It's Fall Peeps!

With October knocking on the door and not a falling leaf to be seen, I've taken it upon myself to announce the coming of fall. We're just gonna have to bring it on ourselves ladies, so I'm putting you on notice- it's time. Your mission this week, should you choose to accept it, is to whip out the fall decor at home, wear boots to work and do something fall-ish. Perhaps you can make some soup or add some leafy decor to an email or something. But fall won't come to us, so we're just gonna have to bring fall to Texas. Join me won't you? Oh, but do it right, or I'll have to mock you. No tights, no vests, no beanies or anything particularly wintery- all inappropriate for this weather. But a boot with a dress never killed anyone. If you're hot, carry a handkerchief and wipe when no one's looking. Hell, carry a sweat towel if necessary. Fight through it, we're wearing fall clothes.

With the onset of fall apparel comes the return of fall tv! Can we talk about this a second? How freaking fantastic is Lipstick Jungle people? It may be among the top three shows on television right now. Below you'll find a list of the shows I'll be watching this year. Those with asterisks will be discussed further.

• Lipstick Jungle*
• The Mentalist*
• Dirty Sexy Money
• Brothers & Sisters
• Desperate Housewives*
• Private Practice*
• Grey's Anatomy*
• The Game
• Re-runs of Project Runway
• A plethora of HGTV shows
• That show with the fat kids (if Shaq does it again)

Lipstick Jungle- I've never wanted to have ALL the clothes in the world more than I do now. If every outfit they wore in the first episode of this season was mine, I wouldn't need anything else to wear- ever. All the jewelry, the good hair styles- minus at least 3 inches of Brooke Shields hair- and the appropriate make up for every scene!!! Can you imagine? Sex in the City was a little out there for me. Don't get me wrong, it was one of the greatest and most necessary shows of our time, but sometimes I felt like I couldn't relate to that lifestyle. These women, for me anyway, are much easier to relate to and I can see myself living their lives. Although, I will never be in a high powered six figure position in New York City, I do see myself being married with two kids and too busy to think or telling people what to wear and needing a publicist or maybe having a young thing on the side! Not really, but you know what I'm saying. You never know, it could happen. My point- Lipstick Jungle is fan-freaking-tastic and if you're not watching it- you need to get familiar.

The Mentalist- I have a weird thing for Simon Baker. I think it's because he was in the movie with Sanaa Lathan "Something New" where he falls in love and marries her. The white guy black girl thing is hot, and those lovey dovey scenes - hubba hubba. That's all I have to say about that!

Desperate Housewives- That was hot mess if I ever saw one. It was 100% whack. First off, when the gay guys with the camera phone was the funniest part of the show, you got a serious problem. I can't even look at Eva Longoria like that for two more weeks, let alone a whole season. And why is Carlos still blind and fat for that matter? I think they'll also see some backlash from the Hispanic community on those little girls being so overweight and called Juanita. A formal spoiled, rich supermodel has a blind fat husband, two overweight kids (one named Juanita) yet still drives an Aston Martin...are you kidding? Again people, we've got to start saying things out loud first. Then maybe you'll hear how stupid they sound. Bree synonymous with Botox perhaps? I digress. Maybe we should get un-familiar with this show.

Private Practice- Who can't wait to see Addison? I can't. I can't. The story line with the Dell, the hot little reception guy and Taye Diggs ex-wife- hot hot hot! Again, my favorite scenario- can't wait to see what happens! Although Taye Diggs doesn't meet my height requirement, he's still hot and to see him without his clothes can only be a good thing. I've always really liked that guy from Wings too, so bring it Private Practice, bring it!

Grey's Anatomy- GOOD season premiere. I like what I see so far. It's time for Yang to get back in the saddle, so the army guy was right on time. I'd like to see more of that. I gotta say though, the Meredith and Derek will she or won't she is PLAYED OUT. We're gonna need to see something else this season or I'm gonna puke. Just move in with him, get married, start having problems and affairs and get divorced already. GEEZ. I did catch a glimpse of Denny though, so let's see what happens with that- Yippe! I liked sweet vulnerable Crev (krev- I don't know how to spell it but you know who I'm talking about). Let's stop making him such a dirty man whore, and if we could buy Katherine Heigl a story line- that would be great. The verdict's still out on this one.

So any who, that's what going on in my world. Ant and I did get the green light to start trying again, so there will be more shows Tivo-ed than watched live, if you know what I mean! Hubba hubba. Other than that it's the yoush- that's my new word. Michele likes to shorten words, and I've decided that it's cool, so yoush is short for usual. Alrighty...

Until next time, it's just another day in the life.

Glitter in the Club

I have to preface this post by making a few short statements. The first comes from an expression I read while surfing profiles on myspace: I'm a Christian lady, but sometimes I get a little drunk. Sounds about right to me! I found myself "over-served" this week. I blame the bar really. Any who, this resulted in some serious shenanigans. Exhibit A, you'll see to the right is my newly tattooed foot. Apparently it's me and Noah. I had a point at the time, Lord knows. I like it a lot though! And FYI, I have gray and white paint all over my foot. It's not just ashy.

This brings me to Exhibit B: Glitter in the club. Above you'll find a photo of an unsuspecting patron of The Mustang Bar in Plano. I should say that Ant and I found ourselves in a club this weekend celebrating a great friend's 30th birthday. It was actually a lot of fun, I just haven't been to a club in a minute! Not only did I feel a little out of place but also kind of old and cranky. But I'm here to tell you people, that I have missed some fashion "must-haves" as far as appropriate club attire goes. My husband, I blame myself, is also a few bedazzled t-shirts and and a scarf away from acceptable club decorum. Is it just me or did Ed Hardy throw up all over everyone in Dallas? Never in one place have I seen so many rhinestones and glitter on grown men. I mean this is just my humble opinion and everything, but geez if you're getting dressed and you've managed to put on true religion jeans, a rhinestone, bedazzled, lion roaring, skull & cross bones, heart with wings, Ed Hardy t-shirt, a metallic glittered belt, sunglasses, two rings, a watch, a diamond bracelet and a scarf, you may be doing too much. Am I wrong??? Ant and I have an inside joke about him not having enough accessories, but I learned this weekend that he is sorely under accessorized for Dallas. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed myself I did- but not because I was up dancing and being over-served, but because I had a prime seat on the balcony for people watching and judgement passing. I wish I could have videotaped my people Saturday night. WOW!

Any who, that was a highlight of my weekend. Ant and I don't have a free weekend for a date night until the 25th of next month, but what I'm planning is gonna be a doozey! That leads me into my last and final point: Ladies, take some extra time to love on your lover this week! Whether it's your husband, boyfriend or any significant other take the time to do or say something really nice for them. If it's that kind of week, and you just can't find it in you to do anything, then just say a quick prayer for them. We all have those weeks. I say this because I was out this weekend, and I saw some DESPERATE ladies. I mean desperate women, and I was so thankful that not only was I with the best looking, most wonderful man in the room (in my humble opinion) but I also got to go him with him. I wouldn't trade that for being the single-let it ALL hang out- ladies that I saw this weekend. Just a thought for the week if you're looking to have some "adult activities" time. I digress.

Until next time, it's just another day in the life.

P.S. If you're ordering from Wendy's at lunch or Starbuck's in the morning- know what you want. It's not like it's your first time. Same menu people, geez.

Back to Reality.

Well, we've come full circle and we're back where we started. I'll talk all about Europe and how wonderful our trip was in detail, but first I feel I have to preface by wrapping up the last month of my life. I found myself at a crossroads where I never thought I'd be. I was standing on the edge of -this will be what swallows me whole, crushes my spirit and leaves me never the same- and this will be the event that changes my life, intensely builds my character and determines how I will live from now on. Luckily, I've chosen the latter. I've recovered. Praise the Lord. Not to say there haven't been really crappy moments and I know there will be more, but I have a new perspective on how to deal with all that, and I've come out on the other side. With that said, naturally, I have rules. No one acts weird, overly sympathetic, timid or anything less than normal. I'm fine, and in the event that I'm not fine, I am brave enough to say so and tell you to leave me alone until I'm ready. Deal everyone? Super! Any who- again thank you for the thoughts and prayers. They brought me back to life.

Onwards, to our trip. I'll start with Germany. It's breathtaking. It's the most picturesque, beautiful, this is how God intended it place I've ever seen. Funny- all I had in my head about Germany, mind you I'm no history buff, was Hitler, Knotzies (sp), big wall dividing everything, everything ends in berg, wurst, kraut- gross. I'm happy to announce that I could not have been more wrong. The air is air you can actually breathe without coughing, the food is delicious, and the people (even though they stared at us like a museum exhibit because we were the only black folks some of them had ever seen) are super friendly. Now, with all that said, I must continue on to say- can I get a ride next time? Geez, I've never walked or as my Uncle Tony would say "go by feet" so much in my life. I hardly walk to my mailbox and it's right outside my door. My feet still hurt, but it's a small price to pay to see mountains, rolling green hills, castles, the Danube River, small villages where everyone knows everyone and still says hello and people in their 70s, 80s and 90s who can still walk up 5 flights of stairs, do their own cooking and cleaning and still try to learn English. It was amazing and to see my wonderful husband and the rest of his international family was heartwarming and great. I thank him for sharing that part of who he is with me.

Italy, oh Italia. I've never been in a place quite like it. I'm going to start on Italy with the negatives, just so as I wrap it up you can remember all the absolutely incredible things about it and still want desperately to visit or revisit. If you have no problem with must, like 6 year old boys playing football from 1 to 4 pm in Texas with no deodorant must, then by all means get on a public bus in Italy. Would it kill the descendants of the world's most brilliant engineers who brought us the Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain to give the good folks of Rome some AC? I mean seriously, there were several times that I thought "if the events of the last couple weeks haven't killed me yet, this will." I thought I might burst into flame. I was just sweating uncontrollably- walking and sweating. Now, I admit we were a little spoiled by the super nice people in Germany, but the Italians not so much nice. They may be the rudest most unhelpful bunch I've ever come into contact with, and I work in Business Development. I'm a shopper. I'm a shopper and a spender and I've never experienced anything like Venice, Italy. I paid $7 for a can of coke with no ice- ice extra. Okay that's it for the cons, I promise, but seriously I hope you have like a million dollars when you go.

Italy is the most historic unbelievable thing I've ever seen. Venice is everything you see in movies, pictures, paintings and more. It's like being in a fairytale. The Grand Canal, the gondolas, St. Mark's Square, The Rialto Bridge- it's all so much better than I could have imagined. The airport lost my luggage the whole time we were in Venice, and I had to use Ant's "cleaning products" we'll say and wear his clothes, but who had time to care about that when I was in what has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth. I LOVED it. When you get the opportunity please visit. Rome was magnificent. The Colosseum (Ant's favorite part of the trip) was just as awesome as it looks in Gladiator. All the history that goes along with it is equally cool. Those are probably some of my favorite photos that we took as well, precisely why I think we took about 100. The Forum, the Pantheon, the Piazza Venezia and just walking through all the streets was just so neat. I enjoyed every second, even when we were roaming around lost. One of the other highlights for me was the Trevi Fountain. It's gorgeous and detailed and romantic and wonderful. We threw our coins in backwards so hopefully we'll return someday. If you have the chance, please visit Italy. Have some gelato (2 times a day if you want-it's that good), shop (I opted for retail therapy versus regular therapy with a person), eat (everything on your plate because it costs $50) and see all the ridiculously amazing sites. It's well worth every penny.

Even with a fantastic trip to Europe I'm definitely glad to be back. I missed home. I missed my friends and family. I missed my work. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of our lives. You know, everyone tells me that everything happens for a reason and that someday I'll know what to make of all this. That gives me hope that something new is coming and I need to be ready for it. So that's my plan. In the meantime, I'm sure they'll be more posts full of my completely inappropriate thoughts and comments. Try to control your excitement.

Until then, it's just another day in the life.