True Life {The Smoke Detector)

Seriously, its what put me over the edge. I walked into my house after church and lunch to my sweet Chloe going nutso in the living room. She was shaking and crying and just not right. Then I heard it, a chirping, squeaking of sorts. My immediate thought? Mouse! Then I heard it again.

The smoke detector. So I climbed up in a chair to remove the battery and get this sucker working again. I'm standing there arms raised, trying so hard to remove the cover and get the battery out, meanwhile the dog is on the chair, practically climbing my leg from fear. I get the  cover off, remove the battery and say "Oh sh!t" I mean who has a 9 volt battery just laying around? Then it chirps again. I blow all the dust out and wait.... Chirp. I then try to replace the battery. No luck. That thing will not go  back in. I shove, push, cram... nada. Chirp!

I climb down reassess, rest my arms. I try again. Chirp! The battery just will not go in. K texts, I asked her to bring 9V battery when she comes. Chirp. I lay down with dog freaking out, detector chirping no man in sight. K arrives with BF in tow and new batter. We replace.... Chirp! ARGHHHH. We take out, blow replace, Chirp! K's bf removes the whole thing from the ceiling. Chirp! I am about to go mad. There I stand, crying. Full on panic mode. I look like something out of a Lifetime movie gone bad. Chirp! Chloe is shaking and clinging to K's BF. Then she does it, K has a solution.

Yup. She put in the freezer. Right next to the broccoli and turkey meat. Guess what? No Chirp. Now, I'm not sure how to explain to the maintenance man why its there, but it is. Sometimes simple measures work the best!

Friday's Confessions {Blonde Style}

Yes, you heard me, the blonde is back! I know she took a hiatus to temporarily become a brunette, but alas, I just did not feel like myself and so, Blonde is back!

 

So, here are my confessions this week...

 

 

I confess... I missed the blonde so much, I was just not "me" without it.

 

I confess... I have not been able to concentrate lately at work, so I have been napping at lunch.

 

I confess... I was so frazzled yesterday I had to take 20 minutes and clean/organize my office.

 

I confess... I have been a bad puppy momma this week, poor baby has not had any mom time this week due to my hectic schedule and she looked so sad when I dropped her off at the groomer this morning.

 

I confess... I sometimes feel closer to my blog friends than my IRL friends.

My super cute brother and our doggies!

I confess... I am uber excited to get my new couch today and finally get the apt looking legit.

 

I confess... I want to steal my brother's dog,  because she is so darn sweet!

 

I confess... I have been engaging in way too much retail therapy as of late. Loft quit having sales and sending me emails that goes for you Banana too!

 

I confess... I do not like sushi. Yeah I know. I've tried, just not for me.

 

I confess...  I am in desperate need of a vacation and I am plotting one soon!

 

I confess... I am jealous of all of those bloggers at Blissdom!

 

I confess... Life is pretty good right now. I am blessed with good friends, good family, good wine and God!

 

What do you confess this week?

It's Ok Thursday

Although I am so jealous of Neely being at Blissdom, I am excited because in one week we are having our first Blate! You would think for two people who live 30 miles apart we could figure this out, but alas, we shall meet! Yay!! Can you tell I'm uber excited? Anywho, here is what's ok with me this week.

Its OK....

- to take a 30 minute power nap at your desk after lunch (every day this week)

- to be obsessed with your dog

- to leave dishes in the sink for a couple days when you live alone, right?

- to sit at Bible study and have no clue how these people know exactly what to say each and every time and I kind of stare off in the distance

- to still love Grey's Anatomy even though I know that its so far off from reality these days ( I mean what doctors survive that many tragedies?)

- to have every intention of doing a DIY project on your dining chairs but choose to sleep instead

- to be jealous of everyone who is going on vacation these days while I sit and wallow away in my office

- that sometimes I admit I have no clue what I am doing, where I'm going, or what I hope to be

- to not know whether to text or call or just give up!

- to miss my best friend K more than she knows and wish she would just move here with me and we can be spinsters together (ok well not spinsters)

- to spend more on your dog's haircut than your own

- to splurge on clothes when you actually saved like a bunch (thank you Loft)

I'm A Survivor

If you  have been reading this blog for any given amount of time you have probably heard me talk about 1) pageants; or 2) my personal story and again. And if you not, then welcome and I talk a lot about being a former crownhead and domestic violence awareness.

Well, last night I had the honor of being the keynote speaker for the Safe Haven's Safe Living graduation. Safe Haven is a local battered women's shelter and resource center in my hometown. They offer a two year program to women who comes from abusive relationships. This program gives these women the skills and resources to pay off debt, educate themselves and begin new lives. I met 5 inspiring women last night who have overcome obstacles and together paid off over 62,000 in debt in just 24 months! Kudos to these women. They truly inspire me.

I was overwhelmed with the response I got from the audience about my story and my life. I get asked sometimes if its hard for me to talk about my past, and the answer is a mixed bag. I guess over time I have become somewhat immune to the emotions and others its like it all happened yesterday. Speaking is cathartic for me. Its one way to heal and move on. Its also a way to give back. I truly feel that its God's calling for me to continue to spread my message in hopes that other women, children, etc... will never go through what I endured. I am His messenger of hope.

I challenge all of you today to do something for me. Look around you, at the women you care about and realize that 1 in 4 of them will be affected by domestic violence in your lifetime. Remember they are women just like you and me, they walk amongst you. They do not all have bruises or scars from abuse... they do, however, have emotional scars that they will carry with them for a lifetime. Don't judge, be kind. Lend a hand, an ear, a smile.

Hi My Name is Awkward

I have experienced a lot of changes in my life as of late. I am not quite ready to spout it all out, but some of you out there know what I am talking about and well thanks for all the support. Anywho,  between moving back to the Homeland (aka Ft Worth), finding a church home, and well re-connecting with me.... I have realized I am so awkward!

Yeah, you heard me right. That I have been coached since I was 4 to be polite, conversational and the interview queen, is awkward. Somewhere between 4 and 30 I turned into this person who: 1) does not like to talk to people on the phone or in person when it involves asking them anything (like hey would you take our picture?); 2) I send random texts that probably should be questions on the phone and then get mad when people call to talk about them. (ok not mad embarrassed); and 3) is very insecure (hello I would rather have someone tell me what to do then make a decision these days).

I often ask when did I become so me circa 1994? What happened to confident, outgoing, talk to a brick wall me? Did I suddenly wake up and go, oh wait its not appropriate to make friends in the checkout line? or did something or someone force me into a small quiet corner? Or did I simply grow up, conform to the world and become boring? When did I become.... awkward?

I would like to blame law school. See, BLS (before law school) I had things to talk about. I went to movies, concerts, saw people other than my co-workers and had interesting things to talk about. Now, I see lawsuits and I talk about briefs (not the underroos), repsonses, motions, depos, insane opposing counsel.... AGHHHH!!! I see torts and lawsuits abounding around me! I spend more time at my office than at home and my dog, well she looks at my like little orphan Annie! My friends, well they look at me strangely too. I think the only friend I have more than 5 words to say to is a fellow lawyer and most of our conversations revolve around... yeah you guessed it.. work (I admit we often lament/vent more than we have intelligent, thought-provoking conversation). And BLS, well I didn't sit all day and wear boring suits. I drank.... for fun and not for stress relief!

So, if you see me walking down the street, engage me in conversation, but be aware.... I may go all Law & Order on you or turn and run ya never know these days!

Life of a Grown Up

So today I thought I would recap my spring break... oh wait, that's right I'm a grown up and do not get spring break.... Sad right? I however, did welcome the lovely spring weather in Texas this weekend! So without further ado....

Monday - Thursday - I worked. Yes I worked during spring break (i.e. see above about being a grown up)

I did take in Stars game Tuesday with some friends. I have not been to a hockey game in years! It was fun, even though the home team lost miserably and I got home way late. There was at least one good brawl at the end and well the whole team eneded up in the penalty box, so all in all, a good time was had by all!

I spent a lovely evening at Central Market with my city group (aka bible study) Wednesday night. We decided we should be a tad less formal and get to know each other a lil  more. So we parked our butts at CM, ate, talked and had gelato! It is so wonderful to have a great group of people whom I can share in  my love for JC with and who truly love and support you.

And... then... I took Friday off! Yes people you heard me correctly. I.took.a.day.off. I slept in; did a tad bit of work, made a delightful breakfast, shopped and saw a movie! Oh and I laid out. Yes, me, sun, book, pool! These legs needed some color as did the rest of my very pale body! I finally felt a little more alive!

Saturday I was introduced to something new: acapella music. Yes I know I have heard it before, but this was something totally different. I saw Acappella! They were awesome. It was a blast.

Sunday was eh ok... as in I had to get some cleaning and other stuff done before heading back to the grind. Whew what a weekend.

On tap next week: recovering and painting my dining chairs!

Sunday Social

I am linking up today for a lil Sunday fun with Neely and Ashley, well because 1) I have not blogged in a while and 2) I'm up and awake this St. Patty's Day!
1. Fav thing to do on a rainy day? Movie & Popcorn!!! and sleep, but I can do that any day rainy or not!
2. Fav thing to do on a summer weekend? If its above 80 degrees you can find me poolside with a book in hand, hat on head and shades on my face! I could spend the whole day laying out getting sun and enjoying a good read.
3. Fav spring accessory? scarf! I love a good light weight scarf to add some color to an outfit and keep me a warm when that cooler breeze blows in at night.
4. Fav way to spend a winter day? Reading with coffee, or outside playing in the snow (not that Texas gets that often...)
5. What is your fav season and why? I would say spring, but Texas tends to skip that one.... I love fall! I love the leaves changing, TCU football, my birthday Halloween, its just well my fav!
6. Best birthday you ever had? Hmm 25 was pretty legit. Ghost Bar, good friends, cute dress and well it was the the last birthday I actually celebrated.