Musings & Monday

September 25th cannot get here soon enough. And I'm not in the mood for work today. These two elements cannot and should not combine. It can be dangerous... (and, these factors may have combined, and I may be hopped up on DayQuil, and I may be very hungry but refusing to eat because I managed to plow my way through a bag of Autumn Mix over the weekend when I was confined to a sniffly, sneezing, coughing, upset mess on the couch. With DVDs of Friends, The Office and the occasional TNT movie)... What? I'm not making any sense? Moving right along...

1. So, I had the ultimate brilliant idea to do big curls in my hair today, a la Amy Adams, but, then I remembered that since I hit the snooze button at 5:40 and did not go to the gym pre-work, I will be going on my lunch break. Which means--yay for hair in a clip the rest of the day. tres chic.

2. We didn't get much rain up here from our evil friend Ike, but, it was hilarious to see people at Target stocking up on beer. Yes, because that's what's really important.

3. I, of course was wandering the isles examining the Halloween candy. This year, I will probably actually have to part with some of it, as I think this neighborhood actually gets trick or treaters. Drats! I'll have to buy extra for me! (come on now, when else can you get 100 little mini pieces of gummi goodness for $9.99?)

4. So far, all friends and fam in Houston are safe and accounted for. Although, none are too thrilled to be without water and power. Ike sucks!

5. I've been fighting this blasted cold/illness/hell for the past few weeks, which means no real time on the treadmill. Which also means, with the induction of my coveted Autumn Mix, I am now a chub a lub. Shoot.Me.Now.

6. I'm actually wearing a rather cute ensemble today--pink skirt with red flowers, red heels, white cami and white sweater. Why am I so "blah"?

7. I have Italian tonight! It's crazy to only go once a week, but, it's fun, although scary, and, I'm not getting as overwhelmed, thanks to 1 night a week class. (we'll see how I feel after tonight, of course)

8. The air is actually slightly "chilly" today, and the sky is taking on that fall like look.

9. I don't like it. I don't like fall. I know, I'm weird. I don't like cold weather, and I really don't look forward to Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. They are just really hard holidays. So, fall=almost winter=Christmas=depressing. Although, I do love me some Autumn Mix (I'm going for a record of how many times I can use "Autumn Mix" in a post).

10. Someone remind me why we don't get Columbus Day off anymore? I need to work for a bank--they're always closed!

11. Why are Cheez-Its so good?

12. More important question, how did I get my hands on Cheez-Its?

13. Seriously, addictive....

14. I need more sticky notes.

15. I need more caffeine.

16. I signed up for yoga. Yeah, because that's really going to help my running situation. But I'll be zen!

17. Ok, ok, I'm putting the Cheez-Its down....

18. I have decided that when it's time for me to get my hair colored (not for like another month kids, I gotta stretch was few dollars I have) that I will in fact, go reddish with blondish highlights (and now I'm onto using "ish" in a post). So, thank you all for your input and encouragement!

19. The Plan has begun: I ran today, got some new moisturizer over the weekend, and am going to take yoga--I read somewhere that relaxation helps in anti-aging. Other than the Autumn Mix and Cheez-Its, I think we're making progress.

20. While I was on the treadmill today, I watched Samantha Brown Passport To Europe--and the episodes were Tuscany and London. Tis a sign, no?? If only I could have taken notes!

Ok... I better bust out my textbook and start studying!

Have a great Monday! I hope that if you have friends or family in the Houston/Galveston area that they are safe.

And so the plan begins.... (y'all must think I am crazy)

So, I mentioned earlier about this whole wanting to be "cute & petite" thing.... And, the new James Bond trailer is online (yay!) which reminded me that even though I'm a Thanksgiving Child every few years, that really, my birthday celebration will begin the first week of November with Mr. Bond.

So, holy moly, that cut 3 weeks off my plan!

Plan is: cute, petite, young, fun, fresh. By November.

Annnnd go!

Here's Reese, aka my blonde idol
from here

And my other blonde idol. BFF A says I could go Grace Kelly blonde, but, I worry that it could backfire and I'd end up looking like a rejected Playmate.

from here

And I do love me some Amy Adams....(who's not a natural redhead by the way)

from here

And the "Fs"--Jenna Fischer...

from here

(Um, also, don't you adore this picture? It's Jim & Pam fantasticalness. And yes, I'm aware that this photo is 'old'. I don't care. They sooo need to be together in real life. Like a Ryan Gosling & Rachel McAdams type thing. Jenna & John: start dating. Like now.)

And Isla Fischer--who is so cute I could just pinch her cheeks

from here

Why am I so hell bent on red(ish) hair??

Here's the dealio kids: Reese, Amy, Jenna and Isla are so darn cute! And older than me.

My goal: figure out how the crap to look like that. Before November.

Now, before you get all bent out of shape, I'm not talking about some "extreme makeover", no, no, I'm just talking about wanting to look younger, fresher (read: not exhausted 24/7), and cute. That's all I'm looking for. My job has really sucked the life out of me, I'm tellin' ya, and I'm going to need it back.

I was always the "cute" one of my friends. Not pretty, definitely not "hot", I was "cute". These days, notsomuch. And, that photo on my sidebar, yeah, do you realize how Photoshopped that thing is?? For real... And, also, this isn't me saying I'm ugly or anything, or waaah waaah my life is terrible, no, no, this is just me, wanting to feel the way I did several years ago.

That's the plan, Stan. Now, how to implement said plan? (wow, I am just asking for advice all over the place this week)

PS. I'm hopefully going to London on business next month, but, since we are sans official boss, my ticket and hotel room purchasing has been put on hold. Let's hope there's a room and a flight available!! And, also, that my passport photo works. They told me it was "really close", but "that is should work"--comforting words, no? The Shabby Princess will be very sad if she doesn't get to go to London for work--mainly because she'll sound super cool. And will hopefully get to see a show while she's there.

It's Friday!!

Oh my!

Hallelujah, it's finally true!! In case you haven't heard, Lance Armstrong is coming back to cycling--and the SP household couldn't be more excited. It seems like just yesterday I was lamenting about the Tour, but, it looks like this next year will be very exciting. And of course, this makes us Texas folk uber proud. And thank goodness, this means he's not running for Governor.

I should also mention, my favorite thing about the Tour is that everyone and their dog gets into cycling and I always notice an influx of cyclists around town, you know, thinking they're all cool and whatnot--so, yesterday, I'm out for a run in my neighborhood and of course, there is Lance Fever, and I get passed by a cyclist wearing a....wait for it.... wait for it..... a Hooters cycling team uniform! I about died! It was the one singular time that I nearly stopped running and wanted to knock on someones door so I could use their phone to call the husband. It was hilarious. Yeah, because I'm really going to take someone seriously who's got the words "Hooters" across their back and stomach. Seriously. (I just looked it up on Google and can't find a picture, which makes me sad)

Anyways, Lance is back. I'm excited. It took long enough. And, he better win.

Is it only Wednesday? Aw, man!

PS. In regards to my comment yesterday about skin care, I currently use Aveeno Positively Ageless Serum. I try not to spend boatloads of $$ on skin care unless it works. I think this works, but, it's making me all oily and break-y out-y. Any advice is welcome! After all, my birthday is in 2.5 months (+/-) and since I clearly failed my "get in shape before August 25", my new goal is "get in shape, regain petite figure, look cute and young by November 25th". Annnnnd go! Pour on the advice, per favore.

I don't have anything exciting to say other than my little factoid about Lance. It's pretty much the highlight of my week. Is that sad? (um, yes, SP, that's very sad). Hmph, well then!

Have a fabulous day everyone! Oh--one last thing! Wish me luck--tomorrow I have to go get my Passport so that I can go on a trans Atlantic work trip next month. Wish me luck that my application actually gets processed tomorrow--cause, I need this trip.

I guess that's all for now!

Arrivederci,

SP

Buongiorno!

Look at me and all my Italiano (yes, that's how it will be referred to from here on out--in case you didn't know)! And yes, I will be one of those annoying people running around saying "ciao!" and "grazie". I apologize in advance. So far, it's easier to speak than I thought--I actually can make the correct sounds. There are just so many pronunciation rules--which, in 1.5 hours I managed to butcher about 5.2 million times.

So, last night was fun! I'm totally in over my head, and there were definitely a few kiss ups--sheesh! Oh, and I was the youngest person in there by like 20 years. Except for the cutie professor who I think lovely lady I work with should marry (Andrea, are you reading this?)--mainly so that I can housesit their Italian villa. Yes, it is really all about me.

Essentially, I made it through yesterday relatively unscathed. Much I'm sure thanks to The Closer, J&K +8 and all things related to Dwight and Jim. But, of course, mucho, mucho thanks to all of you for your kind words, thoughts and comments. I really appreciated it. Y'all are the best! I know my mom would also appreciate your kind words and thoughts :)

Also, I should mention, what the crap is up with face cream?? So, I got some new kind because, well, my birthday is coming up in a few months, and, I'm not really ready for it, so, of course I'm on my "must remain 'cute' and 'petite'" kick (also, cute & petite, two of my favorite words. My goal in life: to be cute and petite. I blame people like Amy Adams and Reese Witherspoon for this)--anyways, my face is smoother and possibly younger looking--which is bene for sure, but, also, I've got breakouts like a dang teenager in a training bra. For real. How do I win at this??

(could this be a more random post? Answer: no)

Well my lovelies, I better be going.... Have a fabulouso day!

Arrivederci,

xoxox

Shabby Principessa

Because this is what I did all weekend

Don't you judge me for my brain cell dumbing-ness.

I have nothing witty for today because I'm stressed to the max.
And because today is my mom's birthday. She would have been 60. And I thought I was handling it better than years past--until I turned into Teary McCries At Everything. Clearly, I am not doing well with my whole Stonewall Facade thing I came up with last year.....

So....

I literally watched The Office all.weekened.long. It was the best.

And now, I share with you, the hilarity that has helped me out this morning as I try to power through and smile.

thanks, YouTube

Un-Fabulous Friday, perhaps?

Well, maybe not quite "un-fabulous", but you get the general picture.

I've been getting to work early to snag a parking spot close to my office (and when I say early, we're talking I'm beating kids to their first class. Classes here start at 8), and of course, today, here, parking spot--great. Yeah, I forgot that tonight a few of us are staying extra, extra late to video a class. A night class (and on a Friday? I'm sure that's some sort of crime. Can we get someone to look into this, please?). So, anyways..... My newly purchased seasons 1-4 of The Office (shut up, it was on sale and I was having a bad day yesterday) will go unwatched until tomorrow. Alas....

But, all is well. Because! (drum roll please)....... Italian starts on Monday. Holy moly! Monday. As in, Monday. Yikes! Did I mention that the bookstore didn't have my book, so, I ordered it from Amazon last night and it says it will be here by Monday, so, seriously, it better be here before 5PM on Monday. or else. I am not going to be that student. Plus, it's only 1 night a week and I'll be totally behind.

Maybe I should watch this fabulous movie to give me some motivation:

Don't you just love this movie? I can't watch the end though. Seriously.

What movies do you just love?

Have a seriously fabulous Friday and equally fabulous weekend!! Watch an Audrey movie. Nothing is more fabulous than that.

Haircut Math

Did I mention the haircutting debacle of August 30, 2008? I didn't? Hmm..Well then!

Could someone please explain to me what in the following sentence is soooo hard to understand: "I'd like one quarter inch cut off, please. I am trying to grow my hair out." Which is responded by "No problem". Easy peasy right? (ha, notsomuch)

In haircutting world, does one quarter (1/4) inch really translate to one inch (1") and I'm just unaware of this mathematical equation?

Yeah, cause, I got my hair cut on Saturday, and let me tell you, I saw a lot more than a 1/4" of my locks go flying every which way. It's much shorter.

Will my hair ever grow? My hair grows painfully slow. And I mean slow. Which, should save me loads in highlights since my hair refuses to grow. But, I get highlights anyway because I figure "hey, it's been a few months, I might as well." Thrifty, I know.

*Fact: My quest for long hair has been foiled. Again.

*(that sentence needed to be read in the voice of Dwight from The Office. If you don't watch The Office you're seriously missing out. But, I'm sure you do watch it because everyone should. You'll be in hysterics laughing. Which will then lead to random lines appearing on your face and you'll wonder how those got there. Answer: because you just spent 30minutes-1hour with your face all scrunched up in sheer hysterics which is in fact leading to lines and wrinkles. But, it's OK because of all the endorphins you've got going on from laughing. So, you'll be spending boatloads on skin cream, but, you'll be happy as heck. And yes, I am aware of all the people who love the BBC version more. I don't get BBC. So, I deal. But, I love Dwight, so, it evens out.)

Don't you hate it when...

You're really thirsty (actually, borderline unhealthily thirsty) and so you drink two bottles of water in a rather quick fashion, and then feel sick to your stomach, so you don't go to the gym (because you felt sick and pictured a not so fun upchuck moment on the treadmill), go home, fall asleep and somehow find yourself eating some chocolate cracker yumminess?

Yeah, me too...

Oh, oh, oh! But, this makes the fact that I'm still a little "eh, not so much" all better:

The fabulously lovely, sweet and wonderful Granny Smith Green and the lovely, posh and fabulous (well, they are both all those things!) Europafox gave me a diamond (which are, after all, a girls best friend!) award.

So, thank you ladies so much! You two really make me smile each day!

What 3 day weekend?

Apologies on the lack of my traditional "Musings & Monday"--yesterday, I was out searching for a mattress for our guestroom, grocery shopping (I won't tell you how long it's been), and cleaning house. Oh, and, I went to
the gym. Sadly, it was like a boys club when I got there and I hate having to fight for the weights with boys. Ugh! Anyways....

So, I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend. In my opinion, it was not long enough--or maybe we just crammed too much in. I'm not sure. Either way, I'm certain I could handle 4 day weekends on a regular basis.

Here's what we did...

-Went to Ikea and braved lots of people (note to self: do not go to Ikea on long weekends).... And yes, I know that Ikea is cheap Swedish furniture, but, you know what? We're on a budget and cheap Swedish furniture it is! Shh, don't tell our parents.
-Saw some other term for donkey (starts with j, end with ss) riding a motorcycle like a well, j-word and saw him rear end a car, go under his bike, hit the median and bounce off and go sliding 40 feet down the middle of the road. We were petrified we were going to run over him!! Luckily, no one did. We all called emergency services. He survived but was very banged up because a) he was wearing shorts, b) he was wearing regular ol' shoes, not boots, and c) he wasn't wearing a leather jacket. Luckily, he had on a helmet, but, wow! He tried passing the care on the right (as in, on the shoulder of the road) and it didn't work and he ended up rear ending the car. I mean really! Scariest thing I've seen.
-Did not get any of the furniture put together.
-Touched up paint in entryway and hallway (because I'm awesome).
-Bought a rug for the dining room table that ended up being the exact same rug we have in the living room, but, in another color. Which I find wildly hilarious because we could not agree on a rug and when we finally did, it was one we already had! This was unbeknownst to us until we got home.... Hilarious.
-Discovered that we have woodrats/squirrels (we aren't really sure which because we can't ever get a good look at them) living in the shrubs in our backyard which are now antagonizing the dogs to know end. Poor things!
-Discovered that the bug infestation may be starting again. Seriously. I do not ask this lightly (and I realize it sounds ridiculous), but, please pray for us! I spent $300 trying to end the last round of bugs and am beyond pissed! I am at a total loss for what to do! We think our yard has some weird bugs that the puppies are bringing it. Damn yard!
-The Age of June has not impressed me. And that is sad. (just to stop you from asking, we lost. I'm aware. It sucks)

So, clearly, I may have done too much over the course of 3 days, but, we'll look past that.... Short work week! Yippee!!

Oh, and, scales are the devil. Don't let me near one. They just cause depression.

3 Day Weekend!

Let me tell you, 5 PM cannot come soon enough today. Seriously. Want to sleep. Desperately. (or, at least, just not be at work for like 9-10.5 hours...seriously, this week has been loooonnnnnggg)

Mind you, I haven't started my Italiano (and yes, that is how it will be reffered to from here on out) classes, but, really, what was I thinking? Seriously. Class. Yikes! I'm already tired just thinking about it.

Seriously, is it 5 yet? 3 day weekends are my friend. Although, this weekend will be filled with house item shopping, notsomuch of the sleeping. Oh, and, I need a haircut. And I need to run. But, mostly, need to finish up the guest room and touch up some paint in the hallway and kitchen. Sounds wildly exciting, no? I know, I really do, in fact, lead a tres glamourous life. I know, don't be jealous....

Anybody else have any wildly exciting weekend plans? (please say yes)

PS. And here's where I'd like to be on this nice extended weekend....

image via flickr

Did you know Some Like it Hot was filmed there? Which of course is one of my favorite movies, which was on TV this week. Which was fabulous.

June Cometh

My alma mater. My love. My campus. My everyday. My job.

thanks, YouTube

This ad gets my heart all a flutter every time I see it. I can't wait for the day that Ford Stadium is filled with Red & Blue, when we actually go to games, and our team is back in the playoffs. I can't wait.

The 80s ruined us, and we're still bouncing back.

Let's hope June Jones can turn us around too.

The age of June has begun.

PS. Some of you all were wondering what I do--clearly, I work at SMU-- in the business school. Mind you, I was not a business student.

Musings & Monday

Hello! If you are in my great state, then, it's "welcome back"--as in, to school. Yep, that's right. Most schools started today (or tomorrow) which means that it is moving onto fall. Can you believe it? I was just in Galveston! Where does the time go?

Well, I won't waste any of yours....Excuse me as I muse away...

1. Did I mention school started? Which means a.) the husband is back at school, b.) it's a pain to get out of house in the morning, as I live directly across the street from an elementary school--which, by the way, if you are dropping your kiddos off at school, it is not appropriate to park in the alley (!)--no, no. Some of us have to use the alley to get out of our garage. And were trapped. And annoyed. And I swear there's like 10 million more kids at that school today.

2. I got to work at 7:50. And for no other reason than I desperately wanted a parking space and since my ID still doesn't work--and I still can't park in any of the garages on campus.

3. And I can't stand in line to solve the problem because all 1,200 new students decided to wait until today to get their parking permits.

4. Despite what it may seem like, I really do love where I work and what I do. The summer just spoils the heck out of a person!

5. I have every belief that running while watching The Food Network makes the miles go by quicker. It would have been better if I was watching Giada, but, you know, I take what I can get.

6. One of my mom's goals (I found the list last night) was to swim in the Isle of Capri--I am on it!

7. We're determined to go to Greece and Italy next year.

8. We had our first neighborhood dispute last night. We contacted our wonderful legal counsel. Although, I'm still a little worried that we might lose some $$ in the whole ordeal. Prayers are welcome.

9. It seems as if the bug infestation is over (::crosses fingers:: ::knocks on wood::). Let's hope!

10. The puppies were so happy to see their DadPup when he got home on Saturday. So was I.

11. I ran 3.5 miles on Saturday (baby steps, remember, baby steps....)

12. And I think my tummy is starting to shrink! (::fingers crossed::)

13. Haven't heard from The House Guests. And I'd like to give them a piece of my mind. Would it be totally inappropriate to call House Guest B's mother and tell her the situation? (wait, don't answer that)

14. Target has the best home accessory things. Seriously. Too bad I get a little carried away. I really want to get our house "final" before the family comes out for a visit. I want it to look like a home. A grown up home. Not like our rental house which looked like "hi, we know we're moving in 12-24 months, so, we're not really going to settle in". Yeah, none of that.

15. I'm hoping this weekend to make a HomeGoods and Ikea run. Very excited!

16. Worked on the book the other night. Very excited.

17. Things are better (except for the whole #8 situation).

Well all, I hope you have a fantastic Monday. If your kiddos are starting school, I wish them all good luck (and ple ase don't park in people's alleys) and the same to you as I'm sure it's hard to have the little ones off to school. Hope everything is fabulous wherever you are!

xoxo,

SP