Single in Houston, Life in the Big City

 

 

I moved to Houston in January, 2002 only knowing my twin sister, her husband Matt (now-ex), and Paige.  They were so supportive and were welcoming and let me live with them on Eldridge Parkway in an apartment.  The lease was up and we all agreed to get a 3 bedroom apartment (I know, in hindsight, this seems to be very intrusive and not good for a marriage…but we were so young…23)

My Houston “social circle was limited”.   I remember knowing that my ex had traumatized me so much that I didn’t go on my first “blind date until a year later”.  I became obsessed with running and ran Hershey Park over and over listening to Eminem “Two Trailer Parks Go Round the Outside”.  That was my song…I know, Classy.

 

 

 

I didn’t know that there were people on two fronts who were searching for a “suitable guy for me”.  Christa’s teacher friends were looking for a good guy for me and my new co-workers, (who were 10-20 years older were looking for guys for me).  I later found out that my super cool friend Debbie (40 something, ex-model, told my principal that she would take me out because they were scared I would move back to Louisiana). She would take me to places where older crowds hung out like “Sullivan’s Steak House” and I would spend my night running away from perverted 50 year old rich men.

 

My first date post-divorce date was set up by Christa’s teacher friend.  She just knew we would be a match.  He showed up in a big pick up truck (ok…this is Houston) and wore a big cowboy hat (ok, this is Houston), wranglers and huge belt buckle (not my type).  He took me to Chili’s and proceeded to give me a sob story along the way that he was unemployed and had lots of issues….Really, this was my first date after a year.

 

#1. I’m not really into cowboys.

#2. I spent a year getting away from a loser without a job.

# 3. He was too skinny and not my type.

 

I put my big girl panties on and thought I would make the best of it…I would just order a few cocktails.  Problem was that he was drinking water (no job) and then when we ordered food he ordered a cheap appetizer and then shared my entrée…This is Chili’s…To make things even better, the second I went to the bathroom, he told the waitress it was my birthday to get a free dessert…. Really…This was the first date after a year….I was mortified.

 

 

 

You know the rest of the story…Of course this “winner” did not get the hint when I did not call him back. Of course he called me about 20 times a day for the next few months.

 

 

I was good with being single and would go to Barnes and Nobles on Friday nights to browse books.  I once had a guy try and pick me up in the “self help section”.

 

 

 

I was set up on another blind date by a co-worker who was related to a guy who co-owned an oil business with his father.  He was about ten years older and I was game.   Problem was that we weren’t into each other.  He was weird and into strippers.  We went on a couple of dates to make the “matchmakers” happy, but this was not going to happen.

 

Christa and her ex-husband got transferred to Canada, so I had to really sort things out.  I decided I wanted to be in a cool part of town and moved to an apartment right by the Galleria.  Life was good.  My brand new neighbor immediately came to introduce himself.  He was a defense attorney who seemed to have almost no furniture in his apartment.  He knocked on my door in the middle of the night so that I could take pictures.  Apparently his girlfriend scratched him up and he needed evidence…really!!! What had I gotten into?

 

 

 

Another funny story was that this “attorney” who I saw often on the Houston news defending the lowlifes decided to kick back, sit in a lawn chair in the parking lot and smoke some pot.  I had a date come pick me up and he almost ran over the stoned lawyer.  One day this interesting neighbor woke up with no wheels on his “Mustang”.  Apparently one of his “clients” felt he didn’t do a good job….good times!!!

 

So the lesson of the story….Life can be interesting.  Embrace the good and bad times, because they will eventually become funny stories!  Also NEVER SETTLE!!!!!

Packing

The girls have been awesome while we worked all day:)

Yesterday we headed to Gallery Furniture and bought a large round dining room table and nice office desk.

That place is awsome. We had a free lunch, the kids played, they had monkies:)

This morning Sophia helped me make French Toast:)

We started watching House on Netflix. It's one of those show that you have seen here and there, but once you start from season one, you realize how good it is..and then you get addicted:)

The girls helping me with my freezer meal labels:)

Life is good...the next 2 weeks are going to be CRAZY!!!

New Stich Fix Review

Today I am going to do another Stich Fix Review.  For those of you who don’t know what Stich Fix is, it is a company that hires stylists to pick out clothes for you based on an in depth online questioner you fill out.  Every month you receive a box with 5 items.  The items can be shirts, shirts, dresses, accessories, etc.  The cost it 20.00 and if you choose to keep any item, the 20.00 is applied to that item.  This is my fourth or fifth month and so far I still really am enjoying the service.  

After you decide what to keep, you send back the rest in a prepaid envelope and then go online to check out.  This is where you rate your fix so your stylists know what you liked and did not like.  Last month I kept all 5 items and because I did so, I saved an additional 25% off the entire order.  I had a few girls at my house (while the guys were doing guy night) giving me their opinion

Apparently I have a new stylist. 

I received my fix on Thursday but only had time to take a quick peak at what was inside.  I liked the bright colors!

Every month I stress that I want as cheap as possible, I don’t want accessories, and I prefer shirts and dresses.

Here is a Fun2Fun Fargo Pleat Detail Spaghetti Strap Tank- Purple

Price $38.00

(It will look cuter when it is ironed)

Girls:  really liked color and fit

I liked it.  I feel like I will wear it a lot this summer.

Next was the Teal Green Papermoon Rylie

Price $44.00

Dave liked this, I liked it ok, I will like it ironed.  I feel like I could pair it with white shorts. 

Girls:  this was their least favorite

 

Pink (It looks more coral) Pomelo Jullian Crochet Detail Tank

Price $48.00

I liked the fit and color.

Dave and the girls all liked this.

Tan Sanctuary Brody Cargo Short

Price $68.00

I was really surprised they sent me shorts.  And they seemed really short.  I liked the material, it was expensive feeling.  They fit me perfectly.  I would normally never spend this much on shorts (I buy my shorts at Old Navy or New York and Company).

Everyone, including myself actually liked these a lot!  I will wear them a lot in the hot, Houston summer

 

Black Gillli Chase Chevron Print Swing Skirt

Price $58.00

My first reaction when I read the description (before I got the fix) was “huh”

When I received the skirt, my next reaction was that it was short!!!

I ended up liking the skirt. I feel like when I drop a few more pounds I will like it more.  The girls all loved the skirt, Dave liked it ok.

Overall, I was once again pleased with my fix.  I am going to keep all 5 pieces because of the 25% discount and because many AWESOME people have used my referral code and I have some credit.  If this is something you think you might try, I would be VERY appreciative if you would use my referral code.  Once you start, every person you refer earns you a $25.00 credit.

 

Finally, I wanted to show this maxi dress I picked up a few days ago at the Banana Republic Outlet.  They are running all their dresses 50% off and I love that I was able to buy it in petite.  It is super comfortable and I can dress it up or down.

Guys finally got it together

Tonight the guys are having a guys night at the World of Beers. For years Dave has whined about all my girl nights and I always joke and say guys are too lazy to sort it out.

Well, they finally did it so the girls and kids are hanging out here while the guys drink beer and eat a few miles down the road. The plan is for us girls to order sushi and drink wine and let the kids play:)

I let the girls dress themselves today before we headed to the gym. Sophia is too funny:)

Today was their last day of swim lessons. They both did awsome! Isabella is almost able to be without an adult for a few seconds.

We stopped by the new house to check things out. We met the neighbor kids across the street. They were washing their boat. They all seemed super sweet. (Freshman college boy, junior high school boy, and sixth grade girl).

We are meeting with a few backyard companies next week so I took Picts of our backyard.

 

It is narrow.