Snow Day!

By now, every other person in the city of Dallas with a blog has posted about the snowstorm last week. I guess that’s how this is supposed to work; something happen, you post immediately. Well, I’m a little slow, but here goes nonetheless!

Long story short, it snowed a mother load last week. I’m not talking the usual Dallas baloney where the whether man predicts ice and we all leave work early “just in case.” I’m talking for reals snow. Like, 13” in some places and 8” or more for the entire city. It was the most snow Dallas has ever had! So fun!!

Before getting into the details of this snowstorm, let me tell you about my relationship with snow and cold weather, in general. It’s been minimal. I’m not a fan of the cold, at all, and would much prefer a beach vacation vs. a ski vacation. However, if I am going to be in snow there’s really only one thing I want to be doing. No, not peeing my pants screaming my way down the bunny slopes (yes, that’s what I do), but sledding! I looooove sledding. Not that I’ve done it very often, but whenever there’s a chance I’m game.

We had one pretty good ice during college went sledding down the giant hill by the LBJ school at UT and the death ramp in the back SRD parking lot. The only other time I can remember good sledding was a family ski trip to Utah about 10 years ago. All I remember was sledding with my sisters – Anne, in particular – and getting in a spar with some smart-mouth little 8 year-old boy. I don’t remember the details, but I do remember that he was a brat and that we did not take the high road. Whoops.

Back to the great snow of 2010. Realizing that record snow = an opportunity to go sledding, I recruited my sisters for a little Friday afternoon fun. We drove around for a while and eventually found a rec center with a decent hill. After quite a few failed attempts (turns out thick, powdery snow isn’t as good for sledding as slick, packed snow/ice…duh), we finally had a pretty good little setup. Unfortunately we weren’t really set until all of our pants were completely soaked through with ice, our toes frozen, etc. I just have a few pics, but check out my Anne’s blog for some videos here.  

Stamps for Grown-Ups

Random? Yes, but welcome to my life. I bought a rubber stamp at JoAnn’s two nights ago to make some homemade thank-you cards, and all of the sudden I’m really into this stamp business. Along with the stamp, itself, I bought a super-fab gold stamp pad, which I’m pretty sure made me about 10 times more excited than had I gone with the black. I wasn't expecting greatness (and they're certainly not), but I still like the way the cards turned out. Homemade, inexpensive, and fun! I’m pretty sure I’m totally geeking out to get excited about a rubber stamp, but hey…life’s about the little things.

Look at these I found online. How creative!

Love Love Love

Well, let's get the obvious out of the way – Valentine's Day can bugger off this year. For the most part I've been laughing at the stellar timing, but goodness gracious! I walked into the grocery store yesterday, and I swear it looked like cupid had projectile vomited terrible floral arrangements, teddy bears, and balloons all over the entrance. Whatever, I got my ice cream and left.

I have to say, though, I saw this heart image online last week and really liked it. So yay! There's my Valentine's Day spirit.  

The truth is, my awesome family and friends have done so many things over the past couple weeks (flowers, Tiff's Treats, surprise visits, phone calls, manicure/pedicure WITH champagne, e-mails, cute cards, chocolate covered strawberries, cupcakes AND Valentine's Day cards included) that I have to admit...I am a very lucky girl and am loved by lots and lots of people. Take that Mr. Valentine!

Can we go back to the ice cream thing for just one minute? What? A girl has got to move on! I get these rando work e-mails since one of my accounts is a dairy (shout out Shamrock Farms!), and this week I got a notice about a delicious-sounding new Valentine's flavor at Cold Stone – Chocolate Covered Strawberry. Even though that place does a number on my stomach, I might just have a date there tonight. I'll report back with whether or not it's worth a trip (and, apparently, where/when I'll be accepting stretchy pant donations!).

We The Jury...

I got my first ever jury summons a few weeks ago, and tomorrow is the big day. I know I'm supposed to be thinking of ways to get out of being picked – screaming Jesus Saves or calmly explaining to the lawyers that criminals should have their cajones chopped off – but I won't lie, I wouldn't mind being on a jury. I actually think it's pretty interesting. Michael Jackson's doctor's trial was today. Imagine what tomorrow might bring!

Baby Jack

Just over one month ago, Jackson Patrick Doak (aka Baby Jack) made his debut. So far he's been a pretty big hit with the family, and I think we're going to keep him.

The newborn thing is cute and all, but I'm excited for when he's a little older so he can laugh and play and realize that Aunt Amy is his favorite. It's a good thing he doesn't have a clue what's going on these days, though, because Aunt Lizzi is really bustin' my chops by crocheting (?), knitting (?), embroidering (yes...I think that's it!) an adorable baby blanket with animals all over. It's faaancy!  

I guess it's only fair to give Baby Jack's parents some mention, seeing as they had a small part in him being here and all. Pat and Stacy seem to be doing great and adjusting well to their new arrival. Such fun to be starting a new little family! 

P.S. This baby is certifiable Doak. Check out those blue peepers! More pics of Stacy to come one of these days. Looks like Dad is hogging the photo spotlight. =)

Begin Again

Yesterday Anne asked if I was ever going to post to this blog again. Fair question. The answer? Well, you're reading something right now, aren't you? 

Since my past posts were less than plentiful (and given the circumstances), I'm starting anew with one short post and one says a lot picture.