Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Have You Seen My Self-Esteem? I Think I Left it Somewhere.

I picked Kaeli up from her grandparent’s house last night, and she had made a photo album. It was really cute, and it had a lot of old pictures in it. I’m not even sure where she got some of the pictures, but I guess 6 year olds have their ways.

As I was flipping through it, I came across a picture of me. Let me set the stage – I was 19. I had just gotten back from a trip to Cancun with my friend, April. I was very tan (more like ridiculously sunburnt but whatev). My hair was in braids with beads on the end (because if you’re drunk in Mexico, you have to pay someone to braid your hair. It’s a rule.).

Me: Wow. This is an old picture. I look so young.
Kaeli: Yeah, you were a lot prettier when you were younger.
Me: KAELI! That’s SO not nice!
Kaeli: I’m sorry, but it’s true. Your face was prettier.

So there you have it.

Excuse me while I immediately lose 5 pounds, get a spray tan, slather on anti-aging cream, and search endlessly for the fountain of youth.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Here I Come to Save the Day! Or Not.

Kaeli has this cheap plastic top hat that she got from school. She likes to fill it with stuff, put it on her head, and then pretend she's a magician and pull the stuff out of the hat. It's very very cute.

Over the weekend we were decorating the balcony of our apartment (I feel I am not responsible enough to handle a house of my own right now!!) for Halloween and putting out pumpkins. When we went inside for the night, she left her top hat and its contents on the balcony.

This morning actually felt like fall (finally!). It was cold and very windy. Kaeli looked outside and realized that her top hat was gone. She was quite upset about it. I told her that was the reason we don't leave our stuff outside. She seemed to get over it, and when we left I decided to be Super Mom and look for the hat. After a small search, I found the top hat and her red ribbon in the grass not far from our building.

Me: Look what I found, Kaeli! It's your hat and ribbon!
Kaeli: What about my little purse?
Me: Well, I didn't see your little purse, but I found your hat and ribbon!
Kaeli: (Uncontrollable wailing begins) But I really love that purse!!

OMG. I faced the cold. I risked windblown hair. I searched. I found the stupid hat that she was upset about, and THEN she springs the cheap $2 purse she got from the school store on me. I had to spend 5 minutes calming her down. I tried to explain that there is another school store on Wednesday, and she can just get another one. It didn't help. Complete and utter meltdown. Totally uncharacteristic of my sweet little child. Kaeli is normally pretty laid back. She goes with the flow. She has been called the Easiest Kid Ever (and not just by me), but lately she has been super emotional. If she's this bad at 6, I don't want to imagine how she's going to act when the hormones of puberty hit her!

So, my plans of being Super Mom failed. Instead, I think I made the whole situation worse. I get no respect!!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Pumpkin Carving Fun

Kaeli and I carved pumpkins today!

Doesn't she look really excited to be in the church pumpkin patch taking pictures with a scarecrow?
Our super happy face and cool kitty. The glitter and rhinestones added by Kaeli.

It took me 3 hours to get the pumpkins cleaned out and carved. I always look forward to carving pumpkins until I'm actually doing it. Now, I'm going to try roasting the pumpkin seeds. My mom used to do it when I was a kid, but I've never done it myself. Kaeli loves them so I guess I have to get over my whole avoid the kitchen at all costs plan. Mother duty calls!


P.S. I told Kaeli she could listen to the HSM3 soundtrack while going to bed. She's in her room singing the ballads at the top of her lungs. This HSM obsession has to end sometime, right?

Zac Efron Overload

If you have a Disney obsessed daughter (or son) then you probably know what happened this weekend. An event that one certain 6 year old has been looking forward to for weeks.

High School Musical 3 hit the theaters.

In an effort to continue being the best mom ever, we have had a nonstop High School Musical weekend. Friday night was a marathon of the previous two movies. Saturday was seeing HSM3, and since then the HSM3 soundtrack has been blaring in Kaeli's room. Over and over and over.

My confession is that I actually love the HSM movies. I think they're adorable, and I may or may not know the words to every song. The fact that I tend to love anything marketed to a 13 or 14 year old girl probably helps.

Mostly, I love Zac Efron. Why couldn't my high school boyfriend be like Troy Bolton? I don't even think it's fair for a guy to be that pretty. He's so nice to look at, and the amount of times he appears shirtless definitely increases in each movie.

As much as I enjoy all things HSM, I think I'm reaching the overload point. I don' t know how much longer I can take it. The syrupy sweetness is seeping into my brain. I'm starting to think it's normal to break out in song and choreographed dancing at pivotal moments of conversations.

Now please excuse me while I create a song and dance to accompany me as I make lunch.

Friday, October 24, 2008

It's a Magical Place Full of Books, and They Let You Borrow Them For FREE

I've always read a lot, but I've never been a library person.

In fact, the last book I remember checking out of the library was Ramona, The Pest when I was 8. I vaguely remember the library in my high school, and I'm not sure that I ever went in there. I did research in the library in college, but I just photocopied what I needed at got the heck out.

My parents kept me supplied with lots and lots of books. My mom was addicted to the self help section of the nearest bookstore, and she would always buy me whatever books I wanted. Seriously, how can you say "No" to a kid asking for books? (I’m coming to the realization that I was much more spoiled than I have ever given my parents credit for)

That’s how I’ve lived my life. If I wanted a book, I went to the store and bought it. At 10 years old, I had amassed a huge book collection. Most of which was sold in a neighbor’s garage sale when I was 13 and decided that those books were too kidish for my new teenage awesomeness. As an adult, it has resulted in a ridiculous amount of books piled onto shelves and thrown into boxes.

It’s only been made worse since I started commuting to work by bus last year. I’m going through books like crazy. I started thinking about heading to the library to cure my addiction, but never got around to it.

Then, a couple of things happened.

First, Astarte started up a book club over at Literally Booked. I’ve always wanted to be in a book club, but none of my friends were ever big readers like me. I considered being in Oprah’s Book Club, but the pandemonium surrounding it is just too much. I have read some of Oprah’s Book Club selections after the insanity, and the woman can pick a good book. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides was fantastic.

Second, the economy went into a crazy downward spiral, and I’m, irrationally, afraid that Kaeli, me, and the rest of the world will be living in cardboard boxes and standing in bread lines before things get better. I figured that the library would be a good way to cut back and save more while we ride out this crazy mess.

I decided that Literally Booked’s very first selection, The Heretic’s Daughter, would be my first library book. It was surprisingly easy. Last week, I registered online and even put myself on the list for the book (I was 21st in line!). When I checked my account yesterday, the book was ready for me to pick up! I went into the library (so close to were I live), and they had the book in an envelope with my name on it. I even picked up a couple more that I’ve been meaning to read. I was also given a bright shiny new library card! I felt so special.

I should admit that I felt slightly silly at first because I didn’t know where they kept the special held books, and I didn’t even know where to check out!! There were 8 year olds getting around the library better than me. (Don’t worry, I still remember the Dewey Decimal System)

Anyway, it was fun walking out of the library with 3 new books to read. (I am going to miss that new book smell, though).

I have to say, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Can Someone Please Make Them Go Away

While obsessively checking Perez Hilton, I stumbled upon this little gem.




Is Spencer really trying to rock flannel while carrying a 6-pack?

And Heidi, we all know you don't actually read books. Don't even get me started on those shoes with those shorts.

I know they have the tendency to stage "candid" photo ops, but, seriously, this might be the most ridiculous one I've ever seen.

I believe in supporting your candidate, but it's probably not smart to embarrass yourself in the process.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Right Stuff

NKOTB Post! NKOTB Post!

Here are some of the pictures from the New Kids on the Block Concert! The tickets said that cameras weren't allowed, but NKOTB hasn't toured in like 15 years. I wasn't going to follow that stupid rule. It turned out that most the other fans felt the same way. The girls I was with didn't bring theirs in, so we took turns taking pictures on my camera. We have about a million fabulous ones.
This is the guys' entrance. Do y'all remember those old school Michael Jackson concerts where girls would faint? Well, I totally understand them now. By this point, the excitement (not just me, the whole arena) had built up so much that I was shaking! There was so much jumping and screaming (not just me, the whole arena). To finally see them was amazing.


Opening song!! Single! It's one of my favorite songs on the new album. They were so hot doing all these sexy dance moves!

Yay! Jordan!


Here's a little something for the Joey fans! He can seriously rock some skinny jeans!

Even Danny grew up to be hot!


Jon in an Obama shirt!! I didn't think it was possible, but I love NKOTB a little more.

Yay! More Jordan! Damn, I wish I was that girl behind him. She's so lucky.

Throw back to 1989! They were singing I'll Be Loving You (Forever). Jordan can still do that super sexy falsetto. There's something about it that makes me tingle!

I just felt this picture was too amazing not to add it again. He looks so HOT. Lots of dirty things come to mind whenever I see it. I'm considering making it poster size and hanging it over my bed. This was my favorite part (not because of the shirtlessness) because Jordan sang his single from his solo album. Give It To You. I seriously loved this song in high school. This Jordan Knight obsession has seriously lasted my entire life!

Right after they sang Click Click Click. Such a great picture of the five of them.

Aww. Donny was so cute and funny during the whole show.

NO!!! Don't be over! Don't leave me again! They finished with Hanging Tough. So great!

I've been to a fair amount of concerts in my day, and, I swear, this was the best one I have ever seen! You could tell that they were having so much fun, and they really catered to the audience. I'm so glad I got to be a part of it! It was a really good mix of old and new stuff. Plus, Jordan and Joe sang their singles from their solo albums. I can't talk about it without smiling. It took like 3 days for my voice to come back.

It was totally one of the most fun nights ever!

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Hills - Why Can't I Quit You

For the life of me, I can't figure out why I'm still tuning in to this show. Every time I watch it I get more and more annoyed with these people, and yet, every Monday night I'm sitting in front of my TV watching the ridiculousness. I used to call it my guilty pleasure, but I'm not getting any pleasure anymore!!

Spencer & Heidi- I hate him. I hate him more than anyone should hate someone that they have never met. He's such a douche. Does Heidi just not watch the show? How can she still be with him? If some guy made me choose between him and my sister, he would be hitting the road. I used to think Heidi was kind of fun and cool (you know back in season 1 before I hated myself for watching). Now I just think she is a joke. She's such an idiot.

Audrina & Justin Bobby - O. M. G. I just can't take them anymore. Back and forth. Back and forth. Ugh!! I thought tonight she was growing a backbone. Choosing the hot Australian over grungy always looking stoned JB, but the previews for next week have the two of them right back together. Audrina - You're a pretty girl and He's Just Not That Into You, take Lauren's advice. It's time to let go!

Does anyone else find it incredibly annoying that Doug, Frankie, and Brody do absolutely nothing, but they still get to hop on a private jet for a trip to Cabo to celebrate Brody's bday.

Does it seem like it is always Brody's birthday to anyone else?

Stephanie - Stop trying to get your brother to like you. He's an ass. He's never going to be nice to you.

Lauren - Did y'all know she makes $75,000/episode?

Whitney - Nice, sweet Whitney. The only one who doesn't make me want to throw things at the TV. She has her own spin off starting soon. The City. She's working with DVF in New York. Awesome, but should I torture myself with another silly realty show? I can't take it if she goes all annoying on me. It would be too heartbreaking.

The Hills makes me crazy, but I can't stop. Does anyone else feel like a part of their soul is dying every Monday night?

P.S. Did y'all really think you were going to get away with only on NKOTB concert pic (and what an amazing picture it is)? More pics to come. We were super close and the show was fabulous! I'm still waiting for my voice to come back. I currently sound somewhere between an 82 year old with a 3 pack a day cigarette habit and a puberty stricken 12 year old boy. It's not pretty.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Heaven

Jordan Knight - OMG!!!!

Friday, October 17, 2008

I'm It!!

I've been tagged by That Girl!!! It's my very first time being tagged. How fun!!

Like all good games, there are rules.

1. Link to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Share 6 nonimportant things/habits/quirks about yourself.

4. Tag 6 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.

5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

Y'all ready?
  1. I'm currently packing for my weekend in San Antonio. There are 5 pairs of shoes (it was 7 but I cut back) and 3 purses in my bag. I am convinced that I will need every single one of them in the one weekend that I will be gone.
  2. I hate to go grocery shopping, and I will put it off until there is nothing but diet coke and a cracker in my kitchen.
  3. I am highly addicted to teen dramas on TV. I can't get enough of them. My favorites are One Tree Hill, Greek, Gossip Girls, and I'm liking the new 90210. I watch The Hills and hate Spencer more than anyone should hate someone they've never met.
  4. Rob and I are highly competitive with each other. We once had a competition to see who could rate the most movies on Netflix.
  5. I live in Texas, but I've hated the Cowboys all my life. I'm a Houston Texans kind of girl. This season I have Tony Romo and Marion Barber on my fantasy football team. They are just too good to pass up. I find myself rooting for them, and last weekend Kaeli saw me get excited about a touchdown and said "Mom, we don't like the Cowboys, remember?" But I like Romo, and I think Terrell Owens is funny. I secretly don't hate them as much as I used too. Rob bought me a Cowboys shirt, and I sometimes wear it to bed.(never in public)
  6. Milk freaks me out. It expires and gets gross. I throw it away 3 days before the expiration date. I can eat it in cereal, but I absolutely can not drink it. I've kept my hatred of milk a secret from Kaeli because I don't want her to stop drinking milk.

There you have it. Six insights into my crazy mind.

Now it's my turn to tag. Fun!

that nurse is being such a...

Complimentary Chocolate

A Girl and Her Blog

Blah Blah BLOG

The Muddled Sage

A Yankee's Guide to Texas

I'm off to try to realize my preadolescent dream of caressing Jordan Knight. Y'all have a great weekend!!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Evil Tricksters

I found these super cute shoes last weekend while on a continued mission to rebuild my shoe collection after the Great Maverick Shoe Massacre. I immediately loved them. I tried them on, and they were so comfortable. I thought I had hit the jackpot. A fabulously cute pair of heels that are inexpensive and comfortable.


This was such an amazing discovery that I bought them in black too.





I was so excited to wear them to work. Monday morning I jumped out of bed (by jumped I mean I hit the snooze twice and cursed the world because it was morning), and threw on an outfit that would show of my new fabulous shoes. I got to work. Got lots of compliments. It was the best day.

30 minutes later -

Oh Dear God, my feet hurt so badly! I found myself slipping them off while I was at my desk. Only to cry and wimper when I had to put them back on.

It has now been 4 days, and I'm too scared to try them again. The pain was just too great. I'm trying to blame it on the fact that it was mine and the shoe's First Time together. The first time is rarely comforable, right? A little pain is normal.

How could the shoes do this to me? I trusted them. They were so comfortable in the store. They were so cute and charming. They caressed and seduced me. They were going to be the main event of my San Antonio weekend wardrobe (besides the purple coach!!).

To be fair, this is not all the shoes' fault. I bought the shoes because of their looks. I didn't care what was going on inside. I was being superficial and materialistic. If I wanted comfort I should have just bought a pair of Nikes, right?

I should give them another chance. Girls all over the world have been burned by shoes before. If the shoes and I are going to have a healthy relationship, then I should accept the good with the bad. I should realize that they're not perfect.

My feet are going to hate me, but I think the shoes are worth it.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Behind the Music

A few weeks ago I stumbled onto Clever Girl Goes Blog, and she had made a mixtape of the songs of her life. I thought it was a great idea but never got around to it.

Then Music Week at Material Girl came into my life. Well, actually, I brought Music Week into my life, so maybe it was a subconscious way of getting this mixtape made. Plus, this marks my 50th post, so I figure a summation of my life through music is probably a fitting tribute.

I totally underestimated the difficulty of this assignment. 27 years of music and memories narrowed down to 13 songs. Impossible. Then, I realized it’s my blog and my mixtape, and I can do whatever I want to. If I was a real rockstar (not just one in my head), I would totally make albums with more than 13 songs. I’m awesome like that. I chose the number 15, but it was still really hard. Especially since I proclaim a new “Most Favorite Song Ever” at least twice a month.

Here it goes. In no particular order, the songs that I love, the songs that take me back to a certain time, and the songs that made me into who I am today.

Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover – Sophie B. Hawkins: I loved this song as a kid (still love it). As a 10 year old, I realized that it was “adult”, and that my parents wouldn’t want me to love this song. So I loved it even more. It made me feel rebellious and independent. I could make decisions without my parents. Shocking discovery.

Cradle of Love – Billy Idol: This song had the same effect as I Wish I Was Your Lover. It was sexy and provocative. I’m beginning to think that I have some authority issues. Defying my parents was high on my list of priorities. I was getting close to my adolescent years, and the need to be an individual was foremost in my life.

I’ll Be There for You – Bon Jovi: Oh, Bon Jovi, how you made me wish I was older. I thought it was so romantic. I thought it was the way guys talked to girls they loved all the time. I couldn’t wait to be old enough to hear words like that from a guy. I still get all tingly when I hear it.

Don’t Stop Believing – Journey: It’s Journey. Enough said, right. No matter how many times I hear this song, I can’t help but get all fired up and ready to take on the world. And it reminds me of Kaeli's dad, Ryan, which is alway nice.

Don’t Take the Girl – Tim McGraw: My dad was in the Army. We moved a lot. We lived in New Jersey for a while, and my goal was to spend the rest of my life as a Yankee. I blame my youth. When my dad told me we were moving to the South (Georgia then Texas), I thought I was going to die. I swore I would hate them forever, I swore I would never say y’all (that obviously didn’t stick), and I swore I would never listen to country music. Then my 8th grade BFF, Christina (I wonder what ever happened to her), played this song for me. My entire view of country music changed. ( i just seriously teared up watching the video)

Papa Don’t Preach – Madonna: Y’all knew there was going to be at least 1 Madonna song on my list, right. It’s pretty obvious that I was young when I had Kaeli. I found out I was pregnant when I was 20. I was absolutely beyond terrified of telling my dad. It literally took me months and 3 separate attempts. Not because I thought he would be mad or disown me, but because I was so scared that he would be disappointed in me. Scared that he would think I failed. (He didn’t by the way. He was nothing but super supportive and awesome) Anyway, as a joke with my friends, this became my anthem. I would drive around blasting this song, gaining courage from Madonna.

Baby Got Back – Sir Mix A Lot: There have been way too many instances of me drunkenly yelling “OMGTHISISMYJAM” for it not to be included. To put it delicately, I have a rather prominent backside. It has been like this my whole life. My aunt called me bubble butt at the age of 9. Fortunately, Sir Mix A lot, Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian have made having an ample derriere fabulous.

Cryin’ – Aerosmith: Who didn’t want to be Alicia Silverstone in the mid 90s? Plus, I’ve always had this weird lusty crush on Steven Tyler. Don’t judge.

You Oughta Know – Alanis Morrisette: Marks the beginning of my angry girl rock phase. I was fully into my overly emotional teen years. Everyone (by everyone I mean my parents) was out to get me, and I had to look out for myself!

Just a Girl – No Doubt: I must have listened to Tragic Kingdom a million times. I believe I went through 2 copies due to over usage. Gwen Stefani was (is) so cool. So confident.

Criminal – Fiona Apple: I used to drive around in my dad’s Thunderbird blasting this song like crazy. Why I idolized a song about a girl treating her boyfriend badly I have no idea, but I thought the character in the song was so sexy and mysterious and bad. Everything I wasn’t, but thought it would be cool if I was. Again, I blame youth.

Every You Every Me – Placebo: I first heard this song on the Cruel Intentions (one of my fav movies) soundtrack. It’s been on my top favorites list ever since. I don’t have a story or a reason, but I just love it. I saw Placebo in concert last year with Linkin Park, and hearing them sing this song was awesome!!

Toxic – Britney Spears: Shush! Everyone is allowed a guilty pleasure or two (or 15). After work, in my waitressing/college days, my friends and I would head on over to another restaurant/bar that closed way later than ours. We’d proceed to drink away our night’s tips. Eventually, we’d get tipsy enough to play this song on the juke box and sing at the top of our lungs. I’m sure the other patrons really enjoyed it.

Something About the Way You Look Tonight – Elton John: Sigh. My mushy girly sappy side rears is ugly head.

Our Time Now – Plain White Ts: The most current addition to the list. I love this song. It’s so upbeat and fun. I first heard it during the early stages of dating Rob, so it reminds me of him and makes me happy. (There is that annoying sappy side again).

Bonus Tracks: (because I can’t even follow rules I set for myself) These are the ones that almost made the list. I have no explanation for loving them. No great story. I just love them.
I Want You to Want Me – Cheap Trick
You Don’t Own Me – Joan Jett (couldn't find Joan Jett so I got Bette Midler...she sang it in First Wives Club!!)
Against All Odds – Phil Collins
Heartbreaker – Pat Benetar
Step by Step - New Kids on the Block (duh)

This might actually be a therapeutic list for me. First, can you tell I was a teenager in the 90s??!! Reading it back, I was a much more angst ridden teenager than I thought. I should probably immediately call my parents and apologize. If it’s true that “you reap what you sew”, I need to find away to stop Kaeli from getting any older. I don’t think I can handle when she gets to her Rage Against the Mom phase.

I'm pretty sure this list will change and evolve as I get older and have more life experiences. (not that I can even imagine experiencing more than I already have) Besides the ability to transport me into a different place and time, I think my favorite thing about music is that there is always a song to express how I'm feeling better than I can.

So, anyone else want to share your mixtape?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

We interrupt Music Week at Material Girl to bring you breaking news from the Internet.

The Associated PressPublished: October 14, 2008
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (AP) - A new father has secretly named his baby girl Sarah McCain Palin after the Republican ticket for president and vice president.
Mark Ciptak of Elizabethton put that name on the documents for the girl’s birth certificate, ignoring the name Ava Grace, which he and his wife had picked earlier.
“I don’t think she believes me yet,” he told the Kingsport Times-News for a story to be published Tuesday. “It’s going to take some more convincing.” Ciptak, a blood bank employee for the American Red Cross, said he named his third child after John McCain and Sarah Palin to “to get the word out” about the campaign.
“I took one for the cause,” he said. “I can’t give a lot of financial support for the (McCain/Palin) campaign. I do have a sign up in my yard, but I can do very little.”
(emphasis is mine)

You're Shitting Me are the most eloquent words I can come up with right now. I'm all about supporting the cause and spreading the word about your preferred candidate (even if I happen to think your preferred candidate isn't the right choice), but this is RIDICULOUS. It would be one thing if this was an agreed upon decision between husband and wife. (I'd probably still think they were idiots) For a husband to IGNORE their agreed upon name and put something else on the birth certificate is just wrong. Especially something this gimmicky. Plus, instead of focusing on his wife and newborn baby, he's out trying to get attention. I'd kill him. No doubt about it.

Rock Out with your Block Out

*get it...block out...like new kids on the block...ha ha ha ha ha ha...i crack myself up

The New Kids on the Block concert is Friday!!! Call me a dork all you want, but I’m really looking forward to going. The excitement is almost too much. Not only do I get to go to the concert with one of my super fun friends, but then, we’re spending the whole weekend in San Antonio with our guys (the boys aren't going to the concert...we're not that mean)! I never want to live in San Antonio (no offense to those that do but the town is not for me), but it is a lot of fun to spend the weekend there. I’m currently trying to decide what to wear. We’re in the 6th row. It’s totally in the realm of possibility that Jordan might see me and fall madly in love with me (I don’t care what you say Astarte…he is not gay…Jonathan might be but not my Jordan), so I have to look super fabulous. Plus, the outfit has to have easy access to my bra in case I get the urge to take it off and throw it on stage as a symbol of my undying love and support for my boys.

Anyway, when I was on the bus this morning, I came up with a brilliant idea to keep the concert excitement building.

Music Week at Material Girl!!!

I love music. A lot. My favorite songs change weekly (besides a few permanent favs that y’all might just learn about this week). The creation of iTunes has been one of the highlights of my life. Every song I could ever want at my fingertips. What could be better than that? A late night iTunes shopping spree inspired today’s post. Here are the songs that are currently on heavy rotation on my iPod.

Britney Spears – Womanizer: “You say I’m crazy. I got your crazy.” Currently, the most heavily repeated on my iPod. I love this song. I can’t help but sing along and dance (even at my desk at work). Say what you want about Britney, but girl can make a kick ass pop song. I’m so glad she seems to have gotten her shit together. I just can’t help but love her.

Gym Class Heroes – Cookie Jar: “I wanna be faithful but I can’t keep my hands out the cookie jar.” I love a song that makes me laugh. The lyrics to Cookie Jar are hilarious.

Taylor Swift – Love Story: Sigh. This song is so sweet. I have yet to hear a Taylor Swift song that I haven’t loved.

The All-American Rejects – Gives You Hell: I’ve been waiting forever for a new Rejects song!

Katy Perry – Hot n Cold: She’s just everywhere these days!! I can’t escape her.

Plain White Ts – 1, 2, 3, 4 and Natural Disaster: Plain White Ts are one of my very favorite bands. Both songs are great!!

Fall Out Boy – I Don’t Care and Headfirst Slide into Cooperstown on a Bad Bet: I’ve mentioned before how much I love a creative title. I love Fall Out Boy. Not just because Pete Wentz knocked up Ashlee Simpson either! They’re also on my list of favorite bands.

New Kids on the Block – Single and Sexify My Love: Did you really think they wouldn’t be on the list?

Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne – Let it Rock: This song pumps me up!! Perfect workout song (well it would be if I would get off my ass and work out)!! Seriously, check it out.

Jack’s Mannequin – The Resolution: I just love Jack’s Mannequin. Ever since The Mixed Tape was on One Tree Hill. Lol!

There you have it. This week's playlist. (part of it anyway, but these are the major highlights) What about y'all? Any current favorites I should know about?

Monday, October 13, 2008

Did Y'all Know That Other Countries Have Holidays Too?

Happy Thanksgiving to my favorite Canadians, Cherish and Melissa!!

I recently discovered just how much of an arrogant American I really am because I had no idea that Canada celebrated Thanksgiving on a different day than America. If I’m keeping it real, I didn’t even know that Canada celebrated Thanksgiving at all! This was a, seriously, dumb (fake) blonde moment on my part. (As of last week, I’m not actually a fake blonde anymore, but I haven’t put up any pics of the new and improved brunette!)

If the election turns out a certain way, there is a chance I might have to move to Canada (follow the link…totally worth it…I wouldn’t lie!), so I decided to learn a little about Canadian Thanksgiving.

Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, which is the day that America recognizes Columbus Day. Interesting. Canada’s Thanksgiving has nothing to do with Pilgrims, and my research shows that it’s to celebrate the end of a successful harvest. Since, the climate is different in Canada, their harvest ends earlier than America’s. The Canadian Football League holds a doubleheader on Thanksgiving just like the NFL does!! I love me some football!!

Just like in America, it’s a day to be with friends and family, eat lots of great food, and be thankful for all the blessings in your life. I’m not Canadian (yet- see above link), but I figure it can’t hurt to have one more day where I realize how fortunate I am, so I want to thank everyone who stops by my blog and reads my endless ramblings. Getting to know y’all has been great, and I can’t wait to learn more!!

I Can't Get It Out of My Brain

I don’t generally watch the Discovery Health Channel. Especially on Sundays. Sundays are reserved for hours and hours of football, but yesterday I could no longer watch the awfulness that was the Cowboys vs. Cardinals game and I found myself channel surfing.

That’s when I discovered the horror. A show so scary that I don’t think I will ever be the same. The show was I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant. That pretty much sums it up. Women went to the hospital in extreme pain and ended up giving birth without ever knowing they were pregnant. How’s that for a birthing plan?!

I knew I was pregnant before I ever peed on a stick. That’s totally not an exaggeration. My body felt weird, and I just knew. Then, I threw up every day (twice a day) for 4 months. Plus, Kaeli moved nonstop. Always with the kicking, and the hiccupping, and the using my bladder as a squeeze toy, and the constant back pain, and, omg, the heart burn, it just never ended. By the time I was nine months along, if Kaeli decided to move I had to stop everything I was doing to let her get comfortable because I was in so much pain. I absolutely cannot imagine not knowing that I was pregnant.

But the show proved that it happens. These women were mostly older, and assumed they were going through menopause. Most of them had trouble conceiving their whole lives. They didn’t gain any weight. A couple even lost weight. They had no morning sickness, no back pain, and never felt the baby move. The doctors interviewed on the show gave all sorts of reasons, like a tilted uterus, for how these women didn’t feel anything.

I can’t stop thinking about all the stuff that could go wrong if a woman doesn’t know she’s pregnant. 9 months of no prenatal care. 9 months of strenuous activity (one woman was a volunteer EMS person). 9 months of alcoholic beverages!! The women on this show said that they didn’t drink during the 9 months they didn’t know they were pregnant. Seriously? I like my beer, my rum and diet, my vodka and sprite. I don’t even want to think of what I would do to a baby that I didn’t know I was carrying!!

And let’s not forget the scariest part. Waking up in extreme pain, and thinking you’re going to die. Then, when you get to the hospital (or if your husband delivers your baby on the bathroom floor because you can’t make it to the hospital…yeah…that happened) they tell you that you’re pregnant and having a baby RIGHT NOW. I was totally terrified during labor, and I knew what was going on!!

I was talking to my dad near the end of my pregnancy, and I told him that when I first found out I was pregnant, I didn’t know if I could do it. I told him I didn’t know if I could be ready in time, but that once I got to the end I was ready and knew Kaeli and I would be fine. His response was “That’s why God gives you 40 weeks. Not just so you can prepare by getting stuff, but so you can prepare mentally as well.” Could you imagine having a baby without having the 9 months to prepare for the baby? You deliver a baby and have no car seat, no clothes, and no diapers. No time to discuss and find the perfect name! Imagine missing out on 9 months of actually being pregnant. As much as I complained about it, being pregnant was one of the greatest experiences of my life (the only greater experience is watching Kaeli grow up).

This show has gotten into my head. I shouldn't be so freaked out, but the thought of being pregnant and not knowing is just too much for me!!!

No more Discovery Health Channel for me. No good can come from it.

Friday, October 10, 2008

I Love Amy Poehler

SNL is doing Weekend Updates on Thursdays! Hurray! This is a super funny clip from last night. It's 6 minutes long, but, if you don't want to watch the whole thing, skip to the 2 minute mark. I've been laughing about it all day!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Blast from the Past

I love shamelessly stealing ideas from other, more interesting, people. I found Yearbook Yourself while perusing Blah Blah Blog. This is now my favorite way to spend an evening!! Let's take a walk down memory lane and see what I would have looked like in other decades, shall we.




1954 - Those glasses are HOT




1962


1966 - If only I could get this kind of volume





1994



I saved my absolute favorite for last. This is me and Rob as a couple in 1984. Damn. That is some serious hotness!!




















Wednesday, October 8, 2008

OMG! No He Didn't! OMG! Yes He Did!

Look what was waiting for me when I got home. A box.
A box from the boyfriend.




I wonder what is in the box?




Could this be what I think it could be?




I'm starting to get excited. Very very excited.




OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG! It's the dream purse!




The inside is so pretty!




Isn't it just beautiful?




Hello, Lover!



I guess he just couldn't take my incessant lusting after this bag for the last few weeks. Another point for the best boyfriend ever. How am I ever going to top this?

Thanks, Rob!! MUAH!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

If I Hear It One More Time

This is our dog. He's a poodle-chihuahua mix.


This was him 1 1/2 years ago when we first brought him home. Wasn't he just about the cutest thing you have ever seen?


I have a love/hate relationship with him.

I sometimes hate him because he is possibly the worst behaved dog in the history of dogs. He does this ridiculously annoying whiny thing. It drives me up the wall. He also has an affinity for expensive shoes. Once, when he was a puppy, I came home to find that he had pulled some massive Houdini maneuver, got into my closet, and preceded to eat every pair of shoes I owned. But only the left one. Every single right shoe was left untouched, but the left one was unrecognizable. Still to this day if he gets a hold of a pair of shoes, he'll choose the left one to savor. Weird, right? If he manages to escape sans leash, don't bother chasing him. He's the fastest little dog alive. I swear.

The love part always wins out, though, because he is cute and cuddly. He has the ability to be the sweetest dog. Kaeli adores him. She fell in love with him the moment she saw him. He's part of the family no matter what. Plus, he was born on Super Bowl Sunday 2007, and since this is one football loving family, he fits right in.

A friend of mine actually gave him to me when she realized that a very hyper puppy and her one year old son didn't mix well. They had given him some name that I thought was totally unfitting, and so I decided immediately to change it. Kaeli's choice was Willy Wonka. I used my Mom Power to veto it and spent the next two days thinking of the perfect name for our precocious new addition. I made a list. I went over it and over it until the perfect name hit me right in the face. An homage to one of my favorite movies. Something strong. Something that matched is spiky collar. Something that would give my little white poodle mix street cred at the dog park.


Maverick.


Now John McCain and Sarah Palin use it no less than 100 times a day. I'm slowly beginning to hate this name. Please vote for Obama/Biden so that my dog can have his name back!!


Monday, October 6, 2008

Kaeli's Take on the Election

Apparently, today is politics day at Material Girl.

Kaeli's school district is holding a mock election on November 4th. The schools have even been assigned electoral votes based on their student population. The votes of 3rd graders to 12th grade will count. Kaeli's grandma is a teacher at one of the high schools, and she was telling me all about it. Kaeli's only in 1st, and her vote won't be counted. So as Kaeli and I were driving home, I told her that I was planning on voting for Barack Obama, and I asked her who she would vote for in the election if she could. I'll keep it real here. I was trying to brainwash my 6 year old into telling the world that she was voting for Obama. It's been my mission ever since I saw a young boy in a t-shirt that said "If I Was 18 I Would Vote for Obama".

Kaeli: I don't want to vote for him.
Me: (on the verge of a freak out that her grandparents got to her first) Who do you want to vote for?
Kaeli: I don't want to vote for anyone.
Me: (biting my tongue and saving the discussion about women's suffrage until she's 10) Why don't you want to vote for someone?
Kaeli: Because I just don't care.

Way to stab your politics loving momma in the heart, baby. My brainwashing attempt #1 has failed. I still have the rest of the month to complete my mission, though.

Get Registered!

I haven't felt the need to get all political on y'all because a quick glance at my sidebar makes it clear who I believe is the best choice for America come November 4th. (Much to the dismay of my father. Coming out of the Democrat closet was almost as bad as telling him when I got knocked up!!!)

No matter who you support, you must register to vote!! Today is the last day to register for my fellow Texans, and most other states.

Check here to find out your state's deadline, and all the info you need to register to vote. It's quick and easy, I promise!

I can go on and on about how crucial it is, but I think it's said best by our (hopefully) future first lady, Michelle Obama, over at MOMocrats. Really - Go read it. It's a fabulous post!!

Hurry...Go Now...Register to Vote!!!


Sunday, October 5, 2008

Weekend Update

  • On Thursday, I had a ridiculously long list of things to get done this weekend. It is Sunday night and not one of those things has been completed. Crap.
  • On my way home from work last week, I was admiring a pretty blue Lexus until I saw the big old TX license plate. It said SUP FOO. Seriously?
  • I had lunch with Kaeli at her school on Friday. Her little friends are so cute. I can't wait to be able to go again.
  • Rob came this weekend, and I hate Sunday nights when he has to leave
  • We took Kaeli to one of those Chuck E Cheese type places with games and tickets. I won 104 tickets on a deal or no deal game. I rock.
  • We spent 2 hours playing games, and when Kaeli picked out her prizes she got this Noise Putty. It's slimy goo that makes farting noises when you squish it into its jar. This went on for the rest of the weekend. Kaeli and Rob were in fits of hysterics with this stuff. I guess the sound of farts never gets old whether you're 6 or a 26 year old man/boy.
  • After a day of watching football it is apparent that my fantasy teams sucked. Both of them.
  • I got my hair done and it looks super different. Pics and analysis to come.
  • I am totally not ready to go back to work tomorrow.