Girls Night*

I invited the girls over for some food, drinks, and just plain ol' girlie fun! We had a blast- laughing, talking, rocking out! I am so so thankful for the amazing friends in my life and I love every moment with them!

But I am definitely ready for the weekend away with Clay! We're going up to my parents cabin in Big Bear. It's going to be soooo relaxing and great! I'm ready for some down time...especially since I'm headed to London next week for work! A week away from my life...I'm a lil nervous! But it should be amazing, even though I'll be working the whole time! I just know I'm going to miss Fatty and Clay so much- hope they can take care of each other while I'm gone! :) I don't get back until the 22nd...where has this month gone already??? Time is drastically speeding up the older I get and it scares me! Maybe that's why I try to pack sooo much stuff into every week or weekend! I'm tired...but not too tired to live my life to the fullest!

Turkey*

Some friends and I went bowling last night- $25 for a lane from 9 til 1am. It's a great deal! There were 5 of us and a leopard bowling ball.

(Sub story- I have my own bowling ball. It's leopard print and has BROOKIE engraved on it. The finger holes are fit for my own. It was a Valentine's Day present... worst, most unromantic valentine's day present in the history of the universe. But I love it and am not afraid to carry it around in my leopard print bowling bag. End of Sub-story)

Now...don't let my collection of bowling equipment scare you into thinking I actually have some bowling skills! I have my moments...but usually my score card is left with a bunch of 8's and 9's and open frames! However, last night- when it really mattered- I got 3 strikes in the 10th frame! Woohooo! Took me right past my boyfriend's score into second place! :) (We're pretty competitive when it comes to bowling!) 3 strikes felt so good all in a row! Too bad the bowling alley we went to was ghetto and we didn't even get a turkey graphic up on the screen!
This may become a weekly occurance- so pics of my leopard ball will pop up sometime soon I predict!

Fat Cat

I decided to take Fatty to the groomer's for a cut since he was looking a little scraggly! I try to get him cut at least 2 times a year, but I can say it had been way longer than 6 months since he's last visited. I decided to try PetSmart since PetCo said Fatty was too old (sad....) for them to take. PetSmart said they can only do a shave on cats, which I though was fine since his hair grows back pretty fast and gets everywhere in the process!

Well, here's a BEFORE look at Fatty's fluffiness-

And now for the AFTER pose-

Does he look happy to you? I think he hates me....but he'll get over it! I try not to laugh at him too much but I can't help it! :)

Ohhhhhhh Nine!

So, the new year has begun and definitely pushed the blogging aside. But I'm back with some good stuff!
Technically, I didn't make a new years resolution but only because I don't want to be like everyone else and say I'm going to lose weight, get to the gym more, tone up and feel 100% better about myself! Don't get me wrong- I do want to do all these things, but there is so much more to this year than sticking to just one resolution that never makes it through to the next year anyways.
Something at church sparked my interest last week- GOALS ARE SIMPLY YOUR DREAMS SET TO A TIMELINE.
Everyone has dreams they would like to accomplish, but finding the time is the challenge. Or so we think... I think it's more challenging to convince yourself to follow through, than to actually find the time! It's a change of priorities, a change in thinking, a change to your set ways that you are oh so comfortable with. I want to change things- and make things happen, rather than watch this time pass by me so quickly- remembering that babysteps are key to making it through to the finish line.

So, My Goal: To feel good in my own jeans again!
My Babysteps: Don't buy any new jeans until Ican fit comfortably in my old ones! Not only get myself to the gym consistently, but eat better and make healthier choices for myself! Take it one day at a time, to one week at a time, to one month at a time!

I have let myself fall off the fitness track and it caught up with me quicker than I could have imagined! A reminder that I am getting older- and if I don't do anything now, it only gets harder the further I let it go! I am determined to not fail at this! We'll see how it goes...

Amazing...

I was balancing my checkbook the other day after all my christmas shopping was over and done with. When I finally came up with the balance, I was a little nervous about the little amount I had left to last me through the year. I immediately started to panic and wondered if there were things I could return that I didn't really need to get! But I couldn't give anything up...I was excited about the presents I was giving and didn't want to cut any corners.
I could have freaked out about the financial situation (or lack there of in this case), but I decided to just sit it out and see where the week takes me until I get paid again. I mean, there really wasn't anything I could have done to change it right? So, why worry? Or at least why worry right now?
Yesterday, I was handed a check for $100 from my company- a christmas bonus I guess! Whatever it was....it was miracle! God is amazing! Now, I know he didn't just throw money in my lap because I was struggling...I think he knew where my heart was this season! This is really all about giving and the absolute joy of it!
Amazing...now I can relax and enjoy the time with my family and friends!
Happy Wrapping!

My Christmas present from work....

Christmas is here in 2 days, the weather is great, the gifts have been bought...what a perfect day to...be audited??? Not so much!
Who's schedules a workers comp audit for the last few weeks of December, that's what I want to know??? Where's his xmas cheer???

Anyways, he's in the other room working away on payroll stubbs and DE-6's that I luckily conjured up since this audit is for a quarter in 2007- I wasn't even employed here. So do I care about the outcome? Not really! Is he reading payroll reports/summaries/records that I created? Nope. But it does make me grateful for ONE thing I learned at Plums- Organization of past files is key. My current company does not have that AT ALL. So, beginning January 2009 I get to organize and file everything this company has done the last 3 years...FUN! They won't know what hit 'em!
PS- I have this strange love of organizing! Let the games begin!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Wowzer's...I made it!

This weekend was a hectic one! I'm glad I made it to work at a decent hour Monday morning!

Friday was our Ugly Xmas sweater Disneyland trip. Worst traffic I've EVER seen trying to get into downtown disney! We figured the park was going to be super crowded so we spent most of our time bar-hopping. It was a blast....and I was so thankful we were wearing sweaters even though they were all pretty ugly- it was freezing! We had a blast but had to head home early to get some sleep so that we were ready for our party the next night!

Saturday I was up at 8:00 ready with my list of things to do to get "party ready". It was a quick morning...or I was just super busy! Before knew it, it was time to get ready for our "Silver Belles and Blue Balls" Christmas Party. Clay and I had so much fun having friends over. We had plenty of appetizers and wine- not to mention, blue jello shots! :) It was a long night, finally ending the party at 2:30. Here are some of the silver belles- Amber, Emily, Me and Sabrina!

I wasn't too excited to be up at 8:00 the next morning, but it was my best friends birthday and I drove out to the desert to surprise her! And also to meet her twins!!!! Rylee Michelle and Kaylee Autumn were born on December 4th and already growing so fast! I am determined to be the cool "Auntie Brookie" to these adorable lil butterballs!