Easter

My family has never been a church-y family and has never done the whole Easter church thing. We used to go to Brunch at a nice hotel or lunch at my Mom's. When I was young my mom did the Easter basket thing for me and my sister, but of course as I got older she stopped, naturally. But now that we are all older and have done the brunch thing over and over again, we have spent the last couple of years just hanging out at home. With no kids or grandkids, Easter just isn't as fun or necessary. It sounds sad, but it is what it is...and we are good with that. It's not like we don't want to celebrate Jesus, but like I said, my family was never a go to church every Sunday (or really at all) kind of family. Sunday's were for sleeping in, chores, and watching various sports games (for my Dad). There is a tiny part of me that feels bad for not "participating" in the holiday. Ok...I'm over it now.

Frank's family is different. His Mom is very religious and made him to go to church as a kid and really forced religion down his throat. The older she gets the more religious she gets. The rest of his family is not like that. His Dad is not church-y either. He said yesterday that most Christians say that God brings a family together. But it tore his apart because his mom is so fanatical and overboard with it. I am not at all saying church is bad or God doesn't bring family together, but I think it is all person or family specific. When I was at my lowest, I did go to church regularly for a while. I did not go to "find Jesus", but to learn morals and values. I took the lessons that were being preached and applied them to my own life. I got out of it what I needed and moved on. I always say I hate discussing religion and politics, but given that it is Easter, why not? Happy Easter everybody. Bock Bock!

Bent with the Dents

Last night Frank and I rang in 2009 with our good friends Todd and Kristi. We had a great time at Bent Lounge in Fort Worth. None of us had been there before, so we were unsure what to expect. When we arrived I have to say I was a bit disappointed because it was dead, nobody was there, and it was kind of cheesy. The club is set up on 3 levels. We were on the 3rd level, which ended being segregated from the rest of the club. The 2nd floor at least over looked the first floor so you were more in the mix of everything. But shortly after we arrived, the place got packed. It turns out the 3rd floor was more of a VIP area with wrist-band access only. Who knew. We always know how to party like rock stars...Ha! Anyway, it was a good time with some interesting people watching. Everyone was there from "the old dude at the club in a wind-breaker", a Courtney Love look-a-like, Chewbacca, and much more. By the end of the night, the Courtney Love chick invited herself to our table (you will see her in some of the pics) so that was pretty funny. Oh, and I figured out that I have developed a couple really stupid picture "poses" that will need to stop ASAP!

Cool Christmas

This year's Christmas was a pretty good one. Everyone seemed happy and in a good mood and we all got some pretty cool stuff. It's hard not to list it all because it was all great, but below are some of the highlights this year.






Speaking of Christmas and materialism, I was watching the Today Show yesterday morning and they mentioned a way to keep the spirit of Christmas is to get each child only 3 presents because Jesus only got 3 presents from the Three Wise Men. I thought that was a great idea and when I have kids, I might actually go that route. I think it will also teach them to appreciate Christmas for what it truly is about.

We've Been Elfed!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas with the Carvino's

My friends Kelli and Rich hosted a Christmas party last night and it was a good time as always. The big draw is always the gift exchange. Over the past few years, Frank and I have had a "theme" going. Every year, usually the day of the party, we make our yearly trip to the "adult" novelty store. This year, Frank's offering was something so disgusting...an anal trainer lol!!! My gift was something every dirty homeless man would A-DORE...a mixed bag of the finest street liquor that consisted of none other than Night Train, Thunderbird, Mad Dog 20/20 and Boone's Farm Strawberry Hill. All of which cost me less than $10 (for the full size bottle no less). Good times.

'Tis The Holiday Season

Christmas will be here in two shakes of a lambs tail. How do you roll? Take this quick survey and tell it like it is.

Click here to take the survey.

Cocktail Time

Try infusing vodka at home with fun flavors like ginger, herbs, fruit, or spices. Start with a good quality vodka (the kind you can drink solo), then choose your flavor, and wait! As with anything homemade, this will also taste much better than anything you can buy at the store. This can also make a fun holiday gift if you use a pretty jar paired with a couple of cute glasses.

Click here for some more guidelines and ideas!

Black Friday

Oh, it's on. It's time for some wal-mart trampling, wig-pulling, crowd pushing good times. That is if you’re in to that sort of thing. I am not one to get fired up about black Friday. Yes, I have done the whole wake up at 6:00AM to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving...once. That's all it took. Yes, there are deals to be had, but what I have noticed is that most of these deals last the entire holiday weekend and what stores run out of in the wee hours of the morning usually get re-stocked at some point during the day. I know there is more to it than just shopping good sales. To some, this is a tradition and the official kick-off to the holiday season. To me, it is a well needed day off and an opportunity to not participate in mayhem best described in the video below. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Part Deux

People Suprise Me

Last night Frank and I went out to dinner and then for some drinks. We went to Chadra for dinner and the same waitress served us from the last time we went 2 weeks ago. She remembered us and remembered what we wanted to drink. I don't know why but that just surprised me. Later, we went to Milo's and they had a huge Halloween party going on with a lot of people. We dressed up, but just in "going out" clothes, not costumes. When we got in there, the bouncer joked that we were going as a normal couple for Halloween. We were there for about an hour and a half. While we were there, a fight broke out. Someone threw a beer bottle at the bar. Not sure if they were aiming for the bartender, but yikes. No punches were thrown, but it got very heated. So after things cooled down, we went to leave the bar. Even after all of that drama that the bouncer was involved with, he shook Frank's hand and said "Good Night Mr. Kirk" and then patted me on the back and said "Good Night Amanda". Who remembers people's names when hundreds of people are coming and going and drama going on? I was impressed. That is why I say people surprise me.

On a side note, at Milo's, I sat down on a stool across from the bar and waited on Frank to get our drinks. Some dude actually tried to pick me up...lol! The sad part was that he was , by far, the nerdiest person in the bar (and he wasn't even in costume). Ha! Later, Frank went to the restroom and another guy, who can best be described as Cedrick the Entertainer’s twin brother, hit on me. Freaking hilarious. So yeah...

Halloween Part 1

Party Planning

Just in time for the holiday season (and Halloween). Here is a great site for party planning. There is a section for each holiday, milestone events, entertaining and more. There are recipes, decoration ideas, drinks, tips, activities, and a lot more. Click here to check out celebrations.com!