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Ketchup

Time to play catch up on all that is going on.

Little Holly is here!!!! Holly Maria Devine was born on Tuesday, September 12 at 4:50am. She made her entrance weighing 6 pounds, 14 ounces, looking exactly like her daddy! I couldn't be more excited even if I tried. I got to meet her on Saturday and she is the sweetest little girl. Pictures coming soon...

This weekend also provided the opportunity to hang out with The Thumb and it was absolutely wonderful. I did my best to hang on to the title of "Funnest Auntie" by bringing gifts that he had a great time with. Took tons of pics and videos, which I'm sure will also be posted soon. Such a smart little man who knows so much at 21 months. Amazing. He must get it from ME!

I think I'm officially finished changing my name. One more credit card and various mailing lists I think is all that's left. But at least DMV and Social Security know who I am now!!!!

Brian got to go see Dave at The Gorge and I didn't. Whatever, Brian.

Jon and I celebrated our one-year anniversary of meeting each other/being a couple with an "Anniversary Extravaganza Weekend". It was over the Labor Day weekend and Friday night we treated ourselves (with the help of a gift certificate) to dinner at Mix at the top of THE hotel at Mandalay Bay. Fancy shmancy and very yummy. Then we went to Jon's night of the weekend to go see Ron White. Hilarious, even if it was his second show of the night and he was already pretty wasted. Saturday night was my night, and we went and saw "Love" by Cirque du Soleil which was absolutely amazing and so much fun. I think my favorite was "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". It's a don't-miss.

Jon's back in school, getting further on his Criminal Justice major. Yay! Some fun things in the not-too-distant future for him that we're really excited about. I'll keep you posted!

We're having a great time. Yes, marriage has its ups and downs, even after only 1 month-and-a-half of being hitched.... But it's a wonderful ride and I wouldn't trade it for the world.



Even if he does like me better blonde.

These Boots Were Made for Walkin'

I splurged on a pair of $50 sandals on Sunday at the Rack. I would normally NEVER do this, but they were super comfortable and I could get by with wearing them at work, even though they were technically flip flops. And I always need comfy black sandals, so I justified it by saying they were a "good investment".

Everything was fine... until we went to Target (my favorite store ever) and I found a pair of equally as comfy black sandals for $4.50. I kid you not. 4 dollars and 50 cents for an even BETTER pair of shoes - no flip flop resemblance.

Needless to say, I'm taking the $50 pair back.

Oh yeah, and I went back to Target and bought 2 more pair. Can't beat clearance, baby!!!

Let's all go to the movies

We watched a few movies this past weekend. It started out bad with "War of the Worlds" on Friday night. Not sure how this movie ever got made (again) or how Steven Spielberg directed it, but this movie made no sense and was pretty worthless. Even the special effects couldn't save it for me. And Tom Cruise definitely didn't help matters.

Next was "Little Miss Sunshine" on Saturday afternoon. Knew I was going to love it, and I did. Absolutely fantastic, super funny, and so heartwarming without being overboard. At all. It was so so so so so so so great. Still laughing about it.

And lastly was "Always" on Sunday afternoon. I have LOVED this movie since it first came out and was so excited when Jon said he would watch it with me. Turns out he loved it too. Hard to go wrong with Holly Hunter, Richard Dreyfuss, and John Goodman. "Girl clothes!!!" Love it...

He's also managed to rope me into Miami Ink and I've done the same with him and Project Runway. We're hooked on both. Too bad we usually prefer to go to bed before they actually come on. We're such old people already.

Married and all that stuff...

I've decided I need to start blogging again. Writing is a great help to me and it's something I enjoy, and I miss recognizing the little odd things that happen to me and around me. PLUS, I can access blogger from work, which is a miracle considering they've taken everything else away. Something about a security risk... whatever. It's just people's credit cards, credit reports, bank accounts, and all-around financial well-being. Get over it, people!

So we've gone ahead and taken the big plunge, stuck the rings on each other's fingers, promised eternity, and said "I Do". The day was absolutely wonderful and truly a celebration of us and our relationship and future lives together. With only close friends and family there to join us, it was very low-stress/no drama and just fun. We even had two of my nephews in the pool while we got married. Sitting quietly on the step of course, but you get the idea. Some of Jon's family from Texas were there, and some of my friends and family from California, Arizona, Colorado and Nebraska were able to make it. So fun.

If you'd like to see the online photo album, just send me a note and I'll be happy to shoot it over.

Married life has been fantastic for the most part. I mean, we love each other endlessly and love that we are still kind of getting to know each other since we waited to have sex and waited to move in together until we were actually married. It was something that we were adamant about saving for our wedding night, and we are so glad we did. But we were getting shooe'd out of our own reception!! (I needed another glass of wine!)

We are reminded everyday that those two little words are not magic and life is not a fairy tale once you get married, no matter how much you try to keep it in God's plan ahead of time. Life has a funny way of throwing you curve balls and you've gotta adjust as they come flying at you. We're doing the best we can, though we know we can improve so we try to remind ourselves everyday of that.

I know--it's only been 3 weeks and I'm already talking about how hard it is. But it's reality and we're human. I once heard marriage described as taking two completely different people, raised with different families, probably in very different environments with different backgrounds and stories, and throwing them together and telling them to live happily ever after. It just doesn't happen in an instant. But we trust that with some work and lots of prayer, we're gonna get there. I'm learning how to be a wife and he's learning how to be a husband and a spiritual leader. Things we've never done before.

It's interesting, because we got married in the midst of two marriages falling apart around us. Two marriages that I was present for the exchanging of vows, the promises to love and to cherish, through sickness and in health, for better or for worse.... And in each of those it was one person who chose to opt out. Basically out of nowhere. Slap in the face. "I'm done". Two marriages that I never thought would last - one because they were so different, and the other because we thought she was "too good for him" (and he's my brother!). Both lasted at least 5 years, and through good and bad times. It was almost enough to make me feel guilty--with one of the couples, the wife is a dear friend of mine who came to my bridal shower right after her world came crashing down, and the other is my brother who is dealing with loving a woman who has decided she doesn't love him anymore. Having these two important people present and celebrating something so wonderful in my life meant so much, but it also was a big flashing neon sign informing me that things can go wrong. The other person can decide that life being married to you isn't fulfilling and they need to go find happiness elsewhere.

Of course, I don't think this is ever in the cards for Jon and I. Don't mistake me for being such a cynic that I'm bringing this up 3 weeks after my own wedding. Jon is who I'm meant to be with forever and we're in it for the long haul. Through it all. No going back. And my heart breaks for those close to me who are wondering where theirs went off track.

OKAY, well--WELCOME BACK TO HOLLY!!! haha... The purpose of this blog has not changed. I will still post the strange and unusual, however I am in a different place in my life now, so there will also be a few more gushy and gooey posts as well. Enjoy... Stop by often.

V is for VICTORY, V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!!!

Yes, as has long been predicted, USC and Texas will faceoff in the Rose Bowl.

Jon scheduled his flight around it because we saw this coming looooooong ago. Two rivals facing off. Both on the TV and in the living room. This could get ugly, folks.

Mary, Did You Know?

Yahoo! Calendar has to be the greatest invention EVER.

I just spent an hour inputting everyone's birthdays, editing my preferences and even updating my view to include local (or worldwide) weather!!!

This is fun.

Everything's Not Lost

A brief rundown on me the past few weeks:

I spent two weeks taking care of the zoo that is my parent's house with 4 dogs (plus mine) and two cats. It's amazing how high maintenance those little creatures are. I now have a new appreciation for my mom and her patience to spend all day with them. It was two weeks of living in two places, back and forth, checking mail, dropping things off there, picking things up here... But it was worth it. My parents had a great time.

In the midst of the 2 weeks, Jon made his second trip up to Las Vegas. This time he stayed for one week, but when he left, I was wishing he hadn't stayed so long. I got too used to having him around. Maybe it would be more accurate to say I wished he didn't have to leave. I will see him again at Thanksgiving, and the time can't come soon enough.

While he was here, we visited the Hoover Dam. It was the first time for both of us. I would recommend for anyone visiting the Hoover Dam for the first time to not go at night. Kind of hard to appreciate the whole thing. And beware of the big statue. It gave me the creeps.

Jon and I saw Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds do an acoustic show. I never thought I'd get the opportunity to see them after I missed them about 5 years ago when they played in Montclair, about 20 mins from where I lived. It was a great show and Dave was in usual form of silliness and random accents, topics, and observations. Everytime I see The Thunder From Down Under, I shall now think of Dave. Not rushing back to the Aladdin to see a show, however. Not after the experience of having to stand up ten thousand times while the people next to us came and went aaaaalllll night. More leg room, people. And SIT DOWN and STAY THERE!!

I got rear ended the other day while driving home. It scared me pretty good, but once I was finally able to pull over and assess the damage, I found there was nothing more than a few indentations on Leah's bumper, so I did my good deed for the day and let the kid go. He seemed relieved.

That same night, I experienced one of the scariest events of my life when I got home and found a lost 2 year old girl wandering my complex's parking lot. She became scared at one point and ran out of the gate and halfway into the first lane of a busy (and dark) highway. She was able to be coaxed back and her mom was found shortly thereafter, but it freaked me out pretty good.

Last night I spent 2 1/2 hours listening to music and giving my opinion on hundreds of songs. A unique experience and one that brought back a lot of memories as I listened to various hooks of songs that are old and new. However, I couldn't wait to get back into my car and listen to an entire song play. Someone with ADD would have loved the experience.

I watched She's Having a Baby on Saturday and laughed and cried like always. I love that movie.

One Love Might Make a Difference

The reasons why I love him today:

He lies and tells me he's not sleeping just so he can hear me say good morning.

He's not a very good liar.

He hates drama just as much as I do.

He loves my dog.

He gives amazing massages.

He loves chocolate as much as I do.

He changed my condo's air filter "because it was dirty and needed it", vacuumed my house when it didn't need it, and washed my car because he's nice like that.

He got through meeting most of my friends and overprotective former co-workers like a champ when I was a nervous wreck.

Because he shows me he loves me every single day.

....to Your Pedicured Toes

I got a pedicure. Even better, I got to rock those thin little flip flops they give you if you walk in wearing shoes that may mess up your polish.

Do You Like Dreaming of Things so Impossible?

Sooo much to say and so far behind!! 

 

I never commented on the USC victory over Notre Dame.  Old news now, but not easily forgotten.  Bye bye Notre Dame.  Even the green jerseys couldn't save you from Leinhart and Co...  Maybe next year.       ehhh... prolly not. 

 

I turned 27.  Nothing very exciting to report there. 

 

Heather has had a VERY exciting weekend, and I can't wait to hear all about it.

 

I went to a wedding at the Paris hotel this weekend. Was reminded that I definitely do not want to get married in Las Vegas.  It was lovely--just not me. 

 

Got to spend lots of time with my sister, her husband and their Camden.  There's not many more satisfying things in life than to rock my nephew while he falls asleep playing with my hair.  It's enough to melt my heart and give him anything he wants forEVER. 

 

Wednesday my poolboy Jon comes into town for a week.  There's not too many other things I could wish for right now.  We're looking forward to Jeremy Camp, Dave Matthews and hanging out with my siblings.  And doing nothing at all as much as possible. 

 

Keep staying tuned...