Friday, April 30, 2010 • It's Been a Long Time

DAVID THIS IS FOR YOU!!!
I got away from writing my blog because A. I was super busy at work and in the evenings all the time, B. to write in my blog meant talking about some stuff going on in my life and that was hard.  Mostly because it involved some people I just didn't need to write about and talk about them on here.  And C. I got lazy!  So I'm back!

A lot has been going on!  Had one of my best friends Monica come in town and stay with me!

Which led me to hearing things about Country-ex.  Some of it bothered me and that's when I stopped writing I think.  Nothing too bad, some good.  It was just a lot to hear in a matter of a week and I broke down a bit.  But all in one night.  Tequila shots and margaritas helped me thru!  No actually my Mom helped me immensely one night.  She always tells me the truth even if I don't want to hear it but talking to her really helped.  So at this point I have not had any contact with Country-ex for well over a month and it is better that way.  Luckily we are civil with each other, but just like I told one of my best friends...you cannot really be friends with them.  You can't "hang out", talk, etc.  Just be happy that you both have an understanding that if we ever really needed each other the connection we had from being together will always be there. 

I have been training for the MS 150 bike ride a lot.  Riding with my bike team on Sundays and many 6am Spin classes.  Got my 2 new fancy knee braces so I am ready to go.  I will keep my friends updated on facebook on how the ride is going.  Praying that the rain stays away.  Thank you to everyone who has donated to myself and my Dad and helping find a cure for Multiple Sclorosis.

Work has been so busy!  It's social season which means charity events, non-profit organizations.  Lots of fashion shows...one for ESD, Community Partners of Dallas Chick Lit luncheon yesterday for 450 ladies, dance clubs, Monday is Salvation Army Fashion Show, Chic Boutique and Luncheon for 640!  The HUGE Sandone tent is being built as we speak on the back lawn.  This is a picture from the first day. 

Today it has sides, a floor and Planet Productions is putting in lights, runway and backstage area.  So after my ride this weekend and then this event on Monday...who is in for happy hour with me?????

Social life has been great and non-stop.  But wouldn't have it any other way.  If I get at least 1-2 nights a week to myself that works for me.  I have also met a new and interesting person, but that's as far as I will go.  Really just friends, but glad I met them.  It's complicated.  It's ALWAYS complicated with me.  I keep saying over and over, "you can't make this shit up"!!!  It would be really scary to see my life as a reality show!  Even more scary for me to watch it!

My best friend Janna opened up her hair salon!  YAY!!!  She has a personal trainer, 3 stylists, 1 esthetician and possibly a manicuritst coming.  So proud of her!  Janna Rose Salon on Boll Street.

Poutty is doing great!

I won the who is hotter contest with Nima!!  LOL!!!

Just went to the Mavs game on Tuesday and they won!  Best game ever!  Because we all had so much fun!  Non-stop silliness, missing Dart trains, people falling, lots of running and shots for all at el jimador bar just outside from our seats!

Gathered at Shuck n Jive before

AAA for the game!!  Too bad they lost last night.

So stay tuned for my next blog about the bike ride.  If you are my friend on facebook I will do my best to keep people up to date on that.  I know I'm gonna drive my Dad nuts taking pics and trying to post!!

Have a happy Friday everyone!

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 ☻ Time for Bed

I will make this quick cause I am super tired and have committed to myself to go to 6am Spin tomorrow!  And since I did reward myself today with getting a much needed mani and pedi by the time I was finished with that, went home to put on real flip flops and not the ones they give you at the salon, go to Petsmart, eat dinner, watch LOST and then tackle chores it's now midnight and I'm sleepy.

I am happy to report that my toilet and sink are fixed!!!!  Toilet issues that had been there for so long, but only got worse were from a plastic piece that broke off and was stopping up the drain pipe.  And kitchen sink was just stopped up.  Thank god from my home warranty cause for $60 both were fixed!  And my sweet Dad came over at 8:40am to wait for Rescue Rooter since I had to get to work.

Had an awesome and fun meeting with Cameron Fox who is owner of i-entertainment.
http://www.i-entertainment.net/
Wonderful company that can really add pizazz to your party or event.  Check out their site for ideas you might need in the future.  Thanks Cameron for my goodies! 

So all in all a good day.   A bit behind on a meeting I have to give at 6pm tomorrow before our NACE meeting at the Adolphus, but I will tackle the rest tomorrow even though I have a busy day.  Damn I wish I didn't have that noon tasting cause it will take forever.  Hopefully my 9:30am appointment will go fast cause I don't want to look bad.

And love to my bestest Janna for calling me back cause she said she would even after she took her dogs for a walk and her youngest Tess turned a corner heard a dog bark and flew her into the mud, hitting her jaw on the ground and scrapping her up and now has painful arms and shoulders.  Only happens to Janna or in the movies.  Calling me back almost in tears only to finish hearing my story about a guy.  Now that is a true friend.  But I already knew that!

Ok night time, hope you all have an awesome "hump day"!

Monday, April 5, 2010 • Rain, Rain Go Away

Hello, hello!
Wow I have been busy and sometimes so busy that when I have down time I really don't want to do a lot.  Have had a lot more issues going on with my house.  It really is in great shape, but when it was built in 1957 and it is now 2010 even with the improvements the previous owners and I did things like plumbing or having things installed wrong happen.  We think the previous owners either did a lot of the fixings themselves or used someone cheap.  So we are tackling everything with the right people! 

So I still have no master shower, still waiting on what the insurance company says to begin that job.  Can't use the toilet in that bathroom either.  I am using my guest bathroom and there is an issue with the shower handle so for 2 days I couldn't use the shower.  Luckily I have a Bonus Room attached to my garage with a shower.  I should have looked in it the night before, just thought it might be kinda dirty on the floor and I can rinse that out.  Nope!  4 giant, dead water bugs were in the bottom of it and for a moment I thought about going in my backyard, lathering up and just using the water hose.  Did not have time to get all the cleaning products to tackle that job, so I went to Plan B that morning and took hot water from sink and used that in the guest bath shower.  My Dad fixed the shower for now.  And then there is thetoilet which flushes slow in guest bath.  Well the seal on it is cracked.  That has to be fixed.  Then Saturday night my kitchen sink backs up.  I try plunging it, running boiling water and ice down it.  Then this black crud comes up!  Again the wonderful parentals come over Sunday after church while I was at work to check it out.  Dad realizes that the water pipe outside is cracked and the sink is clogged up.  So this morning I call my home warranty company to get these things looked at.  I have used my outside hose to rinse things off and feel like Little House on the Prairie!  But Alex who we use to fix a lot of things is here and put a vent in my garage for better air flow and is working on my guest bath shower as I type!  Waiting on a phone call to have someone look at the other issues!

This week was a draining week emotionally.  It is a long, long story.  And it all just seemed to hit one on top of each other.  And normally those things I can handle and I did with some tears.  But from dealing with stupid people on Wednesday and from finding out things concerning Country-ex from my best friend Monica and one thing from Lee earlier in the week it just hit me way to hard.  Plus my friend Monica is going thru her own issues and she came in town to stay with me 2 nights.  The advice I give her has been and still is given to me.  That advice is never easy to hear but so worth it!  Then one friend I go to for many reasons seems to get way out of hand sometimes with the way I come off and then what he thinks.  Nothing comes across the right way especially in texts.  I finally figured out completely why and what that person means to me which is only friendship, but the level of it and why they are more important because of their friendship I have had with them mostly when I was with Country-ex.  Sorry if it is confusing, but I have to be somewhat discrete since I am dealing with peoples real lives.  I know that I still face anger with Country-ex and blame him for the way I think about guys and what they should offer and give me.  I still cannot imagine that a guy is capable of saying and doing only those things I hear on TV or from friends...just cause it doesn't happen to me.  And the anger and hurt only plays with my mind.  My Mom helped me greatly and I usually never go to her in that state but was just beat down so she helped me late Wednesday night.  She will always tell the truth even if you don't want to hear it, cause you know it's true.  She said I need to stop thinking I am the victim cause I'm not.  See I did things to Country-ex that really did cause the final breakup and why that breakup we could not get back together.  Oh and one thing that really touch my heart this week was to find out that one of Country-ex's best friends discussed with their girlfriend and one of my best friends that they did not blame me for the final breakup.  And I spoke to them on Monday to thank them.  They said the exact same thing I was told...when Country-ex was always more worried about where is he going to go off to this weekend and where is he going to play golf that weekend and really never there for me and did not seem to get what a relationship is about for two people how could I not do or think what I thought when it came to us.  This person saw so much more even though they did not live in the same state and only saw us maybe once a month if even that. 

But sometimes every week or month is a struggle.  And I guess I am still shocked as to the toll it has taken on me.  So with every sad feeling and then milestone I have to go through is needed and only helps me.  Just wish it happened sooner!  My great friend Nima who will tell you like it is said I dwell on him too much and still talk about him too much when discussing my life.  And I know I do.  It's that the things in the past also have to do with him, stories, etc.  But no more.  I talk about my life and with me just in it.  Baby steps, but I have to get there.  Ok I'm gonna go try to ride and hope it doesn't rain.  Talk to ya later!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 • The Start of a New Week

Well back to work for me today!  Yeah wasn't excited at all.  Everyone I've mentioned that I so wish I didn't have to go back and that I could get used to not working have said the same.  People get so beat down with their jobs and that's not good.  I mean I get beat down, but I still love it and am so happy to be employed at a wonderful place with really great coworkers.  But its a job.  Tending to your yard is a job and no one usually likes to do that.  But that is life so we have to accept it.  But all in all today was a good day.  Came home and did a few things around the house, took Poutty out for some fresh air and I think I just caught a flea on his neck tonight.  That's what he gets for rolling around in the grass and dirt.  Better get some medicine.  Don't want those things in the house!

So today was Country-ex's birthday.  He turned 34.  I called him earlier today to wish him happy birthday.  He called me on mine so always good to acknowledge someones birthday.   I knew thought he was going out of town this past weekend to Shreveport for Golf, Gambling and Gumbo which he did.  He did that last year and I came along.  Said he wanted to make it a tradition.  So he had a good guys weekend.  I think birthdays are very special cause of course they celebrate your birth but its that one day that people make you feel special...and do special things for you.  Friends come out to celebrate, throw you parties and for a day or weekend (cause I love that) you are the person in the spotlight.  We all need that from time to time at lease one time in the friggin year. 

I do need to get going to bed.  I have spin in the moring.  But I will leave on this note.  As our breakup gets more and more distant it does make it easier.  Not a lot, but some.  But not in the way I used to think.  I've come to realize its sad that we broke up and our lives together are no more, and we were not going to make it.  But what I took for granted of so many times and I know he did too was just the simple time we spent and should have spent more of together.  I dont know if it's because I'm getting a bit older (shut up Nima), but I miss just having someone to hang with on a cold, snowy Saturday night, or a beautiful day to share a glass of wine and sit outside and talk after work.  I can and do those things with friends, but I'm talking about with that someone at home.  Cause those are things I always wanted but didn't happen with us.  Sure I am guilty of going out too much to compensate for the relationship not doing well and thought to be with friends that made me feel good was better, but it did hurt things.  I have really come to realize like my parents have always done...the simple time spent together is the best.  I really did know that.  But as I wanted more of that I wasn't getting it, so I turned to things that hurt us.  But in my future I know what I want and will make sure it happens.  And I want someone who likes to go out and get crazy from time to time, but that can just hang.  So that is my hope for the future. 

Night all and talk to ya tomorrow hopefully.  My friend Jessica is coming over for dinner and drinks.  At least I have her to hang with tomorrow and be that someone for the night!  LOL!!!  Hopefully no rain in the forecast, but afraid there is going to be.  Muah!

Monday, March 22, 2010 ☻ Back to the grind

I need to keep this sweet but short because I need to get to bed.  But the sooner I go to bed the sooner tomorrow will come.  And I have to go back to work after being off for a week!  I could honestly get used to the whole not working thing and certainly having Saturdays off again.  It just makes my weekend seems that much longer and productive.  At lease it was for me this Saturday.  I took off just to have some freetime, plus to get a new shower installed in my bathroom.  Of course with my luck the shower is not installed yet.  There were bigger issues with the shower pan that leaked and caused damage underneath the house.  So getting estimates and dealing with my insurance company took over the week.  At least I found all this out now.

So my week off started last Saturday March 13.  I went to the Greenville Ave St. Patty's Day parade with Nima, John and Kelly.  That was so much fun!  Had not been to the parade in a few years.  Now Nima believes there is really a parade and no ninja parade!

My best friend Fox came in town with his fiance Amy who I love to death!  We picked them up and the day began on Greenville!  We went everywhere!  Some bar on lowest Greenville to pick up friends, then to the block party (loved the tents), Dodie's to eat, Ozona's, Barley House and finished the night at Cocktails and Dancing to hang with friends.  It was a long, but awesome day!  I just looked back on the past 5 years of pictures down there and such great memories!  Can't wait for next year!

Sunday was a day of rest, kinda...spent some of it with Mom messing with shower prep stuff.

Monday the shower came out.  This is what it looks like right now...

I have a beautiful hole that leads under my house.  And my room was covered in dust!  I cleaned that day when I had Fox and Amy coming over, but I will have to do major spring cleaning once this is all over with!  That night I went to dinner with Fox, Amy and Nima to Blue Fish.

Tuesday I did go to work.  My boss was coming back from knee surgery so it was a good transision day for him and me to get a few last things done.  That evening Nima, Jimmy and myself had a great discussion with my Dad.  Then my folks and I went to Cantina Laredo for a late night dinner.

Wednesday I dealt with my shower, estimates, what are we gonna do, etc.   I did go riding at the lake.  It was such a beautiful day!

Wednesday was actually St. Patty's Day, but I had really celebrated Saturday and didn't want to deal with crowds so I hung out with Janna and Darla.  More low key and we had a fun time!

Thursday the insurance guy came over to look at my shower and inspect it.  Ran some errands looking for tile.  Then took pictures with Nima in Deep Ellum and West End.  The pictures turned out great and we had so much fun!  I already told him I'm ready for the next time!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nimatoid/4452036225/

Go to the site to check out my pictures and others he has taken!
Afterwards we were off to Hancienda on Henderson for some dinner and ritas.  Home by 9pm and then met up with a friend for the rest of the evening.  Great day!!!

Friday I wasn't as productive.  Not sure why, just felt like being a bit lazy.  But I got some things done.  Headed to dinner that night with Nima and Clay to Tein An.  Boy that was good!  Anyone who goes there must try the white seeweed salad and cod marinated in miso.  Both are heavently.  Then we went to Fedora for a couple of drinks. 

Saturday was a day of fun with Mom.  More tile places, Home Depot and we checked out the new Park Lane Whole Foods.  Cool place!  Gotta go back for the Promise Land White Chocolate Milk.  God that was good!

That evening was all about bundling up on the couch with Poutty and the fireplace on watching tv.  Thought a few times I wish there was someone to spend a night like this with, but there wasn't so I had a nice evening my myself.  AND THE SNOW!!!!

This was my backyard Sunday morning...

SERIOUSLY!!!!  We just had 70 degree weather and sunshine all week and Saturday it started snowing!  The cold was a shocker.  Short sleeves and flipflops to pulling back out my rain boots and heavy coat!  CRAZY!!!  So what else do you do in the weird weather???  Head to brunch!  Nima and I went to Iron Cactus for bottomless mimosas and our protein packed brunch!  Next we called up a few friends and John agreed to come with us to the Bodies exhibit.  The last time it was here I wanted nothing to do with it.  I don't care for gross things like that.  But luckily I wanted to go this time.  Boy was it neat and very interesting.  Crazy what our bodies consist of and what we look like inside! 

My friend Martin was in town from Tyler so he called me up.  John and I went to meet him and his friend, David in town from Arizona.  We met at Sherlock's in Addison, then to Memphis for a bit to listen to a band and back to Sherlock's to drop David off so Martin and I went back in to chit chat for a bit longer.  Another great day with amazing friends!

So a new start of the week today, Monday, brought someone else over here this morning to give me an estimate on the shower, more errands, pulling weeds, chilling outside in my backyard with Poutty, TV watching, over to the folks for a short visit and that's about it.  So now I am finally off to bed.

I will post tomorrow night cause I really am going to tell more of my story with my ex.  I guess I am stumped cause there are so many stories, but that's the problem.  I will find a way to figure it out.  I already have an idea!  But I have to keep some things private just because.  Hell my Mom already got on me today for writing about us.  She's not to read my blog and really doesn't know how to find it cause she is hardly ever on facebook.  But someone told her what I had written.  That's where Mom and I are different.  I like to be open, probably at a fault and she is very private.  I don't even know why she's on facebook cause she never wants to become someones friend or post anything.  Oh well to each their own!

Everyone have a great Tuesday!

Thursday, March 11, 2010 ☻ I'm Back!

Hi there!  Sorry I've been absent lately.  Last week was crazy busy and I got my cold all over again!!!!  So I was doing way to much while not feeling well.  But that's me!  I went to the doctor Monday to get rid of it once and for all and I am finally after 2 months and counting that I got my cold about 5 times, I feel LOADS better!

Last week was a fun week...I got to go to my old place of business Northwood Club.  Was there Tuesday night to prep things with Jessica for our NACE (National Association of Catering Executives) monthly meeting.  Then we went to Kona Grill for reverse happy hour.  Wednesday was the NACE meeting and the club was decked out and looked great.  Thank yuo to Michael Scott and his wonderful culinary team.  And thanks to Jose Estrada for the wonderful banquet staff.  Jessica and I never had an empty glass...thanks Pedro and Misael!  Miss those guys!

Then Thursday night DFW Events threw a fabulous party at the downtown El Fenix location to show off the banquet space and roof top patio.  Both are amazing spaces and I was very impressed.  Plus Mary Frances Hurt the owner of DFW Events, husband is the owner of this location.  If you need to hold an event do look into the place!  http://www.elfenix.com/  They had margaritas flowing, flip books (so fun), cigar roller, mariachi band, guitarist, a yummy buffet and the new thing for desserts, Nothing bundt Cakes http://www.nothingbundtcakes.com/ located in Preston Center.

But of course the night couldn't just be over for me, NEVER!!!  I ended up leaving there to meet friends at Veritas Wine Room, then hop across the street to Hacienda on Henderson and ended the night at Stan's Blue Note.  I think I got home close to 1am so not too bad right? 

Friday was a beautiful day in Dallas and I left work early for a doctors appointment that they accidentally scheduled for the day before.  I don't think I heard the date wrong, who knows.  So what else am I to do but call Janna and see what she was up to.  Traffic on 35 was too bad so I didn't want to turn around and head back to work, NO.  I ran over to Janna's salon and we trecked it up to her house, fed the dogs, made some ritas and sat outside for a bit.  Then went to Cafe Milagro our fav Mexican place in Richardson.  Her hubby and his co-coach joined us then back to their house to play ping pong.  There were many laughs and even a memorable fall.  Luckily wasn't by me!

I will get back to me and Country-ex's story, but since I've been so busy I haven't had a chance.  I need to think about my next blogs about us.  I am taking off next week so will blog everyday.  I did have a nice dinner with him this Monday.  I found something of his he wanted to pick up and came over after a meeting to get that and the mail.  We both had not had dinner so he asked if I wanted to go grab a bite.  Sure!  We can do that from time to time depending on the cirumstance.  We ate at Margarita Ranch.  As he was paying and wouldn't let me I said "awww just like old times when we were dating".  You gotta make some jokes from time to time.  But I do have to say that with everything that happened in our relationship I am very lucky that we are friends and there is no hatred about things anymore.  There will always be sadness and when he dropped me off there is always a look in his eyes and I know mine to that this is our life now and we must say good bye.  Now I know when he or I actually meet someone else and get serious with them things can't be like this, but I would and hope he would like to keep our friendship.  I believe he will because of our history and the feelings we will always have.  It's a comforting feeling for me.  Don't know what he feels completely but can guess. 

Well there it is, getting my hair done today by Janna YAY!  Gotta get back to work!

Tuesday, March 1, 2010 ♦ Reports from my Birthday and Sad News from Greenville Avenue

So Fridays Phantom of the Opera at Musical Hall with the folks was fun and ihop afterwards for breakfast is always a treat!  Not the strongest cast vocally or with the energy I have seen in pasts, but it's Phantom so I will always love it!

Saturday night with friends to celebrate mine and Janna's birthday was a fabulous time (too much actually) with dinner at Ocean Prime.

Thank you Kelly, Jimmy, John H., Joey, Janna, John R., Linsey and Ralph for coming to Ocean Prime.  And thank you to Nima, Whitney, Niko and Sarah for coming to the Stoneleigh where we ended up in the hotels bar area.  It was a great night to celebrate turning 32!

Sunday my wonderful Mama took Whitney and I to pickup our cars from the night before (yes you heard correctly). Came home for a quick nap before I had to take my bike team training spin class. I really wished I had not signed up!  But I had to go.  Dad could tell I was suffering, but I made it thru it!  Then home to breathe for a minute before I got ready to head to Mom and Dad's for my birthday dinner. My parents best friends and mine all came to celebrate with me. And they brought me fabulous presents with cards that are so me.  They all had to do with alcohol.  Huh???  One read with 2 girls in a bar holding cocktails...and this was from my folks...First girl..."I read what 10 years of drinking can do to you."  Other girl..."So what are you going to change?"  First girl..."Stop reading!"  LOL I loved it!  My Mom decorated the table with a cutest Italian theme, she is so creative and went all out!  I don't have any pics on me at the time sorry.  We had hors d'oeuvres, salad, my grandfather's recipe that my Mom home-made of pasta sauce, meatballs and stuffed shells.  And for dessert, the Pièce de résistance, what once used to be Neiman Marcus'  Black and White Cake is really and now is Frosted Arts.  Frosted Art has been NM bakery for some 30 years and we found out NM went all cheap and is now using a bakery up in Southlake!  REALLY????  You're NM for christ sake, you are suppose to offer your clientele the absolute best!  I heard a year ago that Frosted Art really made this cake and when this Southlake bakery said they could do it, but without the marshmallow icing, my wonderful Mother called me to ask my opinion and said hell no.  Call Frosted Art I said.  So thank you!
http://www.frostedart.com/

So now for the sad news I wanted to talk about today...I know so many people have already heard about the fire that happened this early morning at Hurricane Grill, Mick's, Greenville Bar and Grill and Terilli's.  What a sad, sad day.  The memories and history that so many people have there is insane.  I know my memories are too many to even remember.  But I will share some of my favorites.  And since I am at work I do not have a lot of pictures that I would share because they are on my home computer.  So I may post some later or on facebook.

While I was in college, when we all came home for summer or Christmas or Thanksgiving, we just knew to head to Hurricane and we would see old friends.
Well of course Country-ex and I met for the first time ever there.  Remember the frozen Hurricane drink spilled in my lap?  And of course who did I call at 7:40am this morning when I heard? Country-ex.  He called back after he woke up and couldn't believe it.  And next of course I called Lee.   She said there needs to be some kind of funeral.  I agreed.  Flowers should be placed out front.
Cannot even begin to count how many times we have danced on the stage, on the speakers or on the bar at Hurricane!
Almost every birthday except this year I have ended up at Hurricane or GBG.  Spent last years birthday at GBG.
Heard Chase and Martin's band Tall play every single Tuesday night some 7 and 8 years ago.  God that was fun!
We all talked a band playing at Hurricane into letting me sing Happy Birthday like Marilyn Monroe for E's birthday using their mic and sound system.
Became friends with Greg, Erica, Shawn, Rachel, Juan and so many others over the years. 
I was just there for Fat Tuesday with Jimmy and Kelly.  Spent many Fat Tuesdays there.  That's where I got my awesome beads from.
All the St. Patty's Day Block Parties spend at Hurricane, OMG!  I remember getting to Hurricane one year at 10am with my ex-best friend to reserve 2 tables outside on the side of Goodwin where they made up a patio area and having everyone join us while listening to Tall play!  The years of it pouring cats and dogs and then pretty days you always pray for.  This years will be bitter sweet.  One because I won't be going with Country-ex and 2 because the block is gone!  Well for those block lovers there are many ideas popping up about about fundraisers and a page on facebook to become a fan and help.

I know so many thoughts and prayers go out to the owners and employees and we all hope those establishments CAN and WILL be rebuilt.  We can only cross our fingers!

Gotta get back to work!  Have a great day!

Friday, February 26, 2010 ○ Special Memories

So I had trouble thinking of what to write next.  I know it happens to all of us writers!  LOL!  But now I'm at a part in the story where mine and Country-ex's relationship began and that was 6 years ago.  That's a lot to remember and I only want to try and hit certain important events.  But I thought long and hard and came up with a few stories to share.

One special memory was our first St. Patty's Day together down on Greenville Ave.  Country-ex had a ski trip planned way before I knew him.  And he had way before I knew him invited this woman to go with him along with his brother and brothers girlfriend at the time and some others. He hadn't dated this woman much and he did say she was older which I thought funny cause Country-ex is so not like that to date a cougar.  But I'm not saying she was that old.  So he let's me know she is going but that he said he would not be seeing her anymore because he met me.  How sweet☺  She already bought everything but he worked it out that they would have separate rooms.  And I wasn't worried.  I don't remember how many days he was gone, but missed him so much.  He was getting back from Telluride the day of St. Patty Day.  It was just one of the many traditions we started.  It was and still is fun to head down there.  This years will be bitter sweet because Country-ex and I will not be doing it together.  But I have new wonderful friends that I will be going down there with me.  But that first year was a blast!

My first trip to T-town to meet Country-ex's family was fun.  And I was little nervous.  I can't remember everything we did that weekend, but remember going to the country club while the guys and Country-ex's Dad played golf.  They let me swing at a few balls in my jeans and heels!  But I was content to ride in the cart and drink margaritas.  Country-ex's family is wonderful and I miss them to this day.  I stay in contact with his Mom.  We were always close.  I actually just got an email of my birthday present from her.  We chat every so often and keep in touch.  I miss her a lot!  I also got to meet Country-ex's friends who were very nice.  It is a different world out in T-town, but they were down to earth and just liked having a good time!

Another fun trip was when we went to Country-ex's high school reunion.  His best friend MW went too.  That is where I met one of my best friends today, Monica!  The first night we met, we clicked!  I felt special to be there with Country-ex and meeting even more of his friends.  He always made me feel that he was proud to have me by his side.  Years later that feeling changed some. The night of the reunion afterwards Country-ex came up with the crazy idea to head to the all black club, Mister D's!  Even one of Country-ex's female black classmates said hell I don't even go there.  But when Country-ex had drinks in him and he had an idea of doing something there was no stopping him.  One of his guy black friends was on his side and we got a big group together and headed a ways just outside of T-town.  Country-ex said to just keep my wits about me and try not to piss anyone off!  God was my life really in danger!  Country people can be crazy, but really!  I remember going to the restroom and thinking, he said don't look anyone straight in the eye, I could piss them off that I'm in their club.  But as the entire group got there, we started having fun. 

It was getting late and I had just had enough to drink so I called it quits...when all of a sudden they announce there will be a dance contest...and Monica is entering!  Now Monica is white so I wasn't gonna let my new friend make an ass of herself as the only white girl so before I knew it I was up on that stage dancing away!  It was Monica and I and 2 black girls.  They took us on stage, introduced us and we were off!  We all took turns dancing on the stage alone.  I think I was 3rd or 4th.  But those black girls showed all their goods!  Oh fogot to mention...we were dancing to win $300!  Plus we made some money as we danced too!  Guys would throw money up on the stage.  We all danced our turn when they announce we are gonna have the ladies take a quick break and bring them up again for one last time.  AGAIN?!?!?!  So the manager buys us a round of drinks and off we are again.  Now when doing my dancing I thought, don't get nasty cause that's not me, but just do enough to get people riled up!  Again the black girls are on the floor legs in the air, stuff hanging out, making the tips.  We finish and they go one by one judging each of us by level of applause.  Well hold on to your pants ladies and gentlemen BUT I WON!!!!  hehehehe!  $300!  The manager of the place was very nice and said we were welcome back any time.  We all stayed a bit longer, but not much because it was well past 2am.  And as we walked out Country-ex said to hold on to my purse tight and let's get to the car.  He said that is someone's grocery money you just won.  The next day we joked with his black friend when we offered to take him to breakfast.  This friend said, what do you think your doing bringing your white girlfriend out here and stealing all our money.  He was joking, but he didn't go to breakfast with us.  Waffle House that morning was oh so good!

I've got a few more beginning stories to share and will have them for y'all tomorrow!
I'm off to see Phantom of the Opera tonight with my folks.  It's my birthday weekend so let it begin!!!!