WTF, Universe

So, it seems like everyone and their mom has been getting engaged lately. Seriously, I can think of four ladies off the top of my head who've had a ring put on it in the last 30 days.  Add to that the fact that my ex - who I dated on and off for 10 years - just got engaged to a girl he's been with for about five minutes (comparatively, that is), and it's sometimes hard for a single gal to keep her chin up.

Remember those games you played as a little girl? Like the one where you wiggle the tab of the coke can back and forth and recite the alphabet, and the letter it breaks off on is the name of the person you are going to marry? Or when you are listening to the radio and you tell yourself, "ok, the next song is going to be the precursor for the rest of my life." So, I decided to play one of those games tonight.

I was unwrapping one of life's greatest pleasures - a Dove dark chocolate piece (the kind with the little messages on the inside of the wrapper) - and I told myself that the message on the inside would determine my "love destiny." (I know, I'm awesome.)

Yep, you read that right - CELEBRATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

What are you trying to tell me, universe???

***UPDATE - On further reflection, I realized this post may make me sounds like a bitter, negative Nancy.  It was mostly meant to be funny. But, I just want to make clear that I truly feel happy for all my lovely friends who've found their "person." I just also wouldn't mind finding mine :)

February Update

So, it's been a month since I've listed my resolutions. Here's an update.

1 - I have definitely been making healthier choice, with the occasional splurge of course. It helps that my coworkers have been trying to be healthier too. I'm drinking regular Green Monsters and just generally eating more fruits and veggies and less junk. And, I've had 2 random ladies (my dry cleaner lady and a lady in my neighborhood) tell me that I look like I've lost weight! Although the scales tells me that I have, in fact, not actually weight.

2 - I am VERY happy to report I drink 48 oz of water *almost* every day! I generally don't do as well on weekends, but overall I'm super psyched about my progress on this one.

3 - I am also doing better at keeping my house clean. Each weekend I've been picking an area to get--and keep--in order. That seems to be a good strategy for me.

4 - Haven't paid down any credit card debt, but I have cut back significantly on using my card. Yay.

5 - I've memorized three out of the five assignments in Ryan's Project Scripture. Woot!

Ok, so maybe I'll update on my resolutions again. But let's be honest, I probably won't. For now I'm trying to psych myself up for the weekend ahead! It's a busy one - coaching UH moot court team Saturday morning, helping to throw a wedding shower Saturday afternoon, and a bachelorette party Saturday night!  Then Sunday I have church, an interview with a family I may babysit for (yay for money) and a Superbowl party at my coworker's house back in Beaumont. I'm stressed about how busy it's going to be!! When am I going to be able to fit in what I like to call my "sitting around" time??

But we will be making these babies at the Superbowl party and I Can. Not. Wait. I've seriously been dreaming about them for 2 weeks.

My Sad Life

So I've discovered that my favorite snack is no longer being sold in Texas!

Y'all - this is really upsetting me!! You have NO IDEA how good these pretzels are. I first discovered them when I was babysitting for my neighbor. (The babysitting pantry raid - you know you've done it).  Anyway, I started buying them for myself.  Then, I was at this neighbor's house a couple weeks ago and she mentioned that she can't find them in stores anywhere. So, I went online and guess what?? No Rold Gold Cinnamon Raisin pretzels in Texas anymore.  And guess what else? I CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE TO BUY THEM ONLINE. (As an aside, what the hell?? You can buy pretty much anything on the Interwebs these days. Anything, apparently, except these delish pretzels).

The bag in my pantry is almost gone, I don't know what I'm going to do. And that makes me sad about my life - because who gets this upset about cinnamon raisin pretzels?? Another thing that's sad? I am blogging about this on Friday night.

Anyway, if any of my out-of-towner friends see these at their local grocery stores, pick me up a few bags. I'll really owe you one.

What's Up

So, last week-ish I was chastised again by my dear friend (hey KB!) about the fact that I never post on my blog.  I just don't feel like I have anything interesting to say! Because while my friends are doing things like buying new cars and arguing motions for summary judgment, I've been:

*Spending $225 to fix my washer & dryer (YES! The both broke at the same time. WTF.)

*Cleaning out my garage because it flooded and all the boxes that I have not unpacked since my move got wet (Yeah I moved in August 2010, what's your point?)

*Taking down my Christmas decorations (don't judge)

*Making a list of all the electronics in my office for our building management.  Why they need to know that I have a radio and a cup warmer is beyond me. As for my space heater, under the new building policy I now need to have a "doctor's prescription" if I want to keep that. Um... ok.

*Receiving a great birthday pressie in the mail today. Love these earrings. Thanks, LS!

*Buying this dress. I love it. But don't worry - it was 35% off, plus I had a giftcard, so I'm still working on that paying off debt thing.

That's about it I think. Alright KB, it may not have made you laugh, but it's a post and it's not a post about not posting. :)

Resolutions

So, Happy 2012! I haven't blogged in ... awhile.  Sorry. I'm hoping to do better on the blogger front this year.  I am pretty excited about this year - I have a feeling it's going to be full of good things for me! Not the least of which will be my full-time return to H-town! (Will I need to change the name of this blog? Something to think about.)

Anyway, in the spirit of the new year and because I saw my friend Per Stirpes do it, I thought I'd share some of my goals for 2K12.

1 - Make Healthier Choices - so I am shooting for being healthier rather than the traditional lose weight resolution. Things like eating more fruits and veggies, lean meats, not stuffing myself with sweets every single day at the office, not skipping out on walking my dogs, etc. Hopefully I'll also lose weight too. Ha!

2 - Drink at least 48 oz of Water a Day - This kind of goes with resolution #1, but I wanted to list it separately because I make this resolution EVERY year, and EVERY year I fail at it.  But this year I won't fail.  In fact, if I accomplish only one of my goals this year, I want it to be this one.

3 - Keep my House Clean - I tend to be a slob, be a neater person.

4 - Pay Down Credit Card Debt - This goal will mostly be accomplished in the latter part of this year, when I get a law firm job.

5 - Participate in my friend Ryan's idea for Project Scripture. Learn a new verse every week.

Ok that's it! Let's hope I can accomplish at least a few of these goals!

Cuteness

A conversation that occurred between me and the two cutest dogs last week.

So cute, right??

A Delayed Love Letter

So, as many of you know I sold my car earlier this summer. The Pathfinder, P-Finder, or Grey Ghost, as my dad liked to refer to her. (He is such a cheese ball). WARNING: Ultimate display of cheesy sentimentalism over a material possession follows.

Anyway, this was a difficult decision for me. I LOVED that car - it was my first car that I got new - and we'd been together 10 years. And when my dad bought it for me, it was totally top of the line. He let me get all the bells & whistles & gadgets and it was just so much fun. In the later years, it would often get really junked out, but then I'd get it washed and condition the leather seats and marvel at how freaking awesome the car remained even ten years and 140,000 miles after our relationship began. In the end, I was worried that, with my long commute to and from Beaumont, the girl wouldn't last until I got to my new job at the law firm and could afford another new car. So, I bought my dad's Prius.

Anyway, the P-finder and I shared some great, and some not so great, but definitely defining, memories. I can't believe I drove that car off the lot when I was 20 years old! She was with me though college, my first few years as a working girl, law school, and - now - to Beaumont.  I drove her to graduations and job interviews. She carried me through my parents' divorce.  She saw my relationship begin - and end - with my first and so far, only, love. I brought both of my dogs home in that car. I lived in seven apartments during her life span.

Oh yeah, and our first weekend together, my college roomie forced me to drive one of her very drunk sorority sisters home from a party. And that lovely girl promptly vomited alllllll over my backseat. The next day was really rainy, so none of the car washes were open. That was fun.

The first couple weeks after I got the car, I was driving around my high school friend, Sara, and she was making a fuss over how awesome my car was. I'll never forget what she said, "Sarah, I mean, when you are driving this thing around do you just feel like a rapper?" And I really did. (I was sort of ghetto fabulous in high school. I still love me some Fat Pat, Biggie, Puff Daddy (as he was known then) and Lil' Troy.)

The lady I sold it to bought it for her son, a college kid here in Beaumont.  It is his first car. When he test drove it, he turned the stereo way up and pushed the seat way back. I think they were a good fit. I am really hoping he has as many defining moments and wonderful memories with the P-finder as I had.

And now every time I pass a silver pathfinder on the road, I look and see if it's mine.