First Time for Everything

This is my nephew,Luke, during his first trip to Disneyland about a month ago. We were watching the parade and he was SOO freaking cute... he didn't know what to do with all the big floats and dancers. This was my favorite pic - he was clapping.












And this was him right after he took a nap with me...
another favorite.

That Did NOT Just Happen...

That is what I was saying to myself over and over in my head for about 15 minutes in a dressing room on Saturday. The reality is - it DID just happen. Now that I have (somewhat) recovered, I will share with you.

On Saturday I had some "Andrea-time" (which is very fun, by the way) and decided to stop in at a little boutique. I stepped behind the dressing room curtain in the middle of the store to try on some clothes. As I was stepping into a pair of pants, I lost my balance and had to step back to catch myself. I'm not sure what happened next; I think I stepped onto my jeans, or my belt, or my shoes (maybe all three). All I know is that I tripped, falling backwards, through the curtains and ended up sprawled out. On the storeroom floor. In just my bra and underwear. And I mean I was sprawled! I screamed on my down which attracted more attention. I saw at least six pairs of eyes looking at me... one of which was a male. Nobody knew what to do except gasp, say "oh my god" over and over and/or quietly giggle. I sat, no I layed sprawled not knowing what to do. The store manager started walking toward me and said "Are you okay?" (she was trying her best to hide a smile, bless her heart). I thought in that moment that standing was the worst thing I could do being that I was NAKED and didn't want to attract more attention... so I quickly scooted/crab-crawled back behind the curtains. I regret that decision - the scooting part. Then I sat in the stool in the dressing room for the next 15 minutes with my face in my hands. Once I had the courage, I stepped out, waved, bought a few items and walked out with my head held high. At least I had on cute panties.

I've Got Nothin

There have been no posts because I've been busy... and uninspired. But I think I'm uninspired because I'm busy. I had an event last weekend that 25,000+ people attended. It was fun... for the participants... but for the planner (me) it was stressful. Especially considering we were expecting 12,000ish. So, ALL of my creative energy went into that event and the next big one I'm working on. I'm still exhausted. And I need to be inspired. Then I will post a "real" post. For now, I've got nothin.

ps- I actually have really good pictures from when I went to Alaska, but I can't find my dang USB cord. I will find it or buy a new one... ugh, one more thing to do.

I've Been Thinking...

- My room is a DISASTER. It should be seriously recorded in the Book of Disasters. I don't think it's EVER looked like this... EVER. I have my excuses, but I won't bore you with those. And I would take a picture to prove it, but I have too much pride. It will be spotless before this weekend.

- In case you don't know, American Idol's Jason Castro is from my hometown of Rockwall, TX and grew up in the same church I did. I don't remember him (he's a bit younger too), but his family came out here over Easter and had lunch with my family (minus me)... they remembered each other. Then Jason (my brother) got to go to the results show a couple of weeks ago as one of his "friends." Yes, he was on tv. I wasn't invited and I pouted for a little bit. SO, keep voting for him not only because he's really talented, but also because he's a great guy - great character... and then you can say "I know someone who knows the new American Idol." And then you'll be cool.

- I just saw this guy I work with trip outside. He didn't fall, just tripped off the curb. and it was really funny. Yes, I laughed; no I'm not insensitive. I just like to chuckle at anything that's obviously overlooked. Now he's "singing" the guitar runs of Led Zeppelin... so annoying... I'm not laughing.

- I really like my roommate, Cathi. Because of our schedules, I sometimes go days without really seeing her, but then I do and I like it.

- Saying goodbye to this little guy's face is always really hard. Sad. I had such a blast with him when he and my sister visited. He is growing so much and is SO smart. I can tell he's going to be really funny too... he likes making people laugh. I miss him.


- I got a Disneyland Pass last month!! Yay! My dad bought it for me which was very sweet. I've already gone 4 times since I've had it. If you would like to go, there is about an 82% chance that I would like to join you.

- I think one of the worst pains ever is a hang-nail. Ouch!

- I was speaking with a friend who has recently been through a really tough time. She's in the "stage" of healing where it just hurts and there's nothing she can do about it. I have been through my own heartaches and healing processes, so she asked "what do you think is the most important part to healing?" Good question... and it may differ with everyone, but this is what I've learned (and am continuously learning): I think the most important thing is to just let myself hurt. Every part of my nature tries to convince me that feeling hurt, anger, sadness, confusion, etc is "bad" so I do whatever I can to "feel" happy and positive, meanwhile I'm burying my pain under the fakeness (just pretend that's a word). I have to expose the wound, let it sting as it's cleaned before it can even begin to heal... sometimes I have to expose it over and over. My suggestion? Let yourself be present with your pain - equally in head and in heart. Just be. Your heart will get rid of it when it's ready... it may not be in your timing and it may force you to deal with more, but you won't feel like this forever if you actually deal with it. Accept the fact that you're living with pain for right now, be intentional about listening to your heart and allow yourself to feel the pain. Repeat. Oh, one more thing! Find people in your life that can be present in your pain with you and let them love you there.

- What is up with spam? I hate it. I have an email address that I give out to places when I think they may sell it to others so I expect that inbox to be flooded with spam. I have another email address, however, that I ONLY give out to people with whom I will be corresponding with. So why am I starting to suddenly get spam there? It's so frustrating!

- Sometimes I wonder if I have a sign on my car that says "Your are welcome to pull out in front of me!"

- Now the guy I work with is whisper-singing Beat It... as if we can't all hear him. If he doesn't stop soon, I'm gonna beat him.

House of Many Colors

Sometimes I house-sit for people while they're on vacation. It's a great way to earn a little extra cash while taking care of dogs, watering plants, checking the mail, picking tomatoes or any other random thing they have me do. Most recently I stayed at what I call "The House of Many Colors." I had to share them (the colors) with you. (Keep in mind that their youngest child is a senior in high school and is the only one still living with mom and dad.)

DOWNSTAIRS
Entry Way and Den - Medium Tan
Formal Dining - Dark Purple
1/2 Bath - Lavendar
Kitchen - Burnt Red
Living Room - Burnt Red and White
Bedroom 1 - Olive Green (w/ Teal bedding)

Not too bad, right? But wait...

UPSTAIRS
Hallway - Light Tan w/ Dark Clay accents
Master Bedroom - Olive Green
Master Bath - Olive Green with Tan accents
Laundry Room - Pure Eggshell White
Office - Periwinkle
Bedroom 2 - Princess Purple
Bedroom 3 - Donald Duck Blue
TV Room - 80's Downtown Miami Art Deco Teal
Bathroom - I couldn't tell you because I was blinded when I walked in. Seriously. I think it had a florescent green tone... but I honestly couldn't tell you.

(ps - I changed my settings so you don't have to have a google account to comment, but you do have to enter in the handy-dandy secret security code. So, comment away!)

I Have Some Big News

I didn't want to say anything until it was confirmed, but... I'M MOVING from California to HERE!!!!!!!!!!! Yay! More details to come!!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE you all!

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY LUKE!!

Happy Birthday, Luke! I can't believe that you are already a year old. I hope your day is so special. I wish I could look into your big brown eyes everyday and tell you how loved you are by me (I'll settle for the computer cameras though!) I pray daily that you know and believe your loved and valued by many, most importantly your Heavenly Father; and I pray that that belief will allow you to experience so much joy, growth and security throughout your life. We are going to have SO much fun on our visits to see each other (I can't wait for our one-on-one times where we build forts, jump on the bed and load up on sugar... but we won't tell mommy). I love you so much... I think I'm the proudest aunt that exists! Can't wait to see you soon!!


Just 6 weeks old!


One of my favorite things in the world!


Another one of my favorite things in the world!


Look how smart you are!


And how BIG you are!

I LOVE YOU!

Don't Have a Cow!

I read this post from my friend Courtney's blog and it reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend recently. My friend is a vegetarian for "moral reasons." (FYI - the intent of this post is to entertain you; I will not give my opinion on the beef-making process.)

I was telling my friend that some of my favorite memories were at my Granddad's ranch. There was so much space (about 100 acres): the forest area was beautiful, the ponds were fun to look for water moccasins, riding around on 4-wheelers was fun with my siblings (Billy used to scare the s%!* out of me on those), walking to the edge of the property to see if we could find prancing deer, peeing my pants because I couldn't make it all the way back to the house and I was too embarrassed to go in front of my brothers, climbing trees, accidentally stepping in "cow patties," my grandma's attempt at singing to wake us up, going on the tractor with my granddad to feed the cows at 5:30am- it was all great fun. Being sensitive to my friend's feelings, I left out the fact that we loved to go fishing and that my uncle taught us how to shoot rifles and shotguns out there.

So my friend asks, "did you ride horses?" Ummmm... the thing is, my grandad didn't have horses; he raised cows - the very thing she is VEHEMENTLY against! How do I say this? Oh well, no matter what, she will be offended. "Actually he didn't really have horses." Please don't ask! Please don't ask!
"Oh. But you had cows?"
Crap... "Ya! They just kind of hung out all day. I even got to watch one give birth," I say to try to steer the conversation.
"What did he do with the cows?" She's no dummy... she knows where this is going. I just gotta say it.
I nervously answered, "My granddad took really good care of the cows throughout their entire life. He fed them good food, let them graze his grass all day, let them just lie around and "moo." Then when it was time for them to move on, he would sell them so that they could make really good beef and stuff because they were taken care of so well."
With small tears in her eyes she replies, "Andrea, you don't have to skirt around it. Just say, 'My granddad fattened up cows so he could make money as they were sent off to the slaughterhouse to die for no purpose but feed people things they think they need."
"Well, geez... if that's how you want to think about it..."

Dear Spider

Dear spider,

I think it is amazing that you know how to build a beautiful, nearly invisible web; and it amazes me that this web is meant to capture those insects dumb enough to fly or crawl into it so that you can enjoy torturing them as you wrap them in a tight woven blanket, keep them sitting there, helpless, for all the insect world to point at and say, "look at that idiot... walked right into it." Then you devour it... I'm not judging - this actually makes me respect you... fear you, even.

I'm not sure if you've figured this out yet, but when a human walks through it, we don't get stuck. Now, maybe you enjoy watching us flail about as we struggle to get your invisible, sticky "strings" off of us while still making sure you are not on us, but I'm sure it pisses you off that we have ruined your beautifully designed architecture and quite possibly, your meal. I messed up your design last night as I was walking to my door and this morning as I was leaving. I know; I see that you tried to move it to a different place so I wouldn't mess it up again, but remember that it is invisible to the naked human eye. So, I have a suggestion so that we both win. Could you weave this up a few feet in front of it?

Thanks and enjoy my front porch!
Andrea

My Rolling Eyes

A few posts ago, I made a list of things that never fail to make me smile. Here is a list of 22 things that never fail to make my eyes roll:

1. Cheesy pick up lines
2. When someone tells me how I should/shouldn't feel
3. When someone says "we need to get you married."
4. When someone learns I live in Orange county and asks, "do you know any of the real housewives of Orange County?"
5. When someone learns I'm from Texas and they say something that they think sounds "redneck" in a stupid Texas accent.
6. When vocalists talk in their songs (ahem... Fergie)
7. Kanye West

8. Arrogance (see #7)

9. When girl's say "I'm a princess!"

10. When someone talks to me like I'm 12.

11. Local news
12. Dirty jokes
13. People who insist on one-upping anyone and everyone.
14. When Randy says, "so, yo dawg, yo dawg. listen up. listen up..." on American Idol
15. When a co-worker throws someone else under the bus to avoid taking responsibility for something not getting done.
16. When I go running and people try to scare me as they drive by.
17. When I go running and I smile and say "hi" to the runner/walker I'm passing and they look away.
18. When someone interrupts and says "Sorry to interrupt, but..." I'd rather you say "I'm going to interrupt."
19. My dad's "3-legged Pig" joke. Seriously... don't ask him to tell it in front of me.
20. When people use God as an excuse to not make a decision (there's a lot more to this one that I'm not going to get into).
21. When girls say "I've always been better friends with guys. I just don't like girls," as though it's a strength.
22. When something is in my eye