SADDLE UP, RHINESTONE COWGIRL!

Howdy Partners!!!! I thought this was going to be just another lake weekend but I just got some exciting news. The bestie scored tix to the Kenny Chesney concert at Arrowhead Stadium for this Saturday afternoon. HEEE-HAWWW, Y'ALL!!!!! I am sooooo looking foward to getting out of town and doing something non-basketball, non-KU Athletics....basically, non-Lawrence.   Kenny doesn't necessarily "start my tractor" but I do like his music and the Zac Brown Band is opening up for him and I am obsessed with them, so it should be a fabulous time. The only downside is that it starts at 4:30 and it's outside.   It is scortching hot here in the midwest, and we all know I'm not a big fan of sweating unless I'm in a gym or out at the lake.  My first thought was a dress (duh)...but we have lawn seats, so a dress probably isn't a good idea. Instead I've decided to go with the standard tank-top, shorts, and flips combo. I do love a good theme though, so I am trying to think of something "cowgirl" to wear to blend in. A cowboy hat is out of the question (not covering up the locks) and cowboy boots would be way too hot. Suggestions? Maybe I should take up chewing. I won't be carrying a big purse but, whatever I end up carrying,  there MUST be room for my camera because I have a feeling this will be awesome people watching. Pics on Monday!!!!!!!




Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

BUON COMPLEANNO SAWYER!

Can you guys believe it?!?!? I am fluent in Italian!  Well, kind of.  As long as I have my iPad and can google, "Happy Birthday in Italian" I will have zero problems communicating on my trip! HA! I guess I should start practicing a little.....ITALY is only 15 days away! For all my non-blilingual friends, Buon Compleanno means, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  Sunday was my little man, Sawyer's, 2nd birthday party.  And a PAR-TAY it was!  Leslie went with the Superman theme and she nailed it. Everything from the invites to the cookies (obvi, I noticed the cookies) were Superman themed........

The birthday boy.

 Hudson, making his Aunt Amanda proud...DOMINATING the frosting.

Sawyer didn't dissapoint me either :)

My prezie to Sawyer.  Of course, wrapped according to the theme!

I ended up getting Sawyer a KU pallacanestro (basketball) jersey and a Jayhawk book (DUH). Since both his parents are Jayhawks, I'm not too concerned that he isn't going to be raised correctly, but I still like to help brainwash them when they are little.  I missed a lake day to be there but I'm so glad I went. There is nothing like hanging out with your FOREVER FRIENDS.

I also did a lot of la spesa (shopping) this weekend for Italy.  It is going to be molto caldo (hot) when we are there so I am going with summer dresses and skirts.  I have found several of these at my favorite bargain places like TJ MAXX and Target. I have to wait until I get paid at the begining of Agosto (August) to finish up, but I am pretty confident that I am on the right track!

In less glamorous news, I got a new spazzatura (garbage) disposal this weekend.  Yuck.  Not as exciting as Italy shopping, but still very important. I was wondering what the heck that smell in my house was! HA!

As you all can probably tell, I am mastering the Italian language pretty quickly. NOT. I am planning, however, on snagging a hot Italian hunk at the begining of my trip to help me translate. I am not too concerned about the language barrier though. Luckily, I am fluent in the language of LOVE! HA!

BACIO (SMOOCHES),

THE DARLING DIVA

WEDNESDAY RANDOMS

Hey Dolls! Anybody missed me? HA. Sorry that this post is going to be so random, but it has been hotter than heck here and I can hardly think straight....I mean seriously, people are DYING here in the midwest from the heat.  I have had to put Lulu's two-a-day training program on hold because it is still 100 degrees at 10:00 PM....NOT lying.  It has been good for my tan though. Lora told me last night that my feet were tan...MAJOR compliment in the FOREVER FRIENDS. Really, all you can do is laugh about it though...and crank up the AC.  I am headed to Walmart tonight to pick up a fan. Hopefully that will help.  Here is a funny little text that my friend, Brooke, sent me...........................

BAHAHAHAHA....................Midwest humor:)

I got my new iPod this morning and I'm so excited.  Obviously, I got the pink one. I can't believe I even questioned the decision.  And, since Momma gifted it to me, she got a shout out on the back...................

Free engraving!  Gotta love the Apple Store.  Isn't "she" cute? I will call her PJ for "Pinky Junior."  I am so excited to put my music on (or have Hudy put my music on there) and jam out on my runs.  I have been missing that this past week. 

ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! .....One of my best friends from college, Amanda, and her husband had their little boy, Grant, in June and I just got this little gem in the mail today.....

They named him William Grant Esch and are calling him Grant, which is Amanda's maiden name. Love the name and love him.  There is some tiny Jayhawk gear headed his way...........

Switching gears.....I have been a leetle pre-occupied with my Italy packing. 1 suitcase for 10 days has this girl in a bit of a panic. Our volleyball team took the same trip in May and the video girl came back and told me that it was pointless to even take my hairdryer it is so hot.  WHAT?!?! That is not happening. I will have my hairdryer AND my rollers AND my makeup on the trip. I just need to figure out how to pack it all. I am open to suggestions because, otherwise,  this is most certainly going to be me....................

ITALY countdown................20 days.

Things at work are crazy.....Bonnie and the rest of my yahoos (assistant coaches) are heading out on the road again tomorrow morning and we have had only two days to prepare. Not fun.  The first half of July went off with only ONE problem so I am hoping the second half follows just the same. Tonight we have our booster club's annual meeting. Things are busy-busy here.  I like busy-busy though.

Anyhoo, not much else is going on. Lulu has finally adjusted to the new floors.  My diet is going good. My diet coke project is going bad. Shame on me.   I am in desperate need of a pedicure and a deep hair conditioning but that will have to wait until the weekend. 

I know this was just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo but that is my life in a blogshell. Hopefully I will start making sense again when this heat is turned off.....which they say won't happen for at least a week.  JOY.

I am ready for some football weather!  

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOMMA!!!!!

Happy happy birthday to the most wonderful woman I know......The most loving, caring, sweetest lady there is. She is the best mom, the best wife, the best friend, and the best puppy glamma (Soon to be a real, live baby glamma. Oh Lord, watch out.) that this diva and doggie could ask for.  We hope you have a fabulous day and celebrate in style!

(Don't judge.  Taken after my brother's wedding. A very LONG, but wonderful night.)

Cheers to you, Mom!

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA AND DOGGIE

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED

Bummer news....."Pinky" passed away late last night/early this morning.  My trusty sidekick.....my pink iPod.  I loved that thing. Bonnie gave her to me three Christmases ago in a desperate attempt to get me to ditch my disc-man. Apparently I was an embarassement in hotel workout rooms.  She was a great iPod. I literally used her EVERY DAY of the last three years. She had been sick for a while though so I'm happy she has found some peace. First, her screen was blank....but she still played.  Second, her sound couldn't be adjusted.....but she still played (Although really loudly.  I wished she would have gotten stuck at a lower volume). Third, she wouldn't allow me to skip songs and I had to listen to whatever song she chose next.....but she still played.  This morning I woke up and Pinky was quiet........never to play again. I want to thank Pinky for being there for me through everything these past few years.  She was there for me every morning at 5:30 am workouts. She was there for me every bus ride and plane trip for work. And she was there for me whenever I needed to just zone out and listen to my favorite tunes. She had seen and experienced a lot with me.  Probably her biggest accomplishment was getting me through the plane ride from Cali to KS when I had heard "HE" had been spotted with another girl out and about on the town while I was gone. I think she played Michelle Branch's, "Goodbye To You"  for me no less than 1,000 times that trip.  She was a great friend, constant companion and my best therapy.

THANKS PINKY.......YOU WERE THE BEST!

Side note: Since there can probably never be another Pinky, I was looking at the Apple website for other colors. What do you all think? Blue? Orange? Lime Green?

Obviously......Who am I kidding? Of course it has to be another pink one.


Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

WORDLESS (WELL, ALMOST) WEDNESDAY

AHHHHHHH!!! All back to normal, except no more nasty carpet! LOVE.

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

BUH-BYE NASTY CARPET!

Yesterday my new floors were installed in my living room and I couldn't be more thrilled with them.  They just make my house feel so much cleaner.  My old carpet was the original carpet in the house and with a fur baby, snowy Kansas winters, and an ex-boyfriend who worked in construction, it looked like it had been through a war. I was calling Stanely Steamer once a month and the exact same stains would just come back time after time and it was making me bonkers. UGH.  Anyhoo, all those problems are behind me now and I will NEVER have to see one of those stains again.

Now I have never claimed to be a domestic diva, but I do consider myself a clean person in general. That was until I started moving my furniture out to rip up my carpet. Let's discuss: How often do you all clean under your couches? I only ask cause when I lifted my couch up to move it I found a whole junk drawer full of things under there. Total grossness. Pens, bobby pins, straws, a phone book (for reals), wrappers, and three old gossip magazines.... with Jessie and Sandra on it for gosh sakes! I was hoping to find my heart shaped Tiffany's necklace but I know that's a lost cause. I have a feeling lulu had it for lunch one day (I'll explain later).

Lulu posing with all the grossness from under the couch.

The new floor is going to take some adjusting for Lulu. She slips and slides around a bunch more but, in the end, the new flooring is a better deal for her too. Now I won't be as hesitant to leave her out of her kennel for short stretches when I'm running errands or something.

I would post pics of the finished room but I'm busy today and frankly don't the have time to field the 1.1 million phone calls from my Mom (Lora, you know what I'm talkin' about)... Move the picture frame 3 inches to the left..... Turn the lampshade a half centimeter clockwise....Did you mop the floor?!?!?! But I promise I'll post one tomorrow. For now, here is a sneak peak I took before the I put the furniture back in.........Please excuse the horrible iPhone pic................

Isn't it soooo much better? It makes the room feel humungous too.  I'm not sure what kind of maintenence it will need yet, but I'm sure I can figure it out.....or I'm sure my Mom will be calling me.

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RYAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yesterday was Ryan's actual birthday so we went out to our local five-star restaurant Pachamamas (only the BEST for Ry-Ry) to celebrate with a little din-din and adult beverages. I didn't partake in the drinking because of my diet and the need for SOMEONE in the group to be the responsible.  Over half of the guys and gals in the party were attorneys so I have no idea how that responsibility fell on me but, anyhoo, I was Sober Sally.  We had a great time and since I'm typically a chicken wing and Jack Daniels girl it was nice to do something different. But can we discuss the fact that I ordered the rib appetizer plate for $11.00 and THREE ribs came on the plate? I had to stop at McDonalds on the way home for a hamburger patty! 

Eventhough I stayed away from the alcohol I did try some of my friend Holly's drink because it looked so scrumptious.  It is called a Pims Cup which is basically ginger beer, Pims liqour, and a bunch of sliced up fruit. It was DELICIOUS!!! It had a great, fresh, cucumber taste to it and it is my new favorite summer drink.  I only had a couple of sips but DANG, I wanted more!  HA!

This weekend should be fun and chill. I am going to have to work a little bit but other than that, I will probably be on the boat.  I have to pull the carpet in my living room and hallway because, guess what...........................................................

MY NEW FLOORS ARE BEING INSTALLED ON MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!

No more icky carpet. I can't wait!!!

Have a safe weekend and stay fabulous! I always do!

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

THINGS I'M LUVIN' AND THINGS THAT ARE BUGGIN'......

GOOD MORNING DOLLS!!!!! I had a good night sleep and a great workout this morning......both put this chica in a fabu mood!!!!!  Don't have anything really exciting to report so here were the things that I was thinking about when I was in the shower this morning. I do my best thinking...and singing....in the shower. Don't ya'll?!?!?! 

Here is what I'm luvin' today.......


1. MY NEW PINK SPARKLY TOMS!  I bagged the whole iPad case from Nordy's idea when I saw these kicks....I wanted them for Italy and they were less then my gift certificate so I kinda feel like I got them for free! I have just worn them once and am LOVING them.  They are the perfect statement piece in my otherwise kinda drab work attire.  It's hard dressing cute when you work in athletics.  People look at you weird. 

2. MY HAIR STYLIST, PENNY!  Homegirl read my blog yesterday and called me to say....#1- Nobody is to TOUCH my hair but her and #2- She had made room for me today at 10:00 am because my roots are, in fact, skanky.  LOVE HER.  She is just going to do a few foils around my crown and an eyebrow wax but that should be enough to take me to August.


3. STRAWBERRY POWERADE ZERO! Ryan introduced it to me on the boat this weekend. Love.  Mix it with some grape vodka and stay hydrated at the lake OR drink it plain after a workout or while at work to stay fresh during the day.  Really the complete drink for Amanda.

Things that are bugin' me today......

1.  Our kitchen at work.....Who can diet when there are snacks like these laying around?  We usually don't have anything like this but it is left over from our camp store. I feel like camp will continue to haunt me all summer................

Anyways, not much to complain about today.  But, I never really complain on a "hair-did day".........

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!!!

(My American flag cake I made for a BBQ last night. I am so patriotic! HA!)

HEY DOLLS!!!!!! I had a really great weekend and I hope you guys did too!!! Mine was jam packed with lots of friends, sun, boating, and just enough productivity so I didn't feel like a totaly slug! The weather was beautiful everyday except Sunday. But that was okay because it was actually nice to have a little break after boating ALL DAY Friday and Saturday. I used my down time to clean my house from top to bottom and go to Home Depot and pick up the pergo for the new floors in my living room. Apparently they need to be in my house for 72 hours before I can even SCHEDULE the instillation. GHEESH. This is the longest process ever. Sunday was also great because I got to go over and spend a lot of time with Hudson and I even got to go to popcorn night. 

Lets discuss my hair in this pic for a sec......Obvi I know my roots are skanky.  UGH. I had an appointment on Saturday to eliminate them, but canceled because I didn't want to miss out on lake fun. After seeing this pic I realize that was a TERRIBLE decision.  I am going to have to find someone who can do a little touch up job because my next appointment isn't until right before Italy.....like a month away. Side note: Yeah, ITALY is only a month away!!!!!!!!!

Last night we all went over to Hudy's and celebrated the 4th and Ryan's birthday. It was all fun and games until one of the fireworks Ry-Ry was shooting off fell over after he lit it and it came shooting right for the house. I was sitting on the porch and it actually HIT me. I don't really remember anything but Ryan running towards the house and then next thing I knew, everyone was screaming and I was brushing little specs of fire off me. We can laugh about it now, but it was actually pretty scary at the time.  Fireworks are NO JOKE but unfortunetly KO and Ry-Ry are tiny pyros.  Below is a pic of Ryan with his birthday cake and fireworks. Check out his doggy, Zoe. Doesn't she sit just perfect for pics? She is so presh. I wish Lulu would do that!

Speaking of Lulu, homegirl was NOT loving the 4th of July. She didn't handle the fireworks really well and I couldn't get her to go outside for ANYTHING if there were fireworks going off.  She spent most of her nights (since people celebrated every night of the weekend) hiding in my bed, glaring at me. As if I were the ones setting them off! She wouldn't even go outside to potty so last night she held it from 7:00 PM until 5:30 this morning. Such a diva.

I was responsible with the sunscreen pretty much the whole time and only got a little burned yesterday. Pretty good for a girl who used to slap baby oil on and PRAY to fry! HA! Of course I looked adorbs in my new suit and after the first day, nobody seemed to notice the bites all over my body.  I did, however, get a huge bruise on my arm from something! I have no clue how I got it, but bruising is just a part of boating.  Kind of like a badge of honor. The bigger the bruise- the more fun you probably had!   

 Anyways, my weekend was great but I am soooooo tired. I didn't even get up early and run this morning. I think I need a vacay from my vacation! HA!  I tried to stay steady with my diet, but had a few slip ups. But that's ok....It's only America's birthday once a year! HA!  I am starting today on in the "induction" period of the diet again, to shock my body.  We won't even talk about the diet soda thing.  I started my "time of the month" and really didn't really want to deal with the caffine withdrawls during the holiday weekend,  mkay?  I promise to try again soon.  

The only good thing about being back at work is that I can finally talk to my Mom again. My cell has been not able to recieve calls all weekend. BOO!  Sometimes technology is sooo frustrating.

I'm off to a staff meeting and back to reality!!!!

GOD BLESS THE U.S. of A.!

Smooches,

THE DARLING DIVA