Houston Part 2 - Sunday to Tuesday

SUNDAY -
After sleeping in I had some cinnamon patries with Sarah and Rose. We began cooking for an early Thanksgiving with her in-laws and brother + his family. It seemed as though we cooked non-stop until we ate around 2pm. I was the pie and cake baker. I made two cheesecakes, a pumpkin and a red velvet cake. The in-laws (Sue and husband) were the first to show along with Barton's grandson, who works for Haliburton. Shortly thereafter, Sarah's brother came with wife and their two kids. For dinner, we had a smoked duck, turkey, stuffing/gravy, ambrosia, rolls, cranberry stuff and of course the desserts. OMIGAWD. So much food. I think we could have served another 10 people. After dinner, we hung out at the house. I think we were too full to do anything else.

Brett's dog of 13 years had died a few weeks earlier and he wanted to get another dog. A boxer rescue shelter had one that they saw and liked, but had given it away before they could go back and get it. Still, Brett was undeterred. The woman at the shelter had a few more that might need homes....

MONDAY -
We ate lunch at a nice, big TEXAS BBQ Buffet! It was pretty good. We did some errands and also worked on setting up curtains in the kitchen. We also saw some of the model homes like the house Sarah lives in. They are all HUGE (like everything in Texas.) Though there were a few single story plans, none of them were smaller than a three bedroom, three bath. They all had breakfast nooks, formal dining rooms and dens. Some had nice, big backyards. All had attached garages and decent front yards. Whew. And to think, I could get one of those for $178k! In Los Angeles, you couldn't even find something at that price in the worst neighborhoods. Now that its been a week since I was there, my brain is a little foggy. Nothing with the potential boxer, though there was a potential to get one during the week.


TUESDAY -
We lounged around the house, did a few more errands. By noon, Brett had called the woman at the dog shelter probably about 5 times about getting the dog. He was bothered that she hadn't called him back. He REALLY wanted to get the dog this night. Sarah and I were having a bunch of ladies over for an adult novelty party and thought having a new dog wouldn't be a great idea. Brett was convinced that the dog wouldn't be a problem. Sarah was convinced that it just wasn't a good idea. When the woman called back, Sarah was able to pursuade her to let them come on Wednesday morning ("7am!" Insisted Brett) to get the dog. She agreed. Sarah and I got the house ready for the party.

Now, gentle readers, I will edit details of the contents of the party for those who might be offended. Let's just say it's like a Tupperware, Princess House or Pampered Chef party. There is a hostess, speaker and merchandise. We played a few silly games (even Sarah's mom and a few of her friends joined in.) Had a few laughs. Ate food. There's lots of eating in my week in Houston, you see. We had fun. The sales lady was entertaining and understood her audience, even the more senior ladies. There were about 12 people who came. Sarah has always had a wide range of friends and it was nice to meet so many of them. Brett kindly stayed upstairs so as to not interrupt the proceedings.

Launching Client Dutch, Harry Potter, Houston Part 1

Friday - It was a really busy day. There were moments when we thought we might not launch Client Dutch, but we did. Whew! I have another large client to work on when I get back from vacation, and I will also have to wrap up some things with Client Dutch.

After work (and I actually got out on time for once!) I went home and got my stuff for Houston. Elissa drove me to her house where we dropped off my stuff and picked up Rocky to go see "Harry Potter - and the Goblet of Fire", which is the 4th of the Harry Potter series. I really enjoyed the movie, though they cut out a bunch of stuff that I think should have been in the movie. However, considering the movie was already over 2.5 hours, I understand paring it down for time. I hope the kids and other regular cast members make the fifth book into a movie. It's one of the rare times when a series of books make good movies. Much like James Bond and the Tom Clancy books.

After the movie, I went back to Elissa's for a brief night sleep before heading off to Houston.

SATURDAY - At the butt crack of dawn in 28 degree weather, Elissa dropped me off at the Burlington Airport for my flight to Houston. I grabbed a poppyseed muffin and juice. The hour long ride to Newark was uneventful. I had about a 45-60 minute wait before my flight to Houston. I read and people watched. The ride to Houston was pretty good. I sat in one of the exit rows, which allowed for lots of great leg room, for which I was really thankful. I sat next to a woman and her husband on their way to the Carribean. She did some sort of paralegal stuff. They showed "Batman Begins" on the flight out. I watched it a bit but mostly read. I just don't get Katie Holmes. I think she is a so-so talented actress, who is marrying her childhood person of her affection or should I say obsession. It's no coincidence in my mind that she and Tom became engaged the same month their movies opened. I am not suprised that she is also expecting their child. Hmmm. Anyhoo, I love Christian Bale and enjoyed watching the movie.

I landed at the airport in Houston and called Sarah for a pick up. It was great seeing her. I don't think I have seen her since she got married TWO years ago. She looks about the same. We came back to her new house (just moved in here about two months ago) in a new housing development. It is a gorgeous house. HUGE too. Brett was off hunting, so I didn't see him until the evening. Her mom, Rose lives here too. They have a nice sized back yard, 4 bathrooms, launcry room, two car garage, office, and 4 bedrooms! As we were hanging about, her mother-in-law, Sue, and Brett's step father, Barton arrived. They had a horse in a race at the Sam Houston Race Track which was only about 5 minutes from Sarah's house.

We piled into the car and went to the race track to see Angel of War compete. I bet $3 on her to place. She started out of the gate wayyyyy too fast, though she kept a steady lead for 3/4 of the race. Then I think she got tired out. She places 2nd to last, I believe. Still, it was a really fun time and I am so glad that Sue invited us to go.

It was a really nice way to start my vacation.

My weekend and Emily's Ghost...

I had a great weekend. Sporty Girl is making a nice recovery and Kdar has been beaten up a few times. If you have no idea what I am talking about, nevermind. Just know that I am merging out of my aforementioned depression. The weekend was great. I went to a ladies' retreat in Stowe with Carrie and people from the church I have been attending. I met some really cool people - ladies of all ages, shapes and sizes. I even met a gal (Dina) who went to my high school in CA. OMIGAWD! I played a few rounds of Speed Scrabble, learned Speed Uno and took a swell 4 mile walk around. It was a gorgeous weekend weather-wise, which was nice. It was wonderful being outside and with positive people. Got more in touch spiritually speaking too, which has helped my mood.

Client Dutch is almost over. They aren't really Dutch, but their name lends itself to me thinking that, plus one of the owners looks tall, supppppper blond with blue eyes. Very Nordic. Anyhoo, that project is going well. I worked last night a mere 13.5 hours. Tonight it won't be as long. Phew!

So my friend Stephanie and some of her peeps took a journey to a haunted bridge. After they took this picture, they saw the face. The mist wasn't visable in person. Only showed up on the film. No, it hasn't been touched up. Can you see the face? Eyes, nose.... creepy. To find out more about the ghostly bridge - read

http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/gotw_emilysbridge.html

Happy Bday Helen! No snow, but rain and cold...

Winter is here.

It is also Helen's bday! Yippee!! I called her to wish her a happy birthday and she told me some very disturbing news. She is seeing Michael Flatley tonight perform. He's the dude who made famous LORD OF THE DANCE. Luck her. ha ha ha! I escorted him at the Oscars one year. He's a little arrogant. Love those kind of people. Anyhoo, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

It's cold outside. In the 30s. There was some sunshine, but I stayed inside all day. Lots of work to do with Client Dutch. Things are going pretty well, just busy. But tomorrow, I have to leave work early (that's on time for you regular, non-work aholic people) to go with Carrie to Stowe.

HA

Smells like snow and happy bday Sarah!

From Mr. Weatherman, it just might snow today here in Burlington. Wouldn't that be exciting? Last year, it didn't snow until after Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to it. Though, I could do without icy walkways.

Here's a birthday shout out to Sarah. I will be visiting her in Houston NEXT WEEK!!! I am so excited. Now, if we can just wrap up Client Dutch, everything will be grand.

:-)

Happy Anniversary to ME!

It was a year ago October 29, 2004 that I arrived in Burlington, Vermont. I can't believe it's been a year. I would have liked to say that so much has gone on, but it really hasn't. But I am proud of myself for driving out across the country. I am thankful for the friends and family who supported me and the friends I have made here. I like my apartment, the cats aren't too bad and the car is holding up really well. I survived my first set of seasons just fine. I am looking forward to some snow this time around.

It's dark outside and inside.

The sun is just about gone now at around 6pm. Welcome winter.

But this post is mainly about giving into my depression. Now don't go off with concern that I am so depressed I would do something drastic. Have no fear. I am not that stupid. And there are lots of things I really enjoy about life. So hang up from calling 911. I am just going through a year of adjustment and with that comes some depression. (Plus I think I am PMSing, which blows EVERYTHING out of proportion. ha ha) There is hope. There is a very, very tiny spark that I think was once Sporty Girl. She's a-fightin' to survive. Right now though, evil Kdar really enjoys being depressed. Yeah, there's therapy. But with my time management issues, I just can't find the time to call anybody. I know. Most therapists have voice mail or some form of leaving messages. Maybe I will work on that tomorrow. Today I am blogging about being depressed. So there.

I have this really big project with Client Dutch that has just two weeks more. It has been beaten into my head that this MUST go by November 20 (which is a Sunday, fyi). That's fine with me because I will be going out of town on the 19. Anyhoo, it's not as complicated as Client D was, so I think I will be fine. It gives me something to do instead of thinking about how depressed I am. But in my wallow of self pity (I do like those pity parties now and again...) I tell myself that I really have nothing else to do, so if I work 12-14 hours a day, that's something to do.

But you are probably saying,"There are plenty of things to do outside of the office! What about the bowling you did last winter? (yes, I may do that again, but I won't be able to do it until Dec. 1) What about your writing? (I just don't feel like writing, though that is probably EXACTLY why I SHOULD write.) What about your friends? (Uh - I can't even get into that one as it is one of my big issues spawning the depression.) What about joining a club? (I look from time to time and haven't found anything.) What about church? (I go. I am in fact, going on a retreat next weekend. That should be nice. I haven't gotten involved though with anything from that church. That's a problem for me. But as of today, this moment, I don't want to put out the effort.) What about hanging out in bars? (Too expensive and who wants to go to a bar ALONE?) What about prostitution? (Seriously, I am not THAT much in need of attention.) What about Bingo on Monday nights at the Elks Lodge (Okay, I said before I was going to do that. And I still will. Really I will.)"

Then of course there is the conversation I have with myself about getting into therapy. "Make the time. It's important to your physical and mental health." Blah, blah, blah. I know that. I don't need anybody telling me that I need to do that. Not to sound psycho, but I have enough conversations about what I should and shouldn't do with myself.

I do know that one thing that might help a little bit will be getting a part time job. I could do a seasonal thing. I know I have mentioned that before. That also goes to my time management I guess. I have been looking in the papers, but not too hard. I also should just go to the mall and fill out job apps. That might work. There is also Kmart, and grocery stores. That would be swell. Who knows what will come up? I also had a brief fantasy that I would be so inspired to pull my head out of my ass of depression that I went to the gym EVERY DAY! I know, you don't need to tell me that excercise can help with depression. I KNOW THAT! But I go back to being lazy and the evil Kdar enjoying the strangle hold she has on Sporty Girl.

Plus, I have this big project...