Eleven Questions

The lovely Jesabes tagged me in the latest internet meme going around! I have to admit, after reading several other bloggers' takes on this, I was all "Someone tag me! Tag me!" Thanks, lady!

Here we go:

1. What is your favorite type of cheese?

I am a big fan of cheese in general. My absolute favorites are goat cheese (served warm with bread), Havarti, Muenster, and Brie. The only cheese I really don't enjoy is Swiss. I once made the mistake of putting a remaining bit of Camembert in my new Anne Klein tote after a picnic in Paris and the bag was stinky for the rest of my trip.

2. What are you excited about?

Unless you have been living under a rock or don't follow me on Twitter (@glamomommy), you probably already know that I am excited that MY SAN ANTONIO SPURS MADE THE NBA FINALS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW! 

I have been a serious Spurs fan since 1994. In 2012, my BFF convinced me to buy tickets to the playoffs and we've done it every year since. Loving a team this hard is alternately amazing and heartbreaking. Last year, we came up about 30 seconds short of winning the title. This year, we have been back on the emotional playoffs rollercoaster since Easter. I don't know what's going to happen in the Finals (I think we have a great shot to win it, but luck and health plays huge roles also, so you never know), but no matter what, I am so proud of my classy, underappreciated, beautiful Spurs. 

If you don't have an NBA team you already root for, you should love them too. :) Let Magic Johnson and others tell you why here.

3. How did you celebrate your last birthday?

My birthday was two weeks ago and it was fabulous. The day before I had a lovely lunch with my parents and dinner out with my girlfriends. On my actual birthday, I woke to a surprise birthday cake drawing from Sophie, then we went shopping and to lunch with J, and then I laid by the pool reading. It was relaxed and glorious.

4. What is on your bedside table?

A turquoise lamp, a small fan to combat my early-arriving hot flashes, a picture of J and me taken at South Padre when we were dating, an iPod dock/radio, a Spurs cup full of water, and a stack of books to be read.

5. What do you order from the movie theater concession stand?

Sometimes I smuggle in snacks from home; other times, I buy either Junior Mints or Sour Patch Kids at the theater. Or a hot dog if I'm seeing a movie at lunchtime. Or gelato (our palatial movie theater has a gelato stand and a bar). 

But I always, always buy a ginormous soda because they have my favorite thing in the world. I believe its real name is the Coke Freestyle Machine, but I just call it the Magical Coke Machine. Regular Coke is my one real vice, so I freaking love this thing. I'd buy one for my house if I could. I usually mix half regular Coke and half Cherry Vanilla Coke.

6. Do you have a garden? What's growing?

Kind of? When we moved into our house last year, the front featured a ton of cacti and some lantanas and other bushes. We didn't do much to it, just let it grow wild, but this year, one of the big bushes died. At first, J and Sophie (I AM NOT OUTDOORSY-BLACK THUMB RIGHT HERE) tried to replace it with some purple flowers. However, the horde of deer that live on our street (really-sometimes we come out at night to find about 12-14 deer sleeping in our front yard) thought they made a delightful snack. Hence all the cacti! 

So next J planted three new lantana bushes and the deer seem to be leaving those alone. We also let Sophie get a hibuscus in a pot on our front porch and it seems to bloom one single large bloom every other day. One blooms, the next day it's dead and gone. Then another blooms. It's weird.

7. Any summer plans?

Sophie has a wonderful slate of activities planned-theater camp, chef camp, Paris camp, oceanography camp, sports camp, adventure camp, and zoo camp, plus one week each month with my parents, aka Nana Camp. She also has swimming lessons once a week and we've signed her up for a basketball team, which should be interesting.

In terms of anything else, not much. This year was supposed to be a Canada year-we go there every other year to visit J's family, so we thought we'd be heading to Toronto this summer. 

However, in March, J's sister and her family came to stay with us for a week, followed by his dad and stepmom coming to stay for another week. 

And then I had a conference at Disney in April, so J and Sophie went with me and we turned it into a family trip and a visit to my homebound aunt. 

While I still have tons of vacation for the year, J does not, and his mom and best friend were here for a visit last year, so no Canada and no any other trip over the summer.

We'll do things locally-we have passes to the zoo and Six Flags. We may do a weekend in a cabin somewhere if we get ourselves together in time. Other than that, not much. Our 10th anniversary is in September. I'd love to go somewhere, but we'll have to see.

8. Which TV couple(s) are you rooting for?

Castle and Beckett (Castle) and Deeks and Kensi (NCIS LA) are probably my two favorites. I am extremely irritated that Castle and Beckett didn't make it down the aisle!

9. What's the last thing you bought?

Literally the last thing I bought (other than groceries) was a 2014 Spurs Western Conference Champions T-shirt!

C and I stood in line at Academy for two hours after the game ended Saturday night to buy them, then headed to the airport to welcome the Spurs home from Oklahoma. We didn't get home until 2 a.m. Apparently, we think we're still in our 20s LOL.

10. What's one thing you are passionate about?

I'm pretty passionate about women's rights. I'm supporting Wendy Davis and Leticia Van De Putte for Governor and Lt. Governor of Texas, because I believe they will do the right thing for the women and children of our great state.

11. What are you grateful for this week?

I am grateful that Sophie has had a great year in Kindergarten, which ends Thursday. I am grateful my parents live nearby and always help out in a pinch. I am grateful for a friend who is crazy enough to have late-night adventures with me. I am grateful for a husband who supports my interests, crazy and time-consuming though they may be for a few months each year. And I'm grateful that the Spurs made it back to the Finals. No team deserves it more!

Now I'm supposed to tag 11 bloggers...but most of the ones I know have already done this, so I'm going to tag a few who may have not: Mona and Nilsa. 

Reflections on 2013

I have formulated about 10 blog posts in my head this last month. None of them made it into this space. I swore I was going to blog during my 16 days away from work. Didn't happen. Life happened instead! (OK, and lots of TV watching.)

 

Laura and Blair and several of my lovely friends completed this year-in-review questionnaire and I love the format, so here goes:

1. What did you do in 2013 that you've never done before?

I sold a house. I rode a scary-ass roller coaster (the Iron Rattler at Six Flags-I've ridden others, but this is the scariest one I've ever ridden). I attended three NBA Finals games (sob). I turned 40. I became a Homeroom Mom for Sophie's Kindergarten class.

I survived the Iron Rattler!

The NBA Finals! (sob)

Homeroom Mom!

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions and will you make more for next year?

I'm not big on resolutions. Every year, I try to work on losing some weight and exercising more (yeah, right). This year, I made a list of what I wanted to do to celebrate turning 40 and I accomplished the first three.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No, although I have a coworker who is about to give birth!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. My dear friend Sue, the leader of a monthly book group I was in for 15 years passed away around New Year's last year from complications of Alzheimer's. I watched her decline over the past five years to the point where our book group meetings were just a get-together each month to see how she was doing since she no longer could read or talk about books really. She still knew me till the end though, most of the time.

That's Sue at left in better days, although she was already starting to decline here. Pat is holding Sophie (7 months). My other friend Michele is not pictured.

5. What countries did you visit?

No international travel in 2013. We are supposed to go to Canada sometime this year, but that may not happen for several other reasons (a surprise Disney trip in April being one).

6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?

Patience with my family. The ability to forgive myself when my house isn't perfect (I will never be as good a housekeeper as my mom, nor do I have the time and energy to be-I need to stop beating myself up! I'm good at other things!).

7. What dates in 2013 will be etched on your memory and why?

My 40th birthday. Games 6 and 7 of the NBA Finals (sob). Sophie's first day of elementary school.

My big girl on her first day of school!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I think buying a house and selling another and getting all bazillion of our possessions moved and surviving J's many expensive attempts to soundproof our house (28 new windows, three new doors, more to come apparently-AAH!) should qualify as my biggest achievement this year. I am never moving again!

9. What was your biggest failure?

Hmm. This is a hard question. Probably yelling at J and Sophie a little too quickly (see "patience" above). I've got to work on that.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I've been having some back problems this last month, triggered by lifting my 65-lb baby one too many times. Sorry kiddo, you have to walk everywhere now. ;)

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Tickets to see Keane. Tickets to the Spurs playoffs (sob). My ticket to Charleston. :) My new laptop (first computer I've ever owned that wasn't a hand-me-down from J-he's kept me in computers since 2003).

My view of Tim Rice-Oxley at the Keane concert-so close!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

J, who despite his obsession with soundproofing, is really a fantastic partner and father. I know he's always on my side and we're a great team. Also, Sophie, who is growing up to be quite a kid. She's imaginative and funny and loving and smart. She took to "big-girl school" like a boss. Love her so much.

At South Padre Island on vacation

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

The Texas Senate during the Wendy Davis filibuster (basically anyone in that session who was not a Texas Democrat, or named Wendy Davis, Kirk Watson, and Leticia Van De Putte).

 I met Wendy (future Governor Davis) at a rally
in San Antonio a few weeks later.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage, soundproofing/home renovations, and daycare.

15. What did you get really, really excited about?

The Spurs going to the NBA Finals (sob) and going to meet lovely Internet friends at the Blathering.

16. What song will always remind you of 2013?

"Blurred Lines." I know, I know. But when it was first out last summer, Sophie started singing it in the car because she thought it was about her since she's a "Good Girl!" I should've taped her singing it, because it was very cute-"You're a gooood giiiirll!"

Also, Pitbull's "Don't Stop the Party" because it was the Spurs intro every night at every game (sob).

17. Compared to this time last year are you:

Happier or Sadder - Happier
Thinner or Fatter- A little thinner, not much
Richer or Poorer - A little richer because I paid off my car early and now have a little extra money each month. Although also poorer, considering how much money we've spent on windows and such for our new house. Who knows?

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Sleeping. Reading, for sure. Reading took a HUGE hit this year between all the moving and the obsessive HGTV watching in the months before and after our move. Blogging. Ahem, obviously.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Laundry. It's the bane of my existence every weekend.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

We opened gifts with my parents at their house on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, we opened our gifts and Santa's gift, then my parents came over for Christmas dinner, which required very little actual cooking from me. Nice and relaxing.

At Nana and Papa's

Sophie on the Kindle and Nana on her phone

21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
I fell in love with my house. It was the first one we liked online and the first one we visited. Nothing else compared.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Scandal. Elementary. Castle. The Goldbergs. The Good Wife. Game of Thrones. Masterpiece Mystery (Inspector Lewis, Endeavor, I re-watched Sherlock, et al.). NCIS: LA. Bones. ALL OF HGTV.

"Hi, my name is Sonya and I'm addicted to television."

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't at this time last year?

No. OK, maybe Ray Allen a little for game 6 of the NBA Finals (sob).

24. What was the best book you read?

Divergent. The Cuckoo's Calling. I really didn't read very much this year. :(

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Jay-Z? I went to see him with C and was surprised how much I enjoyed his concert (despite all the language). Also, Ed Sheeran, thanks to @melissaa24. And I've really enjoyed the Capital Cities and Imagine Dragons lately.

26. What did you want and get?

A new house in a neighborhood with a good elementary school for Sophie.

27. What did you want and not get?

A FIFTH SPURS NBA CHAMPIONSHIP (SOB).

There's supposed to be one more here!

28. What was your favorite film this year?

Well, I only saw Monster's University, Catching Fire, and Frozen. Loved them all, so it's a toss up.

29. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I was 40. We hosted a little party with my closest friends and their kids at our house. It was relaxing and fun.

30. What one thing would have made your year more satisfying?

THE SPURS WINNING A FIFTH NBA CHAMPIONSHIP (SOB). Yeah, there's a theme here.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

Capris and heels (summer). Jeans and boots (winter). Lots of sparkly jewelry.

32. What kept you sane?

My family, my BFF, and all of my lovely Twitter and Internet friends.

You've got to have best friends to keep you sane.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Lately, it's all Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Women's right to choose what happens with their bodies. The actions of the Texas Senate during the filibuster were reprehensible. I've never been stirred to personally attend a political rally before.

Don't mess with Texas women, y'all.

35. Who did you miss?

Sue and my book group friends. She was the glue that held us together. I love those ladies, but we don't get together as much now.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

The lovely @lettergirl and all my fantastic Blathering ladies. You are the best.

Just a few of my favorite Blathering friends! So many more here!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson from 2013.

If your husband tells you he's going to soundproof your new house because it's in the flight path of San Antonio International Airport, believe him.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"I feel knocked down but I won’t be broken, I won’t be broken 

My spirit’s reeling, but my arms are open, I won’t be broken 

Got a feeling someday you and I- you're gonna blow this town wide open 

Got a hunger snapping at my heels, my mind that can't be changed- the wheel 

That won’t be broken"

-Keane, "Won't Be Broken"

For the Spurs lost championship this year (sob). No worries-they'll be back in the mix in 2014! Go Spurs go! :)

Happy New Year!

The Blathering in Charleston

After chickening out of Austin in 2011 and waiting too late to register for New Orleans in 2012, I finally made it to The Blathering in Charleston in 2013.

 

In some ways, the weekend was exactly what I expected. In some ways, it was even more than I expected. I came home exhausted but feeling that in the span of four days I made some deep bonds with some special people who are now "My People"-my real-life friends, not just Internet friends. And that feels pretty wonderful.

 

I don't want to recap every minute of every day of the weekend, but I do want to capture some of my favorite moments, observations, and regrets.

 

Favorite Moments:

• Saving a seat for and gabbing the whole way from Houston to Charleston with sweet DeeAnne on the plane. Meeting the chic and adorable Arwen at baggage claim.

• Being picked up at the airport by the fabulous and super fun Erin, who later in the weekend called me "Carrie Bradshaw" and who I lovingly dubbed "Sassypants." Adore Erin!

• Whisking Ginger out the door upon her arrival to ride Ollie the Trolley downtown for dinner with DeeAnne and me. We ended up on the rooftop of the Charleston Crab House and walked in a big square around downtown later in the evening. It was such a nice night and great way to get to know each other as roommates.

      

• The first book club conversation I had over the weekend at Social with Ginger, Laura, Ashley, and Tara G. (aka Other Tara!). Love these girls and we had such a great conversation about books and just life in general. I was so glad to have a chance to get to know all these beautiful and amazing ladies better.

• Having drinks with the larger group at Henry's on the rooftop. It was cool to see (almost) everyone in one place.

• Getting to know Julie better when her GPS took us on a scenic route to Eli's Table for brunch (and the free beignets we grabbed while walking over). Thanks again for the ride, Julie!

• Trying to get massages with Laura, Jessica, and Ginger and then heading back to the hotel to hang out poolside. The poolside chatting was so fun, especially after Laura and I decided to grab appetizers at the bar for sharing and then the fabulous Jen Bernardi, who I had the pleasure of getting to know over coffee in San Antonio the week before The Blathering, brought her famous trail mix! I feel like I got to talk to so many people by the pool and it was so awesome and relaxing to share lounge chairs and just gab.

• Having an in-depth conversation with the beautiful Ginger about ourselves and our families on the bar patio while the sun was setting before the boat cruise. Then joining Danielle, Nora, Blair, Julie, and Jen Bernardi for more pre-boat bonding.

• The Salami Pants Incident of 2013, which solidified my love of Laura!

• Watching Emily do the running man on the rooftop deck of the Fish House. :) And finally getting a chance to really chat with Roomie Tara over drinks and then back in our room, when we got on the elevator and everyone else headed to the hotel bar. (We thought you were following us on the elevator, ladies!) We talked for an hour before we finally called it a night.

• Hanging out with Danielle, Jen B., Caitlin, Tara G., Ginger, and DeeAnne at Queology after post-brunch shopping at the market. This was just relaxing and probably the first opportunity I had to get to know Caitlin, Danielle, and Tara G. even better.

• Popsicles! I was a big fan of the chocolate sea salt and raspberry lime. I also really enjoyed chatting with Erin, Elsha, April, Laura, Jessica, Tara, and Jenna. When we caught the water taxi back to the hotel, I also got some quality time with Jennifer Lyker who is so lovely.

 

• At the Alley, I was glad to get to talk to Blair, Maggie, Elsha, Miranda, Danielle, and Julie a little more, and my roommates Tara, Ginger, and DeeAnne. And Erin, aka Sassypants, made me laugh harder than I had all weekend!

• Back at the hotel bar afterwards, I talked Pens hockey with Kate Welsh and we bonded a little over our mutual hatred of Marc-Andre Fleury.

• Tara waking me up to give me a hug goodbye as she left early Sunday morning.

• Despite the onset of a migraine, I enjoyed the last opportunity to chat with some great ladies, including Ashley and Tara G., and Jennie Canzoneri over donuts. I wish the darn migraine hadn't made me so woozy I couldn't really enjoy the cab ride to the airport I shared with Danielle and Blair. Sorry I was so out of it, ladies.

 

Observations:

• Everyone was really nice. There were moments I felt awkward, but those passed fairly quickly usually. (Or maybe I was awkward all weekend and everyone was just really nice about it.)

• Maggie is totally as adorable and funny in person as I expected, although I think I stressed her out asking about the bakery!

• The Organizers put a lot of work into the weekend-thank you ladies! I really appreciate everything you did to make the weekend fun for all of us!

• Since I'd been to Charleston several times before, I felt no need to try and see any of the sights, which freed me up to relax and hang out with people. I think I could've sat by the pool talking all weekend.

Regrets:

• Not doing beach yoga with Jen B. on Saturday morning (even though Creepy Old Guy was totally checking the yoga ladies out).

• There are SO many fabulous ladies that I did not get to spend time getting to know. For that, I am very sorry ladies! Guess that means I'll have to go to Seattle next year, right? I've never been to the Pacific Northwest or the West Coast at all, so I think I'm required to go.

Plus, now that I've found "My People," I can't wait to see you all again. :)