back from r&r

Thrust back into cold, hard reality after my week of Mexico holiday bliss.

The week away was exactly what was very much needed. I am relaxed and tan. Enjoyed days filled with pool and ocean tide. Of course, there were cocktails. Oh, were there cocktails. And fabulous espresso as our resort catered to Italians.

Sad to report, I was not wooed by any hot Italian men. Or Texans, or Mexicans for that matter. It was a resort filled with couples along with a smattering of families and honeymooners. But that was quite alright by me as I ran around in a bikini (working on that good old body image stuff) and didn't gain a pound!

So this little holiday was a winner on all fronts!

Book Review: Sunnyside Blues by Mary Carter

I was delighted to read and review Mary Carter’s third book, Sunnyside Blues, due for release on June 30, 2009.

Summary from marycarterbooks.com: Twenty-five-year-old Andes Lane has spent nine years moving restlessly from place to place as she searches for somewhere that feels right. In the little blue houseboat bobbing on a Seattle lake, she thinks she's found it. But Andes has barely had a chance to settle in before her new life is upended by her landlord, Jay, and his ten-year-old son, Chase. Smart, secretive, and precocious, Chase touches a chord with Andes even as he plays on her last nerve. When Jay needs someone to take care of Chase temporarily, Andes agrees to accompany the boy to Sunnyside, Queens, on a quest she's sure will prove fruitless. But in this new, strange, unexpectedly welcoming city, Andes will confront the secrets she tried to leave behind and the lies that have kept her running. And against all odds, she'll discover a place, a man, and a newfound peace of mind that feel very much like home.

At the onset, I picked up Sunnyside Blues and found myself unable to put it down after a few pages. The novel unfolds with Andes stumbling through a police interview, thus the hook to keep reading is set. As the third chapter opens, the underlying secrets of the characters begin to emerge, bubbling just below the surface. I found myself starting to ask flurries of questions and wanting learn more about the characters, especially Andes. Of course, Andes was truly endeared to me as chapter three closed because even though she fell, Andes ensured none of the champagne was lost! A girl who appreciates and saves her bubbles is my kind of girl!

As Andes’ relationship with Jay and Chase develops, her responsibility grows but so do the questions that surround her and subsequently the other characters too. Secrets become paramount. In fact, secrets are abundant and diverse including hiding the past, discovery, suspicion, protection, and facing the secret. Carter paints a very vivid picture of each character’s secret but weaves the revelations delicately into the plot to keep the reader guessing, thinking, ultimately making this novel difficult to put down.

Delving into the realm of secrets, it becomes clear that Andes’ secrets, as well as those of Chase, Jay, and Andes’ father, have had serious life changing consequences. Secrets come with a price. Some secrets are transparent and easily figured, while others are so deep, so hidden that the secret is much like a dead body lying in a casket covered by a six foot dirt barrier.

This novel is not formulaic, but a well thought out, complex story that rises above the mindless chick lit genre. I enjoyed that Carter allowed for Andes to experience catharsis at the end of the novel. More importantly, it did not finish with the happily ever after fairy tale where boy-gets-the-girl. Instead, Andes was true to herself and her dreams.

Sunnyside Blues reminded me of what I call ‘three universal truths’:
* Everyone has secrets
* You cannot run from your past
* You never know where the day will take you

Did I mention there is a pyromaniac and snakes too?

Snap up a copy of Sunnyside Blues. You will be glad you did.

Mary is having a contest, so enter to win a signed copy of Sunnyside Blues and $25 Barnes and Noble Gift Card! Winner will be announced on August 1st!

because i am a dork

Yesterday as I was scrambling out of the office building en route to a customer meeting, I notice a woman in the lobby. I recognized her face instantly. I had a small debate with myself about whether or not to yell out "Wetsy!"

Yes, I saw The Pioneer Woman's sister, Betsy. She was as pretty as her photos and rail thin making me very jealous because she had a baby not long ago.

I chickened out and continued on out the door.

Damn, I lost my opportunity for a trip out to the ranch!

bullet point quickie

Adventure Weekend Summary in no particular order.....

• Laughed a wicked lot, when I met up with some local bloggers. Of course, Coco and I first knew each other in reality. However, Thursday night, I met Tied Up With A Black Velvet Band and I Pick Pretty. Enjoyed many a cocktail and am looking forward to our next adventure.
• Met a fairly good looking man at a big wine tasting. However, the planets did not align completely because he does not have my phone number.
• Lawn mowing in Texas sucks the big one. However, I am thinking that a Patsy-propelled mower combined with intense heat and humidity will ensure a wee bit of weight loss.
• Made reservations for a week holiday in Mexico. Bring on the swine flu because I would love the express train to weight loss.
• Can you tell I am very eager for this last 7 pounds to be gone?!
• The Southern Gentleman called on Saturday. Said phone was timed at 1 hour, 17 minutes. This marathon call from a man who claims to hate speaking on the phone. Keep in mind he was the primary talker in the conversation.
• The Southern Gentleman stated that he has "neglected several important things in his life as of late in trying to the business started." I think that was his attempt at an apology as he also stated that in a email. Old Patsy would have been happy with this. However, New World Order Patsy feels the old adage "too little, too late" applies perfectly.
• Had the girls over to Stepford for the first time. There is nothing more that I love than a house full of friends and laughter. It truly makes my heart sing!
• Montana Man asked me to do some editing for him on Friday. I didn't even look at until Sunday night. Furthermore, did not pour too much energy into it when I did correct it. I am done with it all.
• Ready for a cleaner slate and fresh start.
• Capped off the weekend perfectly with some champagne on Sunday evening. Everything is better with bubbles!

Have a sparkling week, my darlings!

may-be-gone

Recently I have been feeling alone. The alone-ness that complements feeling helpless. It is especially troubling to me because I never have felt this way before. I am an overly independent woman who can do anything.

But lately I have been feeling my limitations. Reaching the realizations. It started with moving house coupled with Lulu's adventures in snake charming gone bad. Then trying to wrangle up furniture via craigslist. Toss in Lulu having simultaneous puke and diarrhea fest. Clearly, May was a roller coaster ride in my small corner of the universe.

I learned I don't ask for help and furthermore it is very difficult for me to ask. I have been spoiled to the n-th degree having my father just quick car ride away. He always solves my problems, always helps. He is my rock; the one person I can count on no matter what.

In my many May hours of need, sure, my father was only a phone call away, but he couldn't swoop in and solve the problem because he is 1,000 miles away. That is when the feeling of being utterly alone overcame me.

I realize though that I did live through the roller coaster ride, but it wasn't as easy as I have grown accustom to. There aren't any givens. Particularly when Lulu was spewing out both end, I made too many phone calls to my girls down here trying to find someone who would simply run to the CVS to pick up Imodium for me because even a short car ride was out of the question. No one would do it. At my wits end, I called yet another girlfriend expecting a similar response as the others, but immediately she said yes. I was beyond thankful that someone answered my distressed cries, but at the same time, disappointed in others.

May's lessons were humbling. I have to get better at asking because I cannot do everything by myself. This is uncharted territory.

where is he?

I don’t know who you are. I don’t know your name, where you live, what you do for a living, how you take your coffee, or what makes you laugh.

Clearly, I know very little about you; however, I do believe I will have some level of inkling when our paths finally cross. Maybe.

But there are a few things I do know about you for sure – you really are out there somewhere (preferably Austin) hunting high and low for me, you accept and appreciate me for who I am – quirks and all, there are no games or ambiguity, and even though happily ever after is only in the movies, we’ll have our own reality-based version of what that is for us.

I have waited patiently for you; I have had a lot of fun along the way. Experiences I wouldn’t give away because each has been instrumental in creating the tapestry that is my life, me.
But even in all the happiness and love that surrounds me now, there is a small piece missing. And that is you. Please hurry.

anything but a stepford wife

Settling in to the new digs is finally occurring. Life is calming down as Lulu is virtually healed and the move drama is over complete with new furniture. Two weeks of dwelling on the cement floor, even though it is a pretty stained concrete floor, was very draining after a long day at the office. I am finally relaxing as life in Stepford is taking shape.

Yes, the pristinely manicured lawns and families with 2.5 children are indeed reminiscent of The Stepford Wives; hence, the name. But I am blissfully happy in Stepford. I forgot what a wonderful feeling it is to want to go home.

With my home life wrapped up with a pretty bow, time to focus my energy losing the last 10 pounds! I like the feeling that everything is falling into place.

an anniversary of sorts

May 8, 2000.

It was nine years ago today that we first met, The Southern Gentleman and I.

Nine years ago today that we were partnered up in a conference room in the Carolinas.

The attraction was instant and has continued to remain smoldering just under the surface.

Star-crossed lovers.

Fast forward to May 8, 2009.

Nine years and nothing has changed.

I take that back, what has changed is me.

I can see past the attraction; the things I was enraptured with when I was 25. I see that The Southern Gentleman is not going to put one foot in front of the other. He is only continuing to side step, which does not lead to progress.

It makes me a bit sad because together we did make a good team.

But I am also happy that on today, May 8th, exactly 6 months away from my 35th birthday, I do have the clarity to see The Southern Gentleman and I for precisely what we are and what we'll never be. For that, I am grateful.

hound dog

Lulu is doing much better.

I took her home last Friday. She continues eat copious amounts of antibiotics, but she is healing quite nicely. Of course, Lulu is not fond of her floatation device (in lieu of a traditional cone) but I remain highly amused with it.

Here's a snap so you can join in my amusement!

drama mama

drama.

that best sums up the past few days.

What started off on Friday morning as an innocent weekend adventure to H-town turned into my pup girl Lulu being hospitalized and me being left with zero answers.

I dropped off my Lulu at 7 AM on Friday to stay at the boutique vet/kennel that she has stayed at before. I figured if I get to have a fun weekend away to eat my way thru Houston, then Lulu should also enjoy her stay at the doggie spa.

Friday night around 6, I receive a call from the vet. A simple call informing me that Lulu received her kennel cough shot and trying to up sell me on blood work services for senior dogs. The entire point here is that at 6 PM my dog was still healthy. Cue me being annoyed at vet for calling for nonsensical reasons while I am on holiday.

Saturday morning, another call from the vet. This time I am informed that Lulu has a cut on her leg, is limping and the vet would like my permission to start IV fluids on her. The vet tells me this is free because the injury occurred while she was in their care. I think the vet is being overzealous as the previous evening they were concerned over ear wax, so I give my consent. Continue eating and shopping through Houston.

Sunday morning, I was not fast enough to the phone and missed the Lulu update call. I listen to the voice message and grow alarmed when the vet states "possible snake bite." My alarm grows and festers. I finally break down and call the vet office only to find that the office is closed so I call the emergency number. The woman at the emergency hospital is understanding and tracks down one of the vets for me. It is the primary vet, the owner of the hospital - where the snake bite concerns are dismissed.

I see my girl on Sunday evening. It was terrible. Lulu's leg looked horrendous. Raw ground beef. Her leg swollen hugely. She had a wild look in her eyes, did not recognize me, an IV in her leg. She was on massive, massive quantities of pain killers and antibiotics.

The vets state that they do not know what is wrong or what happened. The only story I get is they saw her limping, found a puncture wound, and then it manifested into what I found. Personally, the vets are covering up the incident. The more I press, the less interaction they have with me. I believe with all my heart, it was a venomous snake bite.

My girl is doing better. I should be able to take her home in the next few days. We spend about an hour together every day. I have documented everything with photos. I have asked vets back home to evaluate what they see in the photos and in her medical records. The problem is in the mile high city, snake bites are rare.

As if that wasn't enough keep-me-up-at-night drama, I have to move tomorrow. In one day. By myself. Be out of the old house complete with cleaning and into the new place. tomorrow.

When it rains, it pours. But at least tomorrow will be over before I know it. On to greener pastures.