Is it Friday Yet?

I like my job. I really do. However, I live for the weekends. I’m talking big, red, stick it on a tshirt hear the weekends. Lately, they seem to be extra freakingfantabulous. Until this weekend…sigh. I am spending the vast majority of my Saturday on campus. It is data collection day for the hopeful researchers in grad school, and my professor is offering generous extra credit if we participate. I know I should be grateful. This methods class is killing me slowly. But it’s SATURDAY!! But just in case you were feeling sorry for me, I also get to spend the afternoon working in the library with my group members on the Literature Review section of our very poorly written research proposal. As in a proposal I will never actually see through.

Oh, well. There is Sunday, right??

I have also decided that I am going to start tagging all of my brilliant anecdotes so that you may refer to them and relive them with me. Today’s is special. I am wanting to “upgrade” my grad school and had a fabulous idea of transferring next semester. I received my undergrad degree from a mediocre school, so I really wanted a cool one this go-round (I know, there is no such thing as a “cool” school unless you’re moving to Baton Rouge, but I digress…). Well, I looked up my intended school today to find that no only do they not have my current degree plan, but they don’t even offer degrees in education AT ALL. I would tell you the name of the university, but I’m pretty sure everyone was aware of this knowledge but me. But I’m a genius, so we will let it slide…

Hope everyone has a little extra fun for me this weekend!

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So, Have I Mentioned I Had a Birthday?

Since you all OBVIOUSLY haven't heard enough about my birthday yet, I celebrated again this weekend. Twice!

First, I had dinner with my Texas Mom (Geri) and my great friend Robin at my favorite lil restaurant on the Harbor. Delicious! And so much fun! Totally not following my rules, they brought gifts. But they were fabulous gifts, so all is forgiven:) Geri got me this great koozi that says birthday girl on it and has a pink and black feather boa wrapped around it - I DIE! Made the waiter put my drinks in a glass that fits the koozie;=) Robin got me some super cute Yellow Box shoes and a wine stopper that looks like a giant pink diamond. How they know me well!

Geri is NOT a picture taker (though we did get a nice shot of her giving the waiter her "take a picture of the hand" pose, haha), but here is one of the Ultra Fabulous Robin and I.

So Saturday morning was UIL. I coached Ready Writing (yup, coached a writing team. that's as atheltic as I get). My kids rocked. I had 3 competitors and one alternate on my team. We got First and Fourth. I know, you're jealous.

Saturday night was official girls night bday dinner. We went to my favorite local Italian place. Bill cooked at home for the guys and was sweet enough to foot the bill for the girls. Because we had a larger group, they put us in the wine room, which totally hurt my feelings, lol. But there were a few people eating at the bar. One was an elderly gentleman who had a very distinct sounding voice. More accurately, he sounded just like Froggy. Lots of entertainment from that. Here are some shots, though I am sad to say that Stacie and Katie had to leave quickly and I missed getting them in a group shot or Stacie at all:(

Predinner at the maison.

Wine room (I know, Captain Obvious!)

Bday cake.

Okay, funny story about the cake. Stacie's birthday is less than 2 weeks after mine (ie, this week) and her party is Friday. She is completely obsessed with t-shirts. NO JOKE, SHE HAS MILLIONS! Anyway, she asked me what I wanted for my bday and I said a tiara (see earlier post, she got it! haha!) and I asked her what she wanted and she said a tshirt. Later she amended it to a tshirt that said Birthday B**** in rhinestones. Well, you can't just go to the mall and buy that! But I found a site that let's you design your own. So I gave it to her at dinner from Jacque, Gracie and I so she would have it for her celebration next weekend. Waitress thought we were out for her birthday and got real upset when she left before she could bring her the cake! LOL. But I told her she was fine, it was my birthday, so she felt better. Haha. Anyway, the B part is in turquoise and didn't show up well, but here is Stacie in her much-love t-shirt, haha.

Tammy adhered to my no gift rule - sort of. She made me a cake. She said I could get by without a birthday gift, but not without a birthday cake. Well, it was freakingfantabulous! Chocolate truffle torte something or other - idk. Alls I know is, it was good. Jacque cheated, too. Thanks to her I'm getting a pedicure next week;-)

Well, tomorrow is church and study group, so I'm pretty sure I won't be celebrating my birthday anymore. I do have a picture of the buffet my mom and dad gave me to share. BFF Court helped with decorating it. One of her gifts is the metal magnet bored and magnets in the center.

Also, filed under the category It's Not All About Holly, Jacque and Matt welcomed Annmarie home a couple weeks ago. She is healthy and beautiful! Here's her first shot with Auntie Holly!! (Okay, it is a little about me! Haha!)

I also made an adorable stationary find today, so be expecting ultra-cute thank you cards. Hope you all have a great weekend!! We did!

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Better Late Than Never!

So, I kinda thought that the trip to Bryan WAS my Valentine's gift and the Louis Vuitton was my birthday gift. Well, I was half right. Bill came home with this badass bling tonight! He was googling auction sites for work, and came across this watch, which obviously has "me" written all over it. The picture does it no justice, those crystals SPARKLE!! JLO has nothing on me;=)

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It's Official, I'm a Grown-Up

My offical birthday was Saturday. To celebrate, Bill and I roadtripped to the Bryan/College Station area for the day/night. It was sooo much fun!

First stop was lunch at the Messina Hof winery. I had this awesome salad with candied pecans and dried berries and Bill had the Nolan Ryan burger. The sparkling raspberry was recommended for my salad, so we split a bottle. So good!

This is us after lunch. Yes, Bill wore his LSU sweater to the heart of Aggie country.

After lunch we headed to wine bar for a tasting. I chose a Reserve chardonnay served at Bush Sr.'s innaguration, a cabernet and an almond flavored sparkling. I'm usually not a fan of the sweet, but it was my favorite by far. Bill had the Texas Hold 'em white, the sparkling almond and a pinot grigio.

Bill tasting. He's "pinky out", lol.

The wine bar.

Us at the tasting.

After all that tasting, it was time to check in at the hotel. The Magnolia (which we've previously stayed at the Houston location) recently bought The La Salle in downtown Bryan. They are remodeling it (most of it is done, our room was great) and it is so cute! The downtown Bryan area is just adorable. I wish I had more pictures of it.

Bill on the car ride home. He was wanting a picture break and a nap.

You're not really a grown-up when you continue to act like a child, right?

After the nap we got dressed and went to dinner in College Station at the Eccell Steakhouse. Only problem is that when I went to touch up my make up, I realized I'd left it all at home. I had enough lipstick and powder to make due for dinner, but we had to stop at Walgreens on the way back for Sunday. Needless to say, it is obvious that I did not touch up my eye make up in the pictures. Oh, well.

This is the La Salle's sign facing Main Street. You can also see part of one of the bronze statues. Main also has this small locomotive engine statues painted with different themes. I could have spent an hour taking pictures by these. Bill, not so much...haha.

Us at the restaurant.

The food was so good! We had a lobster queso for starters, Bill had a steak and I had chicken. We split sides and dessert - apple cinnamon bread pudding with ice cream. So good!

Back at the hotel, Bill is obviously ready for sleep again, haha.

I was not happy about my shoes not making the picture at the restaurant. They were my favorite part of my much planned outfit. So Bill did the honors.

Our required kissy picture.

Last one, Honey, I promise!

The next day we slept in and headed out for breakfast. I wanted to go back to the steakhouse for brunch. Bill wanted 'regular' breakfast. Well, it was officially Valentine's Day (thus not just about me anymore! haha), so I let him win.

Us on our way out of the hotel.

Bill by the back La Salle sign.

Me by the back La Salle sign.

So we check out and head over to IHOP for Bill to have "breakfast" and not "brunch". There is a line around the building - no joke. I mean, it's IHOP for crying outloud, not free cash! But, whatev!

Well, we were going back by the winery to pick up a couple bottles anyway, so I suggested we go there first and see if they were serving breakfast. Well, right before the turn, Bill sees this other restaurant he thinks is serving breakfast (obviously he was still in fear of being served "brunch" haha). So,  we stop at the Cotton Patch and have mediocre lunch instead. Oh, well! By the time we sat down and realized they weren't serving breakfast, I wasn't leaving again!

Well, we made it home fairly early yesterday. After I got Noah back from Jennifer (thanks again, btw!), I slept off and on all afternoon/evening. We ordered Sarpino's for dinner and then Noah came to deliver my birthday present. Now, this one was taken with my phone, so it's kinda blurry.

Isn't he adorable??

Well, that was the weekend! Today I am off and busy doing some cleaning and homework. Tomorrow is an inservice training for me and then my UIL team is competing, so say a prayer for my kiddos! Hope you had a great weekend and a great week!

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Birthday Eve!

Arrived to work to receive an early birthday present from my sweet friend Stacie! Queen for a day!

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THE SAINTS WON THE SUPER BOWL!! Oh, yeah! And I had a Birthday Party!

What a busy, awesome weekend!! To begin, I was going to title this blog "Dusty made the Blog", but then something really amazing happened...but more on that later:)

First, we went to a huge surprise birthday party for our friend Renee. Her husband, Ronnie, went all-out. Made the garage into a dance club and had a 2-table poker tournament for the guys. We didn't get to stay long, but we really enjoyed seeing everyone.

Bill showing his poker face

The ladies

The birthday girl and I

Then, Saturday morning we woke up and headed to Mom's. Mom and Dad, with the help of my many aunts and grandmothers, threw me a 30th birthday party. Fear not, I won't be 30 until next weekend. This one was just for pretend...lol

Cake table - pre cupcakes. They were red velvet. They had cream cheese icing. They were fabulous. Enough said. Thank you again Renee!

Kiddos in the fun jump. Yup, there was fun jump at my bday, haha. And, yup, it was my 30th bday.

Josh, Dad, Uncle Raymond and Bill playing darts

Josh and Bill did the grilling. It was awesome.

Us!

Us w/ Court and Dusty. Yes, Dusty, you made the blog!!

Me and my little brother:)

Nicole and I

My "nephew" Grayson

My bffs

Sage, my godchild. Though I'm pretty sure he could take better care of me than I could of him...

Sage and Brit

Mistie, Maw Maw, Aunt Sheila

My mother is in the kitchen during a party. This is usually the only picture I get of her - the one where she's in the kitchen. But this year...

I made her take this one and...

This one! My original family portrait:)

Well, the party was awesome!! Lots of food and family and my two best friends and their men. Couldn't have asked for more! A night with all the people I love most in the world! I'm so thankful for everyone who came and helped. And those who couldn't, we will catch up soon!

So, best story of the night. My dad told my husband he has 6 months to make him a grandbaby, or he's running him off and finding me a new husband. No joke. I died. I'm almost positive there was alcohol involved in this conversation...but, whatev..haha

So, Sunday we were all pumped about out Super Bowl party with our Bible Study class. I showered, did my hair and make-up and...got really sick, really fast. I guess my going and blowing just caught up with me. We ended up watching the game at home, but since I'd gone through all of the trouble of getting dressed and had yet to take a picture in my I hear Saints t-shirt...

We set the camera timer, lol

I am feeling better now. As you can imagine, I think the Saints victory has much to do with that. Also the medicine probably helped, too:) Who would have thought the Saints??? It really makes you wonder what 2010 has in store? So many believed that win would never be possible. Obviously anything is possible! Oh, and has anyone checked to see of hell froze over?

I'm sure you've notice I've chopped my hair. I've been wanting to grow it out, but all the layers kept making the process awkward. I'd toyed with the idea for a while and late Friday I decided to just bite the bullet. I already had the appointment, so I just had her cut it as close to one length as possible w/out going past a certain point. So, I essentially cut it off to grow it out. I know, my logic leaves a lot to be desired! But that's me:)

Have a great week, everyone! Tomorrow I'm hoping to go meet Jacque and Matt's new baby! I will keep you posted!

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