Friday, February 29, 2008

Ahh Youtube

I've been trying to embed these videos onto my post but for some reason I'm experiencing some serious technical difficulties. So, in the name of saving a little time I'll just post the links.

The first is a clip from the Jimmy Kimmel show where his girlfriend, Sarah Silverman, is singing him a little song about her recent antics.

The second clip is Jimmy's retort.

Monday, February 25, 2008

I guess I got rid of the funk

A brief overview of my weekend:

Friday afternoon- my boss came in my office and told me to close up shop because we were going home early. Wahoo! This was followed by a trip to the grocery store, a dinner disaster and lots of laughs with my hubbie & father in law.

Saturday- Met a girlfriend for lunch and then met up with my mom for a round of shopping. Mom bought me a beautiful dress and pair of shoes that I could wear out on Sunday for my birthday dinner. Then I went to my parent's house for a quick drink with my dad followed by dinner at my house. When we arrived at my house, Surprise! It was a birthday party for me that my loving hubbie set up. Everything was taken care of and I had the most stress-free party at my own house that I could possibly imagine. JB had cleaned everything and gotten dinner ready for all 25 people. It was amazing, I was so loved. We hung out and then sang karaoke to my little heart's content! It was so much fun. Really. Truly. The coolest birthday party.

Sunday- I woke up absurdly early (6AM) with a burst of energy. How I was not hung-over I'll never quite know… I got to talk to my big brother and then JB and I met up with my parents at the Omelet House. Did you know they give you a FREE breakfast on your birthday? Seriously, so cool. So after my incredibly yummy breakfast, JB and I went home to snuggle up and watch a movie. It is definitely worth a watch if you like musicals and the music of the Beatles. We had a nap after the movie and then got all dressed up for a romantic dinner for two.

Could my weekend have gotten any better? I think not… Perhaps I could've done without the five hours of shopping but it was a necessary evil so that I could be thoroughly surprised by party! Sigh. My hubbie rocks!

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Trying to Get it Together

Yesterday was one of those days where I could never quite get it together. I woke up in an inexcusably grumpy mood, only to find that JB had gotten up at some point and gone to the bar. Now, this may seem rather strange that my hubbie got out of bed in the middle of the night to hit the local pub but it really isn't that strange. See, JB mainly works a graveyard shift four nights a week. On his "days off" he tries to switch back to a normal sleeping schedule so that we can spend our time together and even get a little snuggle-time in at night without him having to watch me sleep while trying to sit still, bored out of his mind. Either way, he left to visit his friend that was bartending and play Golden Tee, his favorite bar game of all time.

So, I woke up, grumpy and without someone to make me coffee. Sigh. I guess I was getting used to being extremely spoiled lately.

I got ready as usual and was out the door still feeling a little off. It was overcast and generally feeling like a good rain was going to come out and give this little city a good washing. After living most of my life in the South West I tend to get spoiled by too many days in a row of sunshine and clear skies. The cloudiness was not helping.

I got to work and tried to pick myself up with the usual snack and busy schedule but found myself on endless errands for the ol' boss. You see, I run an office as well as assist the big boss. I started out as his personal assistant a few years ago, running his errands and generally making sure he showed up at the right place at the right time wearing the right thing. We have a great understanding and I don't mind doing his mind-numbing chores but yesterday, I just didn't want to take his cars to get serviced. As much fun as it can be to sit for hours, watching dirty mechanics change oil and rotate tires, there were just other things I'd rather be doing. So, with a giant roll of my eyes, I set out to take his cars in for general maintenance.

A few hours later I got a call from JB.

"Hey babe, I'm at your office and I brought lunch" – I sighed deeply with love and hunger, promising to run back as quickly as possible.

JB made lunch (taco salad) at home and brought it to me to pick up my day. It was very tasty and an amazingly sweet thing to do but somehow it just didn't bring me out of the funk. I can't say exactly what the problem was but it was just one of those days where I couldn't be my normal perky self. I made jokes and went through the motions all day but what I really wanted was to crawl back into bed and try to wake up on the "right side" to start all over again.

When work was finally over I scooted across town to find JB building cubbies for our closet out in the garage. I asked him to build some shelves for my purses in lieu of a birthday present this year and he has been hard at work. I asked for, what I thought, was a simple project but it seems that he has taken it up a notch, adding a pull down lever and a rocking unit for easy access. I'm not exactly sure what the final project is going to look like but it sounds fancy and I just hope I can figure it out without dumping the entire contents on my head every time I want to change out purses. I'll post pictures when it is finally finished.

I never did get over the whole grump attitude that I had going until after dinner. JB cooked (again, because he's cool like that) salmon, zucchini and whole wheat pasta and then we watched The Simpson's Movie. After a full tummy and some quality snuggle time I can say that I finally lost the funk and enjoyed a good laugh while watching the Simpson's. If only I'd know that was what it would take, I would've just started out my day with that and come into work a little late… Ah well, may be next time…

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

A Bartender's Wife 2007 Review

I found this meme via Average Jane and decided it might be a good way to officially end 2007 and begin 2008. I'm sorry I haven't posted in ages but I suppose I need to get back into the habit. Perhaps I should start my own NabloPamo(sp?) for the month of January.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
I got married!!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't think that I made any New Year's resolutions last year but this year I hope to continue on this healthy eating thing that JB and I have been doing. I've lost 11 lbs and counting!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Summer had little River, Tia had Hayden and several friends are currently pregnant. Actually, it seems like everyone is expecting this year.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
I lost my Aunt Darla & a family friend names Neils and JB lost his Grandmother and Uncle

5. What countries did you visit?
We went to Tahiti, Bora Bora & Moorea on our honeymoon. It was absolutely amazing I highly recommend visiting there if you ever have a chace.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
I would like to be healthier overall and have more energy. I was sick a lot in 2007 and taking antibiotics four or five times in one year can't be great for your system.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Ooo, there were several but definitely the wedding day 4/14

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Moving into the new house and completely gutting the inside to revamp it and make it ours. JB did such an amazing job, I suppose it wasn't just my achievement but I am very proud of how great everything looks so far.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Letting my insurance lapse, then not going to the doctor until I was really really sick because I didn't want to pay for it...

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The chronic sinus infection sure is sucky but other than constantly feeling like I have a cold I guess not! Ha~

11. What was the best thing you bought?
I received some very cool gifts this year i.e. the wii, a set of pearls from my parents, a beautiful tahitian pearl from the honeymoon, the wedding itself, a new house and all the accessories, all the wedding presents, the honeymoon itself, a wine of the month club subscription, etc. Needless to say, it has been an extremely fruitful year.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
JB has worked very hard this year on the house, planning the surprise honeymoon, putting up with my craziness and dealing with a very painful fractured tooth over Christmas and New Years- poor guy...

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? whoever the people are that broke into our office twice (including yesterday) and ransacked our stuff. Why do people feel the need to steal anyway?

14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills, a new house, interior work and booze...

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Wedding and more importantly, the Honeymoon!

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
"My Best Friend" Tim McGraw, "I Loved Her First" Heartland- for two of my favorite men in my life

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Definitely Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Definitely Thinner!! Wahoo!
c) richer or poorer?
Richer in love and life

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
organizing and crafts

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
sitting around being lazy and sick

20. How did you spend Christmas?
We spent the holiday with my family at my parent's house and then celebrated over the new year's weekend with JB's family at our house. We had a double wammy of fun this year!

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
As cheesey as it sounds, I fall in love a little more every day

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Heroes, although we just started watching the first season on DVD but it is awesome!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is such a strong and nasty word. I don't think I hate anyone, I have been frustrated with people but I definitely don't hate anyone.

24. What was the best book you read?
I read a lot but nothing really stands out at the moment except the newest Harry Potter novel.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I can't think of one, I know, I'm boring

26. What did you want and get?
I wanted to be able to spend the Holidays with both families and we managed to do that at the last moment with a surprise visit from the in-laws! Yeah!

27. What did you want and not get?
I wanted a big fat bonus from the boss but I suppose just knowing I have a job and a little security there will do for now.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I can't think of everything I saw this year but I recently watched "P.S. I Love You" with Hilary Swank and it really hit the spot with me emotionally. I recommend watching it.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 27 and my birthday was fairly lowkey. JB had to work so I went out to dinner with my parents and then got hammered at his bar with my mom. There is nothing like waking up the next morning and remembering throwing back shots with your mother while yelling at her to "stop being a pussy and finish your shot" - ooooh what a night.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
JB liking his job a bit more, making him happy there would make us happier at home.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
varied, depending on the day

32. What kept you sane?
deep breaths, the internet, my furry babies and my amazing husband

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I'm not sure about this one

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
healthcare and education

35. Who did you miss?
All of my friends and family that don't live close enough

36. Who was the best new person you met?
I'm not sure there is a best one but Tara was definitely a nice addition to my group of friends

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. Breathe deep and if that doesn't work then call JB so he can tell you how much he loves you- for some reason this always calms my nerves; oh, and never give anything expecting the same in return because it will probably just make you disappointed.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. "Just breathe..."

Monday, November 26, 2007

Post Thanksgiving Day Blues

So, JB and I hosted the big family event this year at our new house. We had my whole family over and a few friends too. We rounded off our brand new dining room table with nine people for the festivities. The house looked fantastic. JB worked his little butt getting things ready for the dinner and overnight guests. He finally finished the tile in the bathroom and it looks fantastic. I will have to post a picture of his excellent job just so I can brag again that it is finished. It only took six months of discussion and a little bit of nagging but he finally finished. I am happy.

But I digress... he also finished the baseboards on the first floor, mowed the lawn, painted the ceilings and finished a few other things that I can't think of right at this moment. I baked pies, prepped for dinner, made beds, vaccumed, washed the dogs, and generally picked up around the house enough to have my mother over for the night and not feel uncomfortable about it. At one point JB and I hugged, sighed and looked around at our accomplishments. It really is beginning to feel like our house. After only a few months we have unpacked all our boxes and are truly settled in.

The dinner was fantastic. I used a few recipes I found on the Williams Sonoma website and everything turned out yummy. We had a sage-rubbed butterball turkey, sage & sausage stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed corn, rolls, green bean casserole, acorn squash, pumpkin pie, banana cream pie & french silk pie. We ate really late because we were sharing the holiday with my brother's girlfriend's family but everything turned out okay. It was nice not to have to get up and put the turkey in at 6AM. I can honestly say I'm not complaining about having the additional time in the day. We played a new game I found at uncommongoods.com called The Thanksgiving Box of Questions. It was a great way to entice conversation at the dinner table as well as get a feeling of what people were thankful for this holiday season. We also played on my parent's Wii during the night. Everyone took turns playing the different games on the big screen and my house was miraculously cleaned after dinner by my brothers and friends. God Bless great manners!

So, all in all the dinner was a success! I fell into bed after a rousing game of Five Crowns at around midnight. I was super tired and thrilled that everything had come together and everyone seemed to have had a good time. The next morning I got up and had coffee with everyone, then jumped into making pumpkin waffles. They took a bit of time but were worth it. I highly recommend trying them too. I will post recipes later when I have more time to post.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving~!

Monday, November 5, 2007

A Splendid Night Out

JB had a fairly good weekend at work. If you don't know, he currently has a consistant schedule of working graveyard shift at a local bar down the street from our house. He likes having the consistency of a shift and a graveyard schedule really isn't terrible for the relationship department. We may not get to sleep next to each other but at least we can have dinner and watch a movie at night. We still get some solid snuggle time in but instead of sharing the bed all night he leaves at 11.30 and I head straight into sleepy-time snuggled next to our hound dogs.

So, he had a couple of fairly good tipping nights from his regular gamers. Growing up in Las Vegas you would think I would have a better understanding of the whole industry and it's unspoken rules but until JB came into my life I had no idea. For example, did you know that you should tip at least 10% of any winnings from the slot machine to your bartender? I'm told this is an industry standard and bartenders actually get kind of mad if you don't. Apparently it is for the free drinks and extra attention they may give you whether you win or lose. Also, many of his regulars he actually sees come in to sit and play the machines 1-3 times a week or more depending on the player. That floors me! I can't imagine wanting to go in and sit down in the smokey bar and play video poker that much. I don't think I even play bubble breaker on my phone that often and I love that game (plus it's free). Ha.

Anyway, he had a couple of players hit on his shift and he was able to come home with some much needed cash. Yippee!

In order to celebrate this unexpected bonus we agreed that a decent dinner out was in order. We grabbed our entertainment book to look for a coupon and ended up at The Melting Pot. JB had never been and luckily we were starving because no matter how you slice it, 4 courses is a lot of food... We tried a few new yummy things that were on the specials list and one course just pops out above the rest: The Mediterranean Cheese Fondue. It was oh-so-lick-your-fingers-and-order-a-second-helping-good. I think if I can't find a recipe online I am going to try to recreate it. They make the dish at the table so I think I have most of it down. They start with a cup of dry white wine, followed with chopped garlic, shallots and dates, then added fontina and gruyere cheese and finished it all off with truffle oil. Mmm Mmm, just thinking about that mixture makes me hungry. I HIGHLY recommend making that little fondue at home if you get the chance or at least heading to the restaurant bar for their version.

Sigh. I love cheesey goodness.

Monday, October 29, 2007

A Brief Overview of my Weekend

Friday afternoon my new dining room table was delivered! Wahoo!! I was sitting at work waiting for the news from my hubbie when I realized it was getting late and I still had yet to hear from him. After calling several times I finally bailed out of the office and rushed home in case he slept through the delivery. As I assumed when I finally got home he was sleeping ever-so-soundly and definitely would not have heard the delivery truck arrive. An hour or so later and my new table was in place! It is oh so pretty and can easily seat 10! I'm still not sure why this was a requirement for us but we easily have the space and as far as we are concerned the more the merrier!
After the arrival of our new and beautiful furniture I headed out to pick up my good friend Shauna. She was in town from San Francisco for the opening of our friend Brittany's new boutique in North Las Vegas so I decided to steal her away for a couple of hours. She came and got the nickel tour of our new house and then we met back up with Brittany and Giulianna for dinner that night. The next day we basically spent at the boutique watching fashion shows and trying on clothes. They had a fairly decent turn out and I even splurged and bought a few things. Afterward the girls went to a halloween party and I crashed. I have been struggling with a cold or allergies for awhile and it had finally taken its toll. Ah well, no biggie to have missed the halloween party as I'm not much of a fan of dressing up.
Truth be told I spent the whole next day in my pajamas napping and watching movie after movie. I didn't feel all that lazy because JB was in bed too. Technically he works graveyard so that is his time to sleep but it still helped me justify my laziness. Man, I really need to get better. I am so tired of feeling sick~ blah blah...