Happy Birthday... To ME!

Today is my birthday... well, at least for another 30 minutes.  Or, 54 minutes, if you want to count an entire 24-hour period from the minute I was born.  In either case, it's almost over.  And it was pretty anticlimactic.  But that's ok.  I think that's what happens when you turn 32.  Holy shit, that looks weird to type.  Anyhoodle, I'm so unbelievably happy that I didn't have to spend my birthday alone in a hotel room this year.  I'd rather be home and bored, than on the road and alone! 

I started my day by sleeping in a bit, working for a while, and then listening in on a conference call.  I'll stop so you can contain your jealousy.  I met my mom, my aunt Carrie and Janice at Salt City Burger and had a very yummy birthday lunch, then went in search of a case for my new phone.  Finding one I like is proving to be more difficult than I anticipated!  Suggestions???  Anyone???

After I got home, I worked for a while and then went over to my mom and dad's house for dinner.  We had steak and the leftover pasta that I made the other night.  I helped my dad figure out some apps on his iPad and hung around for a bit.  Kind of a nice, low-key night chillin' with the fam. 

The highlight of my day though, was the gift I got from my parents... A spankin' new Kindle!!!  I've been wanting an e-reader for a while now and am sooo super excited to have one!  I realized how difficult reading on the plane is for me (motion sickness, cramped space, heavy hardbacks, etc.) and decided a Kindle would be a good investment.  I'm actually looking forward to my trip next week so I can really put it to use!

In anticipation of the arrival of my pressie, I ordered myself a cover for it last week and it should be arriving tomorrow.  It was on sale, so I don't need a lecture!  But you can tell me how cute it is...

And can I just tell y'all how much I love my iPhone!?  It's fabulous!  I'm sure it'll take me 3 months to figure out all its functionality, but for now, it's great.  If anyone has any suggestions for apps you absolutely can't live without, lemme know!

Hope y'all are having a great week!!!

Life On The Road... Again.. some RTT... and HAPPY 84th BIRTHDAY TO MY NANA!!!

Well, it's Tuesday, but I don't really have time to link up with the RTT, but a quick post is in order!

So, I'm back on the road again.  Literally.  My new assignment requires me to fly to St. Louis and then drive 2 hours to Jefferson City.  I've never really had to drive much on a project, so this is all new to me.  I made my first trip yesterday and other than having to get up at the ass crack of dawn for a 6 AM flight, it went pretty well.  The drive wasn't too bad...and actually kind of pretty!

I got a call from my brother today.  The puppies pulled a Houdini and got out of their kennel and had the run of the house for a few hours.  I guess he opened the door and Milli was standing there covered in glitter and feathers.  Apparently she got ahold of the fairy wings I used on Halloween last year that she's been eyeing in the office the last few weeks.  I guess she finally got her way and tore them to shreds! I really think she just wanted to try them on!  Oh well, I think they were $5... not a big deal.  I soooo wish he would have gotten a picture of her (that is NOT Milli in the pic)!

It's amazing how much I miss the dogs.  I've been home with them for 2 months.  Every day.  And now I'm puppy-less for a few days. I wish I could travel with a dog.  Oh well.

I am sooo in need of getting my nails done.  They're seriously fugly right now. 

Jefferson City, Missouri, is proving to be a pretty cute little town.  It reminds me sooo much of Montgomery, Alabama, and I like it!  It's a decent size town with a smaller town feel.  I think I could get used to living in a city like this. (Not that I have any intention of moving here!)

Things with the new project are going well and off to a great start.  I'm so excited for this project.  I told my Project Manager today that the last 24 hours has been such a breath of fresh air!

Today is my Nana's birthday... her first birthday without my grandpa... and I wish I could have been there to take her to lunch with my mom and aunt today.  But I called and we chatted and she seems to be doing ok.  She took her first Tai Chi class today and absolutely loved it.  I'm glad she's getting out and starting to establish a routine for herself.  It makes me sad to think she has to do things as a widow now.  But she's strong and will get through it.  She looks elated in that picture!

On a related note, my Nana's sister, my Aunt Elaine is in the hospital right now.  She had to have fluid drained from her heart and they think she has some kind of bone cancer (I'm getting 3rd hand info, so that may not be totally accurate).  Please say a little prayer for her.  She's a very sweet woman and I adore her.

Now I'm getting all emotional.  That means it's time to go.  I do have something very fun and exciting to tell you about though, but I think I'll save that for tomorrow!  I try to keep you wanting more!

Hope y'all are having a great week!

My 3rd Annual 29th Birthday Bash

Most of you know I was out of town (stuck in Oklahoma) on my birthday (seeing how I couldn't stop bitching about it) and to make up for it, my fabulous friends took me out Saturday night for my birthday! We started with dinner at El Chihuahua. This place has been around for ages, but I only started frequenting the place when I met Noelle. I'd venture to say we're regulars these days. The food is a little pricey in my opinion, but it's authentic Mexican and is tres yummy. {Yes, I know tres is French. It was supposed to be funny.}
This is Brady and Michael... two of the hottest men I know! I think you'll agree... Brady and I have known each other since about 8th grade, and have really only become good friends in the last year or two. Kinda funny!

Aurelia and Papa Tomas (her dad, for those of you out of the loop). I absolutely love this picture of them! Gorgeous! I was so happy he was able to join us for the party!

After dinner we headed next door to A Bar Named Sue for some cheap drinks and wild entertainment. The band Solid Gold plays there on Saturdays and are hilarious. They're a cover band that plays just about everything... and are pretty damn good.
Here we have Lisa (minus Derek, he was home with the girls), RosieMarie (who is on her way to Egypt as we speak), Jolie (who is so damn adorable I can't stand it) and my Nellie (who we all know and love)!

This is my friend Chauncey and I. We've also known each other since middle school... lost touch after high school, reconnected recently. Nevermind Paul and his dirty antics in the background. Chauncey is a very talented artist and is single, so ladies, if you're interested, give me a holler.Brittany, Paul and I...chillin' and doin' our thang. Have I ever mentioned how much I love those two!? Seriously. I do. They rock. Miss Karen and RosieMarie... aren't they cute?! Those two work two jobs together... aren't they nuts??? I'm glad they decided to get together and play with me on the weekend!
Aurs and Chauncey gettin' their drink on!

Rose and Miss Noelle (whose birthday is this coming Saturday)! She didn't get to celebrate her birthday last year because she was deathly ill... and in the hospital! Lame, huh? This year we're sooo making up for it!

Thanks to everyone for such a fabulous evening! I had such a great time. I appreciate everyone coming out, buying me dinner and drinks and celebrating with me! I have some of the bestest friends in the whole wide world! The only thing that would have made the night better was if Cassi had been able to join us!

Random Tuesdayness - Fancy A Pearl Necklace?

That's me. No! Really? Yes. Standing in line at Target @ 3:30 AM! It was cold. And I was chaneling my roots.

Happy Tuesday y'all. Have I ever mentioned that I kind of hate OKC? Honestly, it's probably because I've seen nothing but the 7 mile stretch of freeway from the airport to the hotel, and the stretch of road from the hotel to the office. That's enough reason for anyone to hate any city. But since I'm here now, I hate it. Don't take it personally, though. It's Tuesday. If you don't know what that means by now, I don't know you.

Tomorrow is my 31st birthday and let me tell you, I don't know if I've ever been more down about a birthday before in my life. It's not because I'm another year older. I've never been particularly bothered by age. It's just because I'm so unbelievably alone I could cry. The fact that I'm going to spend the day with a bunch of people that don't know it's my birthday, in a boring-ass office, and then the rest of the evening by myself in my hotel room, is really fucking depressing. Or am I being dramatic?

Did I tell you about the gorgeous strand of pearls I bought on Black Friday? Regularly priced at $150... got them for $24.99! No, I'm not shitting you. Aren't they gorgeous!?

I've developed activity ADD. I can't finish anything at once. I start something, think about something else, go work on that for a while, come back to the original project, think of something else, move onto that, and round and round we go. It's getting pretty irritating. I need to follow through with something. I'm even doing it right now. Blogging. Syncing my iPod with iTunes that I just installed on my work computer. Watching the VS Fashion Show. Facebooking. Etc. It's effing ridiculous.

I got the new Black Eyed Peas album today. I've only listened to the first song thus far, but I love it. A remake of the one from Dirty Dancing. I've been wanting to watch that lately. I need to. Maybe this weekend. Wanna join me?

See... I was writing, then I was syncing the iPod, then I went to take out my eyeballs and pick at my face. Now I'm back.

Anyhoodle, Rilo Kiley just came up on my iTunes. I forget how much I like the band. Good stuff. Go give it a listen. And now I'm inspired to make a mix... with the limited music I have on this computer. Might be difficult. I'll pull something out of my ass. I always do. Anyone want a copy? Just holler.

Tell me this jacket isn't hot. I dare you. Seriously, do it. So I got online yesterday for Cyber Monday, because, I always need another excuse to shop... and I need a winter jacket... I already have a big parka but it would be a bit of a pain in the ass to travel with. So... I found this for $40... and with S&H, it was going to be almost $50. Well, after all the sales and whathaveyou, I ended up with this jacket, a coat and a puffy vest (free shipping) for $60! Awesome, huh?

This is Auri. Those are two of her children.

Have I mentioned that I got about a foot, if not more, of snow at my house on Sunday? Well, I did. And it was ridiculous. Remember Snowpocalypse that I told you about last week? Yeah, that was NOTHING compared to this storm. It was nuts. The pic above is the kids playing in the snow during the storm before "the big one" last week.

Can't wait for Burlesque
Can't wait for Love and Other Drugs
Can't wait to go see Cassi in Denver
Can't wait to get home on Thursday

Can't wait for my party on Saturday (y'all are invited.... talk to Auri for deets)

Favorite new words or one-liners:
Twatwaffle - Gucci Mama
The following are from VegAss:
Christ on a swizzle stick
Frozen asshole of winter
Crotch nuggets
What the fuckety?

Tell me those aren't your new favorites too? Alright, I'm off. When I wake up, I'll officially be over the hill... not even touching my 20s any more. Or, as another friend put it, it'll be my 2nd annual 29th birthday.

Ms. Salti
{Pretend my signature is here.... because it's not working}

Birthday Wishes - Mamacita and Aurs

Two of my most favorite women in the world are celebrating birthdays! Aurelia, my HLP had her 29th birthday yesterday... And my Mom, the best mom EVER, is celebrating hers today (I won't mention her age for fear of being disowned). Sadly, they're both in other states right now so I can't give them loves!

Obviously, I have more pics of Auri to use at my disposal because my mom threatens me every time I have the camera out.

I hope you girls have absolutely wonderful birthday weeks! I love you both and can't wait to see you soon!

Random Tuesdayness - The One Where I Just Finished Numbering 671 Items Individually By Hand

I went shopping this evening for Miss Taryn's birthday and found this shirt... I need to find one for myself... or have it made!

It's Tuesday, but not for much longer so I thought I better get this show on the road! It's time for some random. If you want to play, go talk to Keely. Not that you don't get that every other day of the week, but ya know, it gives me a good excuse at least for today.

I came across this poem today, written by a good blogger friend of mine and I thought it was excellent... so I thought I'd share it with y'all!

The Bed
It loomed large

The focal point of the room

Plush and inviting

Silk sheets

Plump pillows

Naked flesh

She sighed

Not content, frustrated

Wondering, yet again, how she got here

Laying in this oasis of luxury

She never felt more lonely...

...while she was not alone.

-http://whatihavetosay2day.blogspot.com/2010/07/bed.html

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate being broke? Well I do. That is all.I went to the pool Sunday with Noelle and my new floaty. She liked it so much we ran to the store so she could buy one as well! If you want a little piece of heaven, go buy one of these. I got to the pool at 10:30 that morning and didn't leave until 5:30 that evening. I spent the whole day sitting in the sun/floating in the pool and I couldn't have been happier! (BTW, that's not me on my floaty, but my floaty looks like that...in pink!)

Shoot me now. My eyes are so tired I can hardly keep them open. I just finished numbering 671 rows in an Excel spreadsheet... I had started the project last week and got about 2/3 the way finished. My PM then told me to number it with a different prefix, so I had to start from scratch. To make it worse, I'm wearing my glasses... and now my eyes are googley!

Today is Taryn Louise's birthday and I feel awful that I can't see her! How am I supposed to be the Best Tata in the World when I'm in Alabama? Well, I went shopping for her gift after work so at least I have her pressies and can give them to her upon my return! Happy Birthday, Princess! I love you!

I'm in the middle of Week 3 of what I hope to be only 4 weeks in Bama and I'm sooo over it! When I got in yesterday, I walked out of the airport to get in the car and I felt like my legs were suffocating in my jeans. It was 107 with the heat index! WTF!!! Yes, I realize it's hot and you're asking why I wear jeans... Well, it tends to get cold on the plane and it's easier to wear pants!I got some new nail polish and I love it! I was obviously in a mood when I bought them because they're all kinda similar. Totally cute, though!

Have I mentioned I'm going to Vegas in a few months? We're going in October instead of December this year in hopes of changing things up a bit. I'd like to try and see Zumanity (which is dark in December) and we were hoping to have warm weather instead of freezing our asses off. Plus, it won't be so close to Christmas!

I did my toes last night... They were scary and I needed something to do. I don't usually go for colors like this, but I just couldn't pass it up... and I think it's pretty cute. I even recycled a few rhinestones! I'm good like that!

I was skitting around on Facebook yesterday and saw this picture on Cass's profile... and subsequently fell inlove with it. What can I say? I'm easy to please. Isn't it gorgeous? (Cass said I could post it, by the way.) Anyway, I thought she took it with her fabulous camera and photoshopped it. Guess what? She didn't... it's an app on Droid! Crazy, huh? Now it's on my phone... I'll share some pics when I get some as gorge as this one!

Ok, I took an Ambien and we all know what happens when I take one and don't go to bed. I'm off. Sweet dreams!

Two Boys From NY, Jen's Birthday, and A Bar Named Sue

What a weekend! You may (or may not) remember the cute boys from New York that we met in Vegas last year (last year being Dec. 2008)... If you don't, go check out this post for some memory refreshing. Anyway, Lisa and Mr. NYPD have kept in touch over the last year and last week he came to town with one of his buddies to ski.

So I just typed everything about dinner and the Bayou their first night in town and realized I told you about it in a post from last week. I'm special. Anyway, we had such a good time that we decided to have a party over at my house on Friday. I provided some of the supplies like cilantro lime rice, while Lisa and Derek brought over the carne asada for the tacos. Dinner was divine. Too bad I couldn't have fed all of you!Saturday night was the night dedicated to celebrating Jen's 26th birthday so we had plans for dinner and then a bar afterward. A bunch of her friends all got together for dinner and then we went over to A Bar Named Sue for drinks where Lisa, Mr. NYPD and Mr. FDNY met us. (That's them in the picture above.)

I would just like to point out I'm wearing my new flower clip in my hair. I won it over on Oh! How Lovely! courtesy of Tia and her Etsy Shop, Icing on the Hair. Go check 'em all out. The blogs are worth reading and Tia's hair accessories are adorable! My picture proves it!
So yeah, we all ended up over at A Bar Named Sue and had a blast. Kasian, Mr. FDNY, Mr. NYPD, Jen, Rose, Lisa, Noelle and I (and a friend of Jen's who was kind of anti-social) were all in attendance. I even saw a few of my brother's friends over there, so if they approve, you know it's gotta be chill. I have to say, it's kinda weird to be at a bar where my little brother (by six years) friends hang out. I hope they didn't think I was being a crazy drunk... especially cuz I was sober!Nevermind Jen in this picture... her eyes are closed, in case you couldn't tell. I thought it was a great picture otherwise, so I'm sharing it. If anyone has photoshop and can give her some eyes, let me know! These are two of the four dudes we shared a table with. Greg on the left and Jason on the right. Greg was quite the player... that's all I'm saying. I kind of have the hots for Jason though, so if he looks familiar to any of you, hook a sister up!

Can I just tell you how many shots (of the photographic, not alcoholic kind) it took to get a decent picture of the three of them?! I won't mention that half the problem was Mr. FDNY spilled half his drink down the front of his shirt and it was showing up in the pictures.Miss Rosie posing with her license. She decided to pull a "rookie" and lose it in her car on her way to Noelle's. She took Noelle's car and retraced her steps and found it in her car. It must have fallen out of her purse. We thought we'd get a pic for posterity. My "blacking out" talents are available for a price. I've only seen Kasian in a rare state maybe twice in my life. That night was number three. Very entertaining to say the least. Oh how I love that girl! Love your face!This would have been an adorable picture if not for the fact that my flash wouldn't charge and it took FOREVER for my camera to snap the picture. This is them saying "WTF," to me! Mr. FDNY and Kasian have a thing... I'm excited to see where it goes. They're absolutely adorable together, dontcha think?
Here is Noelle, Lisa and Rose, half of my Vegas Bitches! No matter what we do or where we go, we always have a blast!

Well, that's the end of the weekend... the rest I can't tell you about, but I'll spill if you email me! Jen, my dear, I hope you had a fantabulous birthday weekend. Thanks for including us in the celebration! We had a ton of fun!