26 January 2007

Happy Australia Day!

It's Australia Day--although I realize that by now, it's no longer Australia Day in Australia.

Australia marks the day [January 26, 1788] when Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and became its first Governor. The fledging colony soon began to celebrate the anniversary of this date. Manning Clarke notes that in 1808 the "anniversary of the foundation of the colony" was observed in the traditional manner with "drinking and merriment". The first official celebrations were held in 1818 to mark the 30th anniversary of white settlement. Governor Macquarie officiated at a thirty-gun salute during the day and a dinner ball at Government House that evening. [click on www.australiaday.gov.au to learn more, which is where I got the previous statements]...I'd love to tell you all about my previous Australia Day experiences, but I can't remember them--I have no doubt a lot of "drinking and merriment" were involved!!

So in honour of Australia Day--as no doubt you've heard numerous times at the Sydney Olympics and subsequent sporting event involving Australians: Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!

Oh and before I forget--Happy Birthday Jordan!! :)

cheers!
:I shez

23 January 2007

Snow Angel....



I have created the perfect snow angel...check it out!!

It dumped and I mean dumped a LOT of snow on Amarillo, just in time for my arrival on the 21st. Ironically, it was my plane out of Austin that got cancelled due to fog rather than my plane from DFW to Amarillo because of snow. I caught the next flight [at 6:30am] to DFW and got there in just enough time to barely catch my flight. OF COURSE American was actually thinking ahead and switched me to a later flight into Amarillo, but given I only had 52 hours in Amarillo to begin with, I didn't want to spend 2.5 hours sitting at DFW if I could actually make my original flight. The flight attendant told me if I could make it--across four terminals in 10 minutes--I could board the early flight as it wasn't yet full. So I am running through the airport like OJ while trying to call Christi & Becca to see if I got the early flight, could we go back to airport 'cuz there was NO WAY my luggage was making it! Literally made it just in time. Didn't get a seat assignment, they didn't even scan my boarding pass before i boarded [because well, it said that i was on a different flight]--the flight attendant was doing that as I was running down the boarding ramp and on to the plane. Just sit anywhere she said. Well I don't know--the plane only seats about 30 people....and the head count before I got on was about 10. The flight to AMA wasn't bad--it was kinda' cool because you could actually see the snow line on the ground....ahhh....how pretty. how white. how the hell are we going to land?????????????

Speaking of white, that was the color of my knuckles as we approached the runway, which we were now close enough to notice that it had a nice thick covering of ice and snow. We touch down, we bounce a bit, the plane fishtails, we sway back and forth and back and forth. I look out and realize "why worry? the worst that could happen at this point is we'd slide off the runway and into a field of snow." I get out my phone and snap a few pictures of the snow on the runway. Apparently the roads were just as bad as Becca, Eugene, Christi, Tracy, Xavier, and Victor were late in picking me up. I saw why when I piled into the suburban [how else are that many people going to travel in one vehicle] and we were headed back to Cindy & Lynn's house.

The rest of the afternoon was fun-filled and exciting. Well, except for maybe a trip to Wal-Mart with Becca on the way back from getting my luggage. I think at one point I was jumping up and down yelling "let's go, let's go, leeeet's checkout" I'm not sure, but I think I heard Becca mumbling something about needing to check medication. Hers or mine?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!? Cindy made an AWESOME dinner [as usual--when doesn't Cindy make something awesome!], we exchanged gifts--i got a box of chocolate covered cherries [that also came with a Nintendo DS], scarves, a coffee mug, a book of short stories, a book Elizabeth made me, a vest Becca crocheted, measuring tapes [I believe my comment as Christi, Chelle, and I opened our measuring tapes and just stared at them was "are you calling us fat???" but no, just was just sick of hearing us tell her that we didn't have a measuring tape when she called about a measurement for something she was making us], Tracy provided entertainment [no pervo, there were kids there--I was talking about a magic show!] and we ended the evening with several games of B-I-N-G-O! I actually won one game. SHOCKER! I never win! My prize was a magazine promising to lose 10 pounds quickly and had a chocolate cake on the cover....I've eaten a lot of chocolate cake, but have yet to lose that 10 pounds!

Monday we attempted to go to Borger, but the roads were too bad. After driving an hour and only getting about 20 miles, Lynn called it quits and we turned around and headed back to Amarillo. I was very sad not to get to see Nanny & Grandpa. It did, however, allow us a bit of free time, in which I got to make my snow angel in the front yard. At 3pm, Christi & I picked up Jillian, Caroline, Jarod, & Elizabeth from school and walked them to J & C's house [about 4 blocks] of course, we didn't realize that we'd have to cross a field o' snow to do so...and I actually ended up carrying Elizabeth across 1/2 the field! Tracy was waiting at the house and the kids tried to get him outside to attack him with snowballs, but we couldn't coax him out [although Jillian & Caroline got him pretty good when it was time for us to leave!]

It seemed to be a blink of an eye and I was back at the airport, noticing that the runway had been cleared of the ice and snow, heading back down to where the temps were a tad warmer. It was a fun trip, but waaaaaaaaaay too fast! at least this time the kids recognized me....

:I shez

20 January 2007

Soggy Surprise!


Happy Birthday Momma!

Teresa & I decided it would be fun to throw Mom a surprise birthday/housewarming party. Everyone was to show up at 7pm at her gate [it's about 1/2 mile from gate to house] and we'd all drive down to the house together and everyone surprise her! I have to admit we are genius! It was great...even though the weather was NOT cooperating. Bubba kept complaining about why we had to do it on the messiest, yuckiest night of the year. I reminded him we were actually only 19 days into the year and blame Granny & Grandpa, as this was the day [53 years ago] that she was born. Pretty much everyone invited showed up, brought food and alcohol, and a great time was had by all. All counted there were +50 people there and Momma was surprised when the cars kept coming down the lane and people kept pouring into the house. Regardless of the mud--and JeannieBel's prediction--the floor stayed pretty clean. Although it's stained concrete, so cleaning was a snap! The low moment came when we discovered it was also Larry's birthday and Teresa decided to add his name to Mom's German Chocolate Cake...in ketchup. Yep [and yuck!] you read that right! Since the icing was dark, nothing else showed up....aside from maybe mustard so ketchup seemed the less of two evils. Strangely no one wanted those pieces of cake and Teresa hadn't had that much to drink at that point!! While there were a few that left early, most everyone left around 11:30pm--which was a further indication about how successful it was!

Happy Birthday Momma!
:I sheshie

19 January 2007

The Dawning of the Sign of Aquarius

Okay, depending on which astrological chart you're looking at we're enter the sign of Aquarius at any moment now...why am I mentioning this? just to wish

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS to Momma & April!!!! :)

:I shez

18 January 2007

Agoraphobics & Snow-Ins Rejoice!

Did you know amazon.com has everything? literally everything. 36 categories--I'm shocked, I'm amazed, really I'm in awe! This is what you can get if you go to www.amazon.com RIGHT NOW:

Books, Music, DVD, Unbox Video Downloads [what the?], VHS, Magazines & Newspapers, Compture & Video Games, Software, Amazon Shorts [again, what the?], Electronics, Audio & Video, Camera & Photo, Cell Phones & Service, Computers & PC Hardware, Office Products, Musical Instruments, Outlet [watch out Tanger & Prime!], Home & Garden, Bed & Bath [but not Beyond], Furniture & Decor, Gourmet Food, Kitchen & Housewares, Outdoor Living, Pet Supplies, Automotive, Tools & Hardware, Industrial & Scientific, Apparel & Accessories, Shoes, Jewelry & Watches, Grocery, Beauty, Health & Personal Care, Sports & Outdoors, Toys & Games, Baby....whew! I think that may be it....

Groceries???? when did this all happen? what happened to just books, movies, music?????? but for those of you who don't want to get out, can't get out, or are "above" going to the SuperWalMart, but need tampons, motor oil, a new cell phone, and a flute--go to amazon.com and what the heck--get the lastest book in Oprah's bookclub....

okay, i have to go--i need to see what kind of groceries and gourmet foods amazon can provide me. plus I can just add it to my wishlist [sjerrij@gmail.com in case you were wondering how to access my wishlist! :D] YAY!! this is going to be fun, albeit strange....

:I shez

ps--for those of you like Sheila who want to know: yes, there are condoms available--3 pages of any shape, size, or preference you might want!!

17 January 2007

Slip Sliding Away!


Yes, I braved the elements to bring you this hilarious update about the weather....


walking Stella is freakin' hilarious!! firstly, i'm walking on the grass, which is covered in ice and crunching beneath my feet. The dog HATES walking on the grass with the ice crunching beneath her feet, so she chooses to walk on the sidewalk or street. Since she can't get much traction, so looks more like she's skating rather than walking, but the funniest is when she sees a bird, cat, deer, chihuahua [she thinks they're funny, noisy cats with strange hair], she wants to run after it, but she slips and slides and with her long legs flailing about is just damn funny. Of course, this usually happens right about the time that I've run out of grass and have ventured on the ice-covered street. So not only am I laughing out loud, but trying my best not to slip and slide and end up on my backside.
This is my patio fence--which accumulated about 2 inches of snow....

Since it's not raining, icing, sleeting, and snowing today [which it did ALL day yesterday], I decided to take her for a longer walk this morning. We hit a bit of an decline, which you tend not to notice when the street is not covered with a sheet of ice and we essentially slid one complete block--it was fun while it lasted....but truth be told, I was happy to make it down without falling on my keister!! We stopped in at Teresa's--who had warm coffee for me and a big backyard for Stella--so she got even more exercise galloping from one end of the yard to the other [yes, the dog is big enough to gallop!]--so she was happily dozing in a ball on the couch when I left her...


tomorrow brings slightly warmer weather--hopefully enough to melt all the ice and the weekend we're back into the 60's but still wet and yucky [gotta love Texas weather]


:I shez

15 January 2007

BRRRRRRRR!!!

Not that in the grand scheme of things is it really cold here, but it's the coldest it's been so far this winter. Plus because there is a winter weather advisory in effect until thursday, everything has pretty much shut down and the shelves at HEB [the local grocery store] are looking pretty bare. Of course, everyone north of here is no doubt laughing at us. But I do have to say that when it gets icy, the roads here are a mess, topped with the fact that NO ONE is capable of safely driving--as they think that their 4WD is going to help them not skid on the ice!!

There's not a lot to report--I've come into work to do a bit of paperwork, but as no one is voluntarily out in this mess, I'm going home to watch movies and snuggle with Stella, who is annoyed because our walks have be dramatically cut to "would you hurry up, it's freaking too cold to be walking 45 minutes", so a quick walk around the block and we're back inside!

For those in colder regions--stay warm! For those in warmer regions--enjoy!!

bye fffffor now!!
:I shez

12 January 2007

Gluttonous Gluten

Okay, so I haven't been feeling great of late [I'm sure many of you are sick--ha ha pun intended--of hearing me complain about being sick!]. Since they [being my doctor] can't seem to explain why I'm feeling tired and run-down and bloated and a general feeling of blah--phyically, not so mentally, I decided that perhaps it's my diet. I'm sick of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesause, and toast)--which I lived on for about 2 weeks after I got out of the hospital, but is the most pleasing to upset stomaches. I've decided not to cut my diet that dramatically and went to the local health store and got on-line to figure out where to start. It was suggested to me that the most common--and often least diagnosed--food problem was wheat. So, I'm going to cut out wheat and all wheat products for the next several weeks and see if it helps. Fad diet--nope, but worse case senario, I'll be a bit healthier without all that refined flour in my body and hopefully, I'll have a bit more get-up-and-go, so that I can get up and go and not feel like a sloth, catching zzzz's every opportunity I can get. Best case senario, I'll feel better and look better and maybe even drop a few pounds!! fingers crossed!!
:I shez
ps--YAY! winter weather is finally coming. I know, I know you all probably think I'm nuts, but I'm excited! I love the cold, crisp weather!! :) oh and I'm babysitting tomorrow!! perhaps, I'll make them help me clean out boxes....

03 January 2007

Pris-Stella

Yay! Inventory wasn't as bad as originally thought! We were done by 2pm and that included a small lunch break for pizza. Of course, we had special help from Landri because, unbeknownst to her mother until they arrived and everything was locked up, pre-school was closed on the 2nd. Landri's job was moving empty boxes, so as to block the back door [yes, I said to block] and keeping everyone entertained with "hey, sheshie....hey sheshie....hey sheshie" Apparently my niece has inherited my gift of gab....

After that we made a few stops and then went to pick Stella up from "school" as Landri referred to doggie day care. However, Aunt Priscilla OBVIOUSLY made an impression during Christmas because rather than saying "Stella," Lala kept calling her "Pris-Stella." Hey Pris-Stella. Hey Sheshie Pris-Stella really likes me. Hey Pris-Stella, do you want a treat? Pris-Stella how was school? It was all I could do not to laugh. My brother couldn't contain his laughter as Landri was telling him about how she & Pris-Stella played all afternoon and how Pris-Stella didn't eat her snack [although I know that Pris-Stella doesn't like carrots...although I don't know how the cheese stick survived!]

Pris-Stella was so worn out by Landri, I actually had to cajole her into going for her evening walk! Perhaps Landri needs to come over a bit more often!

:] shez

02 January 2007

HAPPP PPYYY NEW YEAR!!

Okay, so NYE sucked. Like huge. It was insane crazy busy at Cuvee and the kitchen was horribly backed up and it was 1:30 when we finally finished cleaning up--we even had regulars asking if they could help us--that's how freaking sorry they felt for us!

But we did dress in black with black top hats and bow ties, so I must admit even though we were running around like chickens with our heads just cut off, we looked damn cute doing it!

I hope that everyone had a great NYE and I've decided that I'm now on a mission to find a job that doesn't require working NYE. Last year was great. This year: sucked big time....

But everything was rectified on the 1st, as we went to brunch and all chipped in for Dom. There's nothing like starting the new year with eggs benedict and Dom Perignon. Of course, that's just my humble opinion! I had all these plans for cleaning/organizing my house for the new year [one of my resolutions], but my tired, aching body prevailed and I lounged on the couch all day watching the CSI:Miami marathon on A&E...although I did at some point take Stellabella for a walk and made a big o' pot of black eyed peas for a prosperous new year. And I'm hoping at this point the more b.e.p. you eat, the more prosperous you are because well, it's just me and I have a big o' pot of b.e.p.....

So, here are my resolutions for the new year:
1. Get healthier [which I've already been trying to do]
2. Get my house more organized [I don't know what the hell happened, but my closets are suddenly GREAT examples for the chaos theory]
3. MOVE. not that I don't like living here, i'm actually enjoying it right now, but it's time for a new adventure.
4. Be better about blogging and corresponding with everyone on a regular--rather than sporadic--basis
5. Be debt free!! [which would have happended last year, until I took a three day vacation in the hospital last july...]
6. Volunteer more--as in, not just Rotary but other places as well....

so that's it. that's the plan for the new year. :) must go....today is inventory day. happy, happy, joy, joy....NOT!

Happy New Year!
:] shez

ps--in case you're wondering, while I AM getting used to them and people are actually commenting that they think I look cute [bleh!], I still hate my braces--although I am seeing changes in my teeth...so perhaps I won't need them on as long as the Dr. thinks!! fingers crossed!