Happy HalloWednesday

Via fabulousk

Ah, it's  my favorite holiday. I mean who doesn't love candy, dressing up, cute kiddos in costumes? A day when you can wear black and orange together and no one thinks you belong on the worst dressed list. Yes, people I love me some Halloween!

I wish I could show you how cute my house is decorated, but alas I failed this year to have enough time to deck it out. I will, however, be home in time to dress up the pup in her costume and pass out candy in our neighborhood. But, if I had decorated the house it would have included:

halloween by lynn-alexander on Polyvore

 

So, what are your Halloween plans? Costumes? Parties? Trick-or-Treating? Do you bob for apples? make monster hands with popcorn? Everyone have a safe and wonderful Halloween and I expect great pics up tomorrow!

Fall{ing}

I'm Fall{ing} for so much right now. I'm loving this weather. It means tights at work, my suede boots and scarves! I love a good scarf!

I'm falling for hubs all over again. He has been such a trooper lately with my hectic and stressful work schedule. Last night was the first time I beat him home in a long time. Not complaining per se, but it was nice to be able to actually come home and cook him dinner for once. (and fold laundry, put away dishes, etc...) I felt very wifely.

I'm falling for colored pants! yes, you heard me correctly, colored. As in jade, cranberry, royal... Loft has the cutest skinny pants, ankle pants in an array of jewel tones.

Loft pants by lynn-alexander featuring twill pants

 

I'm also falling for coffee! (ok, so more for coffee). Lately I pray I make it to work without falling asleep. So coffee has been my savior. I kow hubs thinks I should make it at home, I mean we have a coffee maker and coffee, but that requires me to remember to set it the night before and then put it in a travel mug, etc... And when I workout at 5am that does not work... See, just easier to get it at work or on the road.

 

Most of all, I am falling for fall TV! Call me old, but I still love me some Gossip Girl, Grey's & Two Broke Girls. I have just not gotten into any of these new shows. I never got into Modern Family, but I hear its great. I am however, in love with Nashville! Give me some Hayden P. any day of the week.

 

Now, I know I should be happy that New York is still standing, but hello why on earth did we have to cancel the new episodes of many shows last night because of the storm? Sorry East coast, but I wanted me some GG and 2brokegirls!

 

Ok, so that is what I am falling for this Fall.

Weekend Recap

Yes, I know its late in the day, but this morning was a rush of activity. Our trial team leaves in less than 24 hours to head out to well trial. So last minute everything is taking place. So my weekend, other than working, involved the one night of the year where hubs and I get all dressed up....

Nope, not costumes, but formal attire for us. We done our best and head to Steeplechase Deb Ball. Bowing, white gloves, drinking and dancing! I have to say hubs and I know how to clean up! We danced the night away and felt it in the morning.

 

 

The rest consisted of: football watching, pageant prepping, working, and eating... lots of food! Hopefully this week will be tad less eventful at work. Hope everyone has a great Halloween! I know I stoked for lil ones all dressed up and eating a lots few pieces of candy!

Back in Action Friday's Letters

Yes, I am back! Still tired, exhausted and stressed, but I have just a minute to catch you all up on my week via Friday's Letters.

Dear Hubs - Yes, the Rockettes are coming to Dallas and yes we are going, I know you are thrilled! Dear LM - We deserve wine, champagne, vodka and a bubble bath after the week we have had! Dear Work - Whoa there, let's just remember I am only one woman who can only accomplish so many things in a day. Dear Body - Yeah, let's get it together, as in I know I'm 30, but I'm only 30 so work correctly. Dear Chloe - You cannot come to work with mommy or daddy, I know you want to just so you can cuddle all day,  but we have to work for your kibble, so stay out of the car in the morning. Dear Friends - I need you. I need some fun in my life. Dear Weekend - So ready for you and excited for Steeplechase. Yay for formal dresses and dancing (and yummo breakfast buffet) Dear Trial prep - you.suck.the.life.out.of.everyone. Dear People in this office who will remain nameless - Get it, just get it ok? Dear Fall - Thank you for arriving! I am doning my black suede boots and purple (Go Frogs) sweater today complete with wool skirt! Dear runners (in our office) You all save my life and I am grateful for all the things you do! Dear Hubs - get your tux out and put those party pants on!

Manic Monday

Sorry all, I will be a little MIA this week as my schedule is booked to the max with about 1.8 gazillion projects. In the meantime, check out some of the lovely ladies who make my days complete:

The lovely Leslie at A Blonde Ambition
My Dallasite friend Neely at A Complete Waste of Makeup
Erin at Living in Yellow
My twin LM at Loveliness of Life
The gorgeous and charming Jessica at The Newly
Pinky ay P!inkpersistence

Sunday {anti} Social

  Have to do a lil blogging while I get ready to head to work this Sunday. Yes, that is my life, Sunday is about being social with those peole I see Monday thru Friday (but hey, I am blessed to have this job I am going to on a Sunday.)

 

1. What do you value most in life?

My faith, my family, and my friends

2. What do you think is the greatest invention in your lifetime and why?

Bluetooth! I can now drive and talk hands free at the same time.

3. What do you think is the secret to a good life?

Being happy with what you have. In our life we are so competative and driven that I think often we forget to be content with the things we have. Look at the life you lead and be happy knowing you have been blessed with life, love, and a job.

4. What would you most like to be remembered for when you're gone?

Always being there for others.

5. What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?

graduating law school.

 

6. If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you?

Reese Witherspoon! I love her! (had to steal this from Amber) I have often been told I look like her

Friday's Letters

Dear Husband - Come home. For good. As in stop travelling and leaving the puppy girl and I home alone to fend off crazy noises and flying leaves. Dear Sleep - Hopefully I will meet you again this weekend. Dear 30 - So far so good. Dear Bootcamp - You are amazing. I may not be able to walk correclty, but you kick my booty and it feels so good. Dear Fall - Yo, where are you? I've got sweaters and boots to wear. Dear Chloe - Sleep through the night at our house! Do not bark, chirp, squeal, move around or sleep on my pillow. Dear Hubs - Seriously, come home.

Have you seen this man? Because he is MIA!

It's Ok Thursdsay

  Yeah you all know the drill by now, link up and let loose with the confessions!   It's ok....   to spend $28 at Eatzi's on three things: chicken salad, green bean & chicken salad and a sandwich   to buy cute summery dresses on sale at Dillard's and make them fall appropriate with tights & a blazer   to ask the girl at Sephora to help you pick out a new foundation (its what they are paid to do)   to not particularly like the state fair (hello major crowd issues here)   to wake up in the middle of the night because the dog begins barking loudly and running towards the door and then to grab you cell phone and hub's baseball bat and come out swinging (right?)   to be totally over office politics and gossip   to like a particular case better than others   to have a cupcake date in the middle of the week with a good friend   to hide in a co-workers office just to get a moment of reprieve   to shamelessly plug your blog - ALL SPONSOR SPOTS ARE 50% OFF WITH THE CODE DEPO!!!   oh and for those of you wanting to see my LV gift:  

         

Hump Day Blues

Wow, Wednesday half crept on me half could not have come sooner. I have been buried under a mountain of motions, research, discovery and other random things.

In other news, my body have never been this sore from a workout! Boot camp is kicking a$$ and taking my name, but I love very minute of it. So far 30 is treating me well. Speaking of 30, here are a few pics of my birthday fun. Have a good Hump Day y'all, I'll be slaving away in my office.

My nephew and I at the State Fair

my gorgeous birthday cake!

someone was a good girl this year!

sweet Chloe digging for bones in the clean laudry

When I was 17

Since I just had the big 3-0 I thought this lil link-up would make me feel oh so young again!

1. When you were 17, tell us what kind of car you drove, where you worked, and what you were usually up to on the weekends.
Well, I did not have a care until I was 18 and bought it on my own, but it was a 1992 firebird. I worked at the DAC (local athletic club) and a car dealership as the receptionist. Weekends, I was at work, twirling, or at the boyfriend's house.

2. Show us a picture of you when you were 17 {roughly}.

Yeah, trying to find these is hard considering it was pre-facebook

3. When you were 17, tell us what you wanted to be when you "grew up."
Lawyer. Check!

4. When you were 17, tell us the kind of boys that you dated. Did you have a type? Do you have a relationship you remember well? Tell us about it.
I was dating a guy in the marching band. Then we broke up right after my 17th bday and I started dating the goalie on the soccer team until we went to college.


5. When you were 17, tell us where you pictured your life 10 years from then. Did it turn out the way you expected it to?
Kinda.... I thought I would be done with law school, married and havingmy first baby by 30.. Guess I was just a year late on the wedding, and well still waiting on the baby part!

The Big 3-0

Yup, its today, its my birthday go me.... I did not turn into a pumpkin at midnight, or shrivel up into an old lady, in fact it was quite different.

Did I mention I started a bootcamp this week with my best friend? Yes, Tuesdays & Thursday from 7-8 and Saturday morning at 8am... Yes, that means I woke my 30 year old butt up a 7:30 to get to my workout at 8, to do my first PT test.... Oye!

I should also mention I am still sore from Thursday beating... But there I went. So the PT test is basic military style:

2-minutes push ups
2-minutes sit ups
2 Mile run

My results:

50 pushups
53 sit ups
2 miles in 16:03!

So, I guess that's the perfect way to start of 30. Have a good day all, Go Frogs!

Friday's Letters {to 20 year old me}

This is a bit different letter this Friday. Today,  this last day of my 20's I am writing a letter to 20 year old me.

Dear Me,

Enjoy the next ten years because they will blow by. Take in every moment, every step, every memory. Don't think that every guy you date in college has to be "the one," chances are he will just be the one that night, day, week. Listen to V. She knows what she is talking about when she says you are the adult in your family. And don't show up to lessons hung over from the night before. It's not only a waste of your time and hers, but disrespectful to her. She loves you, no matter what, I promise. Don't be so hard on yourself in school. It's ok to get a B, heck even a C won't kill you. You don't need that much stress in your life at 20. Realize that friends are the ones you hang out with you no matter what, not just when its cool. Keep them close and dear to you. So, the whole pageant thing, I know it seems like you will never win a prelim or compete at Miss Texas, but trust me, when you really want it, you'll get there. But when you do, don't sacrifice your morals and standards to please anyone but you.

You will change your mind about what you want to do about 5 times and its ok. I know you came in as pre-law, and you will get there, but meanwhile, explore other opportunities. It's these experiences that will help you become a better person and eventually help you reach that goal of practicing law. Meanwhile, that on-campus job you took, well soak it up. These women you work with will become your family. They have so much to offer you, so learn from them. Take their advice, and enjoy becoming apart of their families. They will throw you wedding showers someday.

I know you feel left out in this TCU world sometimes. Remember, its not about how much money you have or what clothes you wear, its about the person inside. I know this sounds cliche, but the struggle and strife over this never goes away, so learn it now. You don't need nice things to succeed in life.

Trust your instincts. Know that even when you feel like everyone else if going left, right is best for you. Love your family, but don't let the toxicity into your life. You can love from arm's length and still be loved by them.

Lastly, no matter what, don't measure your life by the success, but by the steps you take to get there. Enjoy the next ten years and try not to grow up too soon. 30 will be here before you know it (and you will be married, have a good job, and live in a house that you own!).

XOXO 29 year old me

It's Ok Thursday

 

Thursday, Thursday, gotta get excited for Thursday...  Because that means tomorrow is Friday, and the beginning of the big 3-0 weekend (Yes I'm milking the birthday week). But, let's get started here....

 

It's Ok....

 

To get frustrated with the girls at Einstein's when it takes them 5 minutes to acknowledge your existence and then another 10 minutes to toast you a bagel

 

To have a small breakdown at work when you feel stuck between a rock and hard place

 

To walk away from an argument when you know there is no good ending

 

To dress up your dog for Halloween (or any other day for that matter)

 

To ponder the meaning of life at 2pm in your office

 

To close your door so as to avoid certain interruptions

 

To bash men, I mean they just do not get women and they just suck sometimes

 

To cry because you are about to turn 30 and are not taking it well for no reason

 

To commiserate with your best friend about men sucking

 

Happy Thursday all, if you need me Ill be the one limping around today after bootcamp day 1 Tuesday and trying to gear up for Day 2 today!

Wednesday Ramblings & BOTW

Tuesday was well, interesting to say the least. I had to deal with the plethora of personalities that reside in our office. (This is no small task). I wrote basically the entire history of tort reform in Texas and interpreted yet another insurance policy. (not to homeowners, read your policy before you sign it, make sure it says what you think it does and ask questions!).

I then rushed home to go to day 1 of bootcamp with the BFF. It was ok... I am used to a more fast-paced kickboxing or independant workout, so this was a tad different. But I am convinced it will be something new and good for me and for my lovely!

I also have decided that sending hubs to the grocery store is more work than a help sometimes. It involves 2 texts, 3 phone calls and giving up on the yoplait 100 calorie greek yogurt when he just cannot seem to find it.

And did I mention the big 30 is Saturday? Party you say, no (people seemed to be busy) So perhaps dinner with the hubs and the BFF? But then headed to the State Fair of Texas Sunday with the family! This is first year for my nephew to go, so I'm psyched.

Also, I was featured as Blog of the Week over at Munchkin Land Designs! Jenn redid my blog a couple of months ago and let me tell you how much I am in love with her! She is awesome, very easy to work with and well does a fabulous job! She also just finished a design for my twitter page, so check it out later today! Jenn is offering my readers a 5% discount! Please check her out, even if you can't do a total design she offers well, everything from blogs, twitter, buttons, business cards! Use the code BOTWIllegalBlonde.

OK, so that was rambling and random, but oh well sometimes you just go to get it out there. Now I'm off to see what hubs brought home from the store and find the dog.

Lemons, lemon everywhere

Lemons, everywhere, really sour ones. And I know my mother would tell me to make lemonade, but no. I'm taking my lemons and sulking.

I tried to be ever so excited for Monday, and it started out grand. And then it hit. I went to lunch, had a cup of soup and wrap, played with the pup for a couple minutes and then headed back to work. I sat down at my desk and felt my stomach do about 3.5 somersaults. I tried some water. Nope. I lasted about 2 and half more hours when the contents of my stomach emptied into the porcelain throne. I decided I needed to take it the house.

I blame the shrimp. It did me in. So there I was at home feeling like death. I would say the night got better, but yeah no. It involved some petty arguing between hubs and I ( I mean that's what happens when you are both really tired and have not seen each other in 5 days).

This morning was rough. My tummy still feels well sour and work well its been one of those days. Needless to say I need some sweet tea for all my lemons. Hopefully my first day of bootcamp with the BFF will put me in a better mood.

Guess there's always Wednesday.

TGIM?

Yeah you heard me, I'm glad its Monday... A rather chilly one at that.... as in frost on my windshield, see my breath fall morning!

My weekend was so busy that well I am glad for the monotony of the week. Here's what I was up to this weekend:

Chloe & Max (and Hopi on the side)
 

 

My puppy loves

Friday - Lil happy hour with the co-workers to kick off the weekend. I have some of the coolest people to work with, so it was a great way to begin. Then, ran to the in-laws to pick up the baby girl and head to the other family for dinner. Had dinner with V&D and Aunt K! I love them and it was so nice to have some wine and catch up before they all headed off for vacation. Chloe also enjoyed playing with their pups.

Saturday - Well was rather disppointing. My Frogs lost in their Big 12 debut to Iowa State. Darn those cyclones. But I got to see some good friends! I do not want to hear about or talk about the Casey Pachall incident anymore. For the love kid, get a clue!

Sunday - Pageanting again. The wonderful ED for Miss Ft Worth decided to take on 4 more girls and give them the chance to compete at Miss Texas and Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen this summer, so we crowned 2 Miss and 1 teen yesterday. I emceed my heart out again.


Needless to say I am pooped, cold and ready for hubs to be home. Happy Monday all.





Confessional Friday

It's Friday!!! I could not be more ecstatic for this Friday than perhaps any other Friday. So I confess....

I am relieved, glad, excited (you get the drift) that trial is off. We settled. I just was exhausted, had too many things on my plate and was not quite dealing well with not seeing hubs for over a week.

I did not watch all of the debate. Ok I watched like 10 minutes and fell asleep. I mean I had been up since like 5am and such.

I bit every single one of my nails this week while attempting to prep for trial and now will be heading to the nail salon for some fake ones since I look horrible.

Part of me does not want to go to the TCU game tomorrow because our QB is out (and let's not get me started on how upset the entire city of Fort Worth is at this umm kid. Get it together!)

I'm itching for a blog makeover again, but know that mine is fine. (but I can look right?)

I'm a week out from the big 3-0 and I'm kind of starting to freak out. Not so much about the age thing, but more the what in the world have I done by 30 thing...

I went into Target and came out $80 in the red

I hate my hair. I'm feeling the need for a big change and I have an appointment Thursday.... cut it? dye it? keep it? weigh in!

I am this close to adopting a new dog while hubs is out of town, but pretty sure he would kill me and by confessing this he may read this and call me with a threat... beg for forgiveness?

I plan on going home this evening and going straight to bed!

TGIF y'all!

It's Ok {not to be perfect} Thursday

We interrupt this regulary scheduled link up for an important message: It's ok not to be perfect!

I had lunch with my aunt yesterday and she brought me an article from last week's Newsweek. The article is written by a former Harvard Business school professor, and current president of Barnard University. Debora Soar wrote: Why Women Should Stop Trying to be Perfect.

Powerful. Insightful. Right. As a 29-year old married, professional woman I have felt the pressure to do it all and do it all perfectly on my own. How many times do we stress about being the perfect mom, wife, sister, daughter, career woman? And how often do we stress about doing this all with perfectly coiffed hair, pristine manicure, and dressed to the 9's? But who's to blame? Media, men, ourselves?

I agree that women still struggle to make it in a man's world. We make $.77 to their $1, we head less companies, lead fewer firms, and have yet to become President. We still reach high, but inevitably hit the glass ceiling. Yet, we are worried about taking the mommy-track, ostracized for missing recitals, plays, and the like, other women bully us for not taking enough time off for maternity leave (hello anchor on channel  4 this morning who said Yahoo CEO should take more than 2 week because "she can afford it") I mean, come on! Support one another. Champion women. What happened to good old-fashioned commraderie amonsgt women? The quilting bee, the neighborhood carpool, the coffee klatch?

The point is: we cannot do it all, and its ok. (Think Sarah Jessica Parker in that movie whose name escapes me at the moment). We don't have to choose between career and family, but we do not have to put such pressure on ourselves to do all of it perfectly.

Read the article. Comment. But get the message out there. As women we need to support each other and stop teaching our daughters that you have to be Everything-Barbie.

Crying Over Spilled Milk

Yup, last night around 6:15pm I stood in my kitchen and kind of lost it. Why you ask, the milk. I was pouring milk over my cereal (that was to be my dinner) when it just kind of dribbled over the side of the bowl and exploded onto the counter. I was tired, frustrated and beyond exhausted. So there I stood, crying.

It was a cathartic cry, a total release of pent up emotion coming out of my soul. See, hubs has been travelling a lot. I can count on one hand how many days we have spent together in the last month. Normally I take it in a stride when he has to travel, but this was different. This week not only was he about to depart again, but he was working late two nights before his departure, and I will be leaving for trial before he even gets back. Yup, that means we will go over a week without seeing each other. You would think this would be find for a couple who did the long distance thing while I was in law school, and it is most of the time. This time, I think I just needed him.

Yes, I have my first trial next week. I know I'm not doing it on my own, but its still my first real one. Kinda scary kinda exciting all at once. And did I mention my big 3-0 is in 10 days? I think I just need him. Not so much to tell me I'm not old, or that I can do anything I set my mind to,  but just to be there. Somehow having him in the next room or close enough for a hug makes things okay. (I sound like some sort of 1950's sitcom wife). He is my champion, supporter, and motivational speaker all in one.

So,  back to the milk. While I cleaned up the milk I realized that its ok to need someone. We all need that person in our lives who gets us through anything. It's also ok to have those moments when no one is looking to lose it. It's ok to cry alone over spilled milk.

Silence Isn't Golden

October holds quite a special place in my heart. It's my birthday month, my husband's birthday, Breast Cancer Awareness and perhaps most dear to me Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Violence is a serious public health problem in the United States. From infants to the elderly, it affects people in all stages of life. In 2009, almost 16,800 people were victims of homicide and nearly 37,000 took their own life.

The number of violent deaths tells only part of the story. Many more survive violence and are left with permanent physical and emotional scars. Violence also erodes communities by reducing productivity, decreasing property values, and disrupting social services.

Domestic violence is about power and control. It's a vicious cycle that must be stopped. Silence is the killer in this epidemic. Some alarming statistics about violence against women in the US:

• 1 in 4 women will become a victim
• there are more animal shelter than women's shelters in the US
• Violence constituted 5% of all violence against males and 22% of all violence against females
• In the US every year, about 18,700 incidents of violence in the workplace are committed by a worker’s current or former intimate partner.

You can make a difference. If you know someone who has been a victim of domestic violence or have experienced it yourself, seek help. There is no good to time to leave, no good time to seek help, but you do have your life now.

A Day to Celebrate

It's October 1st! Today is my wonderful hubby's birthday!! Happy Bday love!!! Today also starts Breat Cancer Awareness Month. Most of you do not know that in 2007 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery on Valentine's Day 2007 and then months of chemo and radiation. I watched the strongest woman I know undergo a terrible disease. Today my mom is happy and healthy!! She is going on 5 years of surviving. Today I dedicate my post to my mom. In 2008 my mother and I were honored to be a part of TCU Frogs for the Cure halftime video. Hope you all enjoy and remember ladies, the key to detection is monthly breast exams.