Friday's Confessional

It's Friday and I am linking with Leslie to deal out some Friday confessions.

1. I confess I fell asleep before the loss by my Frogs last night in the elimination game of the CWS. I tried. I saw the top of the 9th and then BAM! Asleep. Opps...

2. I confess I have done major a little retail therapy in the past couple days. With the stress in my life I just needed something new and pretty and that didn't remind me of another life, weighing less, or two seasons ago. I did find some major sales at Banana Republic and cashed in some Christmas giftcards so it wasn't out the budget. I also hit the Ann Taylor 50% off clearance sale and got some great skirts and pants for work. Lastly, I took advantage of Sole Society's sale and got some cute new black shoes.

3. I confess I had a total cry sesh at the gym Monday morning. Yup, right there on the leg extension machine tears rolled down my face.

4. I confess I am in need of a vacation. My body, mind and sole are screaming for some time off to recoup and relax and recharge.

5. I confess I need to revamp my workouts. I have hit that plateau and need to mix it up. Thinking next week I either go all yoga or all barre method instead of weights, what do you think?

6. I confess I want to chop my hair off! I know I have been growing it for over a year and half, but mama just needs something new. (seems to be a reoccurring theme here, huh?)

7. I confess, I have been questioning whether or not to keep blogging. I have drifted so much from what I started this blog to be and I really don't have a focus or purpose anymore. Perhaps its a rut, or I need to start over, but maybe just a little break?

Take Me Out

to the ballgame... yeah I was hoping you sang along. And that is exactly what I did last night. Honestly, I had a hellacious day that included tracking down a check and hoping I wasn't hiking my butt to BFE for a hearing. Well, no hearing and a reward cookie later, I was knee-deep in more work and feeling kind of worn-out, b!tchy and just wanting to crawl in bed.

Cue cutest nugget of a 5 year old ever.... and off to the TCU baseball game we went. Yes it was cold, yes we were bundled up, but yes we had nachos, popcorn and saw Super Frog. Oh, and became a shy guy when we saw the cute "sheerleaders." Well, I admit hanging with my nephew and my brother made me forget about the day's events and put an absolute smile on my face.

that face... I die!

We made it through 5 innings and then we were just too cold (ok so my brother and I were just too cold). I headed home and then to the gym for a grueling great chest & tri workout with my fav trainer Sam (he will kill me one day a la barbell). Then as if on-cue I was asleep by 10:16 pm.

So, if you are ever having a bad day or a case of the Mondays, grab your closest toddler, and hug it out (or each nachos, pretty sure they helped).

Welcoming 31

Well, over the weekend, yesterday to be exact, I hurdled the 30 mark and turned (gulp) 31.... As much as I was dreading it, I just embraced it.... kinda, sorta, maybe I pouted a little Sunday. Anywho, my weekend when a little like this:

Friday: Spent the day at an insurance law CLE... boring? learned some interesting things. Then I had dinner with V&D at Waters in Fort Worth. We dined on  an assortment of lovely seafood and champagne to wash to down. Followed by yummy break pudding.

 

Saturday: I was Up waaaaay early to rehearse for TCU Homecoming. Its the one time a year I break out the batons and relive my glory days. But, with an 11am game time, practice came early at 7am. The game, we won, the twirling went well, and all in all, I had a nice time seeing friends and even my high school calculus teacher (her daughter is a sophomore at TCU).












After the game, it was much needed nap time and nap I did. Drool and all... That evening CT and her hubs hosted a small birthday shindig for me to the tune of fajitas, and games! Fun was had by all. WE then headed out on the town. A few bars, one close call of a football game and some laughs later, I was home in bed by 12:30... party pooper? I don't care.

Sunday: I woke up to a fabulous breakfast of all my favs: pumpkin pancakes, turkey bacon, coffee, fruit, English muffins with pumpkin cream cheese... umm yes someone spoiled me ;)! I then headed to church for a wonderful sermon. Hit then gym and then, well had a small breakdown on the phone to my mom. Yes, I admit, I was tired, not taking the 31 thing ok and just wanted to sleep. A shower and a nap later and I decided all I wanted that evening was quiet time with the pups and le guy and pizza. So, that is what I got. Picked up some Pie 5, and some pumpkin cheesecake from Central Market and watched the Cowboys. Perfect? Yes. I am also the owner of a new Kindle Paperwhite. If you know me, and my reading obsession, you know how psyched I am. Love my ipad, but not for reading, its like voluntarily burning my retinas.  I also scored a new phone case and Rangers tee from my bro, super cute earrings from this girl, and lots of loving texts, cards and phone calls.

I will say its a success... even if I'm not really ready to be a 30-something.

Happy Monday y'all.

Count Down

I am again lacking words again. I could tell you of my critter hunting aka its still in my house and has eaten me out of bananas and peanut butter; or about my saw it, pinned it, made it stuffed acorn squash from last night; or I decided I would just see what the blogworld had to offer... so I saw Jenn did this today and thought, heck why not! So, without further ado I bring you my 54321 Count Down.

5 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. My trip to Georgia in one week!!! Much-needed relaxation trip, think sleeping in, the spa and some longs walks
2. I get to have a blate with this lovely lady! Yay Jessica!
3. The return of TCU football this Saturday as we take on SMU in the Battle of the Iron Skillet

4. Christmas, that's right people you heard me the Grinch is looking forward to Christmas
5. The last week of Redemption Groups... yes I know I'm only one week in, but its taxing on the soul

4 Things You Might Not Know About Me
1. I am an only child and the youngest of 2 (aka my dad's only baby, but my mom's second child)
2. I am originally from Pennsylvania, but moved here when I was just about 2, so technically am I an yankee?
3. I lost 35 pounds when I decided to compete in Miss Texas again at the age of 24
4. I have collected unicorns and ladybugs since I was 3, but not the real ones.. that is just creepy


Left London 2005: Right Miss Texas 2007

3 Fall Shows I am Extremely Excited For
1. Grey's Anatomy - yes Jenn I am also one of 3 people still watching
2. Nashville - just so addicted to it
3. We Are Men, it looks funny but I am sure since I will watch it, it won't make it



2 Things That Frustrate Me
1. Expectations from the world on what is "normal" and feeling like I have to follow them
2. That I cannot for the life of me get rid of the critter in my house!

1 of my Favorite Words
1. flibbertogibit - I say it a lot...

Its a Purple Kind of Day

Ya know its going to be a good day when you wake up the sun is shining and its Game Day... well except that some creepy man parked behind my backyard last night and I had to call the cops to come check it out and was up til 2am  because I was rather freaked out.... Did I mention that I was then up at 5:30 am to workout because its umm Game Day and there will be game watching this evening. People have asked me if I am torn as to whom to root for... I get that I attended law school at this other institution that we will play this evening, but people, I bleed purple! And since its Thursday and a Go Purple one at that here is a lil throwback fun of my twirling days at TCU.

my last game ever to twirl at was a basketball  game, and that is the illustrious V, coach & just wonderful woman

This was 2003 SMU/TCU game and that was the BF at the time

But, back to my regularly scheduled post. I saw this wonderful lil ditty over on Helene's site and it just stuck with me. If you know me well, you know that I am a writer, but that I also love to write poetry and song. I use music to express so much of my life and feelings. I have often shared some songs with you all that epitomize my life at the moment. So, here are the songs that define me:







Uptown Girl - no joke my second grade boyfriend Lee Davis made a mixed tape with this on it for me on Valentine's Day (he totally sang on it too) and it has kinda been a mantra for me. I did not come from anything so it always surprises me when people think I am so "uptown" but I suppose its as much an attitude than anything. Act classy, be classy. But I have always been drawn to the hardworking guy, perhaps its because I have always worked hard for me stuff.


Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - I mean come on, how does this just not get you in a good mood.


Holy Water - If ever a song defined my life and struggles and journey, its this. I come to this song when I am lost and alone and need Him to pick me back up. This song reaches so many levels of my life.



Listen - This song got me through my divorce. If I could sing it to M I would everyday. It just puts me in a good mood now. It just defines how I was at the end of my marriage and now coming into my own. I often feel like its me singing this. Strange. I used to get so mad at M when I heard this song and wished he would have just listened to me for so long. Now I can see that I needed to listen to myself.


Ready to Love Again - I shared this one not too long ago, but it defines where I am today. Though I still have some pain and hurt and I always will I know that I am ready to open my heart again and let someone else in. Sure, I will always love M, its inevitable, but I know that God has placed people in my life to show me that I deserve to be loved and to love someone unconditionally.

And With That, the House is Warrm

Apparently I believe that weekends are not to rest, but to live it up. I mean, we only live once anyway, right? So, here it is in a nutshell.

Friday night I actually took it easy. I baked. Yes, baked, call me suzy homemaker. The TCU game was an early one, so we did a breakfast tailgate so I made blueberry and banana walnut muffins.

Saturday was a whirlwind. I hit up 7:30 am for a nice run before it was sweltering hot. Then 9am we headed out to tailgate. I should have known it was going to be a scorcher since by 9am its was 90. I'd like to say the game was glorious, but honestly, TCU struggled, Pachall got hurt and people were falling out from heat left and right. We left after halftime and watch the rest of the game from the A/C at Boomerjack's.

Mom arrived about 2pm and we hit the town to get supplies for the housewarming. This mean, picking up a new couch, blinds, décor items, odds & ends as my mom calls them. There were decorative hand towels, flowers, vases, and food supplies.

Saturday night I had a little Thai dinner date (which I was so craving) and hit the bed rather early... mmm sleep....

Sunday was go, go, go.... I had to pick up cookies, tad more food supplies, and start the party process. I baked, cooked, assembled, and mom cleaned. Then it was party time! I think I had about 42 people in my house at one point... I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends & family. We had more than half our City Group in attendance ( we travel well) and family and other assorted friends. There was food for days, and right now the excess is sitting in the office kitchen. All-in-all a success.

Needless to say, my feet hurt like the dickens and all I want to do tonight is... sleep.... But thank you to all who helped out,  mom, V&D for the glasses, J and the beer run, C & her delicious desserts (I mean girl can bake) & brother made his delish salsa!

I realized mom took picture from the same angle and the same people... opps

 

The girls were pooped post party, lil Cole kept them busy

This Time

I can remember this time last year. TCU's new stadium was due to debut, M and I bought season tickets with his parents and my brother and we were about to head to College Station to see A&M play Florida.

That morning was quite funny as I woke up to the sound of the Aggie Marching Band playing the war hymn at eh 7am.... Typical M. We donned our game day apparel, packed a lunch and got in the car to make the drive. We stopped so I could take a picture of the barn, said a quick hello to my mom in Calvert and then made it his mecca.

I can remember every other Saturday for the next 4 months. They began and ended with college football, from the Game Day song to the last seconds of the last game, college football was king of the house. Chloe curled up on the couch with M and I posted up in the bedroom to read or sleep (mostly sleep). Or if we headed to the Fort for TCU games we arrived about 30 min before kickoff and often exited before the clock wound down.

This time last year I had no idea how much my life would change. I had no clue it would be the last time I would put on maroon and lock legs with strangers, I had no clue it would be the last time I forced my husband to endure a TCU game, I had no clue it would be the last time I would twirl at TCU and M wouldn't be there to see it. I had no clue it would be the last time I would become a college football widow.

It hit me this morning that I would begin the first college football season in 7 years alone.

I was sad for a moment. As much as I used to complain (ok I did more than complain I may have whined, nagged, shouted, er ya know) about losing pretty much every Saturday from Labor day to January 8, it was all I knew.

So, this time when that familiar song comes blaring through my TV, or when Dr. Lou imparts wisdom on the masses, or Corso dons the headgear I will look back not with sadness, but with fond memories of a helmet on the coffee table, my puppy girl wearing the gear of the 12th man or a grown man with a phone glued to his ear acting like a 5 year old at Christmas.

Because of him I know what a spread offense is, I know TCU runs a 4-2-5 defense, I learned about the red zone, the option, when to run and when to throw, and most of all I learned that there is nothing in the world like watching 90,000 people sway in harmony. Thanks M.

It's college football season y'all. Wives embrace it, men don't get too wild, and Wear Purple, yell loud and Fear the Frog.

Riff Ram

This will only make sense to you if you went to TCU... but yes the words to our oldest and still most used cheer are Riff Ram.... its followed by an odd assortment of other silly words, but hey it was back in the like 1900's so who knows maybe those really were fightin words....

So, I went to an epic wedding this weekend. Yes, you heard me I went to a wedding. In the same church where, well ummm I said my vows. Ok I lie, I could not make myself muster of the courage to sit in beautiful Robert Carr Chapel all over again. I did, however, party my pants er dress, off that night. The reception was in our Champions Clubs in Amon G. Carter Stadium on the glorious campus I call home, TCU. See the evidence of such epicness, including "purple velvet" cake. Us Horned Frogs loves us some school pride.

Cake, sweet glorious cake

mmm paella

All cake, and yummy at that

perhaps the coolest part

 

Yup.... fun was had by all, including this party girl (ok so I left at 11pm and crawled into bed with the girls, cause let's face it I was tired.

 

 

Comrades True

I debated on whether or not to address the recent  arrests at my alma mater and decided that it was my duty to speak to a University that did so much for me. First and foremost I am saddened by the recent arrest of 17 students at TCU for dealing drugs. I am, however, proud of my alma mater for taking a stance against drugs use on campus and for have the class to address the issue openly and publicly. Our campus family was humbled yesterday. So many of those that are a part of the TCU family often forget that our university, although special in our eyes, is no different than any other college or university in the nation. We are not immune to the everyday trials and tribulations of American society. The truth is the use of drugs on college campuses is on the rise and TCU is not alone in dealing with this problem. As the pressure rises to maintain GPAs and excel on and off the field, students have turned to prescription drugs and recreational drugs to relax and have a good time. It is an epidemic.

Prayer vigil held on campus last night

I admit when I attended TCU I knew that people used drugs and could tell you which Greek organizations were known for drugs use. Did I see it used openly, no, did I know if it was sold on campus or close to, no, but I chose not to affiliate myself with people who used and sold drugs--that does not mean it did not happen. I did know students who abused alcohol, had eating disorders, and had other issues. I still left TCU with a sense that my University was different. TCU fosters a relationship between its faculty, students, and staff that I feel not many other universities do. I know I left with a slight over-glorified perception of the TCU experience. Its just something you do not understand unless you went there. I truly believe that the University strives to instill in its students its mission statement: "To educate individual to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community."

TCU students come together in time of sorrow

So as much as I am saddened by the news, I am also proud to be a TCU alumna. I applaud University administration and police for taking an active role in this situation. How the University has handled this situation speaks volumes for the University. The true test of character is how you handle your downfalls and mistakes. Chancellor Boschini and the police chief, as well as Gary Patterson have been forthcoming, honest, and have not shied away from media attention. I truly believe this institution has the healthy, safety and well-being of all its students to think of. This proactive step to apprehend and remove toxic students from the campus is about showing the campus, state, and nation that TCU will not tolerate this kind of behavior on campus regardless of who you are. As was stated by Boschini, this is not a student-athlete problem, although the media has harped on this point, this is a bigger issue. So thank you TCU for being the University I know and love. Thank you for caring about the health and safety of your students, your family. "Light of faith, follow through, Hail to the, T C U." ~The Illegal Blonde

Me with the colorguard in 2003