Carowyn misses you... Her computer and back-up are broken. And she has saved you and the boys a puppy! Come get it!

Puppies are available to anyone else who wants one also. They're adorable.

Jenn

The bad news it that my car died Friday.  It actually didn't die, it's just very sick.  The good news, I found out I am getting a bonus this week.  Yeah!  Money to pay for car hospitals!

Martin has been great!  he is arranging the Doctors, Ambulance, etc.....(Mechanics, towing).... He knows I hate (I really hate) car stuff.

For my birthday, one of the gifts Martin's parents got me was an icecream cone cake pan.  It makes giant icecreeam cone shaped cupcakes.  The cake pan has forms for 4 cone shaped bottoms and 4 swirl shaped tops.

Tonight we try it out!!!  Per Martin's request, lemon cake, vanilla icing, and sprinkles.

For those of us who travel often, it not if the plane is late, its  if the plane ever shows up.  I experienced my first late plane of concern last night.

I was coming back from Milwaukee (a relatively short flight), but needed to be home at a reasonable hour  to drive to Houston today for my CCRA certification exam.  The exam is given twice a year (and cost almost $500 to register-regardless of whether you actually show up).

So, when my plane landed, and it wasn't in Dallas, I became concerned.

After a slight detour and landing in Witchata Falls for gas (and storm avoidance) we continued to Dallas (and arrived only an hour and a half late).

Great for the stress levels. But still enough time for a decent nights sleep.  I was in bed by midnight!  Yeah!!

                                                                                                             

What happens when dog breeders go too far?   Ever hear of a Chiweenie? A Mexican Hot Dog? 

Let me introduce you to the Chihuahua-Dachshund Hybrid.  What will they think of next?

Martin and I met with the wedding coordinator at Suncreek last night.  We have confirmed the 24 April 2010 date (5:00 pm).  The church seems very liberal about what and how you have the service.  They expressed preferences, but will work with you (ie the alter set).

Things are coming together: We have a church, reception site, musician (harpist),... I just need to confirm a photographer, DJ, and Florist.

... Or so I thought.

Just before I went to bed last night at midnight, Salsa wanted out.  I opened the door, he steped two steps on the patio and came running back in!  As the cold front had not yet hit and I was on the patio also, I wondered what was up.

After a moment contemplating, I heard the sound of running water (odd?).  A quick survey of the house showed copious water flowing from what looked like my neighbor's garage.

Now these are new neighbors across the alley.  They (he?) moved in about 6 months ago.  I've seen him a few times, but we haven't met.  The house was dark and closed for the night.  Should I ring the bell?  Not alone at midnight at a house that I don't know anyone.

Will the flood affect me?  Its still flowing? 

I decided that if my house were flooding, I would like someone to help, but who to call.?  After a minute of indecisiveness, I called 411 to get the non-emergency number for the police.  Guess what?  McKinney does not answer the non-emergency  number after hours.

After thoughts of vandalism or worse, I called 911...

The police came out and not knowing I was in the driveway stated "Man that is a lot of water".  After their examination, it was determined that the problem was a broken sprinkler head immediately next to the garage.  It was squirting up, hitting the garage, and rolling down the door (thus looking like it was coming under the garage).

Great! I called 911 because the neighbors have a broken sprinkler!  Oh well, it could have been worse, I could have not called and it really have been an emergency.

The police did attempt to notify my neighbors, but they either were not home, or did not answer the door.  So I get to notify them when I see them.

Yeah!

Move her ID/Credit Card case.

In one of my more "Blonde" moments last night, I put my ID/CC case in a pocket I don't use in my purse.  I didn't realize it until I got to the airport and didn't have ID and Credit Cards.

Try traveling for business for any lenth of time without the above.   (Can't check into airport, Can't check into Hotel, Can't eat beyond what my $10 in cash will buy me...)

After a panic attack (I'm sure my blood pressure went to 180/100) and a ride half-way back to the Park & Fly, a final search (read dumping out of) my purse revealed my case in a generally unused pocket.

Fortunately for me, I arrived early to the airport and had time for a Margarita to calm my nerves.

Happy Birthday Allie!

It's Valentine's Day and I have been traveling all week.  I haven't had time to go shopping, but I always have time to cook.

Tonight's Dinner (I hope he likes it).

Twice Baked Goat-Cheese Soufles with Herb Salad
Roasted Crab Legs with Orange-Thyme Glaze
Steamed Asparagus
Rich, Buttermilk, Chocolate Cake with Marshmallow Frosting
And a bottle of Hess Chardonnay

Hopefully, he will let me take him to the mall this weekend to get the shoes I keep hounding him to get.  Not a very personal gift, but something he needs.

About 8:30 this evening, Martin and I decided we were too young to fall asleep on the couch and we should go out.  We got dressed and decided to explore down-town McKinney.  After a walk around the square we deceded to stop at Lone Star Cellars for a glass of wine and to listen to the music.

Inside, a musician was playing all the oldies and sing alongs...Margaritaville, House of the Rising Sun, Garden Party, It's Not Unusual, etc...

Martin, knowing my favorite song is Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" requested it for me... I should have known something was up when the request required a 5 minute conversation.....

Now, since "Brown Eyed Girl" is one of my favorite songs, I was suprised to learn that I did not know the lyrics.  You see, the musician introduced the song , decided that Martin and I were not regulars as Martin asked if he took requests, and  anounced the dedication from Martin to Jenn (his fiancee).  The musician then seranaded his "Cross-Eyed Squirrel". 

To my suprise, the second verse, which I always thought went  "My how you have grown..." is actually  "My how 'those' have grown" (refering to my breasts and hopefully not my butt).

I was in for an education and Martin a beating (which was encouraged with a 'hit him again' by the musician).

We had fun, and I think 'Lone Star Cellars' will be one of our regular hangouts.

Yesterday I made a Rainbow cake in a Castle Pan for Martin.  Thanks to an idea that la_azteca</lj>  gave me.

  I frosted it in garish grocery store colors (White clouds, Blue Doors, Purple moat and Barbie Pink turets.  When you cut it open, it was a rainbow (mostly - pink, orange, yellow, green, blue...).   I ran out of batter before I got to the last two colors.

Anyway it was definately a cake-wreck and definately cheezy.  Exactly what a 5 year old would love.  And so did Martin.

P.S. La Azteca: I used a white cake mix with gel food die.  The outside was lightly browned, like you would expect, but you could still see the rainbow.  The inside was pretty and muted.  (Did I tell you I used easter pastels...what I had on hand). 

Pictures to follow shortly....


*** Addendum****
Cudjo has posted the photos below in comment below.  As you can tell I will never make a living deorating cakes.  It's a good thing I have other talents and Martin has a sense of humor.

Martin found me a new user pic..... Based on Paris Hilton's dog (accessory), Tinkerbell.

It's a Chihuahua, It's a Hadbag,  It's dead.

Of course at my budget, I'm more likely to end up like this....

Inspiration:

And get something like this....



Oh, well.... The important thing is I love Martin and he loves me...

This one is a bargan.... about a third the price of the last... only $2520.... Still too rich for my blood.

I've found my wedding cake.... It was listed as one of the 50 most beautiful cakes this year in Brides Magazine.




This cake was by somethingsweetbymichelle.com

Too bad spending $6,000 on a cake is out of our budget....

Martin has agreed (suggested even) that we "poke around" at the "Dallas Bridal Show" this weekend at Dallas Market Hall.