Never thought I could love something made of leather and metal so much!!!

I will admit, I am like most girls who enjoy shopping and buying new clothes, shoes and purses, but I'm not very picky or over-the-top and I don't usually spend a lot of money and I surely don't whine over anything found in the mall. On the rare occasion that I want to purchase something I really like, I either just buy it right then, or save up my money to buy it myself, depending on the cost. All-in-all, it is very few items that I find worth a high price.

This bag was different.

I saw my "G," as I now like to call it, up on a shelf in a local high-end boutique while at a party my friend and I attended that my husband was catering the food for. I saw the purse, immediately walked over to it and took it off the shelf, sliding it smoothly onto my arm. It was the only one of its kind in the store and it seemed made for me. Boy did it look nice! I soon realized someone (my husband) might see me drooling over this nice item and I quickly put it back on the shelf...but it was too late. My husband did not see me, but one of the co-owners of the store (a friend of my husband's) we were in saw me with the purse and walked right over to me, saying sweetly that I "HAD to have it!" I smiled demurely and simply said, "No, no, no...it's a beautiful bag, but it's not for me." (HA! What a lie!!) The co-owner walked right over to the other store owner, a close friend of both me and my husband, and told her the bag was for me, again, I "HAD to have it!!" She simply smiled at me, knowingly. This all happened in August, since which time little has been said about the purse. It appeared only in my dreams.

For our anniversary this week, my husband surprised me with this glorious purse as a gift and I was so overjoyed. I tried so hard not to be outright with my yearning for the bag, or to be a brat, and I think I did that well enough. But it did not matter how much I tried to deny it, a certain Fairy God Mother, who has a way of making things turn out just right for Greg and I, made sure that this bag became not just any purse left on a shelf, but my purse forever.

Thank you, Greg, for a fabulous anniversary gift and anniversary celebration.

And thank the Lord for Fairy God Mothers!! ;0)

It's Our Anniversary!!

It was six years and two months ago today that I went out on a first date with the man I would marry. Little did I know that as I sat across the table from him at dinner that the laughter that filled the air that evening and the music we enjoyed together that night would become the sound track of our future together.

On October 25, 2003, on the best, most exciting and enjoyable day of my life,

me and the man I love said "I do."

We had no idea just what those two words and the vows that were taken really meant. On this, our third anniversary, I think we know more than we did then about all we promised on our wedding day. We love each other more deeply. We cry a little easier together at the sentimental things. We share our hearts and our minds with one another more easily. We know each other better and more fully.

If we know so much more and feel so much deeper today, I can't imagine the beautiful metamorphosis our love and friendship will take over the many years to come. I cherish our wonderful wedding memories, I am filled with joy over the last six years together and it thrills me to think about the memories yet to be made.

Greg, I love you with all of my heart.

Happy Anniversary, honey.

The Joys of Home-Ownership

Just when you start to think you have a plan, something happens to make you think that plan might not be for the best. Two nights ago, after having been out of town over the weekend and having heavy rains while we were away, my husband calls me into his office in our home to show me something "really bad...," as he put it. He walked to the far corner of the room and started bouncing lightly up and down and I realized he was catching a bit of air because the floor beneath his feet was bouncing with him. Somehow, water had gotten underneath our wood flooring and the flooring has now collapsed up away from the foundation. We know it's a water issue because the rug over that area of the room was wet and moldy, meaning this isn't the first time this has happened. So, we may have a serious, expensive problem with our home.

Just as a reminder: We just had our old, rotted, big holed fence replaced; we're in the process of having our gutters replaced (I say "in the process" because a handy man had to come out and do some unexpected work to some wood on our home prior to the gutters being replaced); and now we have this issue in my husband's office. The joys of home-ownership!!

We had a plan, many plans, in fact, and this additional cost was not one of them. Now I'm afraid that our plans will have to be put on hold a little longer while we get this current house mess straightened out. After the fence and the gutters, we planned to have our ACs (yes, we have two AC units!!) replaced after the first of the year, then our windows replaced and possibly the flooring upstairs replaced. Why do we have to have this other issue?

Wow, I feel so grown-up griping about home repairs. Who would've ever thought I would be doing that at this point in my life? I guess my biggest questions about our home are: Will these repairs ever end? Will we ever come to a point where all we are doing on our home are self-inflicted improvements and changes? Will we ever just sit back and enjoy? I sure hope so. I feel very blessed to have the means to live in our beautiful home and to have a loving husband to share it with, but sometimes, only at very rare times like these, I think renting an apartment doesn't sound so bad.

10 Reasons I had a Great Week

1. I visited Chicago and Naperville, a Chicago suburb, for the first time

and loved both places.

2. I was in a place where the leaves change from green to a rainbow of fall colors, and it's possible for it to snow in October.

3. I successfully, and nervously, planned and executed a bachelorette party for roughly 25 ladies in a city I've never been to.

4. I danced all night long with some of my very best friends

to the spinnings of a fantastic dj.

5. I was treated like a woman of leisure-brunches eaten, hands, feet, hair and make-up done professionally and I stayed in two different fabulous hotels.

6. I experienced one of the best moments of my life; watching my very best friend marry the man of her dreams in a beautiful ceremony.

7. I enjoyed a great wedding reception, complete with a toast from the matron of honor (that's me!) that I am proud to say was pretty darn good, a dance performance that rocked the dance floor and had us all busting up with laughter, and hours of fun, great friends and the good times of people knowing the bride and groom are a match made in Heaven.

8. Seeing friends who may live far,

but are never far from our thoughts and our hearts.

9. "OH ARE YOU?!" (Jenn), "King Charles Spaniels are really named for King Charles, ya know.," (Laran) and other funny moments that we'll re-live and laugh together about over and over again.

10. The love of a good man who traveled many miles in a form of transportation that is not his favorite, to a city he's never been to just to spend time mostly alone while his wife was gallavanting around without him getting her hair and nails done. That same good man saying it was a wonderful weekend

and that he was so glad he went.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this a weekend to remember forever, and who made it extra special for my good man, my very best friend and myself.

Bad News, Good News

So much to report...bad and good.

I'll start with the bad to end on a good note.

On Friday, September 29 at around 4:30 p.m. I was exiting the Kroger grocery store near my home when three men approached me in the store parking lot. One man came up behind me as I was placing my grocery items into my car, the other two men remained in the car, which they had parked behind my car. I did not realize this man had walked up to me until he was merely an arm's length away and I felt his presence and whirled around, staring him right in the eyes. I was confused as to why he was standing there and I think my sudden turn to face him may have deterred him from whatever action he was about to take with me. I soon broke the eye contact and quickly got into my car, locking the doors. The man ran back to the car where his friends waited and they sped out of the parking lot. I called 9-1-1, but did not request an officer meet me as all I wanted was to get home and I knew there was nothing the officer could do aside from taking down what the car and the men looked like. This whole experience was frightening, and it taught me a very valuable lesson...you never know when something might happen to you, or someone you know, so be alert and be careful where you choose to be out alone. I will not be visiting this same store any time in the future and I hope those who read that can take the same lesson away with them. Be careful, be aware and be safe.

In other news...

Our beautiful, board-on-board, tall, cedar fence was completed last Tuesday. Hubby and I sat outside yesterday and enjoyed the Fall weather and the new fence. It's amazing how something that seems so inconsequential can feel so rewarding and fulfilling. I love our new fence.

After today, I will not be in blog world for a while as I am headed out of town. "Chicago, Chicago..." (That's me singing!) I am headed to the Windy City for my first visit ever, and what a wonderful occasion for this trip-my best friend's wedding!! That's right, my very best friend, Mandy, is marrying the man she has been in love with for 11 years and I am the matron of honor, and what an honor it is. I will spend time in the home where Mandy spent much of her years before college (where we met) on Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have a bachelorette celebration on Thursday, girlie festivities and rehearsal dinner on Friday and the much-anticipated wedding on Saturday. I am so, super excited!!! I can't wait to blog about my Chicago Adventure next week.

Something that I also want to blog about now is friendship and my latest revelation about friendship. I don't rely on others very often as I think I have a tendency to want things done a certain way and I also have trust issues. I love my friends and they are all really special people and they have done nothing to lead me not to trust them, but it's an internal issue that I haven't faced until recently. I'm not one to ask for favors or for help, even when I really need it. And I'm not just talking about big favors, but little things, as well. In the last month, or so, that has changed. I have asked several different friends to help me, in big and small ways, with various things. At times I felt a bit of anxiety even asking for the help or the favor, but each time I followed through and my friends showed me there was no reason to feel anxious about depending on others. I have seen a whole new side of friendship in the last month and I have to say, it looks and feels so good. I have a ways to go before I can completely trust and not feel anxious about asking for help, but I am so happy to know that I can count on my friends and to know they want me to depend on them. That is what friendship is all about, right?

See you next week!!

(At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down.

I, as a female, actually found this somewhat helpful!)

The Guys' Rules
Please note.. These are all numbered "1" ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports, it's like the full moon or the changing of the tides, just let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport, and no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one:

Subtle hints do not work!

Strong hints do not work!

Obvious hints do not work!

Just say it!

1. "Yes" and "No" are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria's Secret girls, don't expect us to

act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done-not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like the Windows default settings.

Peach, for example, is a fruit, not a color. Pumpkin is also a fruit.

We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," we will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to,

expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine...Really.

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as sports, the shotgun formation or a bowel movement.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape...Round IS a shape!

(I share this with all of my female friends, in honor of my husband.)

"Chef"

I've been in several restaurants kitchens and it is there that I was exposed to a certain culture and a certain way of being. I was reminded of this on a phone call I had yesterday. I called a restaurant in Chicago so that I could set-up the menu for a party I am planning there for a friend of mine. I had chosen the menu items and wanted to run them by the chef, have him give his blessing on what I had chosen and then have him send me a cost estimate. So, I called the Chicago restaurant and the host answered quickly putting me through to the kitchen where the chef promptly picked up. When he answered, he said, "Hello, this is Chef." Strangely, I was not surprised to hear this man greet me as though his name is "Chef", instead of Tom, Dick or Harry, as this is the typical way in which chefs and professional cooks refer to themselves and each other. I'm assuming it is easier to get one's attention in a loud, raucous kitchen by yelling, "Chef..." this or "Chef..." that, and, more importantly, this is also a title of respect in the culinary world. Even those who have not been formally trained in the culinary arts are shown they are respected by their peers, and at times their managing chefs, by being called "Chef."

As my phone conversation with Chef went on, I was surprised to learn that I had, indeed, chosen from the menu very well-a varied mix of foods, enough for a large group and some of the house specialties-all without much experience with this sort of thing. After hearing Chef's compliments on my menu choices, I began to feel quite proud...and as we started to end the quite enjoyable call, I said, "Please tell me your first name..." In response, I could almost hear Chef's grin of embarrassment, realizing how he'd first answered the phone. He said, "I'm sorry, that's a force of habit in this industry. My name is Sonny, Chef Sonny." And the story continues...

As I came into work this morning and saw the follow-up e-mail to this phone conversation, I quickly looked for the signature on the e-mail...uh-huh, just as I suspected. The e-mail was signed "Chef Sonny."

In a world full of professions and careers, we typically only assign a title of this much utilization to certain careers, such as a doctor or someone in the military. So, I find it interesting that in the culture of professional cooks, they have chosen to be known by their career, showing much pride in their profession and one another. I think this shows a certain level of appreciation for their own skills and talent, and since self-confidence is something that is lacking in our society, I find it refreshing to know there is a profession based on skill, creativity and experience comprised of people that feel so strongly about their own worth, that they will call themselves simply by their choice of profession.

I say congratulations to Chef Sonny and all of the Chefs out there for being proud of who they are and what they do. It is something the rest of us should learn from.

Favorite excerpts from the book "The Creative Marriage"

Chapter 3: Creative Conflict
"When I am critical of [my spouse] or [my spouse] is critical of me, we are, in fact, criticizing ourselves, because we are now one. Marriage is not a relationship of dissonance, but of harmony."

Chapter 4: Creative Intimacy
"When couples are unaware of God's take on the subject [of sex], unaware of what the Bible says, it becomes a sex buster."

"Sex is a gift from God..."

Chapter 5: Creative Finances
"Pay God His 10%; Pay yourself the next 10% in savings; Enjoy the remaining 80%."

Chapter 6: Creative Priorities
Keeping Your Family Spouse-Centric Instead of Kid-Centric
"I know this book is about marriage, but in order to help [the reader] understand why a spouse-centric home is best for everyone (including the children) I want to share with you my working definition of parenting. Parenting is the process of teaching and training your children to leave."

"Children are supposed to leave and parents are supposed to stay. Thus, the marriage should be at the top of the family food chain."

"Have you thought about the fact that you will have approximately 18 years with your children, but you will have the rest of your life with your spouse? You are not benefiting anyone by focusing on the kids to the detriment of your marriage relationship"

To be honest, I feel like I've gotten the most out of this last chapter, which I haven't even finished. It talks about all of the ways you and your spouse should put one another as top priority and how the kids will respect that and appreciate it and it will help them be more well-rounded and less selfish.

More chapters to come. My husband and I are learning so much. Hope some of you will, too.

Paper Pack Rats

Hubby and I went to work yesterday on getting our home cleaned up and organized. He did such a great job, and we both feel such a huge sense of relief and accomplishment when we take care of our home and our stuff. It's strange how simply mopping the floors, re-arranging some furniture and cleaning out some files can make you feel brand new again. Luckily, Hubby and I both feel this way. We usually don't go this long between Mini Spring Cleanings, but we've both been bogged down in work, more work, social event stuff and procrastination.

In case you didn't know, Hubby and I are both chronic "important" paperwork collectors-magazines, newspaper articles, photos, old journals, new financial information-basically, he and I are Paper Pack Rats. Luckily neither of us is a Pack Rat of any other kind and we both know when to say "throw it away;" it just takes some time and deep thought before that happens. We both get connected to items with words, photos and favorite phrases, and I love that he's this way because it helps him understand me better. As of now, we're also both lucky to have our own rooms to contain our Paper Pack Rat-itis within.

Now, don't get me wrong, we don't collect the same types of paperwork. I LOVE "Real Simple" magazine and I allow the issues to pile up and then I clip various articles from them and organize them into one of two notebooks-one for recipes, the other for basic tips for living. I also do a little basic scrapbooking here and there, and I love keeping my own photos organized. So, I'm constantly buying prints from various events in my life and keeping those photos organized chronologically in photo albums. Over the summer, while I was out of school, I decided some of my older albums needed refurbishing, so I bought new albums and moved the photos from the old to the new, doing some re-organization along the way. It was a wonderful project as the best part of having a photo fetish is reminiscing over all the old memories. Working on a friend's scrapbook is fulfilling, as well, because you know that it's something they might not ever do for themselves, but it will be something they will look at over and over again, remembering a special time in their lives.

Hubby, on the other hand, has stacks and stacks of old food magazines, and when I say old, I mean like from the '90s. For a while, I thought these periodicals were merely a traveling buddy that he took with him from place to place, kind of like a fancy, paper security blanket, but then I realized that he had a system. He was marking the recipes and ideas he liked within the magazines and then would go back, pull those pages out and organize them. (Does this sound familiar???!!! I have found my match!!!) Hubby is also great with organizing our bills, financial paperwork and general household papers of importance. He also has a great arsenal of office supplies-nice, new tablets, Post-its galore in every color, envelopes big and small, pens and pencils-it's a haven for those who drool over such nice, new, neat office supply things, like I do.

We just enjoy being neat and tidy, organized and, most of all, in control of our memories and paper madness when we feel like most everything else is out of control. We joke all of the time that we will be like that character in "A Beautiful Mind" with all of our clippings taking over our home. I guess that thought, though funny at first, is also a little scary, so we take days like yesterday to go through our paperwork and make sure our quirk doesn't become our burden.

So, here's to finding your perfect match, throwing out the burdens, doing a little re-arranging and feeling brand new again....together.

I have so much to share from the book "The Creative Marriage" as I am about 70 pages into it, at about chapter five, I believe. It is such a great guide. I forgot to bring the book to work to quote directly from it, but I'll be sure to blog about it very soon.

September Bear

On another note, this has been a long and "bearish" week (See miaspeaks.blogspot.com) for me. Every day when I have gotten home from work, I have felt beat down, anxious and fatigued. Consequently, exercise didn't enter into the equation, I ate anything and everything I desired, both of which, in turn, caused me to sleep poorly. Why do we do this to ourselves? We know what makes us feel bad on the inside and the outside, but we do it anyway, making what is already a rough time much worse. Hmmm...human behavior, very interesting.Well, since I've now had my little "confession" here, I have to commit to turning this behavior around now. I just realized last night that September is quickly slipping away and I have two very important weddings and related celebrations in two and a half weeks! I had planned to be feeling my very best, looking my very best for these events, so it is time to get on that!!!

A Fence

In other news, my husband and I have decided to make a very large purchase...not a car, or a house, not a TV or another electronic device, but a new six foot, board on board, cedar fence with decorative caps and two decorative doors. Funny how you can get so excited about something as an adult and a homeowner that you wouldn't even spend two moments thinking about as a young person. This fence is a symbol of so much more to me than wood and hinges and a protected yard. This fence is a symbol of a beautiful place for me and my family to sit outdoors, sipping lemonade, or a place for me to sit alone, enjoying the light breeze while reading a good book. It symbolizes peace of mind for us and protection for our precotious dogs that have been exiting the yard lately to roam the neighborhood. It also symbolizes the beginning of what will be a place of squeals and giggles, excited playfulness of those little ones to come. Yes, it is a fence, but for me it is so much more.

Hobbies

My husband tells me that one's hobbies should hold some sort of significance, for example, playing a sport or doing an activity which gets the body going is a hobby; being creative through art, skill or action can be a hobby.

Watching TV is not a hobby. Playing video games is not a hobby. Collecting items purely for your own enjoyment is not a hobby.

Now this is purely his opinion, so don't take offense. I've learned this simply through listening to his assessments of my own so-called hobbies:

scrapbooking (hobby), shopping (not a hobby),

dance classes (hobby), wine-tasting (not a hobby),

reading novels (hobby), collecting Limited Edition Barbie dolls (not a hobby),

yoga (hobby), traveling (not a hobby).

Well, the dictionary says something contrary to my husband's definition of a "hobby."

hob*by (noun)
1. an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.

2. to concern oneself excessively with a favorite notion or activity.

To me, this means a hobby is whatever you would like it to be, whatever interests you.

So, I am going to get on eBay and look for my latest hobby...an old time, super fun Nintendo. Not to worry, this new hobby won't hinder me from my other "hobbies": scrapbooking, shopping, dance classes, wine-tasting, reading novels, collecting Limited Edition Barbie dolls (a family tradition, by the way), yoga and traveling. I'll just add it to the pile of all my other hobbies and "not-so-hobby" hobbies.

I am super excited about the fall line-up of TV shows this year.
In a perfect world, I could get everything done for work, school and play and still be able to watch the following shows each week, starting this fall:

Oprah
Cold Case
Without a Trace
The Bachelor Rome
Studio 60 (NEW!)
Law & Order: SVU
Boston Legal
King of Queens
Grey's Anatomy
Six Degrees (NEW!)
Law & Order
20/20

I know I shouldn't be so "into" TV, but I get excited by the legal/police dramas, and the shows that make me laugh (King of Queens) and cry (Grey's Anatomy). I also enjoy certain shows that my husband and I can watch together (American Idol/Rock Star), and the shows that friends and I can chat about, sharing the fact of how much we enjoy them in common (most of the above). I guess TIVO will have to work overtime this season as "having the time" becomes "making the time" in the busiest time of our lives.

Happy TV Watching!!!

Rock and Roll Dramatics

I know I'm a week behind because I TIVO Rock Star Supernova and don't ever watch it live, but I have to comment on the fact that Storm Large was kicked off the show. She is so awesome and so much better than Dilana, who is now one of my least favorites. Storm has so much more talent than Lukas OR Magni. I really wanted to see Storm and Toby go head to head as they are my F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E-S!! I am so disappointed. If Toby doesn't win this, I am not watching the show next season. (OK, that's a bit dramatic, but it's a rock and roll show, if that's not drama, I don't know what is. I'm just living in the genre.)

As a side note, how about Tommy Lee continuing to tour with Motley Crew and Aerosmith while he's taping this show?! I would give my left arm to see that concert!!! (Again with the rock and roll drama, can't help myself!)

Familial Drama

"When drama is familial, many people believe they can avoid abandonment by continuing to play a key role in the established family dynamic."

Shhh...don't tell anyone, but I think it's beginning to look a lot like FALL!!

The temperature dropped from 105 to 86 (huge change for Dallas, Texas!!!) and the wind is blowing and I am back out in the 'hood for my daily walks. I can't wait to pack away my swimsuits, shorts and tank tops and replace them with my wool pants and sweaters. I am sad about putting away my big white purse, but I can't wait to carry my big black bag or my medium-sized brown and taupe bag. I am a brown-wearing fanatic, so fall suits me just fine!!

But, Shhh...don't tell anyone, it just may not last.

The Creative Marriage

(One in a many series)

I am reading a book written by my pastor, Ed Young, Jr., and his wife, Lisa, called "The Creative Marriage." The creative marriage talks about "the art of keeping your love alive" and is a really good, solid guide to remembering your vows and how important it is to communicate, among other things, to enjoy a happy, fulfilling relationship with your spouse. I want to share a little bit of what I learned Wednesday night after reading the first chapter-something I REALLY needed to get on board with:

"Many of us are obsessed with what our spouse is doing, or is not doing, or should be doing, that we forget to think about what we need to change in our own lives. Allow God to work in your heart and mind to help you discover how to make your marriage more vibrant, more alive, and more creative than ever before."

I share this, and will share other thoughts as I go along with this reading, learning journey, because it's a small way to help me commit to these teachings and behaviors. Writing it out and reacting to it holds me accountable and maybe, in some cases, it will help those who visit the blog.

Though this book speaks specifically about marriage, these ideas can be applied to other relationships, as well. Think about a friendship that isn't as fulfilling as you would like it to be. Is it unfulfilling because of the other person, or can you look at yourself and see something that may need to change to make you a better friend? An interesting way to look at things, I think. We are all so quick to judge and blame other when the going gets tough, and we can just as easily point that finger back at ourselves.

Maybe it's the cooler breeze that welcomed me into the office this morning, or the sun that is just now peaking its head up and brightening the day, maybe it's just the fact that I was up before the sun when things were still quiet and dark, but I feel different today.

Lately, I have been having an early life crisis. Crisis is a harsh word for it as I don't feel quite that out of sorts, but I do feel as though I just don't know anything. I don't know why or how or what; I am downright confused about life. I know what people tell me, what I hear and what I read and see, but I don't know exactly why I am feeling this way, how it happened or what is to come. There's no consistency in my thoughts, really the only thing I know for sure is that I'm unsure. It has been months and months of a Pity Party and I'm the only one invited.

Today, I feel a sense of clarity. I've felt lost in a sea of: who am I? why am I? what am I? how am I? Today, I feel more focused and better than I have in a while. No more grumpiness, sour attitude or fatigue. Today, I feel a direction and a path and I want to follow it. The Pity Party for One is over-the lights are up, the floor is sticky, the head is swirling and the cab's waiting outside to take me home safely. Home, where the questions stop and the answers begin. Home, where you may not have understanding, but you are understood. Home within myself, home with those I love and who love me. The Pity Party for One is over, time to send the "thank you's," put away the memories and move on to the next soiree-a Hurray for Me Soiree.

I was feeling under the weather and really busy all last week and didn't blog...not once. After receiving a little nudge from my mother, I am back.

A few highlights from last week:
-A Claritin high that was not so good for sleep Sunday-Monday.
-A much-needed, sleep-filled day off from work Tuesday, followed by school that evening.
-Beginning and finishing "The Da Vinci Code." I now see what the hype is all about and it has raised a few really good questions, but, it's all fiction to me.
-A FABULOUS, DECADENT party at a local boutique where my husband was caterer. Yummy treats, refreshing drinks, clothing and accessories to die for.
-My husband turned 34. He said it was the best birthday he'd had in a long time...Rollingstones, Bob Marley, cold Budweiser, a Bonnie Blue Burger, best friends and a new electric drumset-What else could a guy want?
-Pool time and dinner with friends on Friday.
-Shopping and lunch with my friend, Nicole, Saturday.
-The rest of the weekend spent with family-sister, nieces, nephew, soon-to-be brother-in-law and his kids, brother and sister-in-law.
-Welcoming Hubby home last night from his time away working at the Ranch.

That, in a nutshell, was my week beginning last Monday until yesterday.

I am now in mourning as is always the case when I finish a really good book. As previously mentioned, I became enthralled with "The Da Vinci Code," couldn't put it down for days and when it got down to the last few pages, I put it down repeatedly so that I would not finish it too quickly. Now, I mourn for that attachment, which is now lost, and I must move on to the next attachment..."Angels and Demons" by the same author maybe? We shall see.

Tales from My First Week of a Hectic Schedule

-I started school last week, but had my first full week of classes this week (two, three-hour classes). It's my first time to take six hours at one time, and though I think it will be enjoyable and it will get me across that stage to accept that diploma at my scheduled time, it's going to take a little time to get things down to a fine science.

-I managed to get everything accomplished that I wanted to: dinner cooked one night, party plans finalized, books bought for school, this week's school readings completed, workouts at the gym on three days, my personal reading progressed, gifts purchased, party plans on track, RSVP's sent, etc., etc., but each night as I lay my head down on the pillow, I had that feeling of "Did I miss something?". Kind of like that mother who is so harried that she has to count her kids when she arrives at the grocery store.

-I've been relying too much on caffeine and sugar this week and I need to work on that as it hinders my sleep and isn't good for me.

-Now, it's off to two meetings, dinner with friends and a fun weekend!!

Hoping next week is less hectic, more enjoyable and as productive. Enjoy yours!!

This may shock some of you, but I think I am finally ready to admit it...I've been cooking.

I know, I know...it's not THAT big of a deal, but for me, it's huge. I've been given cookbook after cookbook, recipe after recipe and I grocery shop like a crazy woman because I enjoy it, but cooking has just never "stuck." In fact, I have even been known to say the words, "I hate to cook" from time to time.

The history of this for me? I come from a long line of wonderful cooks, women who do not allow giggly little girls or cranky teens in the kitchen, except to allow them to grab plates and silverware to set the table. The kitchen is a haven for the women in my family, their own special place and no one is allowed to trespass-just sit down at the table and enjoy and be willing to clean the dishes afterward. Another piece of my non-cooking history is that my "quirky, hippie chick" Mother has always told me she didn't want me to learn how to type, cook or clean and that cooking thing was my last solid hold-out on that wish. Her thinking behind that wish was that I would be an independent, well-educated, free-minded woman who wouldn't need to be chained to a desk, kitchen or broom to get by. Well, I make my profession as a writer/editor, therefore my fingers leave the keys only sporadically throughout the day, five days per week. Additionally, I am genuinely excited by the chore of cleaning and organizing things in my life. So, needless to say, up until now Mom had missed out on two of three. She was proud that the third had not "stuck." One last thing that has hindered my desire to cook: I am married to a chef. Though his good looks, wit, humor and kind heart are all part of the attraction to my husband, his skill and passion for food and cooking definitely are a big draw. Why would I EVER need to know how to cook? I know I'll never go hungry with my chef husband around and my family's home cooking to depend on, but at some point you have to rely on yourself for your food and eating out gets really old, really fast. Plus, my husband, the chef, doesn't want to do all of the cooking. He, like most husbands, likes to come home after work to a house filled with an unexpected aroma filling the air and a table set for dinner. And that, ultimately, is what led me to the kitchen, not once, not twice, not even three times, but FOUR TIMES in the last week!!!

Yesterday when I got home, I was running late, felt a little harried from my day at work, had friends coming over in an hour and I wanted to make a quick dinner for my husband and I. Instead of flaking out, like I so wanted to, I went to it and, before I knew it, cooking dinner caused an unexpected calming affect. I truly enjoyed it and allowed it to settle me down instead of making me anxious like had been the case so many times before. The key for me, at least in the beginning stages, is to cook when I'm home alone. As anyone could probably agree with, cooking in the kitchen with a chef in the living room is as nerve-wracking as it gets...even if he's the man who is supposed to love you no matter what.

In conclusion, I feel like this cooking thing has finally "stuck." I'm no Barefoot Contessa, but I enjoy making my simple, tasty meals at home for me and my husband. If the day comes when I stop enjoying it, I'll move on to knitting or gardening or something, but for now, I'm cooking.