bane of my existence

Last Sunday, I flew to New Orleans for work. I was supposed to return to Tulsa on Tuesday afternoon. As the hours passed by on Monday night and Tuesday, the weatherman kept upping the percentage of precipation in the form of snow. These predictions turned into reality, which in turn, left me stuck halfway home in Houston for a night because Tulsa International Airport shut down for the "artic blast". After three cancelled morning flights, two beers, and an additional hour delay my flight departed for Tulsa and I landed safely on Wednesday. It was more than safe. I believe this is one of the best landings in my flying history and it was on snow! (Thank You, Southwest Airlines for Captain Debbie. She was awesome!) I returned home to snow covering the ground and people walking in the street. My fiance liked to call it a zombie land. I have to say that I enjoyed the untouched perfection of my backyard and the fact that "Boss" was waist deep in it all and still cheering on the hogs!

Blake has a big heart for those stuck and spinning. He called me on Tuesday to say that he and his brother acquired a tow rope and were helping those who were stupid enough to drive stuck on the roads. We discussed how it isn't smart to drive in this weather, even with 4-wheel drive sometimes. He even rescued a policeman. What a guy! As we drove down the roads, we commented on 99% of those we passed and I think he helped about 50% - he can only do so much, people.  The shot below was him and another gentleman rocking a car until it was free from it's rut.

Blake was also kind enough to shovel my sidewalk and fling some salt around so it won't freeze again. Thank you very much dear, but these little minerals have become the bane of my existence.

They have attempted war on my hardwoods and the vacuum is on standby ready to suck up any mineral that enters the front door. I spent some of my work-free weekend on my hand and knees, Cindrella style, wiping my floor to remove foot and paw prints created by the salty water that now occupies my sidewalk.

And all that for...guess what?!? Another forecast of eight to ten inches from Tuesday evening to Wednesday afternoon. Gosh, that fifty-five degrees on Sunday looks wonderful.

I loved the first couple days of this stuff, but I bet my chauffeur fiance is done playing chauffeur and frankly, I'm done feeling helpless and, in a sense, trapped. I'm happy to be back at work, going to the gym, running errands in my own car, getting into the routine I once had. That is, if the non-four-wheel drive Jeep Grand Cherokee can hold up in the snow-covered neighborhoods. Crossing fingers for success and signing off.

right now.

My job requires that I travel at the beginning of every semester to get in touch with college kids, er, my clients. It's a fun job, really, because I get to be on college campuses across the country and hang out with people my age in their twenties. This could keep me youthful, right?
I would like to apologize to my readers for my absense and I will try and do better with more frequent posts about my life's happenings or lack thereof.
I have only one more university trip this semester and then a couple tradeshows, a shopping weekend and a friend's wedding. Then it will be March! This year is going to fly by. Not to mention, Blake and I have a wedding to plan. Although many things are falling into place just as we wanted them too, there are still many details to be discovered, discussed and decided upon. Don't you worry, I have my very organized wedding binder full of ideas and even more magazines to read and rip ideas from. I thought I was addicted to magazines before, but it's in full force now! No, dad...the purchasing of bridal magazines is not including in the wedding budget.
Here is to Friday and another wonderful weekend!

"grow old with me. the best is yet to be." -Robert Browning

Preface: I know that some of you have been kindly reminding me that I need to tell my story and post pictures of the special night. I apologize for the delay in my posting, but I have been in a true whirlwind of emotions, planning, traveling and everything in between. If I don't get this posted tonight, I might never get it done because I start my travels for work this week. So, here it goes.

As the holidays neared, Blake and I decided that we needed a date night, a night of dinner and whatever else we wanted to do...just the two of us. We love our families dearly, however, when the holidays approach, we go into family overload and don't get much time to enjoy one another. (As I write this, I realize I am, in a sense, "complaining" about something many people in this world don't have. Blake and I fully realize we are blessed to have our families, especially during the holidays. They surround us with love and we greatly appreciate them all the time.)

We planned the evening together about a week in advance. Our date night set for Wednesday, December 22, 2010. After I got off work, I went home and freshened up my face. Blake picked me up about 6:15 p.m. and he drove us to our dinner destination-Boulder Grill. We had been talking about this new restaurant since it came to Tulsa over the summer and hadn't yet been. Blake ordered a delicious pasta dish and I had an assortment of tapas. Blake tried a martini for the first time and liked it. (Another "first"...if you haven't noticed it's kind of a recurring theme.) Since we were going to be downtown, I had asked Blake if we could go ice skating at the BOK Center Winterfest...we have never been ice skating together either. We stood in a freezing cold line for about 15 minutes. Paid for rental skates. Tied them up. And carefully glided onto the ice. The ice was packed with people of all ages. Adults falling, kids zooming by and Blake retying his skates for better ankle support.

 

As we skated around the rink, we snapped some photos and then scooted off the rink carefully because the zamboni kept honking it's horn at us. So we put our shoes back on, turned in our skates and walked to the car.

 

As we drove out of downtown, we decided that we needed to grab a quick Christmas present for his grandpa. We purchased his gift, got back in the car and the fun began, but of course, I thought we were just headed home.

Blake immediately handed me a blindfold and explained that he wanted to take me to one of my Christmas presents, but didn't want me to know where we were going.

[Side note: I did think, "what if?", but quickly put my feet on the dash (putting me in a fetal like position) because I get naseous in the car if I can't see the road. Therefore, I stopped thinking "what if?"]

He drove around for about 25 minutes or so and we ended up in a parking lot with lots of land around it. I have never been to Jones Airport (the smaller airport in south Tulsa) so I had no clue where we were. As we walked into the building, Blake explained that my "stocking stuffer" was a Christmas light tour by helicopter. If you know me, you know I LOVE TO FLY! But tonight was different because I have never stepped foot in a helicopter before. We sat in the "terminal" for about 20 minutes. The kind lady led us out to the helicopter, put me in my seat and made sure I was all set to go. She repeated with Blake on the other side and we took off.

 

I was in complete awe. The night was perfectly clear, so the Christmas lights were shining bright. We pointed out friends houses, talked through voice-activated microphones and looked on for miles over Tulsa. As we crossed Rhema Church (known for their Christmas light display), I pointed out the ever-changing bridge and I could hear Blake starting to say stuff. Well, it wasn't stuff. I don't remember the exact words he used, but I understood the overall meaning. He did tell me that he loved me, couldn't imagine being in this moment with anyone else and he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I quickly teared up. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a little box and popped the question! I said yes about 7 times because I wanted to make sure my voice-activated microphone heard me. Then I moved my microphone so I could kiss my fiance. I don't remember the rest of the light tour because my new light was Blake's iPhone flashlight gleaming off my ring. (He did get a ring box that had a light built in, but removed a battery for fear of being "cheesy") I do remember being overlly excited. I don't remember breathing. Safely, we landed and exited the aircraft. I had the lady take a picture of us and I was too excited to tell my family and friends so we hurried back to the car.

The next 2-3 hours were spent on the phone, at my parents house and at Blake's house. He drove me home and I layed in bed, too excited to sleep because of my new accessory.

Blake and I have been dating four and a half years and to this day, I still have moments where I can't believe it. He is my best friend and I can't wait to start our own little family. For now, I will enjoy calling him "fiance" and planning our day.

We would really like to thank our family and close friends for their love and support during our entire relationship. We've had our ups and downs and we realize that life won't always be perfect, but we are in it for the "long haul" and love each other with all we've got!

Huntin Deer and Christmas Cheer

Three days before Christmas and I am finished with my shopping list. Actually, I finished on Sunday! I admit, I went to the mall this past weekend and joined the crazies in their last-minute gift adventures, but I am done. Insert sigh of relief. All I have to do now is sit back and relax and await the arrival of Christmas...
I take that back. On Christmas Eve, I have a very big job in our family. A majority of my family gathers (weather permitting) at my parent's house for Christmas Eve pizza. We have been baking them for as long as I can remember. As a curious child, I always involved myself in the pizza-making process some how. I would sit on the counter in flour, play with dough, eat the pepperonis. As I grew up, I took on more important tasks, such as topping the pizza, watching the oven, and still eating bits of topping before it could make it to the raw dough. Now, with the help of a few others, I am the pizza nazzi. Pizza making takes skill. Each year, I get a little better and it's perfected one year at a time. I still use the original hand-written receipe Papa Bob (grandpa) passed down to my mom and me and he still supervises our efforts. Although I am sworn to secrecy, I have a couple secrets to share: dough is made about 4 hours before bake time and the sauce is made the night before. It has to set and settle so all the flavors can shine through. That's all. I might wind up missing if anymore slips out. All homemade. All delicious. All exactly how we like it. I look forward to blessing my family with another great homemade pizza dinner on Friday night.

I have already watched Christmas Vacation for the past 4 nights as I fall asleep and I can't wait until the 24 hours of Christmas Story. Those bunny pajamas and piggy troff, get me everytime! Love laughter.

On other notes...Blake has been enjoying his break from school and hunting...a lot it seems. I'm okay with it because he brings me the game for future dinners. I have yet to cook game, with the exception of dove nuggets for Ashley's wedding shower back in August, but I am looking forward to it. Dove and deer currently occupy a space in my freezer and I'm sure duck will make it's way in too. If you have any good receipes I should try, please share. Otherwise, I will be exploring the internet for them, and hope they are actually good!
In all the years Blake and I have been together, I have never been hunting with him. It's a guy thing, right? Well that might all change soon. We are trying to find a time, before duck season ends, where I can join him and the dogs and "pound some ducks" as he would say. I have used a shotgun once in my life at a skeet shoot where, I might add, I shot about 4 out of 50. If I shoot one duck, I will be a happy hunter. Blake will start back up in January for his last semester. What a great feeling to be graduating!

And for New Years, Blake and I will be going to Dallas for New Year's Eve/New Year's and spending some quality time with my best friend in the whole wide world, Kasey! I couldn't be more excited, especially since I haven't ever gone anywhere for NYE. YEAH!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May His love surround you always and especially during this special time of year.

holiday gift guide à la lindsay (part two)

As promised, this list is for those searching for the more traditional holiday gifts. Want something a little different? Go here. The list below is complete with items or categories that I typically pick out for my loved ones and friends. Hopefully, you'll find something here you need to check off another recipient on your holiday gift list. It's coming faster than you think, so get your shopping and shipping done early. Like, NOW!

For any young lady in your life, beauty gift sets are always a fail-safe, much appreciated option. The younger crowd will drool over the MAC holiday collections.  If you haven't already purchased this from your local MAC store, you might be out of luck. I know here in Tulsa, they sell out super fast! This year, the collection (sold at Dillard's) features a Juicy Couture like plaid and crest with vibrant colors for the eyes, lips, face and nails. Priced from $22.50 to $38.00, these sets are sure to please. Need something a little more sophisticated? Or don't want to choose a color for someones eyes? Check out Sephora. They offer a plethora of gift sets that are pefect for any young lady on your list.

Does a man in your life enjoy a nightcap every night now and then? Something straight, neat, and delicious. Why not pair your regular gift (his favorite liquor) with cool glass to sip from. They are designed by Normann Copenhagen and cost $42.00 for a pair. Is he more of a beer drinker? How about a six pack (or two) with this unique bottle opener. It's magnetic so you won't be dropping the bottle caps on the floor. It's only $20.00! 

The meals were cooked and devoured. The presents opened and scattered about the house. Santa has come and gone. The holidays are over. At least until we ring in the new year. After all the holiday festivities are over, I bet your mom, sister, aunt, whoever does a bulk of the holiday "work", would enjoy a pair of these slippers from Gap for only $19.99 (on sale)! They are adorable to keep her in style and comfy to keep her, well, comfortable. Let her put her feet up in style, even if she does doze off with her mouth open. You could also get her a cozy sweater or a scarf to bundle with, but I couldn't find just one that I liked. This post would be too long if I posted all the ones I fell in love with.

The avid gym-goer in your life is constantly told to check their heart rate. At least, I am. Especially in my regular spin classes. Instead of using the old fashioned finger-to-neck or -wrist method, wrap up this little heart rate monitor from Amazon.com. This easy to use monitor and strap will be the perfect gift to keep your gym-goer loved one in shape while mainting their heart rate. A little pricey ($167.12 on sale from $239.95), but the reviews for this monitor are fantastic. "Best bang for da buck", one says. Or if they have a heart rate monitor, what do their shoes look like? Time for a new pair? Have they taken up a new hobby, or exercise class? Maybe they would enjoy a yoga mat, spin shoes or weights to have a home for those times when the gym is just too far. 

The kindle is a perfect gift for the bookworm. It stores many books, magazines, newspapers and they are all accessible with the slide of a button. I, personally, own one and I'm still in love with it. It's perfect on the couch, before night-night time, on the road, and even at the gym. The newest 6-inch version is available at Amazon.com for $139 with wi-fi or $189 for 3G and wi-fi.

With only a couple weeks left until Christmas, I'd check your list (twice) and make sure you have everyone covered. Don't forget to stash away a couple extras for yourself or just in case! What are your great Christmas gift ideas this season? And what are your plans for New Years Eve?