:: 'We're Havin' a Heat Wave... a Tropical Heat Wave...' ::

For some reason, I keep seeing Carmine from 'Laverne and Shirley' dressed in a devil costume singing this song every time I check the weather...

If you're looking for a relief from the heat, you're not going to find it today! Look for the very dangerous heat to be with us once again. Look for highs between 104 and 106 and heat index values as high as 110 degrees!

There are several posts I intended to work on these past few days, but this heat has become my main focus... it is WAY HOT here in Texas! We have the pleasure of living near the Gulf, which means not only do we get the heat, we get the added benefit of high humidity levels to make everything outside completely sticky and absolutely unbearable. We spent the last week with my parents in Dallas, and while it was pretty hot there, it was tolerable and no where near as oppressive as it is here in College Station. I normally open every blind in the house and pull back all the curtains to let the sunshine in... but since our air conditioner has not turned off since we got back in to town, I am keeping the blinds closed and the curtains pulled. We are eating sandwiches and cereal, because there is no way I am turning on the oven in this heat.

Last night on the 6 o'clock news broadcast, the local weatherman literally tried to fry an egg on the sidewalk. Seriously. It didn't work. But then again, he cracked the egg on a section of sidewalk that was under shade at the time. Maybe I'll try to fry an egg on our patio today. Hey, yeah, I will... check back for the video!!

Bleh... I feel like I'm melting...

:: Okay, What's Going On Around Here?! ::

Weird things have been going on around here today.

Cue creepy Twilight Zone music...

It started off with all three of us getting up at a relatively decent hour this morning. I had cleaned the house and had a shower before 10:15 a.m. Odd.

Then I walked into the living room and found this...

Chloe and George. Sworn enemies for over eight years. There they were. Together. Peacefully sharing the best seat in the house. Creepy. Seriously creepy.

Ben and I decided to run to JoAnn's to get some fun crafty supplies. (Side note... I have really been getting my crafty vibe on lately. But more about that later this week.) I went to check out with my 40%-off coupon in hand, and the super sweet JoAnn's employee ringing up my goodies told me to hold on to my coupon, that she had a 50%-off coupon she would let me use. Awesome! I spent less than $18 at JoAnn's. That's like... well, unheard of really. I was so happy!

The absolute oddest thing that happened today took place about 6:45 this evening. Now, for those of you who don't know, my family is addicted to take-out and fast food. And I'm not exaggerating at all when I say we eat out at least once a day. We do. It's sad. I'm not proud. But tonight I decided to MAKE DINNER. A homemade meal. I actually cooked a homemade meal for my family. And it was damn good. I give you Exhibit A:

Fusilli with Sausage, Artichokes and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

I saw Giada make this the other day, and I thought it looked pretty tasty. I bookmarked the recipe in hopes that one day I would actually cook again. So, I printed out the recipe and got to work. I threw some nice crusty bread in the oven and voila! Dinner! Here is the recipe, in case you are interested.

What a strange day. Good strange... but still strange. I hope tomorrow is just as odd. Odd is kinda fun.

:: Inspiration ::

Well... here it is!  My newly remodeled blog.  What do you think?

I probably spent about three or four hours looking at blog templates.  I had two picked out that I liked, but I wasn't super excited about either one of them.  So, I kept looking...

That's when I decided to forgo the free layouts I was searching, and I found a site that offered pre-made designs for a very fair price.  When I came across this layout, I knew it was the one for me... because the colorful dots along the top of the page reminded me of Sprinkles Cupcakes.  I am a huge fan of Sprinkles... their cupcakes are fabulous!

I guess you never know where inspiration will come from.  :)

:: Time to Spruce Things Up Around Here ::

You know what I just realized?  May 8th marked the first anniversary of my little blog.  With so much going on around this crazy household, it completely slipped my mind.  You know what else I realized?  That I have not changed a thing on this blog in over a year.  

I guess while I was out enjoying all my "fabulous adventures" as the "perfect wife and mother," I didn't pay much attention to the layout of my ramblings, er... I mean, blog.  So, I think it's time to redecorate this place a bit.  Maybe even create a new banner.  I still plan to adhere to my 1950's Housewife Motif, but I definitely think I could make this place a bit more fancy and maybe even a bit more modern. 

So, be sure to check back in the next few days... 

:: One Year Later ::

My husband, Jason, posted this note on his Facebook page today, and I thought it would be a wonderful tribute on this, the one-year anniversary of his parents' passing.  I hope that all of you are enjoying this beautiful day and spending it with the people you love. Happy Sunday everyone. :)

One year ago, today (6-7-08), my parents both passed away.

We've had a year to process our loss, and the good news is (as my dad often used to say) "... life goes on." I miss my parents, and I am grateful for what they gave me: life (with, and from, God), reasonable intelligence and a dry sense of humor (from dad), and art (from mom). Both of my parents taught me to be grateful for what we have. Life has brought us many things, but I am most grateful for the love of my family and friends.

My mom (above), with my son Benjamin. Ben's 'Nana' loved him very much, I am sure. She was in the middle of what would become 10 full courses of chemo-therapy when Ben was born. My mom was a fighter, and fought the good fight until the very end. She gave me a love for art, and the creation of art. My very first knowledge of art, joy of creating art, and technical skill came from her. I am an artist, today, because of her, my mom. You know, my mom never smiled more in life than when she was sick with cancer - this was a good thing. THIS is the way that I prefer to remember her, smiling ... and with a heartfelt, familar, yankee-accented, "Oh, Geeeeze?!" as she used to say, smiling.

My Dad (above), shown here holding his grandson Benjamin at their very first meeting. Ben's 'Grandpa' loved him so much. My dad would hold Ben, and laugh with him, until they both were tired out. My Dad gave me a love for laughing, the ability to see things in other, more humorous, ways ... and all, while sharing his incredible gift of intelligence and quick wit. It took brain cancer (and the resulting brain surgery) AND three heart attacks (the last when he found my mom, passed, we believe), to take this 'iron man' from our world. My dad, simply put, is the finest man I shall ever know. To me, he was: a best friend, a loving father, and mentor like no other. It sounds cliché, but if I can be 1/2 of the dad, husband, and man that he was, I will be an astounding success. My Dad would often say to me "I love you" and "I'm proud of you, kid." Today, as I raise my own son (with a lot of help from my incredible wife, Melanie), I am working hard to keep my dad's words and truths (my last and best memories of him, his voice), alive. I miss my Dad with everything I have, and I always will.