Thanksgiving, Game Night and Football!

Thanksgiving has to be my favorite holiday.  It's all about food, family and fun.  No stress about buying the perfect present, finances, wrapping gifts...none of that.  Just a time to eat a little too much, drink a little too much and sleep a little too much!  This year Thanksgiving was awesome.  It was quiet at my mom & dad's house...just Austin, Morgan, my mom, my dad and me!  We played cards, watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and at some of the best food my mom has ever prepared!!!!  When all was said and done, we headed to my house for game night.  Lots of people came and went thru the night.  We had all sorts of food, wine, beer and games!  I do hate to report that the boys won at Taboo, but the girls plan to kick their asses next time!

Friday I was feeling a little too gross from the wine the night before to do much of anything, so I just caught up on all the stuff on my DVR.  Saturday, Ryan and I went to see The Muppet Movie (It was cute, but we both almost fell asleep!) and then we went to Pete's 40th birthday party.  I can't believe that my friends are starting to turn 40.

Then FOOTBALL!!!!!

It was a plethora of activities!!

This past weekend things were a little crazy in the Marshall household.  Austin is getting so big and he makes so many plans that, sadly, don't involve me as more than a ride to and from wherever it is he wants to go.  This past weekend he made plans with his grandfaterh to go hunting Saturday morning and that involved a sleep over because they get up so early.  So, since he was gone, I went to my favorite event at the zoo, Feast with the Beasts! 

This is a fun evening of wine tasting, food sampling and music!  Ryan, Jessica, Milton & I went and we really had a great time.  The animals are so much more active at night and it is fun to watch them play.  We didn't get around to too many of the restaurant booths because we kept getting lost...it's sorta tricky in there at night...but we found the mini-bundt cakes and feasted on those!  My favorite was teh Pumpkin Spice...and they are the cutest little things...so fun to get away from the cupcakes, even though I love those too!  Check it out:  Nothing Bundt Cakes.  I ran into a lot of people there that I know and it was such beautiful weather.

 Saturday was work out day.  I was at the gym, with a headache from the wine the night before by 11:00AM.  I have to say, Desmond was right...I did feel better once I got over the hump.  I was supposed to work for one of my rodeo committee's that afternoon, but they cancelled it.  I was more than happy to go home and catch up on laundry and watch Water for Elephants.  I read the book, but some how missed the movie.  I say somehow, but I know how...the movie sucked!  I really enjoyed the book, but the movie was just so hokey!  I was not a fan!

Later that night I had dinner with Ryan, Adam, Kerry, Eli & Karrie.  They brought their little girls and we had Indian food.  I had never had Indian food before...and I have to say...It's not my favorite!  I don't think I would want to go back.  It was a really strange deal.  Everything looked the same and I was just not too impressed.  Maybe it was the restaurant, but I'm just not sure.  This evening ended early because I am feeling older than I really am!

SUNDAY!!!!  Another busy day, but this was the day I was looking forward to the most of the weekend!  We got up early and went to church.  As soon as it was over we headed to Reliant Stadium to watch the Houston Texans beat up the Browns!!  What a great game!  And I was so excited that Austin was there with us to enjoy.  He had a GREAT time and even liked hanging with his dumb old mom!!

And I'm Proud to be An American...

Memorial Day weekend came and went in a flash.  We had lots to do, but our A/C went out, so that put a damper on most of our festivities.  We did get some pool time in at Jessica's house with her family.  We also went to see Pirates of the Carribean...which was just like every other Pirates movie. 

We are now gearing up for summer.  I am leaving for Las Vegas on Thursday and then Austin leaves to spend a few weeks with his dad and step-mom in Missouri.  He will be back in July.  I hate this part of the year!  Even though I am usually in need of a small break...I really do miss him a lot when he's gone.

The trials and tribulations of dating...

Wednesday last week was internet date #2.  We decided to meet after my workout at this place called Watson's.  It's on his way home from work and near my house.  I was running a little late because my trainer wanted to beat me up a little before I went!  So I showed up about 15 minutes late, but let him know I was running behind.  Jessica and I have been talking about him for a few days and we just started calling him "Handsome".  Turns out...he really is!  We had a good time.  We talked for about 2 hours...no awkward pauses, no uncomfortable situations at all.  When we were done.  It was great.  I told him that I had never been on an internet #2 to with anyone, and neither has he.  By the time I got home he has texted and wanted to know when we could meet again.  We tried to meet up Thursday for lunch, but work had me busy.  But Friday worked out for both of us.  Again...we had a great little lunch.  I was way more nervous this time because it was DATE 2!!!  UGH...so much pressure!  We were going to try to meet up on Sunday, but time just did not permit.  We'll see if date 3 ever really happens!!!

Water for Elephants has been Zapped!!!

So I finished this book at while back and I never told anyone what I thought of it.  Over all, it was ok.  I guessed 1/2 way thru how it was going to end.  I wanted to hurry and read it before the movie comes out.  I think that it will be interesting to see the movie as compared to the book...but really, that's all that kept me reading this book. 

Now...I am reading a book that sorta scares me and I have a hard time reading it.  It's called "Zapped: Why Your Cell Phone Shouldn't Be Your Alarm Clock and 1,268 Ways to Outsmart the Hazards of Electronic Pollution".  I am easily freaked out by things.  I sorta live by Scarlett O'Hara's motto, “Fiddle-dee-dee!  I won’t worry about that today.  I’ll worry about that tomorrow.  After all, tomorrow is another day!”  But I have been going to the gym, working out with my trainer, taking my vitamins and shopping at Whole Foods lately...all in an effort to live a healthier life for both me and Austin.  So I figured, I'll read this, I use my cell phone as my alarm clock, what's so wrong with that?!  UMMM...APPARENTLY A LOT!!!!  Just kidding...it's not that bad, the book does get me thinking about what small steps I can take to make my life simpler.  It's an ok read...I am only about 2 chapters in, so I will fill you in once I am done!

adventures....

Again...It's been a while since I updated.  Most of March I was working at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.  And most recently Ausitn has been occupying a lot of my time.  Seems like too much happens and I can't update!

I recently started dating.  It's been....ummmmmm...Interesting.  I have joined an online dating site...and I'm just having fun so far.  Some of these guys are pushy, but I weed them out and I have 2 dates this week and one under my belt already.  Date 1 was a little awkward since I seemed to know 1/2 of everyone in the restaurant.  It was rather humerous!

My dad started radiation last week...and seems to be doign very well so far.  Luke is transitioning back to his parent's and that has been very hard.

Austin is gearing up for summer....so as I am trying to keep his mind on school work, I still have to ask him his plans for summer.  So, needless to say, he's got a bit of Spring Fever lately! 

I'll write back with more info after my date tomorrow! HA

Oh What A Night...

We had a great weekend. We had Austin’s 13th birthday party. I had no idea that these boys could be so loud. Needless to say, I got no sleep! I was a little worried that I was going to wake up to holes in my walls and doors kicked in, but I was surprised!  At about 2:00AM, I heard the vacuum cleaner.  I thought, "DEAR JESUS, What are they doing now?"  When I woke up, the house was clean, dish washer loaded and had even been run!!!  I loved that!  So...the house was in one piece except for a window that my son broke!! I was livid, but I’m over it now. The window has since been repaired and my son is working off the $130 to replace it by being my beck and call boy. He will earn $1.00 for every beck and call completed (Not including his chores!). Should be a fun month...for me at least!

Also, last night was the 2011 SAG awards. I really don’t think anyone cares what I think, but I think it’s fun to decide who I like best and who I think is the worst.  I always leave out the OBVIOUS worst’s…Helena Bonham Carter, Cher, Courtney Love, Bjork…you almost always except something bad from them, so I quit even judging that!  And below is my list in no particular order.

MY BEST:

Lea Michelle, Sarah Hyland, Rosario Dawson, Tina Fey and  Jayma Mays

MY WORST:

Jane Lynch, Amy Adams, Eva Longoria, Eddie Falco, and Kim Kardashian

Finally… While Austin and his friends were busy tearing up my house, I was busy redecorating my bedroom. I got new floors, painted the base boards, walls & ceiling, I got new furniture and bed linens. Now all I need is some wall décor to go with my new girlie room. The bathroom is next…but that will basically be new paint and towels…that’s about it! I’ll get the before and after shots up soon. But my room is so pretty, girlie and tranquil now! I LOVE IT!!

Happy Birthday Austin!

Today is Austin's 13th birthday...I woke him up singing Happy Birthday.  I went and got his favorite doughnuts this morning and put candles in them.  He was pretty suprised!  He is now...officially a teenager.  And hairy, stinky...teenager!  And now...I'm off to get Botox...I need to give myself a little present too!!!

Dieting is for the birds....

I have been on a diet and I am not happy about it!  I wish I still had the metabolism of a 15 year old!  So...in order to get my mind off the food that I am depriving myself of, I have decided to move forward with the re-decoration of my bedroom.  The one thing that I have left from my marriage that ended 9 years ago is my bedroom furniture and 1 blanket.  I have gotten rid of almost everything else and replaced it.  Flooring, paint/wallpaper and furniture are all very difficult things for me to pick out because they all seem sooooooo permanent.  But yesterday began the process of my bedroom re-decorating.  I decided to get rid of the carpet in my room and put down wood floors.  I must say they look really nice.

Then I went and picked out new bedroom furniture.  I have decided to make my room VERY girlie and clean (and I don't like it when woods clash)...so I got white bedroom furniture.  The new bedroom furniture will be here Saturday!   I have all new bed linens...they are lavender, green and cream.  The walls are going to be painted white and I'm doing the same in my bathroom so that everything will match.  I may end up using some wallpaper in my bathroom, but right now, I'm not sure!  I'll post pictures as the room progresses...as well as the before and after pictures!

Now...where can I plan a blanket burning party?!  Just kidding...I'm donating the blanket to the homeless so they can keep warm this winter.  And after that...I will have officially replaced everything in my house that I acquired while married!

Devil in the White City

So I just finished reading Devil in the White City by Eric Larson.  It took me a while becuase of the holidays, but today I OFFICIALLY finished.  I have to tell you...I have not been able to put this book down!  It was great.  I learned so much.  It both intrigued me, horrified me and made me want to live back in 1893 so that I could experience the World Columbian Exposition first hand!  I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for something to read.

Some of you may already know, but Hollywood in already in the process of casting for a movie based on the book.  It's is set to come out in 2013.  I can hardly wait to see this book come to life on the big screen!  The whole time I was reading it I would think, "Now, how would they show this on the movie!"  It is going to be FANTASTIC!  THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILERS in the below descriptions...but it's history and a lot of people already know it! 

Below are some side by sides of the real life people and the actors that have been suggested to play these pivital roles:

Adrien Brody as George Washington Gale Ferris - The inventor of the Ferris Wheel, George's project was the cornerstone of the great fair. Brody is due for another great performance, and would fit in well with a large ensemble cast.

Jeremy Renner (from Hurt Locker) as Frank Geyer - It's all about the eyes with this one. Renner would be perfect as the detective tracking down Holmes.

Jon Hamm (AKA My Boyfriend!) as Daniel Burnham - Accustomed to playing "Mad Men's" Don Draper, Hamm has the bravado to take on such a character - the incredible architect and visionary being the World's Fair.

Jospeh Gordon-Levitt as Benjamin Pitezel  - Holmes's closet associate, Gordon-Levitt would be perfect for this role, coming off of his work with DiCaprio in "Inception." Pitezel ends up having his child kidnapped by Holmes, would could provide a very dramatic opportunity for Gordon-Levitt.

And last but not least, the only person that is for sure cast in the movie...Leonardo DiCaprio as Dr. H.H. Holmes - Leo has already picked up the project and plans to play the legendary Chicago serial killer, who may have taken out up to 200 people in his "Murder Castle," all under the veil of the 1893 World's Fair.

Now....what should I read next?  I am thinking Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen.  This too has been made into a movie that will be out soon.  I better get to reading!

2011

It's 2011...and I am happy that 2010 is finally over!  I usually don't saythings like that, but 2010 has been a heck of a year for me and my family.  So 2011 is a welcomed new chapter in life for me.  I have set a few resolutions for myself this year...they are:

1. Read the whole bible .

(This one I started in November, so I'm doing pretty good so far!)

2. Save more money.

3. Exercise more.

4. Watch less TV.

5. Work harder.

I don't think that any of these are unattainable.  I really feel like it is something I can do!

Christmas was nice this year.  Austin was with his dad, so it was quiet and calm.  We did have Luke, but he made it more exciting and new.  He woke  up at about 5:00AM on Christmas morning.  I stayed at my parent's house so I could be with him.  I went in and got him and we snuggled for about 45 minutes.  Finally at almost 6:00AM, my mom came in looking for him.  His face was priceless when he saw his new red car!!!!  He's only 17 months old, but he has this Christmas thing down!  It was a great day to just hang out with my family.  I haven't really broadcast this, but before Thanksgiving my dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer.  He has a very aggressive form and they can not operate on him.  Monday, December 27th, he started his cancer treatment.  So it was nice to have a lot of time to spend with him during Christmas.  I missed Ausitn, but I needed this time with my mom & dad!

New Year's was fun too.  I'm usually a stay home kind of girl for NYE, but this year I went to Jessica's work function.  It's called BLT (Black-tie, Lingerie, or Toga)!  We dressed up black-tie and had a great time.  But as usual, I was back at the hotel and in bed by 12:30!! 

Austin got home on January 2nd and has grown in the 2 weeks he was gone!  I hate it when that happens.  I measured him and he is 5'6-1/4" tall!  Can't forget the 1/4"!  He returned to school today, the 5th.  So...my life is FINALLY back in a routine!  A routine that I like!