Babies, and how I'm not having any :(

Justin had the wonderful opportunity to baby sit Colin (shown here), a very cute, adorable and active cousin of his, while Colin’s mom and I went shopping.

I don’t think Justin quite knew what he was getting into, as he willingly offered to watch Colin. Someday, Justin is going to make a terrific dad, and I’m incredibly excited about the prospects of having adorable little red heads running around our house someday. But now is not the time.

By the time we returned five hours later, Justin didn’t even get a chance to say hello or bye, as he ran away.

Yes, he ran away, went to go chill out by purchasing baseball cards. It was almost comical really – he looked fried. Colin on the other hand, was still going strong, running around in nothing but a t-shirt and diapers.

After Justin returned, I was informed I (he said “I” referring to me, but really, I think he was referring to himself) am not ready to have children, saying I couldn’t handle that. He’s the one that ran out the second we got home. Nerd.

HAHAHA… I was like, seriously Justin, it isn’t like the Lord has women popping out two-year olds. That’s why you have a nine-month incubation period, and the baby starts off tiny and grows into a crazy kid. It’s so you have time to adjust.

So my attempts to have babies, quit my job, etc. have been foiled for the next two to four years, as I could not handle it. Dang it.

Procrastinating when you have lots of work is stupid.

1.) When showering, do you start the water and then get in or get in and start the shower?
Start the shower, get it as hot as possible without it scalding me, and then get itn.

2.) Do you read the labels on your shampoo bottle?
Depends on how bored I am. If I forgot to turn the radio on before I got in, I read as many bottles as possible.

3.) Do you moan in the shower like the people on the Herbal Essence commercial?
Nope, just sing.

4.) Have you ever showered with someone of the opposite sex?
Well, I am married… what do you think?

5.) Have you ever peed in someone's yard?
Recently, no. But as a kid if I was doing the kiddie pool thing and had to tinkle, I’d run into the side yard and get my pee on.

6.) Have you ever brushed your teeth in the shower?
No, though I have thought about from a time standpoint. I could do it while conditioning my hair. Hmm…

7.) Have you ever dropped your soap on your foot?
No, but I have dropped the shampoo bottle, the razor (OUCH), and various other items, but never the soap bar.

8.) How old do you look?
Probably my age.

9.) How old do you act?
Based on another survey, I act 28.

10.) What's the last song you listened to?
Ugh, that stupid James Blunt song, “You’re Beautiful.” STOP PLAYING THAT SONG EVERY 8 SECOND 96.7!!

11.) Have you recently become a member of anything?
Actually yes! I’m a card carrying member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) as of two weeks ago.

12.) What are your plans for the weekend?
Seeing family for the Easter holidays!

13.) Do you kiss with your eyes opened or closed?
Closed, unless it is lasting too long, then I open them to see if Justin is thinking the same thing, and usually he is. Haha.

14.) Have you ever ridden a mechanical bull?
No.

15.) If you were working on a pirate ship, what would you most likely be doing?
I’d like to the person on top peering to see if any ships are coming.

17.) Have you ever called anyone a slut?
Um yeah. I think I’ve even called myself a slut.

18) Have you ever been called a slut?
See above.

19). Have you ever smuggled something into America?
Oh yes!!! One (1) Cuban cigar from the cruise I went on. I was so scared I was going to get busted. Oddly enough, I think I threw it out a month or two later because I don’t smoke.

20). Does playing the guitar make a girl/guy more attractive?
No offense to guitar players, but it’s really just a cry for help if that’s the only instrument you play and you suck at it.

21). Do you live in a city with a good sports team?
National Champion Longhorns! Boo-ya!

23). How many people do you think would come to your funeral? Probably about 200, including people from work. Maybe more.

24). How many of them would come just to make sure you're dead?
Oh no! gosh, probably none.

25). Do you have more enemies or more friends?
That’s a toss up. Over my lifetime, probably equal ;)

26.) Have you ever sent an anonymous letter?
Heck no. When I put something to words, I sign that stuff – I want them to know who sent it. It’s also the only way I can confront people.

28.) Have you ever turned someone down for a date?
Yeah.

29.) Are you smarter than your friends?
I think I’m friends with a lot of intellectual people, if anything, I’m the stupid one of the group

30.) Have you ever stolen anything from your friends?
OMG no!

31.) Have you ever been to jail?
Actually, yes. Just to tour it in fourth grade!

32.) Should you have?
Well, I would have gotten in trouble if I skipped out on it!

33) Do you like the smell of beer?
Yuck no.

34.) Have you ever died or killed someone in your dreams?
Actually no! I have been killed in my dreams. It was really scary because the guy shot me, and it went black in my dream, and when I woke up, the electricity had gone off. Pretty freaky!

35.) Have you ever given to charity?
Yes

36.) Would you kill a dog for $1000?
I could never kill a dog ever.

37.) Do you sometimes get depressed?
Yes, for odd reasons too.

38.) Do you live with your parents?
Shoot me now! Heck no!

39.) Do you have plans for your future?
Yes, I need to start my own firm someday and have children and go back to school and travel the world. I anticipate all of this occurring in the next year. HAHA!

X MARKS THE SPOT

You are
[ ]short, under 5'4" (5'2)
[x]5'4" - 5'6"
[ ] 5'7" - 6'0"
[ ] tall 6'1" and up

NATURALLY
[ ] blonde
[] redhead
[ ] brunette
[ ] dirty blonde
[x ]dark brown
[ ] black

[ ] blue-eyed
[x] brown-eyed
[ ] green-eyed
[ ] hazel-eyed
[ ] gold/gray-eyed
[ ] silver/gray- eyed
[ ] blue/green-eyed
[ ] brown/green-eyed
[ ] Yellow/Green-eyed
[ ] they change colors

[ ] glasses I need them.
[ ] contacts
[ ] have glasses
[ ] BOTH
[x] neither

[ ]short hair
[x]medium hair
[] long hair

Your favorite color(s) are?
[ ] red
[ ] khaki
[ aqua (marine)
[x] pink
[ ] hot pink
[] yellow
[] black
[ ] green
[ ] lime green
[]blue
[] white
[ ] Turquoise
[x ] silver
[x] purple
[ ] brown
[x] Orange
[ ] gray
[ ] maroon
[ ] gold
[ ] teal
[ ] I don't really care
[ ] I don't believe in favorite colors

Some things you've done?
[x] ice skating
[x] hiking
[] rafting
[] water skiing
[x] horseback riding
[] body/surfing and skim/wake boarding
[ ] snowboarding
[] skiing
[x] dancing
[x] skateboarding
[] cheerleading
[ ] lacrosse
[ ] street hockey
[x] gymnastics
[ ] martial arts
[x] baton twirling
[x] swimming

Your personality is sometimes...
[x] talkative
[x] shy
[x] funny
[x] serious
[x] laid back
[ ] strict
[ ] hyper
[ ] weird
[x] ditzy - thanks to pregnancy
[x]sarcastic
[ ]slow

You can't stand listening to...
[] pop
[x] country
[ ] Christian
[ ] classical
[ ] techno
[x] oldies
[ ] opera
[ ] 80's
[ ] disco
[ ] Hip Hop
[ ] classic rock
[x] punk
[ ] metal
[x] screamo
[ ] reggae
[ ] I like everything as long as I am in the mood for it or its not for to long a period of time

Clothing Brands you own?
[ ] Delia's
[ ] American Eagle
[ ] Hollister
[ ] Buckle
[ ] Abercrombie&Fitch
[x] Target
[ ] Wal-mart
[ ] Wet Seal...old clothes
[ ] Forever 21
[ ] O'neil
[ ] Pac Sun
[x] Gap
[x] JCrew
[x] Neiman Marcus
[ ] Bloomingdales
[x] Nordstrom
[x] Anthropologie
[x] Banana Republic
[ ] Aeropostale
[ ] Dickies
[ ] Anchor Blue
[ ] Guess
[ ] Lucky
[ ] Champs
[ ] Salvation army/goodwill/VALUE WORLD.
[ ] Old Navy
[ ] whatever is at the thrift store
[ ] Eddie Bauer
[ ] Hot Topic
[ ] Alloy
[ ] RAVE!
[ ] Baby Phat
[ ] Apple Bottoms

Okay, I feel stupid now for doing this! Do any of these people actually hold jobs!? What about Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, the Limited, Express, White House Black Market, NY and Co., boutiques! HELLO!

Shoe Brands You Own?
[x] Flip-Flops
[x] Nike
[ ] Adidas
[ ] Reebok
[ ] Billabong
[ ] Roxy
[ ] Puma
[ ] Jack purcells
[ ] luggs
[ ] BCBG
[ ] Birkenstocks
[ ] Etnies
[X] Reefs
[ ] Converse
[ ] K Swiss
[ ] Adio
[ ] DC
[X]Steve Madden
[ ] Vans
[x] if I like something alot ill buy it
[ ] New Balance
[ ] LEI
[X] Payless
[ ] DVS
[ ] Emerica's
[ ] Rainbows
[X] dc martens
[ ] dickies
[ ] diesels
[ ] roos
[ ] Globe
[] Airwalk
[] Circa
[ ] I own alot but dont know what they are
[ ] birdman
[ ] jordans
[ ] baby phat

Once again? I need more “work shoe” options. Gimme a break!

Your confessions:
[X] I'm afraid of silence
[x I am ticklish
[ ] I'm afraid of the dark if im alone
[ ] I've collected comic books
[ ] I shut others out when I'm mad
[X] I open up to others easily (eh, it kinda depends on the subject)
[ ]I read the newspaper (comics)
[x] I love Disney movies
[ ] I am a sucker for eyes
[ ] I don't kill bugs
[ ] I have "x"s in my screen name
[X] I bake well
[x] I have worn pajamas to class (yeah, um, four or five years ago! AHH! I’m getting old!)
[ ] I love Martha Stewart
[ ] I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS
[x] I am self-conscious...sometimes
[x] I love to laugh
[ ] I can't swallow pills
[ ] I bite my nails
[X] I play computer games when I'm bored (I’m a Sukoku nut!)
[ ] I've gotten lost in the city
[x] Gone out in public in your pajamas (once again, not in years!)
[ ] Been skydiving
[ ] Been bungee jumping
[ ] Bitten someone
[X] Dressed up like the opposite sex (When I was four, to see if my parents would think it wasn’t me)
[x] teepeed a house
[x] Been fired (I quit before it got to that point. But yes, twice!)

Have you ever...
[ ] danced in the rain
[x] Seen a shooting star
[ ] Gotten stitches
[x] Eaten Sushi
[x] Gotten the chicken pox
[x Ridden in a taxi
[X] Been on a cruise ship
[ ] Driven over 400 miles in one day
[ ] Been on a plane by yourself
[X] Had surgery
[ ]seen a movie more than 3 times in the theater (Casper… I know, Devon Sawa)
[x] been on stage
[ ] gotten a black eye
[X ] watched an entire baseball game on tv

Do you like...
[X ] musicals
[x] blasting music in your car
[x] Christmas time
[ ] donuts
[x] animals
[ ] coffee
[x] tea (only hot peppermint tea)

Two Things That Scare You
1. Giving birth and the subsequent raising of a child
2. getting murdered

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. H&M long sleeved cotton brown shirt
2. NY & Co black baggy cotton pants (that go right past my knees)

Favorite Hobby
1. Writing

Three Things You Want Really Badly
1. A Mini Cooper
2. My weight from high school
3. my dog to live forever (SHOUT OUT WALTER!)

Two Places You Want to go on Vacation
1. Italy (well, Rome)
2. Australia

Two Things You Want to Do Before You Die
Can't narrow it down

Two Things You Are Thinking About Now
1. I need to get out of here
2. Is this almost done?

Two Stores You Shop At
1. Ann Taylor Loft
2. White House Black Market

Two Fast Food/Restaurant Places You'll Eat at
1. Hickory Street Grill’s salad bar
2. Apple Annie’s for their yummy tomato brie soup

Two people I haven't talked to or seen in a while
1. Ashley (four days is a long time!)
2. Carissa

One Reason you're doing this survey
1. I’m a procrastinator.

BSC!

A blog that I read quite religiously is Pop Candy on the USAToday.com Web site. Whitney Matheson pretty much likes a lot of the stuff I do (her Lost postings, for example, are a must-read if you watch the show) and one of today’s posts proves it!

“Back when I was shorter and wore enormous glasses, I was hopelessly
addicted to The Baby-Sitters Club. In fact, I probably read Ann M. Martin's
series of books way longer than I should have, but, let me tell you, these
things were impossible to put down! (Favorite character? It's a tie between
Claudia and Mary Anne.)”

Mine was Stacey, hands down. She was hip, cool, from NYC. LOVED HER. My grandfather had diabetes, and so it was great to get a girl POV on the subject. Helped me to better understand the blood tests I would see Gramps do.

So, she links to a site from Scholastic – and it has a pop quiz to determine which babysitter you would be. So I did it. And crap, I’m freaking Kristy. I HATED HER. She was a turd. Probably my least favorite character. Unbelievable. Apparently it’s because “I always speak my mind and sometimes it gets me into trouble.”

But it gets even better. There is a blogger out there who is actually re-reading all of the books. Now I’m super hacked that I gave away a bunch of my BSC books – because I want to re-read all of them.

Anyways, she’s reading one of my favorite books right now – Stacey’s Ex-Best Friend, a.k.a. #51. I don’t think I ever told anyone I wanted to name my future child Anastasia because of the BSC, did I? Now, I’d maybe name my cat that. If I had/wanted/wasn’t allergic to cats.

Sidebar: Me and my BFF, Brandi, went to Town East Mall one Saturday in sixth grade to meet Ann Martin (author of the BSC series) as part of her mall tour. We gave her the biggest stack of book ideas EVER. Haha. I can’t believe we thought she’d read them!

New Year, New Me?

Inevitably, every January 1, myself – along with approximately 250 million Americans – have this stupid notion that resolutions are key to a successful and prosperous coming year, along with black eyed peas (yuck). And by April 24 – inevitably again – 95 percent of Americans come to the conclusion that resolutions totally suck.

So why do we play this game with ourselves? Do we enjoy setting up inevitable failure, cherish the promise of shattered goals, cling to the off-chance that we will become that five percent of Americans who lose weight or whatever that thing is we are “resolving”(as evident by the “results not typical” smaller-than-your-nose-hair typeset below their picture on the 2 a.m. infomercials)?

Really, the only time I am able to keep any type of promise to myself is during Lent, when – as a Catholic – the fear of God’s wrath instills some type of impenetrable force field around your promise to workout more, stop eating candy/fattening foods, and read the bible nightly. Because, of course, Jesus’ love for me and my BMI go hand in hand… right?

The point is, why do we kid ourselves with seemingly unattainable promises of a better life?

Also, why have I used the term inevitable or a similar function of the word so many times in this posting? Probably lack of a decent vocabulary…

I don’t really know why we make goals we can’t keep, so my resolution this year is no resolutions at all. Sure, I still want to lose weight, and yes, I’d love to focus more on my spiritual enlightenment, but I made those promises to myself back in September, not January 1.

Maybe because I didn’t want to be like everyone else, but more because I wanted to set my own goals on my own time, my own way – not on some day set in stone by Hallmark, 24 Hour Fitness, or Nutrisystem Nourish. (Which, by the way, those commercials do make that food look yummy… but I decided to make my own food myself – oh, and did you notice those commercials started running right around the holiday season? Coincidence – of course not! Commercialism is in every aspect of our lives, integrated to a ridiculous degree – but that is for a different blog posting)

So here is my ultimatum to you – stop defining your life by a date, by one or two unrealistic goals that will only cause you a greater setback when you don’t reach them. Take baby steps, meditate or pray on how you can better improve your life – but make it realistic and obtainable and not according to a calendar, because when you do reach a goal, it’s the best feeling in the world (results not typical).

BTW, I didn’t have any black eyed peas today.

My New Love

I’ve started dreaming about it, already spent way too much money on it, and over the past few months, my love for it has grown so much that I can’t hold it in anymore and have to share.

No, I’m not having a baby. And I wouldn’t announce it on my blog if I was. Actually I would. I’m already off topic though, which can’t fare well for this blog entry.

What I’m really talking about is my love of a game called golf. Back in fourth grade, my left-handed dad tried teaching me the basics of the game at the driving range at Town East and Belt Line. Given my hand-eye coordination had never truly been tested up until this point (I never played a sport in my life) and I’m right-handed, the lesson ended with me declaring golf to be the “stupidest game ever.” (I tend to speak in absolutes to this day)

In my early college years, wanting to woo the man of my dreams into a lifetime of blissful and uncomplicated marriage, I decided I should watch golf on TV and, on occasion, maybe even tap a ball or two in the general vicinity of a hole in the ground. I ended up having the hots for Phil Mickelson, the most adorable leftie on the PGA Tour, but still never got into the “swing” of things. Love me some puns.

Then about three years ago, I decided to get serious. We purchased some golf clubs for me and went to the Hank Haney golf range in North Austin (now a lovely shopping center with a Home Depot, a now-closed Circuit City and a Golf Galaxy) to get some one-on-one lessons with the best golfer I know, my husband… hehe.

Unfortunately, my hand-eye coordination was much the same as it was in fourth grade, and the majority of my swings made little to no contact with the ball in front of me. Aggravating sport!

But it all changed with the discovery of a little shindig called the Butler Park Pitch and Putt, conveniently located across the street from Peter Pan Putt-Putt and about 10 minutes from the house. It’s essentially a nine-hole, par-three course where BYOB is encouraged and may help your score. Once I was able to take what I learned on the range and apply it to a “real-life” setting, the lessons I was receiving suddenly made more sense. You can’t “play” on a range forever, right?

And now, my new favorite course to play is Lions Municipal Golf Course that is at Enfield and Exposition. A relatively flat course, it’s easy to walk and play and get a great understanding of the game. And shockingly, in the two times I’ve gone there, my score has dropped another seven shots! WHOA! The best part of the course? In the evenings, it’s less than $8 to walk and play nine holes. It’s like brining golf to the masses. Genius.

One side note, the University of Texas owns the land this golf course is on, and is currently trying to boot the golf course in favor of “development” – i.e. condos, apartments and retail. Because apparently this city needs more of that, right? A bunch of condos-turned-apartments and empty retail shells. Booo. Lion’s is the only centrally located municipal (or private) golf course that is reasonably priced enough for anyone and everyone to play. Plus, its unique history should solidify its place in Austin. For more information or to sign the petition, visit: http://www.savemuny.com/.

So move aside running, I’ve officially found a new hobby that I’m not too bad at (anymore).

It’s Been Awhile

Well, I’m happy to report that it is currently 75 degrees in Austin on May 31. You read right folks- the world is coming to an end when it is hotter in Washington D.C. (or so I’ve been informed) than it is in the entire state of Texas (okay, El Paso is 93, two degrees warmer than DC).

So horrible news. I’ve been informed we have a wedding to go to in August (GASP!), which means I’ve got 20 pounds to lose before then. I’ve been having trouble with the weight lately, despite my attempts at eating healthy, so I’m pondering the Jenny Craig (no) or the L.A. Weight Loss (maybe) options. Justin thinks it’s stupid, and maybe it is. But if it helps me shed the pounds, he can shove it. And of course, shove it with love.

So I have a feeling this blog will be about my attempts (again) to try and shed the pounds, so I expect all of you (all three) who read this to keep me honest. But I’m also doing this for another reason, besides looking hot and sassy in August. I mean, a year from now, Justin and I will probably start trying the procreation thing (eeeegad!) and I want to be in the fittest, healthiest shape possible because, a) it makes the pregnancy easier, and b) the baby is healthier.

In other news, Justin’s sister has been living with us for a week now, and it’s going really well. It’s nice having another girl in the house, because sometimes Justin is such a freakin’ boy, with all of his ESPN, golf playing, dorky life.

Oh, wish him luck next weekend – he’s trying to qualify for a golf tournament at Pinehurst. (Apparently one of the first and nicest golf clubs in the U.S.) Just since we have joined the country club, his ability to play golf has already made him a coveted piece – a.k.a. “join my golf team you crazy player!” I, on the other hand, have gone two steps backwards in my playing ability, and still struggle to hit the ball. Yeah, look at that period at the end of the sentence, not “hit the ball…far” or “hit the ball…where I want it to go” – just hit the ball. I’ll figure it out again at some point, and it will be oh so glorious.

Until next time suckas.

XX-XY (Maybe even an XXH?)

What a boring day. I have a lot to do, and I’m doing it, but geez, I just want to go home and nap. I’m having a really bad headache, stemming from lack of water and annoying florescent lighting, and we are getting a new mattress delivered this evening for a bed we haven’t finished putting together. Lovely.

Yesterday was a busy day. We had to finish cleaning the apartment and turn in our keys (about an hour in we both said “Fuck It” – to cleaning) and left. Haha. Ashley stopped by to see the house before she left for Houston. While she was in town she got a sweet new car – fully loaded Toyota Four Runner… gorgeous – and so Justin christens it with “JB was Here” on the back window. I’m pretty sure Ashley was a little miffed, but her car was dirty, and it attracts immature boys to write stupid sayings.

Ivette and Lissette stopped by to scope out the house too, which was fun. I got to see Ivette’s new sweet ride (which I’m thinking, if you want to get a new car, just plan to stop by our house). They got Walter a ball, and it was hilarious. He destroyed it in literally 15 minutes. Walter is crazy.

Then we went to a 2 year-old birthday party. Colin is cute, and I’m fairly sure he is going to take after his dad and cousins (that being Justin) and be a sarcastic terror. He’ll do something, give you an evil glare, and then crack up. It’s just a sign. Then someone told me that my baby will look like Colin. Colin’s cute, and I hope that my kid gets red hair, but I would prefer a freak of recessive genes and the kid have dark hair and dark skin, like the rest of my family. Haha.

Which, speaking of, remember those blocks that you would do in middle school to track recessive genes and dominant genes. They actually stopped teaching that in schools because kids were figuring out their mom or dad wasn’t really their mom or dad. Crazy stuff.

Okay, back to word. My seven minute break was long over due, and subsequently, now over.

Thoughts on a Sunday Night

In the past when I’m bored, I tend to find an online survey someone has posted on MySpace, insert answers containing my information, repost on MySpace and fall to sleep. To be honest, it’s sort of fun, but all kinds of lame. No offense to the people I repost from, because obviously I enjoy doing it – but you have to admit, it's lame. Especially when I could be doing other, more practical things with my time – like writing, in my blog… ugh, I’m pretty sure this is still lame. Oh well, I’m bored, and procrastinating. I really should be doing my time entry for work. It’s like I’m in college again or something. But I’m rambling and completely missing the point of this blog entry.

I haven’t blogged in awhile, and a lot of things have been going on in my world, specifically regarding my home. In an effort to actually care about my homestead and increase its rapidly decreasing value due to the recession and flux of homes on the market, Justin and I have invested in several home improvements that will hopefully pay off when we sell the house in five to 10 years. (Or never, I really love this house).

Among the improvements:
Fixed the sprinkler system – It had been on the fritz for awhile, and it turns out the builder did a crappy job installing it – lesson learned, don’t ever have your builder install your sprinkler systems.
Hired a lawn service – The yard actually looks kept, and we got it because Justin wasn’t “cutting it” last summer… oh that was puntastic.
Donated my old furniture to The Salvation Army and bought new furniture at Ikea – I had this furniture suite since I was five, I’m 26 now… I’m not going to lie, I felt like I was giving away my teddy bear or something. It was hard.
Painted a bedroom and a bathroom by ourselves – It took almost four months. We are never doing that again. We both suck at painting and came a little too close to killing each other on a few occasions.
Got built-ins for the study and the living room – Dude, if you’ve been to my house before, it looks different. Amazing what wood and a ridiculous amount of money will get you.

You might be asking, why now? Or not. But I’m going to tell you anyways because like I said, it’s Sunday evening and I’m bored. When we bought the house, Justin and I had a vision – a vision that required money. After purchasing the house, we realized we had no money. Because we didn’t want to go into debt or be silly and frivolous just because we wanted stuff we didn’t really “need”, we devised a “Phased Home Improvement Plan” to slowly make our home perfect. Here are the phases and the current status of each:

Phase One – Furnish home with necessities, such as living, dining and master suite furniture, guest bed and blinds. Status: COMPLETE. For the sake of our neighbors, I’m very glad we got blinds right away. I wish our next door neighbor had the same courtesy when he moved in. YIKES!
Phase Two – Purchase outdoor furniture for our back patio. Status: COMPLETE.
Phase Three – Get curtains and matching bedspread for the master bedroom. Status: COMPLETE.
Phase Four – Acquire built-ins for living room and study. Status: COMPLETE. We’re still waiting for the paint to cure in the living room, but woot woot! It’s done!
Phase Five – Get new outdoor grill and outdoor television for back patio. Status: NOT COMPLETE. Estimated Completion Date: Summer 2009. Justin doesn’t like our current grill (probably because he takes absolute zero care of it) and when we built the house, we wired for cable on the patio. He gets to suck it up this year though. It’s his own dang fault. And hopefully the prices of outdoor televisions will fall. The outdoor TV I think I’m the most excited about because it’s my dream child. And people wonder why I love doing technology PR. Because I’m a dork, that’s why.
Phase Six – Middle bedroom decoration. Status: NOT COMPLETE. Estimated Completion Date: When I get knocked up. HA! What is the point of spending a couple G’s on a room for a bed and furniture when we plan to have a baby in a few years? No point. So it’s currently an homage to Dave Matthews Band (way too many posters), a blow-up bed and Justin’s entertainment center from high school. It’s functional, but ugly.
Phase Seven – Build pool. Status: NOT COMPLETE. Estimated Completion Date: When I can convince Justin we need one. Pale red head doesn’t want a pool. Easily tanable (and probably skin cancer-prone), burnette wife does.
Phase Eight – Hardwood floors. Status: NOT COMPLETE. Estimated Completion Date: Probably never. I want them, Justin doesn’t. Starting to see a pattern with these last few?
Phase Nine – Mini Cooper. Actually, that has nothing to do with the house, just a pipe dream of mine. That won’t happen either. Haha.

Anyways, here are a few pictures of the recent improvements. I’ll update with some more once we can put stuff on the living room built-ins, I install this shelf in the guest bathroom and the grass gets a little greener outside. Oh, and the following comment from Justin absolutely made my week regarding my decoration of the guest bedroom: “Shit, this looks like it’s something out of Pottery Barn.” Clearly, he doesn’t look at the Pottery Barn catalog that much, but the compliment was awesome, and more importantly, sincere.