NE's Guest Blog - One

SCENE: Your living room (or other environment for which you partake in TV viewing)

. . . AND ACTION! You are watching one of your favorite TV shows (HIMYM) and it's like any other Monday. You're minding your own business stoked to see what hilarity will ensue, then all of a sudden . . . BAM! No, a bus didn't just go through the afore mentioned living room wall, instead CBS decided to kick this bitch up a notch (thank you sweeps). You can’t believe your eyes, right there on your very own television screen is one of the best things about shows . . . a GUEST STAR (Brit-Brit)! You're overwhelmed with excitement and enthusiasm, just when you thought it couldn't get better, a curve ball is thrown in and a whole new level of enjoyment is had!

Enjoyment Causing Curve Ball:

Prepare yourself folks because that is exactly what's about to happen here today . . . I (Anie, not Britney) am proud and honored to be featured as a GUEST STAR on one of your favorite blogs (LL's, not Barney's). The reason behind this stroke of luck you've just encountered is two fold of course . . .

1. My new obsession is all things blog. I heart reading them and really can't get enough. To quote a wise women "I have no idea how I functioned without the use of blogs for so long."
2. I don't have a blog of my own and that means I'm jealous and want to get in on this.


I know what you're thinking. Duh, just start your own blog like the rest of the free world. Whilst we all know I will most likely cave in the near future to sign up for one, thus far I've held strong. Why, you ask? I'd like to think I have a high standard for things to be deemed funny, clever, or witty and undoubtedly my blog would require all these items on a regular basis. Hence, I am nervous I'd fold under this self-induced pressure if I had a blog all my own.

More importantly, this guest star concept might be genius! The way I see it this stint on LL's blog will lead to other guest starring roles (cough, cough Lex, Karina, Ryan cough, cough). I could start a new trend of the elusive blogger who only guest stars and everyone will search for me on the blogs of all my favorite people. That means YOU as a blogger benefit from even more hits than you received before because DUH I come with a fan base built in!

Ok, so that last part might be made up. This so called "fan base" is basically comprised of the same people for who's blogs I'd be featured on, but let's skip the technicalities of it all, shall we?

Soon bloggers all over the world will want me to write for them. CNN will issue a scrolling news bar with the headline “ribbon-loving mystery blogger strikes again.” (“CNN” is clearly code word for “Vh1”). I could become famous and more importantly turn a profit! Again, let’s skip the technicalities of how this would provide me with income. I’m sure logistically and monetarily it will all work out just as I imagine.

So now on to the good stuff (As it turns out I can't just blog about blogs) . . .

I’ve decided there are many things in life that are HIGHLY enjoyable and HIGHLY underrated. This makes for a recipe riddled with high opportunity cost (yup, I paid attention in my college economics class). As such, I’m making a list (because that’s what brings me joy) of just a few of these items so that you can get on board with the following (in no particular order):

Lunchables: Yes, that’s right those pre-packaged non-sustainable meal options that all the cool kids packed on field trip day. (Damn you Mom for not buying them!) I’m not talking about the new fangled fancy “make your own cold pizza” bullshit kids have now. I’m referring to the classic turkey, cheddar, and cracker combo. These are on the list because they are inexpensive, delicious, and packed with sodium goodness. Plus they’re sold in the gift shop on the 2nd floor of my building, and I’m normally in a hurry. For this convenience Kraft, I thank you. (Related Honorable Mention: Capri Sun)

NOT THIS:

YES PLEASE:

Always Sunny in Philadelphia: In truth, this topic requires a post all it’s own. (See how you just now got baited into looking forward to my next guest-starring role? I have a fail proof plan on my hands!) If you have yet to partake in this awesome hilarity brought to us by FX I insist you move it to the top of your priority list immediately! Who needs to worry about an economic recession and job security when you can laugh your ass off at random shenanigans every Thursday night?

Downtown / Midtown PHX: I’m an East Valley type ‘o gal. Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale – that’s my hood. One-way streets, the “nues” (ave that is), and my general lack of direction stopped me from going anywhere near the I-10, 51, or 17 for many years. That has since changed (well not the “nues” part I try to avoid crossing 19th ave after dark or anytime I’m alone). BUT - I’ve gotta tell you if you haven’t been in the area lately, you’re missing out! First Fridays, fun antique shops, historic Willo district, Zoes (LOVE), the Symphony, sugars galore, and an actual urban city are just some of the things hidden down here. WHO KNEW? Next time you’re on the freeway on your way out of town, perhaps stop for lunch (Zoes is on McDowell just east of 7th ave). PS – the tallest building on the left pays me to go there 5 days a week.

Velma from Scooby Doo: You know who I like, that never got much play? Velma, from Scooby Doo. She was a hip, hip chic. Rooby-rooby-roo!

"If you love something..."

"...let it go." (?)

Apparently, this some "great" advice someone once gave someone else. And apparently, it worked out for that person and their situation.
This person then decided to go and blab this advice to everyone they encountered that was in a similar situtation.

This advice then turned into some sort of worldwide phenomenon and now everyone in America hears it whenever they have a situation this may be the resolution to. *

(I know America is not the world but to be honest, I really dont know how they do things in France so just go with me on this)

Well here is my situation:

Someone recently told me (and by someone I mean two TMH girls that are tyring to break my heart) that leggings are not making a comeback this season, that I should already know this (you know, cause I'm so hip and trendy) and stop trying to wear them out of the house.

WHAT?! They have got to be kidding me!

How can I be forced by fashion to give up the leggings? I love the leggings!

I mean, the leggings and I have been thru a lot together and we've had a lot of great times over the last year or so.

For example, here we are on a fire truck:

And here's our first time together in a limo:

Here we are again on my birtday:

Oh and here we are running from Megan & playing dress up in a faux pirate/slut costume:

NOW, I know what you're thinking. And yes, I get that they make my legs look a bit "minnie mouse-ish". And my butt a tad "kim k". But I'm ok with that, obviously.

So you must see my dilema. I just can't picture myself "letting go" of the leggings. I mean, if Audrina can't let go of Justin Bobby...how can I be expected to live without my favorite cotton blend leg covers?!

And let's just say I do decide to someday adhere to this advice. What's next? Is someday going to tell me wearing a wife beater to the office with dress pants is inappropriate?*

(I wear a wife beater and dress pants to work everyday. The leggings too in the winter. Pray for me.)

So, in an effort to try and maintain my "hip & trendy" status with the fashion industry I've come up with a compromise. I will take the leggings on next week's vacation in St. Louis and begin parting ways with them upon arrival home.

BUT, if I see one fashion model or celebrity, other than LiLo, walking around in leggings this winter... they will return to my wardrobe.*

(I will consider that the "if it was meant to be, it will return" blah blah blah that comes at the end of the advice.)

Bye Week

Wikipedia’s Definition:
The term "bye week" exists in American football. In both Canadian and American professional football leagues, the term "bye week" refers to any week during the regular season in which a team does not play a game. Each NFL team will have one "bye week" during a normal season; this is placed on the schedule between Week 3 and Week 10[1]. The NFL has used the bye week since 1990 so as to extend the regular season schedule to 17 weeks. Between 1999 and 2002 byes had to be scheduled every week because the league had 31 teams. Traditionally, the CFL and Arena Football have scheduled byes only in seasons when they have had an odd number of teams in their leagues. However, the CFL introduced a scheduled bye week for its eight teams for the 2007 season.

LL’s Definition:
The Cardinals don’t play this week. What am I going to do?

How I spent my bye week(end):
1) Hip hop show with BARS, Stephanie and Brandy.
2) Mixed the beats.
3) AWU meeting.
4) Cute stamping party at Nicole’s house.
5) Joaquin Sunday.

Although I missed the Cardinals, beer and chicken wings... it was nice to have Joaquin back for a day. I've missed him.

Put your picture here. And here.

Yesterday I came across the cutest idea: photo mosaics
just add this mosaic maker with pictures from flickr using these questions* and voila! (not to be confused with viola, stephanie)
*1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you attend?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What do you want to be when you grow up?
10.What do you love most in life?
11. One word to describe you?
12. Your IM or screenname?


Here's how mine turned out:

Pretty cute right?
Because I had so much fun with this, I asked the girls to get in on it too. Here's how theirs came out. I just LOVE them!

Stephanie:

Holly Howe:

Megan:

Karen:

Jen Babe

Nicole

**Did you notice how everyone has Greece as their dream vacation and I chose a hammock. strange?

Stiffler...?

I have a new celebrity crush!
Sean William Scott (aka Stiffler)
Before you question my hottie picking skills and my new obsession for this cutie, please review exhibits A, B & C* (or one, two and three for those of you that are better with numbers)


EXHIBIT A (1)

He looks good holding a football!

If you know anything about me and my love of football & quarterbacks, you understand how this makes me feel.

EXHIBIT B (2)

Bald head: check

Tattoos: check

Tight t-shirt: check

Sexy jeans: check

you see where I'm going with this right?

EXHIBIT C (3)

The boy can rock a sweater vest! (and that's pretty much been obsolete since Chandler Bing)

You can see now how this obsession came about. Well, those reasons and the fact that he was on my favorite morning news, Good Morning Arizona. * (yes that's a plug. I want Brad Perry's job.)

Feel free to jump on the Stiffler bandwagon if you want. It's a good wagon to be on, I'm just saying.

Birthday Bear!

Last weekend we celebrated Kara (Bear's) 2nd birthday.
Seriously, time does fly by and I can't keep up.

Because Steph and I like to impose our ideas, opinions and hobbies on everyone we know...we've decided to get a head start on Kara.

Her birthday party was a football theme. YES, football!

Before you go making any judgements, it was super cute and girly at the same time.

Lots of pink, lots of ribbon, lots of pink ribbon and football. I made a sparkley football cake, pink football cupcakes and a birthday banner complete with rhinestones, flowers and bows!

And as a birthday present to Kara, her Uncle Matt (Leinart) (my husband) made sure the Cards won! He really is such a nice guy!

I can't wait to start planning number three! (I think HH will be ready to put her wedding dress on again and play Wedding Barbie)

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the party...

My Pink Life...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

A subject that is near & dear to my heart...so close in fact theres a tattoo near my heart in honor.

Ten years ago my beautiful, loving, kind, creative and all around amzing Aunt Kathleen (Auntie) was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Today, she is as strong and as lovely as ever.

She is one of my most favorite people in the whole world and I would be willing to do anything for her (with no doubt she would do the same for me).

This blog is dedicated to her and our wonderful family.

A family I cannot imagine my life without. They are my world. We are together when things are great, when things aren't so great, when we are happy and when we are sad. Every holiday, every birthday party at Peter Piper Pizza and every pool party just because we want to spend time together.

But my favorite time to get together above all, is the one we do every October for my Auntie:

The City of Hope Walk for Hope

Of course, this years walk was especially sentimental. I dont know where I would be in my life without Kathleen.

The woman who taught me to scrapbook. The woman who encourages me everyday that I can do whatever I put my mind (and heart) in to. The woman who takes me from an emotional high strung mess, to a calm level headed thinker with just a few minutes of her clarity.

I love you Auntie!