Girl's Night Out :: CHD Style

Friday evening Gabbi & I hit the town.  We dined with a few of my friends Brandi & Steffanie at BJs.  We all ate & had a few drinks…well I had one….my What a Peach.  It wound up being a bit on the strong side and since I was being the smart DD, I in no way drank the entire thing.  My Parmesan Crusted Chicken breast was delish, it’s relatively healthy and my neighbor hooked me when she went out with us last year – which was my last time at BJ’s.

Gabbi & I said goodbye to the girls and made our way to the Library.  The running joke in my family always pertains to this particular drinking establishment.  Dad has always said he expects the Roomie & I to go to the Library when we need to.  He makes sure to make the comment that he means the one with books.  …well Dad, this Library has books too!

Gabbi said this was her favorite of all the pubs we hopped.  Could’ve been the crazy people we were surrounded by…the crazy conversations we heard….or the things we witnessed.  We sat at the bar instead of the tables and heard some of the craziest conversations about male strippers, shots, tattoos, and beer.  Even coming from the guy sitting next to us : we needed to branch out our alcohol taste.  I had the typical Framboise.  It was super yummy…while Gabbi proceeded to try a majority of the Light House Beers.  Some were suggestions from the guy sitting next to us who had an incredible amount of art work on his arms that we both found mesmerizing.

On a few funny notes, Gabbi & I both wore pants on our night out.  No way was I opting for a dress.  We both would feel this air from under the bar, sort of like some one had turned on the A/C.  After a few episodes of this Gabbi turns to me and says do you feel that, just wanted to make sure I’m not imagining things.  I said yes and a few moments later the door to the Library opens and in comes the A/C air that we had been feeling.  This entire time, the door was creating this A/C feeling under the bar.  We’re a bit loony.

the Guys at the Library taking some random shot with Pineapple Juice or Red Bull…something funky…I had never seen it before and didn’t want to even attempt to try it.

All of their shots lined up along the bar.  The guy in the white hat laughed when I took his picture – I told him he was going on my blog…sure he thought I was crazy after that.

My drink of choice at the Library : Framboise – it’s ahhhmazing

Me & Gabbi at the Library…this was the 3rd “take” ….still at the Library

Finally after the crowd died down at the Library we headed to my favorite place.  The Mont. Yeah Buddy!  We went directly to the bar and ordered our drinks.  Found a table next to a lot of older ladies and their husbands and people watched.  One of the ladies next to us asked me what my drink was called.  Any guesses on what I got?  It’s BLUE.

My famous Blue Hawaiian drink : the photo I took makes the drink look white & it just didn’t do the drink enough justice, but it’s blue like the Blue Lagoon…yes, that kind of blue.

After I told the ladies what I ordered they tried to order them from the bar, but were turned away and told to order from their waitress.  I said that’s the way I ordered mine, through the bartender.  The ladies said something along the lines if my rack still looked like it did in my twenties I could do anything.  As I was wearing a super low cut shirt – I used a safety pin to pin my bra to my shirt so it wouldn’t go any lower. Oh yes, genius idea of the night.  Finally the waitress came over & took the drink orders for the Blue Hawaiian, when the drinks came for them I think they discovered just how delicious it really is.

When a spot opened up we moved to the bar and we chatted up the bartenders.  I think my chatting did some good, cause I wound up ordering a shot and got one free and of course I had to make Gabbi take the other one.  Ahhh, good shot taking times.  My drinks finally came to a close around 1am and I drank water from then on out.  Gabbi kept with her Bud Light drinking and we chatted about all the crazy things we did growing up, including some I believe I suppressed from my memory.

No idea what’s in them – but they’re Kamikaze’s. It’s the only shot I’ll do that a.won’t burn as it goes down & b.won’t feel like it has to come up later on.

very very empty Kamikaze’s, my shot of choice and yes :: I did both of them

We wound out staying out til’ very very late….or very very early.  It’s all how you look at it.  I have never in my life had this much fun on 2.5 drinks in 8 hours – really.  Gabbi & I plan on doing this whenever she comes to town, which won’t be as often as some of you might think.

the Weekend Jumpstart

Calculus turned out great.  I think I did really well on the test, I knew all the info and what to do with all the numbers, so hopefully I can keep this up and work towards my A or B in this class.  I really want an A, but I’ll settle for a B too.  Just have to see how tough it gets, I’ve never been too fond of math – ever. …but somehow I picked Accounting as one of my majors.  Yep, I’ve lost my mind.

It’s so close to the weekend – I can almost taste it. …actually I can almost taste the What a Peach drinks, Blue Hawaiian drinks, and of course the Framboise.  I’ve got a million places to run, a test to take, and a house to finish cleaning.  Lordy, Lordy what have I gotten myself into?  I feel like I’m being pulled in a million different directions.Hopefully everything will calm back down come Sunday.  Calm would make me a very happy person…although I am in NO WAY looking forward to Sunday, being that it’s Valentines Day & I have nothing to do….  I will probably tackle homework for next week and crack open a bottle of Framboise.  Yep, that’s exactly what I’m going to do!  Homework & Framboise…what a way to spend Valentines Day.

What’s your drink of choice?

Why I'm Lookin' Forward to Saturday…

I have gone to the LifeLine Party off & on for the past 25 years….25.  That’s an insane number.  I’ve met some new friends in all the years I’ve gone to this event and I’ve even hung out with some old ones, well old as in my age. We’re considered old to the Congenital Heart Defect world.  25 is the new old, marvelous.  I have on friend in particular that I have taken a photo with every year we both went for the past 25 years, the oldest one I know of is around the time we were 1, before I had any type of thoracic surgery.

My friend is now married & living super far away from me – it took some getting used to with her being far away, but I’ve managed.  At first I wasn’t sure what I was going to do since she wasn’t going to be close anymore, but I’ve adjusted and have done just fine with her being gone away from our college town.

Must've Lost My Mind

On Friday I will be playing host to my amazing CHD friends.  We’re all going to the Valentine’s Party on Saturday & it’s in Norman, so the question was asked; Why not have a girls night at my house?!  Friday is sure to be fun.  I can’t wait.  My partner is crime is coming in early Friday afternoon.  I haven’t seen her in almost 6 years.  Trouble & Double Trouble will once again unite – Norman better watch out!  Shannon is driving in after she gets off work & Helen is tagging along.  Both my camera & Flip are charging and are ready for Friday & Saturday.

We’re all going out Friday evening – no clubs or bars for us ya’ll.  BJs for dinner because neither one of the girls has ever tried What a Peach and we all know, I must break that spell.  Then I will be taking them to try The Mont & The Library. I am not having a drink at all these places, just one drink for me & that will be at The Mont.

Gabbi made a comment earlier tonight about how we used to go to this CHD party every year growing up and now, we’re having a girls night before the party the next day – we must really be grown now.  You know, I do wonder if anyone thought we’d make it to our mid-20′s growing up….crap….mid-twenties….I am seriously going to lose my mind.  Now, I just have to make it through the week & I’ll be home free.  I’m sooooo ready to see these girls.

Loony Bin : Comedy Club

I made it home by 3am. That’s what counts, right?

I had a fun time with my friends at the Comedy Club. I had no idea what to expect, but I had a lot of fun & hope that we can get together and go again another time.

For your viewing pleasure. The video isn’t that great, but be forewarned that the jokes from this comedian are sort of raunchy and well, you’re warned.

Missed the Super Bowl : I'm Still Tired

I am not watching the Super Bowl this evening.  Instead I decided to sleep.  Sleep I think, I very much needed. 3 naps which totaled a whopping 6 hours.  Can you say exhausted?  I have a feeling this weekend is going to be just as exhausting, if not more.

Gabbi is coming in on Friday.  Shannon is coming in on Saturday.  You can bet Friday will be spent catching up with a friend I haven’t seen in 5 years, my partner in crime.  We did things, non-illegal things, that got us nicknamed.  Nicknamed : Trouble & Double Trouble.  Care to guess who was Double Trouble? Our plan is to hit up BJs.  Gabbi has never had a What a Peach and I need to start her addiction to that drink.  Then it’s either The Mont or The Library.  I’m letting her choose; mixed or frozen.  That is the deciding factor between those two places.

Shannon is coming Saturday during the day & bringing Helen : the crazy Cocker Spaniel.  Shannon & I have been through a lot together.  She recently got married & her husband deployed overseas.  I am hoping  I can talk her into seeing a movie with me.  It’s a tossup between the Valentine’s Day movie coming out or Dear John.

Hopefully I can keep my sanity this weekend, there is a lot to get done between now & then.

The Loony Bin

….no I swear I’m not being committed.  I’m going to the Looney Bin Comedy Club in OKC on Saturday.

A friend of mine is turning 26 & I’m going to help him celebrate on Saturday.  Hopefully I can talk him into letting me know how turning 26 goes, since it’s the next number on my list.  I have never in my life been to a comedy club, so this should be an interesting and fun experience.  His girlfriend is a really good friend of mine & it’s a great chance for all of us girls to get together….even if the guys are included.

I’ll be seeing this guy – Kevin Bozeman.  He looks good, so we’ll see.  I’m taking my camera with me, so look for an update on Sunday.  Can’t wait to see everyone, I haven’t seen all of my friends since the night before I left for NYC.  I’ve seen the girls, just not everyone.  I’m excited & can’t wait to get out of the house – it’s been awhile.

Kevin Bozeman – Student Loans


Wordless Wednesday : 2002 Tecumseh Dance Recital

I danced, for many many years.  So many in fact that I did some major ankle damage just before my 2003 recital.  How did I know that a year from these pictures I would be done dancing? ….or that I would take a major spill during a dance in my 2003 recital…. Never saw that one coming.

“Take It To the House”
Finale
“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”
“The Way You Make Me Feel”

Science Camp :: Not Just for Geeks

Growing up I was the weird kid.  Honestly.  I loved Science.  I even took extra Science classes in High School, just because I enjoyed them.  While my classmates were taking easy classes Senior Year, I was enrolled in Anatomy & Physiology, more so Physiology.  Everyone thought I was crazy for doing so, but I didn’t care – that’s how much I looooved Science, and still do!

While my friends were off on their summer vacations I applied for several summer Science Camps.  You heard me, Science Camp.  There were actual applications – almost like a college application.  Since my Science GPA was through the rough, I got into every single camp I applied for.  Which meant I had camps to turn down. Sadness.

I remember doing 2 or 3 one year and 2 or 3 the next.  During one of these camps at OSU, we were able to use an Electron Microscope, get Honey Bees Drunk, put together an actual Human Brain, go Crow Sighting (that wasn’t fun), stay up as late as we wanted, and basically have free reign as campers of an entire dorm room floor.  Needless to say, it was an enjoyable experience.

______________________________________________________________________
The other Science Camp that I have photos of is from OCU.  Now, this was a fun camp.  Not only did it get me out of the house for 2wks, but I also made my first trip to Colorado in July.  This camp was over the land and rocks…snore!  It was okay, not really my favorite, but I had fun.  I realized I did not want to be a geologist.

Flashback Friday :: Senior Year, Teenage Mutant Ninja Seniors



Some of my graduating class.  We were scattered all throughout the stadium.  I chose to sit in the stands and snap photos with my old school SLR.  Oh yes, I had an actual SLR camera my Senior year of high school.  I completely love that camera, although I’m not a film user any more.  The new Canon DSLR  is currently on my wishlist, hopefully I can talk someone into getting it for me soon.  Just have to think of a major milestone to cross to get it.

I always enjoyed Homecoming and working on floats for school.  It’s definitely something I miss about high school.  Although, I’m sure glad that I’m out of high school.  Man oh man are these days long gone.  I wish I had taken the time to sit back and enjoy these carefree days.  Although, I can’t go back; I’ve got plenty of pictures from my Secondary classes and if you’re lucky I just might break out more of them later on down the road.

Blast from the Past :: 14 years of Camp Cavett

A few of my friends asked if I had some pictures of us in JR high and Camp Cavett from long ago.  I told them yes and to give me a few days to see what I could scrounge up.  I’ve been looking through them today and can’t believe some of the outrageous hair styles and colors I had.  I can’t believe my mother let me do some of it, but to give her credit, she normally didn’t know I had done or was doing anything to my hair until after the fact.  Lord, I hope that doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass – but I’m sure it will.

I’m glad my mother & Nanny taught me how to use a camera when I was a kid.  If they hadn’t…I wouldn’t have photos of all the huge Striper’s I caught at Camp Cavett….the pink hair I sported on more than one occasion…the mud fights…OU Football Players…friends before they passed away…and all the crazy & fun time few & far between.

Here are just a few snapshots over the past 14 years at Camp Cavett.  I’m thankful to have these memories down on paper.

Tori opening gifts the last night of camp 2002.

Of course we all have our fish stories.  Mostly they’re the ones of “the one who got away”, which resulted in a broken pole.  That’s mine & Gabbi’s story and we’re sticking to it.  Just like how a 10lb. Striper pulled us both in the water one year.  I think it was something like I caught it and Gabbi tried to save me and grabbed me and we both went in.  The fish got away and so did the pole.  Yes, that was our wild story we told Danny when we came back with our guide sopping wet.  It still makes me laugh remembering that story, like so many of the ones I have do.

One of my favorite photos.  It was just a day camp this year.  You see, Camp Cavett is run on donations and funds it raises throughout the year so that the kids don’t have to pay to go to the camp.  This particular year, Camp Cavett  didn’t raise enough funds to be able to put in a week long camp, so we had a day camp.  It was still fun.  Exhausting, oh so exhausting but fun!

the Recap of 2009

I accomplished so much in 2009.  It’s crazy at how many trips I took and the places I got to see.  So, to recap at the events that took place in 2009….here’s the rundown.

The Backyard slowly turned into something fantastic.

I graffitied someone’s yard.

I found a love for Framboise

I bought a Netbook with Ubuntu Linux (and named him Gizmo)

Norman was hit by a Tornado

I met Kevin Costner.  He’s dreamy.

I danced as an ALUM in the Tecumseh Dance Recital (don’t even get me started on being an alum, I realize I’m old)

Ate at Grey’s Papaya in NYC

The Boys met Papaw & Delilah

Roomie & I drove to Florida all by ourselves (actually she drove).  It was the best vacation I’ve taken in awhile.

Re-did my Bathroom & Bedroom.

Mom, Dad & I visited New York City for 2 weeks.  It was probably the highlight to my year….well the first 3.5 days were.

Attended my first Yankee’s Game.

Drank Pina Coladas with my feet in the sand.

Caught the Subway.

Met Ree Drummond.

NB was finally out of the picture.

Went Parasailing.

Saw my first Oklahoma Blizzard…14.1 inches of snow dumped in Norman on 12/24…amazing.

Walked through Central Park with Mom & Dad.

Baby Brother Graduated!

Flew in a Private Jet with Mom & Dad.

Set foot on Staten Island.

Made some amazing friends.

Bought my Sony Vaio – it’s awesome – her name is Petunia.

Drove to Minnesota with Mom & Dad.

Celebrated turning 25 with the best friends a girl could have.

There is soooo much more I did & things I saw that I honestly can’t think of them right now.  2009 was a great year and I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for me.  Hopefully the years will only get better from here…even if I do stay 25 for forever.

GNO :: Girls Night Out

I have had more fun in this past week than I have all year.  I had a few dates and even took the neighbor out on a Girls Night Out.

BJs was amazing.  The Parmesean Crusted Chicken was mmmmm good.  Even with a What a Peach it was still amazing, both were amazing.  I love that drink and I’m sooo happy Roomie suggested it, which actually….my neighbor suggested it, Roomie tried it (loved it), and then recommended it to me.

We did head to the Mont to enjoy a fun filled atmosphere.  Blue Hawaiian drinks are all the rage between Roomie & I.  They’re much like Daiquiri’s, but are blue, taste like coconut & have more rum.
Everyone turned in by 11ish, well before any more fun could be had.

Serious.life Magazine

Serious.Life Magazine

During Christmas Break I disovered something from My Charming Kids {since Roomie & I did nothing but read blogs during this time}.   Anways, this blog Riggs Family Blog really peaked my interest.   After skimming through it and reading I discovered this family was from the Norman area.  I glanced at other photos and realized, hey, this family goes to a church just up the street from my house.   As it turns out Abby is battling Cancer & has been in & out of Children’s Hospital, so this family knows a majority of the same people I do from my involvement with the hospital & Camp Cavett.

So, I started reading this magazine.   I’m getting more familiar with Norman now and it’s much like the magazine that Back 40 produces in Shawnee, I just don’t know any of the people in Norman.

Agendas

It’s 10:30 and I should be getting ready for school.  Instead today, while it’s all chilly outside; I will put on my OU beanie (yes, I said beanie), OU hoodie, and jogging pants.  Not to go jogging, but to go to school.   It may not be the desireable choice, but hey I’m a college student everyone should be happy that at least I woke up on my own without the help of an alarm after a weekend of sleeping on the couch.

Ellie most certainly did not keep me awake all night barking.   I even think I called her by Roomie’s name at one point this morning while she was barking.   She is now currently napping on the couch in the warm spot that I left.  How is that fair?

On the agenda for today Roomie & I will be taking on painting the garage door.   It needs another coat of paint especially after the incident that happened Halloween Night that involved the trash can, Roomie dying for a coke and not having boxers on, and finally the garage door smacking the trash can because Roomie didn’t bother to look out in the garage to make sure nothing was in the way of the garage going down. Hopefully she will start wearing boxers now :)

Roomie & I will also be venturing out (along with mom) to go to the Black Friday shopping.   I would much rather do my shopping online (and I will).   I have a few things I’d like to pick up.

  • iPod docking station
  • micro SD card for my Blackjack II

It’s not a lot, but it’s all electronics.   I already bought my new camera.  It’s a FujiFilm J150w.   I can’t to get this puppy in the mail.   I just hope it comes before Thanksgiving, so I can try out the functions.

Now, I’m really off to school.  Accounting here I come!

The Joys of Garage Sales & Funny Stories

I’m ready for the weekend to be OVER.  I have had fun, but I’m ready to get back to the books & be done with the garage sale.

I must say, this has been an interesting experience.  I have sold more BBW (Bath & Body Works) products than I ever could have imagined at a garage sale & I love it!  Roomie & I have taken 6 large Rubbermaid containers FULL of this stuff and have sold 2.5 boxes worth!!  Hopefully it will all disappear tomorrow during the rest of the day.  We actually have some serious buyers so I’m looking forward to seeing what we get out of all of it in the end.

We’ve also enlisted the help of our AMAZING and WONDERFUL neighbor girl Ann.  Both her & her husband are family to us & have included us in a few outings.  She has contributed tons of things for the sale as well as her friends too.

This experience has been quite the unique one.

We opened around 7AM, with our first customer around 7:15ish and then they really started flowing in around 8AM.  We had a lady who I assume lived somewhere close to us stop by.  Upon approaching the garage & me she looked at me and said I think you have dog poop in your yard.  Very taken aback, I said “No, I don’t think so”.  I KNOW there wouldn’t be any dog poop, I inspect the yard on a DAILY basis, so no – there wasn’t any dog poop.  Then I said we’ll it might be Roomie’s popcorn (she burnt it).  That lady edged closer to the garage & told Roomie  her popcorn smelt horrible!  I thought I was going to die.  She was very rude to Roomie & her popcorn and she let us know that she didn’t like it one bit.  (It’s OUR house and we can do what WE want, so she has no right telling us what to do.)  Then she glances at the enormous collection of all the BBW products lined up against the wall and says how did you get all of this.  Roomie & I answer “We used to work there.”  Then the smarta** lady turns to both of us and says, “So, what did you do, steal it?”  I was livid, Roomie was livid & poor Ann was livid.  We seriously should have kicked her tail out of the sale, but didn’t.  (She spent $1 all the while mocking us and what we had for sale.)

The next thing that happened was the crazy Mexican parade.  A car pulled up to the curb & 5 Mexicans hopped out just as fast as they could out of the 5 seater small compact car and bolted for everything cheap in sight.  One guy bought beach towels, another a TV, and a bag, and I have no idea what else.  We had to hold the TV until the guys got off work (3PM) so they could come pick it up.  When they came back to get the TV, well they shopped some more!!  I wound up selling both of my fish aquariums (complete WITH FISH & WATER) to one of the guys.  Oh & they’re coming back tomorrow to look at baby clothes…this should be fun.

Now, all I have left to take care of is Ellie & our house is looking less cluttered and more like an actual house.  We’re working on making it look chicish and doing the “in style” things with it.

Hopefully I will have more to update about tomorrow and the progress that was made.

Wedding Attire

We have a few minutes before we leave, so I figured I’d post what I’m wearing.  I absolutely am loving how long my hair is these days.  Although my bottle job is a shade darker than I’d prefer, it’ll wash out (semi-permanent) and be more like my natural in a week or so.

The shoes are more so because when I was younger I loved my cousin Kandi’s shoes.  I didn’t have a fetish I just loved high heels and being taller (I’m a tiny bit over 4 “10).  I wore heels constantly my freshman year of college and these days its just flip flops and tennis shoes.  But, I made an exception for today.  These are my “break your neck” shoes…only worn 3 times…and I’ve owned them 3 years.

A Wedding, Sunburn & Lots of Organizing

Roomie & I are road tripping it to Shawnee tonight.  We’re going to a wedding and leaving Ellie here.  This should be fun.  With an open bar at the reception, I’m almost positive that Roomie will find humor in some things that will happen tonight.

I did mow yesterday morning and thought that I’d get a touch of sun so that I wouldn’t be reflecting the light with all my whiteness.  Well instead of a little bit of brown, I wound up with a full out burn.  It doesn’t look that bad, just like a medium rare steak.  Oh well, thats what I get for doing all the yard work – mowing, weed eating & edging.  Plus I watered & cleaned up the front & back yards (with the help of Roomie).  I must say our yard does look nice.

We have both been organizing like crazy.  Ellie has a “station” for all of her bathing supplies, leashes & treats in our garage.  It’s pretty nifty once everything is in it’s little place.  The laundry really hasn’t been piling up, but could you tell me why we do 3-4 loads a day and there is still laundry that hasn’t been done?!  I blame the child AKA Ellie ;)

We may try and get some more things up on the walls later this week.  Keep in mind, everything is tacked with a push pin – there are NO nails in our walls!  So, as you’re gazing at Roomie site and see that big ole’ picture of poppies, it’s hung with push pins!

I Have Fans?!

I was told I need to update more…does that mean I have a bunch of cheering fans devoted to reading my blog now?

Cause I think this ….

….would be awesome!

How’s this for starters…I was at work til’ 11 last night (in Norman).    Yes, it wasn’t the best situation, but I finished it and to top things off I got to come in late today and leave early.   I was a happy camper!   I’ll be working this Saturday and Sunday and then off to Moore for, well for forever.  Roomie took my old position at Norman and I transferred to Moore.  I’m thrilled for her because I think she’ll like it. It’s a change in pace for her and I’ll know she’ll rock that job.

I’ve got tomorrow off, so I’ll be studying, cleaning out my car, running things to Norman Regional, and getting my hair done.   I have a busy day ahead of me and a bit of studying to do tonight.

On the hair thing, I’m going with caramel and red tones.   I’m excited, I finally get to have someone “do” my hair, it’s been 5 years since I let someone dye my hair…yes, Nicole – I’ll post pictures for you to see.

It's Almost Time for School

Roomie has started school already. Yippee!  She’s going to be BUSY this week and I’m going to be here for “moral” support.

I had a BLAST tonight.  Our friend from BBW came over for dinner, it was the BEST.  Roomie and I got salad dressing from Olive Garden and made salad, bread and spaghetti.  Definitely was the best dinner in forever.

I’m loving the BBW sale this year.  We’ve gotten into Ebay and it’s our “new” thing.  I absolutely love selling stuff on there.  Not up to a whole lot this week, just have done a bit of relaxing and cleaning up the house from our visitors we’ve had Christmas Break.