Happy Birthday, Gary!!!

Isn't it funny how you STILL like to play with guns?

Happy Birthday!!!  I love you!!!

Master bedroom

Do you know how hard it is to pick a shade of WHITE?  The amount of options is ridiculous!  My master bedroom was kind of a caramely, gold, peachy color - which was really pretty with the furniture and bedding I had in it, will not be so good with Marlon's Man furniture.  Jenna volunteered to help - yes, she volunteered.  She's helped me paint this room before, she knew what she was getting herself into .  . or onto.  The pot shelf:

I really don't like being on ladders, I chose to paint closer to the ground.

(Notice the HGTV on in the background for inspiration?!)

Even covered in paint, this child is GORGEOUS!!

Thanks for helping me, Jenna!!!  It went a whole lot faster with you there.  Love you!!  XOXOXOX

Birthday update

So my amazing, wonderful, sweet, thoughtful, kind, good-looking children came over on my birthday to hang out with me.  They gave up a Saturday for me!!!  I think that's huge for two 20-something adult children to give up a Saturday for their Mama.  I requested burgers, fruit salad and a coca cola cake.  Don't judge the menu choice.  I AM a burger and fries kinda girl.  They brought flowers!!

         Jeremy was "nominated" to brave the heat and grill the burgers.  Sirloin burgers.

                             

                Jenna was in charge of bacon.  Gary, who's your favorite niece?  :)

Mmmmmm, bacon.

They baked a Coca Cola Cake.

Think candy bar meets can of soda.  So good!!

Then the doorbell rang and a delivery man was holding these:

from my fabulous sister!!!  There aren't any pictures of ME at this birthday celebration, so here is a reenactment of me finding out who the flowers were from:

It was a Saturday, so Marlon couldn't be there.  But he did come by after work to spend time with me.  It was a really good day.  I feel very loved.

100th Post

100 posts?  That's amazing.  Who knew I had so much to blog about.  What should I blog about for my 100th post?  I know:  ME!!!  Since today is my birthday, let's talk about me.  Today is the 22nd anniversary of my 27th birthday.  My brothers would like to have you believe I'm 55 today.  No, I am not.  I am 49 today.  Or 27, for the 22nd time.  I was just Googling "Anniversary gifts by year" to find out what the traditional gift is for a 22nd anniversary.  Most sources list gifts for years 1 through 15, then they skip ahead to 20 and 25.  What happens for years 16, 17, 18 and 19?  At that point most couples probably have teenage children, so forget about gifts for each other - they have teenagers to deal with, right?  One source has all the traditional anniversary gifts listed, it also throws in a "modern" gift category.  For a 22nd anniversary they suggest copper.  Copper?  Are they kidding?  "Here's a penny.  Love ya, happy anniversary." No wonder they skip ahead to 25.  Bring on the silver.  That's something I can work with.  Silver frames, silver candlesticks, silver earrings.  Keep the copper.  I'll just wait a few more years for the silver.  Unless you REALLY want to throw some copper my way. 

Mikie's 50?!!!

Really?  Seriously?  This beautiful baby is turning 50?!!!!!  Happy Birthday, Brudder Mikie!  I love you!!!

Room transformation

Jeremy hasn't lived here since January (Jenna now has custody of him - not quite sure how that happened).  The back bedroom still had his stuff in it, until he gave his bed to his girlfriend when she moved into her own place.  That was my cue.  I moved the rest of his stuff out of the room (and into the garage) and got to work.  The main wall had been painted lemon yellow when it was Jenna's room.  (It looked really good with the stuff she had in there, trust me on this.)  The wall got primed and painted.  It's now the same color as the rest of the room - a shade of white called Crumb Cookie.  I don't know what kind of cookies the paint color naming people are eating - any crumbs I've ever had from a cookie are brown.

Jeremy's furniture was replaced with a couple of Mom and Dad's pieces and my bed and look at it now!!!  (Why am I hearing that stupid theme song in my head - Transformers, Robots in disguise.)  This room hasn't had closet doors in YEARS.  Something about children knocking them off the tracks and me being fed up with having to rehang them.  I drug (and I really mean DRUG) the doors out of the garage, repainted them and rehung them.

The only thing left to do is make this spot beautiful.  It needs curtains and a window seat cushion.  I know exactly how I want it to look, I just need help making it happen.  Hmmmmm . . . . . who to call, who to call. . . .

Mood altering drugs

Is there anything better to lift your mood than a new handbag?  Specifically, the 2009 Income Tax Refund Commemorative Handbag?  'Cause if it's paid for with a refund, it's really FREE!!!!  (do NOT argue my logic.  I am most correct on this.  Ask any woman.)


Friday's are casual at work - meaning I get to wear jeans.  With a black top, these shoes and my 2009 Commemorative Handbag.  Cute, right?  And, because it makes me giggle,  zebra underwear.  Too much information?

Hugs for Brenda!!!

Happy Birthday, Brenda!!!!  I hope you have a wonderful day, full of hugs and kisses and small children guessing your age to be 14!!!   I love you!!!

Try not to overdo it on the pirate juice, 'kay?  ;)

Start the water works

I came home tonight to find these on my doorstep:

Start the water works.  There's a note with them - it's not signed and I don't recognize the handwriting.  If I had to guess . . . no.  I don't want to guess and risk insulting anybody if I guess wrong. 

Somebody came to my pity party!  (tear)  I have the best family!!!  I really do. 

I'll be out of my funk soon, truly I will.  I have just a few more "estate" things to take care of and that chapter will be closed.  Three of my broken things got fixed.  My kids love me.  My family loves me.  Marlon loves me.  Even my psycho cat loves me.  I am blessed. 

Thank you, whoever left me beautiful flowers.  I'd give you a big hug if I knew which one you were.  Oh heck, I'll just give you all big hugs.  Mike and Gary like that.

I gave myself permission

So where have I been?  I've been home.  I miss my Daddy.  I have a whole bunch of stuff that's not working right at my house and I have to figure out how to fix it.  It can get overwhelming, all of this broken stuff that I don't know how to fix.  Daddy would have fixed it for me, I would have taken him to Chilero's for carne asada tacos.  We liked that arrangement.  A lot. 

And I miss my Mom.  Mom loved Easter.  You remember the home made Easter candy - the peanut butter cups?  And the solid milk chocolate rabbits?  And those beautiful panorama sugar eggs?  Did Mom ever tell anyone why she loved Easter so much?  Easter makes me think of Mom.   

So I've been home.  Not posting anything, because I've been blue.  And not wanting to admit it.   I really don't want any sympathy for it - because it's my stuff, and I have to deal with it.  I really just want to stay in bed with the covers over my head, but I have to go to work.  They pay me and kinda expect me to show up. 

I've been avoiding blogger and facebook and talking to my sister.  Because she would hear in my voice that I'm not OK and I didn't want to burden her with my stuff.  But I talked to her this weekend.  And she gets it.  I miss her, too.  

Anyway.  I gave myself permission to be blue.  There aren't any comments allowed - I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, or offer suggestions, or tell me to pull my head out of my a$$.  I'll figure it out.  Giving myself permission has helped.  It's been acknowledged, that's better than hiding it.  I'll get over it.  And Mom and Dad will be proud - 'cause dang!  They've raised some intelligent, resourceful kids.

Orphans, year one

Doesn't seem like it's been a year already.   I know we still miss them both, every day.  Sometimes it just smacks you in the face - how much you miss them.  At odd times.  Like driving to the tax accountant's office.  Out of the blue it hits and the tears flow.  Not as often to be sure, but still as sorrowful.  It depends on what I'm doing, which one I miss more.  Groundhog day:  I missed Dad.  Baking a red velvet cake:  I missed Mom.

We made it through the first year.   I love my siblings.  The GFource.  Us orphans.  We are strong people, with senses of humor that get us through and keep us laughing.  Because if we're not laughing, we'd be crying.  And laughing is better.  I'm so glad we have Gillespie humor.  Not everybody understands it .  But they should.

Project Runway, Episode 5

This is so much fun to watch with Marlon (he sleeps through most of it, I wake him up when Monique is onscreen) When he saw her walk out in this dress, he says, "oooohhhhh, My Baby. She's so beautiful." I agree. She looks beautiful.  He was a little peeved that she didn't have much face time on Models of the Runway this week.  I thought it was a good thing as most of the episode was about the drama Alexis is creating.  She's not part of that.  Good girl!!!

Posting at my own risk

Marlon might not be happy that I'm posting this, but this video showed up on YouTube. It makes me smile.

Project Runway, Episode 4

I'm seriously late posting about Episode 4, it's almost time for Episode 5!!!  As you all know, since you have all become faithful followers of the show, the models weren't featured on Project Runway this week.  Instead, there were guest models that had been affected by heart disease in some way.  Some beautiful, strong women.  Did you love Amy's dress?  It was soft, floaty and feminine.  Really, really pretty.  Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!!!  Maybe if he was designing for Rue 21 it would have been pretty.  It was very tacky.  I wonder how much of it was his model's input.  So, no Monique this episode - but if you stuck around for Models of the Runway (which is required viewing for this class!!) you would have seen her teaching her lady how to walk the runway, they worked out with a trainer at the park, and then got to sit down and hear the stories of how these women were affected by heart disease.  Really touching to watch it with Marlon, when the cameras picked up on Monique wiping away a tear as she talked to her lady.  His reaction:  (tear) sniff, "ahhhh, my baby".  Watch her Video Diary, talking about working out with weights.  She's too cute. 

Happy Groundhog Day!

Pancakes and sausage, anyone?

Project Runway, Episode 3

I got to watch this week's episode with Marlon.  If I told you he tears up watching Project Runway it might sound totally weird, but when you know his daughter is on it, it makes perfect sense.  Aren't we all over-the-moon proud of our children?  Monique got SO much face time again on Models of the Runway!!!  Favorite Monique line from this episode:  she's talking about growing up a bi-racial child, and it wasn't 'til she moved to New York that she realized that "being different is fun".  Not so fond of the dress she wore - but she looks amazing in anything.  It was time for Ping to go.  Her bizarre creations make me wonder how she was chosen for the show in the first place.  Are you loving Anthony?  He cracks me up!!!  Telling Seth Aaron not to argue in front of company.  I hope he stays around just for the comic relief.

Project Runway, Episode 2

Wow.  Sooooo glad Monique was not paired with Ping!!!  And completely shocked that Ping was not eliminated.  She does make for some interesting TV, though.  Maya created a colorful look for Monique.  If you watched Models of the Runway, Monique got a lot of face time on this weeks episode.  She's shown meeting an editor from Marie Claire magazine - and I can tell you that right now, Monique is in South Africa working - on an assignment for Marie Claire magazine.  She must have made an impression!!!  Favorite Monique quote of this episode is actually from her Video Diary.  She's talking about the poor girl with her booty hanging out of her dress.  She says that she would have asked the designer to sew her booty back in - she didn't come on National TV to have everyone see that much of her.  "My Daddy's going to be a little upset", she says. 

Project Runway, Episode 1

In case you missed it (how dare you!!):  Monique's designer was Maya.  She created the champagne colored dress with the ruffle down the shoulder.  I thought it was beautiful - but the model made the dress!!  Not a lot of face time for Monique  but there will be more - I promise!!!  Favorite Monique quote from this episode:  Heidi Klum asks the models how their first runway show was for them and Monique says, "I'm glad I didn't fall."

Check out Monique's page on Lifetime for more.

Set your DVR's!!

Just a reminder to set your DVR's for Project Runway Season 7 AND Models of the Runway.  Thursday on Lifetime at 11:00 p.m.  I went to the friendly Cox Communications store on Saturday and picked up a DVR just for this occasion.  It's hooked up, ready to go and the FIRST thing I programmed was Project Runway.  Then Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, The Practice, Biggest Loser . . . I'm such a girl!!!  I really, really missed my DVR. 

So, Thursday, Lifetime (Cox Channel 24) 11:00 p.m.  Watch for Monique.  There will be a quiz later.

Do you do this?

Taking the lights off the tree.  I went around and around and around . . . so many times that I got dizzy.  Had to go sit down.