Sitting on the big guys lap

How could I forget to post this years Santa pic? This was taken at the Junior League of Austin's A Christmas Affair, Breakfast with Frosty. I love that every year we have the same Santa! I can watch Miss C and Santa get older every year!



Happy Holidays,
Amber

Bevo is in the holiday spirit

Holiday wishes from Miss C and her self proclaimed boy friend Crazy J!



And Mannon!


- Posted using BlogPress from my A's iPhone

Big Rich Texas get a season 2

Will Pam finally find out ifLeslie has the millions she claims to have?  Will Kaylnfinally win a crown...andLeslie's love?  Are Connie's ex-husband and Leslie going to hook up?  Can Melissa become a success in the modeling world again? Will Pam and Bonnieever kiss and make up or are they destined to be mortal enemies? 

All of these cliff-hanging mysteries will be solved (or at least addressed) because the ladies of Big Rich Texas are coming back for another season!!!  Filming started several weeks ago on Season 2 of this "docu-drama" and the new episodes will air beginning mid-to-late February 2012 on the Style Network.

Word has it that a new cast member and her two daughters will be joiningPam, Connie, Bonnie, Leslie and Melissa.  Sure, throw a couple more cats in the fight!  I don't have all the details on the new additions to the cast, but here's what I do know:

• The new Mother/Daughter trio is from Grapevine
• Her name is DeAnni
• One of the daughters is in college at TCU. Which means we probably won't see much of her.
• They have "the most amazing home of anyone on the show" and producers are hoping to film there

The photos used in this post were taken at the recent FGI "Night of Stars" Gala. I was there, but didn't have an opportunity to go over and meet DeAnni.  She kind of looks like a grown up Snookie.  Don't you think? I mean look at that attitude?! Yeah!

Do you know more about our new cast member?! Leave a comment and fill me in! Or email me if you want to remain anonymous! 

One thing is for certain. They are still filming at the Country Club as seen in this tweet from Kayln:

And in case you thought this season was going to be boring... it looks like day one of filming started out with a BANG! I would link this post, butBonnie's already removed it (probably because the producers had a freak out). Thanks goodness for screen shots!  I wonder what Bonnie did to piss off Ignacio?  I can't wait to find out!

UPDATE (Dec. 8, 2 PM) Bonnie left a comment to say that she never removed the post and she provided me with a direct link. Click the image if you care to see the original post and subsequent comments.

I love these ladies... It's like a train wreck and you just can't look away!

Pam, LeeAnne and Heidi

I am super excited to announce that we have at least two "secondary" cast members joining the show this season. What does that mean, exactly? That they will make several appearances, but won't be listed as main cast members. I am guessing that if they add to the storyline and readers respond to them there's always the possibility that their roles could grow in Season 3... but let's not get ahead of ourselves. 

Making their introductions as Pam's new best friends, will be model/actress (and occasional Guest Contributor to this blog)LeeAnne Locken and Fashionistas founder and stylista extraordinaire, Heidi Dillon.

Both ladies are forces of nature with massive followings, so this is an incredibly smart move on the part of Pam and the show's Producers to bring these two ladies on board.  Bonnie better watch her p's and q's because Pam is not messing around. She's got some serious back up this season with these two by her side. Of course, Bon does have Whitney. And I'd put Whitney up against anyone in a girl fight.

I cannot wait to see what Season 2 has in store for us.  The countdown is on...

Great Gift ideas for the person with everything

Sparkling, Please. Where to buy a really great bottle of Champagne Everyone likes a little bubbly this time of year. And while certain labels turn heads, nothing impresses like an exquisite boutique Champagne. Henri's Reserve stocks an exclusive selection of the most exceptional family and estate Champagnes in the world. So give a bottle, a case, a Jeroboam—or even better, a membership to Henri’s club. It is Henri’s pleasure to introduce you to the perfect Blanc de Blancs or show-stopping 2004 vintage to tuck under the tree. There’s simply no better way to make it personal . . . to make it “pop.”

Look Who's back!

And it looks like our friend Merkle has a love interest!

ACL 2011

The Die Hard: this person is fully equipped to live like a gipsy for three days while weathering all the elements that come with festivals. And they are ok with not bathing for 3 days. 
The Half Ass: This person buys a 1 day pass and goes to the headliner concert. Mostly just to say they went. 


We were some where in between this year. We actually made it all three days! Thanks to living with in walking distance. I came home one day and took a nap and we could easily get home every night to shower and sleep with out it being such a pain we did not care to go back the next day. 

 The VIP Grove lounge. AMAZING! air conditioned bathrooms!!!!! Just say no to the port a potty!  and all the food and drink you can consume. It's a great break from the madness of crowds and slow down for a little while. If there was a line for anything it moved really quickly. If you wanted to bring kids to ACL this 

 My favorite band of ACL was Skrillix. They really had the crowd going

On Sunday we even took Miss C. She loves all things music and party related so of course she had a great time.

Why do they call them wisdom teeth?

I mean really if theses teeth have so much wisdom why do we remove them? I think we should call them devil teeth. I have been putting of having mine removed for about 7 years now. I used every excuse under the sun, they aren't bothering me that bad, I'm pregnant, I'm nursing. I can't afford it, I don't have time to be out of commission for 3 days. You name it I used it as an excuse.
A few weekends ago they really started causing me pain so I pulled the rip cord faced my fears and had all 4 taken out this past Wednesday. I had full IV sedation, partly because my bottom wisdom teeth were badly impacted and mashing a nerve but mostly because I would have ran like a thief from the room!

Recover has been mostly crappy. As soon as I awoke from my happy place I realized our cable was out. Seriously what did I do to make karma hate me? I'd been DVRing & saving all these great trashy tv shows to watch while I was on bed rest. But nope! No tv or Internet for 3 days! So I spent the majority (3 1/2 hours) getting it all fixed this morning.

The pain I was say is still an 8 out of ten and I look like one of Alvin and the chipmunks girlfriends. But with a crap load of medication I can get the pain down to about a 4. So iv been high for about 36 hours now!




On a positive note I have gotten to see the best come out in my husband! He is an only child and care taking is not his strong suit. But he has really stepped up to the plate and been a great nurse and Mr. Mom. He has done school pick up and drop off and even after school activities. Of course I love it cause it reminds him that my "job" really is a lot of work.

Also my wonderful friend Melissa and crazy J brought me 3 containers of Berry Austin frozen yogurt which is awesome by the way and the perfect after oral surgery food!

And lastly I should be really skinny before Texas/OU weekend in Dallas next week!

More Cows! and More and More and Moooore Cows

Our adventures in finding all the Cows in the Austin Cow parade are still going on! It has turned out to be something all 3 of us look forward to. To quote another friend who took his 3 little one's on a 3 hour cow hunting adventure "It's a great way to be a tourist in your own city"

I was shocked when I pulled up the web site to find back in August that there were 49 cows. Well now it's up to 79! It's time we take this adventure on the road and start exploring by car! In the mean time here are a few more cows we have found! 

Crazy J joined us for these 2 cows! 

In front of the Austin Children Museum 

In front of Ashtyn Building
25. Flowerida

Flowerida

At the Driskill Hotel
31. Hill Country Beaux Vine and Cheese

Bob Bullock Museum 39. Mazy Moo

Bob Bullock Museum
68. UGC (user generated cow)

In front of Perry's Steak House

In front of Bob Bullock Museum
52. One in a Blue Moon

In front of Bob Bullock Museum
53. Partying with Pi-Cowsso

In front of Bob Bullock Museum
17. Cowmaro

I'm allergic to Stupid Today

Being a girl who loves a good pun on words I was drawn to read a lengthy blog post by a friend today that interned inspired me to write this here post!  The post was entitled Miss America. Silly me and knowing the writer I thought for sure this was his run down of the Miss America pageant contestants. It was really more like I miss, America. It really hit home today. I'm kind of having my own pity party here but I totally agreed with him. His post talked about missing the old American values. Where working hard was more important than telling your facebook friends how wonderful your husband is and how advanced your children are or writing a novella about how the new facebook interface sucks.  I was reading facebook this morning and had to just turn it off. Every status update was so stupid or so fake or so ridicules! Out of 900 "friends" not one was posting anything even half insightful or even funny. At lunch the deepest conversation around me was on what date exactly did the Virgo sign cut off. I had to call and discuss the irony of his post, Miss American and Missing America. I'm sure when it started the Miss American pageant contestants were as wholesome and girl next door as they appeared. But now we all know the dirty little secretes that lie behind those faces painted up like china dolls. Just as we all know not everything is as perfect as our facebook profiles make us sound. So I too Miss American and the family values we once had. Not the BPA & Paraben fee lives we post on facebook.

Now that I'v been taking about this post so much you have to go over and read it your self...

Miss America by Anchored Down & Horsing Around


I'm way behind on my blog writing and read lately. There has just been so much going on I can't clear my head a compose a sentence much less a whole blog post. BUT I'm now motivated to read and write something at least halfway insightful or meaningful. To catch up on my family blog before I miss capturing my child's life! (because that really is important to me!) and thanks to Chuck over at Anchored down and horsing around for inspiring some deep thoughts in me today.

TechTip Tuesday: ilatch

Mickey has Minnie. Dora has Boots. Elmo has Big Bird. iPad now has iLatch as it’s favorite companion. iLatch is an innovative case specifically designed by a new mother that allows children to watch their favorite shows on the go. 

Parents can attach iLatch with its unique set of clips to a stroller, car headrest, pack n’ play, shopping cart, restaurant chair and many more places for kiddie entertainment on the go. One of iLatch’s greatest features allows it to be moved from place to place with one hand. This case is a perfect travel accessory for iPad. No need to leave Elmo behind at home when you can bring his learning lessons on the road. 

 

The great thing about a hanging iPad case is :

- It is generally out of reach of the children watching it so they can't mess up the screen or stop their show.

- It can be moved with one hand, which is often what most parents are working with!  

- You can also easily remove the iPad from the iLatch with one hand!

- You won't always have to be near a table or flat surface in order to watch shows on the iPad.

Amazing right? Well don't get excited yet, this invention is still in need of some backing over at KickStarter. Lauren Graham is a young mom and blogger trying to get her idea off the ground.  What is kickstarter you  ask? 

Kickstarter is the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world. Every week, tens of thousands of amazing people pledge millions of dollars to projects from the worlds of music, film, art, technology, design, food, publishing and other creative fields.

A new form of commerce and patronage. This is not about investment or lending. Project creators keep 100% ownership and control over their work. Instead, they offer products and experiences that are unique to each project.

All or nothing funding. On Kickstarter, a project must reach its funding goal before time runs out or no money changes hands. Why? It protects everyone involved. Creators aren’t expected to develop their project without necessary funds, and it allows anyone to test concepts without risk.

Each and every project is the independent creation of someone like you. Projects are big and small, serious and whimsical, traditional and experimental. They’re inspiring, entertaining and unbelievably diverse. We hope you agree... Welcome to Kickstarter!

So let's so this mom some support and go over to KickStarter.com now and show support! 

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theilatch/the-ilatch-ipad-case-for-ipad-1-and-2

September Special

I must have teachers on the brain. As a former teacher I can tell you this is the PERFECT teacher/coach gift! Truly it's perfect for almost anyone. Coaches, dance teachers, activities sponsors. I love each gift my students ever gave my but seriously people No More Lotion! I would leave my class smelling like a fruit basket!
So for the entire month of September it's 20% off personalized clipboards! Pre-order as holiday gifts or thank you gifts for the people that are hard to buy for. It does not have to be just initials or monograms

This is SUPER cute when paired with the matching water bottle

For more styles click here

El Arroyo remembers

The remembrance begins

Texas Department of State Health Services
NEWS RELEASE
September 6, 2011

DSHS Urges Wildfire Smoke Precautions

With fires burning through many areas of Texas, smoke can pose a serious health threat, especially for children, older adults, pregnant women and those who have chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma.

Smoke from wildfires is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, structures and plants. Heavy, lingering smoke can irritate eyes, respiratory systems and worsen symptoms from pre-existing conditions.

 State health officials urge people to reduce their risk from wildfire smoke by taking the following precautions:  

-         Stay indoors or limit outdoor activities as much as possible.

-         Avoid physical exertion.

-         Keep windows and doors of your home shut.

-         If you have air conditioning, run it with the fresh-air intake closed. Set wall units to “re-circulate.”

-         Reduce other sources of indoor air pollution, such as cigarette smoking, burning candles, frying food and using aerosol products or fireplaces.

-         Do not use vacuum cleaners which can stir up dust already inside your home. 

-         Keep your airways moist by drinking plenty of water.

-         Consider leaving the area or going to a shelter until smoke conditions improve.

Common symptoms of smoke exposure include coughing, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, shortness of breath, chest pain, headaches, stinging eyes and runny nose.

People should seek medical help if they have symptoms that worsen or become severe. Those without air conditioning should watch for signs of heat exhaustion such as fatigue, nausea, headache and vomiting.

(News Media Contact: Carrie Williams, Press Officer, 512-776-7119.)

Central Texas Fires

A Picture is worth a thousand words

Austin Skyline with Bastrop fires in the background

Our former neighborhood Steiner Ranch lost 40 homes and evacuated 5000 residents for 48 hours

Keeping all our friends and former neighbors in our thoughts

Weight Loss at El Arroyo

El Arroyo weight loss program?



I can see why!



- Posted using BlogPress from my A's iPhone

Embrace the camera: August 25th Silly faces

A rare occasion all 3 of us are in the same pic during a trip to visit Great Grandma Liz! 

If you can't tale we are in the "silly face pic"phase

so, are you ready to embrace the camera?

here's the nitty gritty:

1.  take a picture with you and your kids/spouse/family member/friend/whatever.

2.  blog about that picture and include a link to our blog, or grab the button below.

3.  link your blog post up on the link tool below.

4.  visit the other embracers...give each other lots of compliments about how good we look with our greasy hair andsweatpants velour jogging suits on.  cause yah, we need a little boost when it's been days since our last shower.

5.  have fun
!
Take a trip to the Anderson family crew

Tech Tidbits: Microvolunteer Online

HELP WANTED
How to be a microvolunteer

For anyone who already has enough pro bono work on her plate (What? Nobody pays you to cook dinner?), the idea of volunteering can seem daunting. But now you don't need to join the Peace Corps to make a difference. Thanks to Sparked.com, the world's first microvolunteering network, you can become a digital do-gooder from the comfort of your own computer.

The premise is simple: Sparked matches your talents to volunteer tasks, all of which are small assignments (generally not exceeding two hours of work) that fit easily into busy schedules. Plus, all jobs can be completed online, meaning that you can do them on your own time, from anywhere.

Setting yourself up to help is just as quick and easy. Volunteers register for free by indicating particular skill sets and interests (say, graphic design or social media marketing) as well as causes they'd like to support. Meanwhile, non-profit organizations post tasks that they need completed--drafting a press release for Greenpeace, for example, or translating a document for the American Red Cross. Then, when you log in, the site will suggest appropriate volunteer jobs, which you can sign up for or reject accordingly.

It's a pretty cool (and painless) way to make new use of skills you already have.


more about Sparked.com

Location:Tec tip: want to volunteer but don't think you have time? Try micro volunteering

23 cows and counting

Remember I told you we were doing a Austin Cow Parade Scavenger Hunt? 

Here is our our first 23 Cows! 

37. On Your Mark, Get Set, Moo

4. Cookies and Milk

30. Moo-saic

31. Moosic Capitol 

10. Cow Quarium

7. Cow junto Music

41. Texas Cow-try Summer nights

28. Moolah

19. I Love Moo

18. Guitar Cow

5. CowBella

Morning Glory and Death

Disco Cow

Easter Ether

24. Lifesaver Cow

16. Gilded Lily

27. Miss Chemoo

Musicowly speaking

Thriller Cow