In Love

I just bought these shoes. It was love at first sight. :-)

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A Tiny Update

Today is Day 6 of my new, stronger antibiotics to handle the sinus infection that sprung up during my battle with Strep. I am beginning to feel a little bit better. I do have my voice back, which is a major improvement. However, if someone finds my energy, please let me know. I'm willing to exchange a hefty reward for the return of my precious energy. :-\ I seriously need to get some cardio in, but it's difficult just to keep my eyes open nowadays.

In other news, I have to take Phil to day surgery on Thursday morning. They're going to send a camera down his throat and look behind his heart. That should be interesting.

Work is driving me insane, but there's nothing new there.

Jackie was put on strict bed rest at 33 weeks, but was allowed to return to work two weeks later. Apparently she wiped out in front of a fire fighter at work yesterday and blamed the baby for stealing her center of gravity. She wasn't hurt, so this story gave me innumerable giggles last night.

I baked two gingerbread cakes (with fresh orange glaze, no less) and did not get a single piece! Why not? I baked them for Mary Lee's House ~ an appreciation luncheon for the staff there. As part of my Junior League duties (though I volunteered for this). The bonus? Our house smelled amazing for a day and a half, thanks to those gingerbread cakes! ;-)

All right, I guess I need to get moving. If for no other reason than to relieve the aching in my head!

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The House of Sickness

That would be us. Besides all of Phil's issues, now I have Strep and/or an oncoming ear infection. And I hate to be a whiner, but I am *miserable* and living in complete fear of another sinus surgery. (Note: I fear anything even remotely sinus-related because most of my life has been made miserable thanks to faulty, chronically infected sinuses).

ANYWAY. More soon, once I feel better. I have much to fill you in on, including what happened to Phil, our Napa Valley wrap-up (I'm way late), and my fabulous Junior League party on Thursday! ;-)

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New Artwork

I have new artwork for my office!! Although, if you ask Phil, it's actually going in our yet-to-be-created "sports memorabilia room." But he's wrong; its going in my office.

Wanna know what sort of one-of-a-kind beauty this artwork is??

Why, it's my very own framed, autographed photo of none other than Mr. Evan Longoria at the 2008 World Series. He's on his knees, making this awesome throw. Phil convinced me that Evan "is on his knees for me!" Ha ha!

But seriously, I was not going to buy this photo. Really, I wasn't. Phil convinced me. The proceeds went to charity - the Lightning Foundation.

Soooo...good cause, and now I have my baseball boyfriend ready to be hung up in my office for prime time viewing. Not a bad deal, right? ;-)

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When Blogging Doesn't Help

Do you ever get so stressed, so unbelievably overcome by what's going on in your life, that you don't even want to talk about it? That's kinda where I am right now. And though blogging is one of my most favorite-ist (yes, I'm being cutesy) things in the world, right now I don't think it would help to "blog out" my feelings.

Which is why I haven't been in a huge rush to post, despite all the craziness going on. Sure, I have things to talk about. But do I want to talk about them? Eh. Maybe not so much.

But as I stated yesterday, I'll be back with plenty to share. :)

Tonight I was just wondering: does this happen to my fellow bloggers? Do you ever get so stressed or in a funk that you just don't feel like writing?

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I Really Am Here

...and I owe an explanation on what the heck happened to Phil, how he ended up in the hospital, etc. It's coming soon, I promise. In fact, I meant to write up a post tonight.

However, I had a bump [hopefully nothing] removed from my back this evening, and it's really starting to hurt. So I am self-medicating with wine. And we know what happens when Brandi drinks wine and attempts to construct meaningful sentences. Yeah, not so much a winner.

So I bid you adieu for the evening. Know that Phil is slowly improving. I will take him to the endocrinologist in the morning, and hopefully we'll be on the road to getting some answers.

More soon!

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I am Tired

So very, very tired.

Why, you ask? Maybe because I went out with some fellow Junior Leaguers on Wednesday night, then again Thursday night? We had a meeting/orientation at Mary Lee's House (a safe house for victims of child abuse) on Wednesday, then a few of us ventured over to Ceviche for sangria. Which was fun, of course, but then I didn't sleep well and didn't feel great on Thursday.

But despite that, Phil and I joined 7 other people for Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens on Thursday night. We had a blast! First of all, you must understand that they sell beer by the yard at Busch Gardens. Second, you must know that I am normally very nervous about going through haunted houses. And we ventured through seven of them. Now imagine all of, going through these haunted houses, and making multiple beer stops through the night... All I'll say is that I became very bold as the night went on. In fact, by the end of the night, I was chasing the chainsaw people!!! How's that for a funny mental picture?

This morning I woke up early to go volunteer at Mary Lee's House. Our group assembled about 2,000 newborn packets for the Healthy Start Coalition for Hillsborough County. We rocked it, and finished in only an hour and a half (they were expecting it would take us 3 hours). Afterward, I did some very essential shopping at International Plaza. :)

Unfortunately, I tried on several dresses for my holiday soiree, and I still haven't found "the one." I currently have a lovely ruffled black one shoulder dress on hold at Neimann Marcus, but it is rather outrageously priced for something I'd wear twice, tops. Back to the drawing board, I guess.... Blah.

Anyway, let's hope I can keep myself awake for 45 minutes more so we can make it to Saturday night church service (since we'll be at the Bucs-Packers game tomorrow. Go Bucs! Please post a "W" for me? Thanks in advance!

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I am 31 Going on...15?

I just have to rant for a minute here. About what, you ask? About my skin!

I have no idea what's going on, but my skin has suddenly decided that I am 15 years old. I am breaking out like CRAZY. So bad, in fact, that I broke down and went to the dermatologist.

His conclusion? "You have teenage acne." Gee, thanks a lot. You know I am turning 32 this month, right??

Anyway. So I've been on several acne medications for a few weeks, and I have yet to see an improvement. He said I would have to give them 6 weeks to see a 10-15% improvement. That's not what an impatient person likes to hear, but what alternative do I have?

I'd just like to know how this is even fair. I've already been through puberty once...why must I endure this torture yet again?!

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Crash [Into Me]

Crash is one of my favorite movies. I seriously need to watch it again, and soon. "Crash Into Me" by Dave Matthews Band is one of my favorite songs. I'm starting to detect a trend here.

Anyway, some things have been going on in my life that reminded me of how people's lives become intertwined - both intentionally and unintentionally.

It's amazing who you can meet while flying for a business trip, for example. On a recent trip, I sat next to an unaccompanied child and at the start of the flight I dreaded having to keep him entertained. By the time we landed in Dallas, I realized I'd been talking to a nine year-old for nearly two hours straight, and I was so thrilled to see that people really are still raising kids "right."

It's amazing when you think you know someone really well, only to find out there's another facet to them - one that's been hidden from just about everyone. And for some reason, they decide to reveal this to you.

It's amazing when you are able to overcome a poor first impression to realize that you hold an incredible bond with someone, thereby becoming good friends.

It's amazing when you realize that you hold the keys to help save someone whom you viewed as invincible, someone who would surely never require saving.

Ah, I am far too reflective this Wednesday morning. I haven't been sleeping well. This always happens when I don't sleep well. So bear with me as I explore my philosophical side over the next few weeks. I promise to keep things as warm and fluffy as I can. :)

See what happens when baseball season ends?? OK, OK, I guess it isn't actually over for everyone. With my Rays out for 2009 (::sob::), I am now rooting for my St. Louis Cardinals. I hope they go all the way, that would be lovely for St. Louis!!

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Grueling

Hi, everyone! ::waves to the crowd, Miss America style::

I'm in the St. Louis area on business this week. If you follow me on Twitter, you know I haven't been experiencing the best time ever.

The travel woes included: a missed connection, an hour on the tarmac awaiting fuel, temporarily missing luggage, temporarily missing rental car, and a missed teleconference.

The hotel woes include a "neighbor" in the next room who snores loudly enough to wake me up in the middle of the night...after I've downed a couple melatonin tablets. Ugh.

The work woes...well, I won't even go into those, because the list would never end and I'd probably end up crying myself to sleep.

But on the positive side, I get to see my parents, my good friends, and I get to watch a few episodes of Greys Anatomy on DVD. And do some shopping for my sister's baby shower next weekend with my mom - an important thing in and of itself!

Anyway, I just wanted to drop in and announce my presence. Mission accomplished. More soon. :-)

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