My 2009 List

My blogging friend, Jill, over at http://peeptoepumpsandpearls.blogspot.com/ had a really great post today. She posted the top 20 things that happened in 2009. I thought that was a fantastic way to reflect on the previous year. Too many times we forget with time what challenges and successes the previous year has brought us. So, I'm actually going to steal her idea (hope you don't mind Jill) and post my 20 top things for 2009. I use this blog as a online journal. Sometimes I pour my heart out and others I just add a decorating tip (not to forget) or product reminder. Either way this blog really opens a window to what is currently going on in my life. And today I've gone back to read what 2009 brought us.



Top 20 things for 2009-


1.) NEW WORLD SON- We met the band New World Son after one of their shows. Josh and my husband sometimes e-mail each other. I think that's awesome. He's the guitarist for the band and since hubby plays guitar they discuss music. How fun!

2.) Healthcare Legislation- Hubby is getting more and more involved in health care politics. He sits on a legislative board that drafts bills for the state of Texas for surgical facilities. He was working in hospital development and is a big physician owned advocate. Us at capital with Senator Dan Patrick.

3.) Moved- Relocated from Austin to Houston. I was devastated to leave my home in Austin but Houston has brought us a lot of good things too.

Austin, TX


Houston, TX

4.) Tennis- Joined a new tennis league. However, I need to get out and play more on my off time. Need a stronger serve.

5.) Gardening- Started gardening for the first time in my life. I'm already addicted.

6.) Restaurant- Found a new restaurant called, Pie in the Sky. They have awesome pies! And I love the funky decor.

7.) New Product- California Olive Ranch. I love this new olive oil. I forgot to buy some this holiday season. Now that my bottle is running low I'll have to order some extra bottles. Fantastic on salads!

8.) Chicago- Hubby was a guest speaker for a huge national health care conference. He was awesome.

9.) Antiques- Found a ton of new antiques and really got into collecting silver this year.

10.) Lost & Found- I lost my favorite magazine, Southern Accents. They shut down (sniff). However, I found a new favorite, Garden & Gun. They have lovely articles on decorating/recipes/South. I love the expression I get when I ask for an issue at Barnes & Noble.

11.) Layoff- Hubby got laid off from the surgical development company (economy). He went back into clinical and started his own consulting business. He has picked up two large accounts and has two other contracts for 2010. Awesome!

12.) Baby Shower- Our good friends from tennis league, back in Austin, had a baby. She and her sister had babies only 3 weeks apart this year. I'm now Aunt Gigi to baby Reid. I'm excited to because I get to see her in a couple of weeks. Her and her sister combined baby showers. It was a beautiful shower, very San Antonio style. I loved it!

13.) Monograms- Really got into monograms this year.

14.) Houston- We have become Houston Aeros hockey fans.

15.) Dallas- Hubby was asked to join a political board and speak to the Surgical Society in Dallas, TX. While there at the conference I ran into old friends from Oregon. They work in the wine industry and were holding their conference at the same hotel. What a surprise! It's been over 10 years.

16.) Favorite Book in 2009- Phyllis Hoffman's Gracious Tables

17.) Astronaut- We were seated at a social dinner next to astronaut Terry Virts. He'll be flying the last space shuttle mission in February. My father-in-law retired with NASA so hubby and Virts had a lot to talk about.

18.) Snow- We got snow in Houston during the month of December. It made thing really festive and totally kicked off the warm holiday feeling. We rarely get snow in south Texas so it was BIG treat. You can see my back yard in this picture and even my monkey slippers got snowed on.

19.) Law School- My husband has decided to go to law school. He wants to get more involved in the political venue of healthcare. I'm not surprised by his decision. He's been wanting to go but with his previous job (hours/travel) he couldn't go. However, now that he's working clinical/consulting he can now work around his school hours. I told him, "GO FOR IT!" We'll see where this leads us in our future.

20.) God- I've become more in tune with my spiritual side. I know that God has everything under control and I need to allow myself to become more fearless when going after my own dreams and goals. I have a few things that I'm going to go after this year in 2010. But you'll have to wait for next New Year's Day to see how I did (wink).

Wishing y'all a fantastic 2010 and a great start to a another decade!!

Where are all the Sea Lions?

I just finished watching a news clip this afternoon regarding San Francisco. Being raised in Northern California I'm always reading and keeping my eye on their local news. I was absolutely shocked to hear of the disappearing Sea Lions at Pier 39. What?!!! The Sea Lions have made Pier 39 their home since...well, my entire life. I couldn't imagine ever visiting Pier 39 and not seeing them. What on green's earth is going on? Where did the beloved creatures go? And why now? I suppose the California economy is so bad that even the Sea Lions have decided to move out of state. Hmmm, I wonder if they were foreclosed on? Those darn subprime loans, LOL. Ok, enough California jokes. However, I'm a true native so I can get away with it.



It's so sad to see the Golden State have so many problems. I remember when we were newlyweds we lived by the marina. My husband was working at large health system in the area. We had a small 1 bedroom apartment that was less than 600 sq ft and we were paying a hefty monthly lease for it. But I wouldn't trade that experience for anything in the world. I have so many lovely memories of our little place. We didn't have A/C (was N/A) because it rarely got over 70's. If you have ever spent any time in San Francisco you'll know it's chilly. You can always spot out a tourist because they'll have on shorts and a Pier 39 sweatshirt, LOL. I can't imagine how much money those little shops make selling tourists sweatshirts. Everyone thinks California is all beaches and palm trees. Not so. Northern California is cool and breezy. And don't get me started on the Sacramento Valley....hot, hot, hot. It snows in the winter and gets up to 119 degrees in the summer. However, I do find myself missing it.

One of the things I miss most is waking up to the boat horns and hearing the seagulls. Sometimes I would drink coffee on our deck and watch the fog lift during those chilly winter mornings, snuggled in a sweater and fuzzy slippers. I do miss the California and the cold weather. Quite different from the Houston weather I live in currently. And now after spending more than 8 years in the South I couldn't imagine leasing a place without A/C. However, I feel that I'm fortunate to be able to have lived so many places. I love to travel and I never miss the opportunity to take advantage of the city I presently reside in. I know Houston will not be the final destination of our journey so I try to take full advantage of the city while I'm here. I'm sure one day I'll look back on Houston and remember little things that make my experience special.

However, I'd be lost if our Longhorns decided to move. Again, where on earth did those adorable Sea Lions go? Something smells awfully fishy if you ask me.

Getting ready for 2010

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas this year. Richard and I had a fantastic holiday this season. I must say that my husband spoils me rotten. I never know what I'm going to get for Christmas because he surprises me every year. He is very romantic and when I think he's not listening he is. He'll remember something I wanted from months ago and surprise me out of the blue. I wish I could say that I'm equally as romantic but I'm not. I can't remember where I put my keys half the time so coming up with a creative gift for him...well, it's probably not going to happen. Every holiday season I'm stressing about what to get him for Christmas. And if I were to ask him he'd just say, "I have everything I want." Don't you hate it when people do that?!! However, this year I decided to buy him a ton of clothes. My hubby dresses in lounge shirts (Tommy Bahama look) most days he's off work. It's mostly hot and humid so that look is pretty comfy for him. He was thrilled with his new wardrobe and he'll look snazzy for our little mini vacay in another week. Can't wait to get away.

To be honest...I can't wait to start 2010 and a new decade. Can you believe we are heading into another decade? I believe this new decade is going to be filled with many blessings. This past one was a difficult one full of many hardships. However, I don't feel that they were all negative because my husband and I grew stronger from them. And I truly believe we are now in a good position in our lives to receive showers of blessings that God has stored up for us. I'm in a good spot in my life right now. I'm confident of who I am, where I've been, and where I'm going. I can finally see all the dots in my life connecting, I have peace over the things I cannot control, and I'm eager to begin working hard on those things I can control. Life is full of much opportunity for those who are willing to go after it. In 2010, I'm planning on becoming more fearless as I go after my dreams and goals. I want to look back in 2020 and think off all the great accomplishments and experiences I had this decade. Every minute counts to an hour, and an hour to a day, a day to a month, a month to a year, and year to a decade. What do I have planned for this year?

1.) Play more tennis. Tennis is one of those hobbies that I truly enjoy. I believe it helps me relax and keep myself balanced. I didn't play nearly enough in 2009.

2.) Declutter. I've been working on cleaning out the closets, attic, garage, and office over the past few weeks. We have too much! I plan on organizing our house.

3.) Travel more. We moved in 2009 from Austin to Houston. We had a lot going on and I didn't get a chance to fly back home to San Francisco. I plan on at least making a few trips to the West Coast to visit friends in San Francisco, L.A., and Seattle. I also have a few trips planned on the East Coast too. I'd love another European vacation but for now I'd be happy with a little domestic travel.

4.) Becoming more active in my community. Growing up I was always very active in community events. I need to join an organization and volunteer my time. There's nothing more rewarding than giving back to the community.

5.) Find new hobbies and interests. I think being well rounded is very important in life. We should always be trying to learn more. I'm going to make a list of things that I've always wanted to try and go for it.

6.) Spend more time with my husband. I don't spend enough time with him and need to make it a priority. We have "date night" every Friday night. I look forward to it. However, we need to find ways to "get away" once in a while. I'm going to make that a priority for 2010.

7.) God. I don't spend enough quality time with God. I need to turn off the TV, phone, computer and talk to Him more. I need to pick up my Bible more during the day and read His word. He has been so good to me and I don't thank Him enough. I can't imagine what I could accomplish if I were to spend more time with Him. Wisdom definitely comes from a relationship and understanding of God.

So, here are my goals for 2010 and my start for the next chapter of my life. What are some of your goals? What would you like this new decade to bring you?

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, y'all! Wishing you and your family a very happy and safe holiday....

We go together like Ken and Barbie....

Today is my Anniversary. We've been blissfully married for 7 years. When we were living back in Austin we would take a small "get away" down to San Antonio. San Antonio is so beautiful this time of year. It's lights are so festive and romantic on the Riverwalk. However, this year we are in Houston. We decided to celebrate by going out to dinner on Saturday night. My husband bought me the cutest apron. I wanted a new one and was eyeing this one up on etsy. He must have looked over my favorites because I was in complete shock that he knew I wanted it. And I surprised him this morning with a pair of new running shoes. Romantic, huh...Well, I suppose an apron and running shoes are not the most romantic gifts but we were happy. In a couple of weeks we are heading off to our cottage. I'm really looking forward to eating some good 'ol Cajun cuisine and seeing some of old friends. Until then....Cheers, to another happy year of marriage.

The Sing Off

I normally hate watching reality shows except for Real Housewives. I have no idea why I love that trashy show so much but I do. Well, the other night I was flipping through the channels to find the news and landed on a reality show called, The Sing Off. It's hosted by Nick Lachey. Has anyone seen it? It's so much fun. It has that American Idol feel but it's acuppello groups. I'm not much of a acuppello fan but there's a group called, Beelzebubs. Oh my goodness they are sooo fun to watch. I posted a couple of songs they did. The first one is hilarious but the second is awesome. I heart Styx!!! Styx, Night Ranger, and Van Halen were some of my favorite bands growing up (I had older siblings). They rock! Basically anything they chose to sing from those top three I would have loved. Ok, you have to watch these guys.

Couture Pops

Have y'all seen the Couture pops? They come with a bejeweled handle (which you keep) and you unscrew the lolly pop top off when you're finished. You can buy the candy separate and screw them onto your handle. The lolly pop comes in all sorts of different flavors like Green Apple, Creamy Orange, Watermelon, Pina Colada, Cherry, and many more yummy flavors.

You can even buy a signature stick after Britney Spears, Kim Kardashian, and the Pussycat Dolls. They are so cute and would make a totally cute stocking stuffer. You can find them at http://www.sugarfactory.com/

$25.00 for handle and pop

$12.00 for replacement set of lolly pops

$75.00 for set