Preview of Holiday Card

This is not my main holiday card, but is the one for friends who do not celebrate the Christmas holiday. But fair warning, it is not dissimilar to what you will probably get in the mail.  I share it because Shutterfly is generous enough to offer $10 off an order if I share with my Blog readers what I am creating on their website.

Wishing you Joy & Peace!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

11/29 I am thankful for...

9 thankfuls to catch up on, not bad actually. Let's get to it...

I am thankful for the wonderful weather we had during my parents' visit. 

I am thankful that the city of Daphne has a beautiful pier that goes into the Bay. 

I am thankful for my parents and brother being able to visit us over the holiday. 

I am thankful for this beautiful blustery cold weather we now have, as it is getting me into the Christmas spirit. 

I am thankful that we found a Christmas tree seller that is giving proceeds to ROTC, and am thankful that they were so friendly and conscientious in preparing our beautiful tree.

I am thankful that I get to introduce Curtis to Christmas traditions like watching Miracle on 34th Street and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas in their entirety. 

I am thankful that Lady Gaga did a Thanksgiving special, and that our entire family watched it. (It was really good, love her talent!)

I am thankful that Michaels had good sales on Christmas decorations, so that I could spend less money. 

Finally, I am thankful that we had good food on Thanksgiving and had a wonderful visit with my parents and Jon.

11/20 I am thankful for...

I am thankful for our temperamental weather. It definitely keeps life here in Alabama interesting. Today is a warm and humid high 70's. I am also thankful to have a nice apartment with enough space for family when they arrive in 2 days.

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11/19 I am thankful for...

I am SO thankful that the grocery store across the street finally opened today - it's so nice (we spent way too much money there today, but we are hosting Thanksgiving). 

11/18 I am thankful for...

Passing the California Bar Exam!




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Bar Results Tonight

Tonight at 8:00 my time in Alabama (6 PM California), I will find out if I passed the California Bar Exam.  If I passed, I will likely send an email out to close friends and family tonight, and probably even post on this blog.  If I failed, and it was all a complete waste of time and money (since I don't live in California anymore), I'm not sure how I will feel like getting the word out, but will probably post that by Monday.

I feel good about it, but as of tonight it won't matter how I'll feel, because I will know :-) I'm not going to lie, I am nervous, as hard as it is to pass that exam, and as many distractions as there were around that exam, my pride will be a little (okay a lot) hurt if I didn't pass.

If you're curious about other CA Bar-takers, the pass list goes public on Sunday morning. Info is here: http://members.calbar.ca.gov/exam/

(I am holding back my Thankful post today in case I get good news tonight)

11/17 I am thankful for...

I am thankful for frogs.  Two nights ago Curtis was out with Kenny and they came across a pretty big frog (or, "Fowler's Toad" possibly). Well apparently Kenny went for him but luckily he was on leash so Curtis stopped him, and eventually the frog hopped away.  I was kinda sad to have missed the frog. 

Then last night, when Curtis went to take Kenny out, I heard this strange smacking noise near the door. I went down there and discovered that a tiny frog, size of a quarter, found its way into our house! Super cute, and he seemed scared. I was able to get him in a Tupperware and when i went to find Curtis and Kenny outside, I came across the same big frog from the night before (his body was the size of my fist)! Anyway, I released the little frog near that big frog with the hope that they were related and its home was nearby.  It was a cold morning today so hopefully they're okay. First time I've really had an interaction with frogs in the wild, and I am thankful because it put a smile on my face (plus I've heard they're good luck!).

Tonight I'm going to take my camera out with the hopes of getting a picture of the big frog. 

11/16 I am thankful for...

The southern rain, it's making my morning in the office very cozy

Did you hear it? Not long after, you couldn't see out:





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11/15 I am thankful for...

So I'm pretty far behind (4 to do today) - but that makes for less posts which can get a little incessant when writing about the same topic everyday, so here we go:

I am thankful for my parents bringing me some of my favorite things from California this weekend, including Coffee Bean Tea, cashews in individual packages, and chocolate-covered pretzels (which I am afraid to open so close to Thanksgiving). I am also thankful that they were willing to pick me up at midnight on Friday night so that I didn't have to pay for a cab, and for covering the hotel rooms while we were in the Bay Area. 

I am thankful for College Gameday, and how fun and festive it was, even if we lost the game later that night. 

I am thankful for the weather this weekend in Palo Alto, it was cold but at least it didn't rain!

Finally I am thankful for the nice people that were on all of my flights this weekend. It was a tough trip there and back so quickly, but the pleasantness of the people around me made it much easier.

11/11 I am thankful for...

Having a flexible work schedule! I am essentially able to work anywhere and everywhere, anytime I want. Which made flying out to Stanford for the game tomorrow so feasible. I got to work early,  I'm leaving work early today, and will bring some stuff to do on the plane. It makes travel so much easier (also, I am thankful for my iPad, because bringing that for work is much better than bringing the laptop).

Big day tomorrow, Stanford vs. Oregon - if you tune in to College Gameday in the morning you might see my tired smiling face in full Stanford gear.  The game is at 5 Pacific, 8 Eastern, and will basically determine whether we have a shot at the national championship.  I will be siting with my friends Juls and Andy, and my parents will also be there.  It's arguably the biggest game in Stanford Football history, so I'm thrilled to be going. I will be back on Sunday.  Curtis and Kenny will cheer from Spanish Fort and enjoy some rest, computer games, and take-out this weekend. 

My College Gameday Sign

Front and back:

11/10 I am thankful for ...

A short commute. Which is considered long by many of the locals. We live across the bay from Mobile in Spanish Fort, about 14 miles away.  If we settle here we will consider moving to Mobile since we both work there and many of our social engagements are there, but I personally really like suburban life in "Baldwin County" as they call it. 

But the 10 freeway on the bay is hardly ever backed up, so it takes me about 20 minutes door to door. I take Kenny in the morning to daycare Monday-Thursday, so that brings the trip up to about 35-40 minutes, but overall it's hard to complain about that when I think about the traffic I used to cope with in LA. Plus the drive over the Bay is very scenic - nothing like it in CA that would get you to work and back. 

Need advice on a shallow topic...

Later this month I will be eligible for an iPhone upgrade (finally) and will be buying the white iPhone 4S, because it matches my white iPad.  I have a really cute Kate Spade iPad case,

And a pink iPad cover/stand (that I keep one when it goes in the iPad case) - which is now very dirty so I will likely replace it eventually

So for my iPhone, do I match?

Or

or even...

or go completely different but a really cute color and arguably my favorite case:

And yes I will likely stick with Kate Spade, because I love the brand.

UPDATE: I just ordered the green case. I decided that because I had a blue case before I wanted to go in a different direction. My iPhone might get here this week - so excited!!!

I'd appreciate your input :-)

11/9 I am thankful for...

I am thankful for my little doggy (yes you knew this was coming). He's such a trooper now that we're both working full-time. He's constantly tired, but still so loving and fun and sweet. I love putting him in the front seat when I take him to daycare in the morning and petting him all along the way. And he doesn't even mind that I put him in silly costumes or constantly take pictures of him. 

My new jacket for Saturday

So excited.

11/8 I am thankful for...

I am thankful for Stanford Football - and the way that it brings my Stanford friends together, like it will this Saturday when we go to the taping of College Gameday on campus at 6 am.

I am also thankful that we have a wonderful doggy daycare that Kenny enjoys, where the employees seem to love him. 

11/6 I am thankful for...

I am thankful for the beautiful (albeit cold) weather this weekend for our drive to and from Montgomery.

The road from Montgomery (The I-65)

I am also thankful for having today to clean the house, relax, and get an extra hour of sleep :-).

11/4 I am thankful for...

Having such nice co-workers. Everyone is really friendly, caring, fun, and loves to talk football. From my secretary to the people near my office, to other attorneys in the firm, I feel very lucky.

(and, I guess I'm rooting for Bama tomorrow...only because I don't want to play LSU in the Superdome.) 

11/3 I am thankful for...

My amazing husband, who arranged for us to stay in Montgomery, Alabama (2.5 hours away) on Friday night and for Kenny to be boarded so I don't have to drive by myself all the way on Saturday morning and back to take the MPRE (ethics portion of the Bar Exam).

11/2 I am thankful for ...

I was inspired by another blog to write down something each day that I'm thankful for during the month of November. I missed yesterday so today you get two:

I am thankful to be employed.

I am thankful for the sunny weather.