11 Memories in 2011

1. The Rose Parade
The Rose Parade is ten times better when your school is playing in the game!  Also, it is way more convenient when you have a brother who lives about a block from the parade route.

2. The Rose Bowl
TCU wins the Rose Bowl in dramatic fashion.   Go, Frogs!

3. New Job

The most suitable picture for this is my dogs making me feel super guilty for giving up telework.

4. Marathon Maniac

I become a Marathon Maniac after running the Cowtown 50K (31 miles), Ardmore Marathon, and Oklahoma City Marathon.  I definitely deserved the "Maniac" title after being hailed on during the OKC Marathon.  This feat resulted in a bit of marathon burnout (and subsequent weight gain).

5. Weddings

I made two separate trips to California for weddings (Cousin Dana's in April and Cousin Holly's in May).  It was fun to visit with family that I hadn't seen in ages and see my cousins rock the wedding dress.  My date to Dana and Jason's wedding:

6. Anniversary

Before Holly and Ryan's wedding, Cliff and I celebrated our anniversary in Santa Barbara.  It was an amazing time (and kudos to me for planning such a memorable trip).

7. Vacation Station

Our big vacation of the year was a trip to the El Dorado Seaside (Playa del Carmen) this summer.  It completed the El Dorado trifecta.  The highlight of the trip was our private dining room (and maybe the fried ice cream too!). 

8. Belated Birthday

I had a belated birthday party with some of my friends at the Gaylord Resort/Glass Cactus.  The big Three-Ohhhhhh.

9. Familia en Tejas

My parents came to visit over Labor Day Weekend, and my brother was here over Veteran's Day Weekend.  I'm glad they made it out here to meet their grandson/nephew Hank before he passed away rather unexpectedly in December.  GusGus gets TREATS?!?!

10. Susan G Komen 3-Day Walk

I wasn't sure what to think about this when I signed up, but it turned out to be an amazing experience.  So amazing that we're going to do it again in 2012.  Hooray for spending time with old friends and meeting new friends.

11. Christmas in California

It was a very much-needed break... not working, running in the beautiful weather, and spending time with family and friends.  My mom makes a better Christmas brunch and Christmas dinner than your mom.

Merry Christmas Eve from California!

It's been a great trip so far... a nice break from work while spending time with my family and friends and enjoying this perfect weather.  I flew in on Wednesday night after a super hectic day at work.  I treated myself to a Bloody Mary at the airport, and the bartender was very generous with the pour and I was asleep before the plane even took off.  My dad picked me up at the airport, and my mom made dinner (salmon, broccoli, and rice). 

I got Thursday off to a good start with a 6.15-mile run around the neighborhood in perfect weather (50s and sunny).  Then my mom and I did some grocery shopping and went to TJ Max.  I got some picture frames for Christmas presents, and I also bought a Columbia sweatshirt (which I pretty much haven't taken off) and a Columbia neon green lightweight jacket.  Those two purchases were only $45... what a steal!  My mom made us a yummy turkey and avocado sandwich for lunch, and I had a nice 3-hour slumber to prepare for a night out with my brother (he didn't pick me up until 10:15, so I knew it would be a late night).  I had a glass of wine with my parents and my mom made a pasta casserole dish for dinner.  I puttered around for a few hours (and even made my family's New Years card) until my brother arrived.  We went out to a club in Hollywood.  We parked at his garage at work and he told me it would be a 5-block walk.  In brother speak, this translated into about 3/4 of a mile in a hoochy dress and sandals when it was rather chilly outside!  We had a good time though, and the walk back was much better with some alcohol in me.  I was going to post a picture or too, but it's probably best that they just hibernate in my Canon. 

I didn't get home until 3:45 (yikes, 5:45 Texas time!) and my dad was leaving for work.  I only slept about 4 hours, and then my mom and I went to PetCo (I love their treat bar!) and Trader Joe's.  I met some high school friends at Corner Bakery for lunch, and then I tried to take a nap but I think my body was all out of whack from the time change, the naps, and the late night/morning out.  Last night we went to Rudy's in Monrovia for dinner (fish tacos).  I wasn't even in the mood for a margarita (weird, I know).  After dinner, we walked around the farmer's market/street fair and my mom and I each bought a bracelet.

Now I'm chillin' in my gym clothes (that translates into "I'm really playing Zuma Blitz on Facebook and drinking coffee") and trying to motivate myself to workout, either a run or the gym, before we head out to spend Christmas Eve with the extended family.  Merry Christmas Eve!

Christmas Makes Me Phat.

It's been just over a week since Hanky Panky passed.  We have been trying to spoil GusGus and Lucy with plenty of walks (over 10 miles so far!), and even a trip to see "Santa Claws" (where GusGus inevitably pooped in poor Santa's lap and Lucy shook uncontrollably).

The dogs are doing pretty well, except Lucy stares out the front window, which she never used to do.  One of my co-workers bought me a nice stone for outside that says "My Beloved Pet."  I put that in the backyard near the swing, which was one of Hank's favorite spots. 

This week has been full of food, and my tummy is yelling at me to stop.  On Tuesday we did our work Christmas lunch at the Omni buffet, where I ate a salad, the main course with a separate plate for Salmon Wellington, and two desserts (bread pudding and some kind of frosted cake).  Then I went back for short ribs and scalloped potatoes, which I totally didn't need.  It was super yummy though.  On Wednesday night, we went to a Betsy and James's annual Christmas party.  Pesto mashed potatoes and sharing two plates of cheesecake and chocolate cake?  Yes, please. 

My friend Melissa (who lives in Tulsa) visited this weekend.  We went out to dinner (the Italian restaurant up the road) with Cliff and Leslie and had a drink at the Eagle's Nest (and watched all of the drunk elderly folk cut a rug on the dance floor).  On Saturday we treated ourselves to a pedi, had a late lunch at Boo Ray's, and then drove to Addison for dinner and a comedy show.  I took one for the team when the waiter spilled iced tea on my pants and shoe, and we ended up with a free appetizer, free dessert, and free round of drinks.  I'm assuming the skinny margaritas were more than offset by the Spicy Fritos Burger that I ordered.  After dinner we went to the Improv in Addison to see Loni Love (from Chelsea Lately).  It was a really good show.  I didn't know what to think going into it (since I read Chelsea's books but don't watch her show, so I had no idea who Loni Love was).  We were seated in the front row at a table with a lesbian couple, and Loni Love made a joke about our table being the lesbian table. 

Today Melissa and I went to lunch with our friend Jamie, and I tried to tackle a burrito that I totally didn't need.  I really need to workout, but all I want to do is sleep.  I have less than 30 miles to run to hit 1,000 miles for the year, so I need to hop to it.    

In Memory of Hank Willingham

Dear Hanky,
It was October 20, 2010, and I had a crazy morning at work.  I was out for a jog on the Trinity Trail during my lunch break when I saw you and your sister.  When I passed you again on my way back, I knew I couldn’t leave you.  We treated your worms and fleas, got you neutered, and put some weight back on your skinny frame.  Fortunately when I tried to find you and your sister a forever home, Dad agreed you had already found one. 

I will always wonder where you came from and how someone could mistreat you.  When you first moved in, you were afraid to come into our house from the backyard.  You would inch closer to the back door, but you were afraid to cross the threshold.  You would run off into the patio or outside when we had a guest (especially a man!), and you were so quick to flinch because you thought you might get hurt.  As Grandpa told me, “I hope there’s a special place in Hell for the person who mistreated Hank and Lucy.”

I wish I knew how bad you were hurting when you first cried to me the night before Thanksgiving.  Could we have done anything differently to get you through this?  Were you just sick of fighting it?  Did you feel abandoned at the hospital?  Most of all, I wish Dad and I could have been there at the end to rub your belly, look into your big, droopy eyes, and kiss you goodbye.

It’s hard seeing the reminders – three dog beds, three bowls, and, the toughest of all, Lucy.  I know how much you loved your sister, and it breaks my heart to know I’ll never get to see you two walk side by side again.  GusGus, Dad, and I will take extra good care of your sister.  There will be plenty of walks, petting, snuggles, and treats (and maybe an occasional squirrel or rat).

We will always remember you and your funny quirks.  The way you would sneak your nose under our arm and lift up, to remind us to pet you.  The way you would roll over on your back wanting belly rubs.  Your shit-eating grin (literally)… now GusGus is wondering why is poop is no longer good enough to eat.  How you loved to go for walks (just like your brother and sister) and how you would trip on your own feet (just like your mom).  How you would jump up and down, in all your awkward glory, when it was time to eat.  Most of all, we will remember how much love you brought into our home and we will value the year we had with you.  Hopefully the time with us more than made up for whatever you endured prior to becoming a Willingham. 

October 20, 2010: Finding You and Lucy on the Trinity Trails

You and Lucy staying at Aunt Shawna's for a few days

You were still hesistant about coming into the house!  One of my favorite photos.

Losing some of your manhood and temporarily gaining a cone.

Quickly learning how comfortable the couch was!

It was a lesson you never forgot.

Bedtime in the patio (not nearly as comfortable as the couch)

Snow day!  (I think this was way more fun for me than it was for you!)

You had the best Basset features...

You weren't a swimmer like your brother, but you were a cute spectator!

And you loved getting your tan on...

Your first Willingham Christmas

And your last :(

We miss you and we love you.  Rest in peace, Hanky Panky.