Kourtney & Juan's Adventures

Junkin Finds and tons of fun

2011-11-19T17:27:00.000-08:00

Junkin' is hot! The new black, trendsetter of the year, the most fabulous new thing to try.

Or if you were raised by my wonderful mom, it's always been your go to solution for the age old question, 'what should I put here?'.

I went hunting all over town today to try and find some good deals for our craft show display and I am giddy with the results:

20 garage sales, 5 antique stores, 2 goodwills and a few dumpster visits later, I have obtained the above goodies. There's a tiered iron basket, an old chicken coop, small tea service set and some FABULOUS doilies to name a few!

Junk it up!

Hello girls and boys, kids of all ages, step right up...

2011-11-09T12:08:00.001-08:00

I feel as though a circus went off in my life. I thought about saying a bomb, but that would mean things were devastating; and although a little upheaval is occurring, it's more amusing, entertainment and generally poor form, as many a circus tends to be. Okay, Ringling and bros. are turning in their graves. We'll call it a carnival, rather than a circus. Yes, much better description.

My carnival life is great (ignore the little boy puking behind the space ride).

I have GREAT friends. Amber called me up and offered me a deal I couldn't say no to. She decided to make some great wooden signs and cute

building blocks and sell them at a local Christmas Craft Show and invited me along for the ride so we can split costs. YES! I am so excited. I've decided to do cards, glitter boxes, banners and ornaments. We'll see how it goes. And Lindy, the great sister she is, inspired me to get it in gear and post some stuff on my neglected Etsy shop. Such a good sister! Mom and Jackie have faithfully supported my hair-brained notions and ideas. Juan keeps me grounded. Reminds me there are a lot of crafty people out there and even if I don't sell a single thing, at least I'm doing something I truly love.

Well, it's true. I love it!

A bold face lie...

2011-09-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

I'd say I've been busy, or hurt, or without internet connectivity. I'd say I broke all 10 fingers, or that my computer was "in the shop". I'd say just about anything to avoid the truth: I've been LAZY!!

Doing everything I can think of to avoid a blog post. I don't know why really. Just 'cause. That would drive me crazy in school, "just 'cause" would come the answer to every question asked. And lo and behold, here I type the same irritating non-sentence. Just 'cause.

I've been doing some 'jarring'. That would be what I call vacuum sealing jars. Crackers, candies, oreos; they've all found a new home inside a pretty 1 quart mason jar. But it's not canning, that is much more labor intensive. This is 'jarring'. I use my FoodSaver and it's attachment to get the pesky air out; and crackers, oreos, candies will last a year (technically, anyway, they won't ever physically make it over 3 months in our house).

Like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsUl8WJ9ztI&feature=related

And cooking and a little card making made their way into the last 6 months of my life too, thank heavens!

Here's what I made last night:

For recipe, click here

I'll get some pics of cards soon as well.

Too-dah-loo!

Well, yeah, it's kinda like that...

2011-03-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

Sunsets are my favorite. I don't understand why really. I'm a morning person, you'd think sunrises would be more likely my favorite, to no avail. Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset....hands down, I vote sunset.

And I'll let you in on a little secret. It's ridiculous to enjoy a sunset more than a sunrise when you have an inkling feeling of fear when it's dark. Just a little scared, not run through the woods, hysterically flapping my arms, thinking a monster will get me. Then again, we don't have many wooded areas to run through around our home, so maybe it is that kind of fear. But I love the evening sunsets. A wash of gold colors everything the sun reaches, homes become adorned marvelously, your skin glows, the sky-a most fantastic mural. Warmth fills the soul, fills it up and reminds all of the beauty God created for his children. A most perfect time for a gulp of fresh air, a pause to wonder and muse, happy thoughts filling a stressed mind, a burdened heart.

And you get home, take a load off, sit down on the couch and have the dog-child beg you for a little walk around the neighborhood.......
Oh, come on....HOW could anyone say no?

Bask in it, we only have each second of our day for a second.

Even when this same sweet dog-child keeps you up half the night by insisting on jumping into bed with you.....over and over and over again. Cries in her kennel, uses her manipulative puppy dog eyes to gain forgiveness, and it's all good again. Wipe the sleep from my eyes, and get on with life, each day I only have once to enjoy!

Card of the Week

2011-02-23T12:39:00.000-08:00

Check out the cards of my week (or month, who's really counting?) over at Pile O Craft.

I say "jump"; You ask "how high?"

2011-01-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

I've been researching and reading and getting good tips on healthy cooking, great substitutes for fattier content foods and finding great workouts.

Came across this little gem today:

"I had someone tell me in dead earnest today that Dr. Oz has the best weight loss advice because it really works! [This is what you do:]
-You can eat all the sugar you want as long as you drink grapefruit juice within 30 minutes afterwards because there are some kind of enzymes that eat the sugar.
-You should eat 30g of protein within 30 minutes of getting up.
-You should splurge once a week because it causes your hormones to eat fat."

Who's gonna play guinea pig for me? This I HAVE to see, but there's no way in tarnation I'll be caught dead gaining my weight back and increasing my blood pressure and cholesterol doing it.

What do I have to do? Give you a free scrapbook? Free dinners for a month? Of course I'll have a pitcher full of grapefruit juice for anything sugary served. Free breakfast for a week? I'll sausage you to death, I will!

I can't stop laughing. Dr. Oz IS as crazy as he looks on TV. Where does Oprah find these crazies? Guess it's not too hard when you're kinda a loose bolt yourself. I love Oprah's giveaways, the buck stops there. No offense Miss Oprah, we simply tend to agree to disagree on allot.

Taking applications now.

Well done pig, well done....

2011-01-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

Yep, this little piggie is going hardcore. Okay, with the eating habits, yes; The working out, um, 2 workouts per week counts as "starting somewhere", doesn't it? I'm going to go with yes.

So I counted and it's been 9 weeks since I turned 28. What's the progress, you must ask? Going strong!

Scale says: 183.5 (not really what I expected, but my clothes are fitting better, so I'll let it slide)
Motivation: 10 for 10
Happiness: 10 for 10

My mom wins this one. She's always, ALWAYS said, "Life is 2% what happens and 98% how you react to it." And she's right. Not that I ever thought she was wrong. Wanting to publicly honor your mother's sage advice, well that's up at the tippity-top of most mother's dream lists, isn't it? At least, when I have kids, I, sure as the sun comes up each morning, want my kid's to idolize and commit to memory every little sage piece of advice I've got to give! Mom, here's to you!

One could speculate, 28 years to figure out Mom is always right seems a bit retarded in the "catching-on" department. I'll save you the speculation. It is. And she's always been right, she'll always be right and I'm paying homage. I should probably whip her up a batch of thank you cards right now and write my many thanks on a post it note inside one of those dolled up thank you cards. I really should, especially since I'm working on Jackie's batch of happy birthday cards. Okay, I've convinced myself, I'll do it.

And we're back. You know, to the attitude part of life. I have attitude, a certainty anyone who knows me would be hard-pressed to deny, even while undergoing waterboarding torture techniques. Yeah, it's that ~~good bad~~ unbelievable.

Attitude makes or breaks you. Attitude shows you who you can be and who you never thought you would be. Attitude is patience, attitude is anger. Attitude is a tremendous help mate, a sore loser. Attitude is everything and can make you nothing. How can it be?

Attitude is you. If you are angry, impatient and a sore loser, your attitude follows. How fantastic is it we all get to be leaders in our own lives, our attitudes quickly following wherever we roam?

Surely, we've all learned the hard way at one point or another in our journey of mortal life. With the weight issue, if I've got a horrible attitude, well, I DO look fat and ugly. If I keep my attitude happy and optimistic, well who cares that I'm carrying 70 extra pounds around? It has really helped me to be happy and on the days I don't feel like I'm happy, I fake it anyway and Mom was right, you really do end up with a decent day at the end of it all.

Cheers to good attitudes and healthy lifestyle living. I've changed my diet, I'm not on a diet. I've picked up weights and lifted them as I've watched one of my favorite TV shows, instead of grabbing a handful of M&M's and vegging out. Portions are in check and I'm feeling great.

My body thanks you for the support and help! As does my heart, literally and spiritually.

Thanks for helping me keep my attitude in check and my weight loss motivation going. That's about all I've been up to lately, but head over to Pile o craft to check out our Wedding editions. And I'll have cards posted soon ;) also!

One month down...

2010-12-20T13:06:00.000-08:00

And plenty to go.

Scale says: Hmmmm, I haven't checked lately. I've been busy making stuff :)
Motivation: 9 out out of 10 (I've pre-decided- more like pre-meditated, if I HAPPEN across a peice of fudge, I will not tell it no. But I won't make it, so that ought to help.)
Happiness: 11 out of 10 ( I told you, I've been making stuff, I can't possibly get any happier!)

My pants fit about the same, but I am going to do a boot camp starting the first week of January....YAY!!!! I like it when people yell at me to keep going, strange, I know. Very, very, very strange. But it makes me feel like I have no other alternative, and well, I'm a shallow people pleaser. Pros and cons, we'll focus on that some other time.

Christmas time is fast becoming a crazy time of year for us. I got all worked up and excited to do some Christmas crafting and then I got sick. Which worked out great! I needed to stay home, so I rested and crafted. Poor Juan, he felt like a caged bird probably. And this caged bird, she was happy as a lark. Besides the hacking cough in her songer.

Head over to Pile 'o Craft to check out some of the fun.

I'm a craft nerd, and I like it!

Day 15

2010-12-07T08:40:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe it's only been about two weeks since I turned 28.

I've felt so good and credit the portion control and Nazi Calorie Regime. Yes, I do mean regime, not regimen. Because ruling the caloric intake is absolutely necessary. Dominating and conquering make the list as well, but we all know a dictatorship is most successful when brought in teensy amounts and a year down the road, naughty calories will look up and wonder where all their control went to. Mwauh-ha-ha-ha.

Scale says: 185.5 (that means only 67 pounds to go by next Christmas)
Motivation level: 10 out of 10
Happiness level: 10 out of 10

I'm dead set on never being that miserable, crazy, raving lunatic I was on my birthday. It was not pretty at all. So I'm moving on and getting on with life :).

Whether I am technically obese or not, I can still be happy. And while this extra weight definitely takes it's toll, it's coming off, slowly and surely and staying off! So maybe be next winter we'll be ready for babies. My body will be healthy and Juan will be 1 year away from the school finish line! WOO HOO!

In more exciting news, we headed down in Honda (nope, still no decision on a name yet) to Katy this past weekend to see Jake bless his little baby girl, Elizabeth. What a blessing it was! He said just the right things, but when he mentioned boys, Lizzie did start to cry a little, guess she's not quite ready for that step yet. What a precious baby she is! Congrats Jake and Hil on a beautiful baby girl, we are so very happy for you.

Not much else to report. I have been avoiding the P90X......as usual. It scares the living daylights out of me! So I do a few sit ups and push ups in the morning and have been eyeing the P90X box suspiciously for the past few days. I know it's not going to kill me, I don't want to fail! But I guess we can't succeed if we don't try, so once again, wish me luck on this P90X endeavor. I've told myself I'll do it tonight if it's the last thing I do....so I probably should keep that promise to myself. I'll let you know how it goes!

Ooooo, and I am going to make some cards this week, so keep an eye out for those on our crafty site: http://www.pileocraft.blogspot.com/

18 days til Christmas! We are going to have our first official Christmas alone this year and while it's kinda sad not to see all your family, it's exciting to make your own traditions too!

In my 6th day of 28

2010-11-27T05:43:00.000-08:00

We did something crazy, but necessary. And we even kept our cool about it. We both have urged one another at some
point in time to consider a new ( to us anyway) car. First, I begged Juan and then a year later he was begging me. Three years down the road and we were both ready! We test drove a few, and they were NICE! A little too nice, they were our reality check. No possible way we can afford an Infiniti right now. But we found a good, hardy little Honda and she fits right in with our budget, not to mention, fleet of black vehicles, so she's a keeper! We are trying to get a good name for her.
Hailey
Henrietta
Perdita
Hulu
Ada
Arla
The list goes on and on, suggest a few too and we'll announce her name soon. You know, along with her birth weight and all.

Speaking of birth weight, Jane Madelyn Packard is here!!! She ALMOST made it for my birthday, but not quite. Born November 23, 5:00 pm CST, a healthy 8.8 lbs! Way to go Packards! Can't wait to see that little girl!

Oh, and we got a dining table able to seat 10, Thanksgiving dinner at my house next year!

And in other exciting news:
Happiness level: 10 of 10
Motivation level:10 of 10
Scale says (cursory drumroll here): 186.5
I knew it would work, portion control, I'm putty in your hands, mold me into a slim person by next Christmas please! ;)

So two pounds down, 68 to go! Now, I get to the good stuff on Monday------p90x! Good luck and craziness required all at the same time!

Day 5, 360 blessed days to go....

2010-11-25T21:37:00.000-08:00

Turkey Day!! Do you think it was a bad day or a good day?

Come on now, I TOLD you I was super charged and ready to take on the world!
Great day! I got to indulge and have friends and family surrounding me and pumpkin pie.
It's just not Thanksgiving until you get your pumpkin pie! I did really good, still had a little of
everything I wanted, just smaller portions than usual Turkey day.

We headed over to Juan's parents home for an amazing spread and it was great not
to cook myself, we brought drinks and the pumpkin pies:). Hanging out with all the nephews
was really fun and they are so funny all together.

Scale says: 188.5
Feel thinner though, probably has something to do with not pigging out too hard core
Happiness level: 10 of 10
Motivation level: 10 of 10

Today I am thankful for:
Juan
Family
Amazing friends who love me just the way I am
My birthdays, some people are not as fortunate and I will never cry on another birthday
My job
The USA
The Aggies pulling out that win against tu
Phones, my one passport to spending quality time with my family
My Home
Great home cooked food, thanks Maria, Juan and Celeste!
Gospel
My health
My freedoms
My numerous blessings
All the things I can't remember

Happy happy Thanksgiving!

Third day of the 28th year....

2010-11-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

Alright, I'm not unhappy, just unsatisfied every time I look in the mirror. I'm not miserable, just posting my inner diaglouge and self-motivation to ensure I stick to doing something about this extra poundage lingering around my hips, thighs and waistline. I think confronting it openly and honestly will help me conquer it and get back in touch with the "healthy" me.

I have so very much I am eternally and unequivocally gratful for.

But releasing those thoughts and sad feelings has me super-charged, ready to take on the world, so I'd have to say, it's worth it!

Stats on my third day of being 28:

Weight: 188.5
Size: 14
Happiness level: 10 out of 10
Motivation level: 10 out of 10

Yes, the scale says I gained a 1/2 a pound....but guess what....I feel better. It's going to be a great year! Thanks for all the support!

What AM I thinking?

2010-11-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

I turned 28 years old yesterday. The crying started shortly after midnight. I've never cried on a birthday before, ever.

Suddenly in my head, my "top 5" reasons for being so overwhelmed popped up:

1) I'm old- Okay, I feel old, not technically old
2) I'm fat
3) I'm feeling ugly- keyword "feel"
4) I'm unsuccessful- As far as career stuff goes
5) I'm an emotional basket case

And I'm downright unhappy. I have tons. I want tons. I'm fairly certain this post will earn me points as a bi-polar personality. But I'm drowning here. Drowning in my own self-made misery.

And I think of all the things that are bothering me most on my top 5, it's number 2 causing this little tizzy. I hate fat rolls. HATE fat rolls. I hate cellulite. I hate not being able to breathe in my size 14 pants. Yep, size 14, 188 pounds of pure, unadulterated fat. It's out there now. ALL of it. I'm done. I feel sick when I eat sugared cereal. I feel guilty when I think of greasy, fried food. And yet, I can't stop. I've become an emotional eater. I used to be an emotional workout freak. WHERE has that dear friend gone?

You know what, I don't really care about losing myself to find myself. I don't want to fake like I'm happy. And no, I don't really care about the inner beauty inside because it's being masked by large volumes of fat, fat, fat. I'm simply fat. And it's affecting me more and more everyday. And yet, I do nothing to change? Where is my motivation? What in tarnation will get this fat, huge asteroid of a butt off me? I look in the mirror and the truth has never been so evident. I'm lardy. Lardy! Pictures are taboo. Because I don't want evidence of how huge I am forever documented in living proof. I keep telling myself, I'll change. I'll workout and things will get better. But I don't.

So, today, on my second official day of being 28, I'm taking a stand, albeit a fatty one. I'm getting this stupid 70 lbs off me once and for all and I'm taking prisoners if anyone tells me I'm crazy, or I look beautiful just the way I am. Say nothing if those are the thoughts that come to mind. I need friends who ask me what I've done today to feel better, to lose the weight, to let my inner beauty shine through by working on the outside. Yep, it's shallow. Deal with it.

Goal: Lose 70 lbs by Christmas 2011 (that works out to about 1.2 pounds per week, which is supposedly a healthy weight loss goal)

I'd post a picture of "before", but like I said, taboo.

The "time-out bench"

2010-11-09T12:19:00.000-08:00

Nope, no kids to put on the time-out bench. And no, not expecting one or two kiddos just yet.

I've lovingly referred to our bench in the front entry of our home as our-time out bench. While wonderfully crafted, there was not much going on for it, other than being crafted well:

Which is why it makes a fabulous time-out bench. If there's nothing going on, it's not much fun to sit on. Well, now, it's the walk-in-the-door, stop-for-a-moment, rest-your-keister and take- off-your-shoes bench. TAKE OFF YOUR SHOES!! I'm sorry, I'm big on this. Shoes removed give your floor so much more TIME. And saving the floors means I can spend money on other things. Like spray paint for toilet-paper-roll art (idea found here: http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/11/diy-project-toilet-paper-roll-wall-art.html). And stain for the bench:

I tried to be artistic and capture the high gloss shine of the bench AND my favorite pillow AND the light, but I have no training in these things. And I was using my phone camera. Yeah, real artistic Kourtney. You tried so hard on that one, didn't you?

Well, I tried, what else matters?

All in all, a super duper busy October leads to a time-out bench I can't really call a time-out bench anymore. I mean who WOULDN'T want to sit here?

Hiatus, however...

2010-10-12T09:26:00.001-07:00

I'm still getting crafts and cards up on the 'Sisters formerly known as Hansen' craft blog, 'Pile o Craft'. I mean let's face it, does anyone really read the blog unless it's hilariously entertaining or very well written? Pictures are worth so much more.

With no further ado, please check out our latest creations:

http://www.pileocraft.blogspot.com/

I'll post a button or something :). As soon as I remember how.

Feeling Fall and Lovely...

2010-10-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

Excuse the tirade from last week. There's no excuse, it was a valid post at the time.

I really do feel lovely and happy and fine now.

So I don't have to post twice:

www.pileocraft.blogspot.com

Raa raa, ooo la la....

2010-09-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

Bad romance? Yes. Bad romance with my husband? Nah, that's not it. He actually makes me feel pretty darn good.

"I want, I want, I want...." I've tried taming the beast, but alas, I am human. I want material things. And not trivial, unimportant things. Nooooo, I have to want things like a new dining table, a new car, designer decorated rooms, 'complete' sets of dinnerware and flatware and serving dishes. Why is my natural (wo)man getting to me so exquisitely?

On a lighter note, I feel depressed. Ha, see, now my trivial wants don't seem so trifling, do they?

I'd make a list of things I'm grateful for, but I don't wanna. Nope, today is an air-out-the-dirty-laundry, make-myself-feel-better-by-getting-it-all-off-my-chest day. Am I even allowed to put this into my journal? Yeah, that's right, I'm lazy and use my unattended blog as a journal. Shut your mouth.

Okay, I don't have any right to feel depressed. I don't have any right to feel unblessed, cause I'm not. I don't want to bloom where I'm planted today. I don't want to pretend everything is perfect and lovely. I'm not going to fake it til I make it today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe never.

Instead, I'm going to be onery, uptight, and pitiful, woe is me. WOE IS ME!

Dripping with sarcasm today, my dear? No, never. Not me. I'm done.

I'm so happy and lovely and great!

Not much to report.....but then again....

2010-04-22T11:33:00.000-07:00

No, no babies yet. But masses of exciting new "stuff". Call it getting ready for the eventual baby. Cause who wants their baby to see their home in shambles? Yeah, that should cover it.

Our lawn is getting green and pretty, mowed and trimmed every 2 weeks. Weeds, I depise thee. I've pulled, I've sprayed, I've treated, they come back. Revenge of the Weeds, part 143 playing at our house this weekend. I'd be happy to talk to the director about getting you a starring role as head weed demolisher. Let me know, I hear there's a free dinner if you're interested. Here's a pic of work to date:

What's next? The Office CHAIR!!! We scoured, web browsed, online shopped, visited every office furniture/home decor store within 100 miles and we compromised. Juan wanted a "ugly" (the opinions of Kourtney will be placed in quotation marks to ensure the reader understands Kourtney's opinions are not law, simply opinion, however right they may be) but highly comfortable chair from Crate and Barrel (http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1080&f=29359). Kourtney desired a more "chic" look (http://www.potterybarn.com/products/louis-chair/?pkey=call-chairs-barstools) or (http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/Furniture/tabid/519/CategoryID/155/List/0/catpagesize/0/Level/a/ProductID/5322/ProductName/Red-Velvet-Dining-Chair/Default.aspx) or (http://www.pier1.com/Catalog/Furniture/Furniture/tabid/519/CategoryID/155/List/0/catpagesize/0/Level/a/ProductID/3314/ProductName/Olive-Dining-Chair-/Default.aspx).

Juan insisted on arm rests for the classic man slouch. Kourtney turned up her nose. The Pier 1 sales associate probably rolled his eyes behind their backs. What a guy, he pulled at least 6 chairs down for this ridiculously hard to please couple.....ahhh compromise, you ugly thief of reason and decision. Then this beauty. Never seen by either online, in store nor mentioned by friends. Comfortable WITH arm rests for him and classic beauty for her. And of course, the couple lived happily ever after.

Shortly after, Kourtney got to hankering after her dream of "all white bedding". She searched the best deals, drew schematics with any spare time, made checklists of all the necessities an "all white bed" would require. Layers needed the right amount of texture, the right color palatte (any idea how hard it is to match white and cream?) and the pleasing feel of light and fluffy (but not too fluffy). Sigh......it wasn't quite right:

Beside the obvious need of more decor items in their bedroom, Kourtney didn't feel quite right about the ensemble. She thought long and hard, texted pictures to friends and family for input and decided another euro pillow was key. She excitedly took her lunch hour walking to Target, only to find the color of the week was no longer golden cream, instead the same patterned euro pillow was red and burnt orange. Hanging of head, near defeat, epiphany! Why not add a little color? It's her favorite color afterall. Quickly she is excited again.....and it means a possible second pillow and throw. She buys a second pillow and decides on just the right throw from Pottery Barn will wait a few more weeks:
There will be a headboard and decor items eventually, it's a work in progress. Pure excitement! That's how my last few months have been spent. I did take on a second job to offset the dream purchases, that's a whole other post. For now, I'll let you imagine what it could be. Off my loves, to dream of greener lawns, weed free marvels and new home decor, and the future babies every now and again!

Well poop....

2010-02-19T15:40:00.000-08:00

It's been forever and after MUCH debate and inner struggle, I've decided to post pictures of the new home on the blog. Please do not steal anything from our house. I've promised Juan I'd put that disclaimer in. Oh, and if you're hoping to know our address, you must call me and get it....I simply have to refuse to tell you where it is located online in order to help prevent with the theft issue. Not that I don't trust my friends.....it's the other people.....you know who you are.....stop trying rabidly to exit off my blog now.

Very rough schematic, I'm sure you can't see.....

The front entrance of our little abode:

What you see as the door opens:

To the left, you get a glimpse of the kitchen:

To the right, you've got an alcove for decorating:

Home Office, it needs tons more TLC.....but the money well, alas, it's DRY as a bone:

Panoramic view, really don't see much cause the pic is blurry:

Guest bedroom (the mirror reflects light so well, you can see it on the adjoing wall:

Guest bathroom, I got to pick my mirror. I had it customed framed, along with two others for the master bath at Hobby Lobby. Love that store...so much! All white with some navy blue towels for pizzaz. Okay, honest now, I got this "go to Hades" look from Juan when I mentioned I was buying ALL white towels for the guest bathroom. Why ever so? Because those blue towels cost a pretty penny and are all younger than 3 months old. So, pizzaz:

Living Room: Target had this crazy beautiful rug for just under $400.....tell me I got a steal! Too good!

Dining room nook. Do you see the plant with the almost blooming lily? That was part of my Vday gift. Juan picked it out personally. You know you're getting old when you want "live plants" for Vday.

More of the kitchen. Yes, it really does go on forever and ever.....really:

THE bedroom:

The master bathroom, glimpse of closet, and my 2nd most loved item in the home (the jacuzzi tub!!):These are a few of my favorite things, but the one thing that makes me soar above the clouds? Why my pull drawer that fits my stockpots, lids ON, beneath the oven. Happy contented sigh here. Oh, I told you I'd get you my pretty......Thanks for watching, reading, and of course all the love and support that made getting our dream first home a reality!

Now get back to work.

It's Official....said that [we] could do it and indeed [we] did

2009-10-13T07:49:00.000-07:00

[We] knew it , [we] knew it.

Our offer's been accepted! Whew. Now to get all riled and worked up for closing on November 13th. Or try obsteniently to avoid getting riled up, however difficult that may prove. Which it will.

The house is not completed, so we've had the (should I say the word opportunity?) opportunity to pick out a few things like flooring, light fixtures, appliances, and a few upgrades. I had a nervous breakdown at the light fixture place. That may have been my AHA! moment. Realization hit with the force of a ton of bricks. I am OCD. I relish when I am in control. I grasp wildly at straws and want the unknown figured out immediately when I am not. Which leads to buyer impulses I'd rather not talk about right now (hang head sheepishly here). So what do I do? Go into counseling to figure out how to be less OCD? Try to work on it myself? Or just understand that's how it is with me. Is this OCD friend or foe?

I've made a list (yeah, okay a totally OCD thing to do).

OCD is FRIENDLY when:
-I make lists
-I teach Sunbeams
-I organize my closets
-I get a calendar together
-it's flu season
-I make cards
-I clean
-I make binders for easy access games, lesson plans and ideas for the future
-I take notes

OCD is a MEAN SOB when:
-I try to choose bronze fixtures from a pile of 15 different bronze samples (who knew they had that many types of bronze?)
-I look over wood color choices, "do I want oak expresso? walnut expresso? 3 inch across, 2 inch across? glossy(this is called traditional, I later learned) or hand scraped? Wait, will that lighter color still look good with the kitchen cabinets? But I want darker, right? Juan, what do you want? Oh, okay darker. But do I really like that?"
-try to organize items for a garage sale. It's all for a GARAGE SALE, no one cares, stop worrying about where to put the candles, will ya?
-I'm running on empty, yet the cleaning's not done...4 in the morning is not really all that late afterall.
-I am "dusting" levelors, which turns into taking a damp rag and going over each individual levelor 3-4 times til you feel smooth metal/plastic with no trace signs of the slightest dust bunny. Dare I say it....I washed the levelors.

So, all in all, I think I'll keep it. Surely the positive outweigh the negative. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

WOO HOO! Looks like we'll be in a house by Thanksgiving.

We're excited....but not official...

2009-10-05T10:45:00.001-07:00

We made an offer on a house! We don't know if it's going to be accepted, but we sure hope so.

So we thought we made pics only exclusive to a few on Facebook, ends up we didn't. If you are looking at the pics on Facebook, know it's not official. We hope so and really want it to happen, but don't know anything yet.

We will let you know when we do!

Active Yeast, Soaker and Biga

2009-09-25T11:31:00.000-07:00

Surprised? Twice in one month. I mean thrice, if you count the card post. But Lindy says I can't count it as a real post, so twice.

I made bread! Okay, so I cheated and went to see the bread lady (www.kneadfulthingsnow.com ), and Mom is mortified this is the first time I've made bread in my life since we grew up on her homemade cinnamon buns and all kinds of homemade bread. But I made my first ever loaf of bread. And it's wholewheat buttermilk none the less.

And our camera is broken, so I can't show you a picture of my perfect little loaf, but I did it!

Now, I have to do it all on my own, no biga and soaker pre-mades to fall back on. And I will.....first I need to find 15% protein wholewheat flour. Good luck, right? I'll probably just order some from the bread lady. She's pretty much awesome.

I kneaded like crazy, even other people in the class who make bread all the time said it was busy work; but I wanted my gluten strands long and perfect and my dough smooth as a baby's bottom. AND I wanted it to pass the window pane test, which it did not, but kneading for over 2 hours just isn't normal.

And my little loaf of bread looks SOOO good. Almost looks like it can't possibly be wheat bread. I am so excited.

Next, I'm trying out Alicia's directions to see if I can make the Hansen Famous Loaves.

I made bread...now on to the canning and jam making!

The Real Deal...

2009-09-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here I sit. I've just watched "Ghost" on TV, courtesy of Lifetime Network's assumed tribute to Patrick Swayze. First watch of the entire movie, and my, technology and special effects have come a long way. Not to mention, I think Demi Moore looks younger today than she does in "Ghost". Really? Right...date a younger...er, marry a younger man and you'll spotaneously look younger. Naturally, those vacations for weeks at a time to Brazil and Mexico were simply vacations, no time spent under a surgeon's knife. Wha....? NEVER. Never ever....who done it?

I feel as though I don't have much to report. We teach our sunbeams, who have come so very far, leaps and bounds over the last few weeks. Just in time for the next class, indeed. Those 3 and 4 yr old souls capture me wholly and unequivocally. A few weeks ago, one of our cuties attached his tiny arms of steel around my neck and simply refused to disengage, despite bribes of extra lemon drops, pleading and begging. I carried him out to his car where, sadly I admit, I proceeded to trick him into his car seat. He was pretty well adjusted by the next week, great thing about 3 yr olds, simply resilient. We still do quite a few wiggle exercises, truth be told, mostly for Juan and me! They are fabulous, fun and fanatical about lemon drops. We looked high a low for a treat for especially good days (2 don't like chocolate, 3 don't like pretzels, 3 won't eat goldfish, 1 hates animal crakers) and found lemon drops to be the one and only treat they ALL go ape for. Lemon drops you ask? How in heaven's earthly name did we figure out the lemon drops? Our lesson on "I love my home" invovled a quick story on Brigham Young and his beehive home and how he handed out lemon drops to visitors.....I was very hesitant to hand each child the lip puckering morsels and absolutely shocked to hear requests for seconds... ha, the key to eternal perfection in each child's actions...loverly, just loverly, lemon drops.

In other news, Daisy got her first ever name tag....I told her if she could manage to stay alive for 7 years, I'd break down and get her one. I caved and bought one at 6 1/2 years, but figure she's been through enough and I've been through enough, what's half a year early? She keeps trying to move more slowly, to keep her tags from clinking together too violently. In due time, she'll adjust and now if she's lost, there's a tag with her name and my number, so maybe she'll survive. Hopefully, anyway. If she can manage to stop barking at whoever finds her long enough for them to help her. Doubtful.

Non-challenge. One more word to add to my "never should have said it" dictionary. That's right, they just said 'non-challenge' on a lower-your-cholesterol-Honey-Nut-Cheerios commercial. Why not state it's 'easy', instead of making a oxymoron out of everything.

Challenge: I'm going to stop doing it myself. No longer will I claim taking out the trash to be 'sanitary take out'. No more with the 'painfully simple' statement when I cook hamburger helper. 'Never more', 'clear as mud', 'pretty ugly', 'exact estimate' (at work), 'original copies' (work), 'alone together', 'same difference', oh the list goes on and on.

I spend too much time being dry and sarcastic. I'll now try to be uplifting and exciting. Greatly impressed with others acheivements, optimistic when others complain (no more comiserating), happily thrilled with the joy's of work and challenges.

Oh, who am I kidding? That is seriously funny. The sweet sorrow of realization hits. I attempt a rolling stop, but to no avail. 'Good grief' comes my silent scream.

I cannot deny my contradictous self. On with life. Being one with my oxymoron thoughts.

ENJOY! :) It's unbearably doable.

Doot dah doo dah doo....

2009-09-14T19:03:00.000-07:00

Ummm, really? I'm speechless. Were are my strong-armed bullies who yell at me to get to it? Where? What? When? HUH? Have I been busy?...well, yes...after a fashion. Work WAS busy from May to August....but really...not like it comes home with me. Oh fear, dread and jelly beans...WHATEVER have I been doing? NOT Blogging, that's for sure.

Okay, so I've made some cards....get ready...lots and lots of pics...

FRONT: The Big Day

Inside The Big Day

"Bee Happy"- LOL, I love it!
They are much cuter in person....but I guess you'll just have to put in an order!! :) Each card is $3.99. And it will come with it's own envelope and tons of cuteness all provided courtesy of Kourtney's Kreations!

Free Giveaway on the Ready Store!!!

2009-06-18T20:28:00.000-07:00

Go to http://www.thereadystore.com/blog/?cat_req=true&utm_source=rne_ep101_20090618&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=EP101&utm_content=blog&mc_cid=f47f7f409d&mc_eid=27702b8d16> to find out how to enter!

I really can be quite creative when I put my mind to it...

2009-05-29T22:25:00.001-07:00

Most recent creation: Mom's birthday card....yes, it's homemade! I make to order on these. For a one a kind card, call 979.574.7510

"Homemade card by your daughter: PRICELESS"
Made with love by Kourtney with a K Creations

These were made for an Activity Days Program. They are little Hershey nuggets wrapped in paper, flowers with silver dot centers and a label saying "Treasure the Temple". Our activity day was all about the importance of temples.

Made this for Jefferson's first birthday...pretty cute, huh? You cut pictures and attach to the squares for a one of a kind multi-picture frame.

First cake attempt....we're working on it..slowly we'll get it figured out!

This is the oh so famous tradition of the garter the girls make for their dates to wear on their arm for Homecoming. Yes, I DID make those clothes for the little bears. And YES, I do take order for garters and mums. Seriously. If you live in Texas, you know this is a mandatory evil for your homecoming football games and dance. So call to place an order (979.574.7510). The deadline for orders is one week before Homecoming every year. If order received later a $15 fee is added.

Easter cookies circa 2008

The things you'd like to say and what actually ends up coming out...

2009-05-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

So, I've never been a great diary keeper. That sums that up.

Ever notice you are constantly thinking one thing and saying another. That's my definition of conscientious. People's feelings. Good heavens. It's so stinking easy to say the wrong thing, say the right thing the wrong way or say what you say without really meaning it. Dang inflection tones.

So, I am going to find a class. A FBI, CIA, 'train you to lie so good you even think it's true' class. Yeah, they exist, no one tells you about them because they are being greedy. Greedy FBI'ers! Funny, it sounds like such a dirty term! Maybe because it starts with an "f". Who knows. Boy, I am chatty tonight.

I've got the dog in my lap, laying down like the good little lap dog she is, loving on me like I don't deserve. Why, might you ask? I forgot to feed the little nugget today. I didn't get a lunch break, so I'm sure she thought she was starving to death. She didn't even have a chew toy to keep her occupied and mind off how hungry she was. I came home and still didn't realize I hadn't fed her. I swear if this head of mine wasn't attached sometimes... FINALLY, at 9:45 Daisy decides it's time to give me a little reminder. She saunters on over to her food bowl and lays down pathetically in front of it and does a doggie sigh.
"Oh, did I not feed you?" I think aloud.
Another pathetic doggie sigh.
"Ha ha, I was just making sure you knew how to communicate on a whole different level than most other dogs. And look at that, you still know how to lay in front of your bowl without whining or crying, just a simple sigh. What a good dog I have."
Of course this charade was simply to help me feel better. That's why I love my dog. I can mess up big time (I mean technically, I was STARVING her) and she still doesn't back talk or get whiney. She just sighs, eats and then forgives easily enough to come sit on my lap and love on me immediately afterward. Oh, how I do love this little companion of mine.

So big news.....

Ha Ha....not really. Made you look. Hey, I didn't post on April Fool's, so there.

La dee dah dee dah dee dah...and a bucket of chicken wings please

2009-03-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

Kourtney stumbles over the words, "Sorry, did you actually just say 'a bucket of chicken wings please'? "

Greasy haired man looks up, "Well I wasn't der talkin' to yous ack-shullee"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Have a nice day.", patiently she waits for him to leave her office with a rather forced and genuinely fake smile.

"So when's yous bringin' my uh chickin wings to me?" he grunts.

"Sir, this is an insurance agency, we don't serve chicken or any other type of food. If you'd like an insurance policy, we can help you." as she thinks this is what I get for staying late to finish up a few things after working hours.

"Nah, that der lady I spokt to telled me I be gittin' my chickin wings her'(yes, that's her', as in here)." comes the rather sassy, unclassy reply.

"No sir, not HERE (just in case he may be taking notes on pronunciation), we don't have chicken wings." after a moment of sighing inwardly.

He tips his head back in a roar, "When you be gettin' chickin wings?"

"Never, we have a worker who is allergic to chicken." A little white lie never hurt too many, right?

"Dis 'bout the dumbest All-skate I never did seen." Yes, he actually said THOSE words, tragic.

"That may explain your problem sir. This is Allstate insurance, not All-skate. I assume you may need the skate park down the road?" the only thing running through my head is the Wolf Pen Ice skating rink, but who really knows at this point?

"A'ight, I gotchou, I be back if I can't seen it." he replies as he (FINALLY) walks out the door.

Um, no, I am NOT waiting around. I am gettin' the heck outta her'. Dis her' office, dat is.

Sail away with me, to another world, and we rely on each other uh-huh....

2009-02-24T05:34:00.000-08:00

Oh come on, every now and again it's good to take a little trip and get away from reality. Who's with me? Departure in 15 minutes. The catch? Ah, yes. The catch. We have to be back in 30 minutes so I have enough time to blow dry my hair and get to work. I'm sure there's a multitude of extravaganzas on your table too, so let's just take a breather and sail away, come sail away with me for all of 15 minutes before we are jerked back to our busy, hectic and rather mundane lives.

The Oscars have me thinking....can you imagine what it would be like to get a prom or homecoming EVERY year for the rest of your life? All you have to do is eat nothing, tone like crazy and pay thousands for designer gowns. And the pop. would flock to you as wild geese flock to dried corn, thrilled and embattling one another to capture the "best" picture of you. You would practice your possible Oscar worthy speech or performance and walking in 5 inch stilettos for fear of falling flat on your face during the red carpet parade. Schedule appointments with the make up artist, hairdresser, jewelry specialists and designers amid the gown fittings, teeth whitening (perhaps a few more veneers this time), oh dear is that another wrinkle, call the botox doctor straight away. All the while trying to film your upcoming horrid movie about a gay or lesbian couple (I mean those ARE the worthy Oscar winners lately, right?), keep the nanny in check (good heavens, she is letting your kids run wild around the house, does she not realize your designer couch is a cool 50 grand?), and try to keep up with the Pitt-Jolies across the street who just seem to have it SOOO together, except for the whole babies out of wedlock and constant talk of splitting up. ...all alone, in my own, little room What a relief...I AM back in my own little room, enjoying life immensely, never followed or hounded by 30 or so crazed pop. with cameras, not having EVERY detail of my life scrutinized by the world......ahhhhh.....I LOVE LOVE IT! Thank heavens I don't have to deal with the glamorous, glamorous, going first class..., what a relief I am not a single lady harping all my single ladies, all my single ladies...if you liked it then you should've put a ring on it on an old flame, I kept my flame, thank you very much, for the eternities (YAY!) and stars alive I am so lucky to have the wonderful friends and family I do and IIIIIIIIIII, will always love youooooooooo.

Thank you to my friends who keep me grounded, thank you to my family, who without, I would not be who I am today. Thank you to all those I have come in contact with that have made my life a better one. Thank you for making me want to try to be a better person. The production of this little thing I call my life is a wonderful and amazing one thanks to those around me. Thank you, thank you, thank....awwww dang it, Juan needs to get in the shower now (as I put the shampoo bottle slowly down)...maybe I will have enough time to finish my Oscar worthy speech next shower. :)

Hee hee hee...

2009-02-12T09:39:00.000-08:00

Wow, I've never met someone who could blog less than me. Where's this girl's commitment and vow of a New Year with resolutions and all that jazz? We're gonna paint the town red....and all that jazz...sorry, I do love Chicago!

Don't worry, I made New Year's resolutions including walking Daisy at least 2 miles 3 times per week and going to the gym on a more regular basis and all kinds of stuff...blogging on a regular basis wasn't in the stars, so deal with it. And no, I didn't really feel like changing my stars on that one.

Not much is new. I work, play with my new Cricut (cuts out all kinds of shapes for scrap booking) and attempt to keep house (or apartment in our case).

Juan works and goes to school and still manages to come home in a happy mood. Oh what a husband I have!

Christmas was fun. We drove out to Florida in our "blackbird" (what we call our TransAM) and Juan was a speed demon! It's a wonder we are back with no major accidents or jet lag. Really, 105 on I-10? Yes, really. Very scary for me. I don't know how Juan put up with me yelling to slow down for a full 10 hours! We took Daisy with us and that saved us SOOOO much money. Boarding is a ridiculously expensive commodity. But Daisy HATES car rides, I felt bad for her. We have to keep her covered with a pillow when we travel so she doesn't get carsick. She's a good sport, though. She will fall asleep and stay asleep until we are ready to stop for gas or food.

In Florida Juan watched all his football games on a projector in the guest house. It was funny. My Dad kept disappearing and we knew it was to sneak out and watch the football games with Juan. Thank heavens for ESPN total access or whatever it is b/c my parents don't have cable. They say they wouldn't mind it, but would rather save the money. Anyone who knows Juan knows that's a bad thing. He lives for sporting events....therefore cable is a necessity, not a desire.

So the girls played with Jefferson (he was spoiled ROTTEN by New Year's) and the Cricut (that's the advantage to driving, you get to bring TONS of stuff!) and the boys watched the games out in the guest house.

Fun times.

I promise to post a more exciting blog later. This is it for now!

I've been tagged and I'm excited....

2008-11-18T05:33:00.000-08:00

Don't know why but today of all days, I am excited to be tagged. Plus, I don't feel so dang tired any more. Oh and I may have gotten a mild concussion in church and that made me sick and dizzy, so I didn't workout Monday morning and....stop.

I am rambling. Here, there, everywhere. Breathe in, breathe out. What is it I am so excited about? What's that, your interest was far more piqued with my original intro? Go figure. I knew you loved me, but I didn't know it's because I make no sense and ramble constantly.

See, in church I subbed for the CTR 5 class. There's 7 of them and there's a couple of boys in that class, we'll call them Joe and Bob, that can get your goat like nothing else. I had to look behind me a few times on Sunday, just to get my goat to stand still and forget trying to get him to sit or lay down, he was supercharged and looking for a good head butting target. Joe and Bob are lucky I have worked so hard to control that goat of mine. So Joe was leaning as far over on his chair as possible, causing the back legs to come off the floor. I asked Bob all the live long day (or so it felt) to stop touching the folded tables against the wall for fear he would catch his fingers in between the tables. Joe is still leaning down as far as he can to get the chair to move and I watch in horror as Bob is about to catch his hand in between the afore mentioned tables. I am reaching over to help Bob, take my eyes off Joe and Joe comes FLAILING upwards, knocking his head smack into my brow bone. I caught my goat just in the nick of time. 2 more seconds and that goofy little laugh of his, while I am fighting tears of pain, would have been shamelessly smacked off his face by my goat (or my hand, couldn't really tell which one I really stopped in the end, it all happened so fast). It took every ounce of will-power not to cry. And this whole time, Joe is laughing hysterically, making the urge to pummel this 5 year old into the ground fiendishly hard to control. So that's where the mild concussion comes from. I felt sick and dizzy up until about 2 in the afternoon Monday. Don't worry, luckily, I am pretty sure this is the first one I have ever had, so I'll take it easy and lay off the football practice for, well, eternity. Who knows, I could have even imagined the concussion, just as an excuse not to go workout Monday morning.

So that brings us to the part where I don't feel so tired. Here's the silver lining with having your head whacked by a hard headed (in every sense of the word) 5 year old, you get to go right back to sleep and play catch up for all the lost sleep from the weekend and now I am feeling rested and ready to take on the day/week/month/year, whatever the case may be! Wha-whooooo!

Which brings us to while Alicia didn't mention my name in particular, she said everyone was tagged. Since I can still gain access to her blog...I figure that means I am tagged. And with all the extra sleep, pure giddiness is rushing over me and causing me to be exciting about being tagged. I am excited to go to work and even excited to cook dinner and fold clothes tonight. So Alicia's tag was to mention 6 unique/peculiar things about yourself:
1) When I count off things for working out, I count up until I get to the last 10 reps, then I count down. So what do I do if there's only 10? I count down. :) I know, what the heck?
2) I make the bed a certain way and if you try to make it another way, I will undo the whole bed and re-make it....I am hoping this will be something I DO NOT pass onto my kids. And yes, I made the bed this morning! WOW! I'm back.
3) I can re-arrange your living room in my head and if you want me to help you re-arrange it, nothing will get done until I have a to scale schematic with furniture cutouts to show you what I was thinking.
4) Even when I am flaming hot mad at Juan, I want to laugh and most times I do. I can never understand it afterwards, because I really thought I was beyond repair mad.
5) I like knowing a little something about most everything.
6) I won't go anywhere on Saturday without planning a route first. Really makes me seem crazy, doesn't it? :)

So got to get ready for work now! Thanks for listening luvs!

I don't think I made the bed in the last week....

2008-11-13T07:30:00.001-08:00

I think my OCD is on vacation! I'm losing it! And I am sad and disappointed in myself. Aren't most people overjoyed to overcome a life-long and rather unhealthy obsession? Don't get me wrong, I still scrub the apartment from top to bottom every Saturday and keep things in their respective places, but lately I find myself dead tired at 8 pm and looking around for something to fall asleep in.

All my sleeping clothes seem to be my workout clothes now and well, I got tired of doing laundry every 2 days, so they are all in the hamper. And lately, stars alive, I have been sleeping in my underwear! Something I told myself I wouldn't do because you never know when there might be a fire and you have to get out fast and the last thing you need to worry about are firemen standing over you wondering what in the world you are sleeping in. I imagine myself looking incrediously back at them and saying something truly witty, "well it's a bed of course, haven't you seen one before?", but know in that moment it will be sheer terror trying to keep the g's covered and all wittiness will most likely fly out the door atop the clouds of smoke billowing forth from my apartment door and windows.

So back to the reason why the bed is not made....well I don't have a good reason, but lots of good excuses, which seem to be the only thing I have going for me some days after a truly harrowing workout session.
My first excuse is the standard you get from everyone: Well it's just going to be slept in again tonight, why bother?
The second: I don't have time.
The third (and this is the real one): I am so tired, I take my lunch break, take Daisy on a block walk (too tired to go any further),come straight back to the apartment, set my alarm for 45 minutes later, fall into bed and sleep blissfully until the wretched alarm is screeching in my ear with me thinking 10 more minutes is all I need.

What in the world is going on, you might ask? I am not sure. I go to sleep at 9ish and wake up at 5ish, so that's the recommended 8 hours, right? I am eating healthy (the chocolate Jerry brought to work doesn't count against me, right)...okay, so I will re-phrase that. I am eating healthier than I ever have in the last 2 years, so I should, by all accounts given, have more energy. And nope, I am not expecting. A baby anyway. I am expecting this stubborn belly fat to fall right off and in 2 months be back to looking insanely fabulous. FYI: Will be starting month two of the working out like a mad-dog and not much happening so far.

So, it's official. I am indeed getting older, my metabolism is slowing down and to prevent myself from become Holy Hannah Hip Girl, I am just going to have to do this. Working out and eating healthy, not so bad, it's the being tired that's got me in a slump.

So to all you moms out there, keeping even a passing semblence to normal, here's to you. You are officially my heroes. I don't know how you do it, but I give honor and respect to your labors. How in the world do you keep up with babies, school, cleaning, blogging, and all the Jones's in the world? Amazing.

God won't give us more than we can handle, but boy does he know what we don't like to handle. :)

Step 1: Tagged Step 2: Venting Session

2008-11-05T07:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, lax again. Guilty!

No Couch Potatoes here, however. I can't remember the last time I was this tired. Maybe the 3 straight days awake for finals my junior year of college, but can't fathom any other time.

I now officially know why I gained so much weight over the last few years. It is so stinkin' easy to be fat and happy rather than healthy and happy. Of course, you're happy either way, but you have to plan meals (not just buy them! :) ), exercise like you mean it, and keep up with things like laundry b/c you now only own 2 pairs of workout pants you can fit into (oh yeah they are SUPER stretchy LOL). Then you have to keep up with real world stuff like work and bills. But don't neglect the dog, still look for a house, plan lessons/activities and keep up with friends too.

That's how I know I am not ready for kids. But always up for the practice. Wait that came out wrong. Up for the practice meaning watching/sitting/playing with other people's kids. That way, when you are tired, you get to hand them back and go home to take a nap with the dog. That's the best. You get your baby/kid fix and then you're gone. LOVERLY.

Oh right, Jackie tagged me.
FOURS:

4 Random things I love about my husband
1- His Dwight Schrute look
2- His Pimp Walk in the middle of a crowd
3- His teeth-they are perfect and he's never had braces!
4- His work ethic, values and courage

4 Jobs I've had
1- Babysitter for twin baby girls one summer from 7AM to 7PM
2- Sonic carhop- I converted Jackie and then she stayed for WAY longer than me!
3- Insurance sales
4- Insurance sales....I could go on and on with this one, it's been my job for the last 7 years :)

4 Movies I've watched more than once
1- My Fair Lady
2- GI Jane
3- Sleeping Beauty
4- Mary Poppins

4 TV shows I watch (I have to watch these online so it's hit and miss)
1- BONES
2- Prison Break
3- HGTV anything
4- TLC decorating shows

4 places I have been
1- Naples, Florida - SO FUN!
2- The Four Corners
3- Mexico
4- Good Ole "promised land" Utah

4 places I have lived
1- Raymondville, TX
2- Bryan, TX
3- College Station, TX
4- Provo, UT

4 of my favorite foods
1- Pita Pit's grilled chicken custom-made pita
2- Freebird's burritos
3- Frijoles de la Hoya- Mexican version of regular cooked pinto beans, but they taste so much better cooked in the glazed clay pots with just a pinch of salt.
4- Taquitos

4 places I would like to visit
1- Europe
2- The Carribean
3- GREECE!!!
4- Hawaii

4 people I tag:
1- No one
2- No one
3- No one
4- No one- I say stop the craziness! :)

Now for the venting session. Ugh! America, America, wherefore art thou America? Seriously, Obama as president? I don't have anything against the guy, but voting for someone just b/c they are "black" is not okay people! Especially when your "black" guy is 1/2 white, and only 1/4 black. What the heck?

Okay, now that my venting is over about that. I will support the President of the United States. I will be a honest, trustworthy and conservative American. I will do what is right and give my respect to the leader of our people. I may not agree with his decisions, but I understand it is the majority choice of the American people and know I voted with my freedom and liberty as an American and mine is not the popular choice. So I will go forward supporting the new president. I will work with others who do not share my views to help America stay strong and solvent. I want America to be her true self, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

He had it coming, he had it coming....and you would have done the same....

2008-10-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

You know when you have that feeling. You know the one. The gut wrenching, oh dear heavens how could it be, I feel so stinkin' sick feeling.

No, no babies yet. I am talking about the blog procrastination feeling. And I have it in a BAAAADDDD way.

We've been busy, don't get me wrong. But there is simply no excuse to leave my one poor follower of my blog high and dry. 'Most apologetic stare' here.

I feel like a blog virgin once again. What to say, what to mention, what's TMI, what's so and so going to think of me if I say that?

So here I am, at the ledge of blog journalist and blog junkie once again trying to decide, how much is too much and how little is too little?

How about I stop worrying about it and get on with a post? Why yes, that does have a ring of truth to it. Come on Dover, move your bloomin' a...

I feel like everything should have a theme song to it. Been watching a few musicals lately. Juan's been getting some extra sleep thanks to it too. Who can complain with benefits like that? I get my music and Juan gets sleep. He's kind enough to lay right there beside my and let me snuggle up to him while I watch the movie and he sleeps. What a catch! Early on, I would try to convince him watching the musicals was mandatory. I would laugh and then pause the movie b/c he wasn't laughing. What's this, you are sleeping? No, wake up, I want you to see this funny part. I would rewind and play the part again. He would say 'ha ha' and go back to sleep. Talk about piping mad. I would rag on him, nag him, and terrorize him to get him to wake back up and watch it again, because it's just so funny. He wasn't impressed. Kinda took the fun out of it, ya know? So I've learned to laugh on my own (it's really fun) and to be happy snuggled up against my sleeping catch of a husband, watching my musicals/broadway movies.

Here in Texas, things are a little crazy when it comes to football. We live, eat, and breathe all according to our football season schedules. Homecoming games in the high schools have a whirlwind tradition of "mums and garters". The Mum is a flower up top with streaming ribbons and attached trinkets flowing down the length of the girl. Traditionally, the mum is so heavy, you have to put yourself in an awkward position when taking pictures with your date, so you can hold the mum up with one hand, to keep it from ripping your dress right off you. These things are so heavy, after the pictures, you take it off and "coat" check it at the door, before going into the dance floor area. The girls make "garters" for their homecoming dates. I know...what's this? A boy wearing a garter? Supposedly, goes back to the tradition of taking off a girl's garter at prom and then the guy places it around their bicep for the remainder of prom. So the guys have these garters at homecoming that are usually heavier and crazier than the girls' mums, just in a shortened version. The garters get "coat" checked at the door too.

Why oh why did I just explain that to you? Well, I got to direct the making of a garter this past weekend and it was SOOOO fun. My friend and coworker's sister has homecoming the 18th of October and so we made the garter at my apartment. I will post pics later. I must say I am rather proud of my clothing clad little bears. One is a football player and the other is a drill team "rangerette". You'll see why I am so proud when you see them.

So no news is good news? No house just yet. Not that we've stopped looking or anything. We just haven't found "the one". Yes, I am a hopeless romantic. I truly believe we will find "the one" that suits our needs perfectly. So until we find it, we keep looking. With the mortgage scare going full force...we will probably find ourselves plopped down in the middle of a great deal too good to believe...at least I sure hope we will.

No babies on the horizon. "Why do we keep waiting?" "What's the deal?" "Why no babies yet?", these are the questions we keep hearing. I finally told one older lady..."Well, we are having so much fun practicing, we want to get it perfect before we try for kids". Talk about dead pan silence afterwards. Seriously? Seriously, stay out of people's kid making business. This is not to say I mind friends/family asking, cause that's a whole different scenario, I know these people and it's okay to talk about the intricate details of our lives, but a stranger you're meeting for the first time who hears you've been married for a year and decides to ask "Why no babies yet?", LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

Well, now that's off the chest...let's talk about busy! I just got called to be acheivement days leader for the girls 8-11. It's soooo exciting! I really think the girls I have will be great. They are all so smart and so talented. They each bring a very special talent to the group and need someone who can keep them busy. That's where I come in....I know I can keep these girls so busy they don't have time to think! I am sure they will teach me alot too! AND....I still get to teach my sunbeams for the time being. YAY! I love my little sunbeams.

Not too much else I have time for now....but my lone blog follower, I sure hope this satiates the thirst!

Nope, no house yet...

2008-07-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, we just found out the house we wanted to buy is on two different foundations. It doesn't scare me if the home was all on cylindrical pier and beam, but the back half was added sometime later says our inspector and it's on concrete pad and cinder block. I have seen too many issues come up with that type of foundation working insurance and maybe the house hasn't fallen yet, but we just don't want to take any chances.

Hopefully, the seller won't hate us for forever. We really feel bad, but had we known it was on two different foundations, we never would have signed the contract to begin with. Plus we would feel obligated to disclose that fact straightaway when we went to sell the home and I am sure I am not the only one it scares.

So we will be back on the search again in the near future. Keep an eagle eye out College Station 2nd Ward goers!

Waiting for babies to arrive...

2008-07-18T21:04:00.000-07:00

Juan's sisters, Celeste and Maria, are having baby boys very soon. Celeste has a 2 year old son named Exzavier and Maria has a four year old son named Isaiah. Celeste is due any hour now. Her new baby boy will be Ayden Kevin. Her due date is the 19th, but her doctor says she is ready to go....just waiting for Ayden to agree basically. Maria is due August 9th or 8th and it's a baby boy named Manuel Dalton.

Maybe I am excited or just bored. Can't put a label on it exactly. Since I don't have hours of homework or babies of my own to cater to I decided it was high time to do something creative. Uh-oh, messy kitchen is what that means. Don't you fret, I am spastic enough to clean as I go. And I organize my materials as I use them, yes, sadistic punishment when trying to complete a craft/creative idea. I wantonly imagined at one point in my life, having things organized and "just so" may be leading to lack of originality or a capping the creative juices.

I quickly hussied up my work space, spilling a few embellishments across the table, taking all my punches out of their slide out organizational systems, leaving all the markers on the table, rather than place them back to their rack after each use. I sat, I thought, I thought some more. Pressure, coming down on me, coming down on me... One hour later, I frantically corralled the embellishments back into their compartment, gathered my punches by incremental sizes and replaced them in their lonely bins, swiftly made sure each marker was in it's designated spot (yes, each marker has a spot of it's very own on the rack). Rapidly after, 4 scrapbook pages lay completed on the bar. Humph, here's to you whacked out OCD-ers. Whacked out OCD-ers! You may not always get the recognition you deserve... I get it, but nothing changes the fact we still need therapy for our addiction.

Oh the point of this post. I wanted to show you what I did with my spare time for the babies, Ayden and Manuel. I stole the idea from a Utah craft store for the most part, but hey, what's that they say about copy-catting being the highest form of flattery? Right, so here are the pictures. I made a diaper cake for Ayden (Celeste's baby boy) and a sock bouquet for Manuel (Maria's baby boy).

Anyway, I figure I should one day do something with all this creative energy, any ideas? GO easy on me, I am a newbie at asking for idea advice :).

I am 25 going on 18, I'll take care of you...

2008-07-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

So Alicia tagged me and I am going to do something I don't believe I have done before....respond. Wow, am I moving up in the blogger world or what? If anyone can find the lyrics to the song in The Sound of Music where Lisle is in the gazebo with her about-to-turn-Nazi stud, I sure would love you for forever :).

So here goes the I like talking about you, you, you usually, but occasionally I wanna talk about me....

I am: an amazing insurance sales representative, meticulously organized, and good with difficult people (even when all I want to do is punch them square in the face, you know who you are).
I know: a lot 'bout living and little 'bout love. Wait, really I know a whole lot about living. I am still alive, right?
I want: to know what it feels like to have a baby
I have: an addiction to watching the TV series Bones, don't eat while you watch.
I wish: at 11:11, 12:12, 1:11 and 3:33 for something good. I ALWAYS miss the others, funny huh?
I hate: it when people do mean things for no reason. Like shoot puppies because it's "funny" to hear them yelp. Or shake babies because they are crying.
I miss: the days of being a size 6 and thinking I was fat.
I fear: the end of the world as we know it is closer than we realize.
I feel: like singing/whistling all the time. It takes everything in me to fight it at work.
I hear: selectively. AND I do it without even trying now. How's that for talent mastery.
I smell: the dang nail salon fumes next door. And Jerry can't figure out why, when I have babies, don't just build a nursery in the back of the office? HMMMMM....I wonder.
I crave: steak every day, the aromas waft over me from Outback Steakhouse, as I walk home to my apartment.
I search: Crate and Barrel, Potterybarn, Williams Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, Bed Bath and Beyond and Pier One for a deal with a diligence level that would put a Navy SEAL to shame.
I wonder: why each little bird has a someone, to sing to, sweet things to...
I regret: nothing. I live in the present, learn from my past and plan for my future.
I love: Juan. Unconditionally and irrationally at times.
I care: enough to buy "green" bags for shopping and then forget to bring them with me, 8 times out of 10.
I always: clean the bathroom first, then the extra bedroom, our bedroom, the kitchen and last, the living room.
I am not: tired and I am tired of people asking me why. What an oxymoron statement, huh?
I believe: in the 13 articles of Faith. Even though one of them (11th?)says 'we claim.'
I dance: along with the princesses in Disney movies.
I sing: to Jefferson on the phone to get him to smile and sometimes talk to me
I don’t always: remember to be patient with others. I mean I should if they put up with me, huh?
I fight: to be a stronger, better person each day.
I write: flagrant stories loosely based on actual events.
I lose: my temper and my birth control is my prime suspect. Zero to sixty in 2.0 flat is NOT how you want your temper described.
I win: smiles from my Sunbeams when I have a really good object lesson for them.
I never: forget to thank people for their generosity. If you feel you have been forgotten, let me know, I promise to get you a thank you somehow!
I listen: to what people say and do it if I feel like it.
I am scared: I might one day be the crazy mom who won't let her kids get wet at a Fourth of July breakfast.
I need: more money but I know it's God's way of keeping me in check.
I am happy about: all the fun times we will have getting our first house all set up!
I tag: Jackie, Hillary, Lindy and Meg. And I don't expect anything! Only do it if you want to.

That was fun! I should do these tag thingies more often. Is thingies a word? Don't answer, it's rhetorical.

With A Little Bit O' Blooming Luck...

2008-07-02T11:56:00.000-07:00

we'll have a house in all of about 4 weeks. YAY! How exciting. Juan is getting more comfortable with the idea the house will be ours and he is watching horrified as I schedule appointments to go look at the progress being made toward completion of the home and proceed to measure every window, every wall, every closet, nook and cranny. Literally. With a Stanley measuring tape.

Just in case, is the slogan of the month. You know, just in case, by happen-stance, I am walking around Bed Bath and Beyond, pull out my Stanley to survey just how well that vanity sink might fit into the bathroom. Just in case I happen to be in the same neighborhood as Pier One, with by best shopping buddy Laura, and they just happen to have their annual summer sale going on and that wonderfully cute 4 poster, ditressed white bed HAPPENS to be too good a deal to pass up. If I chance to come upon a Potterybarn or Restoration Hardware and their furniture or linen sales are going on, shouldn't I have measurements, just in case?

Be Prepared. You'd think with Juan being a former 11 year old Scout Leader, he would know these things. He tells me he does.

Juan: I think you might be abusing the Scout motto.
Kourtney: I am just trying to be prepared in any way possible for things that just
might go perfectly in the home.
Juan: I get the feeling if you would stop looking, you wouldn't need to carry a tape
measure in your purse.
Kourtney: You are acting like the only thing I use the tape measure is for house
stuff. I use it all the time for other things.
Juan: I'll give you 3 seconds to name one other thing.
Kourtney: Umm, my phone is ringing...I will tell you when I get off.

After an hour conversation with my mom on my phone.
Kourtney: Okay mom, I will talk to you later...Uh huh, love you too....kay
bye...bye....bye....ya I did that already....Mom, I will talk to you later,
kay?....I love you too...bye...bye...bye (OH, come on, you know you do it
too)

Juan: So what's that other thing you use the tape measure for?
Kourtney (very sheepishly): To make sure my subs from Subway are 6 inches?
Juan: Riiiight.

Okay, so he's right, he's caught me red-handed, standing in the kitchen, arm all the way to the elbow in the cookie jar, metephorically speaking. But what's an OCD like me to do, oh sorry Steven, a detailed oriented, meticulous person like me to do when I know we will most likely be setting up house in a few more weeks? Please tell me you understand my plea here?

Few things in life are free, but you can find FABULOUS deals all the time! So we have decided to go with Flagstone acid stained a sandstone color for the back patio. Very excited about getting that done ASAP when we move in. Guess I can show you a few other things I have been looking at for the just in case moments:

Office Ideas:

Outdoor ideas (I am a sucker for darkwood! and I will definitely do a different color, white is too much, even for me):

The dining table I am in love with, it comes with an extra leaf for more space:

And my favorite new obsession, beds, bedding and anything for the bedroom suite:

Also, if anyone has seen an ultimate organization system for everthing from pantry to bedroom, bathroom, living room, let me know....I will be forever grateful to have you share in my OCD with me!

Oh and here's a really cute picture of Juan and I before the big day, crazy it's been almost a year and a half now!!! Thanks again Meg for your photography expertise!

Inspired Moments

2008-06-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

I have no idea how people know how many posts they have made, but Eash inspired me, for my posterity's sake. That and I think I got tagged a few times and never even made an effort :). Classic. Here goes Kourtney's Confessional:

1) I fall asleep in the shower while shaving my legs. All the time. And I have only cut myself once.

2)I think I have an OCD, but I play it off pretty well in society. Just tell people you have an OCD and wait to hear, "Oh, okay, I get it". Wait, am I really that bad? Really? Does saying it make people "understand" me? They have no idea.

3)I want a baby. And I mean now. But I think it's mostly because I feel like I want a nursery in the new house. That's not really a good reason to have a baby, is it? Plus, we are way unprepared for a baby. There's just no way. Not now, not soon even. Maybe in a year we can try, right? (Can you see the inner struggle here?)

4)Juan makes me laugh. And I mean, hysterically laugh. Just the other night we were laying in bed, whispering "sweet nothings"....ha ha, that's not my life. We were talking about work and how busy we were and he said something a funny way and we laughed about it for 15 minutes. My abs are so sore!

5)I am a sucker for competition. I don't try to let people know it motivates me.

6)I make unabashed fun of how Juan sometimes says sister (sees-ter)and we are comfortable enough with each other to laugh about it.

7)Juan likes it when I iron, cook, clean, workout, anything that makes me sweat. He says it's "hot".

8)Juan and I had our first "date" at his company picnic in the summer of 2001. He helped me pick out my swimsuit for the occasion.

9)One of our favorite movies to watch together is "Serendipity" with John Cusak and Kate Beckensale. Terribly cheesy, but it was our first kiss movie.

10)I have an unhealthy addiction to Cheerios with a teaspoon of brown sugar sprinkled on top.

11)I work for Allstate Insurance. Some people think it's an easy job, but it's challenging. I am writing a book about encounters with some less than appetizing customers. Completion date scheduled for when I stop working and have the time to finish a book.

12)I am a old movie fan. Especially musicals. I LOVE musicals.

13) I DO NOT like High School Musical. And I tried. Hard.

14) I have a dog named Daisy I treat more like a best friend than canine. And I swear she understands what I am talking about most the time.

15)I read Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse in 3 days. That's with working 9-6pm and preparing a primary lesson. I HEART Edward Cullen and I don't care who knows it. I am so NOT above a good romance novel. AND one without a few pages you have to tear out is a rare find, let alone three with another on the way!

16)Juan thinks this is a waste of time.

17) I agree, but again, I am inspired and OCD, I HAVE to do it!

18)My first car was a Mitsubishi Eclipse. I even paid my parents completely back for it. I thought I was so cool because it was a manual transmission and I could beat 75% of people revving their engines next to me off the crosswalk line. "Hot" chick, huh?

19)Juan started dating me because he thought I was ambitious, beautiful, organized and fun. Little did he know I was vaguely aware, wearing alot of makeup and a push up bra, OCD and hormonal. Really.

20)I can roll my tongue, twirl my tongue, create a wave with my tongue (sometimes) and tie a cherry stem with my tongue. AND I think it's all a lie. I wouldn't say I kiss better than the average princess.

21)Juan still gives me butterflies in my stomach. Especially when he surprises me.

22)I could eat steak everyday and not complain once. IF I have A1 every time. Yeah, it's that important.

23)If I had all the money in the world, I would be a mean, horrible miser. I am so glad God knows I can't handle it.

24)When I smell strong perfume, it makes me sick. Especially anything with satsuma in it.

25)I don't want to "talk" about it when I am mad. I want to vent and fume and plot out evil little plans of revenge for about a day. Then I am ready to talk.

26)I HATE it when Jerry (my boss) stands behind me and jingles his change in his pocket. And he knows, because I tell him every time he does it. I can handle the change jingling better than the standing behind me, but put them both together and I lose my cool.

27)My favorite color is red. Not an annoying bright red, but burgundy. Maybe it's better described as a blood red, after it's been oxidized for a few minutes, but not dry yet. Gross.

28)I am developing my Mom's "fear of talking about blood" disease. We had a doctor in the office talking about a surgery and I started to feel dizzy. I thought, "When's the last time I ate?", then, "Am I smelling something that's making me sick?". She stopped talking about the surgery for a few minutes and the feeling went away. Then when she brought up another procedure the surge of faintness returned. Hmmm, that's never happened before, I thought. Holy Hannah, I am getting dizzy typing this. Moving on...

29)If I could name other people's kids, I would. And generally speaking I would name them things like Micheal, Jon, Luke, Peter, Jacob, Jason, Thomas, Brian, Jane, Catherine, Deborah, Katie, you know anything but Apple, Coco, or anything related to food.

30)I love to scrapbook, but I am so OCD about it, I hardly ever do it anymore. What, it makes a mess in my apartment.

31)I don't care much for my nose. My mom keeps saying it is so "Roman-esque". Yeah, yeah, that makes me feel so much better.

32)I LOVE Greek mythology. Always have. I want so badly to take a trip to Greece.

33)I dream in color and nothing is fuzzy or hazy.

34)Juan dreams in black and white and everything has a haze across it.

35)I can talk in my sleep loud enough to wake me up. But then again, I don't sleep so well.

36)Once I had such a big crush on Joey McIntyre from New Kids on the Block that I demanded a "Joey" Ken doll. I then made Jesse get one for his birthday so I could have two to play with. SO sorry Jess!

37)I collect Willow Tree angels and I stole the idea from my Mom. I will only put a few out at a time though, because I don't want people to think I collect them! LOL

38)My best friends in no particular order are Juan, Mom, Jackie, Lindy (Lin-lee), Laura, Ashley, Hillary, Jake and Sarah. We all connect in a very unique way. In other words, they are about the only people who can put up with me.

39)Never feed me pickled okra. Never.

40)I can make chocolate chip cookies like no one's business.

41)When I grow up, I want to be a wedding/event planner.

42)There are days when yelling and throwing a little tantrum make me feel pretty dang good.

43)When I watch Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, Mulan, or any Princess movie, I dance along if I am watching alone. Just like a ballerina. And yes, even to this day. Luckily, I don't do much watching alone.

44)I like how spinach, green beans, peas, carrots, asparagus and squash taste before I cook them, yep I am a raw girl.

45)If I could outsource me, I would be a millionaire. We all would. I just work that hard. :)

46)When I iron, I get mad because I'm hot. I know, weird.

47)I am spoiled. In fact, I am spoiled rotten and my darling husband is sweet enough not to remind me.

48)I can usually get more by staying quiet. But for some reason my motor mouth can't keep itself shut. I talk my way into tickets, going to concerts I don't want to go to, party favors and general hysteria constantly.

49)I really LOVE teaching my Sunbeams in Primary. I love object lessons and prepare one for each Sunday. I am pretty sure the kids appreciate it, right? I am sure 3 year olds know just how long it takes to cut out 15 perfect little fish. But they are so cute and so fun, it's worth every second.

50)If I was smart, I mean a genius, I would try to figure out things like were the dinosaurs here after the earth was formed or were the bones just in the matter God used to make the earth? Also, how long does a star twinkle and are we really seeing stars that no longer exist?

51)I let stupid things people do bother me at an unhealthy level.

52)I like to think I have everything under control. It makes me feel good.

53)When I was little, I would kiss frogs and store them in my play barn. My mom was not too thrilled about either.

54)I would tape Jackie (my sister) to the floor when she was a baby. I would also put her into the bookshelf, cover the space with a hanging blanket and tell her she couldn't move while I would read a book in the shelf below her. Her patience has always amazed me.

55)I am so opinionated, it hurts.

56)I have blue eyes and a little auburn in my "real" hair color. Thanks Grandpa Hansen! It's beautiful.

57)I have freckles and I really did try to get rid of them by rubbing lime juice on myself every night before I went to bed. That only lasted for a while. We ran out of lime juice and Mom refused to buy more. She switched to real limes, much bigger hassle, so I gave up. I don't know if she even knows I tried to get rid of them.

58)For a talent show once, I didn't want to do a step in my Mom's choreography and was being really obnoxious and disrespectful and she spanked me in front of my friends. That took a while to get over. I was about 11.

59)I got my Mom's blood a-pumping growing up. I can still remember running away from her wooden spoon (only happened once), her grabbing my hair and pulling me to watch her erase dollars from my "dollar tracker", and fighting tooth and nail because I didn't want to do what I was supposed to. And I love her more because we went through those tough times together. I think I may be the only kid who ever got my mom to cuss. Quite the accomplishment, huh?

60)I fight dirty. And I always hurt myself doing it.

61)I used to burn ants with a magnifying glass when I was little.

62)I can talk to my friends for hours. I can sit in silence with my friends for hours too and not feel weird at all.

63)I love blog stalking.

64)I keep dirty pots and pans in the dishwasher if company is coming over and I know I won't have a chance to clean up after dinner. I wash and dry them the second they are out the door.

65)I love playing tag with Daisy. I really think she gets it.

66)I could watch HGTV and TLC TV shows indefinitely.

67)I can generally reorganize a person's entire living room setup within 15 seconds of sitting on their couch. Visually, anyway. Not that there is anything wrong with any one's set up, it's just something I do, even to my own living room.

68)I wake up 3-4 times a night. Twice for a Daisy potty break and once or twice for no reason what-so-ever.

69)I DESPISE scary movies.

70)I am a Adam Sandler fan. And I am not sure why. Some of his movies are not the best, morally speaking.

71)I make up little songs and diddys to remember things. Especially when I was in college.

72)Juan wants to own an old pickup truck he can "trick" out one day.

73)I promised Juan a huge flat-screen TV if I could just get this house I wanted. And he loves me enough to let me, even with his reservations.

74)Talking about myself is funner than I thought it would be. Who am I kidding, I love to talk. About anyone, anything, myself included.

75)Juan loves live concerts.

76)Juan is a Metallica fan. And I never suspected until he bought concert tickets one day.

77) My favorite band is Nickelback.

78) Juan's favorite band is Linkin Park.

79) We both love classical music and that was very surprising to me.

80) Juan would like to take piano lessons.

81) I would have gladly let him have mine.

82)I drink Dr Pepper and try to hide it from my Mom. 5 days strong, Mom. SO sorry you had to find out here.

83)Juan sneezes so loud it never fails to scare me. It's pretty funny. He sneezes, I let out a whelp, he sneezes 4 more times before he's done and then usually laughs at me while he rubs his nose obnoxiously loud.

84)If there were no rules against it, rules of physicality, that is, I would want to be a dolphin, just for a day.

85)I always wanted to be a marine biologist growing up and then I realized, swimming is not my favorite.

86)Then I wanted to be a vet and I realized dogs and cats can be mean when they are sick. Not to mention, they don't make much money after all that schooling.

87)I will have to come up with something else I want to be when I grow up.

88)I make lists. Compulsively.

89) At any given moment, I have band-aids, lotion, make up, double-sided tape, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, sewing kit, rubber bands, paper clips, my card, tide to go... well you get the idea...in my purse. It's huge. I think it weighs about 15 pounds. Seriously.

90)I worry. And I do things like get safe deposit boxes at banks for all our "valuable" documentation with copies in a safe place at home because I feel it will better prepare my survivors when I die.

91) I am over insured and still thinking about my next insurance plan to purchase.

92)I like looking through magazines, especially Potterybarn and Williams Sonoma. I will even take my magazines with me when I am going over to a friend's house to look at.

93)I can whistle really well. Uncannily well.

94)I think out loud too often.

95)I should have kept some of these things to myself, but what can I say, motor mouth?

96)I usually choose the "safe" option, until I make it to the front of the line and then I change my mind in a split second and end up with a chilli-dog I really didn't want.

97)I spend cash like a rapper in a Bentley dealership. Checkbooks and debit cards make me infinitely more responsible.

98)I go around to apartment complexes and collect Bed Bath and Beyond coupons from the mail trashcan. You never know when you might need twenty or so of those bad boys.

99)If there is a solid wood table in a dumpster, I will jump in without a second thought to retrieve it and it's four legs. Yes, even with my OCD looming large.

100) I don't know how to stop when I get started doing something. I make time for it, even as it encroaches upon things like dinner time or appointments to be kept. Tsk! Tsk! As I go to bed after two hours of my poor husband asking when I will be coming to bed.

It's that time again...

2008-06-06T16:37:00.001-07:00

Ready? I will not terrorize, melt into self loathing sarcasm or berate myself in general for not blogging recently. We simply MUST go on ;).

We have come so far. Applications have been completed, contracts officially accepted and are one week away from ordering an inspection for our new home! July 28th sounds so far away, but it's really just a matter of 7 weeks. So much time, so little to do. Stop, reverse that.

We have big plans and I do believe I will enlist your help.

Do we go with Flagstone or more traditional pavers (which we will be able to do ourselves)?
The Flagstone look

The Paver look

We are just so excited. All the remodeling should be complete by Monday! YAY! That means one step closer to making this house a home.

Here are some of the things we have been thinking about looking into:

Swedish wooden reinforced shelving from Williams Sonoma for our storage space off the kitchen...good news, we probably won't have to get the wine rack!

The Palladion Collection from Restoration Hardware...great media center, yes?

The Hudson Collection from Potterybarn...I know, they look almost the same...but I just can't decide...which would you choose? (They are the same price.)

Decisions, decisions....too bad we can't really buy any of this until we save up a little first.

But remember, by small and simple things are great things brought to pass...funny how that applies even to things like saving up to make a fun purchase!

Gotta run, but keep me posted on all your opinions...I know a few people who are very good at that ;) Love you all!

What you have to know, what you can pretend to know and how you figure out you know nothing at all...

2008-05-09T05:51:00.000-07:00

So after having incredibly horrible dreams about closing not going through on our little bungalow of love, I realize you must simply put your trust in the Lord and hope for the best.

I really want to take time to thank the people who helped this home buying experience happen! Thanks to our parents for telling us constantly we are throwing our money away on rent (it's true, you know), thanks to Dory and Jerry for keeping us employed and allowing us the opportunity to make an offer on this house, thanks to our realtor (who didn't find this one for us since it's a for sale by owner) who gave us HUGE tips along the way and thank the Heavens above we were able to make the offer! I think it took a little courage, especially for Juan who I believe feels we are moving a little fast on the home buying track.

We are just so happy we get to move in about two months. Funny how fate works, the screaming kid at 3:30 in the morning, well, he still cries at the top of his lungs, but after hearing his parents go at each other's throats all hours I am home, allows me to feel sorry for him (the kid that is) and now the screaming doesn't irk me the way it did before. Sure they still make LOUD noises, but I just hope the kid finds everyday little things to keep him going since his parents sound like they could use an intervention. In other words, I am starting to miss the nuances of apt. living. I am sure that will wear off in about a day or two ;).

Oh and scroll down to the first post we made on the pictures, don't just start with the kitchen pictures post, and you do have to read to catch some of the highlights of our closing (the when, but I can type it again, July 31st!!:) )

Thanks to everyone who kept an eye out for us....keep it up....just in case, you know?

Pictures Continued...

2008-05-08T21:06:00.001-07:00

Kitchen.....LOVERLY!!!

Kitchen, 2nd view.

Bar in Kitchen

Living Room

And there's an efficiency apt in the back, but it's not quite completed just yet...so pictures of that when we get closer to closing, I suppose. If everything goes as planned, we will have a HOME on July 31st!

YAY!!!

NEW HOUSE!!! It's officially under contract and going to the Riveras!

2008-05-08T20:18:00.001-07:00

Oh my and dear! When will I get better at this consistency thing? No worries, I simply must do better in the future. We are so excited! We just signed a contract (YES A CONTRACT!!!) on a home! Okay, enough with the exclamation points.....once you see the pictures, you will understand why we are so excited! Hope we don't hex the closing or anything!!!

Front of the house

Door with slate tile.

What you see when you walk through the front entry

Dining room, just to the left of the entry

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Second Bathroom

Second Bathroom

Second Bedroom

Third Bedroom

There's not many me's in this US of A!

2008-04-17T16:49:00.000-07:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
3
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

how/'>http://howmanyofme.com">How many have your name?

And all for just toppins a bag!

2008-04-17T11:09:00.000-07:00

Why oh why does it take a person with my vast intellect, casual good looks and amazing personality to figure out the small things can cost more than you ever imagined (read groceries, clothes, presents for showers/weddings/birthdays, dentist visits) and the big, important things in life are monetarily free? I specify monetarily due to the alarming fact dear husbands can take all your energy, patience and long suffering out of you in one bright millisecond moment.

Ever see those kids fighting, screaming, wildly whining, yelling, hysterically thumping their legs and arms on the floor and go, hmmm...note to self, never do THAT in public. My mom will attest we (being the 5 kids in our family crew) were aware at a very early age just how awful THAT looked and tried our hardest not to display such behaviors in public areas. Alas, the lesson must at times vigorously renew it's presence in my mind and manners.

I don't know why I like (note here the specific use of the word like) to tirade about as if only I am queen, and the masses are mere peasants, at times. Not to imply I treat others as being "below" myself, I simply traipse out on a power trail of nonsense and insensibility at times. Juan found himself caught in a tirade a few nights ago and I must confess, brutality and inequality reigned supreme. No fears/worries/general concerns, this is but a public confession to prove my love and severe disappointment with my afore mentioned behavior for my dearest husband.

Feel buttons pushed, implications in sentence fragments, words coming at you in what seems to be ill-humored jabber? I sheepishly admit, I did. The mind can make mountains from molehills, grand canyons from but a small drip of a expired hose, a Sequoia from but a seed planted yesterday.

In short, I was as a ill-mannered child at the toy store, holding a toy in each hand, demanding more, falling quickly to the floor to exercise my right to whine/moan/complain and display the unsavory contempt for any being in my way not willing to immediately yield to my desires, wishes and demands.

The question Juan asked, "So, have you heard anything back on whether you have the new job?".
Yeah, I know. What IS your deal Kourtney? Well, let's just say, I took it to mean, "Why don't you have a new job yet, Kourtney?", and was WAY off base.

Sure, no one directly SAW this behavior but my dear husband and a few cursedly happy devils from below. However, when you behave in a way directly affecting those you care for and deeply love, it feels as though the world should know and hear your confession and apology. "Shouted from the rooftops" comes to mind.

In closing, I profusely apologize to my dear husband for my derelict behavior and beg once again his forgiveness (which he calmly assures me is not necessary, I have done nothing too bad, and then laughingly adds, yet). Oh my, and to think love doesn't cost even a mere toppin. ;)

Here we are, Sunset and Camden!!

2008-04-14T18:44:00.000-07:00

The stomach virus is the devil!! The devil I tell you! Luckily, it only lasts about 48 hours and I am feeling like my old self more and more. Which means you, my fortunate and faithful readers of the blog, are entitled to my promised pictures of Master Jefferson.

Mom made fun of my ring and the fact it's almost as big as Master Jefferson's face. Pish-posh, it's simply the closet thing to the camera. Never could we say such things seriously. He is such a cute, precious little thing. LOVES to be moving and looking around. He doesn't care for the camera much, as Jason will tell you. Busy body, no way that comes from the Hansen side of the family, right? :) Who could ever lay claim that the Hansen's are about as busy as they come? Who me, yes you, couldn't be, then WHO?

Anyhow, what else. Oh yes! Never get the stomach flu virus. Hits you like a ton of bricks and lays you on your back in 2-3 hours flat. Nothing can possibly get done when you are flat on your back, nothing. And being flat on your back builds the immenient danger to which the stomach flu virus so violently racks and contorts the body, all while rushing haphazardly to the restroom.

It's over and I am so happy! Still feeling pretty weak, but I am so grateful I don't have kids yet. Not too many times you can say that, but this was by far one of the top ten reasons to wait ;). Just trying to convince myself that's why were waiting, lay off.

So we also went snowmobiling while we were in Utah, all thanks to the wonderful generosity of Jackie's parent-in-laws. So kind of them to let us go and have fun. I think I was terrified or something because my arms cried out in pain the next day and Juan informed me I was holding on to him as if life itself existed only within the grasp on his front zipper. He said everytime we went around a curve or down a little slope, I would inch up further onto the snowmobile and grasp even more tightly to him. We ran into a bout of bad luck with barbed wire and then we fell off once or twice, but made it ALL THE WAY back down without falling ONCE!!! Juan says that's because he thinks my arms were tired and getting weaker by that point. I just think Juan figured out how to better control a virtual motorized sled.

So much excitement! Okay, I've met my obligation to posting the pictures! Now if we can convince Jackie to take pictures every week and post them on her blog. HMMM! What kind of incentive would work? I already made fabulous picture frames for the nursery, you would think that would be enticement enough. I will have to spoil Jefferson just a little more to bribe his mommy to post pictures on a regular basis. What's that you say? You want to see the frames. Well, OKAY! I had so much fun making them, I admit, I had a blonde moment trying to find the "perfect" frames, then realized I am letting the highlights grow out and it's no longer acceptable to rely on the faux blonde to cover up a duh-du-duh moment. So I took the wide matting out of two identical frames and VIOLA! I have the "perfect" frames, which can one day be frames for Master Jefferson with the wide matting re-inserted. That's it for now! I am dratted out! I hope that sounds better than "pooped" out, but somehow I am beginning to doubt it and will be taking suggestions all week long for a substitute word!

Juan is commenting on dinner status, duty calls!

Drat, Rats and Lizards, OH MY!

2008-04-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

I did it again, I said I wouldn't do it and indeed I did! I knew that I could do it, I knew it, I knew it. And when it came to do it, alas I failed again.

OK, enough of the My Fair Lady tirade. Short end of the stick, I haven't blogged since March 23rd! Crap. CORRECTION. Poop. CORRECTION. DRAT! So yes, I have absolved to the oblivion of using the "drat". After hearing your 4 year old nephew say "crap" and "poop", you begin to understand the mantra good mothers politely reinforce to their children to keep their language clean and clear and under control. Apologies, I have about a million commercials running top speed in my head today. In case you didn't catch that, "clean, clear and under control" is the "jingle" for Johnson and Johnson's Clean and Clear face wash product. But it fit so beautifully I couldn't but help myself to the silent entreaties to "borrow" their simple statement of clarity.

Between the movies and the commercials, something good is bound to pop into my psyche eventually. Ability to recount commercials, say so's, sweet nothings, and tunes from your favorite movies and incorporate each into your "saying of the moment" should lead one to believe I posses a vast intellect beyond all reason. The mind is a wonderful and imaginative thing. Mine appears to be dwindling lately due to the jargon of insurance freely invading my hard-drive and causing additional memory to be purchased (i.e. notebook and calendar to which even small tasks are recorded in order to help me remember the important things in life). One would hope, no even suppose, the jargon of my trade to politely delete and consume memory space reserved on behalf of movie theme songs, commercial jingles, sweet nothings and say so's, but alas, those remain unabashedly untouched.

Moral of the story, if you don't see me write in down, I won't be doing it. So, wait for me to write it down before you say one word more and you are guaranteed a smooth transition to completion. In short, I am becoming more like my mother. I now own 3 timers for cooking, none of which make much sense b/c I am of late constantly forgetting to set them. I have a MASSIVE purse to which everything must be stored, everything. Cannot blame my mother entirely for this one, in fact, that is entirely my own fault and obsession. I do take credit for passing this infectious disease to Lin-lee, so far my attempts to infect more around me have not yet hit decision making status in other's minds, instead I believe the infection is commonly referred to as "Kourtney OCD". I laugh. Yes, I do obsess, but not too much. I still maintain my sanity at 95%. Everyone needs a little cushion room, I figure 5% should be compulsory and sufficient.

Anyway, back to the reason I decided to blog today:
1) It's been forever
2) Jackie and Jason's baby Jefferson is SO PRECIOUS AND CUTE!

We were in Utah until just recently and I would like to blame my "blogcation" (thanks Meg, for the word) on such activities, however, I had full access to a computer at any given time and cannot therefore, accuse my Utah time of being culprit.

Jefferson is so cute. I will have pictures loaded sometime this week. Jackie is an amazing Mom already! She is so good with him. Jason gets mad at us for making him cry (hey, every infant needs TONS of pictures) and you can tell he will be a very protective father.

We were at his blessing and Jefferson was crying away, forcing lung capacity to maximum and instilling doubt in Jackie's mind he would willingly cooperate. Jason waited for a few seconds, rocking and lulling to no avail. He began the blessing and immediately Jefferson stopped utilizing his God-sent fully developed lungs. Not a few seconds later, IMMEDIATELY. I think we have a spiritual feeling addict on our hands. It was so sweet. And I really think it was the spirit inspiring and comforting little Jefferson, just as much as his Daddy's voice.

Okay, I will post pictures later, not enough time on my lunch break to get the dang, um nix that, not enough time to get those dratted pictures posted.

Love to all my suffering (hopefully uncontrollable fits of laughter in some parts) readers.

Oh, and being my Mom isn't a bad thing, just mentioning how you don't seem to figure out it's not bad to "become your MOM" until later in life and I find myself more and more attracted to trying to be just like her! Even if one of those quirky traits seems to be forgetting you are cooking every now and again.

Happy Easter and Merry 1st Year anniversary!!!

2008-03-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

Juan's got a little bit o Easter Cap'n in him!!

Does the first year count as "making it"? With the divorce rate in America, actually scratch that, the WORLD skyrocketing, I would like to be proud of our 1 year mark and give all the credit to Juan. That poor man has dedicated his patience to me. He laughs with me, holds me when I just need to cry and tells me he loves me every night, even if I did say something I didn't mean earlier in the day, and stays surprisingly calm when I am in hysterics over the stuck on cereal on the bowl he didn't soak or put into the dishwasher. I mean, really, the bowl is in the sink! Count your blessings, right? Funny, since that rant of mine, the bowls are religiously rinsed and dishwasher ready. I am so spoiled, so lucky and so happy I snatched the BESTEST husband in the world...hey, it's a word somewhere, even if it must be made simply from my imagination and cheer.

It's also Easter! SO much to be eternally grateful for. We had a little fun for Easter and I included the pictures! Yeah, okay, were chunk a lunks....but we sure are happy! Need I say more?

Anyone who thinks I am crazy for having a Daisy dress, well, I am. At least she has had it for 2 years and worn it for every holiday ;). Good thinking, get that use out of it. Don't know if you can see, but the Easter bunny brought Daisy a bag of treats too! Milkbone and Nilla Wafers, what a lucky dog!

I wonder if Daisy knows how long hair makes her look rather manly. I mean check out that beard! Guess we need to schedule her an appt. with Fur-dos (like hairdos for your pet!).

We're pretty blessed as well!

What to do when you are ok with telling your boss you need a Midol?

2008-03-20T09:55:00.001-07:00

So yeah, I said it. I couldn't help it. Fussing and ranting and of course generally whining about our crazies at Allstate and every discussion with another insured upped the ante on getting Kourtney to her happy place. I slowly began to see my foul mood was cumbersome, not necessarily to me, but Jerry's stuck between a rock and PMS hard place.

Funny how hormones make a person so volatile. Probably doesn't help that my once a day tic tac method is scratched and replaced with a REAL once a day pill. Those things are the devil. SO in an effort to curb the crass and crash, I am venting. Hard core, interrupt me and die, venting. Only accomplished via the everlasting listener, the blog. You type, it listens. Not much of an adventure for us today, just simply a way to cope. I can hear it now. TMI, TMI (too much info. for you blogists going huh?).

And the pain in my temples is subsiding. I can't imagine what's got my feathers so ruffled, but I know the sleep deprivation, the home hunting (endlessly looking for a home in the 2nd ward with not much to look at), the mortgage questions, the credit checks it induces are not feeding positive energy into the bottom line.

Then it hits me...the more you whine, the more miserable you are. So nix the statement of "not {cumbersome} necessarily to myself". Kourtney, meet your worst enemy, Kourtney. Get on with life. It's not worth living if you can't be happy and you can't be happy if you are not sometimes sad, a little depressed or have a few hard hitting times. That's the challenge. Get back up on the horse and be HAPPY! So there's the challenge for me today. Get over my "bad" self and pull my "good" self up by the bootstraps.

Here we go, on with the happiness! Thanks for listening to the venting!

What's that you say? Work is mandatory.

2008-03-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

Sleep deprivation is not supposed to happen until you:

1) Have kids.
2) Have a mortgage.
3) Have kids and a mortgage.

or in the rare instance you find yourself,

4) in an apartment where ALL the other tenants have kids, the tenants above you have a child screaming wildly into the dewy morning (every morning) at 3:30 am, which in turn makes the Daisy believe it's morning and time to wakey-wakey, which therefore translates to the trepidation of a walk outside to allow the dog her relief, and thinking about getting a mortgage.

This is the existence to which I currently yield. I have NEVER been so tired in my life. I've experimented with sleeping pills, which in turn fill my belly with nausea wave upon nausea wave, attempting early bedtime to which my sleep is interrupted with the timid questions of general knowledge about dinner, iPod locality, camera locality, please trim my hairline, Daisy whining for her attention and chance at chasing the night strollers who somehow have figured out she just wants to play and provide tasty morsels of cookies, cheese nips, cucumbers (her favorite) and the like when they see her approaching, and general racqueteering outside in the busy world of college town USA, even tried doubling the dose on the sleeping pills hoping they would knock me out before I ever had the chance to get sick (not high on my recommendation list) to no avail.

So in a phrase, baby fever, CURED! How could I ever deal with this AND have kids. I couldn't , Juan's prayers have been answered. Bless him for knowing I don't have it in me right now!

I did however have a brief lapse while relaxing and reminiscing with Laura in the lawn furnitrue section of Target.

Little girl with pigtails, leopard shirt and capri pants on to mother: "Mom, come here!"
Mom: "Honey, I am looking at something, give me a second"
Little girl: "No, you have to come right now!"
Mom: "Okay, what is it?"
Little girl, pointing: "This is new, this is new, this is new...."
Mom: "How could you know that?"
Little girl: "Because I don't have any of it."
Mom: "You sound a little spoiled, I don't always get you everything."
Little girl: "No mom, you don't. Just what I want."

Okay, so she is a little spoiled...but how stinking cute is that. I had to laugh outright. I sure hope my kids aren't that, we'll say smart...but we all know I mean manipulative.

Bunny Time!!

2008-03-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

It's alomost here! Easter and our 1st Year Anniversary! How exciting! They fall on the same day this year. Kevin's birthday is in the mix too! Talk about never forgetting your firsts! So, I decided not to celebrate with eggs and candy and an Easter tree just because we don't have any hoodlum kids yet, doesn't equate to much fun. I know the real reason for the season, but if J.C. ever had a Dove Chocolate Bunny, I think he'd join in the festivities :)! So I have decided we are having Easter on our Anniversary. SURPRISE!!!! Juan doesn't know what he's in for. Daisy is waiting at the window for the Easter bunny to come, she LOVES Dove Chocolate Bunnies just as much as the next human. Funny dog! I also included a picture of our fabulous Easter tree and decorations provided by my Mom. She knows how to pick them!

Laura and I have been on Easter Hunts lately. Pier 1, Walmart, Target, Hobby Lobby...we hit them all up and come to the conclusion we simply have to get up and sale hunt the day after Easter. ARE YOU READY TO FIGHT US FOR THOSE EASTER DECORATIONS? We won't go down without a fight.

Well have to get back to work after an eventful lunch break...what do you think Daisy is REALLY watching out the window for? :)

BABY IS HERE!!!!

2008-03-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

Jackie and Jason had their bundle of boy this morning! Jefferson Jason Packard weighing in at 7 pounds, 15 ounces. I am so excited. I can't wait to go see them and the new little package. I am also really excited that he will get to wear his "Baby's first Easter" outfit with the little white cottontail on it. And I expect pictures JACKIE!!! And I also expect Jackie and Jason to get a blog straight away!

So much for baby fever getting any better. This REALLY makes it come on like the flu in February. Not such a good thing for the biological clock. I just realized Juan and I are closer to our 30's now than we are from our teenage years. There's nothing wrong with being in your 30's, it's just my idealistic (read unrealistic) 10 year plan when I thought I had control of everything was to have all my kids by the time I was 30....now I tell people it's 33....but who am I kidding? 3 kids, I'll be 26 this year, 3 kids in 3 years (b/c we can't really try right away), this is nonsense...oh dear. I may have to extend my kiddie deadline to 35 or 36, but I really want to be done before 33 if at all possible. Okay, I am rambling. Let's see if anything else exciting has happened.

We looked at a house that is 1313 sq ft, built in 2002 in what Juan says will be the "ghetto" hole of College Station in 5 years. It was very cute, wood floors, open floorplan, big kitchen area, teeny bedrooms, but you just sleep there anyway, great layout and I really liked it. I don't know when we are going to take the plunge and say, Okay let's call a realtor. It makes it so much more real at that point. Humph! What to do? Quite whining and get up on the bike and give it a try, right. Okay then, I will call a realtor tonight. Any suggestions? :)

That's all for now! Love ya stalkers!

Jackie and Jason are having an EASTER baby!!! Oh, and a 1 year celebration of our marriage :)

2008-02-28T20:51:00.000-08:00

I am going to be the bestest auntie ever to baby Jackson or as Jackie and Jason think they are calling him, Jefferson. Jackson is just such a perfect name! ANYhow, Laura and I went shopping at Target today and I had to go to the baby section to get rid of some pent up baby fever. I found the CUTEST outfit for Jackson! It's for his first Easter and since Easter falls WAY early this year, I hope it's not something I will have to return....so Jackie, you have to pop this kid out before March 23rd! Because I don't want to take this back! It even has a rabbit bum! SO, if you haven't had Jackson by the 23rd....well you are getting induced! Here are the pictures of the cutest outfit ever for Easter!

I'm Tagged and Sad!

2008-02-26T09:55:00.001-08:00

Freak! I don't do this enough to be able to tag anyone else....I am going to have to convince family members to get a blog so I can tag them, eventually. Maybe Hillary won't mind being tagged back? ;) Okay, so I am not going to follow the rules, per say. Okay, I am not going to follow the rules, period.
Hummm....6 things about me/us.

1 Juan is addicted to music. He listens to it everywhere he goes, sometimes even before he goes to bed. I don't mind, so long as I never have to go to another Metallica concert again. Juan also loves concerts of his favorite bands/comedians or whatever strikes his fancy.

2 Kourtney LOVES to plan events. LOVES. She will do just about anything from a birthday party to a wedding. LOVES it. But if you ask me to do it and you are not a close friend, expect to pay. Maybe not cash, but I will attack your talents and get mine :). Trust me, there's always a workable fee.

3 Kourtney is writing a book/novel about her crazies at Allstate. It is turning out well, actually it makes people laugh so hard, it's hilarious. You would not believe the crazies out there.

4 We are looking for a home to buy. Meg was kind enough to keep her eagle eye out and found one on her street. (THANKS Meg!) We'll see what happens.

5 Baby fever has a hold on Kourtney. Juan has resisted thus far, but it's only a matter of time before he realizes Kourtney's been taking tic tacs once a day ;).

6 We REALLY like spending time together. How about that for a married couple? TEE HEE.

Okay, Hillary, even if I knew how once, I can't remember how to link blogs to people's names when typing a post, so you'll just have to teach me that again! It's been a while since I had that computer science class!

So maybe I'll tag three people when I know three people with blogs!

That's it for now!

2008-02-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

I really like this picture. Juan says he looks kinda Chinese, but I don't think so! I think he looks cute. Meg, THANKS again for such wonderful pictures, you are AMAZING! I don't think you realize just how good you are! If you ever need an assistant, I am yours! Unless you are photographing unruly children, maybe then I will just take Katy and Allen off your hands and let you deal with the crazies :). Deal?

So Meg is the champion! She not only takes amazing pics, but she also scouted a home for us. I am going to look at it today! Maybe this for sale by owner isn't for the birds afterall! :) Thanks Meg from saving me from utter despair and discouragement!

The house hunting is slow, not really a hasty decision anyway, right?

We got new phones and are pretty excited. Well Juan is pretty excited, he got his Pearl he's been wanting and I got a new one b/c they made a pretty red one too! I swear, I should probably get the free phones that come with the plan, but it has to be pretty or I am not interested. THE GOOD NEWS? These phones were free! We got them on www.newegg.com and it signs you up for a 2 year contract with at&t, but you get a FREE Blackberry Pearl or LG Shine or all kinds of latest and greatest options. (Sorry, no iPhone for free! You knew there was a catch, right?) Pretty awesome. Have to give a "shout out" to Kevin and Laura Hodnett for getting us on the right track with the newegg business. So great at finding good deals, those two.

We hung out with Jake and Hillary the other night...it was good to see them again after AGES of being seperated, I just don't know how to manage without my fix. Juan missed them too! We watched the Aggie bball team get PULVERIZED (GO AGGIES!) by the longhorns and then played with their supercool Wii bowling. Jake, of course, beat me, but I did break 100 as Oscar. At least I am pretty sure that's who I bowled as. I make a super cute Mexican dude.

Last night we hung out with Kevin and Laura. We watced a movie about cops and we liked it okay. The best part was seeing Laura's way cute haircut. Funny story, we ended up having our hair cut by the same person coincidently and she mentioned when I showed the picture of how I wanted my haircut, the hairdresser said "I did one just like this yesterday!" I asked if the patient's name was Laura and she said "yep! Do you know her?" UM, YEAH! So Laura and I have pretty much the same haircut now, but not really on purpose. I think hers looks best. Mine is good, but hers is best!

I love short hair! Maybe if I can figure out this dang picture thing I will post a short hair picture this afternoon!

It for now, blogger stalkers, you know who you are!!! :)

HOLY CRAP! I AM THE WORST DIARY KEEPER EVER!

2008-02-12T15:22:00.001-08:00

I absolutely stink at this blogging thing. I am so sorry if you have been waiting to hear from us! Wait, who am I kidding? No one reads these things for fun, it's for the sake of stalking other couples, people and their children. That's the only reason I read them. Well that and for some reason, people think we are "newlyweds" and want our alone time. SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, we want to hang out! AND WE ARE NOT PDA people and we are totally over that whole honeymoon stage. NO kissing or uncomfortable snuggling in public. SO past that. Like 5 years ago over and done with. Okay, so you want the juicy details?

We are looking at houses. Our lease on our apartment is up in August and it is so dang hard to find houses in the 2nd ward. We are getting discouraged. If you see a good deal, let us know! I guess we haven't looked hard enough. All the houses we did like are sold now and I had the excitement of actually quoting 3 of the houses we were looking at and writing their insurance for their home. It must freak people out when I say "No, no details, I know that home inside and out and I am so happy for you, sniff, sniff. Oh, don't worry, I'm not crying....it's allergies."

So, Jerry inspired me to start writing a book. Him and a letter from one of our insureds that will definitely make it to the book. It's title is "Insurance will acCOST you...". Not to brag or anything, but it's hilarious. At least to me and the few family members who will put up with me reading the stories to them. :) Thanks Mom and Lindy Lee (or the artist formerly known as LinLee). Want a excerpt? Here we go:
Chapter nine: You are just like them tax 'people'...
You get your favorite customers. You can’t help but like them and want to choke them all at the same time. Yes, THOSE favorite customers. The ones you can’t help but laugh once you hang up with them, although while you were on the phone with them you wish you had them in a choke hold, cutting off their air supply for a brief moment of pure silence from them. No whining, complaining or general retardation....

Now that you are hooked, you'll just have to buy my book once it is published...and if that never happens maybe I will email the book to you! LOL.

Not much else is new. We organized Juan's closet....so much better. We also organized my closet and donated so much to Goodwill we might just not owe the government anything next year :). Horray for that!

Juan is now working as both the warehouse do everything and also learning the ropes as a purchaser? At least I think that's what they call it. He has to get dressed up in business casual and that's quite a change from Dickies and a t-shirt. I kinda like it. Much funner to hug someone when they come home and they are not covered in "black dust" as the warehouse crew calls it. I see it as a lawsuit waiting to happen if a lawyer ever gets wind of it. "Call 800.DAMAGED for your check today." "Call 800.CANCR4U to see if you qualify to join the class action suit." "800.NOLUNGS" "800.ATTHEND" "800.IDIENOW". Anyway, you get the drift. Good thing we're not crazy like that!

That's all for today. I will try to do better for all you stalkers out there :).

Lazy Lazy Lazy

2007-10-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

BOY AM I IN TROUBLE!

I am so sorry I haven't kept up with this....but I don't have any new pictures, so I don't really care to blog.

So I refininshed the kitchen table, crackle painted a antique mirror (I know, the horror of "ruining" an antique, trust me....it was worth my mother's wrath :) ), started learning sign language ( I totally stole that from Jason, but it was so fun learning, I decided to do it anyway), and rededicated myself to cooking for my dear husband :)....who says a good wife HAS to cook anyway. I love cooking, but I don't like getting hot....that's such a lame excuse, too bad it's the truth.

Oh we redid our desk chair seat. It was so gross....it had a few layers of material on it and whe I fanally got to the last layer it was so dirty and nasty! I think it even had a funny smell. So we ripped that all away and ended up with a gold and burgandy seat cover after all was done and said.

Juan has been playing softball with Jake's team....don't really think they have a name, but they entered the season as Prostar and Company, so that's what we'll call them. They have only lost 1 game!!! That is a HUGE improvement over last season. They have a game tonight at 6:15 and I am looking forward to all the other wives calling out "Blurrrrrrr!!" as he runs by. It's really funny to hear people call him blurr. I get nervous and have to scream hysterically to throw the other team off (make them miss the catch) so that he doesn't get thrown out. He takes some pretty risky chances!

We went and had fun with the Anderson's (Peter and Meg) at Trunk or Treat. Katy bug was a lady bug and was oh so proper with her shiny black shoes and Allen was a chunky money....so squeezable....I think he got tired of the squeezing.

Can't wait for Christmas and Florida.....yay for seeing Jackie 6 months preggers and the rest of the gang.

That's all for now! Maybe I will be good and update tomorrow! :)

What to do now?

2007-05-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

So after all the drama of planning and having a wedding...our lives are pretty mundane. Ordinary, however, is quite exciting for now. It's fun getting a routine and figuring out the little nuances about your spouse.

Kourtney is trying to cook dinner at least 5 nights out of the week. She and Juan have a "cookin' calendar" and they plan what's for dinner a week in advance. They go to the grocery store with their Wal-Mart gift cards (courtesy of wonderful frineds and family and their generous wedding gift cards!!) and wisely choose which pasta, corn, pineapple, carrots, fruit....well you get the picture...will benefit not only their bodies, but their pocketbook also.

Juan is playing basketball at not only the College Station Ward on Tuesdays, but also the Bryan Ward on Thursdays. He refuses to let a little thing like moving get in the way of playing with the Bryan peeps too.

Kourtney packs lunch for Juan just about everyday....she finally got smart and just started making ALLOT of food for dinner so there are enough leftovers to send on their merry way to Juan's stomach the following day. MUCH EASIER THIS WAY!! You might call it her first "lesson" as a married (whoa, that is so weird in print!) woman!

Juan calls Kourtney "wifey" and Kourtney has adapted pretty well....I mean seriously, so many worse things he could have chosen like "sugar lips" or "sweetie" or "honeeeeey"...what a drag those would have been, huh?

I guess now we need to take pictures of us doing regular things...like cooking or scrapbooking or playing basketball...the REAL life stuff. We may even look into trying crazier things so that our pictures will look fabulously ridiculous and people can make comments like, "Oh, I am sure they will calm down and embrace reality soon."

Such is life for now. More to come soon!

Wedding!!!!

2007-04-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

The wedding was sooooo fun and went so very perfectly! Here are some pictures to tell the story!

We had so many people at the Houston Temple, it was great!

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and so excited they were able to share our day with us!

Meg caught me completely off guard in this one!

Should I look so scared? Not usually such a great sign, huh?

Engagement Pictures

2007-04-28T10:32:00.000-07:00

We are so very behind on this journal thing!!! I am just now saving and getting our engagements posted!!! And these were taken in JANUARY!!! Better late than never, right Jesse? Jesse is my borther who is serving a full time mission in Guatamala City!! He is such a great kid..I should get some pics of him up here too!

2007-04-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

Why don't we tell you a little more about the way we met, how we came to date for five years or how Kourtney went OCD (so she DOES do that with EVERYTHING!?!) planning a wedding?

Well, I suppose we could, but doesn't that take away from the mystery that surrounds us currently?

Okay, you have won us over....where did we begin?

Juan and Kourtney actually went to high school together....did they even know each other existed? Well technically yes, however, Juan likes to pretend he noticed Kourtney more...very doubtful. I think they were both in their own little worlds honestly.

So Juan asks Kourtney out to a ProStar Company Picnic. ProStar is the place of employment for Juan and has been for some crazy odd amount of years. We'll say 8, as of 2007. I mean they do have an edit on this program, right? Why not put it to the test. Oh right, sorry, tangent talker.

Juan and Kourtney go out to this picnic. Kourtney is having a great time jetskiing and getting pulled in an innertube. Juan thinks he just might want to date Kourtney afterall...I mean, so hot and so random at the same time, PERFECT combination! Kourtney wasn't really thinking about dating Juan at the time...but at the end of the day, she had lots of fun and thought "This guy is fun! If he asks, I will definitely 'hang out' with him again!"

It took ALLOT more 'hanging out' before they officially began dating. At the time, Kourtney was at Texas A&M University and on an amazing scholarship to which one stipulation of keeping the scholarship was "no marriage". Now I am not saying Kourtney wanted to get married right away, but by year 3 of dating it was DEFINITELY on her mind. Juan was only thinking about that dang scholarship that was holding him back (or so he says :))

EVENTUALLY in December 2005, Kourtney finally graduated from Texas A&M...here comes the FUN part! On December 23, 2005, Juan dropped by Kourtney's work at Allstate Insurance and told her she needed to be ready for dinner by 7. Kourtney merely thought the dinner was for graduation celebration....good planning on Juan's part!

They went to a little bistro by the name of Madden's in Downtown and roses awaited on the table...one dozen red roses...in a word perfect! They had dinner and even talked about marriage briefly enough for Kourtney to say "when" and Juan to say "if you keep pushing it, it won't ever happen!" HUMPH!

After dinner, they walked out towards the car and a white horse and carriage were just outside...oh, how fun that would be thought Kourtney and to her utter surprise Juan asked if she would like to go for a carriage ride. Of course was the response and into the carriage they ascended. TWO DOZEN white long stemmed roses awaited....now Kourtney was suspicious, but not thinking too hard about it seeing as how Juan made that comment at the dinner table.

When the carriage was just about back to the resturant, Juan stands up, holy crap....he'll fall thought Kourtney and gets down on one knee and pulls out a little black box from his sock (ends up Kourtney had her hand on his thigh at the resturant and Juan had to move the box into his sock for safe keeping and concealment) and then tells Kourtney how happy he is with her and would she do him the honor of being his wife. YES, YES, YES was the reply through bleary eyes.

Then Ashley and Nicolee show up and start snapping pictures. Isn't Juan good?

Then came the wedding plans (15 months of pure excitement for Kourtney). We'll get to those on Monday probably....and we'll get some pics posted too!

2007-04-20T08:15:00.000-07:00

Where to begin? This is a copycat idea stolen from the lovely Meg Anderson! It's our excuse not to write everything down in a journal.

We just got married March 23rd, 2007. Everything was absolutely perfect! Kourtney can't believe how amazingly well and smooth everything went and how beautiful it all was. Kourtney would like to say it's because of her planning and perfect execution, but she knows it's really all the help we had from friends and family.

BIG HUGE ACCOLADES TO Mom and Dad! They were so sweet and tolerant as we (yeah ok, Kourtney) tirraded around.

A very special thanks to the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Kevin, Jake, Sean, Joe and Sam, so cute in those suits! Jackie, Lindy, Ashley, Amber and Laura, amazing in your black dresses and gorgeous updos! We hope each of you had as much fun as we did! Even if Kourtney was just a tad overbearing! :)