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.