Chelsea Salomone: February 2009

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Roth Chicken Broth

Unfortunately, I know nothing about money. Well, let me rephrase that. I can list the things I know about money on one hand:
1. I know how to count it.
2. According to my dad and Nick, "You should always live below your means." [You meaning me]
3. Also according to my dad and Nick, "You [meaning me] have to learn how to differentiate between needs and wants." (Since when is a Circle E candle not a NEED?!)
4. In the words of shrewd financial guru Michael Scott, "Mo' money, mo' problems."
5. And lastly, according to my grandma Scat, ladies don't discuss it. Or politics. Or our age.

Oh! And one hazy night in college my good friend Casey taught me about something called "the cookie jar reserve." But that was only because we were testing our theory that people remember things more when they've been drinking because they are trying really hard to focus and pretend like they haven't been drinking. My clear recall of that whole thing shows just how right our theory was.

Anyway! I've been thinking a lot about my lack of knowledge lately as I listened to two of my good friends at school discuss their crafty Dave Ramsey ways and as I read Kelly's post. Nick is really, really good at handling our money and budgeting. (Thank God!) It's what he does for a living, and he enjoys it. I access our accounts online and see our automatic bill pay and basics like that, but truthfully, it's just a bunch of numbers to me.

I've gotta give him credit, Nick has tried to teach me. Many times. I can't fault him for that. But when he starts talking about our 4031KBs and Roth (Chicken Broth?) IRAs and all this other nonsense- I just don't get it.

When I was single I did okay. I didn't rack up debt or anything like that, and I had a savings account [albeit small and often empty].

But I have taken it upon myself to rectify this situation. I joke about it, but really, if God forbid, something ever happened to Nick, I would be completely lost with our finances and financial planning. I guess my dad would have to help me out, and I'm just not okay with that.

I was thinking about this very thing at lunch today, so after school I went to Barnes & Noble and bought Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Revisited. I am going to start at square one and educate myself in the ways of money. While I was there, another gem caught my eye, Don't Get Caught With Your Skirt Down: A Practical Girl's Recession Guide. Now THAT is speaking my language.

The introduction is titled "The Distraction of Soccer Games, Pedicures and Perez Hilton." Chapter 2 is "Why A Martini Costs $30" followed by "Buying Less Junk and Embracing the Authentic" and "But Economics is Boring!" Real legit book I'm sure. I like it already.

Nick was so excited when I came home today with these books and my new quest for knowledge. He told me he is really excited to talk about my books together and even offered to let me read one of his college Finance textbooks if I'm interested. Tempting offer, but I'll stick with my two for now.

I really think nothing but good can come from this. It will be good for me and also for our marriage. I want to be able to hold an educated conversation with Nick and have some input on where our money goes. Like Don't Get Caught With Your Skirt Down says, "Your man is not your financial plan."

So tonight I will begin my journey of financial wisdom that is likely not to end well for our housekeeper or my expensive shampoo.

But this cute face can stay. Regardless of the cost.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Right.

Every Tuesday we have high school volunteers who come and help at our school. Today I had a really nice guy (kid?) come to my class. We started talking and as it turns out, he had recently moved to Keller from Arlington where he had gone to good ol' MHS!! (Go Warriors.) Talk about a small world!

I was so excited! But to hear me, you would have thought I graduated from high school last year. Right away, I started playing the name game, asking him about my favorite high school teachers.
Me: OHH! Does Mrs. Thomas still teach English?
Youth: Um.. I've never heard of her.
Me: Oh! What about Mrs. Kerby? Does she still teach French? And does Ms. (name deleted for anonymity purposes) still have that uneven haircut? Oh!! And does Chic Fila still have a stand set up in the foyer? And don't you love getting Otis Spunkmeyer cookies on Fridays?

Poor Youth responds with weird look and: I don't know any of those people.
Me: Oh...

He was being so nice and sincere until he hit me with the killer: "Yeah, I think you're like... a lot older than I am." (And trust me, he emphasized the A LOT.)

Right. Put me right back in my "once upon a time I wore Doc Marten sandals" place where I belong.

Was 1999 really TEN years ago?? So it's been a while since prom and homecoming. Do kids not still page each other on the weekends?? I'm sorry, is the purple Eclipse Spyder not the "cool car" any more?

I wanted so badly to look at him and say, "Look I'm not THAT old, kid. I mean, I read the Twilight series!! I have the new Taylor Swift album downloaded on my iPod, and I listen to it ALL the time. I can text with the best of them."

But I didn't. I just smiled a resigned smile and nodded my head. It's unfortunate for him really. Nothing will ever be as cool as driving around Arlington, windows down, listening to Sisqo's Thong Song and Jay-Z's Big Pimpin' in your Mustang. Or Eagle Eye Cherry's Save Tonight- I mean COME ON! And I am actually sorry for him he'll never get to see Varsity Blues and American Pie in the theater. My day may have passed, but let me just say, Martin High School was at its prime in the early millennium.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Best Day

Remember in my "25 things about me" post, I said that I look up song lyrics a lot? I absolutely LOVE the lyrics to this song, written by Taylor Swift for her mom.

I think they're really sweet and simple. Every time I play this song, it makes me think about my mom. Granted, I don't recall her ever taking me to a pumpkin patch and I can't watch any old videos of myself, because our house was burglarized and they were stolen when I was a kid... but you get the point. I ALWAYS call my mom when I have a bad day, and she's always there to listen. And we have had a lot of fun days together shopping at North Park and decorating my kitchen and things like that. I also know she has sacficied a lot for JG and me. Also the part where it talks about her dad- I feel the same way. Especially the two lines about her brother- that's exactly what I would say about JG. The song is number 34 on my playlist.

The Best Day
By Taylor Swift

I'm five years old

It's getting cold out

Got my big coat on

I hear your laugh

And look up, I'm smilin at you

I run and run

Past the pumpkin patch

And the tractor rides

Look now, the sky is gold

I hug your legs

And fall asleep on the way home

I don't know why all the trees change in the fall

But I know you're not scared of anything at all

Don't know if Snow White's house is near or far away

But I know I had the best day with you today

I'm 13 now

And don't know how

My friends could be so mean

I come home crying

And you hold me tight

And grab the keys

And we drive and drive

Unil we found a town far enough away

And we talk and window shop

Til I forgotten all their names

I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school

But I know I'm laughin

On the car ride home with you

Don't know how long it's gonna take to feel okay

But I know I had the best day with you today

I have an excellent father

His strengh is making me stronger

God smiles on my little brother

Inside and out

He's better than I am

I grew up in a pretty house

And I had space to run

And I had the best days with you

There is a video I found

From back when I was three

You set up a paint set in the kitchen

And you're talkin to me

It's the age of princesses and priate ships

And the seven dwarves

My Daddy's smart

And you're the prettiest lady in the whole wide world

Now I know why the all the trees change in the fall

I know you were on my side

Even when I was wrong

And I love you for giving me your eyes

Staying back and watching me shine

And I didn't know if you knew

So I'm takin this chance to say that

I had the best day with you today

Soup For Two: You & The One With the Flu

Nick has had the flu all weekend! Poor guy! On Thursday night we had so much fun- we cooked fajitas and had Haddy (you should check out her blog- she's a great writer and really funny!) and Ed over for dinner and to watch The Office. Except that we were having so much fun laughing and talking, we completely missed The Office. They are a lot of fun! After they left, Nick and I did the dishes, went to bed, and everything was fine.

Then on Friday morning Nick woke up, showered, and came back to bed. He said he didn't feel well and wasn't going to work. I knew he was really sick, because in the three years I've known him, he's only called in sick for work twice. His fever was 102. Needless to say, my weekend was spent taking temperatures, pouring Gatorade and giving meds. The highlight occurred on Saturday evening when I went to Wal-Mart to buy more Gatorade and Nick a new toothbrush. I did get a lot of laundry, ironing, organizing, (and let's be honest, sitting in my pajamas reading magazines and blog stalking) done- so that was a plus.

Luckily, Nick seems to be feeling a lot better today. I hated seeing him feel so bad! He's playing his X Box right now, as a matter of fact. This morning when we got up, I could tell that he was a lot better. I made a big breakfast and then disinfected our house. I literally bleached every phone, doorknob and remote control we own. I scrubbed the sinks, toilets, trash cans, washed blankets... One of the things I bleached was our computer keyboard, and I think I might have messed it up. The buttons now have a white film on them- like maybe they're peeling. OOPS!

I just can't get sick. I know people always say that, but I have taken off A LOT of days this year. Between my grandpa being sick and his funeral, Erin's wedding, getting sick twice and missing four days for that... I have hardly any days left. I'm really hoping my cleaning efforts will pay off (and my keyboard survives.)

Anyway, I wanted to post a really good soup recipe that I got from my mom. I make this pretty often. It makes enough for 4-6 people, but I usually make it and then freeze half.

Tortellini Soup

You need:

-1/2 of an onion, chopped

-2 tbsp. butter

-1/2 tsp of thyme (or basil if you prefer that)

-2 cloves of minced garlic

-1 can of diced tomatoes

-2 cans of low sodium beef broth

-1 can of garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

-1 package of refrigerated tortellini pasta (I like the Buotini cheese kind)

-pepper and parmesan cheese, to top.

You do:

1. Saute the onion in butter until it's a pretty golden color and soft (5 minutes)

2. Add the thyme (or basil), garlic and tomatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Stir in beef broth and garbanzo beans. Continue cooking for 15-20 more minutes. (Until the beans are soft.)

4. Boil pasta, drain and add to the soup as it finishes.

5. Top with pepper and parmesan.

I also made a really good green salad.

I'm not very good at making salads, but this one turned out well. I got the idea from the salad we ate in Granbury and just used the things we already had. I just took a bag of mixed greens, unsweetened mandarin oranges and toasted almonds. (The flavor is a lot better if you toast them.)

Then add shredded parmesan cheese (crumbled feta or blue cheese would be good too!) and balsamic dressing.

Slap some butter, parmesean cheese and garlic powder on bread, stick it in the oven and viola! You have a quick and easy meal that even your mom would be proud of for yourself and the guy on the couch. Have a good Sunday!!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Suburban Crimes

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times. Usually coming from my mom and Teri in unison, "Never say never." Well I am here to tell you, I have some things I can tell you I will never do. I was thinking about this very thing as I pulled out of our school parking lot and drove through our neighborhood today. Let it be known now. Never, ever will I ever commit the following suburban crimes...

1) Put a decal of stick figures on my vehicle with my family members' names underneath. "Family stickers," as they're affectionately called by some. "Sick" is what I call it.

2) Yard art. Oh let me tell you, my neighbors commit this heinous crime left and right. The giant wooden Santa Claus cut out in December. A giant scalloped heart candy box in February. An oversized wooden turkey with the family's name written in cursive in the fall. Don't even get me started on the Disney ones. Glitter, tinsel, lights, it doesn't matter how you do it. I don't.

3) Peel and stick decals. Specifically those displayed on front doors or front windows. You know the ones- those slick, flimsy little stickers we all loved when we were kids. You can stick them to a window and then peel them right off. They come in a fine assortment of hearts, Christmas trees, space ships, pumpkins...Something about those stickers just aren't right to me. Especially when they're stuck all over someone's front door. I'm sure our kids will want them someday. And that's fine. When we have kids, they can stick those things all over their bedroom. If they absolutely must, they can plaster them on their bathroom mirrors and ceiling fans and bedroom windows. Just not on the front door. That's reserved for wreaths only. These are probably the least offensive thing on my list. For some reason, I just think they're icky.

4) Drive a mini van for real. Ah.. the mini van. It doesn't matter if it's a Town & Country, a Honda Odyssey, a Grand Caravan, a Sedona, a Sienna, an Aerostar, a Windstar.... I just can't stomach it. Buy an SUV people. Something about that sliding door and sleek rocket ship shape just gets me.

Now, there is a clause on this one. I said I will never drive a mini van "for real." There are times and exceptions to this rule. This would include driving a mini van only as a joke. For example, when we were in college Erin's mom had a mean Town and Country. We affectionately named her Goldie. Goldie was old school- tape deck and all. Now there were many a time we would ask to borrow Goldie in college for the sheer fact that it was FUNNY for 8 girls to pile out of a mini van on North Gate. We would bring Jenny's old school "boom box" so that we could listen to cds in Goldie. (You just had to remember to pick up the boom box from the floor board when you hit the breaks or a bump so the cd didn't skip.) Goldie even accompanied us on two different spring break trips. Being 22 and shoe polishing "honk if you're single" on a gold van before heading off to South Padre? Funny.

There was also the time last May in Florida when we specifically requested a mauve mini van for a rental (as a tribute to Goldie who has long since been sold). Again, a bunch of girls driving around to Florida bars and taking turns too fast in a mini van? Funny. Going to the car lot and choosing to purchase a mini van out of the hundreds of options? Not funny.

5) Never, ever will I wear a t-shirt like the one my sweet student Haley drew me wearing today. (I [heart] teaching) Nor will I wear accessories made of apples, pencils, school houses, or other school related items. No can do there.

Family Decals, Yard Art, Slimy Stickers, Mini Vans, Teacher Clothes... What else did I forget?

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Thank You, Nick!!!

Nick did an AMAZING job surprising me this Valentine's Day. It was perfect!! He made reservations at a bed & breakfast, The Inn on Lake Granbury. We left on Saturday afternoon and dropped Lexi off at my mom's.

When we got to Granbury, we spent a couple of hours shopping in the town square- so many cute clothing and home decor places. Loved it! There was also a fun placed called Bisque House where you can paint pottery and make glass & mosaics. (SO a date you would see on the Bachelor!) That would be really fun to go do or even a different place to have a shower. Then we went to a little winery, D'Vine Wine (cute name!) in the square and did a wine tasting. The wine was only okay, but it was a really fun atmosphere! There were people bottling their own wine- that would also be such a fun thing to go back and do! (Bachelor date #2- they should really ditch the big cities and consider filming in Granbury, Texas. Can you imagine??) After that, we went back to the b&b to relax and enjoy some cheese and more wine they had set out for everyone.

This is the front of the b&b. It is so cute!!

This is the view of the lake from the back. They have a chiminea, chairs and a porch swing right by the water. They also have a really cool swimming pool with a rock waterfall I didn't get a picture of.

This is the back of the inn. The rooms are in the main house and the "restaurant" is in the smaller building on the right.

This is the common area where they had all kinds of snacks sitting out- including warm chocolate chip cookies (I think I ate 5) & the wine and cheese. They also had a bunch of different newspapers to read, DVDs and flavored coffee. I LOVE how this is decorated.

Our beautiful room & bathroom- we stayed in the Belle Starr room. I didn't want to leave! This was like my dream bathroom- it had a whirlpool tub and a sauna shower.

Nick brought a really nice bottle of wine (do you notice a theme here?) and we ate dinner at the b&b. The food was so good, seriously 5 star- we had three courses followed by a huge dessert tray and champagne. This morning we slept in and then ate more delicious food before coming back home.

We had a really romantic Valentine's Day. Quite the opposite of the "contrived and awkward" feeling I refered to in my last post. I am so incredibly thankful that I am married to someone that I can have so much fun with no matter where we are. Nick is truly my best friend- we always have a good time talking and laughing, and I thank God for him every day. I would definitely recommend this place also- it is very, very nice. In fact, I was totally scoping it out and taking lots of pictures for a certain sister-in-law of someone who may be getting engaged in the near future. It would be such a quaint and romantic place to have a small wedding! Not talking about anyone specific of course... I'm just saying! :)

Friday, February 13, 2009

SubLIME

Valentine's Day is not that big of a deal to me. REALLY. And I'm not the kind of person who says that but secretly gets mad at her significant other if he doesn't do something. I just think the whole thing is contrived and quite frankly, a little awkward. I could be missing a soft, mushy side but I would rather NOT get a pink teddy bear, a cheesy card and a box of Russell Stovers. It's not that I'm opposed to celebrating it (especially if it involves good food), but it's just not a big deal.

Speaking of awkward and cheesy cards, here are a few I received from my sweet students today:

-Train going down a track "I choo choo choooooose you."
-Cat dangling from a tree limb "Valentine, I like hangin' around you."

-A lime "You're subLIME."

Oh I could go on and on...

But the best from one of my very favorite students ever, Scott [not that I have favorites :)]

He walks in this morning and tells me, "I got these Hershey's kisses tubes at Target last night." (He uncurls his sweaty little hand and revels three different colored tubes. One is labeled All American Girl, another Sporty Girl and the last Social Girl. "I spent a long time reading what they said and trying to figure out what kind of girl you are." UHHH!!!

Then he hands me the tube labeled "You Go! All Ameican Girl." The back says, "She's the All-American girl. The girl next door. Your best friend. Your girl friend. And just like Hershey's Kisses brand milk chocolates, she's pure, simple and simply delicious."

UHHHHH..... 50% Funny/Cute 50% Awkward

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Even in Australia

Today has not been that great of a day.

First of all, this morning I was actually ahead of schedule (for once) so I decided to do something nice for my team. I stopped at Sonic to get their favorite drinks. Actually, my intentions weren't totally selfless because instead of my usual cereal or yogurt, my breakfast options were limited to last night's chicken or a lean cuisine. Sonic was my only viable option. Anyway, the credit card machines were down at Sonic and only one guy was working so it seriously took 20 minutes to order 5 drinks and a breakfast burrito. As I was driving to school, the drinks in the drink carrier collided and a Route 44 diet Dr. Pepper spilled ALL over my car. My school is 5 minutes from my house. Sonic is right in the middle. I left at 7:15 and got there at 7:40. So much for good deeds and hot breakfast.

The second highlight of my day occurred around 10:15 when one of the girls in my class started complaining of an itchy head. Sure enough-lice. As soon as I heard the diagnosis, I swear to you I started itching. That stuff is super contagious and apparently Lysol will not kill it. AND- it can live on hard surfaces for 42 hours and soft ones for even longer. AND you have to have someone PICK THE EGGS AND DEAD BUGS OUT OF YOUR HAIR!! How much do ya love me, Nick??? :) My head is getting itchy right now just typing this. I'm not kidding. I'm not imagining this. I had the nurse check my scalp at lunch but she said it was pointless because it takes about two weeks to infest. I swear, if something is INFESTING on me right this very minute... I just can't even think about that.

Then after school I had just a fantastic meeting. I won't go into that. Let me just reiterate: I love my kids, and I love my team.

On my way home I stopped at the grocery store to get some essentials to last us until this weekend. I mean, the only thing worse than having bugs in your hair would be having bugs in your hair and eating chicken for breakfast.

When we were kids we used to read this book called Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Today I kind of feel like Alexander. But as he says about bad days, "Some days are like that.... even in Australia."

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Southwest Quiche

The rest of our weekend was a lot less eventful, but fun none the less. Yesterday afternoon Nick and I went to visit Thomas, Alison & Colten at home. Then last night we went to see He's Just Not That Into You & made one of my dad's recipes called Corn Pudding Pie. OH. MY. GOSH. You HAVE to make it. If you do nothing else in your life, make this recipe. It is seriously one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth! It's really easy, too- it would be perfect to make on a week night. Nick and I have renamed it Southwest Quiche, because it has no pudding like consistency what so ever.

Southwest Quiche

You need:

-One 9 inch pie shell (in the freezer section they come in packs of 2)

-1/2 c minced red onion

-4 tbsp of butter

-1 cup of cooked smoked bacon*

-1 can of whole kernel corn

-1 tomato, diced

-1 cup of grated Monterrey Jack cheese

-4 eggs lightly beaten

-1/2 cup of milk

-1 tbsp of chili powder

You Do:

Preheat the oven to 350 & saute the minced onion in 1 tbsp of butter until soft. Then, chop the bacon into small pieces and layer it in the bottom of the pie crust. Then top with onion, corn and tomato. Sprinkle cheese on top of that.

In a bowl combine eggs, milk, chili powder & remaining butter melted. Blend with whisk and pour egg mixture over the pie mixture.

Place pie on cookie sheet and bake 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before serving. You could also garnish it with cilantro.

Now for the best part... enjoy!!

*About the bacon: we went to Central Market and got the good kind from the deli- applewood smoked, I think. I would recommend splurging a little and doing this rather than buying packaged bacon- it's an important part and unfortunately turkey bacon won't cut it on this one.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Doak Walker Awards

Last night we went to the Doak Walker Award Ceremony. It was really, really, really cool!! It was held at The Hilton Anatole in Dallas. The whole reason we got to go is because Guaranty Bank (Nick's bank) is a sponsor of the "Guaranty Bank/SMU Athletic Forum," who hosts this event.

We got there at 6:00 for the "VIP Reception" aka open bar. It was held in one of the ballrooms and there were maybe 200 people in there. This gave me a chance to scope out the other dresses. Much to my relief, everyone definitely was not in black. In fact, Nick invited one of his clients and his wife wore purple too! They were an older couple, but they were really nice. As a personal contribution, I did wear a black wrap though.

Around 6:45 the ESPN Game Day cast showed up (Lee Corso, Chris Fowler & Kirk Herbstreit). I saw only one girl go up to Kirky Boy and take a picture with him, and let me tell you, I was tempted. (Just for you, Emily) Granted, he is a huge chauch (refer to Urban Dictionary link definiton 1- Kirk is the epitome of this) but come on, he's also kind of famous. A picture might have been cool.

And, I didn't want to be "that girl," eventhough I secretly did. Not to mention that Nick would have killed me. It was an act of God just to get the two pictures of us before we went in. Besides Kirk, there were also a lot of other faces I recognized (the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, some TV announcers, etc.), but I don't really know their names. Mostly sports people.

At 7:00 we moved into a larger ball room for the dinner and awards. There were over 1,000 people there and some TV cameras, and we got to sit ON THE VERY FIRST ROW AT THE CENTER TABLE!! I sat next to the CEO of the bank, John Stewart and Nick. (No pressure there!) We also sat with the client Nick had invited, his wife and two other guys from the bank and their wives. Nick and I were by far the youngest people at our table, but it was fun and the wine made it better.

Right in front of us was a huge stage with two gigantic TVs on either side. I seriously felt like I was at a Hollywood awards show. (Except I would definitely know the names of the people there.) They started by introducting a bunch of former Dallas Cowboys, a few other NFL players, some coaches, and basically a lot of people that the guys at our table seemed to be excited to see, but I truthfully didn't know one of them from another. I was entertained just looking at their wives' diamonds and furs sparkle on the stage!! They all sat down at the long table and then the ESPN guys came out.

They sat at a little desk just like they do on the College Gameday Show (I know because it's ALWAYS on at our house) right at the front of the stage. No joke- I was five feet from them the entire time. I promsie you, it took EVERY OUNCE of self control I had not to whip out my camera and snap a quick picture at this point. It doesn't matter that I could care a less about their show- they're quasi celebrities and that's one thing I love!!

For dinner they served salad, bread, prime rib, asparagas, mashed sweet potatoes and a really good chocolate/raspberry dessert. Honestly, I can't tell you that much about the awards. I was too busy eyeing Kirk. I know some guy from a college in Iowa named Shonn Greene got an award and Calvin Hill who is a former NFL player and has a son in the NBA got another award. I also know that Stephen Jones (the owner of the Dallas Cowboys' son) 's wife has a pair of diamond earings that are AT LEAST 4 carats. No joke.

We ate, drank, listened to the Game Day guys talk, heard some speeches, did some schmoozing, and that was that. As we were walking out, I turned around a took a sneaky, incognito picture of the stage from our table just so you can see how close we sat! It didn't turn out that well, but you get the idea. (The green chairs are our table.)

If you look just behind the man in the suit, you can see the Game Day desk. It really was so much fun!! Just like the perks of being a teacher :)

And before I go, I would be remiss if I didn't give two shout outs. Two things I did not leave home without last night:

1. Spanx: does fabulous things for me, love it A++

2. Girlfriends "breat lift tape"- this was the first time I had used this because I couldn't find a strapless bra low enough in the back. I would rate this a C+. It did the job pretty well. I don't think I'd pay $18 for it again, but if I saw it on sale I might pick some up. In a very Cinderella-esque fashion, I noticed that there is a six hour time limit on the box. Not gonna lie, makes me a little nervous. I would rather take a picture with Kirk in front of everyone than have one of those bad boys shrivel up and fall out of my dress.

Oh- and Nick's boss Mike and his wife Olivia had their baby last night! Ella Madeleine weighed 7 lbs. 1 oz. The weird thing is, I had a dream on Thursday night that Ella was born. I woke up, and I just had a feeling she would be! I told Nick, who told Mike, who said, "Well I guess anything can happen..." Sure enough!!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

A Purple Dress & A Moral Dilemma

Yesterday morning I got an email from Nick that said the following:

FYI. I guess we are going to the Doak Walker Awards Dinner (see below). And yes you can go get a new dress, but try to stay somewhat reasonable. Love you.

So I scrolled down and found this email below that he had sent one of his clients:
Would you be interested in attending the Doak Walker Award Dinner on Friday February 6th? The reception begins at 6:00pm at the Hilton Anatole Hotel. The event is formal (ie tuxes for men) and is hosted by the ESPN College Gameday cast. Also, please feel free to bring your wife as mine will be there as well. I apologize for the late notice as the Bank was a little slow in allocating tickets to each of our lending groups.

Normally this kind of event would really excite me. However as I read the email, I counted in my head...Tuesday night, Wednesday night, Thursday night... three nights to solve the following dilemmas:
-red eyes & stuffy, red nose
-no voice
-toes that haven't seen a pedicure since...who knows when
-ungodly roots
-nothing to wear

I had to get to busy. And FAST. First thing was first, I emailed some of my more fashionable friends and my mom to find out where to get a dress that did not resemble prom/sorority formal and/or bridesmaid (because I have...like 6 of those hanging in the closet upstairs). After mulling over their sage advice, I snuck out of school at 3:00 with my kids and headed to the mall. There I could hit Nordstrom, Black/White, Cache, Windsor, Dillards & Macy's in one shot.

En route to the mall, I talked to Nick again who informed me that not only were we taking his client, we will be sitting at the head table... with the CEO of his bank. GULP! He also said that the other women going would be wearing conservative black dresses. (Because you know I had him ask around first thing.)

As I shopped last night, I had this "banker's wife/conservative" look I was going for so that I would fit right in. I found a very, very pretty black cocktail dress at Nordstrom; simple, satin, low v-neck, just past the knee...Safe choice! I put it on hold and made a mad dash to my other destinations just to be sure. I took it as a sign when I found the EXACT same dress (same label and everything) at Dillard's for $100 less! I decided I would wear my pearls my grandparents gave me for graduation and black patten peep toe heels. Done deal.

This black dress was EXACTLY the kind of thing Nick wanted me to buy. When I tried it on at home with my pearls and looked in the mirror, I fit the part perfectly... a conservatively dressed bankers wife. Except, I just didn't feel like myself in that dress and pearls. The dress was very pretty, but just not ME.

I tried to shove that thought away as I slathered my red nose in vaseline before bed. I tried to shove that same thought away this morning when I dropped the dress off for alterations. But some subconscious inner self kept annoying me all day.

"It's just one night and one stupid dress. Who cares?" I told myself. But that annoying little voice told me I was being a sell out, even if EVERYONE else was dressing the part.

Now as you read this you're probably thinking, "Okay, this is a little over the top. You're looking too far into this, it's just a dress."

But for some reason, this was more than a dress to me. It was about putting on a dress, a pair of pearls, and a facade of someone I am not. All day this gnawed at me, so after school I gave in and went to another Cache closer to our house.

And when I walked it... I saw IT! Gleaming on the rack- it was a deep, jewel tone purple with beading and a gold underlay. It was elegant and sparkly and beautiful and FUN. It was EXACTLY what I would have chosen for myself. It was also the night and day opposite of blacky. So I stood there in Cache truly facing a moral dilemma much worse than freshly painted toe nails or bad roots. Do I be who he wants me to be, just for one night or should I stick with who I really am?

I bought the dress. (Luckily, the alterations place hadn't started on the black dress and I picked it up on my way home.) I called Nick as I was leaving the store and told him what I had chosen and that is was the complete opposite of the black one. To my surprise, he was thrilled! After we got off the phone, he sent me this text:

Even if it's just a dress, it makes me really happy. It makes me even happier that you didn't let my opinion influence you. You know who you are and you aren't going to change. That makes me very lucky and I love you.

As cheesy and gushy as this whole thing is, it makes me glow inside! I did the right thing by me, for me (even if it is just a stupid dress) and Nick "loves me for me." I guess the message at our engaged couples' class wasn't too far off after all: You gotta love yourself as you and only then, will other people too.

Or, as it was so aptly put in the movie Juno, "In my opinion, the best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you, the right person will still think the sun shines out your ass. That's the kind of person that's worth sticking with."

And I think I have. And got a fabulous purple dress in the process. Score!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

That Bad, Eh?

Let me just preface this story. I have had a pretty bad cold and haven't been feeling all that well since Saturday afternoon. (And I just KNOW I caught it from that kid who sneezed on me in math last Wednesday afternoon. There was no amount of Clorox wipes or Airborne that could have prevented that either. ICK!)

Anyway, today I came home from school and put my hair in a ponytail & changed into comfortable clothes...Now I realize that doesn't help my cause because red eyes and puffy sinuses aren't that flattering to begin with. However, I really don't care so I decided I would go get my eyebrows done.

You all know the stories of Helen the Chinese waxer. By now I just expect her comments, in fact I welcome them. But when I walked in Helen was unusually quiet. We got back in the "wax room" and all of the sudden she looked up from the hot wax and said, "Ah (are) you leaving yoah (your) husban (husband)?"

I was so confused- I thought she probably had me confused with someone else. But she just kept giving me this pitiful look. So I was like, "Me? No! Why?"

And she just shook her head, stirred the wax, and said, "Oh honey, you no look good today. I think maybe you ah so sad and been crying because you ah leaving yoah husban."

LOL!! WHAT?!? I mean, I must really look like hell today. Fantastic.

On another note, here some pictures from this past weekend. On Saturday night we met and Natalie & David's loft in Ft. Worth and went to the Cross Canadian Ragweed concert. Fun, fun!!

On Sunday night we watched the Super Bowl with our friends Liz & David. Isn't she cute?!?!Yoshi, Liz, Baby Zantop & Me

And finally- let me just say, if you don't have a site counter on your blog, you should get one immediately. That is the biggest surprise/ ego boost ever. (Because you people don't care whether I look like I'm leaving my husband or not.) I am so flattered that people actually read this. I don't know who most of you are, but thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Butterfinger Cake Recipe

"So yum-o, you're going to need lipo."

You need:
Yellow Cake Mix
One Can of Sweetened, Condensed Milk

One Jar of Carmel Topping

Three Butterfinger Candy Bars

Lite Cool Whip (Because obviously we're going low cal here)

Bake the cake according to the directions. While it's still hot, take a straw and poke holes all over the cake. Mix the carmel & sweetened milk and drizzle over the cake.

Crush the Butterfingers in a food processor (or go old school: place in ziploc bag & pound with your fist) and spread evenly over cake.

Refrigerate & allow to cool completely. Then top with Cool Whip! I like the lite Cool Whip because it isn't as sweet and the cake is very rich.

Enjoy.. and let me know how your thighs look after eating this one!

Chelsea Salomone

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