tours of my office space

I was inspired by Fidgeting Gidget & Remember Moments on their "tours of my office space." So I decided to share with you my office space. I thought this was such a fun idea!

So here's my desk...
(oh yea that's the Galleria behind me)

My view from my desk...
(That's the front door that leads to our lobby)

The pictures I bought and framed for my

office to add my own personal touch...My bookcase...
My desk again...

So now you see where I spend my time reading your blogs working very hard! I honestly do work very hard, I promise you that!. I read blogs on my "break time." I think everyone deserves 15 minutes here or there to de-stress and clear my head! Thank you Google reader!

Some of you may ask what is it exactly that I do...I am in the commercial group for a construction consulting firm. I assist with admin duties, marketing and I handle all press releases for our firm. That's right! All the press releases on the web are written by yours truly! That's my claim to fame around here. We wear a lot of hats around here so I'm kind of like a marketing assistant/public relations coordinator/receptionist/executive assistant/office assistant all with a pretty neat office. Works for me :0)

So yup, there you have it. There's where I am from 8-5. Monday through Friday. This is where I sit and slave away work diligently to complete all my work by deadline.

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Down by the river

We got back from our wonderful Frio River trip last night. Ahhhhh....it was so wonderful. Friday night when we got there they were already cooking dinner. We had fried fish and fried shrimp (all caught in Galveston!!) along with some coleslaw, potatoes and homemade donuts for dessert! Saturday morning we had breakfast then got ready for our float. The beginning of the float was great! There was more than enough water and some parts were so deep that not even T could touch!! We saw lots of turtles and lots of fish. Apparently there was a snake too, but I stayed way back from that. At the end of the float the water gets really deep and there's a big tree with a rope swing. It's so much fun!! Saturday night we had ribeyes more potatoes and salad. I made turtle chocolate brownies and devil's food cake cookies. Everyone seemed pretty pleased!

We drank a lot, played washers and just enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Frio River. It's so relaxing out there. Sunday morning we had our infamous omelet bar and then packed up to come home. The drive home seemed really long. While we weren't quite ready to come home it was nice to be in our own home and in our own bed. Boudreaux was happy to see us!

The relaxing weekend was much needed and makes me that much more excited for our DR vacation next week. Work was crazy today so I'm glad I had the nice weekend. Sorry I'm delayed with my Monday post! Alrighty, well here's some pictures from our river vacation weekend....

I was playing with my camera

This is right down the hill from our cabin

More right down the hill from our cabin

I was able to sneak up on a butterflyHubby and I down by the river

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friday five

Here's this week's Friday 5 from Friday5.org

Where do you get most of your information about current local events?
I watch the news every morning so if they mention something there that's where I get it. I'm also on the e-mail list for the town I live in so anytime a road closes or there's road construction...anything happens and I basically get an e-mail.

Where do you get most of your information about current national and international events?
I watch the news every morning while getting ready so I would say the television is still where I get my news. I occasionally check out stuff online, but I don't do that regularly.

Who in your family always is most likely to know what’s up with everyone else in your family?
My step-mom knows everything! I don't know if people call her or e-mail her, but she always seems to know what is going on. I go to her for updates!

Who at work (or school) always seems to know what’s going on?
I would say either my supervisor or my friend at the other end of the hall by the "C-suite." I go to them to figure out what is going on here in the office. I'm generally left out of the loop for some reason.

What other kinds of news do you try to keep up-to-date on and where do you get it?
I hate to admit it but my google reader keeps tabs on e-online and some other celeb gossip - Thanks Julie! I listen to my favorite radio show every morning on the way to work so I get a lot of info there and they have a whole variety of news. I read the Facebook feed to stay updated on my friends - does that count?

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i love a good laugh

This has got to be the funniest thing I've seen in a long time. The mama panda is so freaked out about the noise...it's hilarious.

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Writer's Workshop

I love these Writer's Workshops!! Head on over to Mama Kat if you'd like to participate!

This weeks chosen prompt:

How do you stave off boredom?

Are we talking work or home life here? Jk..OK only kind of. When at home, if for some reason I'm ever bored...I usually will find something to organize and straighten. Drawers and closets...scrapbook paper, hobby supplies. After awhile everything needs a little sprucing and decluttering so I will do that if I'm feeling empowered. If I'm feeling creative I will usually make jewelry. I like sitting with all my beads around me on the floor and creating something. Sometimes I will scrapbook. I need to finish our honeymoon speaking of which. If I'm feeling housewife-like I will do laundry and pick up around the house.

If I'm feeling neither empowered nor creative nor housewife-like then I will most likely plant my rearend on the sofa next to Hubby and watch our netflix movies of the week. Sometimes I will read but I usually will find something to do to stave off the boredom. I'm pretty good about that.

What about you?

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I could fry an egg on the sidewalk

Sooo there's this apparent heat wave striking most of the country. That or rain. Whatever.

I just looked at the little button in my Google Sidebar and do you know what the temperature reads here in the Lone Star State today? No? Well let me tell you that it's 103 stinking degrees! I could seriously fry an egg on the sidewalk.

I can vouch it feels that hot as I went out to lunch today. It's ungodly hot and humid out there. 2 seconds and you are sweating out every ounce of water you drank that day. Ugh. What's even the point of makeup? It just runs off.

I have a feeling I will be sitting in the Frio A LOT this weekend to stay cool. Thank god it's called the Frio for a reason because it will be so refreshing....that is if there's any water in there!! It's so dry here the ground is actually cracking! We went for a walk last night and there are actual cracks in the ground due to the lack of water here.

Please oh please let there be water in the Frio. Please.

*Oh and on a TOTAL random side point...do you know what kind of images pop up when you search Google Images for "Hot?" Wow. I.totally.did.not.mean.nor.need.to.see.those.results. Wow. So if you're looking for a hot sun and a thermometer apparently that's what you need to type instead of the other. Just an FYI for ya.

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Wordless Wednesday - Where I'm REALLY going this weekend

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You know what?

what? you ask...I have a lot on my mind and I feel inclined to share. So here you have it:

~ I need this week to go by ultra fast for our river trip this weekend. Friday I have a half day so I am really looking forward to Friday.

~ I don't think I can handle another long week. Hurry up now Friday.

~ How much exactly is too much info? I have seen some comments on other people's blogs about maybe providing too much info on the ol blog here. I don't know that I've determined what's "too much." Is that a bad thing?

~ I've been ultra crabby this week and not to mention emotional. Poor hubby. The crap he has to endure while living with a woman.

~ I'm actually in a pretty good mood today. I kind of have a "well screw it" attitude. Not really sure if that's good either but I've actually been pretty productive.

~ Speaking of productive my google reader is officially down to zero!! What an accomplishment right? It's stressful to me to have it in the 100's. I'm so strange.

~ I've been afraid to mention anything in fear I would jinx it, but the scale has shown a loss of 5 lbs. for a few days now. I don't know what the hell I did, but hey works for me. How about another 5 before vacation? What do ya say muffin top tummy and booty? Shall we?

~ I head to paradise in 15 days. To say I'm excited would be an understatement.

~ I'm working on my packing list for vacation. In yesterday's meeting I was channeling my closet to pick out outfits to pack with semi-coordinating bathing suits. I'm pretty ridiculous that way. Then I hand wrote it into my spreadsheet that has boxes for everyday we're there with morning, afternoon and evening blocks so I can plan what to pack.

~ I wore some cute newish shoes today. They're adorable with brown patent leather and cork - they're wedges. Adorable I tell you, but the blisters....ouch! Whatever I guess. I look cute in my brown and white dress that may be pushing the line on possibly too short but I've received a lot of compliments (even from all the bosses) so apparently it's all good.

~ There are some people who just take take take in life. They have no regard for decency or courtesy and I'm getting tired of those people. Seriously.

~ I'm looking forward to hanging out with Hubby tonight with our left over lasagna. Maybe I'll even have a glass of wine to go with it :0)

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Tuesday Thoughts

Time for Tuesday Thoughts. Here's this week's question:

What is your definition of success?

****

When I first hear the word success I think of an accomplishment. I think of getting to where you want to be. Successful meaning you have done what you set out to do. Some people think of success as being ahead at work, having the great job, having the ideal spouse and kids, the big fancy house, the nice cars...you catch my drift. But to me that's not success. That's a fairytale land that not even I wish to visit.

Success to me is marrying the love of my life and making our marriage fantastic. Having a good, solid marriage. Having a good husband who takes care of me and vice versa. Having a husband who loves me for who I am - all dorkiness included. Having a wonderful, loving family who loves me, I love them and we're always there for one another. Having great friends to share life's memories with. Having a good job that provides for my family. Having a good life...that to me is success.

The nice house we live in, the nice appliances we have, the one car note we have, the brand new car I'm driving, my closet full of clothes...all of that doesn't define success to me. I don't care how much money we have or don't have. That's not what defines my success.

My success is being married to the love of my life, living life to its fullest extent, having the wonderful family and friends and being totally content where I am right now.

I wouldn't want the high paying job that works lots of hours and gives you all the material things in life. I'm perfectly happy with my little desk job that pays my bills and allows me to have a nice balance between my work and personal life. I'm OK with not having what everyone else has. I'm OK with not busting my ass for some top-notch career. I'm average and I like being average. I love where I am in life and all the wonderful things I have.

A successful day in the life of me is making it to and from work safely, getting home to my husband and talking about our day. Playing with my big dog and seeing that goofy look on his face when he sees me. Making dinner with hubby and catching up on some boob tube. Eating dinner and snuggling on the couch. An early turn in to bed with hubby by my side. That is the epitomy of success...to me anyway.

I'm successful at 24 because of the things I've accomplished and the family/friend support I have not because of the material possessions I have.

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What do you mean no river?

(p.s. this is long...sorry)

I'm sure most of you saw me write something last week about us heading to the Frio River out in West Texas. We go with a lot of people and were totally psyched to go. Well I sent T to the store on Thursday to get everything we were asked to bring. While he was there he called to verify everything. The lady he called didn't understand why he was buying everything so early. Well apparently the river weekend is a different weekend than the one it's been the last 4 years and no one bothered to tell us. Everyone "assumed" we knew. Thanks.

Do you know how much it sucks to anticipate a vacation and a half day on Friday only to find out on Thursday that you're one week ahead of schedule? No? Well it sucks.

SOooo needless to say we did not go to the Frio River this weekend and I switched my half day of vacation to this Friday. Ugh, and people in our group got word and kept calling us all weekend to see how the "river was." Awesome.

ANYWAY...Friday we didn't end up doing much other than watching Bride wars. It was cute. Saturday we slept in, got up and went crazy cleaning on the house! By noon on Saturday my house was spotless!! That's a pretty cool feeling! I even got out the carpet spot cleaner so by saying spotless...I really mean spotless! Hubby watched TV and I played in my craft room. I made a bunch of earrings and a necklace as well as Father's Day cards. A friend came over to discuss our future Etsy store - Yep, I think we may just do it...stay tuned!

Sunday we realized our house was clean and there wasn't enough laundry to make a full load and that we weren't going grocery shopping since we were going on vacation this weekend...therefore we really had nothing to do!! We went to the local cheapy theater to see The Proposal. So cute and SOOO funny! I was so nerdy...We went to the cheapy place because it's $2.50 a person for a matinee. So we get in for $5. Then I made us each a baggy of kettle corn and put it in my purse. We bought a large coke to split for $4.25 at the concession stand so we literally went to the movies for $9.25! Ha! What a bargain.

Then my friend called and was giving away her old scrapbook shelf. It's a really nice one from Ikea. So we went and picked that up and put it in my scrapbook room!! It looks soooo good and it really helped to organize all my craft stuff since I can't just choose one hobby. I have to have several. So you want to know how anal I am? I got out all...ALL my scrapbook paper and organized it. Paper Pads got grouped together. Then paper that came in it's own box stayed in those boxes. All my non-cut 12x12 paper went in one storage container. All my paper that's been cut, but is still in large chunks or halves went in another tupperware. All the paper that has Cricut cut outs went into one of those clear 12x12 envelopes. All my small scraps - long and skinny strips, squares, etc went into a different envelope. All pre-cut cricut cutouts went into one as well. So now thanks to my ocd, all my paper is neatly organized. Ha!

We took my parents to dinner Sunday night for Father's Day. It was fun to hang out with them and actually treat them to dinner for once! We've never been able to do that. I felt pretty grown up. So yup that was our weekend. Now to look forward to the river...all over again.

Oh wait! Did you really think I would neglect to show you my homemade goodness from the weekend? Ha! Ok here you go...you've waited long enough...

Birthday card w/ pull tab

Birthday card w/ tab out
Some tropical earrings for friend's bday
Some hoops w/ blk dropsLarge grey dropsMy new necklace!!
Father's Day Card (FIL)
Inside
My Dad's Card
Inside

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Menu Plan Monday - June 22nd

Well being that the river is a different weekend now we aren't going to the store before vacation. So we're going to eat whatever we have in the house....should be interesting. So please excuse the very unexciting menu this week.

Monday: Out-to-eat for friend's birthday
Tuesday: Leftover lasagna from the weekend
Wednesday: Tuna sandwiches
Thursday: Waffles
Friday: River
Saturday: River
Sunday: River

Head over to Orgjunkie.com to check out more Menu Plan Mondays!

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Happy Father's Day!!

Today is Father's Day so I thought I would pay a little tribute to my Dad...

Father's Day is a time to pay tribute to our Fathers and all they've sacrificed for us, all they've taught us and all they've done for us. I've been a Daddy's girl from day one. My Dad and I did a lot together. He was a bodybuilder when I was little so I would go into the garage and "work out" with him. I "helped" him build me a life-size play house. When we went to the park we would create obstacle courses and see how fast we could do them. My Dad and I always made up games to play whether it was inside, outside or in the pool. It was always fun.

My Dad is such an inspiration to me. He's talented, wise, independent, ambitious and successful. He has a loving wife and a wonderful family. He has always worked as hard as he possibly could to make sure he provided for his family. He's put all of us through college and never once complained. He's always put all of us first. He is truly the hardest working man I know. I go to him for advice and always will. I admire him so very much.

He's taught me so much in my short 24 years of life. How to be an independent woman. How to be successful at marriage and in my career. He taught me to love unconditionally. He gave me great morals to live by. He taught me how to make the most of everything I'm given and to appreciate everything I have. To never be envious of another person. How to love and cherish each day that's given to us. My Dad is a wonderful teacher of life.

To say I love my Dad is an understatement. He's everything to me and I will always be his "Valley Girl."

My Dad and Me from the very beginning

Building my playhouse

High School Graduation

College Graduation

At my wedding...

Getting "low" with me on the dance floor

My 24th Birthday

This IS the World's Greatest Dad

*Yes my Dad is wearing his tie around his head at my wedding. And yes we're both getting "low" to our favorite song Low by Flo Rida. I mean how does a Dad get any cooler than that? He always knows how to have a good time.

Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you!!

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Maybe the myth really is true!

You know you've heard the myth at weddings...whoever catches the bouquet and garter are the next to get married right? Well some say it's just a myth...I think it's true!! I've got proof!

Hubby and I watched Bride Wars this evening. Well during the bouquet toss at the beginning we were like 'Hey, both of the people who caught the bouquet and the garter at our wedding are now getting married!!

One couple got engaged in November of last year and are getting married in August of 2010 and the other couple just got engaged in May and are getting married May of 2010!

Ha! That to me is just too funny and too cool! I felt the need to share!

Here's the two people who are now getting married...

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Stage of Life

Thanks to Fidgeting Gidget I found out about Stage of Life. She was a featured blogger on the site and also mentioned that the site was looking for writers. I jumped at the opportunity and decided to become a blogger on the site as well.

I wrote a piece earlier this month, but never got around to looking it over and posting it. So finally today I gave it a once over and decided to post my first blog on the website!!

If you want to check it out, please go here. I wrote a piece on how to have a fantastic wedding on a budget. When I signed up to be a blogger I was coming up on our first wedding anniversary so it had me thinking back to where I was a year ago. For us planning a budget was a necessity and really helped us to look at what we really wanted.

So check it out if you have a chance. Want to become a blogger on Stage of Life? Visit the Stage of Life blog and leave a comment for Eric, the CEO.

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friday five

What are your feelings about milk?
Love it! Hubby and I drink about a gallon and a half a week! Goes great with cookies! 2% or 1% only though.

What are your feelings about cheese?
Colby jack is my favorite. I don't like swiss or pepperjack. Good on lots of things like sandwiches, chicken, enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, pitas....

What are your feelings about yogurt?
I eat yogurt every morning with breakfast. I buy light strawberry and top it with some oats and honey granola!

How do you feel about soy milk?
Um not my favorite. I prefer good 'ol regular milk.

How far are you from the nearest cow?
There's a pasture with some cows on my street and really almost all the surrounding streets! :0)

Thanks Friday5

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We have a winner!!

As promised my Jewelry Giveaway ended this evening at 10:30 pm CST!! I was so excited about my first product giveaway!

Via Random.org we have a winner!!

Drum roll please...................

And

the

winner

of

my

first

jewelry

giveaway

is

.................

Patty Ann at Living Life to the Pinkest!!!!!

Congrats!!

Please e-mail me your contact information at v.cesari [at] hotmail [dot] com and I will get your winnings in the mail as soon as possible.

Thanks to all of you that entered!! Stay tuned as I have another giveaway up my sleeve and I'm sure there will be more jewelry to come. :0) Thanks so much for participating. Congrats again to Patty Ann!!

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