Captivating and Pampered

Saturday, my bible study discussed Chapter 2 in the book we are reading of "Captivating - Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul" at Ruthie's today. She served us a lovely meal. Check out the fruit skewers. There are pumpkin spice bars in the background. Yum.

After my "Captivating" discussion, I rushed back to Forney to attend a "Pampered Chef" party. I haven't been to one in about 7 or 8 years. I was surprised at how many things I wanted. So, of course, I will be hosting one. I "heart" the trifle bowl - normally, $39.99 - but 60% off if you host a party in December.

Naughty Monkey Safari Shoes

Photo shoot by Janae Brooklyn.

All I have to say is while extremely dahling, these do not seem practical for a jungle safari excursion.

If you click on the title above "Naughty Monkey Safari Shoes" - it will take you to Nordstrom's website where you can purchase a pair. BTW, I wear a size 9!

Lipstick Jungle Canceled

Man, the word traveled fast. I was walking to lunch with Jen and Jules, and I think one of them broke the news. When I got back from lunch, as Shy was announcing it, I was reading it in my email from Misty. GAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://tv.yahoo.com/show/39086/news/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20081113:tv_lipstick_and_enemy__ER:82998

Graduation Countdown - 30 Days

I came across this the other day.

It's "Words of Wisdom" from family and friends when Ryan graduated from Plano West High School in 2004.

Words from the Wise

Obey the Rules ~ Uncle Steve

Forge ahead for your future. Have fun but remember why you are there ~ Carol Wolfe

Go have fun - Enjoy what you're doing - have no regrets ~ Kim McCauley Phillips

Do what makes you happy - not what pays the most ~ Shawn Flatt

Always be persistent in whatever you strive for. Best Wishes ~ Carla Vaughn Johns

Save for the future ~ John Snow

More school ahead, but it should insure a good future ~ Nancy Nelson

Had fun in the past, but time for you to begin your future, don't give up ~ Erika Rose

Strive for excellence in all you do ~ Kathy Davis

Don't give up on school, no matter how hard it gets - it's worth it ~ Wendy Flatt

Decide where you want your life to end up and then make your plans. You can't know how to get there if you don't know where you are going ~ Shelby Snow

2008 CMA Awards

I haven't been up to speed on the latest in Country Music. I was surprised to see that not only is George Strait is still around but still winning awards. Carrie Underwood is amazing. She's not the same small town Oklahoma girl from American Idol. She's a true star. Wow, Brookes and Dunn are still around too - Reba sang with them. I'm not a big Reba McIntire fan, but she rocked. Emmylou Harris has been inducted into some country music Hall of Fame - I've been a fan of hers since the 80's. Never really paid much attention to Brad Paisley - but he's great! James Otto is cool too. Taylor Swift won my heart with her new "Love Story" song. I used to be a big Kenny Chesney fan - but not so much anymore.(and I think he was high when he performed tonight, but that's just my opinion). Alan Jackson still has it though. I'm somewhat done with Jewel too. Apparently, she's country now that she's married into country. She's the Mary Kay spokesperson - and I just don't care for her much. I think it's from Nashville Star - she was a little too self-important.

Awesome Spices

Penzey's has almost every spice or dried herb you can imagine. I've been getting the catalog for years.

We are fortunate to have a store located in Dallas at Preston Road and LBJ. Not only are they fresher than your "average grocery store brand", but the prices are unbelievable. Most are available in small quantities as low as 1.50. Of course, it depends on the spice or herb. You can even buy saffron cheaper than you would in a grocery store, because you don't have to buy a large quantity. If you don't have a store in your town, check out the website and order the catalog. I promise - it's worth it.

B.

Operation "punk Ryan"

For those near and dear to me - thank you for putting up with me for the last month. Delivering Ryan's new car to him on Sunday was awesome. We had come up with so many different scenarios on how we could surprise him to the point that Brett was calling me and Todd "Lucy and Ethel".

Here's the deal - Ryan drives an old 1987 Volvo that is literally not worthy of a demolitian derby. Our family friends, Todd and Brett - so excited about Ryan graduating in December have decided to get him a car. They found the perfect car for him - a 2003 Volkswagen 2003 GTI.

Ryan doesn't know he is getting a car. He isn't expecting it at all especially with the economy the way it is. To keep him from being suspicious of anything, he can't know that Todd and Brett are going to Lubbock with me, and the hardest part of all, I can't risk tell any of his friends.

So I tell Ryan that I'm visiting college friends in Lubbock on 11/8. Todd, Brett and I are driving up for the day only - no hotel rooms available due to Tech Football being so gynormous right now. First we were going on Saturday, but Ryan has to judge a debate out of town all day, so we decide to go to Lubbock on Sunday.

Worried about Ryan driving the Volvo, I asked him to let me know when he made it to the debate. He was supposed to be there at 8am, and at 8:45 - I hadn't heard from him. I "text'd" him. I get a message back that his car had broken down before leaving Lubbock. OMG!! OMG!! (but thank gah he wasn't on the road) Major panic attack. I call him. He had called a tow truck, and had already been waiting a hour. So, after a couple of phone calls back and forth, I convince him to NOT take the car to a repair shop - to have it towed to his apt, and that I will bring a mechanic friend of Jeff (my friend I'm supposed to be visiting in Lubbock on Saturday) on Sunday to look at it. He is skeptical. At this point, he thinks I'm in Lubbock on Saturday, dissing him and now pushing him off a day to get his car repaired. By Sunday, he was so stressed and ancy. When we got there, he looked like he had just gotten out of bed. He sees Todd and Brett, and he's not really able to compute what they are doing there. We have him show Todd and Brett what's wrong with the car - it starts without holding the connection. He can tell that Todd and Brett aren't really interested. Todd says here "Happy Graduation" and gives Ryan the key to his new car parked next to his old car. Ryan is bewildered, shocked. He thinks Todd is loaning him a car - the he realizes what is happening, and he says it, " Did I just get punk'd? Where's Ashton Krusher?" and literally is the happiest guy in the whole U S of A. True Story!!!