Houston Christmas

Last but not least, my family went to Houston for Christmas with my dad’s side of the family.  Jessica and Jacob are getting so big.  They are little people now…  It is fun to see their little personalities develop over time. 

White Christmas

This year it snowed in Dallas on Christmas Eve for the first time in my lifetime.  It was beautiful. My sister, her husband Steve, and my aunt came over to celebrate Christmas and my father’s birthday. Happy birthday Daddy. 

New Computer – Dell Inspiron 1545

I got a new computer for Christmas.  I debated back and forth on getting an Apple but decided to get another Dell.  Mainly because it was 1/3 the price and my practical side would not relent.  It has Window’s 7 and I am not sure yet what I think.  I will let you all know once I decide.  My new laptop has a 15.6 inch display instead of a 13 inch.  I think I am going to like it, but it looks SO BIG.  Change takes time.
Hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas.  I did.  I plan to post pictures and details once I transfer everything from the old laptop to my new… all 60 Gigs of data… 

So far the biggest plus about my new computer is the lovely red squiggly line under words that are misspelled in my blog posts…  Love it!  And the nifty blog writing software.  Adding a picture was so much easier than it used to be and the preview function is vastly improved…  Feeling pretty confident about my choice.  

Meet Brainy Smurf. (Yes, I named my laptop… feel free to make fun of me.  I don’t mind…) 

So Fresh and So Clean-Clean...

I had my teeth cleaned yesterday and I have to say I love my new dentist. The last time I went to the dentist (two years ago) I had to have a tooth pulled and it really freaked me out. I did not want to return for fear of losing another tooth. But then my practial side won out and I decided I better go to the dentist or I would eventually lose more than one tooth.

Enter Pure Dental, complete with MACs in the waiting room to use while waiting for your appointment... Now I realize most of us have smart phones these days, but having an actual computer is a nice touch. They also gave me an ipod touch with Bose speakers and Pandora while I was getting my teeth cleaned. Brilliant! I have heard some of the rooms have TVs that you can watch while getting your teeth cleaned, but I didn't see them. My dentist is young... She looks to be about my age. I have only ever had older dentists and I didn't know how I would feel about having a young one, but I have to say, I really liked it. She seemed very professional and intelligent and I figure, she must be up to date on all the new developments because she just graduated...

Anyway, if you are looking for a new dentist in DFW, I recommend pure dental! Their prices seemed reasonable and comparable to what I have paid elsewhere... Though I felt their service was superior. If you go, you have to let me know what you think and give them my name as a referral.

Happy 95th Birthday Grandma and Merry Christmas (Gilmer)

This weekend I went to East Texas to celebrate my Grandmother’s 95th birthday and Christmas with my mom’s side of the family.  Instead of doing presents for everyone this year, we did a white elephant gift exchange for all the adults and gifts for all the kids.  I tried to steal a oversized picture frame with writing on it from my cousin Haley, but my cousin Megan stole it from me.  I ended up with a $20.00 gas gift card.  I realized I am getting old when I got excited about the practicality of my gift and not having to pay for gas for a week. 

Happy Birthday Grandma!  I love you. 

Small Group Christmas Party

Our small group had our second annual Christmas party last night.  This year my co-leader Melissa and I decided the girls should bring ornaments that represent them in some way.  I brought a willow tree ornament of a girl reading a book.  I received a beautiful ballerina from one of our dancers, Izzy.  The party was a blast.  I love these girls so much. 

Winter Chill

I spent Friday night at the church with some of my girls at what we called a "lock-in" growing up. Watermark calls it "Winter Chill." It was fun spending some quality time with a few of my girls. The evening consisted of a talk, a break out session, Pokey O's, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  I am amazed at how quickly my girls are growing up. They are turning thirteen. Lord help me lead teenagers!

The boys had mustaches... no idea why... but there were extras...  Lauren cracks me up...
her stach is the same color as her hair... 

Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving is my mother's holiday to host. I do not really know when it started but as long as I can remember, my extended family has descended upon my house to celebrate turkey day. As my grandmother gracefully aged (she is going to turn 95 in two weeks), my mother's side of the family stopped coming to our house because it is too far for her to travel. So for the last few years we have gone to Gilmer to visit my mother's side of the family after hosting my father's side of the family on Thanksgiving day.

Both celebrations are quite hectic. Part of me is elated to get to see my entire family, but the other part of me is more tired after Thanksgiving than before. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change it...  especially since I only get to see some of my family member twice a year.  I just have moments of jealousy when I read about friends' turkey comas...

So with no further ado, I give you my thanksgivings:

Dallas:

Gilmer:

Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon

I may in fact be certifiably insane, but yesterday I registered for the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon. The longest distance I have ever run is a 10k (a little over 6 miles) so I know full well that I have no idea what I am getting into. All I know is running a ½ marathon is on my life list and six of my friends are running this one… So I might as well go for it…

I really dislike running, as some of you may remember from my previous posts. But I figure I will never get over the hump (I still believe this hump is fictitious and I will never enjoy running.) if I don’t push myself.

The half is on March 14, 2010. I am going to try to get into a little better shape between now and the new year, but my official training schedule will begin on January 1, 2010. For the next four months, my border collie is going to be so excited to have a consistent running buddy… At this point, I on the other hand am more scared than excited…

Wish me luck.

Ten out of Tenn

I went to the Ten out of Tenn concert on Saturday night and was thoroughly impressed with every artist. TOT highlights 10 emerging artists (in the alternative/folk/rock/pop genres) that live in Nashville. I would list the artists for you, but if you click the link above or below, you can find them pretty easily. They are on their Christmas tour at the moment. All 10 artists played a Christmas song and another one of their song. If you are looking for a concert to go to, and they are in your city or state, I highly recommend the show.

I have been listening to their Christmas album non-stop since the concert. My favorite songs are Santa's Lost His Mojo by Jeremy Lister and Cinnamon & Chocolate by Butterfly Boucher. But they are all good!

XM, I promise I will return next week... or maybe later this week... until then, I will be out seeking Santa's mojo.

Silly Jennifer...

You saw the Today show this morning. You heard a weather report. You knew it was going to get cold and rainy. Furthermore, you knew you would be leaving your building for lunch with Elaine today (I had a great time by the way!). And yet you still forgot your jacket and umbrella.

Only in Texas does it not cross ones mind to take a jacket in December! Hopefully I will learn from my mistake the next time I have to walk two blocks to meet a friend for lunch. Only time will tell.

Happy December everyone!!! I am loving the weather! Just wishing I had been smart enough to put on my coat.

The First Official Thanksgiving

I blatantly stole this from Christine's blog, but I am hoping she will not mind because imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

As President, on October 3, 1789, George Washington made the following proclamation and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America:

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness. Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be. That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks, for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation, for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his providence, which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war, for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed, for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted, for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us. And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord. To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Happy Turkey Day!

In three hours, I will leave my office and meet up with my family, who is frantically preparing for our big thanksgiving feast. Tomorrow, thirty of my relatives will descend on my parents house for Thanksgiving lunch. Our Thanksgiving does not end tomorrow, but is followed by more festivities on Friday (in Keller) and Saturday (in Gilmer). Bring on the blog material!

This year I am unbelievably thankful for so many things. A few off the top of my head include: my family, my job, my supportive bosses, my gracious Savior, my precious 7th grade girls and my co-leader, my fantastic community, my wonderful college roommates (congratulations on the jobs Tess and Erin), getting to see Jessica and Jacob tomorrow, Tatum, fantastic food, quality time with my family, watching Texas A&M football (win or lose), this wonderful weather, Christmas being around the corner, and Christmas music non-stop without judgment after tomorrow!!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Touche XM

My car came with 3 months of XM radio for free. I was excited to have more musical variety for a while but had no intention of paying for XM once my free preview ended...

I lasted 3 months without it. I broke down and subscribed today for 3 reasons.

1. They finally offered me a price that I considered low enough to be justified.
2. I am going on a road trip this weekend and it would be convenient (though I will probably listen to my Ipod for most of the trip).
3. Most importantly, they started playing Christmas music today.

You win this round XM.

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Red Cup

I hit a wall this afternoon in my productiveness, so I ventured down to the lobby and ordered a "Grande Low-Fat Pumpkin Chi" for the first time since the red cups came out. I love Starbucks red cups. Talk about a marketing gold mind.... It's Christmas in a cup.

When I see the the red cup, my reaction is always the same. CHRISTMAS is coming!!!! I will spare you an identical post to last years and just note: I have not begun Christmas shopping and I love the holidays!

State Fair of Texas

I am a little late in posting about my fair festivities but better late than never! A few weeks ago, I went to the State Fair of Texas for the first time in 10 years. I hyperventilated a little when I realized how quickly time flies but then I though about all I had done in the past 10 years and managed to breath normally again. My parents and I headed to the fair grounds the day of the Texas/OU game. I know... I know... we are crazy. But my dad had a work deadline on October 15th so my parents could only go during the last weekend, which happened to be Texas/OU weekend. I have never been to the fair with my parents so I decided to brave the crowds and join them.

It was ridiculously crowded before the game started but it died down a lot during the game and we managed to have a great time! We went to the car show, the Texas food pavilion, a few other random pavilions, and the Natural Science Museum. We ate Fletcher's corn dogs (my first ever), fried green tomatoes, frozen bananas, and salt water taffy. We rode the DART and left during the 4th quarter of the football game so we didn't have any problems getting back. It was a great fair experience and I will not go another 10 years before returning. Next year I may be brave enough to try fried butter... but I doubt it.

Thanks mom and dad for taking me to the fair! I loved it!

Big Tex kinda creeps me out...


This sign was outside the stadium... I know what they were getting at but I would have phrased it differently.

Success!

I survived my hearing and did not make a fool of myself! I remembered to call the judge and opposing counsel "Judge." The court reporter told me I did a great job and that I spoke loudly and clearly. (Though I sincerely doubt it shocks any of you that I was loud.)

The sitting Judge said "I suspect Ms. Lewis is going to be a great lawyer one day." The comment may sound a little weird, but in context it was meant to be a compliment. My opposing counsel thanked me twice for doing a good job and helping with the case. All and all, it was a fantastic first hearing! Praise the Lord!

I have two hearings next week and one the week after that. Hopefully my nerves will not be an issue before every hearing... Though I suspect it will take me a few more times to get comfortable.

Most importantly, I had a great time in court. Today was a great day. I think it finally hit me, I am a real attorney people!

Butterflies

I have my first hearing this afternoon and I am a little nervous. It is an attorney ad litem appointment in which I am representing unknown heirs... and there aren't any... So I don't really have a client and thus there is no one that I could possibly disappoint... but I am still nervous.

My nerves stem from never having done this before and not wanting to make a fool of myself in front of the judge... Technically two judges because my opposing counsel used to be a judge as well.

If you read this before 2:45pm, say a quick prayer for me. I know what I am doing, I know what I need to say... I just have never done it before. I guess I have to start somewhere, right?! Got to love trial by fire... Haha... No pun intended!

I survived the swine flu

Last week I had the swine flu (well I think it was the swine flu since I got a flu shot) and it was brutal. I have never had the flu before... I had always heard it was unpleasant but I had never experienced it firsthand. Now, I can attest to its awfulness. I did absolutely nothing for an entire week... I think I may have talked to or texted a few of my friends at one point. And maybe the TV was on... though I do not remember actually watching anything. All I remember is sleeping, coughing, blowing my nose, shaking, taking lots of medicine and drinking lots of fluids.

My extroverted personality was going a little stir crazy after being cooped up in my house for 5 days, but I took all my tamiflu and was close to good as new after a week. I am trying to take it easy this week and slowly ease back into my normal schedule... though I may have made a few more plans than normal this week (did I mention I didn't see people for 5 days...).

Public Service Announcement: Remember to wash your hands.... It is flu season people! Though I did wash my hands and I got the flu anyway... But I figure washing your hands can never hurt...

Who's Bad?

Last night my friends and I went to our favorite restaurant, Gloria's. I heart Gloria's... but more importantly, I heart my friends. They make me laugh... I have a few pictures to prove it, but for the sake of my friendships, I will not post them... Kung fu and monkey, your secrets are safe with me.


After dinner, we went to see the Michael Jackson cover band "Who's Bad?!" It was a blast other than the drunk people invading my space. Not cool people! I would definitely see them again, but maybe from further back next time.

Nostalgia

I have never been one to fear change. I tend to embrace the future with open arms. When I graduated from college, I was sad to be leaving my dearest friends, but excited about what the next chapter held. I felt the same way when I graduated from law school last year. I always remember the past fondly, but am rarely nostalgic.

Fast forward to last week's Southwest Classic. I cannot begin to explain how much I was looking forward to the game. I have been to a few games since graduation, but I was no where near as excited as I was this year. Hands down more excited than I ever was while in school at A&M (and I was always pretty excited then). Maybe it has something to do with being completely done with school, but I was watching my Ags play with a new excitement and (shockingly) a sense of nostalgia. As I watched A&M starting strong in the exciting first minutes of the game, I was transported back to College Station, sitting beside my best friends, cheering like a madwoman for the Ags. I looked over at the student section and couldn't help but smile. Such great memories.

Did anyone else experience an increased zeal for their college team after they graduated? Something about being removed from college and looking back makes the memories all the sweeter and the devotion to my team all the stronger. Thank you Lord for such an amazing college experience and for blessing me with better friends than I could have ever imagined.

We did not win the Southwest Classic, but there's always next year. Who wants to go with me?! Last weekend I realized with a renewed vigor that A&M will always be my team. Win or lose, I will remain devoted. Possibly frustrated, but always devoted.

Gig 'em Ags!


P.S. Cowboy's Stadium is a fantastic stadium! Props Jerry Jones.

Tree Dog

My little puppy is now a full grown dog (lets hope she is close to full grown anyway). She is weighing in at a whopping 53 pounds. She remains a puppy but shows signs of growing up one day.

She eats my parents woodwork and is still enamored with branches. She has yet to master the art of licking and not play biting people and digs holes in the yard. Regardless of her flaws, I already love her dearly.

She is getting better on her walks, though she still cowers when around other dogs. Anyone want to volunteer their dog to help socialize mine? I promise she won't bite your dog, but she might run away from it! She poses for the camera and lays on her back and play with her toys above her head. Both are adorable. I am still working on getting a picture of her playing with her toys though. Apparently her toys are camera shy.


In addition to to claiming the couches, my dog also lives under our bushes when she is outside. All the better to find sticks, I guess. I got a quick video to document her new den. She does have a dog house... But I doubt she will ever use it.