10 years ago today…

I met Jeff Koenig. Aggie Bonfire 1998. A friend from high school was in town with a buddy from college and needed a place to crash.

I admit, I tried to sneak them in to my dorm room. But I had a hardcore RA and we didn’t get away with it.

I still remember meeting him. He was shy, quiet and blonde. Yes, blonde. But he had these cute dimples when he smiled.

We didn’t have a lot of conversation – he probably thought I was insane. Hell, he thinks I’m insane now. I had on my Aggie overalls and was probably as obnoxious as I always was (…am.)

There was a lot going on that night, so after we parted ways, that was that.

Who’d of thought I had just met my future husband!?

Come back on December 5th for the rest of the story.

Left Brain vs. Right Brain

Left Brain: Logical, Sequential, Rational, Analytical,Objective,Looks at parts
Right Brain: Random, Intuitive, Holistic, Synthesizing, Subjective, Looks at wholes

A sequence of events occured yesterday at work, that have left me pondering...

I have always struggled with an inner balance of thought known as left brain vs. right brain. If you were to ask me how I define myself, I would consider myself to hold both characteristics of a left and right brain personality. Is this possible? Must we be on a "side" or can we express traits of each?

Right Brain. I'd like to consider myself a logical person (even if I am passionate and opionated). I love problems and I enjoy the challenge of finding solutions. Numbers speak to me - specifically when it comes to finances. My obsessive compulsive nature and control freak tendencies seems to fit comfortably under the left brain ideology. I do my best work under tight deadlines and if you say it can't be done, specifically if I, myself, can't do something, I will work and work until I prove you wrong. It's a competitive thing and I enjoy it. To a point.....

Left Brain. Please do not consider me egotistical when I say that I think I'm creative. My brain is constantly running 150 mph and rarely slows down. I have, at minimum, a hundred (*wink*) cool ideas that cycle through my thoughts on a daily basis, but little if none make it to fruition. I enjoy writing, a random event that occurs only when my mind and the stars align in a perfect unison with the universe. I love photography - something that has been a recent discovery and something that I am working on nurturing. I love design - whether it's web design or something for print.

Could all of this attribute to my indecisive behavior in life? What I want versus what I need? This inner balance, more like an inner struggle, is constantly battling inside me. The logical versus the random. The rational versus the irrational. Just ask Jeff, I'm sure he'd be the first to agree.

I know I have it in me to be creative - I know it. But my rational side fights with me so that I don't give enough devotion to that side of me. Why? Is the world going to stop turning. Will Jeff and I squander everything and live like paupers? Hardly is my answer. So why am I so hesitant?

It's time to start refocusing....

Happy Veterans Day

To all who have served and continue to serve our great country. My father, my grandfathers, my friends and extended family. Thank you. You have not and will not be forgotten.

Etsy.com

Here's a cute pic of our niece, Clara in the tutu and wings we got her for her bday! I found the outfit on Etsy, my new favorite website. All unique handmade items for one-of-a-kind gifts. Check it out if you haven't been already. I bought this particular piece from Hannah's Tutus, whom I totally recommend if you have a little girl or a cute, adorable 3-year old niece like us!

Needless to say, I'll be trying to do most of my Christmas shopping on Etsy this year.

Book Review(s): New Moon & Eclipse

More book reviews from the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer.

Warning!!! May be spoilers!

Book 2: New Moon

Going into the second book, I was looking for more action, considering my disappointment in that arena from the first book. I was also apprehensive on how Meyer would develop the relationship between Bella and Edward when the obsession level in the first novel was so high. Where could this possibly be going? But Meyer delivered by throwing me for a loop that I, perhaps a bit naive, didn't see coming. Without giving away the story, this so-called-loop kept me turning the pages for most of the novel.

The second book also develops the friendship between Bella and Jacob Black, her father's best friend's son. To progress the story, Meyer introduces, perhaps the most well known foe of any vampire - think Underworld - you guessed it! The Werewolf. Don't worry, friends and fam, if you know me and my 'issues' with werewolves (yes, I know they are not real). I survived this aspect of the book, because Meyer takes a differnt angle with the wolves - one of protector.

To get back to the story, the relationship between Bella and Jacob progress to deep friendship and a crush, at least on one side. However, no happily ever after at the end of this book for these two. This book kept my attention with the twist offered at the beginning and kept me turning the pages eagerly all the way into Book 3.

Book 3: Eclipse
The third book in the Twilight Saga introduced the cliched love triangle between Bella, Edward and Jacob. At times, I must admit, this got on my nerves as I thought Meyer was a little hung up on this and could of advanced the conflict in the book a little bit sooner.

However, the action scene in this book was by far the best of the entire saga, even though I'm not quite finished with the fourth book. The concept of newborn vampires was very original and kept my interest during most of the scenes.

In the third book (and here comes the spoiler) Bella and Edward become engaged. Trying to read this from a tweens perspective, I thought this to be a bit out of the norm (at least for today's kids). And although Edwards is technically 108 years old, Bella is only 18. She seems less concerned for any 'life' other than the immortal and more excited to become one of the Cullens. I know it's presumptive, but I thought to myself while reading this, I hope some emotional, unstable tween girl is not reading this thinking that this is the best path for them. Aside from the vampire part, I'm talking more of the obsession to belong to a guy. It had me a pit skeptical.

But if I put my pessimistic attitude aside and just enjoy the writing and story (and also forget the targeted audience), Meyer again delivers an original story that will keep the readers attention.

I'm almost finished with the fourth novel and will post my review soon!

Word to My Mother

Today, my beautiful mother, Patricia, celebrates her 58th birthday (sorry to rat you out Mom). Not to copy my cousin, Em, but just a few quick points about my mom.

• She's done a wonderful job raising me and my brother. We may be 'quirky' but at least we're not boring.


• She has been a best friend to me in my adulthood, but always conscious not to cross the 'mother line'.


• She's the most hardcore Republican I know. No seriously. Read her blog. But I love her for it!


• She has successfully lost 65 lbs in one year. Words can not express how proud I am of her because of this.


• She has put up with my stubborn ass father (and I can say this since I'm his duplicate) for over 38 years! That says something about her patience.


• She is the best daughter anyone could have. I have watched her over these past few years having to take care of her parents. Difficult would be an understatement to say the least. She made sure my Papa was taken care of till he passed away last December and she's making sure that Grandma gets the best care that she can.


• She has taught me the art of 'what they don't know won't hurt them' when it comes to marriage. For instance, I buy a book, hide it for a few weeks. If Jeff says, "When did you by that book?" I say, "Oh, a long time ago." Thanks, Mom, this one has come in handy SO MANY TIMES :)

Book Review: Twilight

Last week I saw an ad on tv for a new movie coming out at the end of this month, Twilight. It continued to reappear on website ads and banners. So my curiousity got the best of me, as it usually does, and I did some investigation. I mean it has vampires in it, and although I'm hardly the most 'sci-fi' of my immediate family, I still can't completely suppress the gene.

Turns out the series is aimed at the 'tween crowd, no big surprise there. Originally printed in 2005, the Twilight saga is comprised of 4 books. I had my hesitations going into it. I figured it'd be a very easy read and a little hokey for the teens.

Overall, it was a pretty easy read. While the story line isn't the most original, there are some differences in these vampires than any I've read in past novels (or seen in any movies for that matter). This first book is based completely on the obsession between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. Although I love any romantic story, I can be the first to recognize when it goes overboard. I think the book is a little to engrossed in their romance and needed a bit more to the plot. The main antagonist doesn't even bear his head until you're almost 2/3 of the way done with the book. Which led to a quick and hasty ending. Not that I was disappointed with the way it ended, only that it was a bit rushed.

All-in-all, I liked the book. But I forwarn any future reader, don't go in with super high expectations of the story. It's for the 'tweens, not adults - but that's not to say it won't entertain you. I made the mistake of telling Jeff about the movie coming out in the next few weeks. He rolled his eyes and laughed.