Like the Corners of My Mind

Chef posted this snap shot of the two of us taken at his work's Christmas party as his profile picture on Facebook. From the original, he cropped and zoomed so that it just focuses in on our faces. Looking at this photo makes me smile.

Perhaps I need to frame this photo that warms my heart...

As of Lately...

Impressed with myself, as I've ran a total of 6.2 miles since Sunday. That'd be 3 days of running about 2 miles each time. Still, it's been so long since I've regularly laced up my running shoes, and pounded the pavement. And it feels good...real good. It's amazing what a bit of sunshine after days and days of endless gray weather can do to motivate someone to get outside!

Trying to not be frustrated with people who don't put in as much effort as I do to stay in touch. I figure that if I think you are important enough for me to call or email, that you should consider me just as important of a person to deserve a response! Alas, I realize this is not the case and most people just are not good at responding...

Remembering how much I enjoy having the television off, and listening to music instead. Taking my time in reading The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner. Enjoying my week days off. Endlessly cleaning the floors that are always covered in dog hair and dirt. Accepting that this is the life of owning two hairy animals.

Focusing on being happy in the present. Being content in my current home and brainstorming up ways to spruce it up and make it feel more cozy. Contemplating the daunting task of cooking Chef dinner tonight. He's not nicknamed Chef for nothing.

What have you been up to lately?

Less Really is Sometimes More

Since moving out from my previous place, I feel as though my former roommate and I are better friends for it. Let me preface by saying we had been friends for many, many years prior to living together for the past year. And while living together was fine, I feel that things are better now that we don't. Sure, we had a couple spats the year we spent living under the same roof, as many friends and roommates do, but overall things were fine.

Fine as in things were calm and steady. Comfortable. The way one becomes when relaxing at home. It was as though we had resorted to being more just roommates as opposed to being friends. My theory, if you will, is that didn't make time to hang out to just talk and laugh as we'dalways done. The reason for this, is because we were just used to seeing each other so often that we didn't think to make extra time to do stuff as friends. But if you think about it, seeing each other in the kitchen or a quick "Hello" while passing each others respective bedrooms doesn't really count as quality friendship time, does it?

It's been a month since I've moved out, and we've met up for dinners, happy hours, and matinee movies. We text and call each several times throughout the week and post silly inside jokes on each other's Facebook pages. It's like we're back, and I'm happy because of it.


I suppose some relationships thrive under the same roof and some do better living across town from each other. It's good to know what works and what doesn't.

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Western Wear Required

For the record, the hat was just for the picture. And the "Cowboy" in the background is a friend of Chef's.

For a birthday party last night, we were invited to arrive in Western Wear. Did you all buy cowgirlish boots several years ago when it was sort of in style? I saved mine as well as my jean jacket from like circa 2000. The plaid printed dress was a cheap find at Forever 21.

(I seriously love that place for dresses. I practically lived in several F21 dresses all last summer and at less than $15 a pop, wasn't terribly disappointed when they started to fall apart in August.)

The rest of Chef's friends participated and arrived decked out in cowboy boots, Western shirts, cowboy hats, and big brass and silver belt buckles. Most of the girls shared the idea of cute dresses, jean jackets, and cowgirl boots.

We had a fun and interesting evening being carted up to OKC in a stretch limo, eating at a cheesy steak house, and country dancing at a huge Rodeo Dance Club. Fortunately for me, Chef loves to dance and lead me around the dance floor all night long. There was even live bull riding every hour. Yowzer!

Theme parties certainly can be fun...

Austin Recap

Back from our mini Austin, Texas vacation as of last night. We left Austin's sunny skies and 70 degree weather and were greeted by our little Oklahoma city with gray skies, drizzle, and temps in the 30's. Blah...

While in Austin, we engaged in loads of eating, drinking, and window shopping. And what would you know? I barely took any photos!!! Thank goodness for the internet and it's endless supply of pics...



Austin boasts some great, great food. Especially Tex Mex. Mmmmmmm!!! We drove down on a Thursday and left Sunday morning, which gave us time to experience the various flavors of Austin.


In addition to Tex Mex, we ate brunch at Kerbey Lane. I heard that the migas are delicious, but being an omelet girl I stayed true to my likes. I wasn't disappointed. We ate at Home Slice Pizza which had an unbelievably long wait, but definitely worth it. We dined and trekked around the eclectic South Congress and also experienced Austin's 6th Street with tapas and trendy bars.

We did the short hike up Mount Bonnell and took in the view of Town Lake. In the middle of downtown there's a 10 mile loop that follows along the lake and we spotted tons of people running or walking the scenic trail. Throughout the city streets we saw even more runners and cyclists throughout our stay. I really admired how active Austin folks are and can't help but wish that our little community wasn't a bit more fitness focused.

Chef actually lived in Austin for about five years in his late teens and early 20's and my friend Austin Girl actually lives there now. So we got to hang out with different people the whole time we were there. I think it's nice to go on vacation and get to spend it with friends and friends of friends.

Austin's a great city, but of course, it's always nice to come home. Home to your own bed, your own couch, your own pets... I love vacation, but it definitely makes home a little sweeter.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Be Mine

Content to have spent the entire day with my Valentine.

Hope your day was lovely as well...

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Want, Want, Want

Currently I'm wanting some new clothes. I'm wanting something new and cute for a wedding reception tonight. I'm wanting stylish new outfits to wear for our mini-vacation to Austin next weekend. I'm wanting some new gear for our snowboarding trip to Breckenridge next month... Want, want, want....

Wisely but grudgingly I decided to check out my financial situation online, and decided that going on a clothing shopping spree would be quite inappropriate. Plus, I just bought a new (used) car and still have to pay for the tags, we are in dire need of a new washer and dryer (still) and couch (still). Thus new clothes are not the priority right now.

I was all set to pout and then I remembered that I bought two new dresses around Christmas this past December. I've worn them both, but one of the two will certainly suffice for this evening. I have several cute sweater dresses that will work for our weekend trip to Austin, as well as, two new printed scarves that will spruce up a couple of my jeans and simple tops. As for snowboarding gear... That stuff isn't exactly cheap, and to be honest I only wear it once or twice a year (if that!) The basics I already own are perfectly fine and in style. Although, I would love a second pair of Uggs (in gray please) to keep my feet warm as we traipse around in the snow.

Don't get me wrong, I love to shop as much as the next girl, but isn't it funny how we can be so wired to just want more and more stuff when the things we already have are perfectly fine?