Happy Sunday

Learned some new factoids about my Bunco buddies this weekend. One of them has no ex-boyfriends. Her only serious boyfriend was her husband. Interesting! Another has an ex who she recently learned has a child with her unusual name. LOL.

And we all found out that Amy's Mac needs to have a bunch of stuff deleted from it, so it works... a... little... faster! We set her up on Facebook, but it took forever, waiting and watching a little message that her available memory is critically low. No wonder she never checks her email. ;)

Speaking of Macs, Kimberly just bought one. Apple- taking over the world, one household at a time. We have PCs, but I'm pretty sure we own one of every iPod ever made.

We're waiting on one more bid for the bathroom. The fact that it's late is one strike against that guy already. Of the three we have, one is trash for various reasons. The other two differ in price by a LOT. Not sure what's up there, as both come highly recommended by friends. Yesterday, we saw Chris and Alicia's first floor remodel, which turned out really nice. Next week, we'll see a big project by the other contractor.

L had an absolute blast at camp last week. Best part of all- no exorcisms!

Bunco Friday

Bunco at Amy's tonight. Last Bunco the conversation was a lot more raunchy than usual. One can only imagine what the topic of discussion will be this month. The trick at Bunco is to sip one drink all night while encouraging everyone else to have another. That way you don't get yourself into trouble. :D

You know what I just realized? While they are reconstructing our bathroom, I will actually have to get dressed when I wake up. No more running around in my nightgown or workout wear until 10am. Bummer! I wonder how long this project will take. My quickest contractor is telling me 4 weeks. Not too bad.

Jeff is watching the Tour de France. I don't find it particularly compelling, except when it's raining in Barcelona and groups of riders keep wiping out on turns. And what the heck are they doing in Barcelona anyway? Ain't it the Tour de FRANCE? Have they always ridden through Spain and Switzerland?

Ryaaaaaaaan!

When does the next season of Idol start? I so love Ryan Seacrest. Lauren and I always shout "RYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!" whenever we see or hear him on the various media outlets where he can be seen and heard. We do the same thing when Cameron Mathison appears. He plays Ryan on All My Children, which we religiously watch once every week ot two to catch up on the storylines. RYAAAAAAAAAN! Hmm. Maybe you'd have to be there. Lauren will laugh at this post when she gets back from camp.

It is really quiet around here when she's gone. Summer is slow on all of my websites, too. Bathroom design research is keeping me entertained. Hoping that project can start next week. Be prepared for my whining about having to take showers upstairs while my bathroom is out of commission. Ack.

It's been a year-and-a-half since I started working out again. I haven't stayed interested in a particular sport or workout regimen for that long since college. It's doing different workouts every day, I think. My fave is cardio-kickboxing, and I like step as well. Circuit training is my least favorite. She always ends the aerobic workout with a few minutes of pilates, yoga, strength training or Tai Chi. I hated Tai Chi the first several times I did it. I would actually do weights while they did Tai Chi, but lately it's really growing on me. Super-relaxing, unlike yoga, which makes me feel very unbalanced. *insert your own joke here*

Saturday 9... Way Late

Saturday 9: Yankee Doodle Dandy

1. What is your favorite 4th of July memory? (If you aren't in the U.S., then use your own national holiday.)
How sad it is that I cannot think of a single special 4th of July memory! I have a recollection of being on the water (Nassau Bay, perhaps?) with a fantastic fireworks show. Ask me about Halloween.

2. Do you consider yourself patriotic?
Yes.

3. Do you like fireworks?
I do! I love watching them at a professional show, but I get a little nervous when people are shooting them off at home around me. I become Safety Mom.

4. What are your plans for this weekend?
CJ came up from Galveston. We went with Jeff and Scarlet to Rosie's Tamale House, then to Hill Country Galleria's concert and fireworks show Saturday evening.

5. Are you optimistic about the future?
Generally.

6. Do you think everyone should serve in the military?
Nope. A lot of people aren't cut out for the stress, the rule-following, the structure, etc. I don't want those people being responsible for us in a war.

7. Would you support a constitutional ban on flag burning?
No. Let's not junk up the Constitution with "stuff." Flag desecration may be unpatriotic, but it shouldn't be criminal.

8. What end of the political spectrum are you?
Fiscally leaning right, socially leaning left. Typically frustrated that our politicians are single-minded and on the far ends of the spectrum.

Remodel

At the completion of the bidding process, our master bath remodel budget is already at 150-200% of the original. We haven't even begun that inevitable tearing down a wall and finding plumbing not up to code, or termites or other apocalyptic disasters.

Some of the increase is due to budget information that I got from a couple of sources that is evidently low for this area. A couple of the contractors said that would be a DIY price. We are not DIY people, folks. I may paint or even screw in some knobs, but I'm not building a shower.

The remainder of the increase is going from installing a framed shower to frameless. This is where the term "resale value" came into play. One contractor got me with "a framed shower will date your brand new bathroom." I'm only going through this process at all because that bathroom is dated and would not be sellable at this point. Did these guys read this blog? Sneaky.

All four bids are due back by Friday. Soon we can begin the demo!

Camp Week

Lauren is off to Dallas this morning for camp all week. Wah! I wonder what kind of trouble can I get into here while she's away...

The Vox Collective acoustic version of Rihanna's "Disturbia" is SO awesome. Find it. Hear it!

Cath and I had fun this weekend. Scarlet was working at the UT library Saturday, so went up to hang out with her for a bit. I parked on what I thought was MLK, but somehow I was on 15th. That adds a lot of walking from one's car to the PCL, especially in 105 degree heat. Just sayin'. We also hit Dobie for refreshments. The place was practically deserted, which is good, because I get a little itchy and nauseous with too many T-sips around me. ;)

Fireworks at Hill Country Galleria were pretty neat! It was definitely easier than fighting our way to Ladybird Lake for the big Austin show. Very relaxing. Hardly any traffic. Lovely ambience and great food/drinks.

And Away We Go

Away We Go is really good. I won't tell you to run out and see it, like it's Star Trek or something, but it really is good. Funny, poignant, all that... with a couple of really hilarious moments sprinkled in. The stroller thing- LMAO! I thought I would pee my pants for a moment there. Maggie Gyllenhaal was so great, as were all the actors who appeared, if only for a segment each. Very interesting characters.

This morning, Jeff and I awoke to find two boxes of very frosting-y Shipley donuts on our front porch. I was giggling about that forever. It's like... WTF? Soon after, Lauren emerged from her bedroom, talking on her cellphone. Turns out her recently-ex-boyfriend had left them for her. Awww. Very sweet. (Sweet. Heh.)

Cathy is coming for the weekend. WHEE! Tonight we're hitting Sixth Street with Janeen.

Summeriffic!

Ya' know, one day I am going to toss a Swiffer sheet into the dryer instead of a fabric softener sheet, because I have them sitting next to each other on the shelf. I always reach for the wrong one, but I've never actually done it. It will be awfully interesting when I do.

We've been hanging out, doing this and that this week. Today we'll see "Away We Go" with John Krasinski. Well, not WITH John Krasinski- although how cool would that be- but you know what I mean. :)

Lauren also gets her meningitis vaccine today. Woohoo! She is always awesome about shots. I was such a wimp when I was a kid. In another month, she'll have her third shot of the summer- the second of three rounds of the Gardisil vaccine. One less!

I'm organizing girls' night out for while CJ is here this weekend. Should be a blast!

Good Morning!

I think the daughter and I are seeing a movie today, but I do have to fit in with her uber-busy social schedule. We shall see! lol.

Nate Berkus was on "Here Come the Newlyweds" this week. He is one of the most handsome guys on earth, but he has let that beard grow way past the sexy scruffy phase. It's also taken over his neck, which is just icky. Nate, Nate, Nate...

I should be writing "The Mafia Wars Strategy Guide for Wimps." That would be people with small mobs like me, who are concentrating on jobs and energy, rather than attack and defense. My hotel got robbed to 30% health the first two minutes I owned it. Today my office buildings were robbed to 30% health after owning them for a couple of days. Now they are safe from robbing, and since it would take 10 days to see any return on the cost to fix them (no way they'll last that long), I am letting them sit forever unrepaired.

On my Return-On-Investment spreadsheet (you can find many versions online) I changed the income on the properties that are high-risk for robbery to 30% of the income posted, since that is what I'll be making on them. The ROI becomes suckeriffic at that point, although much later it may be worth the investment, compared to cheaper properties.

Unlike a lot of players, I think it is totally fair and realistic for high level, huge mobs to rob and/or attack little girls like me. (Or sometimes lower level, smaller mobs with better loot, which is particularly irritating. lol.) I just send my friends' better mobs after them. Hee!

Mafia Wars

I realized I was really getting into Mafia Wars on Facebook this weekend, when I found myself knee-deep in an online strategy guide. I now have a printed chart of jobs on my desk, with experience/pay per energy point. I have an excel spreadsheet someone else made that let's me track all my properties, and tells me the next best deal to be found. I have bookmarklets that analyze my fights and tell me what vehicles and weapons and defense items I need to buy so I don't get killed.

The attraction for me is the mathematical nature of the game. There is a lot of calculation in what to buy and which jobs to do to make and keep your money. Then there is a probability of this or that outcome in any fights or robberies and the fairly random dropping of loot here and there. It's really a constant math thing, if you are playing it that way.

Jeff has joined the players who friend other players to build their mafias. I'm resisting that, as I don't want to sift through Mafia Wars people in my newsfeed to find updates from my actual friends. You can turn the game folks off, of course, but you would miss the game updates people post. So I'll continue with my paltry mafia of 17 actual friends as long as I can. I can buy people anyway.

While the kids were hanging out at our house yesterday, Jeff and I convinced Jaxon to start playing the game. Can you imagine Jim's reaction to his son being recruited to two mafias while he was here to play cards with friends? LOL. (I see that overnight he has been doing very well! We'll recruit Jim next.)

Alrighty, I'm off to smuggle some liquor!

Kathy and Kathy's Cooking Comedy Show

Kath and I could not think of a flippin' thing to do yesterday that didn't involve being outside. Although it was a nippy 103 compared to the previous several days of 106, we decided to stay indoors and make dinner. We gathered some cookbooks and chose recipes, then we went to HEB and got the stuff, then we cooked for a couple of hours.

Kathy has every herb imaginable in her garden, so those were all fresh. We made ciabatta bruschetta, citrus-herb grilled chicken, grilled asparagus, roasted rosemary potatoes and salad with "Olive Garden" dressing. We called Kathy's mom for the dressing recipe, which she has developed herself over time, through trial and error. For dessert-- chocolate pecan pie bars. Take that, Ina Garten!

Lauren and Jeff joined us to eat after L got home from her conference in Dallas. Very fun!

It really would be a fantastic show for Food Network. We'd always end the show vacuuming the floor, as we aren't quite as elegant as Tyler or Emeril with our tossing around of ingredients. Maybe Swiffer could be a sponsor...

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: I Want You Back

1. Where were you when you heard that Michael Jackson died?
In the car going home from Transformers, with Jeff and Lauren in Jeff's car behind me. We were both thinking OMG, I wonder if the other just heard?

2. How do you think that he will be remembered?
As a musical genius. All the weirdness and the child molestation stuff will be irrelevant.

3. What was your favorite Jackson tune?
So many! I'll say "Wanna Be Startin' Something"

4. Did you watch the original Charlie’s Angels?
Yes

5. Did someone you know have that poster of Farrah?
Probably. I wasn't in many boys' rooms when I was 10-12.

6. Did you consider her battle with cancer heroic?
Definitely. She sought out all possible treatments for a typically fatal diagnosis.

7. Were you a fan of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson?
Yes. Well, I would sneak out and watch from the hallway while my parents watched.

8. Did you like Ed McMahon on the show?
Yes. Perfect sidekick.

9. What else will you remember McMahon for?
Star Search.

Another Day, Another Cell Phone

This is like the sixth new cell phone my daughter has had in a month. Yesterday, her Samsung Impression randomly locked up. She had never set a code for it, so it shouldn't have been able to lock at all. Weird.

J says that they had to wait at the AT&T store for half an hour in line behind all the people buying the new iPhone. I just can never rationalize the extra $30 per month (per phone!) service fee. What a racket.

I'm getting into the Mafia Wars game on Facebook. I only joined to be a member of Jeff's mafia so he would have some certain number he needed. I wasn't going to play at all! I can't even seem to make money like he is, but it's pretty fun anyway. Unless you hit the back button on your browser. Never hit the back button! It takes you out of the game and usually messes up whatever you were doing at the time.

Bringin' Sexy Back

In the song "Sexy Back," when Timbaland sings "Take it to the bridge" and "Take it to the chorus," why does he sound terribly frightened, like a wasp just flew into his face? Wondering...

A new healthy snack discovery from Giada De Laurentiis: sun-dried tomatoes! I have always loved them. She was cooking with them last weekend and she mentioned that she loves snacking on them. I figured they would be high in calories from the olive oil, but they are only 10 calories per tomato, as long as you drain them well. So now I have sun-dried tomatoes in my fridge that I can grab anytime. Yummo. There is also a form that is dry in a pouch (5 calories each). Those are next on my list to try, although they are certainly not as pretty as the oil ones.

Snagged Scott's chicken enchilada recipe. It has gobs of cream cheese in it, so it balances out any healthy snacking one may do.

Hurt my knee doing hi-lo cardio yesterday, but it seems to have healed already. (Dang!)

Typing Over Loud Awesome Music!

Hearing someone say "audio file" and thinking it's "audiophile" -- that's the kind of ish that trips me up in life. Just sayin'.

Groceries are done. L is out at a church community service project. I'll be catching up on website stuff. Planning a girls spa trip to Dallas. Blaring my music.

Was anyone surprised by Jon and Kate's announcement that they were getting divorced? Really now. I think that show is down the tubes once he's out. Sadly, that's their income as well. Why is he moving to NYC? It's a bit far from the kids. He seemed a little too chipper when he said he was starting a new chapter of his life at 32. Like he has something in the works, or that he's so happy to leave the last chapter behind him. That was harsh.

We saw The Proposal yesterday. It was a crowded theater and no one was laughing. The gal in front of me kept sighing. LOL. I felt the same way. Oh well, this week is all about Transformers anyway.

Ten Things on Lauren's Desk

1. Sims 3 case
2. Seventeen magazine (with "50 Flirting Tips You Have to Try Now!"... I'm so reading that.)
3. USAA's teen financial magazine, U-Turn
4. stuffed froggy
5. Coca-Cola lip balm
6. mystery scrunched-up crepe paper I'm sure I am not supposed to throw away
7. Bath and Body Works sparkling peach body lotion
8. Lord of the Flies
9. Jelly Bellies
10. highlighters out the yang

What Happens in Vegas

I seriously need a Vegas trip. No gambling, just hanging out at the pool with a frozen drink and seeing shows at night. Anyone wanna go? I have July 6-10 available.

What. I know it's July in Nevada. Wimps!

Journey 'n Remodeling

My friends' new kitchen is the splash page photo for their remodeler's website. Cool, yes? The first 8 photos from the company's portfolio are their new kitchen and addition of a second floor with a gameroom and bathroom.

Lauren and I got Journey/Night Ranger tix for Jeff for Fathers Day, because we rock like that. I'd enjoy it, but not as much as him. So the tickets are for him and one of his man buddies.

I do love Journey, although I was more into new wave than rock back in the day. I just don't know about a fake Steve Perry. It's like the fake Michael Hutchence of INXS. Although, as someone pointed out to me, Van Halen did pretty well with Hagar replacing David Lee Roth. The difference there is Sammy didn't sound like David, so he was his own guy. Ya' know?

Happy Fathers' Day!

Happy Fathers' Day, dads!

Game Night was fun. Unfortunately for me, the guys have upped the appetizers to a full-on dinner over the last two months. Ack! My turn in July. Maybe I'll have it catered.

I won Nine Mens Morris several times, unlike my experience playing online where I never win. I guess it helps to have human opponents.

Scott K was commenting that he won't get a Facebook for two reasons: 1) He doesn't want people from his past finding him (hmm!) and 2) he's had two close friends who have connected with old girlfriends on Facebook and cheated on their wives with them. Yikes! Yeah, I tried to get him to tell us what in his past he doesn't want reappearing, but he's not telling. Maybe it's his old girlfriends.

I have actually made contact with a general contractor to get an estimate on our bathroom remodel. WOO! I got two more names last night, so maybe I can get something going this week. We also need half the bottom floor re-tiled, so there is another project. Cha-ching.

Lauren's church youth group played a really cool game last night. They were in teams of 4 teens with one adult. Each team got a set of photos and had a few hours to recreate them as accurately as possible. There were a few pics of Austin landmarks and mostly photos of people and animals doing funny things. They took off in cars with cameras in hand, and met back at the designated time. Then everyone voted for which team did the most accurate recreation each photo. The pix are posted on the group's FB page. Some of them are hilarious. Lauren's team won with the most "best recreations." Here are a couple of the originals for an example:

Saturday

Jeff is in Hearne today for rocketgeek stuff. Tonight- Nine Mens Morris for Game Night at Scott and Julie's. I am soooo losing. And I've been practicing online for two weeks! Oh well, at least there's Scott's appetizers to look forward to.

Last night was date night, since LoLo was sleeping over with some Guard friends. We went for sushi and played a game when we got home. We were going to call Laura and Rich to go to Pete's, but Jeff was certain Laura wouldn't leave the house. LOL. (I must go to Pete's soon, since UT is out. I'm thinking girls' night!... Is Pete's still open? lol)

Saturday 9: Never Say Never Again

1. Do you like James Bond films? If yes, what’s your favorite?
Some are good. I don't remember any of them in particular to name a fave.

2. Are you daring enough to go snorkeling in the water fountain at the mall?
Nope.

3. Do you sometimes hate everything and everyone around you?
Never.

4. Do you secretly or openly believe the world revolves around you?
Nah.

5. Would you rather buy a moped or a Harley Davidson?
Moped.

6. Do you water ski or snow ski?
I wouldn't water ski, but I would like to try snow skiing sometime.

7. Tell us about the last time that you tailgated.
It was probably in college with the Atkinses.

8. What was the last concert that you attended?
Gavin DeGraw at The Parish

9. What’s the most exotic food that you’ve eaten?
Hmm. Alligator?

Rules of Living in the Houston Area

LOL. Thanks Sheryl!

Rules of living in the Houston area

1. You must learn to pronounce the city name. It is "Hue-stun," not "Ewe-stun", or "house-tun" Oh yea, the street is pronounced "San Phil-ee-pay," not" San Phil-eep" (San Felipe). Enunciate, you idiots!

2. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Houston has its own version of traffic rules... Hold on and pray. There is no such thing as a dangerous high-speed chase in Houston . We all drive like that.

3. All directions start with, "Go down to Loop 610...." which has no beginning and no end.

4. The Chamber of Commerce calls getting through traffic a "Scenic Drive ."

5. The morning rush hour is from 6:00AM to 10:00AM. The evening rush hour is from 3:00PM to 7:00PM. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning.

6. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot. When you are the first one off the starting line, count to five when the light turns green before going, to avoid getting into any cross-traffic's way.

7. Kuykendahl Road can ONLY be pronounced by a native Houstonian.

8. Construction on I-10, I-45, US 59 and Loop 610 is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment.

9. All unexplained smells are explained by the phrases, "Oh, we must be in Pasadena!" or "God, I hate Baytown !" or "Mmm, smell that Texas City !"

10. If someone actually has their turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect.

11. All old ladies with blue hair in a pink Cadillac have total right-of-way.

12. The minimum acceptable speed on Loop 610 is 85 mph. Anything less is considered downright sissy. In turn, the minimum speed on Westheimer is at least 45mph.

13. The wrought iron on windows in east Houston is NOT ornamental.

14. Never stare at the driver of the car with the bumper sticker that says, "Keep honking, I'm reloading." In fact, don't honk at anyone.

15. If you are in the left lane, and only going 70 mph in a 60 mph zone, people are not waving when they go by.

16. The Sam Houston Toll road is our daily version of NASCAR.

17. If it's 100 degrees, Thanksgiving must be next weekend.

18. When in doubt, remember that all unmarked exits lead to Louisiana.

19. If you live in Katy and I live on the south side of Houston we'll never hang out.

20. The best thing about being drunk between 2-5 am is Whataburger will serve both breakfast and normal menus.

21. You are always able to be pulled over by any police vehicle, even if you were just given a ticket.

22. You don't have to wait for an exit to get off a freeway, just follow the ruts in the grass to the feeder like everyone else. This is how Houston resident's notify Texas Department of Transportation where exits should have been built.

23. Else-where, they are called frontage roads. Here in Houston , they are called FEEDER roads, so don't look stupid when we say "Exit the feeder road and use the loop-d-loop."