30 Before 30

I get really excited when I go to the mailbox and sitting there in its plastic cover is the newest Glamour. Call me a teen, but I still love it! So, there I was Friday evening flipping through pages while laying in bed with the pup when I saw it, the article that stopped me in my tracks: 30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30. I stopped, paused, caught my breathe and sighed. Lovely readers, I will be ... eeek... 30 in 6 months. So there I was afraid to look at this list, but I did. I just needed to see what I had and had not done, or better what I needed to accomplish in 6 short months.

By 30 you should have:

1. one old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you've come - check!
2. a decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else on your family - check!
3. something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour - check (but seriously could use another one)
4. a purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you're not ashamed to been seen carrying (need umbrella)
5. a youth you're content to move beyond - double check !
6. a past juicy enough that you're looking forward to retelling it in your old age - well there were those 3 1/2 years of undergrad...
7. the realization that you're actually going to have an old age--and some money set aside to help fund it - working on it right after I pay off those pesky student loans
8. an email address a voice mailbox and a bank account--all of which nobody has access to but you - got it!
9. a resume that is not even the slightest bit padded - yes, err kinda of
10. one friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry - LOVE THEM BOTH
11. a set for screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra - does one Phillip's head count?
12. something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it - hello Christian Louboutin's I got with my first law paycheck!
13. the belief that you deserve it - always working on that one
14. a skincare regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few facets if life that don;t get better in 3d - workout, yes, skincare.... umm well yeah i still have zits
15. a solid start on a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better - hubs rocks

By 30 you should know:

1. how to fall in love without losing yourself - check
2. how you feel about having kids - well i know, just working on hubs
3. how to quit a job, break up with a man and confront a friend without ruining the friendship - you got it
4. when to try harder and when to walk away - come on, do we ever really learn when to walk away?
5. how to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn't like to happen - duh
6. the names of the secretary of state, your great grandmothers, and the best tailor in town - Hilary, Myrtle, and Angel!
7. how to live alone, even if you don't like to - check
8. where to go--be it your best friend's kitchen table or a yoga mat--when your soul needs refreshing - hello hot yoga!
9. that you can't change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, of the nature of your parents - got it
10. that your childhood may not have been perfect but its over - Lord do I ever know this one and Amen!
11. what you would and wouldn't do for money or love - again, seriously?
12. that nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long - learned the hard way - darn cavities
13. who you can trust, who you can't trust, and why you shouldn't take it personally - work in progress
14. not to apologize for something that isn't your fault - uhh yeah, i'm queen of I'm sorry
15. why they say life begins at 30 - can only hope it does!

How many things do you have or know? Though 30 is still 6 months away, I'm not ready just yet... ~The Illegal Blonde

The Easter Bunny Hopped over Our House

Easter is by far my favorite holiday. I loved getting a new dress and hat and gloves when I was a little girl, and enjoyed the egg hunt at church. I love ham, and mac & cheese, and a bunny cake. This year I was supposed to host Easter at my house, and then hubs had to go out of town. Now, I love my in-laws, but I'd rather not have them over without him. So we decided I would forgo the meal this year and perhaps we would try again next year. So I was up for a nice relaxing weekend, just the pup and I... yeah right! I did not get a visit from the Easter bunny, no I got a visit from the Easter.... possum!

Yup, you heard me right. I woke up Saturday morning and was about to head out for a walk with Chloe, when there next to my water hose was Peter Possum (or Pauline), curled up... playing well, possum, or so I thought. So I just took Chloe and went on our walk, figuring our friend would mosey along. Nope, still there. I called hubs, who was BTW not much help 300 miles away, but still. His advice: just nudge it with a 7 iron and tell it to get out. Yeah right! Like I'm going anywhere near that thing, let alone "nudging" it with anything. So I waited it out. By 8:30 I was headed to the gym, still there. 9:45.... still there. Now I had to be at the Easter egg family event by 10:45.... and my guest was still there. Now I was mad. This thing needed to move. I could not let my precious baby girl in the  backyard with this thing waiting for it.

So I called hubs again. He tells me again to just nudge it. Now the possum at this point has rolled over and is breathing shallowly. Now I know that they are notorious for well doing this, but I fear this thing was dying. I mean this nocturnal being is sleeping in broad daylight? Finally I called animal services. They do not have anyone trained in possum removal, but they would send a police officer. Police? I can just imagine this.

Police Officer: Well ma'am what can I do for you?
Me: I've got an uninvited house guest.
PO: burglar?
Me: no, possum
PO: Great...

Needless to say Mr. Officer removed, by now dead, possum from my yard. (yes people dead... he dies right there by my begonias! I will find out today if he was indeed rabid, as this is what was expected.

Hubs is never allowed to go out of town again. Every time he does something happens, i.e. big storm and power outage, leaking hot water heater, POSSUM! When hubs returned early Sunday morning, there were no Easter baskets or egg hunts, just possum memories.

Hope you all had a blessed holiday weekend whether it was Easter or Passover. What did you do this weekend? ~The Illegal Blonde

Friday's Letters

Linking up with Ashley for Friday's Letters!

Dear Baby Lawyers: I know its hard right now b/c we have been working for a while and are starting to wonder how we fit into the bigger picture, but hang on! I hear life gets easier better in year 2, or 3, or 7... Dear Chloe: Just you and me this Easter with Hubs gone, let's run outside and get really dirty! Dear Hubs: I promise Chloe and I are not getting dirty, messing up the house, or shopping... ok small white lie! Dear Easter Bunny: I would like a giant chocolate bunny, jelly beans, and a truffle egg in my basket Sunday. Dear Pageant Girls: I know we have a lot to accomplish in a week , but we can do it!Dear Girlfriends: Loved our lunches this week, cannot wait for Girls' Trip in 2-minus 2 weeks! Dear Readers: Happy Good Friday, Easter and Passover.

Happy Friday all, God Bless ~The Illegal Blonde

Linking up today with Neely & Amber!

It's ok that I am slightly excited that hubs will be out of town for a few days and I get the whole house to myself (and well w/ Chloe).

That I wore my almost shoulder length hair in a bun twice this week so as to avoid fixing it.

To have a love/hate relationship with the bangs I am currently sporting.

To feel a little unsettled at work still since I'm not quite sure where I "fit" in.

That I will only be home one weekend this month and its this weekend, when hubs is gone...

That I way super excited for my first trip to NYC and have been secretly planning how to shop eat  ummmm enjoy? my way through it. :)

I am addicted to Dance Moms and Dance Moms: Miami!!!! Just so good to watch (its cathartic)

That I have no idea what half the words I have been typing in this medical summary mean and have to stop every 5-7 minutes to google a term.

And , is it ok that I kinda want someone I know to either need a divorce or get sued so I can nab my first client and feel important? (not that I wish divorce or lawsuit on anyone, but come on help a girl out?)

What's OK with you this week? (or not ok.... I'm down with that too!) ~The Illegal Blonde

WILW: Lunch Dates, Pageants & Nail Polish, Oh My!

Make sure you link up with Jenn for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

1) Loving that we had no deaths in yesterday's tornados that ripped through North Texas! Everyone is safe and sound as far as I know. Funny side note: called my mom on my way home from work to tell her my brother and I were fine and she had no clue what went on! She officially lives in timbuktu Calvert!

2) Two lunch dates this week with two of my beautiful friends! Nothing like catching up with the girls!

3) I was roped into graciously agreed to serve as a resource director for my old pageant system for two Sweeper girls. I am beyond blessed to get to help these young women prepare for Miss Texas! Again, sponsors needed.... hint hint....

4) I'm obessed with nail polish. Not any certain color, though love me some pastels from OPI, but just in general I like wearing it.

5) Dance Moms and Dance Mom: Miami. Yes I know I should not love it, but I do. It takes me back to my dancing days and twirling days... though my teacher never yelled like that.

6) Babies! I have like a zillion pregnant friends who are popping them out left and right! Makes me a week bit baby crazy....

What are you loving this Wednesday? ~The Illegal Blonde

To Blog or Not to Blog?

So a FB friend posted that he was amused that people still blogged.... Gasp! Does this friend not know of the big 'ole blogosphere out here? Yet it got me thinking why people blog, why I blog.

Hubs asks me this question frequently, but coming from someone who is not on facebook and learned to email circa 2006, I do not give him much credence. However, I tell him I blog for me. It's a way to vent/cry/scream but also a place to have creative license. I can talk about things that interest me or bug me or I'm passionate about. Blogging is also a great way to connect with new people and network.

So although I'm rather new to blogging and haven't met any of my blog friends in person, I am proud to say I have a blog. I have learned about places, people, and fashion; I've cooked new meals, put together outfits; and most importantly I have an outlet that lets me be me! I mean where else can I go from politics to fashion in one week?

So be amused fb friend, I still like ya! So why do you blog? ~The Illegal Blonde

Marvelous Monday

Happy Monday All! I know I was a bit MIA last week, but I was on a whirlwind adventure.... ok so maybe not an adventure,  but I was out of the office and out of town.

I spent Thursday and Friday in Dallas at the SMU Air Law Symposium. For this of you not in the legal world, or academia this is the preeminent Aviation Law Event. Imagine me, however, baby lawyer walking into a room full of men in suits.... Yes like 300 of them and about 50 women. To says its a make-dominated field is an understatement. I spent two days learning lots about the aviation law field, not when I saw learned, it was not necessarily all law related. I truly enjoyed getting to meet people in this unique area of law and learning lots.

Then Friday after, hubs and I sped out of the Metroplex for the Hill Country of Austin. My lil sister was getting hitched to her prince charming. Her story with her new hubs is truly a fairytale and it was wonderful to share in her day. The wedding took place at a small resort overlooking Lake Travis. She had an outdoor, 11am ceremony which was gorgeous! We laughed, cried, and were truly blessed to share in this love story. I also got to see one of my fav law kids!

Me, the bride, and our good friend. We are two JDs and a soon to be JD!

Hubs and I took this opportunity for a lil vacay. We stayed at the gorgeous Barton Creek Resort and Spa! This place is gorgeous. Tucked in the hill country, beautiful scenery, great pool, and took in a game of mini golf. We used this as a time to relax and enjoy each other.

We then zipped home early Sunday because hubs had a baseball  game for his company team and I had new pageant girls to meet! I am serving as a resource director for some Miss Texas contestants this year and we have lots to do before Spring Meeting in two weeks!

I have the pleasure of preparing Miss McKinney and Miss Garland's Outstanding Teen. If you would like to sponsor one of these ladies let me know!! These ladies won their respective titles through the sweeper pageant, which means it does not come with a great prize package per se. If you would like to donate your time, talent, or $$ they would appreciate it. We need hair, wardrobe, tanning, and each contestant has to sale ad pages for the program book. It's a lot to accomplish, but the experience is worth its weight in gold.

I met some of my best friends by competing in the Miss Texas Organization (as in my sister, the bride from this weekend...) Happy Monday all!