800th Post!!

And really, it couldn't be more mundane.

This past weekend was fun because it was Geej's gymnastics-themed birthday party featuring 12 wee ones and their parents. I'm happy to say that it was a hit. The kids enjoyed the activities and getting to run around in the a/c jumping and tumbling and whatnot,, and parents enjoyed getting to visit with one another. Other hits besides the actual party itself was the woman hired to make balloon animals and a balloon birthday cake hat (she was AWESOME) and the butterfly shaped cupcake cake from Whole Foods. I'm telling you, when the cake feeding frenzy of little children sets upon you, not having to slice and serve is an added bonus.

That night I got to go for a mini girls' night out with Jaye, Lindsay and my friend Rebecca to see the new production of Mortified. It was all women this time, and two of them were repeats from the November show (disappointing), but there were two women in the show who were fucking hiLARious. Our group of gals got started at Vino Vino, and then went back there after the show. Damn, what a righteous place. Tons of interesting wine, nice light menu offerings, helpful staff and an unpretentious vibe just perfect for chit-chatting.

After MUCH sparkling rose (yes, it's big here too Karla), I almost accepted Lindsay's invitation to partake in some Rock Band, but decided to get my old, tired ass home instead.

Yesterday was spent balancing my checkbook (scary) and signing up for online bill-pay (progressive!). I also washed/vacuumed my car and did a major trip to the grocery store. Typical Sunday fare.

Geej's actual 4th b-day is this Wednesday. Don't worry, she'll have plenty of presents to open on the actual day itself, and she gets to pick where we go for dinner. Knowing her, she'll choose Red Robin, which is actually fine with me.

I guess my other big news is that after my semi-annual trip to the doctor last week, I have been referred to a cardiologist to see to my high blood pressure. It was 170/110 in her office, and yesterday at HEB I took it again, and it was 160/101. Not good, people. I've GOT to figure out a way to deal with my stress and get this damn blood pressure to go down or I'm headed straight to Stroketown, USA.

I'm a chubby, middle-aged, hypertensive stressball. Try not to envy me too much.

Scenes from South By

Wednesday night, I was lucky enough to be the fabulous Mama Malcontent's date (yes, she's still alive, although to swamped with life and such to post) to the Austin Music Awards. We started out at the Dog and Duck for a hearty dinner of fried okra, libations and chatting, and then ventured over to the Music Hall, where this was outside:

(Excuse my dirty lens...I'll clean it.) Loads of media trucks. Wow. This festival is so big, it's freaky.

Our main reason for going to the Music Awards was to see the reunited legendary Texas band, and staple during our high school and early college days--The Judy's--play. I gotta say, I was a little nervous. Would they suck? Would they look scarily old? The answer to both of those questions was a resounding NO.

They were tight as Hell.

They rocked.

They looked great.

They still sounded amazingly fresh and relevant.

And the crowd went wild...

We couldn't help but get up and sing and dance during their set, but after getting told to sit down 3 times by AMH security, it sort of deflated our balloons a bit.

These two old broads DEFINITELY enjoyed the show. And we were home before midnight, thank you very much.

We need glitter, STAT!!

Tonight, the Malcontent Mama was nice enough to host the first semi-occasional "Breed 'Em and Weep Supper Club/Support Group" gathering at her family's house. And what a perfect gathering it was! It was a potluck, so I made a very aromatic and hearty vegan Spiced Lentil Stew. The main course was brisket (thanks, but no), but there were plenty of other offerings for those of us who don't do cow.

The weather was perfect for outdoor play and dining. And it was such a treat to see the Geej just go off on her own to hang with her friends and do her own things. It was cool.

Major case in point: Geej and Annie O (Malcontent's offspring) set up a M.A.S.H. unit type hospital thing in the master bedroom, and informed us that they were... (cue 70s cop-show inspired theme music) Princess Doctors!!

Check those chicks out!! They are focused on the mission at hand: take care of the babies, and be princess-y and fashion forward at the same time. Awesome.

And here they are administering care to a very special patient...right before they had to go do princess-type stuff, involving crowns and whatnot.

Man, I'm glad this field of medical practice has opened up. It's long overdue, and I'm proud to have my daughter be in the first generation of P.D's.

Catching up

Friday night was fun, but you see, I wasn't able to hang as late as I thought. Reasons? I was tired from working/momming all week. I'd had too much wine while getting ready for the evening with Ms. Lindsay in her swanky "King Suite" at the Clarion Inn. Oh, and I'm old. Like really, really old.

But it was great to gab (loudly) and laugh (even more loudly) and to just generally hang out with the ladies without a husband or a kid in sight.

Here's Mags stuffing a napkin in to her shirt. I know there was a reason she was doing this, but damned if I can remember.

Here's Karla stuffing a French fry into her nose. I think she learned this skill in finishing school.

Here's Lindsay with that "I'm really quite drunk but still very adorable" look on her face, and to her left, Patty.

Here are Bookhart, Jaye, and Jaye's patient friend from out of town, Emily.

And here's a way-too-up-close photo of me that Karla took when I could've sworn she was taking a picture of my cleavage. Damn, I look like an old trannie.

Lindsay and I left before the party changed venues (see Karla's entry), and Jaye and Emily were nice enough to drive our drunk asses back to the Clarion. And what did we do? We had the t.u.d. (totally unnecessary drink). That's right, we felt like we just HAD to dive into the wine we hadn't finished while getting ready. So we continued to chat and imbibe until I saw Lindsay literally falling asleep sitting up, and stumbled back to my own room (across the hall). I've apparently forgotten how to pack, because I had nothing to sleep in, so I just put my t-shirt on that I'd worn to work all day and slept in that.

The next day, head banging, I woke up at around 10am. It was dark and cold in my room, but I just felt too lousy to go back to sleep. So I got up to get dressed and discovered that I'd packed a shirt to wear, but no pants. (What is WRONG with me?! Wait, don't answer that...) So after putting on my dirty pants from the day before, I packed up my crap, and knocked on Lin's door. She'd showered, was having coffee, and was watching trashy t.v. Shortly thereafter, we walked next door to have some Dim Sum, which pretty much hit the spot.

Next I went home. Showered. Did some laundry. Napped. Packed another bag, and left for my mom's house. It was raining like a bitch when I left (of course), but thankfully stopped during my drive. In fact, it cleared off nicely, and I was able to watch The Geej demonstrate her tricycle riding skills. I even got inspired and took my very dusty, unused bike out for a spin as well. You gotta love the Huffy Cruiser.

Looking ahead to a busy week at work, a doctor's appointment, and frenzied preparations for Mr. Wonderful's visit (he's bringing his oldest with him) and The Geej's big birthday party this weekend. Yikes.

More soon, kittens.

Vroom...vroom!

As Malcontent Mama said, Sunday she hosted the best birthday party ever for her oldest and youngest chirrens. (The oldest is actually her husband. I keed! I keed!) It was at every guy's/kid's dream: a race track next to the airport. I'm sad to say that the females were not represented in the racing posse (it was ALL guys), but we had baby wrangling to tend to and beer to drink, so there you go.

Okay, here they are. All suited up and ready to race. This is serious stuff, people. I mean they had to take like a half hour lesson and shit.


And here are the throngs of fans in the stands, captivated by the thrilling, speedy action on the track.After the race, the racers congratulate each other on a good run as the adrenaline pulses through their veins.

After the race, we all retired to the "lounge" because, you know, there was cake. And beer.

The littlest birthday boy likes cake.

And the bigger birthday boy likes the littler one just fine. Happy Birthday, you two!!