Back again

Yumm! Patrick and my yummy engagement cake from my Aunt Helen! My nephew wouldn't take no for an answer when he demanded to "eat Patrick's face". Haven't been up to too much lately. Trying to attack the laundry monster in my basement and iron the cotton shirt monster on my ironing board.


Had a pretty interesting weekend that kicked off with Patrick and I venturing to Alton to meet up with Kristin and her sister and brother in law to check out a "real" haunted house's backyard and cellar. We paid twenty dollars to have a spirit guide take us around after lighting stinky sage to cleanse the area and we walked through the backyard and headed into the house...we couldn't even go in the house. We sat in the cellar trying to hear, touch, feel a ghost for 45 minutes while little lizard claimed that ghosts were sending her mental images and telling her things that she would tell the group...yes there was a group of us ghost hunters. I thought I saw a ghost, but the more I think about it, my emotions were running pretty high and I was just anxious to get something out of my 20 dollars...Kristin want to go to Bobby Mackey's bar next year. I say see you later.

Did you hear that???

Playdate!

Get Her! Get her CoCo! It is a broken record at our house! Cookie and CoCo are best friends! They have had the best time playing with each other and I have been laughing all day! CoCo is so tiny and has to jump up on her hind legs to get Cookie. I was tempted to hide CoCo so Kristin wouldn't find her then we could keep her for forever..but I am not that crazy.

Carb Loading and Relaxing...

Big race day tomorrow :) Andrea and I will be running in our first run tomorrow morning and I am so excited! We have worked really hard and really pushed ourselves so we will see how we do...hey at least we get a free t-shirt! After the race we are picking up CoCo Naes to spend the night over here while her Mom has some me time in Columbia. I am so excited! Cookie and Sundance have been asking to have a slumber party with her since I told them about her!

Also having my first co-garage sale with Andrea on Sunday weather permitting! If anyone is interested in our toss outs!

Patrick and I haven't been up to too much lately. Tomorrow is our 1 year anniversary at Morganford! I cant believe it has been a year.

A lot has happened in 1 year! We bought this house, we bought malibu barbie, we adopted cookie monster, We celebrated our two year anniversary, and we got engaged!! I have been doing a lot of blog browsing for ideas for the best wedding! Having nice friends that want us at theirs also helps! After going to Amy's wedding I am really set on having a photo booth! Hope we can squeeze it in somewhere...maybe we can put it on the sidewalk...the reception area is pretty much all spoken for already! I also had a realization today that while I have been focusing so much on the reception...I completely forgot that we are having two dinner parties back to back!!! I need to get working on the rehearsal!! :)
Here are some updated pics of cooks and sundy too!

What I am thankful for

Kisses. Massages. Peanut Butter and Jelly Sanwiches. Fall colors. Fall. Cold Floors. Crisp cotton. Dog hair. Clean lines. Garage sales. Tingles. Weddings. Fires. Wine. Sneezes. Songs. New songs. Black pens. Blue pens. College ruled paper. Dancing. Purple. Red heads. Blankets. Love. Wine. Pianos. Fabric softener. Pretzels. Corduroy. Suggly. The squish of sandals. Laugh lines. Cursive. Out of town fiends. KLOU. St. Peters in the '80's. Pizza. Chapstick. Birthdays. Rainy Days. Chocolate. Goonies. Beaches. The movie Beaches. Water. Cursive. Opportunities. Pictures. History. Smell of books. Guitars. Drums. Solos. Taste of stamps. Dessert. Sushi. Laughing. Crying. Hand written notes. Pastels. Pumpkin bread on a Saturday. Wreaths. Product. Mexican food. Not driving. Fresh cut grass. Sunshine. Magic. Laundry. Shadows. My grandparents. Seasons. Pencils. Sunburns. Eyelashes. Sisters. Brothers. Cinnamon. Home. Clouds. Dishwashers. Goodbyes. Peace. Disney. Fuzzy. Sewing machines. Lint rollers. Shiny. Fishsticks. Radiohead. Knowledge. Imperfections. Running. Bananas. Texas. Family vacations. Stripes. Goosebumps. Art museums. Tiny. Old cars. Phone books. Suckers. Shirley temples. Stamps. Swimming pools. Palm trees. Feeding chickens. Doll houses. VHS. Pies. Family. Everything on this whole big beautiful planet.

Easier said then done!

Well I thought I had been doing some serious training for the 5k I am going to run. I have been on drugs. Tonight I ran 1/2 the way and I thought I my heart was going to go temple of doom on me. I just need to set my mind to it, so I can do it. There was some really in shape people at the park and they were intimivating. There were also some foreigners that remind me that I need to update my wardrobe. Who knew Francis Park was such a hot spot! And when Pat and I are very successful in our careers we will live in one of those beautiful homes. And I need to get some non-depressing music on my ipod...Can anyone recommend some trendy pump up music? Who is this princess GaGa everyone is talking about?

In other news i whipped out one of my corduroy skirts for work today and boy did it feel good! I wanted to wear boots but I thought, let just ease in. I am almost over my cold which is great and today is already Wednesday! I love four day weeks. Tomorrow is Jersey Shore-Jean remind me to turn it on! Lets chat about Jersey Shore...now. who here thinks that the second season is a little scripted? Or did Sammi Sweetheart have a lobotomy on hiatus? Andrea said that they are back together in season three! Now I know I dated a LOT of people, but I still always knew what I wanted and what I was worth. Are people really that sefl-esteemless? Alright just random babbling but is sure feels good to just hop on the net and jam out a sandwich!

A laborious day

Happy Monday! No work today and I am finally on the tail end of my cold, felt good enough to get some lunch today and now Patrick and I are having a Ghost Adventures Marathon (shout out KiKi). I wasted most of this weekend laying in bed and blowing my nose. MAD. But one thing I did do is pick up my wedding gown and shoes! Boy good thing too my wedding is just around the corner. at least one good thing is that it is already too big, so if I choose to be lazy and not lose a pound my dress will still fit. Now if I gain weight...I really need to stay away from that broccoli casserole. I really want to put a picture up but Patrick is NOT aloud to see it.

Speaking of weddings, we have quite a bit planned...We just booked our rehearsal dinner here!

The Piper Palm House! It is going to be beautiful! I love the setting and Tower Grove Park and how elegant it is! Our reception is booked too! We are having it here!
Soulard Preservation Hall! Patrick and I went to look at this place about a month ago, and we just fell in love with it! It was so much of what we wanted and I cant wait to have our party here! We also have our church booked and are going to start our marriage classes in October, Hope we pass :) I hope this year goes fast because everyone know I love a good party that includes dressing up and cake!

Im BACK!!!!

Alright so after a short lull in posts, I a back. My hiatus is due to the fact that our computer was 19 years old and coughed up micro chips every time you asked it to do something. But now...We just got a new computer that is from the '10s and we have wireless. I am surprised Patrick waited this long for our house to be wireless. It must have been making his skin crawl. Me on the other hand, if he hadnt come along I would prob fall in line with my family and be about ten years behind on the answering machine fad.

So some things have happened since March. The main thing is this bird went and got engaged! Patrick took me to Hannibal for our two year anniversary and he proposed to me! We had just checked in to our b&b and after hearing a rousing speech from the Inn Keeper about how marriage just isnt for everyone, Patrick couldnt wait to ask me to marry him :).

So we are planning a wedding...for 13 months from now. I wish it was a little sooner just because I cant wait to get married to my best friend! Whew wedding planning is a lot of stuff.

Weekend Project

Sundance enjoying a little nap in my new garden. My backyard has been itching for some pretty, so this weekend my Mom came over and helped me dig up my backyard, and plant some little sprouts and seeds. Holy Cow gardening is tuff. I could barely walk today after two days of work, though I am pretty proud of my accomplishment. I also moved grass around to cover some bald patches that having two dogs has done to our backyard. I cant wait to see my little cabbage patch kids grow and get some more garden jank from Lowes. Thanks so much to my Mom, just would have not done it with out you!

chair # 1

Well I finished it! almost...just need to screw in the seat and back...but all the hard work is done. I think O.B.C. telling me I was never going to finish it was a huge motivator. even though he barely gave me two weeks. he thinks I am a hoarder.

I painted it and recovered it and it is beautiful! I spent 10 dollars on the chair. 3 dollars on the fabric. 3 dollars on the paint, 3 dollars on the sander, and 15 dollars on the batting! I love it!*please don't judge our lawn...it has been raining.

I have not been up to too much lately. Been stuck inside waiting for the rain to go away. This week is closing week for work so I have been kind of distracted with worrying about work and making sure everyone hits their jank. This weekend is the Callahan/ Landzaat wedding and I cant wait for Thursday! I love rehearsal dinners! I always feel so fancy at rehearsal dinners. I got a new dress for the wedding and cant wait to get all dressed up! Haven't been able to for a while! My mom is coming over Saturday and we are going to attempt a garden in our backyard...then we have the first of our trips coming up next Saturday! Hannibal, MO! I also want to give a shout out to a proud new mama! Kristin just got a daughter! CoCO is a 3 pound yorkie poo, she is a little fur ball! I cant wait until she can come over for a playdate! Also Reen I am thinking about you :) and here is a blog for you...it is kind of lame..but I am watching a fascinating Enron documentary right now..

Chair Project(s)

Started with a skipped heartbeat yesterday on craigslist. Saw it, wanted it, emailed, called. Told Patrick after the deal was over that he had a choice of going with me to get it down an alley off south Broadway in south city or I would take his car and go by myself. So we made a night out of it. Cookie was out of food anyway. After a very good dinner of all Mexican stuff, laying on the couch trying to breathe and folding a basket of laundry we headed out. First stop Lowes. Our drain will NOT get with the program in our kitchen. Next stop Schnucks for dog food. whewp. Right back out Schnucks is expensive! Headed up 55 to "Brad's" if that is his real name. Pat thought he would be a raper...just kind of an odd guy with the most AMAZING view of the river I have ever seen from a home in St. Louis, didn't even know you could buy property with a river view...
Anywho...picked up this bad boIIII. shout out morning carpool conversation where O.B.C. droned on about bad boys 2 for a good 6 minutes..


The headed into the city to find Chippewa which I still swear we turned on. Ended up down by Randalls...kind of looped around ended up at the PetSmart the ShopNSave for beer for Patricks sports league tonight...too many to keep up which one this is...Looked for the Super Huge shirtless man that sometimes sits out on his front porch on Kingshighway...saw a million people out for Cinco De Mayo...bet you are feeling that today, Spanish sympathizers. And before we knew it was 8pm! Practically ran inside so we wouldn't miss Modern Family. About the only show we can agree on...apparently I watch House Hunter's "too much". So this weekend gonna get some paint and fabric and dress that lady up in something more appropriate! Pat if I am right on this one you have to eat your hat!

Why diets stink:

1. I am starving right now.
2. Denise the woman that shares the cube wall with me plans out her dinners in excruciating detail on her cell phone every day to her daughter.
3. Weight melts off my butt as fast as tree petrification.
4. Candy is everywhere.
5. So are sweets.
6. Ted drewes is open and the flying dutchman walks to my house and whispers in my bedroom window when I sleep.
7. I eat carrots for lunch every day with out ranch...WITH OUT.
8. If I have to measure out the exact serving size of cream cheese for my bagel ONE MORE TIME...it isn't enough, cream cheese people!!!
9. Brownies.
10. Brownies.

Jenny from the block

Who knew a girl from queens would grow up to work in investments and pass her 6? This J-Lo did. the lights almost went out in those ten seconds between the finish click and the pass score. Take that Mrs. Sampson. Next time you tell someone not to be friends with me, maybe you should look in your crystal ball and make sure I am not managing your investments..(disclaimer: I am not a investment advisor and pass returns are not indicative of future results). So now my life is back on. I missed out on some choice parties because of you "6" you were a worthy adversary.
So this is some Jank that has been going on...finally got Patrick to watch Blind Side and he loved it, fell asleep in Sherlock Holmes and still gave Sherlock Holmes a better rating then Blind Side..I will get him to touch and feel his touchy feely side if it is the last thing I do. Been grilling alot with the warmer weather..Hellllo grilled pineapple we love you, don't be a stranger, been working on my wedding body for the Landzaat Callahan extravaganza...have a couple of dresses in my closet which one had the lucky job of hiding my winter weight?? Ladies??? Sundance is in shedding season...a husky plus warmer weather plus scared of a brush = groomers nightmare. Sorry petsmart. Saw the Beatles Live in concert. They don't age. Watched some baseball, some treme, and some modern family, and attended one of the longest baseball games in history...22 innings...left in the 13th because of a rich nerd who never realized that having money or a young trophy wife doesn't make you engaging, charming, insightful or even considerate, it just makes you old fat and well uncomfortable. Enjoyed a couple bottles of Moscato some warm porch weather and the Morganford bridge being closed.
Bring it on Summer. So far we have a B-day for "Shorty" and Tim M.F. Williams, a Trip to Hannibal, a float trip, a niece, a grandpa bday, a 31 sil bday, a 64 wedding anniversary, a famdam trip to the cabin, a romantic weekend in Hermann and a wedding for Mel! We are taking applications for sitters for cookie and sundance.

Captain arm noodles

I can barely lift my fingers to type. I came home from work today and took advantage of this crisp spring weather. I felt bad for O.B.C. for not being able to leave work on time, and also for rubbing it in, so I told him that I would pick up the yard and rake it... Didn't realize how long it had been since he did his one job. Picking up the dog's..umm... "treats". The last time I will do that, a lady is not meant to hunch over excrement. Then I wanted to rake up all the dead grass and give our yard a fighting chance...you know since by the end of summer it is going to look like P. Allen Smith planted and manicured it. And now I have callouses on my hands, and I am spent. But it was a great work out. When I lived in my parents house, I would sit and stare at my mom out the window and wonder what the heck she was doing, why did the yard need so much work, and why of all people, was she doing it, then I would turn around because I had lost interests. When I was little my mom helped me plant my own little garden and showed me how to water the plants, I loved it until I realized that plants and flowers didn't actually DO anything and the chance of stepping on a slug on the way to my garden was slim but possible, pass...you water the flowers today, hun. But now being a homeowner, I realize that the whole point of having a yard is to sit out in it with a glass of wine and listen to your neighbors traditional Mediterranean jam bands.
I also think they might be taping an episode of hoarders next door. I came home from work last week to find a two men and a truck outside of our crazy recluse neighbors house...you know the one that screams at you and tells you to move your car if you haven't left him 5 feet to not back out of his driveway because he doesn't go anywhere..that one. I could have imagined it, but I swear the movers expressions were a mix of hot and disgusted. I came home a few days later and noticed that our friendly neighbors, Joe and Goldy Gibson were crossing the street numerous times with one piece of furniture here, a bag of cans there...inevitably all this stuff will end up in one of their weekly Saturday garage sales. Today I was leaving again on my lunch break and saw the most discolored white appliance and metal cabinets I have ever seen outside of a dump. What is next, only crazy man knows, but will I be peaking out my window when it happens...I got 5 on it.

Business time

All my birthday parties are over as of tonight, Pat just needs to get on consumer reports and research which kind of sewing machine I will be purchasing. I hope everyone is ready for lots of home made gifts in their future. Also watched some HGTV this morning and have very big plans for the backyard, i am thinking a koi pond and outdoor fire place. We wont need any outdoor speaker system, we have our neighbors ethnic music. I have been doing pretty much nothing besides studying for my securities test lately and I can promise that it is going to get intense over here. I think that my test book is sucking my will to live. But I will pass this thing. I had a professor in college tell me that if I could visualize it, it could happen. I am picturing my bed made with clean sheets...Also Pat and I just started the biggest loser for our upcoming float trip. We need to look nice and trim for all the brochure covers we are going to make it on.

Ahh. Look at that, such a sight to behold. I had never been on a float trip until I started dating Patrick. I said I would never go on one because they were just not for me, I told people that I when I was a kid during the summer we would go to our cabin in Cuba, and my Parents would curse the floaters and say they littered and they were a nuisance... And I agreed. I would like to get in my time machine, go back to 1989, and tell them to shove it as I crack a beer, light up a cig and shove off. The 80's were prime floating. Fringe suits, way short dude jorts, Mullets and Mullays galore, rockin boom boxes, meat heads, Madonna chicks, mesh shirts and top siders. I would go back to the fifties for the clothes, the sixties for the empowering change, the seventies for the cool tunes, and the 80's to float.

2012

Well we are 30 minutes in and Woody Harelson just made his first appearance as the crazy homeless woodsmen. This is going to take a while...I guess I will write a little bit. I was trying to reflect a little bit about my first 28 years on the planet. I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned that family is not always blood, it is easier to please your self than other people, life is more fun when you sing it, having friends is one of my greatest accomplishments, my life is going to be full of smiles, it is easier to stand out than fit in, and when I drink a lot I dance and fall asleep.

I was walking home from work on Friday and came across a segway tour in front of Busch Stadium.. I thought it was really funny and took a picture and showed it to Pat. I checked FB today and Kelly had posted a picture of her and Skup on vacation on a segway tour. My friends crack me up. I wonder if any Washington D.C. locals were taking pictures of them and laughing? I would have beat them up. I am glad no one on the tour I came across had besties.

I keep getting all of these dog related cards for various occasions. Am I a crazy dog person? Just because I am constantly taking pictures of my dogs does not mean I am going to have them ironed on to my t shirts. But I will share them with the world. I mean people take a million pictures of the kids and no one calls them crazy baby people.

People let me tell you 'bout my Beesst Friend!

Unhappy St. Patricks day and other calamities

Boy was it tough dropping Patrick, Mike and Avery off on Wednesday. I don't think I will be able to do that one again until it is frowned upon that I drink, but I figured since I am trying to pass my securities test that it would be smart for me to use the time studying (and watching 9-4 all day they were doing travel shows in Ireland). I will admit that I teared up at Rick Steve's travels. Rick, I think you can retire, you will never have a better audience. Took cookie to the vet that day too and had to weave in and out of a green sea of beer on legs again got depressed about not being a boozy leprechaun. But I picked Pat up from the parade went to dinner and had a couple of beers, and woke up feeling amazing on Thursday..cant say the same for O.B.C.

Also am staring to celebrate birthday '10. I request that people sing "Birthday to you, Birthday to you, Birthday dear Kate, Birthday to you". This is a tough one to swallow, I know that people on the planet are older than me, but aren't you supposed to have things accomplished by the time you are 29? I don't feel like I am ready yet, I haven't even mastered typing with out looking at my fingers. Never the less it is upon me. I will hold my head up and walk into Tuesday a brave woman...but not before i buy wrinkle cream Monday night.

Boy this Pacific is loud and did I just glance up and see an arm and a head dismembered? I don't know how people watch this. I will have nightmares tonight, I can barely watch Law and Order SVW without a shake awake. I am a ninny. I couldn't even make it through Candy Man on Channel 11. If something bad is out there, I would just rather not know about it. I live in a mystical world where I ride a unicorn to work on the rainbow turnpike. I cant handle the news, even a co worker turning a corner gives me a good b movie scream. Here is my parting questions....when actors play dead, how do they not breath? or is it wax people doubles that they film for the dead parts? I have tried pretending to look dead and it is not easy...in my opinion, whoever played Bernie in Weekend at Bernie's should have won the Oscar that year.

Those who live in bounce houses shouldnt throw rocks.

Out of Breath

Saturday was My Nephew and Niece's joint bday party at Pump It Up and all I picked up was a cold-ish. We all had a lot of fun, Pat got chased by 5 year olds doing jumping air crotch shots, I took a tough bounce in the obstacle course and crunched my neck, My Dad literally got stuck in the same obstacle course and we had to go find him, and my Mom did this over and over. She was pushing kids out of the way to go down the slideWe all had so much fun. I had to come home and take a nap after the party, Pat didn't jump as much as me, so he cleaned the whole house, I asked him if he resented me taking a nap while he was cleaning and he said yes, but I just pretended to go back to sleep. Being a kid wears you out.

I am watching video games right now, something that I have been a spectator to, for twenty years. When I was a 8 we got a Nintendo for Christmas, my brother immediately took it away and would only take it out of the safe when he had friends over, (We were a 1 T.V. family). So I am really good at watching other people play video games, I suggest a lot of things that the actual player might never have thought, like maybe if you jump off the cliff you wont die, or touch that fire maybe it is magic...I just realized why Kevin would never let me play.

Is it weird that while I was at work today I missed petting my dog? I was out sick on Friday and had all Saturday and Sunday with her (and Sundance and Pat) and when I sat down at my desk this morning and starting typing all I realized is that my keys weren't furry.

I am not sure if anyone noticed

Buut. I am the next Steve Jobs. It only took me an hour and a half, but I have learned to apply a background to my blog. I did it last night while Pat was watching the dogs. Of course when his stupid show came on (I am referring to Lost) I had to get up and watch the dogs, Soo I will be working more on it in the future. I have sewing class tonight, God, last week was frustrating. Do you know how hard it is to sew a straight line on a circle?? Not to mention Andrea said my pants look like I should be a farmer bc of the print. You know when you picture something in your head how perfect it is and well constructed and people are fawning over themselves to get a second look. Well that is EXACTLY the case here.

I never really told you how we got rid of our Maxima did I?
We had come home on a Friday to a note on the door, Pat I wish we would have saved that...
"If you want to sale me your car, call Danny 314-555-555"...hmm. We were very hesitant to call Danny bc you are thinking the same thing...We don't want this guy knowing where we live..Too late. He got out of his car stuck a note on our front door while Our powder puff husky was probably inside doing his nails. We call him and before Pat can even get "We are calling about th.." Danny says he will be here in 2 minutes and hangs up on him. 10 minutes later...(I am guessing this is why Danny looks like he is un-employed) Danny and Co. drag up. In a car. Spray painted. Half gold. Half red. We go to greet them very graciously but Danny is a cut and dry kind a guy. How much you want? Well it doesn't run... How much you take? Well we were going to donate it because it doesn't run...Charity, This guy right here is charity (grabbing his larger than life friend) Then we get to the meat and potato's of the story. Big guy's Old Lady is about to pop and they need something to get around in...He can produce her if need be, we should see her, she is HUGE. (poor Old Lady, no girl wants her better half saying she is big) Back to Danny...So how much we talking here..100..? Um we should prob think about this...200...250..Ok 250 you can have it...Danny get his money out and counts it on the hood...The look at the inside, right past the filth and see the car for the gem it is and they drive off into the sunset, Old Lady in tow. If you are lucky one day you might be cruising along Gravois and be cut off by them pulling a u-y.

I have been baking again...

I was on the way home at lunch yesterday and happened to drive past a lottery sign that said it was up to 170 million dollars. 170 million dollars divided by half...yep I could live on that. I could live on half of that. even half of that. DO I really deserve the lottery? You always hear about that family that was about to lose the home, out of work, needed a hand that won...what about the moderate middle class unwed couple? Do they ever get their fairy tail? I had a dream a couple of weeks ago that I was a contestant on a game show where the prize was 10 million dollars and I won. I went up to everyone that I worked for and told them I quit but then went into my bosses office and told her I would still work part time just to help out..doesn't that make me deserving of winning the lottery? That I was even benevolent in my dreams... What does a girl have to do around here to retire at 20 something?

So I started thinking what would I do if I could win the lottery? I would have to have something to do with my time. But I would want to be able to work by my own rules. So I would own my own store. I would sell all kinds of stuff...of course in this fantasy I would be an expert sewer and furniture rehab-er along with just a talented all around fabu lady who wore skirts and rode bicycles to work and her puppy rode in the basket. Again this is of course a million dollar fantasy...

So back to reality. I baked again this weekend! I am really into taking recipes and picking them apart and making them better and really thinking about what i could add to make it better. I judge all my successes and failures by whether O.B.C. has seconds. In this case...he just kept sneaking them. I would say..success!

Also had the chance to check out a highly recommended show...RuPaul's Drag Race. Pat was down here doing his draft and he wanted me to sit down here with him so I said fine and popped on the LoGo network. If I have to listen to "Going Once, Going Twice, Sold" two hundred times...you best believe that I going to be watching a man with a Brazilian and hot pants do the splits while singing the classic "Two of Hearts".

Family Photo Shoot

Well, we have been hounded (no pun intended) to put up some pictures of the newest member to our family, but our camera is on the fritz..and we just haven't quite made it to the camera shop...so here there are!

Dad and Donna came over last night and brought the new parents dinner and lunch for the next day! Yep a second pizza! That is company we will definitely have over again. Donna brought her second purse otherwise known as her camera bag so we busted it out and attempted to get a picture, but I think the mistakes are much better so with out further introduction...

THE PATRICK FLYNN AND KATE MURRAY'S

Grandpa loves me!
Giving my big brother trouble and grey hair

He just wont sit still

Aren't I the best dog in the world!

Take one!
Take Two!Let's try knee...YOUCH!
Sounds goo...YOUCH!
Oh we still love you buddy!

As best as we are going to do...(and I look relatively ok)