't been without a job for more than three weeks (during transitions or vacations)....I'm going a bit stir crazy. It's weird because when you're at work, you're staring at the clock, praying that those needles will just move forward a bit faster. But when you're at home, the hours fly by, and so do the days and weeks.

It's a scary time to be with out a job, but I trust that now is the time to pursue something that I love and enjoy. It's time to break the cycle of the monotonous 9-5. Right now, I feel like I've reached a fork in the road, and really need God to shed some light for me on which path I should take. Tonight I was feeling a little lost/confused/scared...and I read something on another blog that I found interesting and inspiring....It read, "your dreams come true when you act to turn them into reality."

What better way to discuss Fashion Friday...then to talk about Sex and the City 2. My friend the Furball and I went to go see it on opening night! She was the one who introduced me to the show a few years ago...(which I instantly fell in love with) so it made it extra special to see it with her.

It was such a good movie!!!!!! Much better than the first one! And the fashion??? Fuh-get about it!! Let's take a looksie, shall we? I wish you could see Miranda's dress better. It was super cute, and she looked really great in this movie. I think her style is themost practical...it's not hoochie-ish like Samantha's, out there like Carrie's, or proper like Charlotte's. Although I did love Carrie's dress in this scene and her hair! Just gorgeous. But the lovely lady did look a little aged in this movie. I saw lots of wrinkles that I never noticed before.

I love Charlotte's dress in this scene!

Carrie wasn't sporting her "carrie" necklace in this movie. Instead, she wore this clover necklace quite a bit! I was pretty much feening over all of their accessories...especially their cocktail rings!! Look at Miranda's earrings! Fabulous.

This was my favorite outfit of the entire movie. Not sure if I'd ever wear a fluffy, gorgeous skirt to a street market. But hey, that's Carrie Bradshaw for ya!

Today is TV talk Wednesday. So, if you don't watch TV...especially reality TV. You might want to tune in tomorrow. =)
The Bachelorette...
I like this season's bachelorette. She seems like the girl next door. Unfortunately, I think she has very slim pickins to choose from. The very first night, I could pick atleast 15 guys she should have gotten rid of and not just 8. Here are my top two guys this season.

But, this appears to be Alli's favorite so far.

And finally, this guy has already made it on my hit list.

He looks a lot older, his hair is awful, and there is something sort of sinister behind his demeanor. We'll see how that plays out. After watching Alli on Ellen the other day...I'm not so sure she found love this season!

The Hills...I can't stand Brody Jenner. He purposely brought his new girlfriend around Kristen to see how she would react. He sat there at the club as proud as a peacock knowing two girls had their eyes on him. Someone needs to burst his bubble. Why would he expect Kristen to be overly friendly to a girl he was all over? And then to make a big deal out of that in front of everyone?!? As Kristen would say..."what. ev-errrrrrrr." PS...Lo's boyfriend?!? totally not who I pictured her with.

The City-Oh Olivia, how I hate thee. She's so smug. I'm not a big Erin fan either. But, it's hard to hate someone more than I hate Olivia. I don't know why Whitney hasn't learned yet that Roxy is bad for business. I know they're BF's...but her mouth!!

American Idol-I love Lee, but I have to admit, Crystal knocked it out of the ball park last night. It's interesting to see how immensely she has changed. She used to be so stoic...and akward in front of the crowd. But now, she acts like a star. Lee seems a little star struck still and I think it might have hindered his performance last night. Despite who wins tonight, I think they're both going to have a great future in the music industry...and that's really all that matters.

So You Think you Can Dance starts Thursday! so excited!

I have dubbed Tuesdays..."Tasty Tuesdays." I'm hoping this new plan to structure the blog will help me stay committed to writing here. =)

I have to admit that most of the ladies (family members and friends) in my life are amazing cooks...I try my best to keep up with them and they've really helped me to aspire to be better and try new recipes. So, that's what Tasty Tuesday is all about...sharing easy,yummy, budget-friendly recipes with the blogosphere!

The first recipe was given to me by dear friend, The Illustrious Finuji...but you can call her Fin. She made some "to-die-for" shrimp quesadillas and was kind enough to give me the recipe. I think I've tweaked it a bit to make it budget-friendly...but it's still good!

You will need:
1 lb shrimp
1 lb italian sausage (in the breakfast sausage aisle)
a few cups of shredded cheese
package of tortillas (i like to use wheat)
1 envelope of Monterrey Steak season-chipotle lime
1 tsp olive oil
Peel and clean shrimp
Pour 1 tbs of olive oil over the shrimp
Empty contents of seasoning envelope
With hands, mix the shrimp until well-coated by spices
Let the shrimp marinate for 10-15 minutes
While shrimp marinates, butter one side of your tortilla
Brown italian sausage, drain fat
After shrimp has marinated, saute in frying pan 10-15 minutes, or until cooked
Place tortilla buttered-side down in frying pan, on half the tortilla sprinkle browned sausage, place 5-8 pieces of shrimp on top, then cover with shredded cheese.
Fold over the empty side of tortilla, and flip over to brown other side.
Remove from pan when both sides of tortilla are browned...andddd EAT!
*sour cream and salsa make it extra yummy!

The weekend was a pretty good one...I hated to see it end. Saturday, I centerpiece shopped for an upcoming engagement, slept A LOT, and then went to the mall with NC. I don't think we've done that since the 90's...when we got there, she surprised me by treating me to a much needed pedicure. It was so nice just to shop, chat, and get our feet did. Sunday...we went to church and then lunch with the Mathews. We tried a new place called the Cajun Kitchen. If you're in the OKC area, I highly recommend it. It's located on 63rd and Macarthur...not only is the food scrumptious, but the service is the friendliest that I've ever experienced...ever. I ended Sunday evening with the Lost finale. aaaaaaah. Where to begin??

I'm not sure what you guys made of it...but I'd love to know, so please do leave comments below and share your thoughts!! Here's what I thought: The island was real. They were each brought to the island on purpose...to redeem themselves and to make these lasting, impacting relationships. The show was never about the island...it was about the characters, which is why I loved it initially. They all died at various times...Jin, Sun, and Sayid when the sub exploded...Jack at the very end when his eye shut (amazing ending I thought)...and the flash sideways was them in an "after life" phase where they all had to re-meet in order to finally move on...to.........whatever your faith believes...that's why the "church" they were in had various images like the cross, ganesh, buddha, the jewish star...it was just a meeting ground based on their faith. some things i don't get...like jacob, the smokey monster, the whole dharma initiative, and the drain that almost sunk the island. so if you have thoughts on it...please do share!

and that brings us to.....
Monday. My least favorite day of the week. It's so hard for me to drag myself out of bed and get to work. I don't know about you, but I could definitely use a jolt on Mondays...something to get me going and get me ready for the week.
So, I have decided to post "Motivational Mondays" on my blog. Hope they give you the jump start you need! There's lots I could say to motivate you today. The most important thing is....next Monday, those of us in the good ol' USA are off! Now, that's definitely something to smile about! Also...for those of you fellow "Bachelor/Bachelorette" fans...the new season of the Bachelorette begins tonight!!

Now, if that wasn't enought to get you motivated today...let's discuss this:
Last Thursday, I watched Lee DeWyze go home to Chicago on American Idol. I have to admit, Lee wasn't my initial favorite, but he definitely sang his way into my heart. I like him for more than his music...I like him because he's humble. Despite the fact that he's the crowd favorite, and the front runner to win this competition, he still seems a bit awe-struck when the judges tell him that he rocks! I think it finally hit him when he went home last week...he realized he has so many people rooting for him and more than that, he realized how far he's come.

I love shows like American Idol...that take an average joe..a dreamer...and give them a platform to make their dreams come true. Just a few weeks ago, Lee was a paint salesman and now he's on his way to super stardom. I was bawling right along with him when he visited his old job. I can't begin to tell you how many times I dreamed of having that same moment. You know, that moment when you're actually doing something you LOVE, that you're good at, that you are passionate about...and you're excelling in it!! That moment when you can look back at your life and see how far you've come...and how all the time you spent hoping, dreaming, praying, and working towards that goal were worth it.
When I watched Lee it gave me hope. That it can happen...and it does happen to all sorts of people. Like Susan Boyle...who could have given up on her dreams long ago. But, if you keep holding on to the dream...there's always a possibility of living it....one day.

I'm back...forgive me. (Sorry, Staic!)

I've been busy and haven't been feeling 100%...therefore neglecting my page. While I was gone, I worked on a fabulous birthday party for two very special twins...

It was loads of fun working with a mom who wanted to make the party extra special and thew caution to the wind when it came to budgets! Now that's it's over, "I'm on to the next one"...as JayZ would say!

My friend Sybil and I are putting together a party for WRATH (women against trafficking humans) Basically, all the attendees will bring items to the party, which will meet the needs of safe houses for victims of human trafficking. As I've begun working on this project, I've been learning more and more about the problem. I would have never imagined that Oklahoma would be #4 in the nation in human slavery. It was a sickening discovery. Since we have 3 major interestates running across our state, it makes it a prime location apparently. If you're reading this and would like to host your own WRATH party to support victims, let me know and I'll give you more information.

I decided to put themes to my days to help me with thinking of blog material. Today is Fashion Friday

Topic: Sandal boots At first I thought they were horrendous. And then...as most things do...they grew on me. I know they're not very practical...because if you're wearing sandals...you most likely don't need ankle warmers. But, I think they're fashion forward...which is precisely why I don't own a pair. I love looking at them on other people's feet...but I don't have any fashion forward clothes to go with them. Face it, cardigans and sandal boots just don't go.

What do you think?

Today's Funny...

Butt lift gone bad...

Look Who's 5!

Happy belated 5th birthday to Suevee blog. I can't believe it's been five years since I started writing here. I spent some time last night going back in time and reading a few of my old posts...some had me cracking up as I remembered my crazy day to day antics and some had me thoroughly depressed as I remembered being the disgruntled employee of the "BC" looking for the perfect career opportunity and Mr. Right.

My cousin, Alex once commented on one of my posts...compairing it to the show Seinfeld...a blog about nothing! I have to agree. Although it's been severly neglected in recent years...and grueling at times to write a blogworthy post...I hope to keep it going so I have something to look back on in 2015. (2015? That sounds so futuristic!)

I know that I don't have the readership I had back in the day...there are very few people who come here and know who CCL and MU are...but to those of you who have stuck with me since the beginning....You must be easily entertained!!! ;)

Happy Birthday dear Bloggie...Happy Birthday to YOU!

After months of freezing temperatures, blizzards, hazardous road conditions, and wool coats...spring is always a welcomed change. Sometimes I feel like I'm solar-powered because when the sun starts shining, I am definitely more energetic. It's the time of year when I realize my "grizzly bear" tendencies in the winter got way out of hand...because spring/summer clothes don't fit anymore. So, it's time to get active.

I've been taking advantage of the weather and walking with Mousse every day. Yesterday, I decided to help my mom clear out all the dried leaves from her yard. She has six huge trees...not exactly sure she bought a house with so many trees since she hates raking. Luckily Shines let me borrow his brand new Toro Rake and Vac. OMG. That thing was a life saver...and definitely a must have for any homeowner who has trees! At only $50...it's a steal of a deal. (You know you're getting old and boring when you promote a leaf blower on your blog)

Something else I start to think about in the spring is...hilights. My hair naturally turns lighter in the summer, but I like to help it along. =) My friend Nancy once told me that hilights make your hair look like it has more volume...and I'm always trying to boost volume!! Usually, I seek professional help to do this...but this time, I tried to save a buck...or $79...and take on the project myself. I know what you're thinking..."oh no." And, you are correct. I don't know why I do this to myself. Let's just say I have blotches of color at the top of my head...and none really that hilight the whole strand. I haven't quite figured out how to fix the problem. So until I do, I will be finding ways to clip my hair creatively to cover blotches. =/

In other news...I'm headed to Hobby Lobby tonight to look into a cake decorating class. so. exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I realized this weekend that Mousse has no earthly idea that she's a dog. Maybe it's because Matt lets her sleep on the bed and lounge on the couch with him while he's watching TV...or maybe it's because I give her human food...or because she rides in the car with us everywhere we go.

Saturday, I puppysat the Mathews' dog, Murphy. He's a little guy and very playful. Mousse is probably 500 times bigger than him, but she's still scared of the pup. He jumps up to lick her face and nips at her legs...just doing things that puppies do. And she freezes in terror. At one point, she went and sat by my front door with a look on her face that said, "Momma, either he goes or I go."

On the other hand, when Nancy brings baby Tessa over, Mousse is fascinated by her. They're almost the same height...and Mousse loves to sniff at Tessa's chicken-nugget scented little fingers. And when Tessa kisses her on the face, Mousse doesn't go into panic mode.

I think it's because she thinks she's a cute, little baby girl like Tessa is!...and I definitely don't have the heart to burst her bubble and tell her the truth. ;)

In other news...We finally started to experience a little spring time weather in OKC yesterday. (I can only hope that it will last and no more blizzards are on the way.) I opened my patio door and let Mousse sun bathe while I rearranged the closet. What is it about spring that makes you want to clean?

An epidemic is spreading...

I was flipping through my recorded shows on tv and noticed an episode on Dr. Phil called the "rudeness epidemic." I didn't get a chance to watch it because my eyelids were drooping, but I've experienced it first hand lately. I'm not so sure what's wrong with Americans these days. Is the economic crisis making people less patient and more rude, or what? The other night I was at Walmart exchanging something. There were six people behind me and about the same number in front of me...and one anxiety-ridden clerk. I don't think it was the number of people that was stressing her out...I think it was the loud-mouth behind me who had to remind every one in the vicinity every ten seconds that there was only one clerk and a million people in line...and how Walmart just doesn't care about customers anymore. She was annoying and I wanted to smack her, but I dug my nose deeper into a People magazine and tried my best to tune her out.

A few days later I was at Old Navy....it was my lunch hour and the store was packed. I could hear the lady behind me making grunting noises as we waited...FIVE minutes or so...to check out. I began to wonder if it was really a human behind me...or perhaps, a raging bull. But sure enough...it was a woman and when it was her turn to check out the cashier asked her, "How are you, mam?" And she responded with, "Not so good. Why do you all only have four cashiers open when there's so many people? I don't know why "you people" want to make your customers mad. It makes me not want to spend any money here" (apparently it didn't make her want to NOT spend money that badly because she had a heap of clothes she was buying) The cashier who was helping her was really nice and he just said sorry meekly. But my cashier spoke up and told her that a lot of people called in...(afterall, it was Friday of Spring Break and the weather was a gorgeous 75 degrees that day)...and they were doing their best with the staff they had. The ladies response was...silence with a deathly glare.

Two words...chill the hell out. Okay, maybe that's four words. I know it's annoying to wait, but what is grumbling and being rude to employees who have no control of the situation gonna do about it? Nothing. Everyone's stressed during these tough economic times...Employers keep less employees on staff...and employees have to deal with more b.s....so just take a minute to be a bit understanding and less rude. Do your part to stop the epidemic from spreading. ;)