CH vs. Life

2009-06-08T22:10:00.001-05:00

You all, I am busy. =)

Go here instead: kyleandcourt.com

Guess What?

2009-04-09T21:08:00.005-05:00

So I KNOW I haven't updated in FOR-EV-ER and have varying excuses ranging from my laptop dying, growing a baby, moving and so on.

I will recap all that better soon but in the mean time I have news that cannot wait.

We are having a GIRL !!!!!!!!!!!!!
She was so adorable during the ultrasound, moving about. The ultrasound tech called her dramatic, hehe.

In this one, you can see her little bent leg and foot kicking me!

I already got her this.

Seriously, I am just so happy the baby is healthy. I have felt her moving already... a lot. It is just so crazy and amazing!

More in other news later. =)

lv,
CH

Full

2009-03-05T12:25:00.003-06:00

Y'all I am SO full. Not food full, but busy/booked full. I promise to update about Egypt, baby stuff, move stuff, etc. soon. =) At the moment I am channeling Yael Naim and heading back to Houston after only being home for three days to make some moving arrangements.

To Do:
-Sign over Utilities to investor
-Cancel cable, security system, etc.
-Finish packing
-Book a storage place
-Finalize the movers quote
-Get ready to live out of a suitcase for a few months (ugh)
-Find new doctor
-Yell at YouTube for stretching perfectly ratioed HD video just slightly (just enough to annoy filmmakers who DO know what they are doing) just because their system freaks out about square pixels.

And that is just for this month.

BTW, I am over a forth of the way through the pregnancy! That was quick.

lv,
CH

Bombarded.

2009-02-10T14:44:00.005-06:00

1. We are leaving for Egypt in a matter of DAYS.

2. After going through all of our options, we have decided to sell our house to an investor. They can afford to sit on the property for a year and then make money on it. We don't want to do that. We are paying $5000 in closing costs plus a few more months of the mortgage.

3. We will probably have to be out of the house by April 1st.

4. We will have to store a 4 bedroom house b/c there is no way we will have a new house by then, especially being out of the country for two weeks.

5. Our insurance switches over on March 1st and I have to find a new doctor and then repeat my prenatal visit as well as get scheduled for the 11-13 week genetics tests. (I am scared of those.)

6. My pants are tight. Already.

So why I am still so happy? =)

1. Egypt! We are going to EGYPT! It will be an amazing experience.

2. $5000 and a couple more mortgage payments is way better than normal closing costs of around $16 grand! (In a good market, your house would sale over what you paid for the house enough to cover these steep costs... NOT in this market.) Plus, it is done, which feel GOOD. And Mr. CH pointed out that even with the extra cost of moving, at the end of the year, with his fantastic new salary, we will still be ahead financially from what we would be at his current position without moving.

3. We already started packing up the house and I am confident we can get everything done if we put our mind to it. Plus, we have INCREDIBLE friends.

4. Yeah, we have to store our house BUT then we can more leisurely look for a fantastic new house or build one and know our stuff is safe... plus it costs only about $200 to store everything a month, believe it or not, SO not bad.

5. Yes, I have to switch doctors, BUT that just means I will get extra attention/appointments and probably even an extra ultrasound without extra costs. =) And I just have to have faith that everything is as it should be. So far, the baby and I are SUPER healthy.

6. Okay, the pants thing I am not happy about BUT at least I am not throwing up all the time like some first trimester ladies. And I can still get them on which is a plus. ; P

GAME PLAN:

We already started a "Stuff for Egypt" pile. Now that the real estate agent has come and gone and I don't need to impress anyone with my super clean, uncluttered home, I am moving the pile to the dining room table so it is "In our face." Kyle got me a super soft plane neck pillow thing. YES. We have to be packed by Friday. All of our travel documents have arrived and are correct.

I am gathering all the information the agent needs this week so that as soon as we get back, we can move forward.

I have already scoped out the moving company situations and priced them, as well as storage.

We are setting up a time to go look at houses with an agent in Katy.

I am finding some Doctor options and will make an appointment with whoever on the list can see me the soonest once the insurance kicks in. (I can always switch at a slower pace later.)

I bought a BE Bella Band from Target and do you all remember these pants I was excited about in an earlier entry? Oh yeah, those were bought with a purpose hidden from you at the time. They are a little big and comfy with a stretchy waist and when I pair them with a tighter tank they look cute big. I can make do until I actually get a bump.

Okay, and now I must pause for a moment to say....
BABYBABYBABY!!!!!!! =D

lv,
CH

Tiny pics!

2009-02-10T14:20:00.003-06:00

About 7 weeks. My estimated due date is still September 26, but the ultrasound put the baby a little younger, due on the 29, but it could just be small. The next time I see the doctor I will ask when my actual due date is, haha.

Everything is good! Healthy and a strong heartbeat which we heard. I still can't believe it... so amazing!

I am going to do a house selling and Egypt update in a separate entry. And thank you for all the well wishes!!!!

lv,
CH

Baby ch Due in September

2009-02-06T18:33:00.003-06:00

Here is the worth waiting for news! So yes, in addition to selling our house, finding a new house, and moving to a new city, we are having a little ch!

I have know for a few weeks now but was waiting until my first doctor's appointment (today!) to break the news. I get my first ultrasound this upcoming week, right before we leave for Egypt!

There is a LOT going on right now. We are doing pregnancy vlogs on youtube (they are not very exciting yet) as well as keeping updates on our family blog: kyleandcourt.com. I will obviously post updates here as well but those sites will have lots more baby related details, where as this one will be more about the life of just-happens-to-be-pregnant CH!

BTW: I don't normally feature the same layouts on both blogs, but I adored the little Valentine owl so much he was given double duty.

Surprise!

lv,
CH

Wait for it...

2009-02-04T20:57:00.002-06:00

Hey, I know I am SO MIA. An awesome worth waiting for entry on Friday afternoon.

lv,
CH

The News

2009-01-30T13:02:00.002-06:00

Okay! The big news is that we are almost 99% moving! From Austin to Houston, specifically Katy. Why? Mr. CH had a very good job offer. Yes, I know he recently moved up at his current job, but this is an even higher position and a HUGE pay increase. He applied for the job on a whim because it was exactly what he currently does but at a higher level with lots more money. He figured he was too young for them to show interest, but they did! So we took that unexpected trip to Katy and he was one of four they had narrowed down to interview. He is a database/ systems analyst guy so his interviews involve tests, yuck! Anyway, they said they would call in 2 weeks. After one week, the day I got home from my film business trip, they called and said he was their top choice and they wanted to move forward with negotiations! WOO!!! We were so excited. So, anyway, it is pretty much final, just ironing out the final pay and waiting on HR to send the paperwork.

The bad part? We have to sell our house. In this market.

UGH.

But I am going to stay optimistic. Texas didn't get hit nearly as bad as the rest of the country, so there is hope. Still not fun. The house should be on the market in the next week or two. Mr. CH will probably just stay with family down there and I will stay here to try to get the house sold. Annoying but at least we don't have to waste money on a rental during the transition.

The good part... we get to get a new house! And a NICE house, WOO!!!!! We are leaning towards building so we can customize the way we want, but we'll see.

And that small percent chance he doesn't take their offer, it means not worrying about selling our house and he still has his awesome current job and recent promotion. Either way = good.

However, if anyone wants to buy a home in the Austin area let me know. =)

More news tomorrow.

lv,
CH

2009-01-27T20:57:00.000-06:00

I am so in love with that little owl.

lv,
CH

Big News to Come

2009-01-22T21:12:00.003-06:00

I am back from my trip, woo! I built up a pretty sweet arm muscle holding that camera up for 5 days. I have WAY, WAY too much footage to make a 90 sec promo video... but that's okay.

Anyway, I am BEAT! so I am going to go to bed... (I know... SO early for me!) However, I have some big news that I will share with you all tomorrow or Saturday. (Don't get too excited, it isn't what you are thinking!)

lv,
CH

Still Filming

2009-01-21T07:56:00.003-06:00

Hey all!
I am still in San Antonio filming. It has been alright. I feel a little blah (think I am getting a cold) but not too bad. It has been pretty nice. I have way too much footage already and I am not even done. Oh well, better too much than too little, although it is going to be a pain to sift through!

Haha, so if I haven't written in a few days I always refer back to my previous entry to see what I had blogged about... I did that and saw my new pants and was like "Oh yeah!! WOO!" I was pretty excited.

Alright... I should probably go down to the floor... more later!

lv,
CH

ALL about comfort

2009-01-17T23:00:00.005-06:00

Haha, okay, so first before I say anything else, I have to comment that Jack-Jack is cracking me up. He is playing wildly with a ball all by himself and it is just hilarious to watch him toss it and then pounce on it. My exercise/core ball is also out and he keeps randomly running over to it and giving it a push. Ah, dogs are great.

Anyway... I am getting ready to leave for San Antonio tomorrow, woo! I am staying at the Grand Hyatt:

The Fun Lobby

My Room

And yes, I will be ~~forced~~ able to keep up with my workouts b/c they have a gym... with a view!

So, yay. It is nice when you are on location and they treat you awesome like this. I worked on a film once where I had to share a set house (an actual house but with limited interior walls for easy filming setups) with 6 other women. And only two bathrooms... and one of the bathrooms was WIDE open, in case they needed to film a bathroom scene or something? I don't know. Anyway, this is much nicer. =)

We went to Old Navy today (amongst other places) and I got two pairs of Low-Rise Roll-Up Cargos in khaki and gray.

I got the tank b/c it was only five bucks. The reasons I wanted some roll-up cargos is for Egypt. The temps are going to range from in the 40's (brrr) to the 70's (nice!) so I needed a versatile pant and these will be way more comfortable than jeans. I am ALL about comfort when I travel but I still want to look cute! Additionally, these are better than shorts b/c there are some places we will be visiting that require you to cover past your knees and elbows and this is so easy!

Alright, I should wrap things up and go to bed! Night, all.

lv,
CH

and repeat...

2009-01-16T14:48:00.002-06:00

No, seriously... I *really* want some Chinese food.

lv,
CH

explode out a canon

2009-01-16T13:48:00.003-06:00

So... wow. I am feeling like at any minute I am going to explode out a canon. But not necessarily in a bad way. I am just building up a lot of pro-activeness right now but can't really act on most of it... however, when the time comes I will have to act at the speed of light! Just waiting on job offers that might be coming, international trips, even doctor appointments... Big, small, in the middle, whatever ... I am waiting, posed for action.

Right now, I am getting ready for filming this upcoming week. Charging the batteries, testing all the equipment, deciding things like, "Do I want to use the less fluid tripod that has a leveler or the more secure and fluid one that doesn't have a leveler?" I know that sounds incredibly exciting, try not to get too worked up.

Oooo, I totally want some Chinese food....

lv,
CH

repetitive use of "awesome"

2009-01-14T10:24:00.002-06:00

Hey guys!
We are unexpectedly running to Katy for tonight and tomorrow for reasons I can't disclose at this time (nothing bad... all good!).

On Sunday I am packing up my film equipment and heading to San Antonio to film a convention. Not super exciting, but it will be fun. I pretty much do what I want, wondering around filming whatever strikes me as neat. Then I will take all that footage and make a super awesome promo video for the company. I only wish I could have hired my own assistant... instead they are providing me one. Not a big deal, but it is usually better to work with someone you are familiar with. I am grateful for the work... film jobs have been sloooow, and I get to stay and a hotel so it will feel like a mini-vacation. =) Plus, I love filming and editing... when you have the final creation it feels so awesome.

So I did this ball excessive two nights ago and I am still incredibly sore. It involved using the core ball against a wall and holding it up with the small of your back... then you did numerous moves while holding weights... always keeping the ball from falling. I really liked it! I can't believe how well it worked out my muscles. Awesome.

I have about a billion things on my mind right now and it is making me super hyper. I just need to channel that energy into something productive, like triumphing at cleaning out the closets for Goodwill. .... Then the world! Muhahahaha.

Oh, and sorry for the repetitive use of "awesome".

lv,
CH

I've Been Tagged!

2009-01-13T23:12:00.003-06:00

I was tagged by Dugout Daisy on a book tag! SUPER fun!

Here are the rules:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 2 to 5 sentences, along with these rules.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual book. Pick the CLOSEST!
6. Tag five other people to do the same!

Okay, the closest book with words to me (I am in the living room and am mostly surrounded by mainly picture coffee table books) is Graceling by Kristin Cashore.

Ok, page 56... 5th sentence and the next 2 or so sentences:

"I've been told to make myself pretty for dinner."
He grinned. "Well, in that case, you'll be ages."

I'm tagging...
The Cat's Pajamas
Hello Darling
Smithsonian
Life and Times of the Smiths
Kristen (she doesn't have a blog... but she can facebook note it)

Woo!

lv,
CH

Christmas Montage

2009-01-11T20:09:00.005-06:00

Yay! Photos of our family Christmas.

Locations:
-CH's parent's house
-Mr. CH's parent's house
-Mr. CH's Aunt and Uncle's house

People:
-Me!
-The hubby
-My sister, her husband, my parent's
-K's sister, her fiance, his parent's, his aunt and uncle, his Grandpa, his cousins (well, all mine too)
-Jack and Midas (my parent's dog!)

Note:
-The white tree is ours
-I made and decorated all those cookies (house shaped and gingerbread men) and had fun doing it!

=)

lv,
CH

Oh... Wow

2009-01-11T12:46:00.002-06:00

Okay, I am about to do an entry with some pictures to go with the Christmas entry but first...

For some reason, it just hit me that in slightly more than a month... I will be in Egypt.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so happy.

We booked this trip in AUGUST and it seemed so abstract... but then, not sure why, all of sudden [as in about 5 mins ago] it instantly felt REAL.

EGYPT.

I tried to go one other time. I asked for a trip to Egypt for my high school graduation present, but unfortunately, at the time, it wasn't that safe to travel to (especially as an 18 year old American girl traveling without parents, haha) so I didn't get to go. I am not complaining... my parents sent me to Italy, Greece, and Turkey for month, Thanks Mom and Dad!, but I WAS disappointed. Fast forward 9 years and ... I AM GOING! (now, I'll thank the husband *laugh*).

I am just so... elated. And grateful. I am thankful that I am going to get to experience this and I am thankful just for the opportunity alone. Thank you, Lord!!!

This is cool: http://www.pyramidcam.com/ It is live, so if you look when it is night there, you won't see much. =)

lv,
CH

A real update!

2009-01-08T19:00:00.003-06:00

Alright you all! A real update! Woo! I hope everyone had an awesome holiday. I definitely did. We spent over two weeks in H-Town, half at my parent's and the half at Mr. CH's. While I was there we celebrated Christmas, New Years, and my birthday!

Okay, so I am going to post some photo/video footage later on but for now... Christmas was awesome! As usual, both families go way overboard. Seriously, I honestly don't know anyone who gets the amount of gifts we do.... and we get it from both sides. Both of our families are incredibly generous and very into Christmas. (I am going to HAVE to do a "Mr. CH and I have such similarities it is scary" entry in the future.) Anyway, K and I try to carry on the trend and we always get everyone lots of gifts. It is just so much fun to see everyone excited about their presents! As for my gifts... wow. I have such a sweet family. The toppers were this purse(in black, I ADORE it), an ipod touch (totally unexpected... I already had an ipod, but obvs. this one is way cooler and your all know how I love gadgets), and the big bottle of Daisy by Marc Jacobs. All stuff I really wanted but would never splurge on myself. I also got LOTs of money (woo! that helps pay off the Egypt trip!), movies, games, tons of books (including a cookbook and a cookie book amongst the fiction. YAY!!), and just random things ranging from Red Velvet Cake Philosophy lip gloss to gift cards to makeup. We had to tote all of our stuff home in two huge Rubbermaid bins.

Obviously, it wasn't all about the gifts. We are such a family oriented group and we did stuff constantly. K and I technically had three Christmas's. On Christmas Eve lunch we went to his Aunt and Uncle's house and celebrated there. Then we rushed to my house (my parent's actually live down the street from his Aunt and Uncle!) and went to church followed by an awesome Christmas Eve dinner. My mom didn't feel like cooking so we had catering from Chili's, hahaha. Awesome. Then we ripped into our gifts, WOO! Then watched a movie. On Christmas morning, K and I headed over to his parent's for my presents... yeah! THEN more eating for Christmas lunch. We would have done Christmas dinner but L's (my sister-in-law for those of you not reading the "Cast of Characters" list on the side) fiance and her had to go to Christmas dinner with HIS side that evening, hahaha. My parent's came over for Christmas lunch (Mr. CH's parent's and mine are good friends, so that all works out) and stayed awhile. Etc.

After a few more days at my 'rents, we made the move to K's. (They are like, 10 mins away from mine.) K's dad got a fancy new beamer hardtop convertible for him and the misses so we definitely had fun with that! My new purse looked fantastic in that car, =p .

Okay, I will move onto New Year's tomorrow. It is Wii Fit time!

lv,
CH

Jack's 2nd B-Day

2009-01-07T22:39:00.005-06:00

Yes, we celebrated Captain Jack Sparrow's birthday with gusto. We love our dog [sue us].

=)

lv,
CH

Turn off the lights, the party's over...

2009-01-06T01:51:00.001-06:00

I have definitely got to lose some excess lbs. No day but today, right?

lv,
CH

B-DAY

2009-01-03T14:05:00.001-06:00

Yay!

The Big 2-7.

2009-01-03T14:05:00.000-06:00

Yay!

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-26T16:08:00.001-06:00

the anatomy of a gift wrap station

2008-12-20T23:47:00.005-06:00

Xmas with L and B was a blast. They got me The Twilight Movie Companion amongst other things... fun! Kyle got Lego Batman for the PS3 so one guess as to what we have been doing. [so lazy] This is our first weekend home in forever and we are milking it.

We totally pigged out today but whatev. I was kind of in a blah mood today so I indulged. Back to the mini wheats and chicken tomorrow (which I actually don't mind, but you know).

Now... the anatomy of a gift wrap station!

First, a Christmas tree void of gifts. This clearly won't do.

Jack notices the lack of presents.

The Wrapping Station is set up! I sit in the middle of this where I can easily reach everything.

Wrapping Paper Container

Some of the gifts and stocking stuffers waiting to be wrapped.

Containers of bows, ribbons, gift bags, tissue paper, cards, tape, sharpies, etc.

I can't tell if he is impressed or frightened by the setup.

You can't assemble mass amounts of gifts without fuel. In bulk size.

Gifts are wrapped and placed under the tree!

It is full down there and much more lovely.

That wasn't even all of the gifts... we were still waiting on some to arrive in the mail. And I do not keep the stockings (with goodies inside) on the ground... Jack is a good dog, but that is very hard to resist... even for us of the human variety.

lv,
CH

Award Time

2008-12-20T15:39:00.002-06:00

Dugout Daisy gave me a fun award! [I may have slightly altered the numbers to keep this in check =) ]

You have to pass it on to 3 other fabulous blogs in a post.

1. Life and Times of the Smiths
2. The Smithsonian
3. Why, Hello Darling!

You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

1. Diet Dr Pepper. I honestly probably account for 10% of their sales. This was particularly challenging when I live in NYC b/c it was so annoying trying to get them in anything other than a single serve bottle (if there was even that). The grocery store would only get in a couple of 12 packs a week and my roommate and I would be there to snatch them up. I actually "hide" a can or two in case of emergencies (IE: if we run out).

2. Planning & Preparation. I plan everything in advance and in detail and I love it. I have to do it. It is part of the fun to me. Along with that comes planning items such as calendars, planners, organizers, my PDA, etc. You should see my OneNote ; it is utilized!

3. Don't know if this would be considered a "fabulous" addiction, but if I am being honest about what I am addicted to.... lately I can't get enough info about anything and everything related to TTC and the what comes next [obviously]. I suppose this is related to addiction #2. It is all just so fun, exciting, and fascinating.

4. Books! I must have something to read at all times. Fiction, preferred. The bad side of this addiction is that books are surprisingly pricey and I need more bookshelves.

5. My computer - a.k.a. the internet - a.k.a. certain websites. I have daily rituals that involve my computer. I keep up and sync my calenders, follow up on my OneNotes, check into my fav websites, keep up with friends and family. That is why I am a laptop girl... I like being able to tote it all with me. If I am away and I leave my computer behind, one of the first things I do when I return is turn it back on and "check" things out.

You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.

Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your 3 winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

lv,
CH

busy with the anticipation of things to come

2008-12-18T20:14:00.008-06:00

Oh my. I feel like a ton is going on right now, when in actuality I am busy with the anticipation of things to come.

Tomorrow evening is our Christmas with L and B, so yay! And they are bringing their puppy Millie over to play with Jack while we are out. (They are heading to El Paso for the holidays and it is a loooong car ride... the dogs are always extra sleepy the day after a play date and a sleepy puppy = a much nicer car ride.) Speaking of dogs... Jack just jumped up beside me on the couch (I am in the living room, not my office) and is giving me the "please play with me look". Awwww. Best. Dog. Ever.

Here is some super fun footage of Millie and Jack battling over who gets the bigger bone. They both had one that was appropriate to their size, but obviously both desired the bigger one. The end of this is hilarious. You can hear me cracking up during the video. Honestly, Jack gives Millie this soap opera-esque look. It is awesome. (Millie was a young puppy here.... she is bigger now. Remember, Jack is our dog and Millie belongs to friends of ours.)

We aren't leaving until the 23rd since we have some things we need to do here. We are going to stay through my birthday... the big 2-7! Eeek! That kind of sneaks up on you.

Wow, I SO love this time of year. I love love love my family and friends and am SO aware of how lucky I am to have them all in my life. AWESOME!

I am so starving right now even though I had a yummy dinner. (Grilled chicken and lots of Italian cut green beans, mmmmm.) Haha, that meal doesn't sound as tasty written out; it sounds boring and healthy, but trust me, it was gooood. I am a master at grilled chicken. A MASTER.

Alright... I have to tidy up and make cupcakes tomorrow in preparation of L & B coming over plus I need to go to bed simply so that I don't decide to late night snack.

Night!
lv,
CH

The tree...

2008-12-17T14:58:00.000-06:00

Posting these a little late...

The Bare Tree (well... I did already put on the topper)

Tree Skirt

Decorations!

Classic Light Tangle

Tree Topper

Finished Tree!

A "C" and "K" hidden in the tree

Tree Close-up!

Our Tree, located in the sitting area, a perfect spot for it!

Yay!
lv,
CH

Snow! In Austin, TX!

2008-12-10T00:42:00.003-06:00

I'm not kidding! [my backyard]

Baby, it's cold outside!

lv,
CH

Cupcake Perfection

2008-12-07T11:35:00.011-06:00

So Kyle and I went to a Christmas party last night at one of his coworkers which was a lot of fun. I made yummy red velvet cupcakes with a vanilla cream cheese frosting and oh my lord, they were amazing. I am putting the recipe down below. If you don't want to bother making the cake from scratch, just use a box mix BUT you should definitely make the frosting on your own... no container of cream cheese frosting can even come close to comparing!

Red Velvet Cake Recipe
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
1 bottle (1 oz.) Red Food Color
1 tbsp. vanilla

Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt; set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl (you can use an electric mixer... I use my stand mixer) on medium/high for about 5 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

Mix in sour cream, milk, food color, vanilla. Gradually beat beat in flour mixture on LOW just until blended. Do Not Overbeat.

Pour batter into greased pan (or muffin cups).

Bake in preheated oven at 350 F. for 35 - 40 mins or until toothpick comes out clean. Completely cool before frosting.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat 1 pkg. (8 oz) softened cream cheese, 4 tbsp. (half a stick) softened butter, 2 tbsp. sour cream, 2 tbsp. lemon juice (don't bother using fresh), and 1 tbsp. vanilla until smooth. (again, stand mixer is what I use) GRADUALLY beat in 1 pkg. (16 oz.) confectioner's sugar on medium until light and fluffy.

[I recommend clicking on the pictures, especially the closeup ones, to see more detail...]

Fresh from the oven...

Getting frosting and red sugar crystal sprinkles.

Star Tip!

Delightful.

I made 24 total. Note the toothpick in the background used to check if they were done.

Just as delicious in profile.

These were so moist and yummy.

Cupcake perfection.

lv,
CH

state of "kinda cluttered"

2008-12-03T09:29:00.003-06:00

I am decorating the tree today! Woo! And we took our Christmas card photo so I will pick out a design for it today as well. I adore this time of year.

So we just got back home last night and my house is in that state of "kinda cluttered" that homes tend to get into from the hustle and bustle of first leaving for a trip and then the return. Ugh. Must. Force. Self. To. Clean.

Wow, I am SO cold right now and it is 71 degrees in this house so I shouldn't be as freezing as I am.

Anyway, tree pics later! And I want to see YOUR holiday decorations!

lv,
CH

Hey Hello Darling! You rock.

2008-12-01T12:04:00.004-06:00

Mmmm, isn't Christmas time dreamy?

I am about to do lunch with my mom so I don't have a lot of time but I am feeling in high spirits and wanted to say =) .

Mr. CH and I are suppose to take our Christmas card photo tonight before heading back to Austin. I am debating about putting the Santa hat on Jack again. We have a fun idea for a pic... if it works out. Want a card but don't know if you are on The List? Send me a message with your addy and you will get one. =)

I also want to take a sec to gush about my bfffl, Hello Darling. I adore her. Literally. She is one of those people who honestly takes your breath away with her awesomeness. Obviously. I always adore her but I am feeling a particular surge of "Seriously, she doesn't have any idea how great and important she is to me" moment and I wanted to share! You RULE, cupcake!

lv,
CH

very full

2008-11-29T15:58:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful (and yummy!) Thanksgiving. Mine has been awesome. I love my family! We are all working on decorating for Christmas right now while watching the Baylor / Tech game. (My nerves are going crazy!)

And I am very full.

lv,
CH

it might fall off

2008-11-24T17:15:00.002-06:00

Okay you guys... I am going to whine a bit. My arm HURTS!!!!. *pout* Today I went to the doctor (more on that in a minute) and I ended up having to get a flu shot (right arm), immunization/booster shot (left arm), and blood work (left arm). *sniff* And those are in-the-muscle shots! The flu shot arm hurts a little, nothing major but the other arm? Okay, seriously I think it might fall off. I don't remember EVER being so sore from a shot. I am literally having to take a break between typing b/c the arm is giving out on me. I don't even know what was in that shot... something about tetanus and German measles... I have no clue. Just a bunch of stuff that burned. Okay, so now the REASON for all that.

Well, it was time for my yearly (lady goods) exam and it was suggested that instead of doing the normal one, to go in for a Pre-Conception Evaluation Exam since I plan on trying to conceive soon-ish. Basically, that is an exam where they do the normal gyno stuff but also do extra blood work and look at other factors and address issues/questions related to getting pregnant or pregnancy, blah blah blah. So, I had that... first, I loved the doctor which is awesome because when anyone gets that personal with you, you want to like them. It was a he, so I was little "hmmmm...." about it, but turned out fine. He was great! Anyway, we went through the exam and everything seemed fine. (Yay) I do have a backwards uterus apparently (which no other doctor has mentioned before except one woman who just vaguely commented on it..) and he explained what that meant (about 20% of women have it... usually not a big deal, but can make it harder to conceive, annoying!)... but still, no biggie. I am in a healthy weight range, don't smoke, do drugs, and hardly drink, no real health issues so I got the green light, so to speak, pending my test results. Great. Then he mentions the vaccines. Well, I was overdue and I never got a flu shot this season so BAM, there I was getting shots unexpectedly. I totally don't mind shots but I was just not expecting the ACHE.

So that has been my day. It is Kyle's telecommute day so I picked up Carino's on the way home (we shared an entree... we do that a lot so that we can still get yummy food but at the correct portion size... keeps us from pigging out!) and I was STARVING by the time I ate. Mmmm, Italian.

Alight, enough of all THAT. =)

lv,
CH

fight K off with a spatula

2008-11-22T11:25:00.002-06:00

So it is 11:30 am and for some reason I am SO tired. Plenty of sleep was had, so no clue about that.

L and B and their little dog, too(!) [hehehehehe, I know... I am horrible and unfunny... but I warned you I was tired!) are coming over this afternoon to watch The Strangers and just hang out. I am making oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies b/c B was like "We have been friends for over two years and I have never had these cookies that everyone raves about wah wah..." I am making the cookies! And having to fight K off with a spatula to keep him from chomping them down. Someone once asked me how I got my cookies uniformly shaped... I refrigerate the dough and then use a cookie scoop or an ice cream scoop (for the big ones) and I don't crowd them on the pan... even though that means lots of batches.

Hmmm... K is mowing and praying right now. Mowing b/c the yard needs it and praying b/c he is hoping he won't have to mow again for awhile (since it is cold and all...). I am making cookies, blogging, and eating some blueberry mini-wheats (dry). *Chomp*

Under three months (2 months and 23 days to be exact, says my facebook countdown) until Egypt!! And then New York! Which = Traci! EEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! I am beyond excited... it doesn't even seem real.

And can y'all believe Thanksgiving is this week? What? When did THAT happen. =)

Enjoy your Saturday!

lv,
CH

Middle Middle Seats (and it was good)

2008-11-21T12:52:00.004-06:00

Okay, y'all. It was awesome. And funny! There was a ton of amusing and funny antics in it which was great. The audience was so stoked and of course, responsive... but for a midnight showing, you anticipate that. The theater we saw it at added a 12:02, 12:03, and at the last minute, a 12:04. Hilarious. I am so going to see it again so that I can really focus on it.

So my mother actually drove in from Houston to see it with L and I . Fun. L was subbing yesterday so I told her to stay home and chill while my mom and I held down the fort. I called the theater at about 1 in the afternoon to check on how early they recommended being there. This is a direct quote of the very sad sounding guy who answered: "For midnight showings... I would say 10. You know what? 9. Actually... 8. *slight pause* There are already people here."

HAHAHAHAHAHHA. I couldn't even hold it in. I actually laughed on the phone. The guy said it so deadpan too.

Regardless, I was not showing up at THAT early. My mom and I did get there at 8ish which I felt was a little too early. We we only like 10 in line at that point.

Then at 9, BAM it got BUSY. And kept getting busy.

End of story... we got amazing Middle Middle seats. And had a blast doing it.

Poor Laura worked all day and had to work today!

Holding a Twilight 12:01 Ticket

Happy because A) Seeing Twilight B) Good place in line C) Got to wear my awesome winter white pea coat b/c it was 42 degrees!

Right now...

2008-11-20T19:09:00.002-06:00

... I am off to see Twilight!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[this is so fun]

lv,
CH

So, who's still up? It is totally me.

2008-11-20T01:07:00.002-06:00

So, who's still up? It is totally me. Am staying up late so I can sleep in and then be wide awake for the midnight showing of Twilight! Woo!!!!

The theater where we are seeing it just added a 12:02 and 12:03 show time... hahahaha. We decided we had to make fun of those people, being in that we are the coveted 12:01 time. Ooo, and my mom is coming in from Houston to see it with us. How fun is SHE?

Since I am staying up, I should be doing something practical like cleaning up for company... but no. I am playing around on my computer. However, I did get some stuff done today: All the laundry which is an ORDEAL b/c Mr. CH has a billion dress shirts and if those things aren't hung up straight from the dryer, they get all wrinkly and I can't stand ironing. And the lord knows I don't want him trying to iron. *shudder* And I also transferred one old VHS of family video footage to my computer to make into a DVD (I am charged with this task b/c I am the "film" person of the family). I know one tape doesn't sound like a lot but it was one of those tapes done in SLP so it was holding 6 HOURS -yes, 6- of footage. From 1984 to be exact. Lyns? Tairah? There is some PRICELESS Nathan and Jared action going on there... (The girls just mentioned are my hot cousin-in-laws.) I would fill up a rewritable DVD using the VHS to DVD equipment I have then start a 2nd DVD burning while I transferred the 1st DVD footage to my computer and into an editing program. And repeat. Phew! Next, I will be going through the footage and making chapter markers and such. Seriously, by the time I get through them all, we are going to have a 50 Disc Special Edition of family history. And it is going to take me for-ev-er to do all the tapes. It will be worth it... or it will just make old school embarrassing footage more accessible... hmmmm.

Alright, more later. :)

lv,
CH

excitement and silliness

2008-11-17T21:55:00.003-06:00

So, I am not even going to pretend that I am too cool to be super excited about Twilight. L and I already bought our midnight showing tickets last week. Want to know the truth? It is just SO much fun to be all into this. As in, I am really enjoying myself. The only thing I wish is that my fellow Twilight friends lived here so we could go in one big group. L and I purposefully decided NOT to go any of the alamo drafthouses to see it b/c we are banking it is going to be a madhouse at them. While we normally love the excitement and silliness of those theaters... we want to be able to concentrate on the flick. And I may even go off of my Just-Until-Thanksgiving-Diet and get some popcorn because one) yum and two) I am an old almost 27 year old and I might need the energy to be up super late. Okay, I am not fooling anyone, I am such a night owl... I'll be able to stay up.

Ooooo, speaking of my Just-Until-Thanksgiving-Diet, I have lost 7 lbs since Halloween. Rock! I want to lose at least 2 more by Thanksgiving... then I am so pigging out. Mmmmm. However, at that point, even if I gain back a little, I am still ahead. Huzzah!

So, um, no one has any purse suggestions?

lv,
CH

... and a .99 breakfast

2008-11-16T17:57:00.003-06:00

So there is a dance party going on in my stomach thanks to my woman time which, by the way, made a surprise EARLY visit.

K and I went to Ikea yesterday to price some bookshelves we have been wanting. We then decided to ask for a gift card to Ikea, haha. And I got a new springform pan. And a .99 breakfast. YES.

Last night we went to Opal Divines to celebrate Jason's birthday. Haha, everyone was ordering drinks (obvs.) and I think the waiter was shocked when K and I were like "Diet Pepsi's please!" (Mr. CH NEVER drinks [ever] and I do only occasionally... and mostly in the form of margaritas. Too many calories and other ill results!) I teased the waiter about keeping them coming. Jason is one of my writers for my film company. He and Mr. CH have even won "best writing" in a festival for a film we did last year. He is hilarious and SUCH a good person. So Happy Birthday, Jason!

Afterward, we HAD to go to the store even though it was so late. (We were out of a lot!) I also got all the ingredients I need to make my portion of our Thanksgiving meal; pumpkin pie cheesecake with chocolate crust and a broccoli stuffing casserole. I am seriously already hungry for Thanksgiving.

Okay, K and I have a "date" so I have to go. Hope everyone had a good weekend!

lv,
CH

I just want to give it a kiss

2008-11-13T21:15:00.003-06:00

READ THE EDIT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ENTRY!

This hat WILL be mine. I just want to give it a kiss, I love it so much.

So I am exhausted for no good reason. That's fun.

L and I bought our midnight showing tickets for Twilight! Woo!

So I am looking for a cute purse to put on my Christmas list. Any suggestions? Under $250 and it does not have to be a status symbol. One of my favorite purses comes from Kohls and was like $40.... But I have been really wanting a cute purse and figured why not ask for one for Christmas since my parents and my in-laws actually get upset if I fail to produce a list. And so far that hat, Marc Jacob's Daisy perfume, and gift cards are the only things on it. Not even books, believe it or not, because I would rather just order my own. Oh, I did ask for "Egypt Money" for obvious reasons. Anyway... suggest some purses! =)

lv,
CH

EDIT!!!!!!

OH MY. Do you want to know why Mr. CH is the greatest?!? He was asking if I had finished my list yet (apparently the parentals are already demanding it) and I was telling him about it. Then I said the only thing I was really, really wanting was that hat. I even told him I had just blogged about it. Well... a few minutes later he comes into my office and... puts THE hat on my head!!! The exact one in dark gray! EEEEEE!!!!! He saw me admiring it at Target last week and bought it for me already. He said I looked so sad I had to wait for it he just had to give it to me now. Honestly. Wow. I didn't even know what to say. He spoils me and I am not saying that in a snobby, stuck up tone... I am saying it in an incredulous how-did-I-get-so-blessed way.
(I just snapped this via my web cam and am not wearing makeup...pardons!)

You would be incorrect, sir or madame.

2008-11-10T20:35:00.003-06:00

The Girl Scout thing was fun... a loooong day but fun. And they gave me cookies. YES.

So I just finished rocking at Rock Band 2 when I REALLY need to clean. You would think that since I am basically (lately) a homemaker, that I would, you know, make the home nice. You would be incorrect, sir or madame. Indubitably.

Oh geez, there is much to do.

-TONs of laundry
-Grocery Store (including stuff I am in charge of making for Thanksgiving)
-Workout!
-Transcribe Recipes (REALLY behind on this)
-Work on transferring old home movies to DVD for the family
-Some secret stuff
-Clean (SO much laundry)
-Make and go to Eye Doctor
-Finalize Christmas gifts (75% done, woo!)

Blah. In time. =)

lv,
CH

glaring at it and its evil ways

2008-11-09T19:56:00.008-06:00

You all... I am home! Home home. Woo! And will be for two weeks at which time I will be off to Houston (well, Katy) AGAIN for Thanksgiving. (Which is okay b/c it is well, Thanksgiving - yum!)

Anyway, tomorrow I am working with the Girl Scouts on this awesome project where they get to make a movie. Fun! I am not going to lie... since I just got home part of me is wishing I didn't have anything to do so that I could get some housework done BUT I know it will be a blast.

Okay... you are not going to believe this (well, you won't if you know me at all) but I am drinking a REAL soda. EEEEEEE! I NEVER drink real sodas. We are out of everything though... including our water filter! (and the normal water tastes kind of earthy/dirt like around here, ew) So... I have a real coke (we keep some in the house for company) and I am now I am sitting here glaring at it and its evil ways. Stupid wasted calories.

Oooo, Victoria's Secret sent me a card for free underwear! Nice. Thanks, VS.

So add this to the reasons why Austin ROCKS:
On October 25, 881 people gathered at the Long Center in Austin, Texas to attempt to break the Guinness World record for the largest synchronized Thriller dance. The old record was 140 people. Consider that record to be... shattered.

And they also did it on 6th Street on Nov. 1st.

Thrill the World: Austin

lv,
CH

But blah, blah, blah...

2008-11-06T23:27:00.004-06:00

EDIT: 50th Post! Sorry it is not greater. =)

Hello all! I'm currently in Katy. I came down to Houston last Thursday with K. We went ahead and still went to the Halloween party at the museum. B & L came too. Pics of that later... Saturday we all hung out fairly lazy style. Sunday, K and I and my father drove up to OK where my mother already was. The funeral was Monday and it was beautiful. Right after, K and I had to drive all the way back to Austin b/c he had an important meeting the next day. I spent the night but didn't even get to enjoy my home b/c I had to leave bright and early to get the rental car back to Houston by 11am the next day (and yes, I did vote at 7am b/c I RULE). (My dad was heading back later with my mom.)

And now here I am. I have done a bit of retail therapy. I found this AWESOME glass pumpkin in cream and brown... I will show a pic later. I also bought some new flats, an awesome short sleeve turtle neck blouse, and this amazing sweater dress:

Of course, this pic does not do the dress justice. The material is this great soft knit and the sleeves are fluttery and crocheted. It looks super cute with gray textured tights and black flats.

Wow, can you all believe it is already November? When did THAT happen? And SO much is going on and I know that is just going to make time fly by even faster.

Ky is coming in tomorrow!! I miss him. It is funny... even after 9 years you can still REALLY need a person. I also miss my house and my own routine. Le sigh.

But blah, blah, blah... I am actually in good spirits. =) Only a little over three months until Egypt... EEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

I have more I could go on about but it is late and I am tired and I just wanted to get this entry out of the way. Accomplished! And I have blogs to catch up on.

Night!

lv,
CH

Well Played.

2008-10-29T18:43:00.000-05:00

My Grandfather passed away today. 80 years well played.

"There is no wealth but life."
-John Ruskin

Hello, Fall! Thanks for stopping in.

2008-10-29T00:29:00.002-05:00

I just finished drawing a tiny turkey for Thanksgiving on my Real Simple calendar. Awesome.

I can't believe it is almost NOVEMBER. Honestly, what? When did this happen? Last night it was FREEZING. I couldn't even cuddle for warmth with K b/c Jack had wiggled his way in between us. Cold! It is still in the 70's during the day, but drops at night. Hello, Fall! Thanks for stopping in. Yay, winter clothes! (kind of)

So it is after midnight and I am so not tired. Oooo, you know what? I want to make some pumpkin shaped sugar cookies with orange frosting. Yummy and cute.

On Friday, L, B, K, their dog, our dog, and I are going to cram into the protege and head to Houston for the Halloween party at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Exciting! I love dressing up for Halloween. Hopefully, this time next yeah I will be mit baby. (I always say that but do you all know where I am getting that from? Bridget Jones, the second one... when she is trying to get a pregnancy test from a German pharmacist... my sister and I always say that.) So I will get to do some sort of costume around THAT.

Anyway... so, yes. Time... it passes! Like how it is passing right now when I should be in bed, but instead I am going to take a hot bath and read. Woo!

lv,
CH

cliche wife

2008-10-27T20:15:00.002-05:00

Oh wow, you all would be so embarrassed to be seen with me right now. A POTO sweatshirt, green and blue knee socks, and navy cotton bike shorts. Wow. I am just going to go ahead and apologize now. I have no excuse other than SUPER comfy.

I slept so well last night in my own bed. I needed that kind of sleep. Today I caught up on Pushing Daisies, finished a book, made tomato alfredo chicken pasta (the hubby was sooo happy), played online, and worked on a quilt. When did I turn into such a cliche wife? I mean, I was CROSS STITCHING for goodness sakes! The truth? Did NOT care.

Okay, I need to replace this sweatshirt for a sports bra and these knee socks for ankle ones and tennis shoes. Yay, elliptical time! (Sarcasm.)

Tomorrow's Agenda:
-Transcibe some of my cookie recipes
-Transfer some of our old home movies onto DVD
-Workout Twice (I need to jump start my workout program since I have been away)
-Read! My new books came in FINALLY.

So, basically be a homebody again, BUT at least it will be in a more productive way depending on how you look at it. =D

lv,
CH

wonderful none the less

2008-10-26T19:45:00.003-05:00

I just got home this afternoon and I am exhausted. I really don't feel like blogging but at the same time I want to get this entry (the "I just came back from a funeral" entry) written. I spent the past days with all of my family, and I do mean ALL of the fam. That hasn't happened in for-ev-er. I wish we had come together under better circumstances but it was wonderful none the less. Y'all, I have the most incredible family. Everyone -and I do mean everyone- is amazing. Such love! And I absolutely have the greatest collection of female cousins in the world (actual cousins and the lovely ladies who married in). And all of my half-sized new 2nd cousins are precious... 6 kids all 5 and under. All grandkids of my uncle. The last time I saw my uncle which was, miraculously, only several weeks ago, the first thing he said to me after "hi!" was "Courtney, when are you gonna have some kids?" Haha, I LOVED that he asked me that. I just feel like I am being shown more and more often that family is invaluable.

While all of that was going on, we got a call from my grandma (on the other side of the family) telling us my grandfather was in the hospital and all they could do for him was "make him comfortable."

Horrible.

So our trip detoured to include a visit to my grandparents. It was very hard but I am happy I got to see/spend time with/say goodbye to him. He is hanging in there but there is no doubt his body is failing. Once again, there we spent time with all of that side of the family, who are all super close and loving.

I am so ready to extend my little family and so is Mr. CH. At the end, when all is said and done, they are what matters, they are who have made the journey with you, and they are who will carry you on.

I have to go out on a bit of a tangent here and say that my hubbie is awesome. He took me out to dinner this evening and hung on every word I said. We have been together almost a decade (married for three years) and still adore one another. He brought up the baby thing and was like "I just don't see why we don't start trying now." Wow, a 26 year old husband who WANTS a baby. Haha, I had to point out my reasons for waiting a little longer: Don't want to be pregnant in Egypt and don't want to be 8-9 months along come August in Texas. Spicy hot! He pointed out that people did it everyday. I just laughed, but I do understand where he is coming from. It is kind of like, now that we have decided we don't want to wait!

Alright, I know this entry has been heavy handed, but alas, that is how some shall be. More soon.

lv,
CH

together

2008-10-21T21:09:00.003-05:00

Okay you guys, I have to go out of town again. My uncle unexpectedly passed away last night. Not going to get into it.

My parents and my sister and her husband are coming into Austin tomorrow and we are heading up together on Thursday. No clue when I will return so I will leave you with this. It made me laugh. (and no, keep watching... it isn't just the video)

Jack has a 7am groomers appointment and I still need to workout and clean a little.

When I return:
-Guitar Hero 2 addiction
-Blueberry cereals
-Bike Shorts

lv,
CH

Muffin Tops and True Blood

2008-10-20T13:53:00.006-05:00

+

= AWESOME

[ Blueberry Muffin Tops ]

[ True Blood ]

lv,
CH

bring me some bottled water, a kabob, and some konafa, STAT.

2008-10-19T11:21:00.004-05:00

Mmmm... leftover Chinese food.... *yum yum yum yum*

So wow, my time of the month has come but has been almost non-existent, like almost nothing is there. The first day I was like "Okay... it is just starting up slow" which happens sometimes. But then the same thing yesterday and again today... pretty much nothing. So then I was like "Oh CRAP. I better not be mit bebeh" b/c you CAN have very light spotting when you are pregnant. And I got all scared b/c while yes, we want one soon-ish... NOT yet. I don't want to bring on a little passenger to Egypt and I want to lose some of my squishy tummy first. Long story short... I am NOT. Thank GOD. Haha, if I was preg. in Egypt I would probably spend a lot of time screaming at someone to bring me some bottled water, a kabob, and some konafa, STAT.

Anyway... my costume came in! In my experience Halloween costumes always fit so tiny. Not this one. It is too big. The main problem is it is too long in the body. See... I am built funky. I am almost 5'7 (5'6 3/4) so I am not tall but def. not short. However... my height is ALL in my legs. I have the shortest torso ever. When I am sitting people think I am short and then I stand up and I like, unfold. (If you ever meet me in person, allow me to demonstrate this unfolding... it cracks people up.) So, I have long legs and long arms and a short body. So... if something is designed to fit based on the upper body as opposed to the lower I run into trouble. Point: The length of the dress from the waist down is perfect. From the waist up, there is too much fabric. However, L and I wrangled it so that I could tuck extra fabric under the belt and it fits without any tailoring need, yay! But the dress is super fun and even better in person b/c it was actually a softer shade of blue than the picture let on and I like it better.

Oh man... remember that Chinese food I was talking about. I am going to go eat it and catch up on Ghost Whisperer.

lv,
CH

I've paid and you better put out.

2008-10-17T19:03:00.003-05:00

Okay, back to pre-Disney World weight in just 5 days. Excellent. Need to drop 3 more lbs by Nov. 1st to stay on schedule, blah.

So Big Red showed up today, RIGHT on schedule. Weiiirrrd. I have never been so ON except maybe when I was on BC. And I am not on BC right now. (Don't gasp, we are, after all, in the getting ready to make a baby stage... note: NOT the trying to make a baby stage..... before that) Anyway... bam, every 31 days from the first day of the last one to the day before the next one. (That is the official way to measure I cycle, I have been informed.) I am not complaining, but it is odd for what I am used to. Odd in an AWESOME way. So hold on while I make a tiny pink x on my Real Simple calendar. Done.

BTW, I totally had sonic for dinner. Muha. I don't care.

I ordered more books from Amazon. I REALLY need to stop spending so much money on them but they are like my Escape Plan. Must have a non-life threatening exit strategy in this world.

Speaking of books... Mr. CH and I have way too many and they are all over. We need a bigger bookshelf system. I say system b/c one shelf isn't going to cut it. Right now I have two shelves in my office and K has wall shelves in his. Way in the future, K and I are going to be sharing a work space. My office will become our office and his current office will become the little one's room. Sooo... I don't want to cram a huge bookshelf system in here [my office] when we are both in this room together. I think we are going to put the system in the guest room... That will work. As is, we are double layering our books on the shelves, haha. The bookshelves will have to wait though b/c I have to pay for the rest of Egypt by Sunday and that is like $4,500, BLECH. I think part of me may have just died a little when I wrote that. I just keep chanting "Worth it. Worth it. Worth it." Don't screw with me, Egypt! I've paid and you better put out.

Wow, that paragraph turned kind of weird, didn't it?

lv,
CH

Vote for Captain Jack Sparrow the schnoodle

2008-10-16T12:36:00.003-05:00

See the adorable dog dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow leaning on the table? That is my schnoodle dressed as his namesake.

Please click on his pic in this entry and on the side bar. Every time you reload my blog, it goes back to him so you can vote a lot.

lv,
CH

t-minus 2 days to my lady dues

2008-10-15T21:02:00.007-05:00

Alright, Stinky Pete, I have become quite predictable in the monthly woman time department. And I am t-minus 2 days to my lady dues and I can TELL. I can tell b/c I am grouchy and antsy. I don't like being all funkity-funk-funk, but thanks to my amazingly on schedule uterus the past few months, at least I know exactly why (and when, which is helpful). Here is a list of things I don't want to do.
- Workout
- Grocery Shop
- Clean house

This is what I do want to do:

That's right. Eat. Eat and read and that is about all. Rawg.

So Mr. CH and I are going to be Johnny Cash and June Carter for Halloween, excellent. I bought this dress:

I, of course, plan to make that outfit less hokey b/c well, I am not that model. So right there I have done better. (I told you I was in a mood!) Anyway, I am going to do my hair all June-ish and K will be wearing black and sporting a (blow up) guitar. Last year we were Cleopatra and Marc Antony, but K forgot his contacts and had to wear his glasses and we made fun of him all night.

Since the party was in a museum and they served liquor (yeah, I don't know what they were thinking either...), we ended up with lots of posed shots. From left to right; Blind Guy (I don't remember his name), The Phantom of the Opera (Chris, LH's fiance), Nacho Libra (B), some guy from Top Gun (Dustin), Cleopatra (me!),

L was a snotty french person. See the french bread? Yeah, we all ate that by the end of the night.

While Mark Antony seems unaware, Cleopatra is clearly disturbed at the appearance of Nacho Libre.

Haha...

I adore this picture!

So, you can see the incredible amount of fun we had last year. I am really looking forward to this year. KB and her fella will be joining our little group which will be awesome!
Houston Museum of Natural Science Spirits and Skeletons Party

Alright... I am going to go soak in the tub with a book and be moody. This too shall pass.

lv,
CH

most boring entry ever

2008-10-12T21:09:00.003-05:00

I'm back! Huzzah! It feels SOOO good to be home, MY home, and that is coming from someone who loves traveling. But for real.

So Disney World was AWESOME, as always. We stayed at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa which is beautiful and I love it b/c you can just hop on the monorail and it takes you right to the parks. Plus you can see fireworks from the magic kingdom from the hotel... oh, the magic. Pics and stuff later...

My new passport came! Yay! And the new passports are fun, full of images and such. Oh, patriotic. I am so excited to get an Egypt stamp. Haha, there I go with the traveling again...

So... most boring entry ever, but I am really tired and just wanted to say hi!

Hi.

lv,
CH

flush it out

2008-10-02T21:32:00.002-05:00

Hey guys! Okay, just returned from OK and am packing for Disney World. I have a bit of a sore throat so I am downing water trying to flush it out. (Don't laugh... this often works!)

I did buy some goodies (sigh, I need to stop shopping). An adorable pink/pale tan striped satchel with brown leather trim and straps, a really cute white shirt with an empire waist, the most comfortable sports bra ever, and a black tennis skirt... so not too bad. =)

Awwww, Dugout Daisy gave me two awards!! Woo!!!

Ugh, I have lots of stupid laundry to do so that I can just pack again. (Seriously, will I ever spend substantial time at my own home again?) I actually do not mind the packing, but laundry is the bane of my existence.

Okay, boring but at least an update none the less!

lv,
CH

I was wearing that too. Wearing the funk.

2008-09-27T14:29:00.015-05:00

The beautiful Hello Darling! tagged me.
Seven Random Things About Me:

1. I have this weird over-exuberant attitude towards my "network" meaning family and friends. I will do ANYTHING for these people and even get snobby about it. Like... if you want to break into my circle I may give you the shifty eyes. But at the same time I am super friendly (some say too friendly, but whatev!) and when your in, your in for life with me. And I will spoil you. And love you forever.

2. I am a filmmaker... but I just started writing a novel. *gasp!* I feel funny putting that out there, but wheh. I prefer to direct comedies, but when I write I tend towards mystery/fantasy (modern day fantasy like Jasper Fforde or J.K. Rowling)/suspense. I have no idea why this is. When I make a movie, I want to make people laugh. When I write, I want them in suspense!

3. I adore black and white or black and white and an accent color and constantly use it in decorating and accessories.

4. I am a tech gadget nerd but prefer it all in pink. Here are some pics... I have more, but I will spare you the rest... you get the idea.
KitchenAide

Wii Remote

DS Lite

Portable DVD Player

Camera

Camera Case

5. I am totally prep and modern but I adore ghost, vampire, werewolf, etc. stories.

6. We recently decided to to try for a baby after our Egypt trip and I am so excited that I am becoming obnoxious even to myself. I have been reading everything I can about it and am going a bit crazy... but like, happy crazy. And I have to tell on Hello Darling, too b/c she is also crazy exited and has already become "Aunt Traci" and is thinking of nicknames for my yet to be conceived bebeh.

7. There is a documentary that I am actually the focus of coming out soon... EEEE!!! They followed me while I made an entire film in just 48 hours. I am excited... and wary, b/c sometimes I remembered they were there and tried to be "cool" but sometimes I was in full director mode and I know I probably yelled at the crew or did something cranky. Not to mention that I was SO not cute. It was BURNING hot and we were filming outside and by the end of the day I was in a light blue tank top, black workout shorts, black/grey/pink new balances, and a messy bun. Oh, and all the grime. I was wearing that too. Wearing the funk.

So know you know random things about me you probably didn't care to, Yay!

lv,
CH

okay, not a billion, like 8

2008-09-25T13:13:00.002-05:00

You guys! I just found a tiny bag full of gift cards I thought I had used!! EEE!!! And the creme de la creme? $100 at Banana Republic! YES! (even though that only buys like, a shirt, but still)

So I am going to OK with my mom on Sunday to visit my Grandparents. I am super glad I get to see them again, so soon. Right when we get back though, I am off to Disney World. I love to travel, but I hate traveling back to back.

Speaking of... okay so we are going to Egypt in Feb. and flying out of and back into NY. We return from Cairo on a Wednesday, so we decided to just stay in NY through the weekend. Awesome! I haven't been back there since I lived there and I will get to see my Traci again! We are already planning shopping trips.

I totally splurged and bought a billion books from Amazon (okay, not a billion, like 8) and I keep looking happily at my bookshelf. So inviting.

lv,
CH

so worth it

2008-09-23T13:31:00.004-05:00

So, I have recently acquired some very cute dresses:

I bought this one about two months ago, so it isn't actually new but I adore it and wanted to share. So comfortable and much more pretty than this picture. I wear it with silver back-strap thongs.

I haven't gotten this one yet. I ordered it and am waiting. Waiting... Waiting still. But I love it and it is totally my style. It will look adorable with black flats or dark tights and flats.

Another one where the picture does NOT do justice. This dress is adorable and flattering. L actually has it too. (We have to make sure not to wear it on the same day, ha!) I think it would look cute with brown boots in the winter. The plum color is a little richer in person.

Yay for fun dresses! And I love that I can start getting fall dresses. Woo!

Okay, I am such a dork but I ADORE making lists and I have so many lists to look forward to making. The "Going to Disney World" List, then all the holiday lists, and the "Going to Egypt" List (oh hell yeah I have a going to Egypt list, wow), and then *hopefully* will come lots of preparing for baby lists, yes! And I am such a cliche wife b/c I totally pack for my husband, but trust me, if I didn't we would be lucky if he showed up with a toothbrush let alone everything else.

Y'all, Mr. CH is a beautiful conundrum which is why, I suppose, I love him. On one side he is this smartie mcGenius jeopardy winning guy who works as a data/systems analyst. Then the other side is this creative wandering mind that writes stories and composes music in his free time... and good stuff too.. he has even won best musical score in a film festival. I have never met anyone in my entire life who is like that. Usually people are more one than the other even if they are both. Not him. And wrapped up in a cute 6'2, brown hair, green eyed package. Don't get me wrong, it is that package that also accounts for how he can build an entire data entry system in minute detail and then still forget to pack some boxers. I mean, come on now.

It is so worth it.

You know what else is worth it? All this increased working out... I am only 3 lbs away from my monthly mini goal, woo!

lv,
CH

"But the dog ate my script!"

2008-09-22T19:36:00.004-05:00

Okay, honestly:
Dear [potential] Lifetime Movie I am working on,
Unless you want to pay better, I am not available to work more. Even if you are nice and you give lots of good excuses like "But the dog ate my script!" Seriously, you ask every day and every day I say "Um, more money?" Then no, I can't drive AN HOUR to set and then back again to help with paper work and legal documents. I am not trying to be rude here, but I am FREELANCE. I have to make a living. Best of luck, but back off. The game is old and I am not a twenty year old who desperately needs a film credit for my resume. Go find one of them. If you need people with actual experience then you HAVE TO PAY or get your friends to help or something.

Sincerely,
CH

Thanks for hanging in there

2008-09-22T19:01:00.003-05:00

Ah, Mamma Mia Soundtrack, the fun never stops. (SOS)

So feeling much better now. In follow up, I continued my rant and rave to my best, Hello Darling (yeah, you can be jealous... we actually know each other for REAL, sorority sisters and all! And, yes, she really is crazy amazing and that beautiful in real life.) And later my Austin bestie/film colleague got an earful too. I realized I never commented on my husband's opinion on this all. Well, HE was the one who pointed out to me that I had made us so many future activity plans that I had ended up pushing back a baby by like, 4 plus years. That really pushed me over, when I realized I was so busy trying to be cool and fit into my current world that I had failed to notice I was doing exactly what I never wanted to do: push back what was important to us. Mr. CH looked at me and said, "Why don't we try after Egypt?"
And me, being dumb, " But what about Harry Potter World in winter 2010?!?!" (yeah, I have planned so far ahead that L, B, K, and I are set to go to DW and the New Wizarding World of Harry Potter that far in the future.)
K just looked at me and said, "We can have our parent's watch the baby." Um, obvs. Wow, here I have been making myself sad and miserable trying to deny that I am actually ready for a family for the stupidest reasons.

Phew! So... we are going to try next spring, after we get back from Egypt (b/c you all KNOW I do not want to be preg. there!!). There it is, not yet, but soon and I am so very happy. And K is so happy and isn't that what matters? And Hello Darling is happy too. ; p

In other news (this seems anticlimactic now), I have to get finger printed tomorrow if I want to still sub this year. So, I am going to b/c I at least want the OPTION to sub, since I enjoyed it a lot. Still though, weird and annoying.

Wow, my apologies for the heavy handed entries lately. Thanks for hanging in there.

lv,
CH

they are different in the same way

2008-09-20T15:31:00.004-05:00

Soooo, my hubbie is at an A&M game and I have the house to myself. Awesome. And the terminix guy came out this morning and I told him To Kill the Beast(s)! Not really, but I did tell him that the spiders had gotten a little crazy, fix it! Man, for a Saturday I woke up SO early.

Sad news: My grandpa is doing horrible. We have known for awhile he didn't have long but hearing a more specific time frame was hard. They told us any day now. I don't normally get into very personal stuff on here, but ugh. I hate this. At the same time, he has been in horrible pain for awhile now with little they can do to help. I can't imagine living life like that. To make it worse, mentally he is perfect (besides being obviously a bit depressed). So he is fully aware that his body is failing. I am so glad I got to spend some time with him recently (that random trip to Oklahoma). That is something, right? Although he wasn't really himself, he was so down. He did seem thrilled to see us. And he seemed the most happy watching his grand baby, my cousin's 15 month old son. He lit up watching that little guy. It just made me realize that I want a family so bad. That is VERY uncool of me to say in my world of film and all that comes with it. The fact that I am married at all is weird to most of my film friends/colleagues. It is funny how I am in this industry that prides itself on being hip, cool, and most of all OPEN to life and choices. But it so isn't. The majority of this field prides itself on being different, but most fail to notice that they are all the SAME in their differences. They are different in the same way. Lame. If I even mention that I want to have a baby soonish, I get the skeptical "Why would you want to do THAT" look, like wanting a family is somehow wrong. Irritates me. Obviously there are super badass people too, don't get me wrong. And those are the people I migrate to. I am just tired of feeling like wanting a home and a family is the wrong thing. Why? Why is it so wrong? And why do people seem so aghast at the idea? I am not that young, closer to 30. Married 3 years. Own a brand spankin' new 4 bedroom home. Hubbie is gainfully employed and moving up faster than I ever thought possible (that is how even though I often make no money -thank you, crappy artist life- we still have all that we do AND can do stuff like take 6 grand trips to Egypt.) I mean, what the HELL. Do I live in backwards world or something? Aren't I supposed to want a family? Isn't it wonderful that I do? When did it become passe? And worst of all, why do I give a crap what anyone says/thinks?

Hhhhrumph. Sorry for the rant. A lot going on in my mind.

On a more positive note, the cutest dog in the world happens to be asleep on the futon in my office... half-upside-down-totally-relaxing-sleep style, of course.

lv,
CH

princesses and pirates and fireworks and parades and wonder and magic

2008-09-18T22:58:00.008-05:00

So the bad news is that the beach house is a no go. I am SO sad b/c you all know how much I have been looking forward to it, as I do every year. =(

BUT I can't be too sad b/c... We are going to Disney World instead! WOO!!!!! And for those of you who know me, yes, I am aware that we go all the time but HELLO. It is full of princesses and pirates and fireworks and parades and wonder and magic. I ADORE Disney. And just last year when Mr. CH and I were there for our two year wedding anniversary in September (okay, we didn't really go for our anniversary, we just went b/c and used it as an excuse) we said, "Hmmm... we have never been here for Halloween/Fall season... that would be fun!" And a year later we are doing just that. *happy sigh*

So now I have to change my Real Simple Calendar. It says "Beach House" with a wavy arrow and a little beach.

I worked out TWICE today. Crazy. Since I started Pixar Workout Month late, I am trying to cram in a lot of film. Also, the less squishy I am on vacation the better b/c I plan on EATING. Woo!

Oh, so it turns out I can mail in my passport renewal for my name change, yay. So I got that all ready. And of course, as they always do, my passport pic looks like BLECH. (Yeah, I totally made "blech" a description)

So, all and all, a good day. And I leave you with some of the reasons I heart Disney:
THE PERKS (We didn't ask... they just DO this stuff without you even telling them anything):

The Chef on a Disney Cruise surprised us with this.

Also on a Disney Cruise... Those little chocolates had Disney Characters on them.

A Honeymoon welcome basket complete with a Cinderella and Prince Charming "Do Not Disturb" sign, hehehe.

Another surprise on our anniversary... that "Where dreams come true" and the castle are actual stenciled on in chocolate. They also brought a phone to the table and told us we had an important call and when I picked up Mickey sang me a happy anniversary song, hehe.

They left this in our room on our anniversary. On our honeymoon Cinderella and Prince Charming left us one. I also got one on my birthday when I was there one year on that day.

THE MEMORIES:

Yay, the ship!

How fun is that?

I'll never forget that sandwich...

There are tons more b/c of the millions of times we have been but you get the idea. Awesome. It never gets old. The coolest part? K and his family love it as much as my family and I do. I could never have married someone too cool for Disney World. Ever. My dream would be to go with my friends. Hello Darling? L, B, K, and I are still planning our late 2010 trip complete with a stop at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter so don't forget you and your K are invited.

lv,
CH

more story and less joke, joke, joke, lesson, the end!

2008-09-17T13:37:00.004-05:00

Oh my gosh, that new show True Blood is awesome! I want more! See, I actually stay a season behind on most shows b/c in this world of DVR I have lost patience for weekly viewings and prefer to pick my own time to watch. Also, I don't *do* typical sitcoms. Can't stand them with their laugh tracks and over played one liners. Irritate the HELL out of me. I used to be cool with them, but the older I get the more I find myself rolling my eyes at the mundaneness of them all. I am so happy that more cinematic television has increased in popularity over the last decade. There are shows that have drifted away from the weekly quick lines and shifted into more episodic styles. AWESOME. Much better for someone like me who does enjoy TV and episodes, but has come to want more story and less joke, joke, joke, lesson, the end! I much prefer series. I blame the filmmaker in me. So I have my "stories" as I have come to call them (even though when someone typically says "stories" I think of soap operas, haha) and I am happy. Otherwise, if I watch TV it is for breaking news (ie: hurricane coverage on the weather channel), or lifestyle channels like Food Network and Discovery. And I am very content with this. *happy sigh*

Sitcoms (aka: situation comedies) I do like: The Office
Sitcom I may watch but only b/c someone who I think is hilarious watches and I am a copier of her: How I Met Your Mother

Yesterday, the art department on the film crew was totally overwhelmed in preparing this old honky tonk style bar for shooting tonight and tomorrow night, so off I went to lend a hand. One word: ICKY. First, I was dressed for the production office: skinny jeans cuffed into capri's, tiny silver thongs, black empire waist flowy shirt, curly waved hair worn down and free with just my long bangs pinned back. I was not prepared for set decorating/ constructing. Next, the location was in the middle of NOWHERE. I am not kidding. I drove forever and finally got there to find this huge parking lot of not gravel, but rocks. Sharp rocks that poked into my thongs and white dust that flew up in the air as I drove across it. I got out with big framed black sunglasses on and my hair blowing about and someone said, "Yay! Jackie Kennedy showed up!" I was like, "Want me to punch you in the face?" Then I spent hours moving stuff, hanging up gross things like stuffed animal heads and hides (EW), and trying not to fall off ladders. I did make this awesome collage on the wall with old wooden tennis rackets, so that was cool. And the art crew was awesome. And...wait for it... I also got my *censored for the sake of men* women time! Are you kidding me?!? I was so uncomfortable. Haha, ugh! Oh well, when I finally got home I took the longest hot bath and just read.

Want to see some pictures of my parent's street after the hurricane? My sister's car flooded and she took some street pictures of it AFTER the waters had receded. Keep in mind... this is after the water went down, YUCK. (click to enlarge)

lv,
CH

hottie McHot blue pants

2008-09-14T19:54:00.003-05:00

Hahaha, so I have always said that if I could play anyone I would love to play Lois Lane (along with a few other characters...). She [typically] had dark hair and blue eyes, was spunky, and liked hamburgers! Plus there was the whole hottie McHot blue pants superman. And my hubbie (who now almost always wears contacts) was nicknamed Clark Kent in college b/c he was tall, w/ boyish good looks, and, at the time, often wore his glasses. I thought that was perfect. Well, anyway, I have been feeling a bit, um, huge and pudgerific lately and then I just ran into the following when I was looking up ideas for my Halloween costume:

Haha, wow. That about sums up how I am feeling right now, hehehe.

lv,
CH

I got a taste and I am not ready to put the fork down.

2008-09-14T11:23:00.003-05:00

So, my parent's have to fix the roof, take care of a leak (it leaked into my old bedroom!), replace most of their fence, and buy some more shrubbery, but otherwise they made it through IKE alright. And I know this is REALLY TACKY but we are now waiting until Tuesday to find out how the beach house did. Yeah, the beach house which is (was?) on the west end of Galveston. *sigh*

On a side note, were you all watching the weather channel? Did you see how MASSIVE this storm was?? It was WEIRD big.

Hmmm, well, so I was on that movie set for a day and it was alright. I don't know, I am just not in the mood to be filming right now. I am only there on Tuesdays and Thursdays, although they really wanted more help. I just don't feel like it. And now there is this other movie that begins pre-production soon and starts filming at the end of October and the producers wanted to meet with me tomorrow, but... same thing. I just totally don't feel like being on a film right now. I really just feel like working on my own creative efforts at the moment. And I know, I know - I haven't filmed anything since June BUT with all of my sister's wedding stuff, and the traveling, and the party planning, I never got to REALLY focus on my projects. And I was seriously getting pumped about it all. I feel like I was just getting into things and then BAM, I start getting booked for films. On the other hand, with the decrease of filming occurring in Texas I really shouldn't be turning down jobs... ugh. Like, right now I really want to build up my event videography business, finish the script, and collaborate on film projects with friends/colleagues. So, it isn't like I want "out" of the biz or anything... I just want to do my own thing a bit. I guess, with the writer's strike and the incentives issues (which drove many would-have-been-made-in-Texas films to other states), I started to finally spin off into my own creative world instead of just managing film production for everyone else. I got a taste and I am not ready to put the fork down.

Wow, I have totally turned into mopey pants. I don't like being all blah blah about things but it will pass. I guess maybe I will just be "open" to getting hired for a film but I won't let myself be forced into taking everything. If the pay is right and the project feels "good" then okay, otherwise, no dice.

In other news, on Thursday when we wrapped, Laura (another Laura who does film makeup) and I met with L and B at Baby A's for some drinks, food, and conversation. It was such a low key enjoyable evening. Then L and B and their new puppy, Millie, came over for a lazy Saturday. It was, of course, awesome. We always have a great time. We are perfect at doing nothing.

Okay, I have ranted enough for one day. =)

lv,
CH

Speaking of lazy

2008-09-10T18:35:00.002-05:00

So I got a job on this film that already started production. They are so under-crewed in the production office that they seemed to be freaking out a bit. I have been there [in that kind of situation] and I am friends with the Producer/Writer so I offered to help a little bit. I would help out more but it is an indie and they can't pay much so... I am nice but not totally pro-bono nice! I have a mortgage after all, =p . One of my friends is the MUA on it so I am excited to see her!

I am so lazy, even though I haven't technically worked in like two months, I have been SOOO busy with just... life, that I feel like I need a vacation, haha.

Speaking of lazy, I need to go drag myself to the elliptical. Ugh. And I have to be on set at 8:30. Blech!

Night, y'all.

lv,
CH

my "D" key is sticking

2008-09-09T20:01:00.005-05:00

Oh y'all. I am back home and K has me on this super strict 3 week diet. =/ I did it to myself b/c I asked him to be hard on me but now... I don't like it =( .

And I missed out on a would-have-been-easy appearance on Friday Night Lights. And my "D" key is sticking. *pout*

Seriously, I am not really in a bad mood, more of a Hhhh-rump! mood.

On the positive side, Baylor kicked some butt, my cans of diet dr pepper look like footballs, and I may have some Belgian chocolate with hazelnuts hidden in my drawer.

I changed my layout to be more fall-ish. I opted for a little darker to coordinate with the feel of Halloween. (This change inspired by Hello Darling!)

lv,
CH

Once back home

2008-09-08T14:54:00.003-05:00

Am going back to Austin today. I have been away from my home for SOOOO long.

Once back home:
- Will resume workouts
- Finish writing script (half way done!!!)
- Transfer TONS of VHS to DVDs (ugh, but needs to be done to retain old family videos)
- Get new dishwasher
- Meet with script writer to discuss directing his work
- Decide if I am going to sub again (it was a really easy way to make money when filming wasn't going on... but it also distracted me from my work. Sigh. Make more money or make more art?)

Anyway, hopefully will be able to post less sporadically once I get back into my routine.

How are you all?

Hmmm... what should I do for this workout month? I am thinking fantasy....

Upcoming blogs:
- Murder mystery party!

lv,
CH

bad weather decided to have a party

2008-09-03T10:32:00.004-05:00

Hellllooooo! I am back from OK but not back to MY home. I am back to H-town in-law's home. K's murder mystery party is this weekend, here, so I skipped Austin and came straight back to Houston to prepare. While we were in OK, we had to constantly watch the weather b/c of the hurricane(s). I suppose I should still be paying attention since apparently bad weather decided to have a party out in the ocean and invited all its tropical storm/hurricane friends. Oh well...

OK was a blast, I heart my [hilarious] family.

I am reeling from news about Midnight Sun. *pout* Make that *angry pout*.

Today is K and I's three year wedding anniversary! Woo! And here I am in H-town with him in Austin, haha. Awww. It's alright, I will see him this weekend.

Anyway, not a lot to say at the moment, just wanted to update.

lv,
CH

family history gossip

2008-08-26T11:00:00.002-05:00

So yes, I am in H-town blogging on my sister-in-law's computer. My schnoodle is spread out on her bed looking out the window. He has only a vague idea that I am about to leave him for a week so that I can go to Ooooooooooooklahoma. (Couldn't resist) Such a random place to go, but I have ze family there. I get to go see all my blonde cousins and wonder where in the heck my dark almost black hair came from.

Ooo! Want to hear some family history gossip? Well, I have always been told we were Irish, German, and a tiny bit French. Okay, cool, not much going on there. And the tiny bit french explained my looks: blue eyes, dark dark hair, olive undertones but still somehow snow white. Cool! I have some sexy french in me. Take that, the rest of my entire family who are all blonde-ish and blue-eyed German gene-d. But the plot thickens. While going over our family history archives KB discovered that she could find no French. Going back very, very far. She found lots of German and Irish (expected) and... English. A good amount too. We had no clue we had English in us! And where was this supposed French my great grandma always proclaimed she was? Anyway... we also found out on my dad's side our last name used to be Zimmerman. Hehehehe. I am glad they changed that, not that it is a horrible name but you know. So the family is all kind of like "Hmmmm..." as they look at me. Where did my genes come from? I suppose I do look more Irish out of all three choices but one has to wonder if maybe some great (or great) grand parent had a love liaison with a French or Italian person. Three people in my family have black brown hair. Me, Grandpa (mom's side), and HIS mother. That is it. Scandalous! =P (in case you couldn't tell, I don't actually MIND I am just fascinated by the history aspect of it! I suppose I have been rereading to many Lauren Willig books!)

So on that note... I have some murder mystery dinner party invites to print and mail, a potential hurricane to keep an eye on, and a trip to take back to Austin.

lv,
CH

Huzzah...?

2008-08-24T11:22:00.002-05:00

So I am about to embark on two mini family related trips. First to Houston for a brief visit and then leaving the dog in care of the in-laws. Then back to Austin to scramble about and get ready to immediately head to OK (yes, I'm serious) to visit family for labor day weekend.

Huzzah...? Yes, actually, it will be fun so, HUZZAH!

Ugh, I have that I-have-so-much-prep-to-do-before-travel thing going on right now. And here I sit blogging. Le sigh.

-Pack lightly for H-town trip
-Pack up Jack
-Take Jack to groomers
-Run to Target for some stuff
-Run home with Jack
-Load Car and Jack and go to Houston

I should probably get going...

lv,
CH

Cheer up, Darling!

2008-08-20T13:50:00.003-05:00

Hello Darling is having a bad week.

Cheer up, little buttercup!

lv,
CH

Facebook comments from my newly married sister

2008-08-18T16:16:00.007-05:00

Keep in mind. All of the following occurred WHILE she was on her honeymoon. And yes, the previous entry where I raced from a rehearsal dinner to a Breaking Dawn party was HER wedding festivities.

Kristen ***** (Oklahoma State) wrote
at 3:52pm

A few things:

-Edward is Cedric Diggory (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
-I finished the books as quickly as I did any of the Harry Potter books.
-I bought New Moon at a bookstore in the Houston airport, finished it while Colby took naps or slept in in the morning.
-I made him go with me to the Virgin Megastore in Downtown Disney to get Eclipse...which they DID NOT HAVE! But I did by Breaking Dawn while I was there.
-I suffered from withdrawal until I found a Borders bookstore in the Orlando airport which, thankfully, had a few copies of Eclipse.
-Finished Eclipse in a day. Finished Breaking Dawn in a day.
-I am as excited about the movie as I am about the season openers of The Office and Heroes. So you know I'm really excited.
-My husband likes Twilight and is almost finished with it.
-I'm surprised to find that, just like Harry Potter, the books aren't the most complicated or insane pieces of literature but there's something ridiculously attractive about them...

Kristen ***** (Oklahoma State) wrote
at 3:45pm

...You can't put them down. AT ALL. Must. Keep. Reading. I compared them to the cute guy that is somehow made HOT by a great personality and other awesome features. There's just something about that man (or books, in this case).
-They may have put a poison in the ink of the books that seeps into your blood stream and addicts you to the series.

In other news:
Disney was awesome. Pictures soon.

Man Jeans

2008-08-18T11:23:00.000-05:00

Ugh, you know what is so annoying? I need an unheard of amount of hard drive space. Especially since I began filming in HD a couple of years ago. It is ridiculous. Dang you space and the crazy amount of you I need!

I know I am all woman, but I simply need to plug some man jeans for a moment. K just bought some Levi's eco Vintage Straight 539 Jeans... and they are awesome. A slim-ish fit and a great fade. Not to skinny... I think most guys who wear super skinny jeans look either like they are trying too hard to be hipsters or just silly. Few guys can successfully pull off super skinny. These are just the right amount... they are straight which looks like a slimmer fit, but still manly. They are tighter in the waist and butt area which once again mimics the cool side of slim jeans without the oh-my-gosh-that-wanna-be-hipster-is-showcasing-his-crotch! And at $70 a pop, not to shabby for organic jeans! Good job, Levi!

So we puppy-sat this weekend and it went well. Jack and tiny Millie had a really good time. I have to admit, as much fun and cuteness that puppies contain, I don't miss all the training, haha. L and B came back on Saturday from their trip but then they hung around our house the rest of the day for continuing good times (as always). They make good puppy parents.

I bought some cute convertible light weight cargo pants yesterday... perfect for Egypt! Since we are going in Feb. it will be warm and cold. So I can make these capris or pants, whatever I need. Plus they just look like perfect little travel pants.

We are going to see an advanced screening of Hamlet 2 on Thursday and I am totally stoked. I have been cracking up at the preview for long enough now and I want to see the movie. It is at the one Alamo Drafthouse that has an Amy's Ice Cream Oreo shake... and I want it. Sooo... much working out must be done in advance!

So I am going to leave you with excited squeals about this:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1077368/

A rational fan's opinion of changing release dates

2008-08-16T14:41:00.004-05:00

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.

So I am very sad about Warner Brothers postponement of the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, especially since they are moving it simply b/c they want more money and less competition. I mean, I work in the industry so I totally get the business side of it, but they have been advertising the date for long enough now that it really blows for the fans.

HOWEVER.

Summit Entertainment has moved the release date of Twilight up. EEEE!!!!!! YES!!!!!

I am so excited.

On a side note... I have come across some angry people who are getting mad at Twilight because of this move. Warner Brothers moved Harry Potter... that has nothing to do with Summit moving Twilight up accordingly. I would have. Disney also moved up one of their films to 11/21 after HP was pushed... but people aren't yelling at them. Ridiculous. I think some HP fans are just so angry that they need to find more reasons to be PISSED. Be angry with WB. They did it. They are hoping for the same success that the Dark Knight had with the same summer time release date. Simple as that. I am a huge fan of HP as well and the move irritated me too, but I never once got crazily angry with the films that jumped into the time slot... because that would be stupid, biased, and unfounded.

Oh, how I love and loathe this industry.

Regardless... summing up: Very sad that HP was pushed... especially since I just saw the extended trailer in the theater and was SOOOO excited BUT very happy, in a totally independent way, about the new Twilight release date.

but this was... graphic

2008-08-12T21:29:00.003-05:00

You know what is super fun?

THIS!

You can design your own keds! Awesome!

And I know I may be crossing a line here but I was also pulled in by both these designs:
http://www.zazzle.com/twilighter_kedsshoe-167894743087874607
http://www.zazzle.com/twilighter_kedsshoe-167291970076546912

I know, I know... =) That is actual how I noticed the whole design a shoe thing in the first place... I was Twilight surfing.

Anyway... nothing much to report. I played tennis on Sunday, rocked the elliptical yesterday, and did a bikini body workout today. Rock! Tomorrow, I have another tennis "match" scheduled. Must keep up workouts! I am trying to lose much pudge by October 3.... beach house time!

Ugh, know what I am NOT looking forward too? I have to go get my passport updated b/c it still has my maiden name. And I can't do it by mail. I was excited b/c I thought I could... they said you just had to send them your old passport and marriage license, right? Well, turns out your marriage license has to show your change of name. Um, what? I don't know ANYONE whose marriage license already has their new name... as a matter of fact, I had to use the license to be allowed to GET my name changed in the first place. UGH. Not that big of a deal but still annoying.

So, in film world, I am trying to get our last two films onto DVD. I am debating about DVD menu layouts... they are so complex and I may just use previously designed ones. Then again, a new one would be cool. Oh, and I need to design the cover art. *sigh* Sometimes I wish I could just use automatic consumer level dvd makers... but that would be unprofessional. =p

Also, I am working on a script which is -on a personal level- a big deal b/c I am SO not a script writer. I am an idea person. However, I have been heavily encouraged to write a script for this one competition and since I am not on a film at the moment, I should be doing SOMETHING. So... wish me luck with that. I haven't written a script since I had to in college. I do have a cool idea though... *secret*

I was handed a script by a writer who "really, really" wants me to direct his work. Nice, right? Well... the script is for a short that is actually pretty cool... except it has a very involved sex scene. I am not prude by any means, but this was... graphic, haha. Not sure how to let him down b/c I doubt he will want to change it. Oh my...

My sleep schedule was all whacked out last night. I was woken up around 2 in the morning by -well, it is private ;) , but! I could not go back to sleep. At all. It was so annoying. I finally got up and just played on my computer, read some more of Breaking Dawn (yeah, I am rereading it... again, what?!?!), and tried to get tired. Finally, I went back to sleep around 5. Weird...I am usually not like that at all.

Okay, I am not going to act hardcore... I am so sore from all the working out, haha. I am going to go take a hot bath.

lv,
CH

Noodle Cube

2008-08-07T21:58:00.008-05:00

Gah, I was doing so awesome eating wise until today when I totally struck out. 's Okay. Back on track tomorrow. I actually feel pretty blah too, the food sitting poorly in my stomach.

Wow, you all. I have a free weekend. I know, don't spaz out. I am surprised too. I feel almost hesitant about it... like something may go wrong if I don't tread lightly. Wrong as in, it may suddenly book up.

L and B, my Austin friends I talk about all the time just took a big step... they got a puppy!!!! Eeee!!! Now Capt. Jack will have an Austin best friend. Play date time!

Alright, so before I mentioned I was going to blog about installation art. Well, being that I live in [amazing] Austin, I see this kind of thing all the time. I have seen everything from glitzed guitars to crazy leotard dressed people quietly repelling off of buildings. But now... well, this piece boggled my mind. And it was interactive. We couldn't find any info on it, so I just call it the noodle cube. We found this on the UT campus near the Bob Bullock Museum.

From far away....

You can see us in it [I am in the pink shirt]

L and B from inside the noddles

Hehehehehe... so, yeah. That was entertaining.

lv,
CH

Full Throttle

2008-08-05T22:54:00.012-05:00

Wow, I had a TOTALLY busy time over the last week and a half. From last minute wedding stuff (I HAND made 200 programs on Thursday night!) to book parties, I was at full throttle.

So, first off... the wedding was wonderful!!! Where to start... On Friday, K (sister K, not hubby K) and I were running all over town ... we had mani/pedis, lunch, picked up my dress, pre-bought the second to last copy of Breaking Dawn at the only bookstore I could find one still available, had our rings cleaned, hit up Target for last minute items, and raced to the hotel. There we got dolled up. I wore this:

Rehearsal was short and sweet. D, S, and I all had fun taking celebrity-esque photos on the way to the rehearsal dinner...

After the rehearsal dinner, we went back to the hotel where I left the bride and bridesmaids (with permission, of course!) and grabbed my super awesome cousins (also staying at the hotel) to race to the Breaking Dawn release party! Woo! My cousin E got the last copy of the book from the same bookstore, rock! There, we were given numbers (I was 136), glow bracelets (as the most awesome verification method ever) and Breaking Dawn bookmarks. Sweet! Inside were lord knows how many screaming excited fans. The bookstore went all out for this party... awesome book related decorations, games, discussion groups. They even had Dracula playing the whole time, stopping only to show previews/clips from the upcoming Twilight movie. Fun! Here is some really poor quality video of some of the excited crowd:
M and I with our bookmarks...

E and I got our books! Haha, I like my tired smirk here.

Then we drove back to the hotel where I found a mini-party going on in our room.... The next day we ordered room service and then watched a movie until it was time to go to the salon. All of us ladies had on pink matching floral pj pants and tanks from old navy (minus the bride who had on black ones...) which was fun and cute! Then the wedding, etc. which was a blast. So much dancing! Awesome.

So now my sister is married to this great guy and I am really excited for them b/c coming up to our three year anniversary, I can honestly say it is amazing. I have always felt a little awkward about the whole husband/wife thing, and I still feel weird saying it sometimes, but I absolutely wouldn't change a thing. There is something incredible about having someone to get through life with...

A bunch of us spent the night at the hotel where the reception was (same hotel I have been referring to) which was great b/c we had our own little after "thing" in the hotel bar. Then we just had to go upstairs to our rooms... nice. My parents paid for our rooms... all of them! Very generous.

The next day, K, C, L, and I met at K & L's house to celebrate their father's b-day (my father-in-law). We took a limo to the Astros game where they easily beat the Mets 4-0. Awesome. Note: We look totally tired here.

In travel news, our Egypt trip is reserved for Feb. 16 - 25, 2009. WOO!!!!! I already booked the excursions and have the itinerary. Now we just have to pay it off so if anyone wants to loan me 6k... haha. Seriously though, I am SO glad K got that raise, it will help! Now I just need some better paying film gigs... =P
Next, our annual beach house trip got bumped to October 3-10 which I am actually really happy about... I need some time at home! But I am SO stoked about getting out there. I love it so much... I feel so content there. Last year all I did was walk around in a swimsuit and cover-up, eating cake cookies, drinking diet dr peppers, and reading. Mmmmm.... what's not to like?

Wow, okay so there it is. And in case you are wondering, I DID get to finally read my new book. I forced myself to wait until Monday so that I could really enjoy it. Not as great as the first three, but still pretty amazing. *sigh* But now what will I do? I hate when good things come to an end. However, this entry is not that great, so I am going to end it now. Excuse the mess, I wrote this whole thing in a not-tired-enough-to-sleep-but-still-pretty-tired state.

lv,
CH

and THEN

2008-07-31T15:08:00.003-05:00

Okay, so one of the bridesmaids had two of the dresses b/c she wasn't sure on size. I stole the extra one and it is being altered right now (ready tomorrow... nothing like cutting it close!)

I am in full wedding mode right now. We have spa manicures & pedicures tomorrow, then we are checking into our room at the hotel* (AKA: the girls room, for all the bridesmaids) and then going to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. THEN spending a girly night together followed by yummy room service breakfast. THEN transferring to a private room at the Salon/Spa place for makeup and hair and giggles. THEN to the church to get dressed and dress the bride. Ceremony... pictures...reception.... and we are staying at the hotel that night too, except then I will be rooming with my own hubby. Phew! But wait... on Sunday we are taking a limo to the Astro's game to celebrate my father-in-law's b-day. My weekend is ALL planned out.

Guess what? My husband got a new job/title/promotion!!!!!! It is at his same company just in a different department, which is great b/c he keeps all his sick days, vaca days, benefits, retirement, etc. And... a big fat pay increase. EEEEE!!!!!!!!

Anyway... I am really looking forward to this weekend and all its hectic-ness. Huzzah weddings!

Oh, and the new Twilight book has the bad timing of coming out this Friday (technically Saturday) at midnight. *sniff* However, backing up the best hubby in the world theory... my K is going to attempt to get me one (although he refuses to battle the crowds at Barnes and Noble and similar and I don't blame him). *sigh* I won't be able to read it until Sunday night, but at least it will be mine.

*the hotel = place where reception is

Eclipse

2008-07-24T22:52:00.003-05:00

Still no dress. =/

However, have decided I have the best husband in the world. After seeing me rip through the first two Twilight series books, today after work he went to Barnes and Noble and bought me the third book. Just because.

(After seeing him walk in with that glorious book, I did make him enchiladas for dinner so that should rank me up there as well.)

I am half way done and entranced which is why you will understand that I must go.

lv,
CH

PS: I demand "pob" pictures. You know who I am talking to.

Upcoming entries:
-Installation Art: The Noodle Cube! (that isn't what it is named but it is what we called it...)
-An actual update

I'll see you in hell!

2008-07-23T21:13:00.005-05:00

Seriously. No. What is THAT? What?!? [see below]

Sat Jul 26 100° / 74°

Sun Jul 27 100° / 75°

Mon Jul 28 100° / 75°

Tue Jul 29 100° / 75°

Wed Jul 30 100° / 75°

Thu Jul 31 100° / 74°

Fri Aug 1 100° / 76°

That is unacceptable, nature. I will actually be in Houston for those days where - get this- it will actually be COOLER than that. That shouldn't be. *shaking fist*

Moving on with the *@#%&!%!& . FedEX. LOST. MY. DRESS. What dress, you ask? My BRIDESMAID (or matron of honor, whatev) dress. FOR AUG 2nd. For MY SISTER'S wedding. No, it isn't delayed. IT IS MISSING. THEY CAN'T FIND IT. What the bleep. They "misplaced" my discontinued-took-TWO-WEEKS-to-alter dress. It isn't like I can go buy another one. There isn't anymore. Straight up. That is why I had to have an XL dress sized down to M, b/c that was all we could do. UGH! Are you SERIOUS?

*sigh* Backup plan: If they can't find it by tomorrow, I am heading down to H-Town four days ahead of schedule to find a suitable alternative that *gulp* doesn't need to be altered. The bride isn't freaking out, we talked and figured that since I am the Matron of Honor, it is totally cool for me to have my own different dress... it won't throw anything off. Except me, maybe.

Bleepity bleep bleep bleep.

On a positive note, I got lost -as in checked out- reading the first two books in the Twilight series which I have been dying to read after hearing such amazing things. I read from about 7pm yesterday until 5ish pm today. I only slept 4 hours (looong story) and I did check my email and obvs. made some bathroom visits, OH! And yelled at FedEX and finalized our private room at the spa/salon for the bridal party, but otherwise, I was unavailable. I NEEDED that. I needed to just escape. I curled up in my hubby's massage recliner (including a leg massager and heater, nice!) with a diet dr pepper (my crack) and a pop top container of cinnamon sugar Blue Diamond almonds. I didn't need anything else. Well, except my schnoodle who occasionally hopped up to give me kisses and snuggle. I need that too, of course. Anyway, it was fan-bleeping-tastic.

PLUG: I recommend these. They are yummy and good for you AND the container has a see through potion indicator on the side of the bottle. As in, it goes from 1 oz to 8 oz... so you can eat until you see the almonds have hit the 7 oz mark and know you just had a serving. SMART. I want to try the vanilla bean ones next...

Behind any door...

2008-07-22T12:40:00.004-05:00

Well everyone, my latest film just made it as a Best of Austin film and it won Best Ensemble Acting, Best Special Effects, and Audience Favorite. Woo!!!! Once my production company posts it, I will put up a link so you can see it. Oh, and my film before that recently made it as a Best of Houston film as well as received Best Musical Score. I *heart* my crew and cast. We all make an awesome team. Here is the poster art for the Austin one:

World Travel, Babies, & Sundae Stations

2008-07-19T19:28:00.002-05:00

Y'all, I am very excited about my future. Do you want to hear the plans? So many things to look forward to... First, we are DEFINITELY going to Egypt in February! EEEEEE!!!!! I have been wanting to go for so long... I mean, HELLO, the pyramids? Are you kidding me? The only remaining of the 7 wonders of the world, and I get to see it? I wanted to go for my (high school) graduation present back when, but at the time it wasn't very safe to go, so I went to Italy, Greece, and Turkey instead. Not that I am complaining, but I was a little disappointed. Now, however, it is safer to travel to Egypt than Italy! When I found that out, I just couldn't stop thinking about it... And fortunately, I have a travel loving Husband who prefers adventure travel and was very into the idea. So we looked into it, got all the right info, decided the "whens" and "whats" and now we are going. I can't even believe it, BUT there is more. Before we just up and decided to go to Egypt, we had already been planning a trip to Peru since January for September '09... and get this... we are still doing that too! Sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet!!!! The Peru trip is going to be with Adventures by Disney which will make it even cooler. (We are doing an adult only trip, although I would not have minded kids being around.)

*breathing*

So... wow. Egypt and Peru in the same year. We have already done most of Europe and we both really wanted to venture off a little from the usual out-of-country trips, so Huzzah! It was funny b/c we were sitting around talking about how we wanted to do this and see that and suddenly we were both like "Then why don't we?" We don't have tons of money, but we do pretty well. We don't have kids yet. I make my own work schedule and the hubby has tons of vaca. So... why not? There was no good answer and we decided to just live a little, especially while we CAN.

That is the plan. Big trips next year, then some little trips in 2010 (specifically, back to Disney World again and to see the New Harry Potter world) and then... we will start planning/trying for kids. That's right. We are almost ready for a baby. Wow, writing that seems powerful. You know, it isn't like things are perfect, but when I step back and look at the big picture, I am SO lucky, and I am aware of it and am grateful.

I know, I know. I was totally gushing with excitement there. I just got one of those random happy buzzes where it just suddenly occurs to you that "Wow! Things are AWESOME!"

Smaller scale awesome:
-Brunch and a trip to the museum with B and L tomorrow. Fun!
-Little sister gets married in two weeks and.... my mom just informed me that she decided to add a Chocolate Fountain Station and a Sundae Station to the reception! What?! A Sundae station? That is SO awesome.

Oh and Batman? Totally lived up to the hype.

lv,
CH

I have a date with Batman

2008-07-17T21:38:00.024-05:00

Ugh! I know. I disappeared. You were warned. So, let's jump right in. I went to H-Town to do wedding stuff. (My little sis is getting hitched in TWO WEEKS.) I tied ribbons on bubbles. I put together chocolaty favors. I got ready for the Co-Ed Fiesta Shower I threw for the couple. For favors, I had pink and green margarita glasses that I filled with pink, red, and green starbursts (Baja California flavors) and added these little suckers that looked like fruit slices... so it looked like each "margarita" had a little lime wedge! I had flowers for all the girls and mustaches for all the boys. Here were the cupcakes. (I didn't take the pics... so sorry for the quality)

Little margarita picks!

While we were there a transformer blew. As in up. First it knocked out the air.
Texas + July = NOT COOL (literally). Then everything went out. It could have been bad but everyone was really awesome and we all just cracked up and partied in the dark. Fortunately, we had already eaten at that point. We just opened a door for light and continued on in the "mood lighting". It was still really fun.
(note the smoke and flames)

I am the brunette apparently about to shush someone. My sister is the dirty blond with the custom made mini-sombrero complete with pink veil. The red head is a super awesome bridesmaid. We are rocking the hair color spectrum.

This is my dress. I love it. You can't
tell here, but it has a really pretty shimmer to it.

Worn with these.

So all that was fun. Then there was a mini-birthday party for my sister-in-law followed by an unexpected out of state trip to visit a sick relative. (Everything is okay.)

I finally returned home yesterday. Phew. AND my house was still clean... so yay, hubby, for that!

I didn't have the equipment to really rock the super hero/adventurer workouts but I still swam. A lot. And even though I was exhausted from an all day drive back home, I jumped right back in and worked out last night. ROCK!

Ugh, okay I know this was a very poorly written quick update, but I wanted to get something out before I had to run. I have a date with Batman. At the IMAX. Heart!

lv,
CH

How lovely that felt

2008-07-05T17:44:00.007-05:00

Mmmm.... so I just had one of those gorgeously relaxing afternoons. I swam for awhile, then I wrapped up in my pink and white beach towel and cuddled into a lounger on my patio. Jack Jack stole my hubby's blue and white towel and chair and sat next to me. I was in the shade so it was hot in a good way plus there was this subtle breeze that felt incredible. I just sat out there and read and dozed for awhile in nothing but my swimsuit and SPF 50. It reminded me a lot of some of my most favorite relaxing vacations. When I was 18, I was on a cruise in the Aegean Sea and I laid on the deck and it was so hot but the ocean brought this cool breeze in so you literally felt perfectly comfortable. It was amazing and I have never forgotten how lovely that felt. It also felt just like those perfect days at the beach house (an annual vaca for us) where I spend my days with hair in a natural state of curls, no makeup, lots of SPF, a swimsuit, a cover-up dress, and bare feet. I adore that carefree feeling and look forward to it all year. I wish I felt like that more often.
(The Beach house: My room is the top left one with the balcony. It is decorated like Hawaii and even has a full beach and island mural... wonderful)

lv,
CH

Wedding Bells

2008-07-05T13:04:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone had a fun 4th!

So... my little sister is getting married in less than a month. Eeee!!! I am hosting a Co-Ed Fiesta Shower for her and her guy next weekend. (We are SO modern!) So, that will be fun.

Speaking of sisters getting married.... My sister-in-law and one of my BEST friends (as in we were friends BEFORE I even knew - and married- her brother) just got engaged!!! EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! We knew it was coming b/c they have been together for over three years and are obvs. in love, but I was still surprised. He asked her in front of Cinderella's Castle which was PERFECT. (You all don't know this yet, but my family and my hubby's family all have an unnatural and undying love of Disney. We have been more times than I can count... and I went there for my honeymoon along with the Disney Cruise and my sister is going there for hers, etc. It is something both our families have in common.) So, anyway. Wow! Congrats!!!! Now both my sisters are getting married. I mean, seriously? This is CRAZY awesome. So awesome, apparently, that I am writing a jumbled mess of a blog entry in my excitement. *breathing*

In other news, KH and I bought tennis supplies yesterday so that we don't have any excuses for not playing. I haven't played in for-ev-er, but I used to play varsity and it is the BEST workout. Even if I can no longer play worth anything, I will be developing a killer bod. Hurrah!

So, spastic entry over... I am going swimming.

lv,
CH

Ah, but for the love of a little black dress!

2008-07-03T18:59:00.006-05:00

Ho hum, the day isn't done but I have nothing to do. Scratch that. Nothing I want to do. *tapping fingers*

Okay, to regain the momentum of yesterday, let me formulate.

I need to:
Finish the laundry (bleh!)
Workout (meh)
Tidy up (whatevs)

Hmm... so I just re-ordered this:

Lovely, right? I had to re-order b/c I shrank it, something that hasn't happened to me in forever *annoying*. I had only worn it once (to an Eddie Izzard show -awesome- with adorable black peep toe kitten heels) and I LOVED it so I just sucked it up and got another one. You can't see the details, but it has tiny little black sequins at the top of it.

Wow, way for me to totally go off topic. Ah, but for the love of a little black dress!

Well, I am going to go do those list items... maybe. I mean, yes, right now. Ooooo, fun entry to come: My tech collection and accessories... in pink!

lv,
CH

Film Genre Themed Workout Months

2008-07-02T21:59:00.005-05:00

In the previous post you will read about my idea for a film genre themed workout month. I am trying to use movies to entice me to workout. Whenever I do a workout that allows me to watch TV at the same time (such as the elliptical), I will watch a movie in the genre I have picked for that month. Hopefully, I will be excited about the movies lined up for that month and it will encourage me to workout. In addition, I like seeing lists grow and that should aide as well. You can see the monthly progress/listings in my sidebar.

Hey, whatever works, right? :)

2008:
July - Super Hero / Action Adventure Month

August - Super Hero / Action Adventure Month Round 2

September - Pixar Month
9/10: Finding Nemo (1st Half)
9/14: Finding Nemo (2nd Half)
9/15: Toy Story (1st Half)
9/18: Toy Story (2nd Half)
9/18: Toy Story 2 (1st 3rd)
9/21: Toy Story 2 (last 2/3)
9/22: Monsters, Inc. (1st half)
9/23: Monsters, Inc. (2nd half)
9/24: Ratatouille (1st half)
9/25: Ratatouille (2nd half)
9/26: Ratatouille (extras)
9/27: A Bug's Life (1st Half)

October - Scary/ Halloween Month
10/29: The Others [Bonus Material]
10/28: The Others (2nd half)
10/27: The Others (1st half)
10/21: Corpse Bride (Extras)
10/21: Corpse Bride (2nd half)
10/20: Corpse Bride (1st half)

November - ALTERNATE PLAN
This month in lue of a film themed workout based diet plan, I am doing the Just-Until-Thanksgiving-Diet. Basically, I am being very, very strict on my food choices and portion sizes and trying to lose as much as I can (in a healthy way, of course!) by Thanksgiving. That way, I can really enjoy the holiday and even if I put on a pound or two, I am still ahead!

Done and Done

2008-07-02T15:55:00.005-05:00

Ooo, exciting! Two posts on this brand new blog in one day!

So I am feeling very productive and wanted to share. I have had two sets of repairmen at my house today taken care of stuff that needed to be taken care of , check. I have two loads of laundry going. [My most despised chore.] The house is fairly clean. I played with Jack Jack in his doggy pool for awhile which he has been wanting to do. [Jack Jack -actually, his name is Captain Jack Sparrow- is my amazing schnoodle, more about him in the future.] I finished my live stream testing with my 3 chip camera. I have this bad habit of pushing workouts until the very end of the day, but I am about to work out which means I will be done and showered before the hubby even gets home. *sigh* Feeling good. If it feels soooo good to be productive, why are we usually not? Hmmm....

I better go before I break the trend, get distracted, and "forget" to workout, but first! This month I have dedicated as Super Hero/ Adventurer Workout Month. What does this mean? It means that anytime I am working out on the elliptical, I will be watching a movie from one of those genres. Nothing gets the heart pumping like a sexy super hero. Mmmmm.... Oh, and you know, the workouts help too, whatever. :p So, you should join me in Super Hero/ Adventurer Workout Month!!! Woo!

Lv,
CH

Side Note: The spell checker actually suggested in place of "schnoodle" the word "schnozzle". You all HAVE to go here and click on the audio to hear the guy pronounce that for you.... and also hear "schnozzola". Holy crap, hilarious.

More [or Less]

2008-07-02T14:55:00.004-05:00

Hello all! Well, I have made changes and finally took the plunge. A new blog identity!! Not that you all know my old one...

I heart blogging, but I had to slowly filter my old one(s) and become more and more private until... well, there wasn't much left. Not cool. You see, I work in the entertainment industry. Don't get excited, I am not anyone famous, but I do know just enough people and just enough people know me that problems arose. (and some of those problems were very very creepy *shudder*)

I am not trying to hide or anything, that isn't possible, but I did want a semi-fresh go-around. Some of you know who I am (Like you! You do.) and some don't... so hi! I am me.

I am way too lazy at the moment, so I temporarily took this layout even though I prefer to construct my own. It is pretty though, right? All fresh and happy. I like it.

I need to wrap, so to conclude. Hi! =) I won't always talk about anything important and occasionally I may not talk at all, but just mind the grammar (I am college educated but my mind is far too active for me to notice mistakes. Apologies up front) and stop by and I will talk more (or less) about this or that for anyone (and no one).

lv,
CH