Quote for the Day

"Never trust your feelings as evidence of the truth" - A.R. Bernard

Nathan shared this quote with me and I love it!

Twitter Turnaround

We all knew this might happen. I make my big stance on not doing twitter...and yet am back on! (#don'tjudge) Social Media is frustratingly addicting! I am pleased to say though that I made it 18 days with my deactivated account. So I still feel strongly that you should #usewithcaution... but what I love is the instantaneous news-related info that you get immediately. As I am four days behind on getting to today's paper - sans internet I can't seem to #keep up. 

Bottle Service at the Burlesque Bar

We are celebrating 29 in style this year! Even though my birthday isn't until next weekend, everyone was able to gather yesterday to say GOODBYE 28! We started the night at one of my favorite locals - Union Bear. They have a fabulous $5 house wine - and delicious pizza with a great atmosphere. And...they take reservations for large parties (16 to be specific). Two and a half hours later we were full, got in some good belly laughs and took our show on the road to Teddy's Room. 

Steph and Ryan's first date night out sans kids since Blake! Thanks for coming out guys!!!

Matt, Brian and I spent a good part of the day at the pool - remembering the food and drinks...forgetting the sunscreen! Sorry Brian!

Steph was so sweet to surprise me with desserts from Anything Bundt Cake!

Lundemachers!

Wolfpack

"most" of the group!

Once again, my cousin Kelly introduced me to Teddy's Room. I, of course, had never heard of it - and she, as usual, had already been. When she told me about it - a burlesque bar set up as a "speakeasy" type place with trained burlesque dancers - I immediately added it to my "things to do in Dallas." So celebrating the final "20-something" birthday in a "twenties-ish" atmosphere felt appropriate! And we lived it up! We decided to get bottle service so that we could secure a nice little table/couches area - and wow, was that the right decision. When we first arrived the place was fairly empty - but within an hour it was PACKED (and hot!). I do not think it would have been much fun to try and make space within the jampacked "dance floor." That and...it was really fun to experience "bottle service" for the first time in my life! I typically shy away from social elite activities such as ordering bottle service - but this time it just felt right!

Even though the dancers didn't start until midnight - Chase went ahead and warmed up the stage for them!

Round 2!

A view of how crowded it got!

Soaking up the Sun

Brian was in town this weekend to help celebrate my (early) birthday weekend! Prior to Saturday evening's festivities we spent some time enjoying Kelly, Joe and Carissa's new pool! We may or may not have forgotten sunscreen (for the boys of course). 

Still a Southern Belle

I have never considered myself a Southerner. I was born and raised in Tulsa, OK (until I was 12) - went to Junior High and High School in Jackson, MS - went to college in Dallas, TX - lived 3 summers in Crested Butte, CO - moved to Italy for a year - and am back in Dallas. My extended family lives in 14 different states and 4 different countries (currently). The rest of my extended family calls Rome home, and I every other weekend I seem to be on a plane visiting friends or family in a new state/city.

When we moved to Jackson, classmates called me a Yankee. It baffeled me because I used to think - if you would only look at a map you might reconsider considering Tulsa, OK "North." But now I get it....Texas and Oklahoma....they are not Southern States. They are great states in their own right - but not the South. Living in Mississippi you adjust to the fact that people move and talk slower, that everyone smiles and is polite, that no matter your age you say "yes ma'am and no sir" to the older generation. You learn what grits are - and may or may not take a liking to them (I did not). You are unimpressed by Mur Woods National Park in California because the trees in your neighborhoods are ginormous. You are aware of race issues, the Civil war, the Confederate flag and watched "Roots" at some point before your Sophomore year. All of this becomes the norm and you don't even realize that you have started substituting "you guys" with "y'all" - even though you SWORE you would NEVER stoop so low. 

So I never felt like a Southerner living in Jackson...but throw on an old home video and wow do I have a Southern drawl (That I never realized was there)! Fast forward to 10+ years removed from life in Jackson and I love going home to the slow, sweet pace of the South. Oftentimes I even catch the Southern accent coming out of my mouth as I interact with the clerk at the grocery store or old friends at church. 

So what is the point of this post? What brought on the idea to blog about the South and the soft spot it holds in my heart? My recent trip to Little Rock would be the answer to those questions! This past week I had the pleasure of spending about 24 hours in the great city of Little Rock for work. The majority of my time was spent in our LR office and the hotel. WOW - let's talk about the hotel. We stayed at The Capital Hotel and holy moly I was impressed. There is just no place like an old, historic hotel with Southern charm and hospitality. If you EVER have the opportunity to stay at this hotel - you will not be disappointed. My hotel room was like something out of Gone with the Wind. Thirty-five foot ceilings, impressive drapes, room service to die for, and a turndown service that makes the Four Seasons feel average. 

I felt at home. I fit in. I appreciated the slow, southern drawl, the sersucker pants, grits on the menu, the best lemonade known to man and smiling at strangers with a head nod and a "good morning." I never considered myself a Southerner - until I left the South - and come home! Now don't get me wrong - I am pretty close to considering myself a full-fledged Texan - but in the meantime I will always hold a very special place in my heart for the true Southerners...knowing that while I might only be an honorary member - the South will always be home!

Our Big Kid Bed

Our latest DIY project was a headboard for our bed. I don't think Matt nor I have had a headboard since our childhood bedroom sets. When I moved into my first apartment I had a mattress, sheets and a blanket from college. Slowly but surely I stepped it up with a comforter from BB&B, sheets that matched the comforter, throw pillows and a bed skirt. Then Matt and I got married and we got an even nicer duvet cover and higher thread count sheets. But when it came to bed furniture - we just never pulled the trigger. We didn't want to get anything while we were living in the apartment because we would have just had to move it into the house...then we bought a house and there was always something more fun to buy than a headboard/bedroom set. 

Well I am pleased to say we are making progress towards a big kid room - headboard and all! Matt and I are working on serveral DIY projects for our bedroom - more to share later - but for now, check out the fantastic headboard Matt built all by himself. And yes, we now own a circular saw - more powertools for the garage!

Bridesmaids

I spent last weekend in Chicago with Laura, Denise and all but one of Laura's bridesmaids. The best part is that I was already in Chicago for work Thursday, so I was able to take off Friday to do some Matron of Honor duties such as visit the florist, find a wedding dress, and...of course...shop for bridesmaids dresses!!! Combine all of that with great food, shopping and pdicures and you have a FABULOUS weekend!

Celebrating our July birthdays

Pedicures

Starting off the bridesmaid dress shopping with mimosas...

THE. BEST. ITALIAN. RESTAURANT.IN.THE.USA.

Swiss Invasion!

My Junior year of highschool we had an exchange student from Switzerland named Kathrin. We spent the year playing soccer together and introducing her to "life as an American." In the years that have followed she has come back once - now twice - and we have been to see her a few times. We have traveled to Switzerland, Germany, Italy and a dozen cities all over the US!

Last week Kathrin and her boyfriend Simone were in town starting a month long vacation in the US. Unfortunately I had to work, but was able to meet them for lunch and a few dinners!!!

Lunch at Campisis

Dinner at Chuys

They LOVED Chuys

Three St. Joe soccer players...and Simone

Surprised by all of the "big Texas cars"

Sampling FroYo

My Texas Truck

A few weeks ago Dallas had one heck of a hail storm. The Lakewood area got destroyed! Luckly, our area was wasn't hit quite as hard, but we were hit! My car had a bit of hail damage and we had an adjustor assess our roof and there is a possibility we will have to replace it. About two weeks ago I took my car in to get repaired and Enterprise picked me up to get my rental. They offered me a Dodge Charger or a Dodge Ram. I thought about it for...about 2 seconds...and said "I'll take the Ram!" My thought process was, I have never driven a truck, it looks awesome, and I'm not sure when I would get the opportunity to drive one in the near future.

I. Loved. It.

I mean, I really loved it.

I loved it so much I literally almost teared up when I had to return it.

When I got in the truck they had it on a satellite country station. I didn't bother to change it. I figured, I'm in a truck, I'm in Texas, why would I listen to anything else. Needless to say, several new iTunes songs have been downloaded and on the ipod in Lundeland.

Here is what I loved:
1. Being the biggest on the road
2. Having to climb into it
3. Jumping out in a pencil skirt and stilettos and watching the expressions of bystanders expecting a tough guy
4. Listening to satelitte radio - and not listening to commercials
5. Knowing that if someone needed something moved - I could help them

Didn't love:
1. Buying gas
2. Parking
3. Not fitting in the garage

I have not convinced Matt to let me get a truck...but I'm not giving up yet! Maybe one day!!!