Baby Shower: Failla Family

I'm posting just a few pics from the shower Brad's amazing family threw for us this past weekend. I have to say, waiting until 34 weeks to take and post pictures was an interesting choice...
Here's Grandma Phyllis testing the yarn she cut; they were supposed to guess my belly width. She came pretty close (most people were off by at least six inches), but ultimately she came in third.
Here's me and bradley with our matching bellies (just teasing, I'm bigger than him).

And here's the new daddy-to-be racing to put a bandana diaper on a baby doll. Oh, baby shower games. ;-)

Updates

First thing is first: CONGRATULATIONS to my friends Jason and Heather who got engaged this weekend! He was in town to see her dance show, and the video on Facebook is so cute!

OK, so my show opens this Friday night. If you live in or around Houston (or rock like Grags and will make the drive), you should see it. You can reserve tickets by emailing reservations@acetheatre.org , and you can ask for "Cabaret Seating" ($20 each), or "Stadium Seating" ($15 each). It is a small theatre, so I say go ahead and get the cheaper seats...

Rachel is coming home! She arrives tomorrow (cuz she an April Fool) and will be here throughout the month. She is going to be in my show as well, because one of our cast members (the lovely and talented Heather D) will be absent the closing weekend. And I think she is squeezing out some form of "one woman show" as well.

Brad's mom (Amy) called yesterday to ask if I watched American Idol, because Alexis Grace was in her restaurant. So I think I have an autograph coming in the mail from Tennessee. Fun!

I had an excellent Monday, which is a rare feat indeed. I am not holding my breath for an equally excellent Tuesday, but so far, so good. I'm off to get coffee! (and hopefully write a LOST According to Allison, as well)

Brad, we had the wrong cake!

I just found the wedding cake we should have had; ney, the wedding cake that belongs to anyone and everyone born between 1979 and 1985!

So good! Check out CakeWrecks for more 80's-tastic cakes!

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/03/sunday-sweets-tuning-in-for-80s.html

Morning Realization

So I'm sitting at my desk. I'm going over documents and drawings to send to the customer, which is *oh* so exciting. I really want to take my shoes off (which I very often do), but we have international customers in the building, and I don't want to look silly. In my new desk setup, my feet are very visible to everyone who walks by me, and I am in a heavily trafficked area. I'm eating my fruit and yogurt parfait, complete with yummy granola sprinkles.

And I suddenly realize how incredibly blessed I am.

Really. I complain about this job (plenty), but I make a decent wage. I have health benefits. I get to carpool and save money on gas and tolls. I have the option to earn overtime. And I occasionally get a free sandwich (mmm, Jason's Deli).

I have the love of an amazing man. Brad is truly a blessing to me and to my family. He has a great family, whom we get to see soon. We are really developing similar passions; lately we have spent our free time studying wine, learning the regions and the varietals, how to pair with food, etc. And there is a pretty good chance that we are buying a house in the next few months!

I have wonderful friends. There is always someone who wants to watch a chick flick, grab a beer, obsess over Harry Potter, reminisce, go to an Astros game, go to the Chocolate Bar, play board games, or even put me in their portfolio. They bring me such joy in so many different ways.

I can spend a long time complaining. It is quite easy, most of the time, to feel heavy with burden. But all it takes is to sit back and really count your blessings, and your frustrated sigh turns into a giggle at somethign as simple as a text message.

I pray that you can sit back today and count your blessings. I promise you, they outweigh your burdens. Put down your stress about jobs, about relationships, about money, about weight, about time, and pick up the book.

Monday...

Well, today was Brad's first day in his new job. I haven't heard much from him today, as he was busy with all the learnin' and such. It was nice to wake up at the same time, though (read: nice for me). Let's hope everything was smooth!

I have rehearsal tonight, so wish me luck. We are working on the group numbers, and we are meeting at some tiny church to rehearse. Now, Ive rehearsed here before, but we shall see.

This week has started better than I thought it would, but we shall see. After all, it is only Monday...

Blessings and Remembrances of 2008

Rather than recount all of the fun and adventure I have had this year, I just want to celebrate a year gone by. I am so thankful for the gifts I have been given in abundance. I am thankful for the growth I have experienced as a person, as a wife and as a Christian. I am thankful for the troubles we have seen each other through, all of us.
Thank you, friends, for sticking by me when I needed you, and thank you for calling on me when you needed someone.

There were sad stories and funerals.
There were rejoices and weddings.
Friends getting engaged or having babies (different friends).
Growing my appreciation for Grags through our mutual obsession with Harry Potter.
Planning for the future with Bradley.
Learning more about beer, and studying wine together.
Growing closer to our church family.
Auditioning for a play (and making it).
Surviving the first year of marriage! (They say it is the hardest, so we are in the clear!)

I welcome 2009 with open and well-rested arms. Hopefully, in a year's time, I will be blogging about our new home and the joy and frustration it brings!

So Far, Best Birthday Ever!

OK, I know it is only 8:30am on my bday, but technically the fun started yesterday. I had dinner at The Cheesecake Factory with my family - yum! Everything was delicious. Brad gave me presents at the restaurant. Guys, he did so well! He got me the Sports Nights 10th Anniversary Edition boxset, which I blogged about months ago. it has new interviews, gag reels, lots of fun stuff. He also got me an iTunes gift card, bc he wasnt sure what CD to buy. He tried to find Raining Jane, which just shows how well he listens. He also picked out two beautiful long-sleeved tops from Express; one deep teal and the other black and pink with a big fleur-de-lis on the front. Way to go, Bradley!


My folks gave me a $50 DISNEY gift card! SWEET!!


After dinner, Brad and I wandered over to Del Friscos Double Eagle Steakhouse in the Galleria. It has been there close to a year, but we dont get to that side of town as much anymore. It is GORGEOUS on the inside! The ambience was incredible, and their wine list is really impressive. We sat at the bar for a drink. Our waiter, Joe, came over and decided to tell us everything there si to know about that restaurant. I mean that in a good way; we were not bored. We had lots of questions and such. Joe asked if we has seen the upstairs bar yet (where they have TVs), and we hadnt. He said, "Come on up there and check it out; I'll buy you a drink." So of course we went up there. It is also beautiful, but a bit more of a fun attitude. And the Cosmo was ssttrroonngg, but yummy. So if you feel like a fun drink, or an expenisve and worthy steak, check out Del Friscos. If you sit in the bar, make sure and ask for Joe - he will take great care of you!





So then this morning I woke up pretty hungry. In our office, we have a Breakfast Club, so every Friday a few people bring enough yummy for everyone in the group. I was kind fo grumbling in the car that "there had better be something good, because I am really hungry today". Well, one of the guys who brought for everyone brought a special breakfast for me for my birthday! he heard me talking to someone yesterday abotu how I hadnt had a bagel Dog (from Einstein Bros) in AGES, so he went there and got me one PLUS a fruit-topped muffin thing. It smelled SO GOOD in my cubicle this morning! So I had special yummy this morning.

**Grags just sent me the iTunes album Jingle Spells, which is all Wizard Rock Christmas music!!**

Wish me luck tonight - Howl At The Moon is gonna be fun!

Tickets Galore

Dear friends, join me in a joyous hurray! Brad and I have just obtained tickets to two very exciting events!

First off, we will be seeing Sara Bareilles and Marc Broussard in concert at the newly opened House of Blues downtown! I haven't been to a concert in ages, and I have been wanting to see them both for a while now.

Secondly, Spring Awakening is coming to Houston!!! We are going in January, and I. CAN. NOT. WAIT!

Grags, we're going on a road trip...

Behold, "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter"

http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/

SQUEE!!! I cannot wait until Brad and I return to Disney World in a few years, but he won't be NEARLY as excited as I am about this stop of the trip. Some sources say it will open in late fall of 2009, others reports 2010. I would put my money on 2010. Knowing the way WB does business, they will wait until they will set a date, but then move it back in order to make more money.

I wonder what the rides will be. I have been saying for ages that someone should make a ride based on the carts whizzing thourgh Gringotts!

My girl Morgan

My BFF is getting married! I am so excited for her, and for Andy who is a very lucky man. I get to be the Matron of Honor; that's right, the Matron. Sounds old, doesn't it? Oh well, it will be WONDERFUL!

They are planning on next July. They are both in Lubbock this semester; luckily they have several months together before Morgan graduates early (way to go, brainy) and moves home to Houston in December! Then I have her (not really) to myself for a few months before he graduates in May.

Brad and I are already planning a trip for the four fo us to go to Disney World in 2010 or 2011. He keeps "joking" that he wont see me anymore come January, and he started that before we he knew we would be planning a wedding in that time. Hopefully I can balance them with neither feeling neglected. And once the Midkiffs move to Katy (teehee) they will be close enough to hang out with a lot, but far enough so that we maintain family time.

I cant believe how lucky I am to have one best friend living with me and the other living near me! Oh, the blessings we obtain!

Counting down

66 days until we go to the happiest place on Earth!

I am going to try again to make a reservation for Le Cellier, but I am not holding my breath. I am really looking forward to this trip, but in a different way than ever before. I never really considered food in my anticipation. Or alcohol, or sex, but my focus is food. I always knew, when getting ready for a trip, that i would eat; it is a natural assumption, but food was never what I ecstatically anticipated. I am really excited to explore the restaurants all over the World Showcase. I can't wait to introduce Brad to the character breakfast at Chef Mickey's! It is just an interesting shift. I am also pretty intrigued to observe the use and allowance of alcohol at WDW, having never visited at a legal age. I have no intention of getting drunk; that would ruin the experience for me. I do plan to imbibe a few fun ones, though.

Money is a Gas

Grrrrr
Yesterday Brad's car was hit on 249. He is OK (thank the Lord) but his driver side door is completely jammed shut. He got the insurance and info from the other driver (it was her fault) so now we are wading through all of that mess. We had to go get a rental car this morning, and it was so stressful. We were supposed to get a "free rental" on behalf of his insurance, but we still have to pay for gas on it. I am wondering if they wouldn't reimburse us for it; we should ask. So we have that HUGE additional expense (because we got a truck, so gas would cost loads more than filling up Brad's little car).
PLUS they re-imaged the computers at work, so now everything is all wonkified! It looks like all of my iTunes library was wiped away (twitch), but the IT guy left me a note that said, "I'll get your iTunes stuff back !!! : ) " So I will cross my fingers on that...
I have been having short dizzy spells on and off for over a week now, and I am sick of it. I was going to go to the doctor, but I'm starting to wonder if what I need is an optometrist. I haven't been to an eye doctor in a reeeeeeeeeeeally long time, and the headache-y dizziness usually starts behind my eyes. It is probably strain. So I may get hot new shades soon. My benefits are pretty good, so I'm gonna see if I can afford the kind that get dark when you are in the sunlight. That way I wouldn't have to worry about sunglasses! Who knows how long that will actually take me, though.....

Basically this week has been kind of BLECH, with some wonderful exceptions. And at least I have LOST to look forward to tonight, and Nick's dance show. Le sigh... life goes on.

Updates and such

I don't seem to update this blog very much, so here I go:
It is April 22nd. Tonight the Astros are playing the Padres, and Brad and I will be there to cheer them on! If we can actually get there on time, we will get green Astros caps (Go Green! Night). Over the past few weeks Brad and I have made our reservations for (and the trumpets sound) DISNEY WORLD!!!!! I have so uber-excited!! I have already planned most of the trip; I want to be organized, but leave time open for discovering new things. We are going in August (the 10th through the 15th to be exact), so it will be SCORCHING HOT. I don't mind; bring on sunscreen, a tan and two awesome water parks!! We are trying to save up extra money, too, for food and a crap load of souvenirs. Seriously, I will come back with a Disney Tattoo if they offer them on site.....OK, that's a lie.
I have gotten involved with the teen girls ministry at Bammel. I am loving it, and I have Grags to thank for being a wonderful inspiration to me!! We are planning some summer Bible studies and get-togethers. I'm vying for the Chocolate Bar - who's with me?
Brad and I have joined and committed to a Connection Group, and we are LOVING IT! How could we not with the incredible food, furniture and worship?
I am practically counting down the days until Morgan moves back home (which happens in roughly 8 months) so that we can watch Runway and SVU until our eyes bug out. I MISS YOU, ROOMIE! We have much mischief to manage, so hurry home!
We are adjusting slowly to living on a budget, especially now that we are trying to set money aside for WDW. I am cooking more, often for my folks as well. It is just easier to prepare a meal for four, you know? We don't get to Alvin very much, so we miss his folks and Michael. We are going out there this coming weekend, which should be fun. And I have got to find a way to get that baby gift to his cousin soon...hmm...
Now comes the arduous and slow-moving task of losing weight, or at least shaping up. If I'm hitting Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach frequently in the heat of August then I had better feel good in the bathing suit! Both of us get winded just walking up to our apartment (a third floor walk-up), so perhaps a workout is in order.
I have been warned not to drink the water at work thanks to an "outbreak" of pregnancy around my office. I dont have the heart to tell them that is not how you get pregnant. Maybe I will schedule a "Birds-n-Bees" conference.
That seems to be everything I can pull off the top of my head.

Inspiration without Perspiration

I consider myself very blessed. I have achieved and been given a lot of great things in my life. I am easily inspired. A good book, an encouraging story from a friend, a great sermon; I am lit on fire! I have spent a great deal of my adult life planning great things.

Here is the part where you ask how many of those great plans came to fruition... wait for it: Not very many...

I am lazy. I missed the go-getter gene, or more likely, Alex took it all from the womb. He is just packed FULL of go-getter, and I am stuck with "But it is all the way over theeeeere...".

I was really hoping that my B-12 shots would help with this. To be fair, I need to be more patient with it. But with ADD, patience turns into "What was I talking about?"

Then, in addition to those issues, I stand in my own way. I am really good at convincing myself not to apply for greatness. What if I am never home? What if I fail? Or worse, what if I succeed?!? I dont really like responsability - there, I said it! If I work extra hard to get an advancement in my job, guess what- I get more work to do! I come home exhausted as it is, just from sitting at a desk staring at a computer all day. What if I had to work more hours? Overtime is great (I get paid time-and-a-half), but I would rather get a little extra sleep in the morning, or have dinner on the table when my husband comes home, or hell, sit around doing nothing and watch my shows!

I truly pray that I can learn to get out of my own way. It is different being married, because even when I could finally get off my butt and make a decision I have to consider if it is best for both of us. I love my husband, and I am so thankful to have him. I just have to stop making excuses and get things done!

That's right, world of bloggers; I am engaged to be married! Here is how it all went down:

We went and had a fabulous meal at 'Red Onion Seafood y Mas'. We had an amazing shrimp cocktail (that was nothing like other shrimp cocktails, because 'normal' S.C. is gross), wine, steak, halibut - the works! Then we went home to change clothes so we could go somewhere more casula for a drink. When we got home I laid on our couch (the leather one Clint gave us) and waited on him. He came out of his room, looking slightly nervous, and came over to me. He got on his knees. He said some very sweet things; how he couldn't imagine his life without me, he didn't want a future without me in it, etc lovely etc...

And then he asked me if I would do him the great honor of being his wife! And I said, "Of course!"

Now the twist is... I knew he was going to do this when he did, and I bought him an engagement ring as well!!! So now we are both "marked" as we plan our lives together!

Banana Hammock

Just Because Its Funny

No really, this blog has nothing to do with banana hammocks, it just makes me laugh...

Anyway, I am having a good week so far. I had a great weekend with Brad, played dominoes, got to hang out with Kelly, etc. Last night Kelly and I went shopping with my 17 yr old cousin, which was lots of fun. I bought a cute new purse and I found some shoes to wear with my Betsey to the wedding! My dress looks just like this pic, except it is navy blue with a copper silk underneath. I found the cutest bronze/copper colored shoes! Thanks to Kelly and Cori for helping me find them.

Brad and I are taking a short trip for the holiday weekend, and it will be so nice to get away! We are always at my folks house or his folks house, and while our parents' are great, we definitely need a little time away.

My good friend Lauren Gragert has deserted me for greener pastures in Ft Worth. I miss her, but she seems excited about her new jobs and roommates. She is going to send me pics soon, and I am mucho excited! Check out her blog. Please pray for her as she starts a new life.

Wish List

For No Reason
They say money cannot buy you happiness, and that is true. However, money can buy you stuff, and stuff has been known to make me pretty dang happy. For example, here is a list of things that would make me happy (in no particular order, and for no particular reason) :
*"Celtic Minstrels" by James Galway - When I was younger, around 8th grade, I used to fall asleep to this album almost every night. I lost it because I took it to school for a project, and I miss it. The gentle lilting music would bring back that smile.
*"House" Season Three on DVD - there is no need to explain this one...
*A plane ticket to Lubbock - I miss Morgan, and I know she needs to unwind right now. It would be great if we could have a nice girls night out, maybe a Margarita and a chick flick... I'm thinking "Sweetest Thing"...
*Tickets to the parks in Disney World - the traveling is not the expensive part, it's the parks passes. I used to go here all the time with my family, and it is the source of many happy memories. Plus, now I could really appreciate Pleasure Island!!
*An apartment - I love my family, and I actually don't mind being at home. It's just that it is hard to feel like an adult when you live at home. Plus, I don't have any 'real' privacy. On nights when I want to be alone, just to relax, it feels like I'm sulking in my room. I'd rather just have my own place. Plus, it would be great if Brad and I had somewhere to go where we didn't feel chaperoned.....

It's a short list, but a beautiful one. Obviouslt there are more things, but some are too personal or silly to put on the world of blogdom.

Insomnia Cookies

And How to Get Them
This company is a stroke of pure genius entrepreneurship. Insomnia Cookies is a website where you can order cookies and have them fresh-baked and delivered to your home in about 30 minutes! They are a fairly new company. So far their main focus is college campuses (wheee), which makes sense, but you can also order them from Manhattan.
I want one here.
On their main page is a link that says "CLICK HERE FOR FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES". This simply sets up an email to send them. It takes them a short while to respond, but I want everyone who reads this (specifically those in Houston) to write them a quick letter, asking them to set one up down here. All of their current locations are North and North-East, so we could really open up their market. I'm thinking Brad could manage it, and we could find a few happy bakers and drivers - I'm in!
I read about these guys from this article about young entrepreneurs - inspiring, isn't it? It makes me want to start an online company, making and/or delivering something, you know?
We salute you, Seth Berkowitz, for your ingenious manipulation of the need for sugar at all hours!

Another Day

And nothing new
Life is good, if not slightly stagnant. No, stagnant is a word with big negative connotations... it's just a little bit boring is all. There are far worse things. I sleep (not ever quite enough), I work (yawn), I eat (probably too much) and I spend amazing time with Brad. I get to see friends occasionally, but we are all pretty busy. Now that Brad lives in Alvin I dont see him him as much, either. Sad. Soon, hopefully, we will be setting him up in an apartment close to my place.
Oh, I joined a gym last night. Nothing fancy, but its cheap and it has cardio machines which is all I want at this moment. And most of the machines have little TVs on them with cable! I watched an episode of Scrubs last night on the treadmill and didnt even know I had been walking 15 minutes!! Nice...
I will start a little muscle training later, but right now I just need to whip myself into shape- grow some discipline and lose a little weight.
I miss my buddy Jason. Tomorrow is his birthday, and I wish we were gonna go out drinking and playing pool. Oh well. I will call him. I keep trying to get him down to Htown for Wild West and Rocbar, but the sucker ain't got no time. POOP! I say he, Nick, James and Morgan come down for a walk-down-memory-lane-apalooza! Well, it wont happen, but it would be fun.
Brad is great, and I miss him. We are seeing a show this weekend and a Kevin Fowler concert, so it should be good times. Whee!!

Messina Hof

Wonderful Weekend with Wine
Brad and I met his grandmother, Vicki, and several of her close friends at the Messina Hof winery in Bryan/College Station this weekend. We had about half an hour to ourselves to taste various wines. Then our private tour began with the history behind this fascinating family. We spent close to an hour wandering the grounds, seeing the wine-making process, visiting the Villa and getting a tutorial on the 'wine experience'. Then, to cap the occation, we dined at the Villa Restaurant, where everything was delicious! Oh, everything on the grounds was incredible. Check out the photos on the website.
Anyway, I came home with a few bottles, including a delectable Sangria. Yummy in the tummy!