What really grinds my gears?

I would like to join Peter Griffin and share with you folks “What really grinds my gears.”

A lot of little things tick me off, but mainly the state of Texas. Everyone knows I hate Texas and can’t wait to move. The simplest of things are always complicated here. So, this weekend I wanted to go running at my local track. This is normal, right? I like going to the track because it is safer, easy to measure out my mileage and I enjoy it. However, I am not allowed to run at any of the local high school tracks because they have them gated. And why is this you ask? Out of the $4200 we paid in taxes last year, $3400 of it went to Rockwall county schools. Instead of spending it on their teachers and textbooks, they are building college size football stadiums with fake turf (yes, that’s right) and indoor practice fields. This applies to a majority of the high schools in this city. So, I am not allowed to run, skip or walk on their precious track. What pisses me off the most is these facilities are not open to the people who paid for them. All I want to do is go running…is that so bad? Don’t get me wrong, I am all for sports, but is a college size stadium going to make you a better player…no, hard work and practice will.

And that folks is “What really grinds my gears.”


One of the many high schools stadiums in our city. The new one they are building by us is even bigger.

Random Questions

Thanks for the tag Sarah!

Here’s a little something to keep you all busy until I get back into town.

Favorite person: Hmmm, this is tough. Just kidding...it’s Evan!

Favorite food: Potatoes in various forms, steak, Mexican and rum.

Quirks about me: Oh boy...here we go. I don’t like hair on hard surface floors, even if it’s my own. It gives me the heebie jeebies. When I step out of the shower, I make sure to tip toe my way to the carpeted area of our bedroom, so I touch as little as possible. This is why I am always vacuuming.

What can you NOT live without: Internet, health magazines (I have an addiction), my computer, my XM radio, my hubby.

Favorite blog: They are all my favorite! I love reading what events are going on in other peoples’ lives and how they express themselves in different ways.

Who do you wish had a blog: I agree with Sarah, Hank Baltzell should have his own blog. Everyone should have a Hank in their life.

Guilty pleasure: Gossip websites, magazines, and spying.

One thing you are bad at: Loving too much...j/k. Um, there are too many things I am bad at. I can’t narrow it down to just one.

If you could change one thing about your current circumstances, what would it be? I think everybody knows my answer to this one. If Evan and I could live in St. Louis that would be awesome. I hate not being close to both of our families and friends and I really dislike Texas. However, after this weekend I am contemplating a move to Newton, Illinois.

What is the hardest part of your job? Going every day. I really dislike my job.

When are you most relaxed? When I am spending time with my honey. He’s always making me laugh.

What stresses you out? Lots of little meaningless things I have no control over.

Favorite quote: (I’m going to keep this one going. I remember exactly where I was the day Chad Farley spoke these memorable words.)

"I'm a rumor spreader, not a rumor starter"...Chad Farley

Why do you blog? It’s allows me to share with our family and friends who live far away. Oh, and it’s fun!

Newton, Illinois awaits our arrival!

Tomorrow we are heading to good ole Newton. I can’t wait to go home and see everyone. We have a weekend chock full of activities. Saturday is Nick’s Race, which Holly, Jamee, and I are running. Then Saturday afternoon a large group of us are going four wheeling…can’t wait! And, Sunday we’ve been invited to the social event of the year at Sarah D’s parent’s house. Sarah and Amber L. are hosting, so I’m positive it’s going to be a blast!

I’m also hoping to get in a good game of Monster with my nephews, the Farley boys. The last time I was home Cole and Ross invented the game for us to play. It consisted of me (the monster) chasing them around from base to base until I could tag one of them, and they would become the monster. However, every time I tagged one of the boys I was told that being the monster was boring and I should just be the monster at all times. I’ve had to get in good physical condition to prepare for my upcoming Monster game. I’m hoping to play at the Farley pool this time. I think it will be easier on my joints and I’m hoping the Farley’s will be providing me with lots of alcoholic beverages to get me through this grueling game.

Check back in the next couple of days for lots of pictures and updates from this weekend.

10 Inches +

Yes folks that's right, ten or more inches were removed from my hair. And, I changed my hair color from dark brown to chestnut blonde. I had seen this hairstyle several months back and really wanted it. I kept going back and forth whether or not I was actually going to do it. After consulting my at home stylist, Evan, I decided to go for it. The first cut turned out to be more of a bob, which is not exactly what I wanted, so I went back and got more trimmed off. I really wanted to donate it, but because I had color in it they would not let me. :=( Even so, I am super happy with my sassy new hair. Our friend Scott thinks I look “summery.” I don’t know if that is a word or not, but I’m going with it. My mom and dad barely recognized me when they were visiting, and our neighbors think Evan is having an affair with another woman. Wow, I really know how to mix it up!

Side View

Back View

Front View (Lisa, me, and my mom)

Changing Lives Everywhere…

Okay, not everywhere, just at my office. I came into work today after being off a day to find my ladies, Kathi and Anna, with brand new aluminum Sigg bottles. They were so inspired by my Greensburg post that they hit up the local REI and purchased them. I had tears in my eyes; I am so proud of them. I felt like a big fat jerk as I stood there with my plastic Fiji water bottle. I swear I am making changes! The Fiji bottle is the last of the plastic water bottles in our house. Anyway, I just wanted to let my girls know how pleased I am with them. Keep up the good work ladies!

Anna's Bottle


Kathi's Bottle

The Dulski’s are expecting!

Baby D is on its way! We are so happy for Eric and Lisa!!! I am secretly hoping Lisa gets to stay at home, so when Evan and I have a baby b, Lisa and I can do mom things all day, like have afternoon cocktails, gamble, etc. I kid, I kid.

Congratulations Dulski’s, I can’t think of a couple more deserving than you.

Greensburg

Evan and I have a favorite new show and a favorite new channel. The show is Greensburg and it is on Discovery's newest channel, Planet Green.

The show is a documentary of how the small town of Greensburg, Kansas rebuilds green after an F5 tornado rolled through, leaving their little city in shambles. The first episode was a major tearjerker (Evan wiped away a tear…I saw it!). The video footage of the storm and its aftermath was unbelievable. I highly suggest watching an episode.

Also, the Planet Green channel is a must see. We did not realize how much damage we were causing planet Earth. The Buntons have decided to start making small changes. I definitely need to cut down on my paper towel consumption (I can already here my dad yelling at me). And, no more bottled water; we are investing in eco-friendly Siggs aluminum water bottles. I hope that our baby steps will add up to something.

University of Arkansas here she comes!!!

She did it! Brit graduated from Plano Senior High on Tuesday. The ceremony was surprisingly short. She had 1,291 kids in her graduating class. They managed to get the students in and out in exactly 2 hours!!! We were shocked! While it was a joyous day, I must admit I was a little sad. It seems like yesterday that my sister brought Brittany home from the hospital to live with us. Now she is all grown up and headed off to college. It just doesn’t seem possible. Nonetheless, I am so proud of her and have nothing but high hopes for her. I know she will not disappoint.

Holy Guacamole!

Dave called my parents Sunday to tell them that a tornado went right through their neighborhood early Sunday morning. The path of the tornado missed my parents’ house by a few blocks…freaking insane!!! Dave, Lisa and my nieces hid out under the staircase as the storm rolled through. Dave said the car wash is gone, the gas station is missing a pump or two, and the lumberyard is demolished. As if that weren’t enough, the bad weather continues to hit the Omaha area tonight. Mom called me a short time ago to say that they are stuck at the Kansas City airport because the Omaha airport is closed due to more tornadoes. I have talked to family and friends and everyone is doing okay but extremely shaken. Dave said he would send me photos when things calm down. I will post them as soon as I get them.

Our Weekend-O-Fun

Seeing how we don’t have a pool and its 1000 degrees here already, Evan and I decided we should purchase a Slip N Slide. Of course, when I went to Wally World they were sold out, so instead, we decided to make our own homemade version. We decided the best time to unveil our concoction was at our party last Friday. I am now down one bottle of Dawn dish soap and a partial bottle of olive oil (thanks Hot Karl). No party is complete without beer, plastic and dish soap. No soap = no fun!