Are my Buds Predujice?

If you ever come to my home and look in the refrigerator, there's a few things that will ALWAYS be there: way too many condiments, cheeses of all kinds, and tea.  I've been drinking sweet tea instead of water for as long as I can remember......a dentist's nightmare I imagine. 

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When I was growing up, my dad always carried this big black plastic Texaco thermos around with him everywhere. Two acres of land with wide open surroundings can seem like a very big place to a little girl, but I always knew where to find my dad's drink.

I don't know if it was the mug, or because it was my father's and not mine, but ice tea always tasted the best coming from that thing. It was always the perfect temperature, with just the right flavor, and poured out at just the right gulping speed. It didn't matter if I had my own glass; if his was around it was my hydration of choice. 

I got my first taste of beer from that mug. I had a feeling it drove him crazy that he couldn't ever have a drink to himself without some "skillet licker" (one of his many affectionate nicknames he had for my brother and me) slobbering all over his favorite cup, but I didn't care. On one hot summer day, I hastily wrapped my grubby tomboy hands around the robust body of the magic mug while my dad wasn't looking, took a big gulp and BAM!!

 What the deuce was that? That didn't taste anything like what I was expecting.........my dad's beloved tea. It was bubbly and smelly and tasted like bug spray. I spit it out as fast as I could, but couldn't shake the lingering bitterness.  "Gross!! What was that?!?!?" I whined. 

"Beer."
My dad. The man of few words, unless it's something he really cares about. Then he has plenty of words, as long as you give him hours to days for contemplating his response between exchanges. 

"Why didn't you tell me?!?"

"Shouldn't have been drinking it anyway."

Touche, dad. Touche. 

I guess you're wondering where I'm going with this?

Why does coffee always taste better when coming from a Starbucks cup? If I close my eyes and try not to think about the origin, I'm pretty certain mine tastes very similar......I actually make it with the same syrups Starbucks does and use the same techniques........but that darn cup changes the whole impression on my taste buds.
The same phenomenon happens when my mom makes gravy. 

I'm just baffled here. 

Are your taste buds prejudice or bias?

Favorites

The blogger world has been swamped with people writing "favorite things posts" from twenty twelve, so I thought for a moment about following suit, because like my sticker to the right proclaims, "Sometimes it's okay to be a follower."

But when I got to contemplating my own list, it turns out I don't have a particular favorite. The things I write about are the highlights of my life. Whether it be a lazy day at the house, a well executed craft, a much deserved vacation, getting blown away by an awesome concert, or even an unplanned mishap, they all play a role in who I was, who I am, and who I'll become. 

Besides, with things like this happening in my house on a daily basis (yes, those are panties on my husband's head and a greasy haired dog-do)...........

.....and needlessly suspensive moments like this one, when I realized my car was running on fumes with not a gas station in site (I debated even showing this picture out of pure embarrassment that my dash is covered in dust, but hey, such is real life).......how can they not all be my favorite?

P.S. If I absolutely had to choose a favorite part, I'd say it was sharing all those moments with my best friend, my love, my husband. 

Did you make a New Year's Resolution?

New Year Lessons

Starting at the ripe old age of 18 I starting work in the Trauma unit, and quickly became conditioned to seeing a slew of horrible things happen to people of all ages. I kept at it for a few years, since then moving on to somewhat happier places, but I didn't move on without a few lessons ingraining in my memory, a couple being: 1. Youth is not invincible. 2. It's best to just stay off the roads during the holidays. 

Also, please be safe and don't attempt this at home. No injuries occurred in the making of this post, but it's poor practice to pose for pictures while using sharp motorized objects. 

I learned a couple of things at the White House NYE slumber party:
1. I am terrible at trivia if it doesn't involve multiple choice.
2. I never want to play the game Trivial Pursuit of the 90's ever again because it made me feel like I have an IQ of 20 or less. 

 Pocahontas and her wind-pant wearing husband blew me away with their legit knowledge on what I have always considered to be useless information, but at this moment, I was severely jealous that I too wasn't full of expendable facts of decades past. 

What I am full of, is love for this guy. 

And I guess there's room for Bobby and Sumo to squeeze in too. 

We've been saying for months we wanted to sing Karaoke, so we finally got around to a ghetto home version. 

And boy did we get in to it!

While we channeled our inner rocker, the boys mostly watched......

Prolly admiring how amazingly talented we are.......

All that dancing really worked up an appetite, so we made nachos and cookies to revamp the enthusiasm.

And before we knew it, it was well past everyone's bed time. 4 am to be exact. 

3. The older I get the longer it takes to recover from an all-nighter. (You'd think I'd know this by now, but apparently it's taking me a while to let this particular lesson soak in, since it hasn't stopped me yet.)

Do you enjoy Trivial Pursuit or any other trivia games? Karaoke: yay or nay?

Breaking Tradition

One day in early 2006, a brand new couple was cruising down the highway when then the following conversation happened:

Guy: I'm hungry, want to go eat somewhere?

Girl: Sure! Where do you want to go?

Guy: You pick.

Girl: I really don't care; you pick.

Guy: No, no, no. It's okay, you can pick wherever you want to go.

Girl: Seriously, it's your turn, I always pick. You pick. 

Guy: Okay, how about Olive Garden?

Girl: If you want Italian, let's go to Carraba's we just passed one.

Guy: I KNEW IT! I knew you really weren't going to let me pick! I don't even know why I tried!

Girl: It's still Italian. Why go to Olive Garden when there's better right down the road?

Guy: Erroneous. 

And I feel the same about Dominos.
We all know I call a lot of shots; it's in my blood. 

So it's become tradition that we never go. Like literally have not been to either in the history of our relationship. And when he's ranting, the subject inevitably seeps out of the water works. 

But for the birthday boy, I sacrificed my opinions for his happiness and surprised him at work with Dominos pizza for lunch. What better day to break a tradition than on a traditional day of celebration?

His face lit up so big, the people he worked with might not have even recognized him. 

And later the next evening I blindfolded him, drove him around in circles to disorient his sense of direction, and took him to the restaurant he's been raving about for the last 7 years. I thanked my lucky stars when we got out of the car and the aroma of Hooters next door and sound of live music down the road threw his senses off even further.

Patrick is a terrible sport when blindfolded. I literally I had to drag him through the parking lot, then contain his unnecessarily wild extremities from knocking anything over once in the restaurant. 

He didn't make it easy on any of us to keep such a big secret, but I think we all pulled it off pretty well.
That morning I almost ruined everything as we were lying in bed and I blurted, "We need to get a birthday card for your sister." Which I quickly followed up with a damage control statement, "To mail her. It will be late, but it's the thought that counts."
"What are you talking about? You know we don't do that. We just call each other."
"I know, but I just thought we'd be extra nice this year." Dang it, woman, pull yourself together!

That evening as I frantically ran around trying to get ready, Patrick yelled up the stairs, "Hey Hunny! Olive Garden called, wondering why you haven't shown up for your reservations yet!"

"They did?" Crap! You know better than to fall for that lie! Your phone is in the upstairs bathroom.  "No they didn't! We don't have reservations at Olive Garden! I told you earlier, just because you keep saying it over and over again isn't going to make it come true!"

I don't know if he really was surprised by the restaurant (even though he promises he was completely kidding when he was pretending to know), but I do know he was super surprised to see his family, which made his night. 

But why stop there?

We were all surprised to read the icing script on the cookie cake. "Happy Day OFF BRITH" What in the world? I think the bakery ladies need to slow it down with those special brownies.......

And we were super surprised when Dusty did something silly all by himself! 

But not very when he feel asleep on the couch in the middle of all the commotion. Oh that chronically sleepy brother of mine......

After some quality family time, our Waco clan went home, but not before our infamous self-timer family shot. 

We finished off a great night of celebration by bundling up to take the doggies on a stroll (I get fancy with my eclectic fashion for dog walks).....

.....and a cup of HoCho smothered in mini-marshmallows while watching.......

....wait for it.....

....wait for it.....

Ted. 

Again. 

Do you have a particular movie you like to watch over and over and over again?

Free Man

My plan was for Patrick's birthday to be full of surprises, which required me to be very vague in conversation, keep a spotless text message inbox, and tell a few white lies over the last week. I had him convinced we were going to look at sunglasses when he got home from work, but instead had a set of going out clothes laying on the bed and scared the crap out of him when he walked through the door by having 4 people scream "Surprise!!!!"

What I didn't plan was for the 4 of us to be twinkies for the night!! I laughed so hard when my accidental mirror image arrived: crimped hair, index finger ring, little black dress, scarf, black boots. I laughed even harder when I realized I owned the exact dress Jess was wearing and showed her the proof in my closet........And then again when we realized how much the boys looked alike (they both even wore grey sweaters over their white shirts).

It's like we know each other really well or something........

We loaded into the car and headed to the next surprise, the almost forgotten streets of Deep Ellum, where exists a very cool place called The Free Man Cafe and Lounge. 

We arrived just before the crowd, picking out the perfect booth for people watching, fantastic Cajun food, and free live Jazz. I know nothing about trumpets.......but the lead horn guy had a hilarious technique of pushing all the valves down rapidly with his whole hand throughout every song. 

We, on the other hand, had our own techniques of playing mouth trumpets when it was solo time, which is always tons of fun. 

I'm pretty good about checking-in to Foursquare when we go new places to see people's tips on what to order.

The experienced don't lie. The wait staff was great and seriously.......best sweet potato fries. Ever. 

And what could I possibly add to the equation that Patrick might think was better than some of his favorite people, live music, and his wife in a little black dress????......You guessed it: sandwiches.
 The Voodoo Chicken Sandwich had so many delicious layers of flavor our taste buds didn't know what to do with it. Jess kept trying to pick hers apart in attempt to figure out what it was made of, but I think this is one entree better left to the experts. 

It was like pulling teeth to get these people to pose for a group shot outdoors. You'd think they were allergic to cold weather. 

Once back home instead of going to bed, we bundled up in our icebox of a living room to watch Ted and drink some warm apple cider, since Patrick was acting like a 5 year old on his first play date. 

"No, I'm not tired! I don't wanna go to sleep. Let's hang out longer!!"

As you can image, same as you might expect with a 5 year old, it wasn't too long after that he was fast asleep on the couch, and we were so thankful he finally gave in!

I guess having too much fun keeps you young at heart. 

Which do you prefer: hot chocolate or warm apple cider?

Placenta Poll

When it comes to primal instinct and hormones, there's only so much we can mentally override.

Like, for instance, there's something about babies that gets me all maternal........even when it comes to the non-human kind.......

If it was up to me I'd have brought home every puppy and miniature piglet I saw at Trade Days a couple of weekends ago and stolen this puppy from a friend that we recently visited..........as if I don't have enough responsibilities.

I mean seriously......how cute are our doggies in the little outfits their great grandmother sent for them? The holiday one's are great, but I think the leopard is my favorite.

 I can't decide if they look more like they walked off the set of Bedrock or the stage of a strip club.

 Something about my instinct also tells me this man running himself ragged with the fur babies, just to make them happy, is super sexy. 

I'm taking a poll. 

Just out of morbid curiosity.....does the following scenario trigger some sort of deep primal instinct in your body to get all hot and heavy or is this just plain disgusting?

Scene set: You're all sweaty and ragged after delivering your newborn infant just a few short moments ago. Your new love is cuddling on your chest and your old love is leaning over your shoulder, all smiles. 

You: So, what did you do with the placenta?

Nurse: I disposed of it.

You: Oh darn! I was going to save it and make soup with it!

Nurse: ??

You: No, I'm just kidding. Besides.....my husband probably wouldn't want to eat it after everything he just saw.

Husband: (Says this with silk in his voice like he'd been saying it for years as his #1 pick-up line.) Baby, I'd eat your placenta any day, any way. 

I couldn't make this stuff up.

P.S. Thanks a million, Nana and Patrick, for my amazing Oakley Radarlock's, a.k.a one of the most difficult purchase decisions I've ever made. (Nana could totally be a Oakley's model with the way she's rockin' that pair!)

I tested them out this weekend and they were the definition of perfect; totally worth all the driving around town drama, multiple store visits, and minor meltdowns.

P.P.S. Happy New Year, and be safe out there!

So......would you like to know your man thinks you're sexy inside and out (literally)?

Birthday Boy

For the man that fills my heart with joy and makes me feel like the most special girl in the world. 

For the man that has one of the kindest souls and warmest smiles.

For the man that possesses more talent than he ever lets on. 

The one with the perfect crevice in his shoulder for my head to rest and ideally placed lips for me to reach on my tip toes. 

The one who when his arms wrap around me, make me feel like he was made by God with me in mind. 

You are superbly, exceptionally, extraordinary.

You are my prince, my knight in shining armor, who deserves nothing less than a happily ever after kind of fairy tale. 

And I hope you have a outstandingly blissful birthday. 

Love, 

Your Favorite. 

White Christmas

Homemade warm apple cider at Nana's, fresh out of the oven cookies at Memma's, wine with ham and pot roast at Patrick's parent's, philly cheese steak sandwiches and margaritas at my parent's.........'tis the season to grow a pot belly, needlessly fueling our bodies for a marathon of opening presents and laying on the couch watching all our favorite holiday movies......

.......and catnapping......

After 4 different Christmas celebrations over the weekend, we came home on Christmas Eve night just in time to sip on some HoCho, snuggle up, and fall asleep watching A Christmas Story. 

It thundered like a world war was going on outside all night and I slept like a baby, glad to be back in our own cozy bed. Patrick woke me up in the afternoon to a wonderfully cooked breakfast warming my belly as the temperatures started to drop outside, turning the constant down pour of rain into sleet, then eventually that white fluffy stuff some people call snow. It started off sparse, but kept growing more dense until it looked like a Texas blizzard outside (about 5 or 6 inches on our side of town).

Sumo excitedly ran around biting at the strange substance and we were so thrilled to have a white Christmas we kept the front door open to allow a constant view for admiration, with the space heater oscillating on high to keep the chill from nipping our toes. 

Besides a few family photos, some pretty fun stuff happened.......

......Like Patrick's dad singing the socks off a pretty intense Christmas song at church. We were all so proud of him.

Other memories to be noted:

1. Patrick got some "fartless" beer bread mix and a meat slicer (which he used to make me the best homemade potato chips on Christmas Day)

2. Nana was on a roll with her hilarious insults. "Some people are just so dense," she teased me when I couldn't figure out what one of her "newest 'in-thing'" presents was suppose to be used for. It actually makes my 4loco look classy, no?

3. Getting illegally altered money stapled into the shape of a t-shirt and tie with buttons sewn on.....from the lady that apparently enjoys breaking the rules in the sake of fun as much as me (Nana).

4. Creative wrappings.......Patrick got a much needed non-stick pan wrapped in the shape of a carrot; I unwrapped things Patrick stole from my closet because I'm a spoiled brat and got my presents (Oakely's Radar Lock's for running, Ray Ban's for casual wear, and my new running shoes) early, but he wanted me to have surpises to open with the family. 

5. I also unwrapped a movie Patrick wanted (Ted).........hmm.....

6. Dusty almost broke his foot on a bear trap in the living room, but his biggest complaint was spilling his beer and splashing it in his eye in the process. 

7. My dad thought he would be sneaky and started unwrapping his presents early while we were still preoccupied with passing everyone else's out. Little did he know the joke was on him; he got a bundle of switches and a reused card about being naughty.......after that he decided play nice and wait his turn.

8. Apparently the best gift you can give a kid these days is cash money, so I got creative and practiced my hand in bill origami for our oldest niece.

Haley loved it and as she admired the shapes, over her shoulder was an envious cry from her sister, "I want money for Christmas!!"

As soon as Emily opened the box as big as she (if not a little bigger), her shoulders slumped with skeptism when she saw it was merely filled with balloons. But the mood quickly changed when she figured out what was inside them!

She spent the rest of the night submerged in her box, doing everything from acting out "pop goes the weasel", to taking a nap and playing games on the iPhone.......

9. Teaching Patrick's parents how to Skype.

10. Taking awkward Olan Mills style pictures by the Christmas tree.

"Y'all just don't know how proud I was when I got that doll for Christmas as a little girl," Nana said in reference to Allison and I jokingly posing with the creepy plastic baby we found lurking behind our presents under the tree.

11. Sumo and his cousin Coco playing so hard together in the middle of all the caos.

12. Seeing my mom get so excited about Santa "Ho Ho" bringing her an industrial pecan picker-upper that she had to test it out before dinner.......

11. Getting to enjoy a quiet WHITE Christmas at home with my husband before heading to work!!

We are already the coolest house on our street, since we're the only one with Christmas lights, but Patrick upped the scale by personalizing the driveway with our alias. 

Hows that for 4 jam packed days in a nutshell?

What was your favorite part about Christmas this year?