tornado warning

There's something about getting that message in your email that makes your heart race some ... if only just a little bit.

It's absolutely black outside (even though the sun should be shining brightly). The lightning and thunder is shaking the windows, and the dogs are pacing.

Aidan is eating waffles and watching Ni-Hao, Kai-Lan ... totally oblivious to the menacing weather around him, which is as things should be. I'm enjoying a glass of wine and a chunk of parmigiano reggiano.

I love this weather, but I've always been a [bad] weather junkie. Life is a blessing.

"old school Republicans are scared shitless..."

Anyone who's followed my blog for a while knows that I love Meghan McCain. Her views are about as closely aligned to my own as just about any others that I've read or heard out in the "main stream" media.

Sometimes, it's tough for a white, protestant, socially liberal, fiscally conservative Republican girl to find much of a common ground with others ... well, Meghan is one of the few with whom I can identify. Time and again, I find myself saying, "AMEN!" to stuff of hers that I read.

Here's the latest slam dunk by my fellow "goes against the grain" Republican girl. Love her guts.

McCain, at one point, declared herself a proud member of the GOP. But her pot shots at the Republican Party and its flashier figures were not thinly veiled. Describing her public tiff with Ann Coulter as non-delicate, she went on to refer to the brash conservative talker as "overly partisan and divisive." Later in the speech she insisted that "most of our nation wants our nation to succeed" - a pretty clear dig at the now-infamous remarks of talk radio host Rush Limbaugh.

my faculty meeting ran late ...

... so I didn't get to join my dear friend, Missy, at the Tea Party in Downtown Houston. Dammit. And Dammit some more. I try not to get too political on my blog, but I obviously voice my feelings from time to time, because its important to me. Today is one of those days.

I support my President, and I respect the will of the people. It's called a democracy, and it's a beautiful thing. But I've been increasingly concerned with the trend of events recently, mainly and primarily events revolving around more and more big government.

I'm so, so proud of all the folks who DID make their voices heard today, despite the bashing from the "main stream" media. So, instead of making a long rambling post about why I felt so strongly and passionately about the Tea Parties today, I thought I'd post some of my favorite Tea Party quotes from my browsing around the 'net today ...

"Your fair share is NOT in my wallet."

"Spread my ambition, not my wealth."

...at the Greenville, S.C., Tea Party, "They will be selling the 'Obama burger' — you pay for one and they cut it in half and give the rest to the guy behind you for free!"

"Next time read the bill."

"Member of the the irrelevant, lunatic fringe!"

"Your only HOPE is that I'm paying your mortgage."

dude ... excellent

Suh-weet! One of my favorite former Idol contestants (who also happens to be a Fightin' Texas Aggie! Whoop!) has a record deal!

Jason Castro has signed with Atlantic Records.

I've missed dread-locked Jason and his laid-back, guitar-playing ways. When he made a brief appearance during one of Idol's audition shows earlier this season (as a show of support for his brother who was trying out), it hit me why he's so appealing -- despite his talent, he doesn't take himself too seriously, which is a rare thing in this day and age ... especially in the entertainment industry.

Plus, I just love his music. The folksy, Colbie Caillat/Jason Mraz-ish stuff that comes from Castro is soothing and makes me smile. I mean, come on -- who didn't love his rendition of Over the Rainbow?!

I'll be buying his CD (produced by Grammy-winner John Fields) when it comes out later this year. Can't wait!

snakes and snails

As one of three daughters in an all-female family (except for my poor Dad), I wasn't exactly "prepared" for the antics of boys ... specifically, for my son, who appears to be, without a doubt, 100% pure boy. Add that to the fact that my dear husband is currently deployed and living on an opposite coast -- I'm on "boy duty" without much guidance. Each day with my three-year-old is an adventure -- sort of "on the job training" that takes new twists and turns at the most unexpected times.

I'm finding that the inner workings of these things called boys are a total and complete mystery to me.

Boys are weird. They say weird things. They do weird things. They make weird noises.
And sometimes, I just dont get it.

growing pains

My baby bumped his head ... in a really solid way. It was a bloody mess -- literally.

Big A was horsing around and fell head-first onto the edge of the brick fireplace last night. I've been waiting for that to happen, and up until last night, we'd managed to avoid it. But he's now officially earned his first good scar.

So Saturday night was spent in the ER (not a fun place to be in Houston on a weekend night ... ugliness abounds). After way too many hours sitting in the waiting room, and the growing realization that we were [rightfully so] at the very bottom of the triage list, we left the hospital and journeyed over to a local 24-hour urgent care clinic, which is where we should have gone to begin with (but I was initially worried about his noggin, as well as the laceration). It was awesome.

We walked right in, they cleaned up my little guy, gave him a popsicle and put him in the "Lion" room (with a way cool lion bed), put some cartoons on the flat-screen TV in his room, and sewed him up.

So, a few staples in the head later, we're all good. And like Ty always says, "Chicks dig scars." I'm getting a crash course in this whole motherhood thing now, I guess. Boys will be boys, and I'm proud of mine for being so brave.

Milestones

my boys

I just got to spend two weeks with my favorite boys -- my husband and my son. That might not seem like a big deal to most, but as anyone who may be reading this probably already knows, we currently live thousands of miles apart, due to military orders that have temporarily separated us.

I'm guilty of bitching way too much, so a perspective check is always appreciated, and usually long overdue on my part. My Spring Break might not have been glamorous or fancy. But to me, it was precious beyond words. Times that I've treasured:

- Aidan and Ty getting a haircut together.

- Ty taking Aidan to the doctor when he was sick with strep throat ... and then being uber-conscientious about making sure that he got his antibiotic twice a day (for ten days!).

- Going to a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese together as a family

- Aidan's first fish (woo hoo!)

- Ty changing a burned-out headlight in my car

- Making Saturday-morning waffles together.

- Chillaxin' at the Schwarz's house with the kids and "Aunt Belly."

- Hearing Aidan ask for Ty in the middle of the night ... hearing Ty say, "Daddy's coming."

- MY TWILIGHT DVD! (c'mon ... I couldn't leave that one out!)

I love you, Mr. Mailman!

A few days earlier than I'd expected, I just received quite the package (in more ways than one!) -- my Twilight DVD and calendar! Yippee!!!

So, now the big question is, how do I get rid of my hubby for a few hours when he's home on leave to see me?

I seriously need some "alone" time with Edward.... ;)

I still haven't even broken into the cellophane wrapping. I'm content right now just staring at it.

Sad, pathetic, adolescent, and ridiculous, I know. But so, so true.

Mike's Pomegranate Lemonade

YUMMY!

I'm not a big bottled, fru-fru drink/wine cooler kind of person, but sometimes after a day in the sun, when I've got that super thirst thing working, I get a craving for something other than beer or wine, but not super loaded with liquor. Know what I mean?

Enter Mike's Hard Lemonade Co., specifically, Mike's Pomegranate Lemonade. Really good! And at only 98 calories a pop (no fat), you don't have to feel too guilty about throwing back a few. Here's how Mike's website describes it:

Mike’s signature hard lemonade combines with juicy pomegranate, and subtle notes of berry, cherry, cranberry for a refreshing blend perfect for any social occasion.

I've been on a big pomegranate juice kick recently, so this was a fun find. It's a great summertime beverage ... oh, and the Cranberry Lemonade rocks too. I was pleasantly surprised! That's my official Spring Break discovery for 2009, I guess. ;)

Robert Pattinson "I Don't Know"

In honor of my favorite Vampire ... (and the Twilight DVD release this week).

Why am I so obsessed with Rob? He answers the question in this YouTube clip.

'fessing up

... ok. I'm going to admit it. There's no shame in it. A bunch of people are starting to do it. It's really convenient. And it doesn't mean that I still don't appreciate the really good stuff (do I sound defensive enough yet?)....

I've recently been drinking wine out of a box!!!

There! I said it!

Here's the story. About a week ago, my mom picked up a box of Hardy's, an Australian wine. I opened the refrigerator and, in true wine snob fashion, immediately jumped all over her. "What the heck is this box of wine doing in here?"

I have no idea why she bought it. Maybe it was on sale. Who knows. But damn! I love having a box of wine (spigot and all!) in the front of the fridge on the top shelf! We've been drinking on the chardonnay, so it's always nice to have it really cold. And talk about convenient! You just press the little bottle and, voila! Instant refreshment!

Just because I'm still feeling self-conscious about it and sort of feel the need to further defend my actions, I'm providing excerpts from a review of the Hardy's boxed wine. It's from The Boxed Wine Spot (who knew there was such a thing?!). Actually, after doing a little bit of research, several online sites tout the positives of wine in a box. I was really surprised!

Boxed wine cheap, but doesn't taste it

Hardys of southeastern Australia is a major producer of wines in the land down under.

One of the company's claims to fame is the production of really good wine packaged in three-liter boxes, the equivalent of four regular bottles of wine. These boxes are made of heavy cardboard with a plastic bag inside that is filled with wine and sealed. At the bottom of the bag is a pouring spigot.

The wine can be kept in the refrigerator or on a shelf without any deterioration problems from oxidation for an incredibly long six weeks. The boxes also are a great way to carry your wine to a party, barbecue or out to the lake.

How fun does that sound???

But wait! There's more!

- Hardys 2006 South Eastern Australia Chardonnay (three-liter box/$18.99). Here is a perfect example of a modern Australian chardonnay, and an example of what can be accomplished with grapes from a fine growing area. The aroma stresses green apples, pears, melons and spice, with oak and vanilla in the background. The green apple and the melon are the most prominent flavors, with an entire collection of tropical fruits lying just offshore. This chardonnay deserves your attention, especially at the price.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm still all about pulling the cork on a fine Cabernet or Pinot Grigio. But I'm so glad that I've discovered an alternative to Franzia.

Gentlemen's Quarterly

The April cover is out.

**swoon**

Love the title ... "ROBERT PATTINSON IS HERE: HIDE YOUR DAUGHTERS"

(how 'bout your wives?)

The pure genius that is Google

Happy Texas Independence Day

173 years ago on a cold, gray, and rainy day at the Town of Washington, 59 delegates read and approved the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. The document was literally produced overnight; for at that same moment, the Alamo in San Antonio was being hammered by artillery from Santa Anna's Mexican army.

Four days later, defended by such Texas heroes as Davey Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William B. Travis, the Alamo fell ... but not before those men put up one helluva fight. The defenders held out for 13 days against Santa Anna's army. They drew a line in the sand and refused to surrender.

Today, that spirit of independence remains alive and well in the Lone Star State. Texans are often misunderstood and labeled as arrogant or boastful. But that's not it ... it's immense pride and heritage. People care about people here. People care about their homes and neighbors. People care about being Texans.

I love the wide open spaces. I love the smells. I love the sunsets. I love the fact that all in one state you can drive to the gorgeous beaches of South Padre Island, or experience the nightlife and music of Austin, or enjoy the mountains of Big Bend, or fish the Gulf Coast, or hunker down for a cold and windy blizzard in the panhandle. But most of all, I love the people.

Texans put God, country, and family first. Always. But football, cold beer, BBQ, tailgates, raft trips down the river, two-stepping at Gruene Hall, and bluebonnets in the spring are also religious experiences. We respect our soldiers, say 'Yes, Ma'am' and 'No, Sir', punish our law-breakers, fly our flags, and respect tradition.

A good Texas girl like me couldn't let today pass without reflecting on how blessed and lucky I am to be a part of this great state. Author John Steinbeck said it best ... "Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word."

God Bless Texas.

the perfect combo

Robert Pattinson, a tuxedo, and total, unpretentious charm.

Quite the package.

Rob was a hit at the Oscars last night. Our friendly Forks vampire cleans up pretty good, doesn't he?

gratitude list

My happy list, du jour.

1. rainy days

2. 4-day work weeks

3. continued Twilight craziness (Rob Pattinson presenting at the Oscars?! The ONLY reason I'll be tuning in); I don't want it to end. Sick, I know.

4. continued Twilight discussions with B and D

5. job security

6. hot coffee

7. a once again, healthy Aidan

8. friends & family (ALWAYS)

9. Glen Beck

10. paying off my car ... step one of 1,000 towards financial freedom

The Great Houston Blizzard of 2008

There are few surprises left in life. Technology has advanced so much that very little is left unknown or to our imaginations. We usually know about major events before they happen ... and in 20 different languages, thoroughly analyzed by news pundits and internet gurus.

So imagine the surprise and thrill that millions of Texans got to experience yesterday afternoon when SNOW magically and unexpectedly began to fall. We knew it would be cold, and some weather guys and gals actually predicted a little bit of sleet.

But it was so much better.

Yesterday I was reminded that life can still be unpredictable, in a good way. I also learned that dogs and two-year-old kids sure love snow. And even adults giggle like children when it falls in December in Texas.

I'm so glad we didn't know it was coming -- it would've spoiled the surprise.

My heart was jump-started again

I finally saw Twilight.

I never thought I'd have that heart-racing feeling during the movie like I had when reading the series for the first time. But I did. It might not have been a technical or special effects master piece (to put it kindly), but what it was was exactly what made me fall in love with the book to begin with -- a perfectly intense love story about two imperfect beings.

I loved that it was cheesy. I loved that I already knew what would happen in the end. The fun of it all was feeling it again, and seeing my favorite characters play it all out on screen. The sexual tension between Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) was hot! Totally hot. I joked with a friend of mine that I needed a cigarette after sitting through it!

And speaking of Robert Pattinson, can I just say, damn! He's absolutely the perfect Edward. Out of respect for my husband and for my marriage vows, I'll refrain from saying anything more than that. :)

So it's time to read the whole series again. My heart needs it. In the words of Edward Cullen, it's my own heroin. And maybe I can look at it through fresh eyes again, now that I have some faces in my mind.

God, I can't wait for Stephenie to release Midnight Sun. And I'm anxiously anticipating my next Cullen fix on the big screen when New Moon comes out next year.

turkey, pumpkin pie, and football

Ahhh, Thanksgiving time in Texas. For literally generations of families, that's meant the annual showdown between the Texas A&M Aggies and University of Texas Longhorns (or t.u., as we Aggies prefer to call that school in Austin). For the past several years, due to extraneous and bulshitty reasons, the game was moved to the day after Turkey Day, and consequently has became known as T+1. This year, however, the game has rightly been moved back to where it truly belongs -- Thanksgiving Day. Glorious.

Plain and simply, my beloved Aggies are going to get stomped on the gridiron. t.u. is tougher, faster, and very obviously, more talented. Texas A&M has a new coach, old players with bad attitudes, and some new players with not enough experience to keep their heads cool. It hasn't made for a pretty picture this season.

But during the Lone Star Showdown, none of that matters. As cliche as it sounds, you can throw the recordbooks out the window when you're playing this rivalry game. The Aggies have sucked the last two seasons as well, yet managed to pull out a victory against the 'Horns. I don't think that will be the case this year, and again, I think it's going to be a long day for the good guys in maroon and white.

But hey, it's Thanksgiving, and the Aggies and Longhorns are playing football. So it's all good.

My cup runneth over

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." -- Psalms 23:5

I am so very blessed. Sometimes, my heart is so full of gratitude at all I've been given, that it almost takes my breath away. And during this time of Thanksgiving, I'm especially grateful for all the gifts in my life.

Perfection, in any way, shape or form, isn't a part of the picture, but I don't think it's meant to be. When I was feeling particularly low a few weeks ago about an event that really sucker punched me in the gut, a good friend gave me some excellent advice -- think of something you can silently say to yourself each and every time you start to feel overwhelmed. The quote I've found myself now repeating over and over is, "The secret to having it all is believing that you do."

And I do. Truly.