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The best picture ever.

I shouldn't need to explain that this is Robert Pattinson, shooting a scene for New Moon in Italy.

Mandy's Show- Crazy For You

Here are some pictures from Mandy's show on Saturday! I'm so glad I got to see it and spend some time with Shanda, Carie, and James! It was a great musical!

Clearly, I was totally excited. I don't think my smile could have gotten any bigger.



Shanda, me, Mandy, and Carie!

My Dad-The Fisherman

So my dad finally took a few days off from work last week to go Red Striper fishing on Lake Texoma. He never takes off work. Never. These guys have been trying to get him to go on a guided fishing trip for years, so he finally went. I'm so glad he had a good time and that they were so successful. Supposedly they caught somewhere around 115 fish those 2 days. I would have loved to have seen my dad reeling in these beauties! They look delicious!

He's the one on the right. I think he said that fish weighed around 8 pounds. Isn't it huge?? (that's what she said!)

Review: Frenemies by Megan Crane

I ordered this book when Barnes and Noble was having a fantastic sale. It started out as a fun read by the pool one day, and then I didn't touch it for a month. Until yesterday when I needed something to pass my time at lunch...and then I couldn't put it down. I finished it last night.

In Frenemies, Megan introduces us to Augustus "Gus", who is 29 and just found her boyfriend Nate that she's been dating for 4 months is cheating on her with her "friend" Helen. If anyone could imagine how hurtful that would be, you wouldn't be surprised that 2 weeks later she's singing "Piece of my Heart" by Janis Joplin at a Karaoke party at the top of her lungs, right in both of their faces.

The whole story is based around her and her friends who all have some kind of issue with men or for one character how her two friends bring too much drama into her life. Gus's friend Georgia only likes jerks who break her heart and leave her sobbing in her bed, while her Gus and April Lee console her. April Lee is married and is always exasperated at her friend's shenanigans. There's Nate, who cheated on Gus, but of course sends mixed signals to her to make her think he's still interested (which, naturally, gives Gus hope-so she's constantly pining away for him throughout the book). Helen, of course, is the epitome of "that girl". The one who flirts with everyone, has guys waiting on her hand and foot, the one we all hate. Henry is Nate's roommate...or rather, Henry is letting Nate live in his to-die-for brownstone. Gus hates him and thinks he is the devil.

Gus is determined to make Nate see the mistake he made by hooking up with Helen, but in the process becomes hounded by Nate's roommate, Henry. Henry is that guy who you look at from far away and think he's gorgeous but completely vain and only interested in girls with perfect bodies and no brains. I'll leave you to determine what could possibly transpire between Gus and Henry. It was pretty obvious from the beginning! :) Gus also deals with Helen who constantly tries to track her down, seeks her out at parties, shows up at Gus's apartment unexpectedly, and answers Nate's phone with Gus tries to talk to him. Can we say, "crazy"?

Basically, this book was drama after drama. I found myself laughing at the horrible luck Gus was having and at all of the situations she put herself in. At the same time, I sided with her when she would be upset at Helen. Don't we all know those girls who never admit when they have done something wrong?? I could totally relate.

After finishing the book, I read the Author's notes and found out that Megan was inspired by the movie, Mean Girls, when she wrote this book. Once I read that, I could totally see how they related to one another. I recommend this book to anyone. I really enjoyed it and it was a very easy read!

Review: We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates

I'd like to start out by saying that as usual, I try to read my books during my lunch break. Generally, every time I try this, I just don't get into the book as much. I don't know why this happens, I just can't seem to concentrate half the time. It could possibly be because this is a more serious book and other books are more "easy reading", who knows? So this review may be this way because I couldn't concentrate.

I thought the book was very well written, but I just never really, "got into it". It took all I had to finish it and I often found myself skimming pages and just trying to get through the book.

The book is about the Mulvaney family. They live in New York and they live on a farm. The man of the house is Michael Mulvaney. He owns a roofing company and is a member of the Country Club. There is Corinne, a mother of 4, who loves antiques and even owns a store but can't seem to part with them because she loves and forms bonds with every single piece of delapitated furniture she buys. There is Michael "Mule" Mulvaney, Jr. who has already graduated high school and is living at home. There is Patrick "Pinch" Mulvaney who is the valedictorian, very smart and very serious. Then there is Marianne "Muffin" Mulvaney. She is very popular and very Christian, very giving and always puts others first instead of herself. Lastly, there is Judd "Ranger" Mulvaney. He is the youngest and is often the narrator of the book. Everything you see if mostly through the eyes of a child who views everyone as their hero and looks up to his brothers and sister.

A tragic thing happens to Marianne and tears the family apart. The whole book centers around about a 10-15 year span and all that happens after the incident between the family members. I really thought it was a realistic portrail of the inside of a family. No one knows how a family gets through a trying time, no one knows why some families break apart, except for the family members.

It was a long book and very tedious to read for me. Like I said, I just couldn't get into it. There were times when it was easier to read and easier to get into and then after a chapter or two, I would lose interest. But I'm glad Joyce decided to keep going with the story. There were many points that the book could have just ended and left you wondering if the family ever picked up the pieces and moved on or reunited...but Joyce continued writing to let you have a sort of "happy ending".

All in all, I'd recommend this book to people who have time to dedicate to it. It was extremely well written.

Finally, an Update!

So, this weekend was a really great weekend. Barring the fact that I spent entirely too much money....it was fantastic.

My niece, Rachel, turned 8 years old on Thursday. I can't believe that 8 years ago, I was standing outside of a hospital room door, my ear pressed against it, straining to hear whether I would have a niece or a nephew. I remember that my Dad and I were the only ones who thought it would be a girl. Everyone else thought my sister and Kurtis would have a boy. I remember hearing my sister say "It's a girl!" and as I heard that I almost let out a scream of delight and turned and half ran, half skipped down the hallway to tell my family and Kurtis' family that we had a new baby girl in the family! I remember Kurtis coming out of the room, holding her, tears in his eyes and running down his face. It was such a beautiful day. My niece is 2 years away from being 10.



So for her birthday my sister planned a surprise trip for her, Avery, my parents and I to meet up at The American Girl Store and Bistro at the Galleria. Oh. My. Gosh. The American Girl Store is so amazing! I told my parents they should count their lucky stars that this wasn't around when I was Rachel's age. It was so cool..and yet, completely ridiculous! A hair styling salon for dolls?? Really??
So, Rachel picked out a doll (she chose Elizabeth, by the way-I suggested her- 5 Cool Points for Aunt Ra-Ra!!!!), she got a night gown for Elizabeth, and a bag to carry her in. We ate at the Bistro and we got a cool cake to eat. Avery and Rachel even got to put their dolls in tiny chairs that attached to the table so their dolls could "eat" with us :) It was really cute and Rachel had a blast.



Afterwards, we went to Claire's and got her ears pierced!!!! Yet another moment that made me all wishy-washy and I got teary-eyed as she sat in the chair waiting to get her Emerald studs put in her ears. She is such a big girl now! She didn't even cry when she got them done! When the first earring went in, her eyes got really wide and her face got all red, but she didn't shed a single tear. I was so proud! And to celebrate her new earrings, I bought her 3 more pairs for when she can take out her studs! It was so much fun!

I got to hang out with my mom after all of that. We tried to shop at Macy's...but we just couldn't get into it. Maybe it was just because we were at the Galleria...or maybe we were just tired. I don't know. It was fun getting to be with her though.

That night I went to Denton and saw the Denton Musical Theatre production of "Crazy For You!" My wonderful friend, Mandy, was Irene in it. She was absolutely fabulous! She looked gorgeous and I loved hearing her sing. She really rocked and owned her roll. I feel so lucky to have been able to have seen the show! There was just so much talent on the stage! All of the musicians were fantastic, the dancing was great, and the comedy was superb. I was so impressed with everything!

Sunday, as everyone knows, was Mother's Day. Steve let me sleep in and made me blueberry muffins. I asked him what he was going to do when we have real kids, as opposed to just Anna. :) That afternoon we went over to his parent's house and we had lunch with them and gave his mom her present. Steve made a handmade card, that was really impressive and took a lot of time and thought and we got her a few gifts that I think she really appreciated. I was happy to be able to do something for her, and I had a great time with them while we were there. Then we went over and spent a little time with my parents. My mom and I went to Lowes and I got a Hibiscus tree to go in a planter that she had. I am "borrowing" it from her. It's out by my front door right now. We'll see if it gets enough sun light...but the hibiscus is lovely and our front door area looks so pretty now with the tree there. I had a good time with my mom and I think she had a great Mother's Day. I got her wind chimes at this cute little boutique by our apartment, that sound so pretty. I hope they last a long time!

So that's our weekend...I guess I could update by saying I'm still looking for a teaching job. I'm hoping something comes my way. I keep hearing about these "hiring freezes" at different districts, but I haven't seen anything on websites to confirm those rumors. I don't know...I just want a job.

We're slowly starting to look at houses. I don't want to get too serious about it until I know whether or not I'll be teaching, but it's nice to know that we're really close to being able to afford a home.