Summer 2010, so far...out and about Beaumont, parties,vacation, crafty stuff, tv, movies and crazy dissin' on the E! Channel!

Summer officially started in June and few interesting things worth mentioning have happened.I no longer call it summer vacation, mostly because I am not a student , so I am not vacationing from anything in particular.

The beginning of the summer was a bit of a downer. There were about six of us girls from work and one friend from Tennessee that had wanted to go to New Orleans for a fun filled girls weekend. But with some of us on opposite weekends, a divorce in the makings,a move, kids and other things going on, the trip did not take place. But one of the girls I work with has already mapped out a tentative trip for us to New Orleans , which is in the works for late October.I am looking forward to it and just hope the weather cooperates.

I am still enjoying my workouts, yoga and pilates classes, and have added Zumba and Group Groove to my routine.The music is great and the dances are fun and it is something different to do.I am still running 3-5 miles 2 times a week . I registered for the half marathon in San Antonio on November 15 this year, so I really need to step it up a notch.

Parties!! Sommer had an awesome craw fish boil/party last month and I was so happy that almost all of my friends got to attend.The craw fish had just the right amount of spice,the drinks were cold and we all had a great time.

We had Gabis birhtday party last month too. We took her to D'Vine Wines with takeout food from Carrabbas( one of my favorites!). We had such a good time and the party continued to Sommers house, where Gabi ( after having one too many) , fell out of her chair. I was quick and snapped a picture, to use for blackmail later! No , not really , but it was funny.

I did spend a few days house/dog sitting for a friend... with a pool!! The much needed R&R time I spent laying by the pool with a cold drink in my hand did me some good .Laying out by a ppol is one of my favorite things to do :) .

I recently returned from our annual trip to Concan, Texas to the Frio River. We stayed with Sommer and her family and we had so much fun. It was great because this year due to recent rainfall in that area, the water was up and we got to kayak.We even took a few early ( as in 7 am early) morning kayak runs. It was great, so quiet , peaceful, and no drunk tubers got in our way.We ate alot, drank alot, played cards, Phase 10, Twister, and danced all night . I am already looking forward to next years trip. The only thing missing was Kim, we missed her this year!!

We made some new friends - Chris, Lori and their son Jordan from Shreveport (Gabi and Stewarts friends). We had a great time with them and they rocked karaoke the night we went to the House Pasture Cattle Company Restaurant.I came back a few days early and I enjoyed two days off until I returned to work on Sunday , July 11. I worked 4 nights before I was able to relax again. I have really been able to relax and I am trying to get myself ready to head back to work tomorrow night... for 8 nights .Lets get this straight...I am not really an outdoorsy type of girl, we sleep in cabins with electricity and running water!

I was able to complete watching the TrueBlood Season 2 series on DVD, before season 3 started. I love that show and get excited when the show comes on. Something so small, but I have to have something to get excited about.

When I got back from vacation I was able to go see the 3rd movie in the Twilight Series, Eclipse. I loved Twilight, I thought New Moon was boring ( minus the hot Taylor Lautner- Jacob ), and although i enjoyed Eclipse, Bella and Edward really got on my nerves with their co-dependent relationship.

This past weekend I attended a bachelorette party for a friend that is getting married next weekend. Although she did not get to party like a rockstar ( no alcohol), she just found out she is having a baby, she had a good time. After the lingerie party, we made a few club rounds including Whiskey River. Now I have always been proud to say that I have never set foot in that place, even when it was Cactus Canyon. Well, I went and I did not party either, and I remembered why I don't go to places like that. I did get to see two drunk girls fall down and had a good laugh though.

Last night, Laquitta, Kristin, and I went to Painting With a Twist and painted , had wine,snacks and a great time. W e probably make better nurses than we do artists, but it was fun and I am glad I went. I want to go again next month.

So here we are, the middle of July and although nothing too exciting has happened, I have no complaints either. As far as I am concerned, summer goes through the end of September , so maybe something exciting will happen. I am just hoping the weather plays nice and we don't have hurricane here!

*****SOAP BOX ALERT*****

E! Channel I love you, but stop playing and overplaying CRAP! This mornings highlight : Lindsay Lohan- Her Journey to Jail. Seriously????I am so over her and her crazy mom. She was cute in Parent Trap, cool in Mean Girls.... I really don't know what other movies she has been in... the only thing you ever hear about her is stupid drama!!!

A little more annoying than LL's jail sentence is about Sandra Bullock and her ex- Jesse.What more can they keep saying about it. They got married, he cheated, she found out, left him, adopted a baby, they got a divorce.Let those people have their privacy.The only thing I can say is that guy screwed up. How that white trash ever got Sandra Bullock to marry him is beyond me.Maybe they will work it out, maybe they won't... but best of luck to them both.

But the one that takes the cake.... Tiger Woods!!! E! Channel devoted almost one whole freaking day to his private life.First, (not trying to be a beotch), BUT... if that unattractive man really had that much action going on and really had all of those (14?) affairs going on, there is no way his wife did not know about it. It was annoying that she acted so surprised, just my opinion though. Although I have never been a Tiger fan, I can say this....he is a spoiled brat that that he could do whatever, whenever he wanted. He had it all-career,talent, money, fame, wife and kids.
Hopefully he can find peace with himself and change for his sake and wife and kids.But the most annoying of the whole Tiger saga are the Hoe-Bags that claim to have had a relationship/affair with him. These women were on TV crying over him, demanding an apology from him and saying how much they loved him. First: if they really ever loved or cared about him they need to shut up!!!If they ever really loved him, they don't need to be talking about the affairs, and continually bringing up the whole event on television and offering their story to the media service offering them the most money.These women are basking in the attention,hoopla, and publicity and seeking sympathy over it. I'm sure one of them will get a made for tv movie over it!!!I think they are selfish, money/fame-monster hungry people that only care about themselves.They just need to admit they were wrong, leave him alone and move on. okay, 'nuff dissin' on the E! Peace out girl scouts!!!!

Just A Thought , or Two... or Maybe Three?

My MySpace, my Facebook and my blogspot are mine and mine only... to post and say whatever comes to mind. I have been very adamant about not displaying too much negativity on any comments, status or postings. I think I have even done a good job by not putting too much out there,especially when it comes to MySpace and Facebook. But my blogspot, is mine, all mine, and besides myself , I think there is only one person that reads it. So here goes..just for today.....here is my list of things currently on my mind, taking up space, keeping me from sleep and really, just a few things that are really pissing me off ! maybe just ticking me off a little and may seem minor or petty to some, too bad... like I said it's my blogspot , not yours!!!!
1. The Ex-factor: next month on July 13 th will be one year that my divorce will have been final. i am over it and over the fact of being a "statistic". I am even over the fact of all the stupid things he has done and said since the divorce has been final : Lies about our 2008 tax return,lies to his family and well just his plain existence sometimes nauseates me. Well he got remarried , again, this makes wife # 3 for him (Mr. I'm barely 30 years old and am on my 3rd marriage). I have no feelings or animosity towards him , his new wife or his marriage- best of luck to ya ~! I don't even have a problem with being referred to wife #2-the crazy one. It's much better than what he calls wife #1 ! But I do have a slight problem when wife # 3 made a comment about me that she has no business making. I have never met this woman, have no idea what she looks like , and did not even know her name until a few weeks ago.I won't repeat the comment made, but all I have to say is this, she must be really bored, I mean really , really bored to even be thinking about me, worrying about me, where I work , or the people I work with , or what is on my Facebook- which is nothing to do with her or him , ever! Its mine all mine and i don't waste time making comments about him or any references to him. Unless you are my friend on MySpace or Facebook, you cannot see anything except my name and my picture.But hey, glad to know you are a fan! :)
2. Friends : I have a friend that I love dearly, but I just cannot take the drama anymore, please
stop, stop the madness. I cannot take it anymore.
3. I so love being a fan of "Reading someones status on Facebook and thinking : Shut the HELL up" . There are a few, just a few people not only do they brag constantly&consider that the sun and moon rise and fall at their beckoning, but they just never shut up. There are just a few people that although i love them dearly , their self -absorbed egos are just a little bit too much. I guess I could go on , but you get the idea.
4. Two thumbs down to the City of Beaumont Water Department- After 2 weeks of phone calls back in APRIL, to please come check a leak, they finally show up at 7:30 am with no warning, they fix the leak, but manage to tear up my driveway... I still have no driveway..
5.The HEAT- is oppressive. The older I get, the more the summer becomes intolerable to me. Yes, I love summer, picnics, craw fish boils, swimming, The Frio, ect.... but the heat is killing me!!! I find myself getting up earlier and earlier to go workout and get my errands done early so I can be home by noon or a little afterward. I have even been scheduling lunches with my girlfriends earlier , so I can get off the road, and get home to my air conditioning and taking afternoon naps. What the hell???
6.Reality TV- Enough already. I really don't watch much tv, I keep it on E! in the background for noise because it is so quiet here. I watch DVD's, TrueBlood and the occasional special on E!. I did not realize what was out there until about 2 months ago, when I was home sick for a day and nothing to do but watch tv- ok- Jersey Shore,Housewives of New Jersey or New York,16 and Pregnant,Parent Rules, Bachelor and Bachelorette, enough. Where the hell do these people come from. I mean really.. I think with all that stupidity, I possibly have a chance at my own reality show... with my cats and my dog, my friends , and my adventures of going to work, D'vine Wines and going out to eat and maybe a little bit of self-made drama ( on my friends parts), and I could make commentary on it and make fun of other people. Maybe my cats could have their own reality show, who knows?
7. Douche -bag guys that for some reason think I want to talk to them. Really there is only one, and he has been someone that has been "bothering' me for years. If I don't even look at you, and have not said hi to you in years,and I only speak to you if it is regarding a patient, I even deleted you last year from my Facebook last year after you kept sending me obscene messages..... get it through your head, I don't like you, I will never like you, and quit talking about me like we are friends. We are not friends or even acquaintances. We just happen to work at the same place and have to cross paths every once in a while. Get over it, I did .'k thanks.
8.Last but not least, but only because I am done, negativity wears me out! I just turned the channels on HBO and the movie Planet of the Apes is on, great. That movie scares the crap out of me... talking monkeys taking humans as prisoners. Great, nightmares... but probably won't be as bad as last night, I was flipping the HBO channels and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was on- the scariest movie next to The Exorcist and The Omen. Goodnight , I'm out :)

Guadalupe Days: Favorite Texas Movies: Urban Cowboy

Guadalupe Days: Favorite Texas Movies: Urban Cowboy

Little Debbie Is My Homegirl

I love chocolate. I mean I really love, love, love chocolate.I don't mean chocolate bars or candy- except for chocolate covered nuts or Hershey Kisses on Valentines Day or the small decorative chocolate bunny on Easter. I love chocolate brownies ,chocolate pie and chocolate cake (minus frosting/icing).My oh-so -all time favorite- Little Debbie snack cakes- Chocolate Zebra Cakes and Fudge Rounds, OMG! I will even eat fruit dipped and covered in chocolate fondue, especially chocolate covered strawberries. It is actually quite sinful how much I love chocolate.
I will give myself a hand though,I don't eat donuts. I used to love chocolate donuts or just donuts covered in chocolate. In 2001 , I did the Weight Watchers program and learned, among other things that fried chicken, sodas (minus the occasional diet soda) , and DONUTS were a dieters downfall. So there went the donuts. I am PROUD to say that I have not had a donut since March 2001.
The weight thing has been an issue since I moved to ( or should I say back ) to Beaumont in August 1998, after living in Friendswood/Alvin/Pearland Texas since 1984.I am barely 5 feet tall, I have always been the one of the shortest or the shortest person in my classes at school or my group of friends. But until I moved back to Beaumont, my weight has been fine proportionate or even just right for my height. Trust me, when a short person gains 5 pounds, it looks like they have gained 10 pounds, at least it does on me.I went from a happy 120-125 pound girl to a 155 pound very unhappy girl in the matter of 3 years.The drowning my broken heart (broken engagement to a guy who I thought was "the one" and we had been together for 10 years) in anything and everything that did not eat me first, being depressed, working 2 jobs , going to school , and not making time for exercise , I packed on the pounds. One day I finally just said enough, went to Weight Watchers, started walking and gradually getting back into running a mile or two and getting back into healthier eating habits.
I left the teaching profession after many years of trying to shape and mold 12,13, and 14 year old minds and took a chance and my opportunity and went back to school. This time doing what I really wanted to do, nursing.I vowed not to put on the dreaded and feared 15 to 20 pounds that nursing students fear and struggled with it sometimes, working two jobs, studying,and trying to exercise, and have a social life.I did a good job and came out of nursing school with a degree and only 5 extra pounds.
The pounds did not creep back on me until 2005, when I got married. Was it being married to someone with horrible eating habits himself, depression, the stress of being an ER nurse, adjusting to working night shift? I don't know, but I do know that by the summer of 2008, I weighed 187 pounds.I got back to basics , cleaned out the pantries and refrigerator, got back on an exercise plan, tried to recruit my husband( now my ex) into doing the neighborhood walk thing ( with no luck), and gave myself a reason to get back in shape.
Not ever really being a red meat eater ,I cut it out completely. i eat chicken now very sparingly, maybe once a month, as long as it does not have bones.I eat fish only one or two times a week, I only eat whole grains and have pretty much cut pasta and white rice out of my diet. That was so hard to do!I love seafood though, as long as it is not drowning in some rich fattening sauce. I love crawfish and boiled shrimp, and lucky for me , I got to eat some delicious , spicy boiled crawfish and shrimp this weekend.Even though I forgot to take a Benadryl before indulging in the shellfish, and even though I broke out in a mild case of hives and wheezed a few times, I enjoyed it!I was not worried about having a bad reaction, I mean I was surrounded by four nurses, one medical school student and one doctor.Any medical emergency could have been dealt with , even though quite a few beers had been consumed!
Since 2008, getting back into it- healthier eating,Yoga ,Pilates, walking, running at least 3 miles twice a week, and now ZUMBA ! Zumba is a fusion of Latin,Hip-Hop,bellydancing, and Bollywood all rolled into one and I am hooked!!!One hour of Zumba can burn up to 700 calories. I was totally lost the first day, but I am working my to becoming a Zumba Princess.Tomorrow I start another class at Exygon called Group Groove, so I will report on that later.
I have lost 25 pounds since January of this year and have gone from a size 14 in 2008 to comfortably wearing a size 8.I still have not reached my goal, it is going slow and steady, but at least it is going in the right direction.I do contribute this to all my hard work, but I also have to give Kudos to my med I take for "depression". When I started taking this medicine in November, the only thing I was getting out of it was nausea/vomiting and diarrhea. I am okay now, with the occasional bout of nausea when I wake up ( and no, I am not with child), and the fact that my taste buds have changed, it has had alot more of a positive effect than I thought it would, I don't get upset as easy anymore, I am in a much better mood and really don't have much of an appetite anymore.So , hooray for that. By the way, I don't really think I was ever depressed, just needed a boost or a mood stabilizer.
Also, good news, I am running a 5k in the Gusher Marathon, it is Beaumont's first marathon and I am so proud I get to participate and be a part of it. It may only be 3 miles, but hey, I'm still doing it !
As far as the chocolate goes, I have toned it down a bit.As far as making a spiritual commitment for Lent, I gave up chocolate . My last taste of chocolate was at Taste of the Triangle on Fat Tuesday and no chocolate passed these lips until Easter night , when I ceremoniously bit the head off of my decorative chocolate bunny I bought for myself just for the occasion.
These days it is all about 100 calorie pack snack cakes and cookies and Skinny Cow brand ice cream and fudge pops. I did a calorie and sugar gram content check and discovered that my favorite Little Debbie snack cake only has 115 calories and the same amount of sugar as the 100 calorie pack cupcakes I eat. So, once a week, Little Debbie & I can be friends- again :) .
And , by the way Skinny Cow cookies and cream ice cream,5.8 ounce carton only has 150 calories and it tastes great.

JUST A QUICKIE, FOR CERTAIN FOLKS THAT ARE SO CONCERNED

THIS VERY SHORT BLOG IS FOR A CERTAIN "FOLLOWER" WHOSE NAME I WILL NOT POST.... AND WHO REFUSES TO BECOME A FOLLOWER BECAUSE THEN HE WOULD BECOME ONE OF THOSE GUYS. THIS CERTAIN PERSON, WHO SHALL REMAIN NAMELESS... OR SHOULD I USE HIS INITIALS, BUT IN NO CERTAIN ORDER- MJM, HERE GOES - A PLAY BY PLAY , UP TO THE EXACT MINUTE OF WHAT I DID THIS WEEKEND. YOU SAID YOU WANTED A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION THAN WHAT WAS POSTED ON FACEBOOK OR MYSPACE--( DID I EVEN FRIEND YOU ON MY MYSPACE ???) THAT IS NOT ABOUT ANY CERTAIN OUTING, EVENT OR SOCIAL GATHERING- AKA A PARTY.HERE GOES:I WOKE UP EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, WENT TO YOGA AT 7 AM. I THEN WENT TO ONSTAGE AND GOT MY HAIR COLORED- A LITTLE MORE RED PLEASE, GOT A PEDICURE, AND WAS ABLE TO BE WORKED IN TO GET MY LEGS WAXED. I THEN HAD LUNCH AT STARBUCKS WHICH CONSISTED OF A SOYMILK SUGAR FREE LATTE AND A BAGEL. I THEN WENT HOME AND TOOK A NAP, WOKE UP AT 4, TOOK A SHOWER AND HAD DINNER WITH SOME OLD FRIENDS.I GOT HOME AT A RELATIVELY DECENT HOUR , CLEANED THE HOUSE A BIT, AND CHATTED ON FACEBOOK. I WENT TO BED SOMETIME AFTER 1 AM.I WOKE UP EARLY SATURDAY MORNING , WEN T TO GROUP CENTERGY YOGA AT 7 AM, THEN I WENT TO WORKOUT AT THE GYM.I WENT GROCERY SHOPPING, WENT TO TARGET, COULD NOT FIND THE VACUUM CLEANER BAGS I NEEDED THERE, SO I PUT ON A BRAVE FRONT AND WENT TO WALMART. I DON'T SHOP AT WALMART, NOR DO I LIKE IT! THE LAST TRIP I MADE THERE WAS DECEMBER 2008. I GOT VERY DISTRESSED BECAUSE I COULD NOT FIND THE STUPID BAGS,BUT MY FRIEND CHARLOTTE WAS THERE SHOPPING AND SHE CAME TO MY RESCUE!I WENT HOME AND CLEANED THE HOUSE, LIKE REALLY CLEANED ON MY HANDS AND KNEES EVEN CLEANED THE BASEBOARDS CLEAN!WHICH IS WHY I WOKE UP LATER ON SATURDAY NIGHT WITH A COLD / SINUS INFECTION FROM THE DUST. I USED MY NETTIE POT A FEW TIMES AND DRANK SOME HERBAL TEA. WAKING UP SUNDAY MORNING I FELT A LITTLE ACHY, BUT NO COUGH OR COLD SYMPTOMS ( I RARELY GET SICK), AND I WENT TO THE GYM AND WORKED OUT. I MISSED 9:30 MASS- OH WELL. I THEN TOOK A NAP LAYING ON MY LOUNGE CHAIR ON THE DECK. I FORGOT TO PUT ON SUNSCREEN , AND MY SHOULDERS ARE A LITTLE BIT TOASTY AND I HAVE A TON OF NEW FRECKLES. I WENT TO WORK AT 7 PM UNTIL 3 AM FOR OVERTIME. I AM NOW IN MY PAJAMAS SITTING ON THE FLOOR WITH MY DELL NOTEBOOK, TYPING THIS BLOG , TRYING TO DECIDE IF I WANT TO EAT SOME CEREAL OR NOT AND DECIDING WHAT TIME I NEED TO GET UP , BEING THAT I AM GOING TO THE RODEO THIS AFTERNOON AND NEED TO BE READY TO LEAVE BEAUMONT AT 3 PM.THERE YOU HAVE IT DUDE... HAPPY NOW??????? MJM- YOU CAN ATTRIBUTE ANY SARCASTIC TONE TO THE COMMENT YOU MADE THAT MY YOVILLE CHARACTER IS HOTTER THAN ME! AND WOULD SHE GO OUT WITH YOU-- THE ANSWER TO THAT IS NO- SHE IS EVEN PICKIER THAN ME!

Mardi Gras and Cupid All Rolled Into One !

With Mardi Gras and Valentines Day falling on the same weekend, it was a great weekend for celebrating and socializing and ending in fine form on Fat Tuesday.

To start off our Mardi Gras festivities, the ER nurses had a "Superbowl" party at work, complete with gumbo,yummy appetizers, King Cake, and the Superbowl game on a tv in the nurses station!It is hard to remember who was rooting for which team or why, as I am not a fan of football myself.I did enjoy the football rivalry between friends at work and on Facebook. But I will say this , I did find a little joy in knowing that the Cowboys ( or Cowgirls) rather, did not play in the Superbowl.But I really did not care who was playing or who won- I just wanted to have a party at work!. Although with the New Orleans Saints winning,it was quite fitting, with Mardi Gras coming up and all.I received quite a few text messages all throughout the day from friends and family in Mandeville and Houma Louisianna.... and I am sure with all the hoopla from that day, you know what those text messages said!Exchanging Mardi Gras beads and another King Cake later on in the work week, we were ready to be off for Mardi Gras weekend!

Our first Mardi Gras outing was on Friday night when I headed out to Port Arthur with John and Kristen to watch the parade- always a good time. Comparing the parade there to the parades I have attended in Galveston, Port Arthur is quite tame and more family oriented.The Friday night parade was only about 25 minutes long, which was fine with us.Although we bundled up,it was quite cold and finished up our first night of partying INSIDE at a friends house on the parade route and decided to brave the carnival the next night.

On Saturday, we braved the 35' temperature and headed out early to the parade to meet Kristens parents who were ready with us , fire pit and all! We set up our "camp" close to the carnival entrance with good food to cook on our fire pit- veggie kabobs,grilled chicken, sausage and boudain. Although I had plenty of Stella Artois and Peroni to drink, I saved room for a large cup of hot chocolate, which hit the spot during the parade.When the parade started and beads were flying, we had a great time and saw a few of our friends on the passing floats. After the parade ended, we drove to a hidden parking lot and entered the carnival from the rear entrance and caught the end of the parade and snagged a few more choice beads and other fun Mardi Gras paraphanalia! As if we did not already have enough to eat earlier, we found our way to the food and I found a tasty veggie kabob ,took a bite of an shrimp on a stick, split a funnel cake 3 ways, split a box of ribbon fries 2 ways with lots of ketchup, and tried my first cheesecake on a stick. It was great, but a little too big to finish myself which John gladly took over.We danced to great Zydeco music on the Pavillion and stayed to watch most of the Randy Rogers Band concert. We had a great time,and looking forward to next year.

Waking up on Sunday, I found myself to be quite tired, but I did make it to 9:30 mass at St. Judes and felt a little bit better about life for doing so. After a quick trip to the gym- to work off that funnel cake, and even quicker shower , I was ready to join a few of the girls, and a few guys for lunch at Pei Wei where I enjoyed Pei Wei Spicy with veggies and brown rice, my favorite!Kim and I ended the day with a 4:00 movie outing to see "Valentines Day", which was an excellent movie, I recommend it to go see with the girls, or your favorite guy!!!

Touchy subject for some, but not me..... not this year! Being single on Valentines Day. Being single to me means no dating, period!!! No dating, no phone calls, no texting, Facebooking,Myspacing,ect., and I am okay with that.I have a few friends that posted whiny status updates of "Oh, I'm alone on Valentines Day.. blah ,blah, blah...get over it. Eat a piece of chocolate and get on with it. If you want flowers and chocolate, go buy some for yourself, I did!I found a beautiful bouquet of wildflowers with a few hidden roses in between the sunflowers and daisies and a small box of PLAIN chocolate with nuts and a bag of Hershey Kisses. I am not ashamed to say I ate all 10 pieces in that box of candy Sunday night, but took the bag of Kisses to work on Monday to share with the dayshift.Indulging is one thing, but I was not going to be a glutton and eat the whole bag, which I surely could do!I could not have been happier with my gifts to me from me than if Mr. Right showed up at my door with a huge bouquet of multi-colored roses, an even bigger box of candy and an awesome dinner date planned at a place like Brians 747 or Sugas and then a movie.......... Ok, we all know thats not true,but I had a great day anyway!Anyway, we all know the best part of V-day is the chocolate !

Fat Tuesday ended the Mardi Gras festivities and I started the night off at Tokyos , one of my favorite restaurants. Although I stuck to my you-can -never-go -wrong with Crunch Roll, I also tried the Diablo Maki- delicious!I was quite full of sushi by the time my Hibachi vegetables and fried rice arrived, so I had that packaged up to take home. My next stop was Taste of The Triangle held at Ford Pavillion . I was quite impressed with the variety of vendors present and the food they had out for us to sample. Cheddars,Hooters,Seaport Coffee,Del Papa and Giglio ,Courvilles,Zydeco Cafe,Madisons,Goodfellas, and even Casa Ole, just to name a few!I tried a tasty vegetarian burrito,seafood gumbo and the best bread pudding ever.

Before I could get home, I received a text message from a friend letting me know that the party was continuing at Madisons and to hurry up and get there!Just in time too, my cell phone died (battery), and I for some reason did not have my charger in my SUV.When I arrived at Madisons, I found that most of the party had been there for quite a while partying it up and decided to go ahead to indulge in a Pomegranate Martini, quite tasty, but not as good as the one at Carabbas!

It was a great weekend plus 2 days and hoping all enjoyed their Mardi Gras and Valentines Day too!

Soiree: A party of people assembled in the evening, usually at a private house.

Well this NYE was the best ever, well the best since NYE 1999. It was our last ER bash/get-together of the year.Kristen was kind enough to hostess this soiree at her home and we partied it up ER style , especially given the fact that most of us there had not had a New Years Eve off in about five or six years.
Good friends, food, wine and other drinks of choice were plentiful at this end of the year bash. John (Kristens husband) invited his friends that work in surgery with him at the hospital and although the surgery crew did not mingle much with the ER crew, they looked like they were having a great time outside by the fire pit and the keg.The usual ER gang showed up , minus the ones that had to work, and we missed them.
I got there a little early to help set up and prepare some of the food. A few friends did stop by on their way to work to grab a quick bite to eat before heading to the madness in the ER.
We did have plenty of alcohol for our friends that were there to party-wine,beer,vodka,tequila and setups were available. We had plenty of good food too-chicken,sausage,cheese sticks,vegetable trays, fruit,crackers,chips and many varieties of homemade dips and salsa to choose from.Our only food mishap was the dip for the strawberries. Kristen was able to find a dip in vanilla and chocolate flavor to heat in the microwave and you dip the strawberry in it, swirl, and lay it on wax paper to harden.The chocolate ones turned out beautiful, the vanilla, not so good.One of the guests brought this awesome spinach dip which she served in a Christmas tin lined with plastic wrap. It was such a cute idea and so easy to clean up.
As the night went on and guests were coming and going,the music was playing loud and we were highly entertained by a few that could "bust a move" or two. Before I knew it , it was 11:45, so John and I poured out the champagne in plastic champagne flutes for all of those that wanted to partake as the clock hit midnight.As we rang in the new year, well wishes and hugs were given and a few even exchanged kisses!Although i did not have anyone special to give a big sloppy kiss to, I did get lots of hugs and I had a great time. Maybe next year!
About 12:50 the party was starting to wind down with some going to other parties, Crockett Street, or just wanting to get home before the bars closed.We started to clean, and we got her house back in order in a short period of time. I was home by 2 am, and downloaded my party pictures to Facebook in record time, as my friend Vanessa and I are in constant competition to see who can post their pictures first from parties or holidays. So I was safe and sound and in my pajamas at a relatively decent hour , at least by NYE standards (maybe I'm just getting old), as I declined an invite to continue the party at another location.
We did have one more get together for the new year Friday night at Kims house, as she had to work NYE. Kim spent the day slaving over her hot stove cooking up all kinds of goodies for her friends and family. I got there around 5:30 and stayed until around 10 pm and visited with friends,Kims family and watched a movie.
So far ,it has been a great year, and hope everyones new year was as great as mine.

Welcoming In The New Year

If you have had a crazy year with lots of changes- good,bad , or if you are still undecided, raise your hand.I'm raising both of mine !Changes are good for the most part ,they help us grow .It's adjusting to the change that seems to be where the challenge lies.
2009 was quite a year, to say the least. Let's see - divorce- which means not only did my husband leave, but with the divorce , you lose the in laws(not so much missing his parents hmmmm), but lost 2 sister-in-laws that I considered to be like my own sisters,lost 2 Godchildren- when you don't get to see the ex-sisterinlaws, you don't get to see the kids, and lost a stepson, had my own health issues to deal with ,lost my grandma( my grand mere Genevieve),and lost a friend .I was able to survive all of this in one year and I can talk about it without falling apart.My divorce was not as bad as it could have been, we had no children and really not much property to divide, but it was something I would never want to go through again. You feel as though everyone is judging you and looking at you.I had to start on a medication for my thyroid.I now know why I was having all the symptoms I was experiencing and I feel so much better, although I am not a fan of taking medicines( yes , even though I am a nurse).My grandmother on my fathers side passed away in August.Which means I had to deal with seeing my father, and I make it a point to not have to see him.To make a long story short, the man showed up with his entourage from Houma, Louisanna, lots of alcohol, made a fool of himself, embarrassed me and then went home. Enough said there.I lost a friend too,a good friend that I felt very close to and I do not know what I would have done without this person in my life this past year. Yes, some people come into your life only for a season, well the season ended and now he is gone. But I will never forget the lessons he taught me about its okay to open up and be happy again.
But 2009 was not all filled with negativity, there were a few good changes as well. I managed to lose 28 pounds,I found out I can do alot of things on my own ,I ran a 5 k marathon in New Orleans back in February of 2009,and I turned 40 !Turning 40 was actually easier than when I turned 30. For alot of women turning 40 can bring a fear into your heart like you would not believe, especially if your life is not where you want it to be. But I took a very good look at my life and decided that I would CELEBRATE this milstone birthday and not fear it. My friends threw me a fabulous 40 party with lots of good food, wine , music and friends. I felt so lucky.I feel that I have grown more in this past year than I have in the past 10 years.This past year has allowed me to grow very close to a few of my friends and to LET them be there for me and I realized that when I cry in the middle of the night, it's okay to let them know, they are there for me. I don't always have to be the strong one.So this past year has been spent spending time with good friends,reading books, going to the movies, trying new recipes, and doing alot of thinking.
So I am saying goodbye to the old and inviting in the new- isn't that the old saying?I am so ready! The past year and especially the last few months , it seems as though my days have been filled with work, work , and more work!I try to preoccupy myself with this, that or the other- that is how I deal with stress or when I don't want to think about something that makes me sad or that hurts.Well, after awhile , reality sets in and you just have to deal with it.Well I am now ready to deal with it and to begin a new chapter of my life and move on.
As 2009 slides into 2010,many of us make resolutions and promises .Some we are able to keep and some we aren't.Most of these resolutions include losing weight, stop smoking,reading more,spending more time with loved ones ect.I was able to keep a few of the resolutions that I made for myself for 2009. I did lose weight, ran a 5k marathon in New Orleans back in February, passed my CEN (certified emergency nurses) exam, ,threw a party on Good Friday, I let myself open up to a good friend, and I stood up for myself to my ex husband when he tried to take me for everything I had worked so hard for, and well, he left the marriage with pretty much what he came into it with- nothing but the clothes on his back!
I never really make a public declaration or vow of my New Years Resolutions, but I feel that at least publishing my goals for the year, will make them more attainable even if no one else reads this or knows about it!I am still continuing in my quest to lose weight.I left my old gym, the one I have been a member of since 1998, when I moved back to Beaumont. That was a hard change to make.I love that place! But, I decided it would be a good positive thing to do something different this year. I am continuing my Yoga practice at Beaumont Power Yoga with my instructor/friend/mentor Nicole.She has been an inspiration to me and has been the one to motivate me and has been there for me when I was really down.
I am making a more spiritual commitment as well.I am a cradle Catholic- which means I was baptized Catholic,had my first communion,my confirmation,and I was married in the Church as well with the traditional Catholic wedding.Well, this past year I have not been so committed to going to Mass, but I have decided if I can spend an hour getting my hair done,getting a pedicure or working out, I can devote one hour a week to my faith.I feel that no matter what faith you follow, devoting at least one hour a week to whatever God you follow is important.This will all start tomorrow at 9:30 am at St Judes. Oh, and I left St Annes, my home parish and am now a member at St Judes. It is closer to my home and , well not any old memories.
Living a more healthier,holistic,and greener lifestyle is also on my list.I feel that there has never been a more important time than now than to focus on our planets well being.Global warming and climate changes are directly affected by the choices we make each day.One of the changes I plan to incorporate into my life is to stop buying bottled water- I am so guilty of this! Well with all of the reusable bottles I have, there is no need for me to keep buying bottled water.So I bought myself a Brita filter and container and I am ready to go eco-water-friendly! I just have to find me someone to install it for me!And those 10 24-count cases of water I have can be saved for a rainy day- like a hurricane!
I am a "shopaholic".I love clothes, shoes,purses,makeup and have so much, more than I could ever need. Well, I cleaned out my closet twice this past year and managed to fill NINE , nine I tell you large shopping bags full of clothes, purses, and shoes. Some of this still had the price tags on them!I donated quite a bit to the womens shelter resale shop, and gave quite a bit to one of the girls I work with.I felt so good cleaning out my closet like that. And no, I did not go replace it all with another shopping spree.My closet still remains full, but it is back to basics.But the one indulgence I cannot give up is my addiction to Victorias Secret. I can't help it. Trust me, you can never have enough panties and bras.I will stop buying the occasional cute and sexy ( not sleazy) pieces of lingerie. I have many items still with the price tags on them and one day I will have someone to wear them for ... one day !
I have managed to become an "Energy Star".I purchased a new dryer last year and I made sure that the Energy Star logo was present.I have also switched to long lasting compact fluorescent lights .
I recently took a good look under my cabinets and I threw out alot of cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals and I have switched to Seventh Generation and Clean works natural products made my Clorox.A little more expensive, but worth it.
I have managed to ditch the plastic bags!I have about 20 reusable shopping bags and I keep some of them in the car for grocery shopping and I try to remember to take them to Target as well.
And now one of my favorite subjects- food! I love to eat. Growing up in a relatively healthy veggie-friendly home, I have always had fairly good eating habits and never really had a weight problem until I turned 35 (hmmm the same age I was when I got married).I do not consider myself 100 % vegetarian, I do drink milk and eat eggs and cheese and I do eat fish twice a week.I love Tilapia and I am always looking for good fish/seafood recipes.I will try not to indulge in eating too many sweets, although I love chocolate cake .I will try to save those calories for special occasions only.
Although I realize that even though I can exercise all I want and eat healthy foods all the live long day, I will probably never be a size 4 again. I am now a size 10 with the occasional good fortune of fitting into a size 8 on a good day. My goal is to comfortably wear a size 8. But, when I was cleaning out the closet this summer I did find a pair of size 6 jeans that I could not bear to part with. So who knows, I may be wearing those jeans by the end of the summer because sometmes I can hear them calling my name!
Well my wish is that everyone has a safe,happy,prosperous and healthy new year. I will close with a quote form one of my favorite actresses Salma Hayek: "Life is about creating new opportunities, not waiting for them to come to you."I am hoping to create lots of new opportunities for myself and I hope you will too. I have a feeling 2010 is going to be a great year !