Auld Lang Syne - 2012

This year's New Year Celebration was pretty tame.  I had Austin for the first time in a few years, so I invited over some close friends and their children.  We ate food, played board games, popped fireworks and passed out dead asleep at promptly 12:15!  I'm not sure why, but it seems so hard to stay awake past 12 on New Year's!!  Anyway... Happy New Year everyone!  I don't know about you, but I'm glad the holidays have past and I can resume my regularly scheduled life!

2012's resolutions are as follows:

1. Continue to work out and live a healthier lifestyle.  This includes more sleep, less partying and drinking.

2. I'm going to try to stop over booking myself.

3. Read the Old Testament.  Last year I resolved to read the bible in a year from a book I have on reading the bible in a year.  But I kept getting confused and forgetting where I left off.  So, this year I resolve to just read the Old Testament, Psalms & Proverbs daily.  Next year I'll tackle the New Testament.

4. Save more / spend less!

5. Update this blog more often... even though I think I am the only one that reads it! HA

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