Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! I guess I haven't been typing here for a week, so here I am. I missed you. I hope we get some trick-or-treaters today. It's been years since I lived somewhere that had a chance of giving away some candy! I can't wait!

My office transformed into Pirates of the Caribbean today for our annual floor decorating contest, complete with a waterfall, jungle, pirate ship and pirate bar. It was wicked impressive. We won. What's the pirate's favorite letter? Rrrrrrr

This weekend we got to see the lovely Karen, who was in town for the Lance Armstrong Summit. It was neat to see her and hear about the incredible people fighting cancer at the summit.

My muse of the day is halloween songs. I can't think of any besides the Monster Mash. There must be more!

I can still run!

Ran 10 mile South Austin Rambler as a rogue Rogue yesterday a.m. I don't remember the last time I ran that far. Mike and I ran 7 last month, but it's been almost a year since I ran 10. It felt really great. We did it in 1:30 or 9 minute miles. Not bad. It almost made me want to do the marathon in Feb., but I am not so sure.

Had a fun date night with my husband on Friday night. Met with the financial advisor and I think househunting will be our next venture. Must say it's fun to make plans. Discussed over drinks at Molotov and then dinner at Gumbos, which may be a new favorite for me. Yum!

Proud to say we WON our first tennis match of the season on Saturday. It felt so good for me to win my own match, as well. Finally relaxing a bit on the court and playing strategically. I am really having a good time of it. Got a newspaper Sunday morning and circled some prospects and visited some open houses yesterday and got a bit of a taste as to what's out there. No big surprise- if we want to live close to DT, we are going to have to pay $$$ and if we want to live in a cute 1950s house, it's probably gonna be small and expensive. I am praying we can find a nice combination of location, space and hominess.

We are trying to recruit friends to help us fundraise for our new church. It's not going so well so far. Saw my spirtual director from CRHP at church yesterday and she looked like a cornered porcupine when I asked about it. Praying for at least two people to step up.

AC: Simplicity

Q&A with the People- 2006

Born: September 22, 1976
What is the 1st thing you want to do when you get home from work or when you wake up on the weekends? Get home: Go tinkle. Weekends: Stare at the ceiling and debate whether to get out of bed or not.

Who would you like to pattern yourself after? My dad died from stomach cancer 5 years ago and if I can be anything like him, then I will be content. He had a strong faith, lots of good friends from over the years, didn't want much more in life than to be around his family, never complained and had a great marriage with my mom. A lot of people respected him for being ethical and wise and I really admire that.

What is your favorite vacation spot? I love traveling and don't care where we go, but to relax, I want to be anywhere near a body of water.

If you could get paid the same amount of $ as your current job and do anything, what would it be? Write travel books.

If you found $200 in the trash and you had to spend it that day, what would you do with it? Get a pedicure, buy some tuna sandwich kits for the bums that stand at intersections in Austin, and take my man out to dinner.

What kind of music you like the most and why? Acoustic, mellow stuff, but it's gotta be upbeat.

Who have you been most influenced by and why? My parents mostly. I also feel blessed that I met such kick ass friends at Marquette. They are good people that make me want to be a better person.

What makes you cry? Seeing people that I love in pain...animals that are mistreated.. inspirational church music... movies where people overcome obstacles.

What is your favorite town or state in the united states?
Austin, TX.

What do you usually eat for dinner?
I love to cook. Grilled stuff, pastas, mexican, chinese- I will try anything, but try to keep it healthy using whole grains and veggies and the like.

What is your favorite website?
www.thenest.com

If you had to hear 1 album for the rest of your life what would it be?
I have this three-disc Best of Paul Simon collection that I really love. His voice makes me happy. I like the African-inspired songs.

What do you do for $?
AVP of Marketing and Communication for a large insurance company

What do you find attractive in the opposite sex?
Sense of humor, faith, intelligence and confidence. Pretty eyes, strong hands and a nice rear end are added bonuses.

What do you like better? Dogs or cats?
Dogs.

What is the one thing people say about you the most?
MB is weird

What do you watch on TV?
Name some shows you like. Grey's Anatomy and Project Runway are the only shows I religiously watch.

You got any Tattoos?
I have a tattoo on my big toe- to me it is a symbol of peace in my life.

Do you use styling products in your hair?
Only if i am getting dressed up. Pomade and/or Aveda foamollient.

What is your salad dressing of choice?
Sweet vidalia onion or honey mustard.

What is your favorite fast food place? What do you order there?
Chick Fila- chicken sandwich with a wheat bun and large diet lemonade. i don't ever order fries, there, i don't know why.

What is your favorite booze beverage?
Tanqueray and tonic

What would be on your rider list if you were a famous rock star?
I would like a random sampling of vanilla andAveda candles lit, a soft blanket, robe and slippers and sofa for napping. I would prefer the latest issues of: People, InStyle and Real Simple. Please provide chips and salsa from Hula Hut. For drinks, the choice of mojitos from Cuba Libre, dos Equis, or Tinto Pesquera wine and chilled San Pellegrino water with ice and limes. For main course, I'd like spinach-stuffed pizza and/or extra spicy pad thai and Culvers turtle sundae for dessert. Please have local blend of Sumatra coffee available- black. I would also like the week's Oprahs DVR'd and a masseuse and pedicurist, on site.

What do people say are some of your virtuous qualities?
Reliable... creative... good cook.... fun... laid back... i am pretty fearless about taking risks.

What do you think people say are some of your vices?
Indecisive at times... can be a bit lazy...stinky feet... overexplaining things

What are some of your pet peeves?
People who drive slow in the left *passing* lane. People who throw their cigarettes out the window.

TGIF

I am in a good mood. It's Friday and other than getting into a bit of hot water with the company lawyers about a press release I sent out, it's been a generally light week. No repercussions that I know of from that, however. I am sweating a bit, for the mere reason that I don't like being in the hot seat. Must remind anxious self that it's all going to be okay now. A life lesson learned. Sigh.

Stayed at Meg and Jessie's gorgeous palace in Plano on Saturday and it was so fun to wake up and drink coffee and chat with friends. They have a really sweet outside living area and the warm feeling of home both within our newlywed friends and externally in their home inspired me to TRY to decorate our house. Decorator has never been a role I am comfortable with and the glimmer of hope I've been hanging onto that we might move has kept our walls nice and sparse, but it's time to accept the fact that we might not move for awhile. Truth is, I really want to start house-hunting. Visions of myself with garden gloves on are talking to me. I guess this is nesting. Picture me typing this with my bird beak nose.

I tend to get a bit overwhelmed by overnight guests of our own. The in-laws are staying with us on Saturday and the idea of feeding the gang more than one meal makes my shoulders begin to get a bit stiff. Breathe...breathe...breathe. Self: you can do this! I am truly blessed with the nicest in-law family, but the idea that they will be staying in our bedroom and eating my homecooked food eeks me out a little.

Tomorrow is the 40th birthday party blowout at DD's and Kim and I are in charge. I plan to request at least 1 booty shake song. Praying for a bit of the Hot Chicks fun-party dust....

AC: Freedom