Surprise Wedding

No it's not my surprise wedding. That indeed would have been a surprise.

Today one of my closest and dearest friends from growing up got married! Courtney and her now husband, Jeferson, decided a week ago to forget the big wedding and just get on with life! So at a Texas Courthouse, Courtney & Jeferson and 35 of their closest friends and family gathered together to watch them say their "I Do's." I was so happy to be able to be home for the event. It was also fun to see friends I hadn't seen in a while.

Here are some pics from the blessed event. She looked beautiful and he is just adorable.

Back On the Air

Sorry for the lack of updates recently. You know how I get when I'm home with my family. This week at home has consisted of babies, babies and more babies. Liam constantly makes me laugh with his giggles and smiles. Connor has me running around like crazy chasing after him. And Archer has given me some of the best smiles a two month old can give. Seriously, he has the cutest little dimple just to the left of his smile. I wish I could capture it on my camera but I'm too busy staring at him in awe. He's grown so much these past two months. He's only a couple of pounds lighter than Liam. Wonders never cease.

Andrew and I had a date night the other night. Mi Cocina and Once made for a fun night. Then all of us, except the McCroskeys, headed to the lake for a couple of nights. I shot skeet and actually hit a couple this time. We played tennis and I sweated while only wearing pants and a t-shirt. I love Texas winters. We watched movies and worked on an insanely difficult puzzle. Drewby brought his cute girlfriend to the lake. So we were no longer the odd-man out together. I had to hold the torch on my own. Good times.

All in all it has been a fantastic week. I won't bore you with any more details other than I got a big fat big new t.v. for Christmas. Now I can watch Planet Earth on HD-TV.

Enjoy some of the pictures from this past week. Have a safe and wonderful New Years!

Merry Christmas

A Christmas classic starring my family:

Don't send a lame Holiday eCard. Try JibJab Sendables!

With Love, From Texas

I think my family called a "family meeting" recently to come up with ways to make me feel loved and to let me know that they can't wait for me to come home for Christmas. Seriously, I have been inundated with loving text messages, fun emails and phone calls. On the bus this morning I looked out at frozen Lake Michigan and just thought "God, you placed me in the most perfect family for me! You are so good to me!" I also thanked God by saying, "Thank you for making us all so good looking!"

Working Like a Dog

If this doesn't make you smile, I don't know what will.

Christmas in Lakeview

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year. We obviously love it in our apartment.

















I mean, just look, I'm hugging a tree!
















We recently celebrated our roommate Christmas. Janell cooked us up a fantabulous dinner (served, of course, on my Christmas plates!). Here's how the night played out:

Janell: "You two are just such fabulous roommates. I want to wish you both a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! Cheers!"






Me: "I know exactly what you mean Janell. We have been so blessed. I have so many deep thoughts in my head. Can't you tell just by looking at my face? I'm about to say something really profound. Get out your pen and paper y'all. You're going to want to write this down."

Jessie: "Deep schmeep! Let's keep it light and fun! It's Christmas! I just got my hair done so I no longer have roots! Let's open our presents and God bless us everyone!"





Katy: "I need a nap first. I ate too much. When are we having dessert? I smell chocolate."




(feet shuffling into the living room)


Katy: "Janell! Anthropologie?! You are like a mind reader!"












Janell: "And I'm looking HAWT in my new necklace. Horseshoes are for luck girls. Watch out world, 2008 is going to RAWK!"











Jessie: "And I am really hip you guys. Not only do I have really hip platinum blonde hair and a cool cut, but now I have hip makeup and an ipod alarm clock to go with it. I'll give you guys makeovers after Christmas. I could do so much with your look."





From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tots

My dad sent these photos from his phone to remind me of yet three (four if you count my sister...and she counts!) more reasons it will be good to be home for the holidays. I can't wait to hold them all...on my lap...all at once (especially you Erin!). It could be like trying to manage a three-ringed circus.

Making a Scene

Thank God I don't get migraine headache's often! I feel sorry for anyone who has to go through that. Monday night I had a headache that just kept getting worse and worse. Finally, all I could do was go to bed, close my eyes and pray that I would stop feeling sick. I woke up Tuesday morning, still feeling sick and like I had been hit by a truck. I stayed home and slept and slept and slept. Then I woke up and watched the only thing on in the middle of the day - another horrible Lifetime Christmas movie. I've never watched the Lifetime channel until the past two weeks. What is it with me and Lifetime these days? Oh, and I watched the opening two minutes of Days of Our Lives. Marlena still looks the same age and I pretty much didn't recognize anyone else. When did teenagers take over the show?

Anywho, I was trying to psych myself up for an audition later in the day. It was for Chekhov scenes to be performed in late February and early March. I did my usual monologue, then they asked if I had prepared anything else, say classical. "Uh, what? Ummm, not so much. I mean, I do have a classical piece but I haven't done it in seven months and my recollection of all the words is, ummm, pitiful." "What is it?" "Shakespeare's Corialanus. I play Volumnia." (I actually really love this monologue) "Well, do it for us anyway, don't worry about the words." My thoughts - so you want me to make grunts and gesture? Okay, I'll just make it up. "Okay, here it goes...." I said probably half of the words. I remembered the beginning, a line from the middle and the very end. At the end I just raised my arms and said, "That's all I remember" and gave them the cutest smile I could muster. They actually asked me to stay and do a cold reading! I need to remember to forget my lines more often!

Lesson learned: ALWAYS prepare multiple pieces in case they ask you to perform something else. And, do whatever they ask, no matter how stupid you feel, it shows you're brave...and are willing to try anything. (within reason people).

Wisdom From a 17 Year Old

Yet another amazing post from my 17 year old brother, Andrew. His insights blow me away. And I too have chased the dogs around the yard in the dark trying to entice them with treats to get them inside the house. It's a right of passage at our house.

Sigh

Jessica Simpson, WHAT DID YOU DO TO THE COWBOYS?!! Take off that #9 jersey right now before you curse it.

Christmas Countdown

The snow turned this city upside down yesterday and it was fantastic! It was perfect for putting me in the Christmas spirit. Quiet snowfall, Christmas lights, dinner party with friends and Christmas music combine for a perfect holiday night.















Here's a little peek at our apartment decorated for Christmas. See the red bows? I made them! I did crafts!

I even have these adorable dish towels with embroidered Christmas trees, ornaments and Rudolph. Can someone please tell me why all dishtowels are terrible for drying dishes? Has anyone found the perfect dishtowel?

Here's the perfect winter meal I served, perhaps imperfectly, last night. Baked Macaroni and Cheese with roasted asparagus, wine and chocolate chip cookies hot out of the oven. It was even better served on my Christmas plates. I finally got to use them!

Another question: Why do recipes insist on using terms like "temper the egg" while explaining how to make something? I'm as uneducated as they come when it involves cooking. I kept my laptop in the kitchen to help me with terms that left me stumped.

The kid in me also came out on Saturday night. We braved the snow after dinner to play laser tag at a friend's birthday party. I'm usually a stellar player but found my score ranging around -725. I still claim that my gun wasn't working properly! Then Fernando and I found an open field of snow and pumped up by a U2 song, we sprinted across it, threw a few snowballs. A few moments later we realized it's FREEZING! But how often do you get to do something like that? You've got to embrace it while you can.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend of Holiday parties, chocolate and being with friends.

Rah Rah Rass, Kick Them in the Other Knee

Cheerleading is a sport y'all! And it looks like I wasn't the only one sporting a short skirt, pom pons and a mega phone. Check out this article I saw on Yahoo's main page. I had no idea Aaron Spelling went to SMU.

The Martian Chronicles

I'm currently reading a book I never expected to find myself reading. I believe it's actually a collection of writings in newspapers and magazines. It's The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. It's quite intriguing and a little weird, but then again, it is Ray Bradbury. Science Fiction fans have probably already read it. I have an audition for the play on Saturday. I'm not quite sure how they turn this book into a play but I'm sure it'll be interesting. I hope I get to the cold reading part of the audition. It'd be a boost of self-esteem.

Heroes4Heroes

Heroes4Heroes just got a mention on the national USA Today culture website, PopCandy! Congrats Chris!

Check out the Heroes4Heroes website to see the live art created at a recent fundraiser. Wish I were that talented!

Under My Umbrella...Ella...Ella

Walking around a corner today I accidentally hit a man in the chest with my umbrella. I'm pretty sure he's my future husband.

Designers, Make It Work!

I not only have funny friends, but I also have very creative friends. Visit any of these websites to find gifts for friends and loved ones. You can't go wrong with any of these!

Robinson Lane: My friend from college, Christy Bourns, is incredibly talented! I just bought a present for someone who shall remain nameless in case they are reading my blog. They'd better be!

W.E. Giggle: Whitney Eoff is another one of my precious friends from college. Arkansas cranks out some talent y'all! She's got fabulous gift cards, holiday cards, stationary, etc. Check it out!

Virginia Bead: Ginny Mooney lives in Arkansas. Imagine that! She makes beautiful jewelry and has a heart of gold! She also made this necklace for her son, Eliot, who passed away. You can read more about their story, here.

Fa La La La La...La La...La...La

This post is in honor of my sister, Erin, who would kick a cute puppy as long as she never had to hear Bruce Springstein's Santa Claus is Coming to Town ever again. It makes the Top 12 List of the worst Christmas songs ever. Justice served!

Click here to read the rest (thanks to Pop Candy). Is your favorite song on the list?

We're a Johnny Mathis Christmas Album family. I know others have Christmas Albums that bring back family memories. Anyone here a Tender Tennesse Christmas fan? Amy Grant? Anyone? I love that song. It brings me back. Mariah Carey's Christmas Album takes me back to my sophomore year of college and living with Elizabeth Lewis. All I Want for Christmas is You just doesn't get old. It had a nice revival a few years ago in the movie Love Actually. I can't help but watch that movie and want to run out and tell everyone I love them.

Christmas Delights

'Tis the season for really cheesy Christmas movies on Liftime and ABC Family. Most of the movies have something to do with Santa being ill or missing and unable to fulfill his duties, so his wayward child takes over and learns a life lesson which inevitably makes them a better person. Can I get a side of hot cocoa with that?

Last night Janell and I sat upon the couch next to the lit Christmas tree and proceeded to watch Mario Lopez and Melissa Joan Hart in Holiday in Handcuffs. Oh yes we did watch it! I'll be honest, I forced Janell to watch it with me. It was predictably cute. And predictably, Mario Lopez had a scene in which he happened to be without a shirt. Merry Christmas to me! A.C. Slater is in fine form. Dancing with the Stars treated you right! A note to the readers: I did NOT shed a tear.

Katy's Headshots

Here they are ladies and gentlemen! The moment you've all been waiting for....







I have to say that my favorite is the third one because it just looks most like me - laughing at myself. I think the photographer had just asked me to say the word "douche." WHAT?! EW! NO! Doesn't the fourth one just want to make you say, "Oooooh, she's so mysterious...and slightly scary. I'm afraid she'll hurt me"? I love the blue background. It's an old garage in the photographer's neighborhood and I was sitting on greasy cement. Soooo sexy! I had to use it. Go ahead, admit it, the second one tempts you to stroke my head while saying, "Pretty bird. Pretty bird."

I think I have a few different looks to work with in these shots. Now onto getting an agent...

Vote McFadden for Heisman

Do it! Vote here! Go Hogs!

I Have Funny Friends

This is an email I received this morning from a dear friend of mine. I absolutely love the honesty and visual pictures (and yes, I did get her permission...and no it isn't Becky). The funny parts are bolded for those of you who are lazy or may have a boss lurking around your cube:

Things are well and I am ready for some downtime. I just need to get through the next two weeks and then I am home free until January 3rd, 2008!! Uhhhhh...just the sheer thought makes me want to tee tee in my Snow White panties!! I am sitting in St. Louis wasting yet more of life in an airport. I have done quite a few things this morning that have made me quite productive. I am sitting close to the Starbucks in a booth and getting the smells of yum coffee and the sounds of great tunes. For free too! Apparently the booth phone tells me it is 72 degrees in here.
I beg to differ and if that's the outside temperature, someone needs to exchange the 7 for a 3. Not pretty out there. Luckily my plane is coming in from PHX, so no worries about weather delays there. I am headed to Orlando until Friday.

Someone just ordered a gran-day. That was painful, kind of like when smart people would order fa-gi-das from me. Uhhhhh, they are not relatives to the VA-gina. (sometimes I crack myself up...or it may just be the lack of sleep that has put me over the edge...and that I need to spend some one on one time with me a potty, but don't feel I have the privacy I need.)

I had a disruptive booger this morning. I mean, paralyzing booger this morning that made me stop mid make up application in the public bathroom and search out a Puffs. It was quickly resolved. But I was concerned to see so much blood, which always takes me back to the episode of Little House on the Prarie where the cousin had bloody noses all the time and they determined he had an inoperable brain tumor (like they weren't ALL inoperable back in the those days!) So I've always associated bloody noses with brain tumors since that life changing episode. It disturbed me inards.

Only true friends will tell you about their boogs.

The Marathon Doesn't End at 26.2 Miles

For anyone who has ever run a marathon and can relate:



My favorite is the very last scene. Thanks Beck!

On Camera Class

Last night was my first On Camera class at The Acting Studio. It was a small class of six people and our teacher was fun, knowledgeable and a little wacky (he said so himself). He began by telling us some rules of the business: be on time, always call your agent back ASAP (I'm going to get me one of those), get colored headshots (check!) and don't take yourself too seriously (Oh, okay). As any good student would do, I took furious notes, nodded my head and smiled at the teacher. All was going well until about one hour into the class.

He had each one of us stand in front of the video camera, one at a time, and interviewed us for a few minutes. We had to stare into the camera while he talked to us from afar. Not only is it awkward to talk to a camera and not a person, but the entire class was staring at your face in television. My horror ended as soon as it began. I immediately felt comfortable when I began talking. I sat down. No harm done. Easy as pie. I allowed a second for my armpits and upperlip to dry off. Next thing I know our teacher rewinds the video and has us WATCH OURSELVES! That's like taking a steak knife and stabbing me in the eye and then pouring alcohol in it. Not only do we have to WATCH OURSELVES! but everyone has a piece of paper where they judge you and write down things about you and scrutinize every little bit of who you are as a person and characters you might represent. Here are some of the questions:

1. Name that would suit this person?
2. Age?
3. Gay/Straight?
4. Married/Single/Divorced
5. What magazines do they read?
6. What is their occupation?
7. How much do they make?
8. Education?
9. What roles would suit this person? (girl next door, jock, etc.)
10. What actors are they similar to?
11. Give a line of dialogue that this person's character might say.

For a perfectionist, being judged is just about the worst thing that can happen.

I lived folks. I am here yet another day.

Some celebs I resemble according to my classmates: Kristin Davis (Charlotte from Sex and the City),




























Don't I look exactly like her?





















Sandra Bullock (my teacher asked the person who made this suggestion, "where?" Thanks teach.) and Juliette Lewis (I'm not a punk rocker but I still think she's a great actress).


























































She's incredibly versatile and I need to tap into that side of me. I should also start wearing canary yellow unitards.


One person wrote for a line of dialogue for me: "I hope I get this right." Have they been talking to my therapist?

Chit Chat

I would like to thank Megan for having a birthday work celebration yesterday because it gave me yet ANOTHER opportunity to stuff my face with birthday cake.

Quote of the day:

"I'd kick a baby if they tickled me."

That quote was made by me. Let that be a warning to all you babies who like to tickle people. I turn VIOLENT! Don't say I didn't warn you.

Braces Please

Will someone please do me a favor? Wire my mouth shut!

It's nearly impossible to eat right this time of year. Someone's always having a birthday and naturally that involves birthday cake. Someone makes you cookies and you can't turn down a gift...or cookies. You want to drink hot chocolate from your cute Christmas mug. A friend invites you to a steak house...for FREE...and you have to eat your weight in creamy mashed potatoes and carrot cake. I drink decaf coffee afterwards because that's what those skinny europeans do, at least I think they do. I'm assuming and praying that it will help with the metabolism. It isn't helping.

It's time for an intervention. You know what goes nicely with an intervention? Creme Brulee.

Days of Christmas

I can't believe one of my very own flesh and blood actually sat upon Santa's lap and smiled. We have a history of sitting on his lap and crying. I have proof! There's a beauty of a photo with Patrick bawling while sitting on Santa's lap. Send it to me Patrick!

Liam is doing nothing more than being Liam. He smiles and giggles non-stop.

Here's a happy picture Patrick found of us with a Santa doll. If he'd been real, we would have been crying.

Sweet Victory!

You can't get much better than the Cowboys/Packers game last night. It's just a shame most people didn't get to see it (NFL Network). It's great to see Romo living up to his new contract. And is it just me or does T.O. seem to be a whole new person - on the field and off the field? He did get a little of his show-boating in with the popcorn stunt, but it made me laugh...and really crave popcorn.

Poor Brett Favre. I had hoped he could play the rest of the game for two reasons. One - I like him. It's almost as if Troy Aikman was still playing. And two - AaronRodgers came in the game and almost scared me.

Speaking of Rodgers - the big talk of the game was that he looked almost exactly like the lead singer of Creed, Scott Stapp.

Am I right or am I right? (Note: this is a picture of Scott Stapp. I couldn't find the look-a-like picture to post). Then I found out why after reading Jaime Aron's article on the game:

Look for the shaggy-haired Rodgers to get a haircut soon. He vowed not to trim it until he threw a touchdown.

Go Cowboys! 11-1. Playoffs guaranteed!

Help America's Economy!

This morning I read this article about the top 10 stupidest gifts out there today. Stupid.com spent endless hours finding these priceless gifts. Personally, I'd love to see one or more of these in my Christmas stocking.


I have a few gift ideas for those of you who are having trouble making a Christmas list or for those of you who just don't know what to buy that lovely lady of yours.

1. Flat Wallet: These are all the rage these days.


2. Booties: No, these aren't for your baby's feet. These are for your Baby's feet! I love these grey suede Franco Sarto boots. Zappos ships for free!


3. Grey Shift Dress: Here's a cute one from Target. Throw on some plum or black opaque tights and you've got a cute outfit! Or here's another but more expensive option.


4. Dresses: They really are in this winter! I absolute LOVE this dress. I hate the price. Other dresses I have a love/hate relationship with can be found here or here . I'm beginning to think this should be called Katy's Favorite Things. But unlike Oprah, I don't own them.


5. Nail Polish: I am wearing this color right this second! You can't go wrong with Wicked! And it's a fun stocking stuffer!
   
6. Metal credit card/ID/gift card holder: I've had mine for almost six years and it's still holding up (thought barely)! It's perfect for sliding in your pocket when you don't want to carry a whole purse. And these are for the art lover in all of us.
7. Make your own calendar: Patrick made me one last year and I love looking at it! He used tons of pictures from our family over the past couple of years. You can make your own easily if you have a Mac (don't we all wish we did!) or you can go to Shutterfly or Kodak to order your own.
8. Life Magazine: Two years ago I bought my dad a Life Magazine from the month and year of his birth. It was so fun reading what was going on during that time period. Patrick once bought my mom a National Geographic from the birth month and year of all her kids.
9. Personalized Playing Cards: Check out PhotoWorks to make your own playing cards.
10. For the movie lover: 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die.
11. For the kids: BabyWit.com has great stuff for babies and younger kiddos. And BabyLegs is also great for the cold weather kids.
12. TV fanatic: Don't have HBO and wonder what all the hype's about? Sopranos, Sex and the City, Entourage, etc. are available on DVD. Buy them for a family member, a friend or buy one and donate it to Heroes for Heroes.
13. Philanthropist: Make a donation in honor of a loved one. Heroes for Heroes, World Vision, Habitat for Humanity...find a worthy cause!
14. Scared of the Dark (aka me): These aren't just your average nightlights! I have two very similar ones.
15. Wine Lover: Wine opener gift set.

These are some of my favorites. Please share some of yours! I need ideas and I'm sure other people would love to hear them. Don't be shy! Leave a comment with some of your favorite gift ideas.

I Need a Moment

Katy sends her apologies for not having written sooner. She is currently in rehab for her addiction to ice cream, pecan pie, candied sweet potatoes, pancakes, bacon, chocolate something-or-other, pumpkin pie something made by her sister and trail mix consumed by the handful during the days following Thanksgiving.

She's currently in the weening process. It is a very dangerous time for her. Any minute now her butt may bust through her pants (except it won't because they're stretchy - that is her pants) or her brain may split in half due to the sudden lack of sugar. Pray for her.

Survey Says!

Who hasn't taken one of these surveys? This has been sent around today by my high school friends. Get to know me!

Type In Your Answers. Then Send This To A Whole Bunch Of People That You Know... And Send It Back To Me So I Can See Your Answers. The Theory Is That You Will Learn A Lot Of Little Known Facts About Those You Know. Remember To Send It Back!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My grandmother
was Mary Kathryn (or was it Mary Kay?)...hence my name. And my dad also
really liked the movie, "The Sullivan Brothers," about
5 brothers who went off to WWII on the same ship and
all died. One of them left behind a wife, Mary
Kathryn. Sounds promising.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Probably
during some holiday commercial involving Folgers
coffee and Peter coming home from college.



3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I do like my
handwriting but only with the Pilot G-2 pen. I'm a
walking commercial.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? I'm not
a vegan because I am a Texan, an American and I love
Jesus. My favorite lunchmeat is an 8oz. filet mignon
on wheat bread with mayo. (This was said in jest as a response to a friend who claims he's a "vegan.")

5. DO YOU HAVE Children? Not that I'm fully
aware of.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE
FRIENDS WITH YOU? Absolutely. Everyone wants to
have beautiful friends.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? See above.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I want to say yes.
But then the responsible side of me takes over and
then statistics and the words "health insurance" and
"deductible" cross my mind.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? cinnamon
toast crunch - but I never eat it.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM
OFF? Never. I'm lazy.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? You have
no idea the strengh these biceps hold.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM/Sherbet/Gelato? Where do I begin! Today I
say I love Ben & Jerry's half baked.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Smile

15. RED OR PINK? Red - my favorite color

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAV. THING ABOUT
YOURSELF? perfectionism which leads to fear
which leads to fear of failure which leads to life
paralysis which leads to regrets.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my family, no
doubt

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO
YOU? Yessssssssssssssssss

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU
WEARING? a really fabulous gray pair from Express
that can be washed and dried...and don't need ironed.
And they are stretchy.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Chipotle...hence the stretchy pants

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
other people typing and breathing

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD
YOU BE? pistachio green

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? My parents house. Warm
cookies. John Freida's Brilliant Brunette shampoo on
freshly washed hair. Babies!

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Mom!

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I love you all!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? NFL/College Football. And ice skating!

27. HAIR COLOR? Brown - Mahogany?

28. EYE COLOR? brown - Brown

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No

30. FAVORITE FOOD? It's currently between Gold Fish, Ben & Jerry's and Guacamole

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? I HATE scary movies. I have a crazy enough imagination as it is!

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? At the movie theater - Into the Wild with Marissa. Whoa, is that intense. At home? Ahem...Ice Princess with some teeny boppers who are "hollywood IT girls" (whatever that means). It was the only thing on and I secretly LOVE teenage drama chick flicks.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT/BLOUSE ARE YOU WEARING? Light pink sweater

34. SUMMER/FALL/SPRING OR WINTER? Texas = spring, Chicago = summer, Colorado = winter (I love to ski)

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Can I say both?

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? Ben and Jerry's. Do I need to keep repeating myself?

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I want each and every one of you to respond!

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? No one will disappoint me!.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud.

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Dell something

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON T.V. LAST NIGHT? I didn't watch t.v.! But if I could have watched anything it would have been Project Runway. I love that show.

42. FAVORITE SOUND? Babies laughing. They make my world go round!

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Definitely the Beatles. I can sing them all. Has anyone seen Across the Universe? Quirky movie...which means I loved it.

44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Italy

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can make my nose look like it's on the side of my face.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Atlanta, Georgia

Moisture is the Essence of Beauty - MerMAN!

By george I better have the bestest and youngest looking skin at the age of 73! A recent post unveiled the fact that I am currently suffering from dry, flakey skin on my face...hence the missing top layer of skin in certain sections surrounding my eyebrows. This just isn't working for me. My dermatologist, hot doctor, told me that my topical medicine that helps keep my face clean and clear is also supposed to be the best medicine out there for age prevention. Oh really doctor? Because suddently two short months after the dewey summer days, my face is cracked and looks 50 years older. Moisture is the key to healthy, beautiful, glowing skin! At least that's what my Aunt's recent issue of Reader's Digest told me.

So I went Nordstrom yesterday. Yes, I even go there on my days off. It really is a wonderland. I stopped in the makeup section to explore the shelves of moisturizers that promise to do everything just short of bringing world peace. My eyebrow girl told me that I should try this intense facial moisturizer by MD Skincare. I'll be bold and honest by telling you that a 1.7 ounce jar of this stuff costs $120. Do you need me to pick you up off the floor? I know, but I'm DESPERATE! And of course I couldn't just stop with the moisturizer, I also needed to purchase the exfoliator. As the salesperson helping me said, "Dead skin will just block the moisturizer from getting to where it needs to go." Wow, I do need an exfoliant. Show me more teacher!

One thing I can't stand when I go to the makeup section or skin care section of any store is that they automatically look at you and say, "Wow! Your skin is so dry! You really should take better care of it by moisturizing!" Well duh! That's why I'm here, in the moisturizer section! I'm doing everything short of selling a kidney to make sure my face doesn't crumble into pieces. And they always have just the product. "This ____ eye cream will help tighten the under eye area and remove any puffiness." "But you also need this ____ eye cream to protect it from free radicals." What exactly are free radicals? It sounds like some dangerous political sect.

Here are my moisturizing purchases to make sure I have the softest, youngest and most dewey face, lips and hands:

• MD Skincare Hydra-Pure Intense Moisture Cream
• Yves Saint Laurent 'Touche Eclat' Radiant Touch It's french so it's got to be good. And I quote "one of these pens is sold somewhere in the world every 7 seconds." I had to be part of that statistic!
• La Source Hand Therapy cream. This stuff saved my hands last winter.
• Bigelow Ultra Mentha Lip Shine so I can be sure to have the most kissable lips out there!

Isn't it just the way of the universe that everything tends to run out at the same time? And I want to just go ahead and say that I am totally pleased so far with the facial moisturizer. Moisture is indeed locked in on my face and I've got that dewey look (not to be confused with sweaty/greasy).

November Birthdays

First and foremost, I want to wish my wonderful dad a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! He told me he's celebrating by babysitting for Connor tonight. I guess that's what happens when you have grandkids. What do you get for the man who can't ever think of what he wants for birthdays and holidays? A Tony Romo bobblehead of course!

Secondly, many of my loved ones celebrate November birthdays. So here's a happy birthday to Mom, Dad, Chris, Becky, Russ, Shelly, Kate, Mandy, Kristen and ??? Forgive me if I'm leaving out your name. Just know that I'm celebrating YOU!

And finally, my theory on the numerous November birthdays: Valentines Day.

The Camera Loves You!

You can see an Anne Geddes look alike photo of little Archer on Paula's photography blog. I can't stop looking at it!

Epidermis

Winter can be a tough time for the skin. What was once dewy, greasy and could borderline cook french fries thanks to the summer months, is now scaley, dry and a little on the itchy side. If I don't carry around moisturizer with me constantly, my face shrivels up and cracks. It's all very attractive.

Today I went and had my eyebrows waxed during an early lunch break. It was time to tame the beast sitting just above my eyelids. My aesthetician took the normal precautions: vaseline and baby powder. After the first RIP I felt an unusual tingling/burning sensation. I do have sensitive skin so the redness/puffiness wouldn't be too alarming, so what's alarming are the two super-red strips on my forehead. One is just below my left eyebrow. The other is just a smidge to the right of my right eyebrow. This my friends is due to dry skin. Now I look like I've been in a bar fight. Well, someone with gorgeous eyebrows who has been in a bar fight. There is a difference.

Toy Recall

Since Christmas is being thrust upon us earlier and earlier, I thought I would urge parents to BEWARE of the toys out there. A non-profit recently put together a list of the worst toys available to children. Click here to read more about it. I need to return the rubber band shooter that I just bought for Connor.

This also reminds me of one of my favorite Saturday Night Live sketches ever starring Dan Akroyd and Jane Curtin. I wish I could find the video for it.

Radar Magazine also had an article about the 10 most dangerous toys ever. My parents were good because I never had any of these toys.

End Zone

I know that I cry easily. You know it. I know it. Anyone who has ever been to a movie with me knows it. But last Friday night when I went to my little brother's high school football game I was overwhelmed to the point of tears. Mom and I were walking up the stands to watch the end of warm-ups and as we turned to look at the field we saw all the players and their dads kneeling in the end zone praying together. Dads had their arms around their sons. Sons whose dads couldn't make it prayed with their friends and their dads. I don't see that every day and it brings me such joy to see it.

Tonight my parents are in Atlanta for a funeral of a dear friend and can't make Andrew's last game. My older brother and his family are out of town. My sister just had a baby so she's out. So my fabulous brother-in-law, Chris, just emailed me that he's going to Andrew's game and gets to pray with him on the field beforehand. Again, it makes me want to cry. I don't know. Maybe it's that dads, sons, and families are joining together and acknowledging the most important thing in life. When you think of teenagers, you typically think about the riff between them and their parents. You don't often picture dads with their arms around their sons, kneeling and praying. It doesn't happen that often in life.

Orender Family Turkey Trot

My trainer was telling me about the new Steve Carell movie, Dan in Real Life. She said that it was funny but a lot of it was totally unbelievable. She said that Dan's family gets together and plays games and has competitions with each other, "I mean, no family does that!" I just looked at her and she said, "I knew it. I knew your family would. Of course you do." I can't help it that we enjoy playing games, singing karaoke and competing in the Lindsay Family Beach Olympics. I like that about us.

This Thanksgiving we're taking on a new family adventure. For the first time in YEARS, and practically my whole life, we are not going to do the Dallas Turkey Trot. Instead, we're heading to our lakehouse in Possum Kingdom to enjoy the First Annual Orender Family Turkey Trot! We even have t-shirts! Check these out:












We only had a couple of hours to design them otherwise I'm sure we'd design a logo. Want your own Orender Family Turkey Trot t-shirt? Sorry, it's a limited print. Someday these things will sell like hot cakes on ebay.

I'm thinking that I could win this race. Finally! I WIN!!!!! I need to come up with a prize for myself. Perhaps a new pair of shoes? Yes, definitely a new pair of shoes. Speaking of shoes, I just bought a fabulous pair of flat knee high boots. I kind of look like a pirate. But I like pirates.

What's in a Dream?

Kellsey, a friend I've known since the 8th grade, left a comment not that long ago on one of my posts. I hope she doesn't mind that I post part of it here. I left out the part where she said we were engaged to each other. She's married so I'm not too worried.

I dreamed last night that I was at your parents house with you for a sleepover. We were hanging out and talking and dancing around (with your parents). When we went to bed we both slept pretty soundly. THen at 5:30 you all of a sudden sat bolt upright and said "I can't stand it anymore! I've got to get up. I can't stand to sleep late and miss half the day."

That is so me! Most people close to me know that I don't like sleeping late because I love the day time so much and who wants to waste some perfectly good daylight?

I've never slept past 12:30pm. And when I did that it was after prom and I didn't go to bed until 6:00 am. I am also pretty competitive. I used to get mad when my old roommate would wake up before me on a Saturday morning. How dare she get a start on the day before me! Maybe I felt guilty for wasting precious time. Guilt? Me? And you know what else makes me feel guilty? Watching t.v. when my roommates are busy doing something else. Automatically I feel I'm lazy. I'm sensing I have some issues here.

Anyone else have any dreams about me they'd like to share? Kidding! No, seriously. Wait, maybe I don't want to know them.

My First Visit with Archer

I am having major withdrawals now that I'm home. I couldn't stop staring at Archer's sweet little face and those tiny little lips! His dark long hair is amazing. We're thinking it will probably fall out and blonde little curls will come in its place, but you never know.

Erin is doing great. She is an amazing mother. Mom is staying at her place for a week helping her out. I helped out for two nights by sleeping on the couch and making occasional comments without opening my eyes. I don't know how she does it. I was so tired sleeping on the couch that the thought of waking up made me want to puke. Being a mother isn't for wimps.

Pole Position

Saturday I went to the Nascar Busche series race at the Texas Motor Speedway. I'm a fan. I loved it! Patrick answered all 1,425 of my questions with incredible patience and now I can speak the lingo.

I was looking at the huge pole by the track and noticing the positions of the drivers - their position on the pole - their pole position. I looked at Patrick and said "POLE POSITION! Oh my gosh! I'm 31 years old and have just realized for the first time that the arcade game pole position referred to 'POLE POSITION!' Seriously, my world was just rocked." I shock myself sometimes.

Curb Appeal

Today I found my co-worker, Donna, pulling me up from off the cement sidewalk. You see, I had just misplaced my wedge heel on a curb. Wedge heels, way-to-long pants, cement curbs, traffic, three good looking gentlemen across the street and me are a deadly combination. I felt myself falling backwards and just decided to go with it. I hear that it's better to fall than try to save yourself from falling - that's when you get injuries. I'm at that tender age where injuries are becoming more numerous; for example, the elevator breaks and you have to walk down 15 flights of stairs which makes your calves so sore that every little movement makes you vocalize your pain. My poor roommates - except they too have sore calves. Our vocalized pain together is harmonic.

So I just went with it. I fell slowly and thought to myself, "I'm falling, so I think I'll just do it with flare." My hands were full of bags so I cushioned the blow by landing on my butt - a cushion like none other. I could fall from 15 stories and still be okay as long as I land on my derierre. Of course I had to stand up dramatically and smile while laughing to let others know I was okay...and that I know I'm a dork who loses balance quite frequently in public. I hate it when people energetically yell "OH! ARE YOU OKAY?!" and then suck in their breath through their teeth and make that SHHHHHHEEE noise. I mean, it's not like I hit my head on something hard (like I did last week when getting into Christine's car....and the next day while getting into Gina's car. What is my problem?). Let's just all ignore the fact that I almost fell into traffic. Hello! Happens daily!

Archer Brennan McCroskey

Here's the little guy's first photos!