Memorial Day & Summer Project #1

We had a great Memorial Day Weekend. My parents came in town the first part of the weekend and we had a great time visiting. They also helped me with summer project number 1, but we'll get to that later! Then on Memorial day we had a cookout at our house. It was a great day being away from work and hanging out with friends!

Here's Chris rockin' out with Rock Star

My buddy Casen loved Gatsby's doggie door.


We went out to my granparents old farm with my parents.

The property that backs up to ours had some Goats ready

to head out for the long holiday weekend!

Now, on to my first summer project- Mission: Green Thumb. I have a confession. I'm a serial killer. (I hope my blog doesn't pop up for the FBI since I just wrote that!). I kill plants. And Flowers. I have the worst time caring for anything of the botanical variety. But I've decided that this summer, I'm going to rise above and try and beautify our flat, treeless, west Texas yard. My parents have become quite the garnders and they helped me plant some rose bushes with potato vine and some other things that I can't remember what they are called. Here's hoping between a little water and some miracle grow, I can manage to sustain some botanical life instead of kill it! So here are some pics while everything is still alive, so that at least if it dies I can remember what it looked like.

I've become what I despise....

Well, maybe despise is a strong word. But I guess I could say I've become what disappoints me.... a bad blogger. I've been in a blogging funk. Lots has been going on, just nothing I would deem blog worthy, at least that I care for the whole world to have access to.


So, first things first. SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER! Spring was crazy and I am ready for a little lull in the action before the chaos of fall! Lots to do before then, but at least it's a little quieter with a little more time to get things done.


Other than that, life is trucking right along in the "East Creek" household. Which reminds me.... lots of people don't understand the name of my blog. Think about my last name. Aha! There you have it. If you don't know my last name, I guess it will still be a mystery for you!


I would be remiss, since I am typing the post during the finale of Dancing with the Stars, if I didn't make one final comment about Edyta. I wish I could find a picture from last night in her dance for Welcome to Miami. I had just spoken "Wow! Those are the most clothes Edyta has ever had on!". As I uttered the last word, she strips off her dress and goes from the most to the least (it's hard to define least for her, but I imagine this was in the ballpark). And since I am glad Christian just got told he placed 3rd and I don't care that Cheryl is crying and Christian is sad, Chris said I'm dead inside. But at least I have my clothes on.



And just so that this post can be a little more tangental, I would like to introduce all of you to my good friend Tish. She's taken up temporary residence in my office and we are having lots of fun! If you live in the area, maybe you will have the opportunity to meet her in the dark crevices of your home or office in the coming weeks! She's been making random appearances all over! If you don't live here, come on out and visit! Tish would love to meet you!

*Disclaimer: For those of you who actually know who Tish is, she is safe and sound in my office and will be making her way to University Archives soon.

Big Love- Real Life

So, I've blogged about Big Love before... the show on HBO about a Polygamist family living "the principle". The show is crazy, but I have a feeling it's not as crazy as what's playing out in real life in Eldorado, TX.



It's hard to believe that the real life BIG LOVE is playing out right here in the Lone Star State!To top it off, Chris got an email asking for any willing local attorneys to go to San Angelo and serve as attorneys ad litem for the children. But I couldn't talk him into going! Apparently, he doesn't share my fascination with these people!

It's hard for me to even fathom what life must be like for them. Evidently the women never cut their hair because it's their crown of glory and brings them closer to God. And each family dresses in a specific color so they can keep track of who's who. Can you imagine be married off at 14 to someone 30 years older (who happens to already have other wives and children)? Then being a mere child having your own children? And even more so, what it must be like now, having been taken from the only lifestyle they've ever known? This is one true life story that I wish was left to a fictional tv series.

5 gals and a guy

Spring is in full force and life is busy... but never too busy for a girls weekend! This past weekend, I had such a great time with my college gal pals Jamie, Traci, Leigh Ann, and Kristin. We had a so much fun at Canton (sans Kristen) shopping, eating carnie food, and enjoying some of the finer things in life... like kettle korn and western art decor. Then we caught up with Kristin for dinner, reminiscing about the past and also looking forward to the future. It's such a blessing that we always seem to pick up right where we left off. Sadly, no pictures with Kris, but here are a few from Canton (thanks to Jamie since I forgot my camera!) Thanks girls for such a great time... I'm ready to go again!

Jamie and Traci guarding our "cart"

Leigh Ann buying her lunch bag


Traci the movie star



Leaving with the loot..notice we are in an SUV

After dinner and the car change, there was no room for the cart!
Now to the guy.... who celebrated a birthday
since the last post! We had a great time
celebrating with his parents the weekend before and
then with a quaint dinner on his actual birthday!
It's hard to believe 30 is just around the corner.

There's nobody else in the world I would rather grow old with!

Love ya, Babe!

Easter & Dancing (But not together)

We had a low key, but great Easter. Between Good Friday and Spring Break, I had a couple of days off work. Chris didn't, so we stuck around Abilene and got some stuff done around the house (including two trips to Target!) and some R&R. And to top it off, we had a GREAT lunch at our friends Eric and Jaime's house, complete with good friends, an Easter ham, and all the fixin's. And although the Easter Bunny didn't make an appearance at our house, Gatsby got to play with his seasonal friend Mr. Peeps, which put us all in the spirit.



Now on to Dancing, and no, I'm not speaking of my own abilities. If you have ever seen me dance, you know why. And although I have no rhythm, I feel I am quite capable of making some observations for you about this season of Dancing with the Stars.

1. Make It Happen Marlee- She's deaf and keeps a better beat than just about all the guys. Seriously, I don't know how she does it. Very impressive. In the words of Tim Gunn, she Makes it work. Maybe Project Runway will be her next venture.

2. Stammering Samantha- She does ok when its scripted, but when she starts asking questions back stage, it becomes plain awkward. Bring back replacement Drew!

3. Plastic Priscilla- This one cracks me up. Although she's much better than I expected, she has one major flaw: she has no facial expressions. Her face is so taut from her plastic surgery that she has the exact expression as in this picture about 99% of the time.

4. Kinetic Kristi- She's awesome. I was a fan of her when I was 10 years old and dancing around the living room like a figure skater, and I'm a fan now... still dancing around the living room trying to be just like her.

5.Sleezy Sliwinska (surprisingly, this is how her last name is spelled)- I've blogged about his before. This girl needs some clothes. I'd offer her some of mine, but I'm sure her legs are about as long as my body.

6.Maternal Marissa- This girl is just cute. I'm sure if we hung out all the time her personality could become a little much, but she just makes me smile. It was so sad last night when she started crying after comparing herself to all the other girls in the video clip. And people like Edyta don't help! :) And she's confirmed she and hubby are having a baby via surrogate... that will be one smiley kid.

Anyone else out there watching this season?

I'm in a New York State of Mind

I've been a horrible blogger lately, but I do have an excuse. Chris and I just got back from a trip to New York City. February was a crazy month for us, so it was great to start March off with getting out of town and spending some time with each other. I've been to NY a few times, but it was so fun to see the city with Chris, who had never been! We had a great time. We tried to hit all the must sees, including: Times Square (which we had a great view of from our Hotel room), Central Park, Bryant Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rockefeller Center, Shops on 5th Avenue, "Shops" on Canal Street (Chinatown), the United Nations, the Empire State Building (we didn't go up b/c of rain),St. Patrick's, Wall Street, the World Trade Center site, Macy's, street food, other food, a ferry ride to Staten Island with great views of the harbor, downtown, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty, and of course a Broadway show. I'm sure I am leaving some things out, but you get the point! Here are a few of the highlights in pictures.

Carriage Ride in Central Park

In front of the Central Park Reservoir


Chris enjoying some Street Food


On the Ferry to Staten Island

Chris "listening" to the Interpreters at the UN

You won't find better Cheesecake!

It's called New York style for a reason!

Me in Times Square

Chris in Times Square

Hairspray! So much Fun!


And just in case you were worried about the little guy,

he was staying with his Grancy and Grumpy, who

thought he "needed" his own couch.... Can you said SPOILED?

This one is for you, Mom.

Sing Song is over. Praise the Lord. If you came, I hope you enjoyed the show. If you didn't come, shame on you.... And if you haven't heard by now, the Streak is Over. The Kojies and Moonies broke the 6 year streak for EOX and GSP. But really, being on this side, I'm rooting for all the acts. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true. I just want a good, competitive show that is entertaining to watch. And now for your viewing pleasure, the winners:

Kojie Bumble Bees

Galaxy Railroad Engineers

My parents have been hasseling me to update the blog, so I adapted an email my mom sent me for blog world (I've seen similar things on other blogs too) since I'm in a slump. Here goes:

1. What is your occupation? Director of Student Organizations and Activities at ACU

2. What color are your socks right now? brownish

3. What are you listening to right now? Nothing but my own thoughts. Scary.

4. The last thing you ate? Sharky's burrito

5. Can you drive a stick shift? I have enough problems with an automatic.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Huh?

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My mom… she called to tell me about the Eclipse

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? It’s my mom…. I love her!

9. How old are you today? 28

10. Favorite drink? Sonic Dr. Pepper

11.What is your favorite sport to watch? Football on Sunday afternoons so I can nap

12. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yep.

13. Pets? Have you read my blog? If so, you know about Gatsby.

14. Favorite food? I love food. All kinds. Especially lasagna and Mexican.

17. Favorite Day of the year? Christmas.

18. What was your favorite toy as a child? Strawberry shortcake kitchen

19. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Fall.

20. Hugs or kisses? Depends on who from. : )

21. Cherry or Blueberry? Cherry cobbler, blueberry muffins

22. Do you want your friends to email you back? Yes.

23. Who is most likely to post this on their blog? Not sure.

24. Who is least likely to post on their blog? Shelly… this is not deep enough! : )

25. Current living arrangements? With the hubby and the dog in a house!

26. When was the last time you cried? Today.

27. What is on the floor of your closet? Hmmm. Shoes, dirty drycleaning, dirty underwear Gatsby pulled out of the hamper.

28. Who is the friend you have had the longest that is reading this? Tiffany. We’ve known each other since 4th grade.

29. The friend you have had the shortest that is reading this? Probably someone I don’t even know.

30. Favorite smell? Candles… apple or sugar cookie.

31. What inspires you? My family.

32. What are you afraid of? Mice and Rodents of ALL kinds.

33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Cheese with all the goodies.

34. Favorite car? Lexus SUV. (the smaller one).

35. Favorite cat breed? Don’t care for cats.

36. Number of keys on your key ring? 5 actual keys… add keyless entry and it’s 7.

37. How many years at your current job? 1 and 1/2

38. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

39. How many states have you lived in? 2: New Mexico and Texas

40. How many countries have you been to? Cananda, Mexico, England, Russia, and some Carribbean places I guess are technically countries or belong to other countries.

P.S. Tiffany, I'm working on yours next!