10 things I love about Fall!

Jennifer's topic for the week is to list the top 10 things I love about Fall...so here you go in no particular order..... 1. Football Season- everything Texas Tech and Dallas Cowboys 2. JEANS AND BOOTS 3. SWEATSHIRTS!! 4. Walks in the park, minus the heat.... 5. TEXAS STATE FAIR 6. Ava's excitement about her Halloween costume, this is a new one... 7. School starts for everyone. For us its MDO, but just the feeling of everyone being back on some sort of schedule...I love! 8. New T.V. Series and Premiers begin...my fav. Oprah(thats for you Avery)!heehee 9.Planning and Anticipating the holidays with my parents, brothers, sis-in-law, niece and nephew, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends... 10. Think we all agree about this, less AC, less watering...cheaper bills!! that was fun, thanks JEN!!!

My Hero's

My Mema- Louise McCall

My Granddad- E.N. (Shorty) McCall out on his ranch

Mema and Granddad

My Mom

My Dad

These are my HERO'S
I've turned to them for faith and wisdom and never been let down. They have supported me in each stage of my life from childhood to adulthood and from single college girl to married mommy girl. It sounds so cliche but I'm a better person because of these people!!!

Thanks Allyson for this topic!!

To My Mom!!!

Oh where do I start! This weeks topic is all about our mothers, Thanks Cyber-sister--Britta

I read this yesterday on a card...

"When she's not busy being my Mother, she makes a very good friend."

That is exactly how I feel about my MOM. When I was little, I turned to her only because she was my MOM and I depended on her. Then one day, I realized she was more than just a MOM, she was a FRIEND and I don't know what I'd do without her....for so many different reasons. She listens to my never ending Ava and Max brag sessions. She's always been supportive of my choices weather good or bad. She inspires my spirituality, not by saying but by doing. She a giver and helper to so many people, I hope they realize it comes straight from her heart. We've shared some really good times together and I look forward to the ones to come (road trip to Arizona in a week, babies in tow--to name a few).

Thanks for all you've done for me as a MOTHER and as my FRIEND.

Oh the good ole 80's

The 90's

2000

Topic of the Week-Pet Peeves...

Wow, I know I have many but only a few come to mind.....Pet Peeves of mine at the moment...

1} People who don't merge with traffic. You know the ones, they approach the highway from the service road and instead of speeding up to merge into traffic they slow down, turn on their blinker and pause...ughhhhhh so annoying. Especially here in DFW....

2} Bad Tippers. You knew that had to be one of mine, being in the industry for so long. These are my thoughts. If I get a 15% tip, I did a average to bad job. If I get a 20% tip or higher I rocked. And that's how I tip accordingly. But never less than 15% that's just bad bad bad.....

3} People who tear into the bags or cartons of food items, instead of opening them the proper way. Then your unable to close or seal the item correctly....so annoying. (this one is a new for me, like in the last 3 years...hummmmm wonder who's doing it...lol!!)

4} Rude People.....enough said......................

Topic of the Week- Favorite Books!

Another topic I'm way behind on with my Cyber-sisters is Favorite books. I've gotten back in to reading and I'm loving it. Back in the day when I was managing restaurant/working 55-60 hr. weeks I could never find the time. Being pregnant and a stay at home mom has allowed me to dive back in to a few great books....these are them!! Thanks Kerry!!!

1] One of the last books a read and HIGHLY RECOMMEND it:
The Innocent Man by John Grisham-
I couldn't put this book down, it was so good. I love non-fiction and biography books the most. This was John Grishams only non-fiction book and he said it would be his last. Check it out!!

Click on the book ya'll!!

2] East of Eden by John Steinbeck- By far my most favorite book. A classic that's a must read to me. Don't let the size of the book scare you, it's worth every bit of it!! Click on it ya'll!!!

3] To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee--You've all read this classic book right??? We read this my junior or senior year of high school and It's always been a favorite of mine. Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for this one...click there...

4] The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren- This book is the reason I left Rudy's, came to Dallas, met Matthias and now have 2 beautiful Bambino's!!! (Okay, not exactly....But...) I started reading this book while struggling with the idea of leaving a very comfortable place in my life to have more. It's about your purpose here on Earth and is such an easy read. If you can make it through the first 2-3 chapters, you'll finally figure out where it's going...and for me it just hit home. I'm rereading it right now!!! Click on the book....

Honorable Mentions:
The Lovely Bones-Alice Sebold
Million Little Pieces-James Frey
My Life in and Out of the Rough-John Daly

Most Embarrising Story-Topic from weeks ago!!!

O-kay, I'm making a run at it. I've been out of the loop for a few weeks with my Cyber-sisters and this my attempt to get caught up. Each week we pick a topic to blog about and this is a fun one. My most embarrassing moment. Thanks Ally!!!

1) This story is so much better live, b/c I have props and hand gestures and moves that go along with it. Remind me next time we're together!!!This is Beth........

Back in 1997 while living in Kansas City Mo. I went out with a few of my girlfriends to celebrate a birthday. At the time, satin pants we're really popular or should I say trendy. Paired with a nice thick sweater and some tall boots, I was ready to hit the town. As the night progressed we we're spending more and more time out on the dance floor. You know busting a move and doing the girlfriend circle dance. I did this squat like move and felt a rip. So, I grabbed my girlfriend Beth and into the bathroom we went. OH-MY-GAWD! My satin pants we're ripped from seam to seam down the back of my new satin pants. (The rear area, if you know what I"m saying) Beth told me to pull off my sweater off and tie it around my waist, but when I looked in the mirror, in a twisting motion I saw nothing....my sweater seemed to cover my bottom. "Super" I pulled her out of the bathroom and back on to the dance floor. By this time all the birthday shots and margaritas had kicked in so I was invisible.....YEAH RIGHT.
I lasted all night long and my girlfriends didn't really know noticed b/c they we're never behind me, but it was so obvious to everyone else who was watching the dance floor and behind me that my pants we're super ripped. 3 hours later we we're home and in bed. No biggie.

The next morning I woke up and started discussing the night with the girls and remembered that I had ripped my pants. So I went upstairs to see how bad they were.....NO WAY YOU GUYS not even funny......and I went 3 more hours on the dance floor and around the club....???? I put them on to see how bad it was and it was not pretty! OUCHHHHH! What's fun about it, is that people we're clearing the dance floor and it seemed to be just me and my girls out there.....I remember thinking "Wow we must be great dancers, they just want to watch us dance".....not even thinking they we're just laughing at me......

So embarrassing, I didn't step foot in that bar for the rest of the time I lived in KC. MO.
Oh, and I stopped drinking for a few weeks too....I still have the pants and pull them out ever so often when I see the girls!!
Lesson Learned: Always listen to your girlfriends clothing advice...

Honorable mention--
2} Asking a friend you haven't seen in 5 years when her baby is due, then to find out she's not even pregnant.....and she didn't even look fat, it was just her long flowing dress at a wedding....And, she was standing next to a guy friend who is expecting in Aug. So, I put a couple together that I knew in my head didn't go....UGHHHHH This night was horrible....
Lesson Learned:Never Ever ask if someones pregnant, even if you know they are, just to be on the safe side....

3} Fell down while working at Jazz in Lubbock with a tray full of drinks and hit my head on the side of the table, ending up under the table. Started crying to cover up my embarrassment. As soon as I got into the office, I died with laughter.....

Kenda and I at prom...she was my date, we went stag....

4} Fell down at my Senior Prom flat on my face right after going through the food line. Food went everywhere. Lessons Learned: Sometimes you fall, if possible do it with grace...

I'm sure there are many many more, but we'll stop there.....Thanks Allison, I'm feeling embarrassed all over again...LOL!!!

Top 5 things I would like to do in my Lifetime....

1.

Ich will lernen, wie Deutsch zu sprechen, deshalb kann ich besser mit meiner Schwiegermutter und anderen Freunden und Familie kommunizieren, wenn wir nach Deutschland reisen. Es ist wichtig für mich, den meine Kinder Deutsch und sprechen, den ich auch lernen muss...

What I said was....

I want to learn how to speak German, so I can communicate better with my mother-in-law and other friends and family when we travel to Germany. It's important to me that my children speak German and I need to learn too...

2.
I want to learn how to play golf. My husband is the biggest golf fan and always mentions me learning how to play so we can travel and play on some of his favorite golf courses around the USA and also around the world. I know its kinda his break away from everything and something for the guys to do together, but I still want to learn. I will probably start lessons this summer- Its on my very short list of things to do!!! Kenda, I have a great swing huh..lol....

3.
I want to travel to Spain, Ireland, Scotland, and Australia. I have friends who live in Scotland and Australia so hopefully this will happen sooner than later!!! There is for sure other places I want to travel to, but those are on the top of my list. Also a little more in depth through Italy...

4.
I want to move back to AUSTIN!! I miss being close to my brothers, sis-in-law, and my niece and nephews. I miss all my friends there. I miss the outdoor patio's at restaurants. I miss the hills, trees and water. I miss the Hula Hut. I miss the Greenbelt. I miss it ALL!!

5.
The most special thing I want to do in my lifetime is watch my babies grow-up. I can't wait to see their personalities develop into tweens, teens, young adults and adults. They are my most favorite thing in the whole wide world, and to watch them grow-up will be the coolest thing ever!!!

Loved this one Stacy!! I can think of a few others..dealing with $ and lbs, but those will always be on my list!! Thanks for the great topic!!

Topic of the Week- Favorite Things!!!

This weeks topic is our Top 5 favorite things. These are them at the moment, ask me again this summer and they'll be something different. Being prego's the last 10 months I haven't been to big into fashion, make-up, or anything like that. But, here are are few things I was into!!!

Half way thorough my pregnancy we got a DVR player (TIVO). Perfect for my sleepless nights!! I record everything these day's- The Real Orange County Housewives, Intervention, The Real World, The Office, Maui Fever, Dancelife, Oprah, Sesame Street, Dr. Phil, Dateline, on and on!! I LOVE IT, what a great invention!!


The FUJI apple!! I eat about 2 of these a day. The best apple on the market. You know what they say.

"An apple a day sends the Dr. away"





















Thanks to the girls at work I discovered this lip gloss, Beauty Rush made by Victoria Secrets. $5 a piece and so many flavors. My favorite's are grapefruit blast, piece of cake and pinked lemonade. Smells great, feels great and taste great....

I took a bunch of these over to the girls in Germany and they loved them too, who wouldn't!!!























I've become a hot tea drinker in the mornings. Matthias and his family started me on this one. Every morning in Germany we have our hot tea to get the morning started. Now Matthias and I do the same here. This is my favorite at the moment.... With a little honey, sugar and one ice cube...













LoveLoveLove the Netflixs!! We got rid of our HBO and just live on Netflixs. It's been a great way to catch up on series like- The Soprano's, The Entourage, The Office and other's

Topic of the Week(last week) Top 5 Favorite Movies!

I've had a hard time with this one, but here we go!! Thanks for the great topic Kendra, I didn't want to let you down..........

1. Grease- Are you kidding me. When this came out we played Grease(I never got to be Sandy...Tish down the block was always her, I was just another pink lady)... sang Grease, dreamed Grease, watched Grease on HBO every time it came out.

2. Beaches- Just something about this movie that I loved....the bond between friends and how it can get you through anything....Love it and the song, so reminds me of H.S.



3. Forrest Gump- Who wouldn't like this movie, "Run Forest Run" classic I love it. And I'm not a big "watch a movie more than once kinda girl, but I can this one"



4. Rain Man- Great performances by Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman...And again who wouldn't love Charlie Babbit....


5. I love love love Documentaries. One of my favorites was ENRON-The Smartest guys in the room. If you haven't seen this one you should. I didn't really follow the whole Enron story when it came out. This movie documents it to a tee, I learned everything about it. What a bunch of creeps!! Netflix this one for sure!!!

Honorable Mentions:
The Departed
The Queen
Goodfellas
Young Guns
Schindler's List

Topic of the Week- Favorite Pictures....

Another tough one, thanks Kenda. There is no way I could go through all my pictures but these are a few from the last couple of years that really bring back memories or tell a story.....so here...you...go....Great topic Monet!!!

This was on Ava's first day of school-Mother's Day Out. I had been having a tough time deciding if she needed to go or not, but knew deep down in my heart how much she would love it. I think I cried for a week trying to decide if Tues. and Th. 9-2 would be to much for her, ARE U KIDDING ME?? The moment I put her backpack on and drove her to school, I knew everything was gonna be alright. When I got her out of the car and started our walk up to the doors, she told me "Let's Go Mommy". To this day, it's the best thing I could have done for her...she loves it so much!!!

I think Kenda took this picture at a "Jazz Girl Reunion" in Austin one year. It just brings back so many memories of being out on Lake Austin during the summers. My great friend Rochelle lived out on the lake and we spent many a days out on Lake Austin in her boat, many a afternoons drinking margarita's out on the deck at Hula Hut, and many of nights out on her deck cooking out and drinking wine. This picture is of Fresh(Chirsty) and I on Rochelle's boat tooting around on the lake. So refreshing and easy going, I love it...Those we're the good ole' days for sure!!!

Aghhh this one makes me tear up when I see it. We had just delivered Ava Louise and the nurse snatched the camera and said, "Smile". If you look at Matthias's eye's you can tell the emotions this new Daddy must have been feeling.....really a unforgettable moment....I love it!! May be a little to much for some to view...but hey, its part of life, how else are you suppose to get em out..heehee!!

Another one I love because of the emotions of it all. After our wedding and after all the pictures we're taken, we we're on our way to the reception. As we walked out of St. Elizabeth's to go get in my Grand Jeep Cherokee, low and behold a horse drawn carriage was there waiting for us. I was so surprised. My Mom set the whole thing up....and it was such a sweet surprise...just for the two of us.....My face says it all!!!

My all time favorite. Not only for the simple fact that my Mema is in it but, because of the story behind it... My mom and Aunt Brenda brought my 89 year old Mema down to see her 6th Great Grand-baby. The stayed a few days and it was so awesome to have them all together at my house. This picture was our 3rd Generation picture and Ava was sound asleep. My Aunt Brenda gave us the count down before snapping the picture. 1, 2--and on 3 Ava let out the biggest toot, it shook my Mema's hand. On 3 she also snapped the picture which captured all the laughter....it was great...again the picture says it all!!

Thanks for a great topic Kenda!!

Friday Topic!!

Here is the topic of the week, Thanks to my good ole' Buddie Jennifer!! There have been some tough topics in the past few weeks, but this one tops them all. I was up at 1:45am last night trying to figure it all out. Here we go!!!

My Top 5 All Time Favorite Songs and Why- Jennifer Adling

Beth by KISS!! Listen here

This song came out in 1976- I was 5 years old. I’m not sure what year I fell in love with it, but it was for sure introduced to me by my rocking brothers. Chris and Kerry and a few other boys on Adrian Street would dress up like KISS and put on a show. I’m talking full make-up and tennis rackets and all out in the garage. My little girlfriends and I would be their groupies, singing and clapping after every karaoke song. It was so much fun, I had the biggest crush on Paul Stanley.

The KISS Dynasty tour was my first concert EVER it was Halloween of 1979 I was 8 years old. I Was Made For Lovin’ You was the most popular song from this album…This for sure started my love for some good ole Rock-n-Roll!!!

Dreams by Van Halen
Listen Here
This song came out in 1986. 5150 the whole album rocks!! Some of the best days of my life-High School, if you asked me if I'd go back...IN A SECOND!! This song reminds me of everyone getting their drivers license and us cruising downtown and on all the back roads of Slaton. Mostly when I hear Van Halen I think of Kurt Vickers the most, not really sure why. Maybe we listened to it the most in his CAMARO!!! Really anytime I hear Van Halen it takes me back. Dreams is just my all time favorite Van Halen.

Round Here by Counting Crows
Listen here: This song came out in 1993. I moved all alone to a brand new city-AUSTIN, TEXAS...and it changed everything about me. No more BIG bows, No more make-up, No more wind shorts, tons of independence and brand new friends. Got a job at Jazz on 6th Street and soon moved into a big house with about 7-10 of my co-workers. "The Eastside" house we would call it. Jazz on 6th street in those days was the place to be. The clientele were all regulars the music was always great, and it was always packed. We all worked hard together at Jazz making plenty of money to blow once we we're off and out on 6th street. The Album got played a lot at our house late nights and this song reminds me of those days....Would I go back??? IN A SECOND!!!

California Love by Tupac and Dr. Dre
Listen here:
This song came out in 1996. When my love for Rap/Hip Hop begun. I just moved back to Lubbock to finish school at Texas Tech. Transferred to Jazz from Austin and met a whole new group of people. Now my life is filled with these girls...the ever so famous, "Jazz Girls". It was really the kitchen guys that brought out the rap/hip hop in all of us!! Thanks Poo, Quincy, Big Mike and Ken!! We started everyday at Jazz with some California Love....also some Notorious B-I-G...
The guys would change the lyrics (or was that Alma and Janet) to-"In the citaaaaay........City of Lubbock, we keep it rockin, we keep it rockin"


North Dakota by Lyle Lovett

This song came out in 1992, but I fell in love more with the live version in 1999. Lyle sang it with Ricky Lee Jones. My sister in law and brother really turned me on to Lyle Lovett. I had just moved back to Austin from Denver. It totally reminds me of Austin right before I met Matthias. Going to the Lake, hanging with the girls...etc. Played this CD over and over. This song is so beautiful and peaceful.....and the Cd is amazing if you don't have go get it LIVE IN TEXAS by Lyle Lovett.


This weeks topic has been a challenge, I needed it to be more like your top 10 songs. I found my self going more for my favorite artist at times and not my favorite songs, so it was hard. Music has always been a big part of who I am. Growing up there was always music in our house. And when I moved to Austin I discovered how much I loved watching live music, we spent most of our nights going to live shows. Then, when I lived in Denver I opened and worked at the Fillmore Auditorium, got to see 2-4 concerts a week. I was on a roll for a while, we'll have to pick back up once these babies get a little older!!

Honorable Mention....
Crash Into Me by Dave Matthews
Listen here
This song came out in 1996. I first fell in love with Dave in Austin seeing him for the first time in 1993 with Blues Travelers. I listened to alot of Dave Matthews in the 90's...ALOT. This song reminds me of the "Good Times in the 90's"!!!
Angel by Sarah Mclachlan
Listen here
This song came out in 1997. Most of you might remember it from the movie City of Angels. I just love this song and mostly love singing it at the top of my lungs in my car on long road trips(usually by myself). To be honest with you I love EVERYTHING SARAH!! I Will Remember You, Ice Cream, Mary, I Will Not Forget You, Everything off her Surfacing CD, and many others. SOS turned me on to Sarah in 1996 right as I was about to graduate from Texas Tech. After graduation I moved to Kansas City and made many road trips back and forth I would listen to this CD and this song over and over.(kinda like kendra spoke about)
Matthias asked me one day way back in the beginning, "If you could be and do anything in the world what would it be...My answer..........Back up singer for Sarah Mclachlan, not Sarah, just her back up singer........We laugh about that all the time. But I'm not kidding!!!

Friday Topic-Top 5 Favortie Quotes

So, a group of my blogging friends have a topic every week that we blog about.
This week's topic is......

Top 5 Favorite Quotes and what they mean to you!
Doesn't matter if they are quotes from a movie, a song, a
famous person, etc. etc.--Courtney

1. "Don't be afraid to be Great"
You've probably seen this before on my emails. My all time favorite Quote, which I saw in an Oprah magazine right when I was making the change from Rudy's management to Pei Wei management training. It stuck with me b/c I was going from the known to the unknown. I made the right decision and even though I'm no longer with Pei Wei my biggest dreams came true...Matthias, Ava and Max....
Don't be afraid to be Great, in whatever you do!!

2. "Physical health is not a commodity to be bargained for. Nor can it be swallowed in the form of drugs and pills. It has to be earned through sweat."
Found this quote a few years back in a Health and Fitness magazine, ripped it out and saved it. Totally sums it up!!
For me to be in great physical and mental shape I have to be sweating it out at the gym. No other option, I'm happiest in my life when this is going on....
Physical health has to be earned its not just given to you.

3. "If you live like no one else, Later you can live like no one else"-
Dave Ramsey's Motto
Dave Ramsey is someone I've turned to for financial advice a lot. He has books and radio show etc. He's AWESOME and his teachings are really easy to follow, especially if you've never thought about your financial future.
"It's my way of reminding you that if you will make the sacrifices now that most people aren't willing to make, later on you will be able to live as those folks will never be able to live."

4. "It is easier to stay out than it is to get out- Mark Twain
Amen to this one!!
Whatever it may be, just not doing it and saying no, is a lot easier than suffering and trying to pull yourself out it.
It says it all!!!!
Goes along great for me with #3...

5.
For my final ones I turn to my favorite TV Show at the moment--The Office. Every week I try to remember some of the crazy things they say because its usually soooo off the wall and absolutely hilarious. If your not watching The Office you need to be.
From Last nights show: To understand these you probably have to have seen the episode but oh well here we go!!
"Sacred Secrets Are No Fun, Sacred Secrets Hurt Someone"
"And no matter what I will always Love you," "Unless he's a murderer"
"You wearing a Thong?"
"I'm sure you have a boyfriend in prison or something"

6.Really my friends and I have some of the best...but I have no brain power to remember them at the moment...
My own personal quote.
"We cheered our Asses off...."
After a battle on the football field against the Post Antelopes my senior year. We won and I was serious when I said it, but it has been something we've laughed about over the years....

Thanks Courtney for a great Weekly Topic, it's been fun!!!