I don't want to brag...

But, I will.

I made sticky toffee brownies last night.

And didn't eat any...... (because they're for a fundraiser, but, that's besides the point)

I make awesome sticky toffee brownies.

One day, I'll be the mom who makes the best brownies, and my kids will be all "hey mom, can we make sticky toffee brownies?" and I'll be all "You bet!"

Of course, I'll be like 90 by the time we a.) have kids and b.) they'll be old enough to you know, request brownies, but, whatever.

I still rock at brownies.

Even if I can't eat them. Because of WW and all.

Sheesh.

(I may have a stash of Jolly Ranchers hidden in my desk to assist my sugar cravings)

Awesome

I just spilled half a jar of my BareMinerals foundation in the very fancy bathroom at my office.

The very fancy bathroom is down the hall from a luncheon full of very wealthy women.

I may have also lost the lid, spilled it on the floor and let an obscenity escape my mouth.

I think it's time for me to go home.

Or hide under a rock.

Sure.

Obsessed

With this (Trish McEvoy Correct & Brighten Pen):

Seriously, go get yourself some right now. I give you full permission to stop reading my blog and head to your nearest Nordstrom, Saks or even (gulp) NM.

Just go!

You need this. It's worth every penny. Nothing gets rid of under eye circles, random red spots (currently my nose) and zits (not that I had any) like this baby.

I do recommend putting in on your hand and dotting it on with your ring finger, otherwise you could get too much and look cakey.

It's freaking fabulous. And lasts forever.

You can thank me later (I accept cakes, cookies and shoes).

Random Sampling of Disney Vacation Pictures

SP & husband: Day 1, breakfast... Look how happy and unknowing we are.... awww...

(also, we're ketchup and mustard. Not planned)

Last day... in "Canada" at Epcot Center. My hair is totally over it at this point.

Valentine's with Disney! SP looking all sorts of chubtastic next to Cinderella. Seriously, how small is that chick?

Ketchup & Mustard outside the castle. See that stupid rope and flag in the right hand corner? Yeah, that's as close as you can get to the castle. Blasphemy I say!
Personal favorite picture. Half sis with Cinderella. Could her eyes say "I hate you and I really hate Disney Princesses" anymore? I mean really, she's shooting laser beams with her eyes. (and she dresses like a boy, but, that's besides the point) (and yes, that is a different Cinderella than the one I'm with. shh! Don't tell)

We have plenty more pictures to share, don't you worry.

Happy Tuesday!

Musings & Monday

1. Yeah, so, keeping Ella Mae calm? Impossible. She's just such a happy jumpy little pup that it's impossible to keep her still. But, we're trying our very best. She just thinks it's totally boring. (can you blame her?)

2. Worked late on Friday night and in my exhaustion, managed to "lose" my wedding and engagement ring for about 16 hours. It was freezing cold in the auditorium I was in, and I noticed my rings were sliding around, but, I didn't think anything of it--until I got home and noticed my finger was naked! Ahhh!! BFF L came over and we ransacked my purse, my office, my house, we even got a flashlight and looked around my office building.... I even got back to my office at 7 AM on Saturday to check the auditorium. Heartbroken that it was gone I spent most of Saturday being lazy (but, I also managed to spend a ton of $$ on the dogs--who knew? And get some nice candle holders for the entryway--which were broken--one tube of crazy glue later, you can't tell!).... Husband came home Saturday afternoon and found the damn rings in the back of a drawer tangled up in a grocery bag. And no, I have no idea how they ended up there, or how I didn't find them--considering everything but that bag had been taken out of the drawer and fully inspected. Yikes. Seriously, traumatizing. I've never so much as "misplaced" it before. My heavens!

3. I need a haircut. Like, seriously bad. Was supposed to get one on Saturday, but, that didn't happen. Maybe I can go Friday after work. Cause seriously, it's baaaaad.

4. I sent off some invitations to a baby shower I'm hosting, and am worried about the postage--some people have gotten their invites, some haven't.... Postal conspiracy, perhaps?

5. I painted my nails last night because they were looking a bit sad.... They might actually look sadder now because I am officially the worlds worst fingernail painter. I rock at toes.
6. I'm tired. Not enough sleep.

7. I forced Ella to nap with me on Saturday--she's a good nap partner--until she realizes there is a cat in the house--and then it's just a free for all.

8. This weekend is a dessert auction for our youth and guess who's in charge of dinner, decorations and set up? Oh, and somehow got "signed up" to make cupcakes, a cake and brownies? Ha. You have got to be kidding me. Looks like I'll start baking on Thursday!

9. Did I mention I have a penchant for brownie batter? This could be rough....

Alright my dears, I better get going--and you know, attempt to forget that I heart brownie batter more than anything--ah!

Have a fabulous Monday!

xoxo,

SP

Grazie!

Good mornin' and happy Friday! Little Ella Mae is back home with us and we're so excited. Of course, the whole puppy bed rest (as I've decided to call it) isn't exactly fun, we love her so much and want to make sure she heals quickly.

The pups and I spent last night (after several hours in traffic) snuggled up on sofa watching Burn Notice. Now, sadly, next week is the season finale, so, if you're not watching this show, then the catch up phase might be a bit tight, but, you totally should be watching--because it's awesome. Clearly. I've already turned you on to the wonderfulness that is Simon Baker and The Mentalist.

Anyways, we love Burn Notice. We heart Michael Westen.

(picture from here)

See? He's lovely.

Anyways, enough gushing over my TV crushes....

I want to say "thank you!" to everyone who reads my blog, comments, and follows my blog. I really appreciate it so much. I know I don't always respond very quickly to comments and things, but, just know how much I do appreciate you all.

I started this blog at a time where I was rather lonely and felt like I was drifting away from many of my friends. I never had any idea that I'd make so many wonderful new friends and gain so much support, laughter and enjoyment from all of you.

So, thank you. Thank you for sticking with me. Thank you for the kind comments. Thank you for following. Thank you for it all. I really am so grateful for each and every one of you.

That said, have a great Friday! And a superb weekend.

xoxo,
SP

Thai Food Thursday

I gave in.

No gym on my lunch break for me today (but, I ran yesterday).

Nope.

I'm going to Thai food with one of my favorite work partners in crime.

We're both on diets, so, this should be interesting.

Maybe I can fit in a run after work before I have to go to a leadership training meeting at 7 PM tonight? Do you think Butch will mind if he gets dinner late?...At like 8:30?

Yikes.

Do they have salads at Thai restaurants?

(I seriously cannot turn down Thai food. Weight Watchers or not. It's just too good.)

True Story

Y'all know I usually write fiction (or, semi-fiction, more aptly titled...Speaking of, shoot, I need to write!), but, this my friends, is all too true........

Ella Mae is at the vet. Butch is back to hunger striking. We will have to separate Ella for 4 weeks from Butch, the Lizzie kitty, or anything that could get her excited. It breaks my little heart! How on earth am I going to do that? Which also means, no walks, no puppy play dates with Minnie Miner. Arg! But! I am trying to remember that it is for her own good and that I can do it. I can be strong.

BFF L is going to my favoritest place in the whole wide world (besides Italy) on a private yacht in March. I am pretty much green with envy--which does not look good with the red hair. And I hate being jealous. I hate, hate, hate it. But, I sooooo am. But, like always, she'll take amazing pictures, she'll come back, we'll kill a bowl of queso and she'll tell me about it, and it'll be sorta like I was there. (Minus the awesome tan she'll have)

My first love, George Strait will be in my city in June. I have been coveting GS tickets since I was a little girl. I have tried so many times to get tickets, but, have either a.) been out of town when he was here (still bitter) b.) tickets sold out too fast or c.) I couldn't afford them. Tickets go on sale on the 28th. Currently, we're kind of in a letter "c.)" type situation. I'm about thisclose to selling a kidney. I figure I only need one. What do you think a kidney goes for these days? How about a spleen? Do I need my spleen?

I could really use a big hunk of chocolate creamy goodness that is only found is Hostess cupcakes (omg, don't judge me, they are my weakness, and I have no idea why).

I missed The Mentalist last night. Boo.

But, I did watch The Office re-runs on TBS. Thanks goodness for TBS.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must run. I've got to figure out how to secure GS tickets, calm a crazy dog, and oh, you know, work.... Toodles!

Presenting....

HRH Ella Benella Sassy Pants.... or, you know, Ella Mae.

Butch is now a proud big brother--no longer the baby (he's not really sure what to think about this new role).

Ella and her mommy (you will ignore my double chin).

Puppy family portrait (and yes, that is The Office in the background on TV...bonus points if you can guess the episode).

Welcome to the gang, Ella Mae! (why do I look so derrr in that picture?)

Little Miss Mae has to go to the vet tomorrow to get her final treatment for heartworms--poor thing! But, she'll be back with us by the weekend and all healthy and ready to go. Although, they told me she'll need to be on "activity restriction" for 4 weeks. I have no idea how I'm going to pull that off...How does one restrict the activity of a very hyper and silly hound dog?

Musings & Monday

Good morning! Or, should I say, Happy Post Oscar Day? Since I am bleary eyed this AM, thanks to good ol Oscar...

1. I'll keep this short: Y'all know Hugh Jackman can do no wrong in my mind. But, wasn't he fantastic? I love him. Like, a whole lot. Lovely.
2. Went to a lovely baby shower yesterday and got to see two of my favorite people: Mrs. Preppy and MM!! I loved it!
3. After a slight breakdown on Friday night because I so desperately miss my Hanna Banana, we decided to look at dogs on Saturday. Plus, Butch hasn't really been eating, and, it's stressing me out!
4. We went to look at a Schnauzer that I could really picture myself with.... of course, when we got to the animal shelter, she had already been adopted (which is a good thing!), but, I of course, broke down in tears: "I'm never going to find a dog, I just want Hannie. And the sheltie people aren't getting back to me, and I just want a sheltie!"... To which my husband offered to call the sheltie people at home on a Saturday and tell them we were coming to look at a sheltie whether they liked it or not.
5. And, I cried all the way to the next Puppy Stop, where the foster mom had already called me and told me that "Katie" would be very excited to see us. I didn't care. I didn't want stupid Katie. I wanted Hanna. Or another fruffy schmuffy dog. Katie is not fruffy or schmuffy.
6. Somehow, we ended up with "Katie" in our car and in our house. Butch was so freakin' excited to see her that even if I hated her, there was no way I was taking her back.
7. We changed her name. She is Ella Mae (like Ellie Mae, from The Beverly Hillbillies), and she's the cutest little beagle ever. She and I aren't BFF yet, but, she's growing on me. It takes me time to warm up to new things--dogs or otherwise. But, she is freakin' hilarious.
8. So, we have a new pup. And Butchie has started eating again.
9. And, I'm supposed to be preparing a brief for me new boss, but, I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing. Today is going to be a loooonnnngggg day.... At least I have Butch and Ella Mae waiting for me (could my pets names sound more backwoods, I mean, really?).

(Thank you all so much for your kinds words and thoughts about Hanna and Butch. I miss Hanna and Ella Mae won't ever replace her, and I still miss her desperately, but, I'm so glad we could give another pound puppy a home.)

Have a fabulous Monday!

xoxox,

SP

Theory of the Cute Outfit

The Theory Has Returned. I'm dressed freaking super cute today. If I could figure out Polyvore, and if I knew who made the skirt I'm wearing, or if I had any full length self portrait skills, I'd totally show you. According to my boss, very Anthropologie.

Picture it: I'm wearing a black and white skirt with big peach roses on it, black boots, black crew neck tee and tan wool J Crew coat from the Fall 2007 line--I can't remember the name, but, it's my favorite coat.

I know The Theory was kaput after Stupid Guy On My Phone incident (which, we are working out, by the way...), but, I have a different feeling today.... I'm going to lunch with my new manager (who I used to work for years ago) at my favorite Mexican restaurant (Chuy's), where I will attempt to not eat my body weight in chips and salsa (since I didn't lose any weight last week).

And, this weekend, husband and I are going to look at a schnauzer who needs a home, and a beagle who needs a home. I really can't go much longer without my own dog, and the sheltie people haven't e-mailed me back.... Plus, I feel so much better about adopting a dog (I used to work for the SPCA)... I don't know. It's all very overwhelming, but, we know we'll find the right doggie, even if it isn't a former show dog like our Hanna Banana.

So, we're testing The Theory.

Anyone else have a theory on cute outfits?

Also, totally bummed out that The Office was a re-run, but, I do love that episode...

Happy Friday!

Channeling The Little Engine That Could

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can". This has kind of been my motto the last few days. I'm trying my best to play with Butch and keep him happy, but, now he's currently on a hunger strike. Silly boy.

But, we're doing better. We thought it would be a while before we could get another sissy pup, but, he's just sooooo sad without her, so we started looking. And I e-mailed some people who live just a few minutes away from us about a sheltie pup, and I'm hoping I hear back soon (like, today would be ideal, because then I could go 'meet' her this weekend). So, fingers crossed, kids, fingers crossed!

That said, let's move on to things I'm thankful for (because what's a Thursday without a little self indulgence? Exactly.)....

- That the event I put on last night actually happened, no one yelled at me (too much), and everything went well. I, personally thank all the booze consumed by the people in attendance. They seemed happy!
-The fact that I survived le family vacation (I'm not kidding, there were some times in which an early flight home seemed really nice).
- The Office is on tonight (hooray!).
-So is Burn Notice (double hooray!).
-That my anti wrinkle cream actually might be working (did I just jinx it? It's Aveeno Positively Ageless Night Cream, fyi).
-Spring is coming! I can't wait to have dinner on the patio, have people over for pool parties (you're invited!) and Easter Egg hunts in my backyard. So. Freaking. Excited. Yipee!

OK, now that I've shared a little bit of what's getting me through the day, what are you thankful and or excited about these days?

(and yes, let's keep sending happy karma thoughts the way of the sheltie owner who has yet to respond to my request.....SP's home would clearly be the best place for that little pup)