If These Walls Could Talk ....

Last week, I started the day with my usual morning routine.  AKA, hit the snooze button a couple times, reluctantly rolled out of bed, put on a hoodie/glasses/uggs and took Cleo out to do her business.  I had a conference call this particular morning and was trying to rush her along.

But this morning was different.  As Cleo was taking her sweet time, an old man in a truck pulled up to our back fence and called me over to him.  He was VERY old but being the paranoid female I am, I explained that I was patiently waiting for my dog to do her deeds and needed to stay put (AKA far away from the fence).

This man then explained that he grew up in our house in 1925.  Our house was built in 1923 which means he was born 2 years later.  He went into detail about how his parents paid $3100 for the house/property.  He said the neighbors were all upset because the street behind our house used to be a "through street" until our house got in the way. 

He also explained how they had a cow and told me where the pastures were when he was a kid.  At this point, he got a phone call and asked to be excused for a second.  I looked down at my own phone to realize my conference call was starting and had to rush inside.  I immediately told J to go out and try to talk to him but by the time J went out, the old man had driven off. 

That was such a fun and rare blessing!  I wish I could have talked to him longer and asked more questions.  I also wish he could have come inside and told us how the house had changed. 

I know the basement wasn't built until 1932.... 9 years after they built the main floor.  This is a piece of newspaper we found in the woodwork when we ripped out the stairs.

I also wish I could know more about the original kitchen.  We still have the remnants of the brick stove area in our kitchen but the chimney has been removed. 

I hope he stops back by sometime.  I really would like to know more about our little home and her history :)

15 years and counting

J and I were able to make it home for a mid-October visit to see a good friend get hitched.  Emily and I have been friends since 7th grade.  Like any friend, we've had our ups and downs over the years but I love that we have become closer this past year.  Living in a state outside of where I grew up is hard sometimes.  It's hard to constantly meet people who have known my husband since childhood and have all these awesome stories and not have ANY of those people for me.  I think there is a certain, unspoken comfort from being around people that have seen you through various stages in your life.  They were there through the awkward years, the teenage angst, the first heartbreak, the wild streak, the idiot decisions, etc. 

Emily and I always bonded over music.  We would find a new song we liked and write down the lyrics.  Then we would stick the new song in eachother's locker in between classes.  We'd analyze the song by trying to decide what the artist was meaning and then what it meant to us.  Dorky? Sure.  But this went on for ages!  Even now, we sometimes will text a song to eachother to debate.  We'd drive around for hours listening to new music and even skipped class to go get Janet Jackson's new album.  We spent a whole drive to Dallas listening to 2 songs on repeat: "Come a Little Closer" by Dierks Bentley and "Over my Head" by the Fray. 

Music is our thing.

Whenever we used to visit Oklahoma, I would try to pack in a million visits, lunches, coffee dates, beer talks as possible.  J and I would end up running around on a strict time schedule and would leave us exhausted and stressed for the entire visit.  We changed that with the last two visits... we just focused on family with a few friends scattered in.    And, it equals the perfect visit!

We landed on Thursday around 3pm and drove to Norman.  We bought new OU shirts, cruised around my old campus/sorority stomping grounds and ate dinner with my parents at an Italian restaurant in downtown Norman.  We finished the evening by watching a movie in my parent's movie room.  It was perfect and relaxing. 

Friday, J went to the driving range with my dad so I met a friend from high school for coffee.  It was SO much fun just sitting on the patio and giggling/talking about everything.  I told her while we were there that I was really impressed with who she has become.  I feel like she is finally content in her own skin.  It was nice to see such confidence and beauty radiating from her.  She is finally who she wants to be and you can tell.   We sat on that patio for TWO hours and it was perfect. 

We then met up with my sister, her hubby and this cute little lady...

After some delicious sushi, we retired back to the house where we talked and hung out for the rest of the night. 

Saturday was family pictures and visiting with one of my cousins and her cute fam.  That evening we went to the lovely wedding of Mrs. Clark ;)   It was a beautiful ceremony and I was thrilled to be asked to read a prayer during it.  The reception was gorgeous and everything I expected she would want.  I laughed and danced and ate and drank with my high school girls, my parents and my wonderful husband.  (Bless him for listening to all of our silly high school stories and jokes).

Sunday morning we rushed off to the airport and I couldn't help but think how much I loved this visit.  I loved spending so much time with my niece.  Loved laughing and catching up with my family.  Loved getting to see my cousin.  Loved getting to celebrate a special day with some of my best friends.  And I loved enjoying my hometown.  Just soaking in the beauty and the changes.  I relished in being around friends who I've known for 15 years and have been right beside me for the events that made me who I am. 

I can't wait 'til Christmas!  I already know that visit will feel too short. 

Cleo Crisis

So those of you who live in Utah and read my blog, which I'm pretty sure is only Charissa ;), know how much I adore this little lady.....

To say Cleo is my pride and joy is an understatement.  Working from home means that she spends my entire work day snoozing on my lap, running after her toys I've tossed, or perched on our window barking at strangers.  

I spend ALL day with this little lady! 

After J's show on Saturday night, we came home to a VERY sick pup.  We gave her a bath and hoped the worst was over.  I had bought a new brand of rawhide chews and figured they upset her stomach so I tossed them and thought that was that. 

After continued problems through Monday night, I promptly took her to the vet Tuesday morning.  They said she had a bacterial infection and gave her a shot.  They gave me some pills to give her over the next week and said to call them if she doesn't start improving.  I paid my money and walked her out to the car....

By the time we reached my car and I sat down, she stopped moving.  She was just standing on the seat with her eyes closed.   I tried to move her but she was rock solid.  I got her to my lap but she still had her eyes closed, was completely unresponsive, and had shallow breathing.   I rushed her back inside and the doctor noticed her gums had turned bright white.  He rushed her off to a nurse to give her some shots and asked lots of questions.  Turns out she was allergic to the shot they had given her so they quickly had to counteract her allergy.   The doctor said it was only the 2nd time in 30 years that he had seen such a reaction.

It was scary.   They kept her for observation and told me to go home until they knew something more.  I was a MESS.  I paced around my house crying until J got home.  They called and said she had recovered and that they think she was ready to be taken home.   I can't even tell you how relieved I was.  

Long day but this little girl is finally on the mend...

I love you, Cleo :) 

"Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." — Steve Jobs

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it." - Steve Jobs

The world has lost a great innovator and truly remarkable man.  If you have a chance, please go watch "The Pixar Story" - just one more amazing thing that he left us.    

 

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs. 

 

"Death is very likely the best invention of life.  All pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure, these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important." - SJ

Bye-Yum-Pum-Pum

 "If a girl wants to be popular now-a-days, there's one thing she absolutely needs to know..... Bye-yum-pum-pum."

This past weekend, my husband and I went to a fundraiser for a dear friend who is doing a mission trip to Africa in February.  She is part of a belly dance troup her in Salt Lake so all of her friends got together for a GREAT performance!  It was 18+ due to numerous burlesque acts and even a pole-dance routine.  (My husband had no idea he would see so many boobs when I told him we were going to a "fundraiser".... clever pasties) ;)

Anyways, it was an honor being around so many women who are truly comfortable with their bodies in all shapes and sizes.  I loved seeing all their outfits, accessories, make-up and hairstyles! I am a performer at heart and miss the days of practicing something until the big unveiling!  The nervousness and excitement all focusing on that one event.  It was a celebration of what it means to be a woman.... and more importantly - what it means to feel like a beautiful woman. 

It got me thinking about how much I love to be girly!  I often feel I was born in the wrong decade! I want dresses, heels, fancy hats! I dance from decade to decade in my style choices and often get discouraged at how little I find.

I want the 20's flirty flair .....

via

I want the 30's feminine sophistication .....

via

I want the 40's  glamorous sensibility ..... 

I want the 50's classic idealism .....

via

I want the 60's expressive rebellion  ....

I have always been a dress girl.  I buried it for a couple of years but it sprouted back like a giant weed.... too ingrained to let go.   When I was  a couple feet high, I used to refuse to leave the store or buy any clothes unless I could try them on and check out their "spin quality."  I would stand in front of the mirror and just spin..... making sure the dress created a perfect circle outward without inhibiting the spin.   This wasn't just any test, this was THE test for every dress.  I hear that my niece has inherited this trait at the young age of 3.... :)

I tend to wear dresses a lot lately and I hate always feeling overdressed for everything.  But I don't hate it enough not to wear them.  I will continue my search and will hopefully have more dresses ready to go before it snows.  

With that being said, I will leave you with one of my favorite scenes from a movie I watched religiously as a child.  Please try to at least make it to 1:35 where it really gets started :)










And, no joking aside..... I danced around my room with a blanket for years doing my own Bye-Yum-Pum-Pum routine...

"For when you're oh so mysteri-o-so, the men will grow so entranced with you. As you secretly conceal the tingly way you feel when you're dancing to Bye-yum-pum-pum."

Eat to Live

"Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food."

-Hippocrates

Well... I have been working on this post for at least a month as a response to all the people who keep asking me how my diet changes have been going and what I think about them.  I had paragraphs and paragraphs out the wazoo.  Then I woke up this morning and decided to delete it all.

Crazy? Maybe.  Freeing? Without a doubt!

I have had so much stress about this post and I think it boils down to that I just don't like to write about food.  I laid out in great detail the ins and outs of animal protein and its dangerously acidic nature, etc.  But let me tell you.... I decided to get rid of it.  I'm not here to preach to you about why my diet is the best or outline all the research backing it up.  I'm here to tell you what works for me.  So, without further ado, here is my food update:

Background:
I have had stomach problems since I was an infant.  (As in, my mom texted me last week saying she found some of the antibiotics they gave me that expired in 1983.  That's right folks, I have been on meds for my stomach issues since before I was even ONE year old.)

After trying everything from digestive enzymes to meds to allergy/disease tests, nothing seemed to help... if it worked for a day I was thrilled... but I wanted something that LASTED.  After having an allergy test and finding out I was "allergic" to 2 whole pages of food (yes TWO pages of ingredients/foods/essentials) and having tests run on my gallbladder, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I kept hearing a lot of buzz on the internet about a book and decided to order it off the internet.  Half way through the book, I turned to my husband.... gave him a helpless look and slammed my head down on the table.  The book was the wake up call I needed!  Our health is our OWN decision... sure we can blame our genes... but the food/products we ingest actually manipulate and CHANGE our genes.  That's right.... FOOD CHANGES OUR GENES.  It can turn certain genes off and others on .... and let me just tell you, That is NOT a Good Thing.  

The book described my ailments to annoying detail and I realized that I could change my health.  SO.... that moment, I made a decision.  To Take Control.  No Excuses or Half-Assing Stuff.  I started focusing on the alkaline or acidic nature of my foods and started eating the things that I should eat rather than the things that I was in a habit of eating.

The book focuses on balancing the pH levels in the body.  When our bodies are more acidic, it promotes inflammation and disease.  So, I cut out the two most acidic foods (meat and dairy).  Cut them out COMPLETELY cold-turkey.  *besides one rough night after Kenny Chesney when I needed food BAD and all we had was taquitos... one too many beers will do that to you.   Fail.

I know what you're thinking... isn't beer acidic?  Why yes, but moderation people. moderation. We all have our vices.  Moving on....

5 Month Update:
It's been about five and half months.  How am I feeling?  SPECTACULAR.  You're looking at a girl who used to puke up food from once a week to every day.  When I first moved to Utah it got so bad that I threw up 5 times a day.  I would just sit in the bathroom and cry because I couldn't keep anything down.  We're talking actual meals in the toilet instead of digested food.  TMI?! Probably.  But it was that bad. I still eat fish about twice a week.  But mostly veggies, beans, grains and the occasional soy product. (Trying to get rid of soy but baby steps...)

NOW?... I have gotten sick twice!  TWICE!  in 5 months!  Well, that's just a gosh darn record right there! And a helluva one too :)  No more puking in my lap while driving or making sure my car was with me 24/7 so I could have an escape route at parties.... NONE OF THAT!  Oh glorious release!  

And... as a nice little added cherry to this sweet deal, I have lost weight! Who would have thought.  My body has DEFINITELY changed.  My stomach is almost back to where it was when I graduated college 5 years ago.  My husband was so impressed with how I've seemed to tone up that he is trying my nutritional change to see if it makes him feel better too.

If I went to the gym more than 4 times a month, I'd probably see better results. But hey, I went 2x last week and 2x this week... definitely getting better on the whole gym thing.  My goal is to make it a weekly thing and get 3-4 visits a week.... we'll see how that works out.

Well regardless, that's my update :)  If anyone is interested in learning a little bit about the changes and how they affect the body, I recommend watching "Forks Over Knives" on Netflix.  It's a great documentary I watched last night that happens to outline the information about the diet changes I adopted.  It also discusses one of the most comprehensive population studies for nutrition which is really interesting information.

I promise next time to write about something fun and not food related :)

Sooner Born and Sooner Bred

Well friends, it's officially gameday!  And you know what that means... flags attached to windows flying south on 35, a sea of crimson and cream, tailgating, beer drinking, and just a heck of a time!  I LOVE GAMEDAY!  

It reminds me of when I realized what it means to be a Sooner.  A life long commitment to a group of people that you love and adore based on mutual respect for something bigger than an individual, a title, or a team.... it's a way of life in the bible belt, it's an identity. 

I remember waking up in my sorority house, squealing with excitement as we all rush to get ready, trying to decide which OU shirt/dress/accessory we should wear for the first game of the season.... walking on over to the Delt, Fiji or Beta house for some pre-drinks with the guys....

Then entering Tailgate Territory...  Kegs, couches, grills, and tv's.  Spread up and down Lindsay Street.  It was always so fun to go from tailgate to tailgate, mingling with students, alums and fans in general.  The time would come when we would mosey on over to the stadium to stake our claim in the student section.  A sea of crimson, cream and greek letters... standing on top of the seats for the entirety of the game.

The moment the new Intro Video is played for the first time and silence descends on a sold-out stadium of over 82,000 fans.  The moment the Drum Major does his infamous walk across the field.... The moment the Ruf/Neks shoot their shotguns and the moment our stadium sings our chant as one voice.  





These are the moments I miss most about not living in Oklahoma.   Without fail since I moved to Utah, I have cried every year for the first home game, OU/TX and OU/OSU.  Whether at home, in my car or in public.  It'll just hit me... and I'll cry.  I thought this year I would make it.  But no, I cried when my mom told me they were leaving to head to their tailgate.  

I miss the enthusiasm, the excitement and the sheer nature of what it means to be a Sooner.  They don't understand in Utah and tend to trash talk to me the majority of the time.  Their teams are meek so I guess I can't blame them for not understanding what it means to have the greatest college football team of all time.  Sometimes I wish I could just keep a card with this information on it to pass out at said shit-talking...

Record book

• Oklahoma has the most 10+ win seasons (32) and 11+ win seasons (20) of any program, as well as the fewest losing seasons (12) of any program.
• Oklahoma has been ranked No. 1 in the AP Poll (97 weeks)and No. 1 in the Top 5 (371 weeks) more than any team.
• In the "modern era", which is post-World War II, Oklahoma has the most wins with 567, and the highest winning percentage (.763) in the country (through 2011 Fiesta Bowl).
• Oklahoma has the most wins and best winning percentage in college football over the last 75 years (1935-current).
• Oklahoma is the only school to have played in all five BCS bowl games (Fiesta, Orange, Rose, Sugar and BCS Championship).
• Oklahoma is the only school to have four coaches with at least 100 wins each (Stoops, Switzer, Wilkinson, Owen).
• Oklahoma has had at least one first team all-conference player in 95 of the 96 seasons it has played in a conference.
• Most modern era NCAA-recognized titles with 16.
• Oklahoma holds the NCAA record for most consecutive victories with 47-straight (1953-1957).
• Oklahoma holds the NCAA record for most consecutive games without a defeat (48).
• Oklahoma has scored more points than any team in college football history with 31,436 (through the 2011 Fiesta Bowl).
• No program has more unanimous All-Americans than Oklahoma. OU and Notre Dame have 31 all-time.
• ESPN ranked Oklahoma as the most prestigious college football program overall since the advent of the AP Poll in 1936.
• Oklahoma had an NCAA-record 768 rushing yards in 1988 against Kansas State.
• Most weeks ranked No. 1 in the BCS with 20 weeks (through 2010 season).
• Most weeks ranked in top 5 in the BCS with 46 (through 2010 season).
• Oklahoma has the most rushing yards in a season with 5,635 in 1971, which was 470 yards per game (12 games)
• Oklahoma holds the NCAA record for the most points scored in a single season with 702 points through 12 games in the 2008 season (58.5 points per game).
• Oklahoma holds the record for scoring 60 or more points for five consecutive games^[48]
• Oklahoma holds the record for most lopsided instate rivalry with a record of 82-16-7 (as of the end of the 2010 regular season) over Big 12 Conference opponent Oklahoma State. In fact the rivalry is so lopsided that Oklahoma has shut out Oklahoma State more times (28 - not including 0-0 ties) than Oklahoma State has won against Oklahoma with the Sooners winning the last 8 games in a row.
• In the 2010 NFL Draft, Oklahoma became the only school in the history of the NFL Draft to have three players selected in the first four picks of the draft.^[49]

Oklahoma Pride.... doesn't even begin to say how much I love this team.

I was lucky to get students tickets every year in college, now I have two seats in my name waiting for me to come back to a game.  I hope to make it one year soon. 

via OU Athletic Department

Here's to a fantastic season!   Boomer Sooner! Go OU!

Make Up Monday

Well... I still am behind on my food post and I have been crazy busy between work and road trips so instead.... Here is my little attempt at making up for being a horrible blogger the past month.   This is the movie trailer for the first book of the current series I am reading.   It is such a dark book but so lovely at the same time.....




Can't wait to see it :)

Wordless Wednesday

Well... I have been trying to write an update about my food changes but gosh darn, it is so hard for me to get motivated to write about food.  So, here are photos in the meantime.

What's the Deal with New York City?

So every once in a while I release the need to brag about my husband's musical talent.  Yes, I said "release" because if I didn't keep wraps on it, I would pretty much have a blog entitled "My Favorite Songs by J"  ....

This is a little video he did in our living room with the new camera he got me for my bday. The song is a new one he wrote for a friend.... and it could be my current favorite :)

a Rockin' Wedding

Wow... things have been CRAZY!  Between Denver/Albuquerque trips and countless meetings, I have been behind on EVERYTHING.  With that being said.....

This past week was our good friend's wedding.  Dave was in J's band back in the day and was even a groomsman in our wedding.... not to mention our roommate for a year.

Dave is a rocker.  There is no other way to sum him up.  He has ALWAYS had an intense passion for music and has played in bands his entire life.  He is also part owner of a guitar store and met his wife at a show he played.  To say music is the most influential part of Dave's life would be an understatement.  They sent out the cutest invitations!  

Dave is in his late 30s and to be honest, none of us ever thought he'd get hitched.  He is very free spirited and well, Lisa completely swept him off his feet.  In all the years of friendship and living together, I never saw Dave as happy as he has been since he met her.  He has become a wonderful father to her 2 children and has become the man that Lisa deserves.

J officiated the ceremony which I thought was really special.

It was the third wedding he has officiated and I love how he incorporates so much of his friend's lives into their ceremonies.  He brought their kids up and said a little spiel regarding their "family" which brought tears to the eyes in the room.  

It was the ultimate music themed wedding!  The entire wedding party wore chucks.

The groomsmen walked out to "Back in Black" by AC/DC and an acoustic guitar served as their guestbook.  Even the centerpieces were records with carnations.

They had a beautiful cake and even a fun photobooth. 

It was such an honor to even by invited to their big day!  I danced with Dave a little during their "money dance" and he said something that floored me.  He said that him and Lisa always strive to be the "J &Meg" in their relationship. I was floored and humbled all at the same time.

Congrats to Dave and Lisa!  Love you both!

28 - oh so great!

BEWARE: this is a pretty photo heavy post

That's right folks, I just had my 28th Bday.  And man oh man, it was wonderful :)  Being born on a holiday makes things pretty interesting.  Growing up, I could never have a party on my actual birthday due to the holiday festivities.... but this year, we were able to make it work!

J started off the week by surprising me with some roses.... I love my husband! :)

DAY 1 - July 1st

My parents' present arrived from Oklahoma... I was thrilled to receive some amazing presents from them!  Including a Vegan Cookbook and a Vegetarian Cookbook!  Not to mention a cute little Snow White purse from Disney World... I'm addicted, I know.  J and I opened my presents and I was BEYOND ECSTATIC to receive a brand new Camera from him!  My camera is a giant Nikon so it is very hard to take places and carry around.  Now I have a new smaller Canon that I can fit in my purse :)  Best present ever!  


J and I have a "Birthday Tradition" so we ate hibachi at Benihana and then had some fun martinis at the Red Door downtown.  I got Liquid Sin and he had an Espresso Martini.  

We finished the night off at Club Vegas where Rob's new band was playing a show.  They were phenomenal and we had so much fun :)

DAY 2 - July 2nd

J and I invited some friends over for some pre-party/appetizer action!  I made a new vegan chili recipe I found online... and man, it was TERRIBLE!  But everyone adored the vegan chicken fingers and their beverages :)   I got some amazing gifts from some wonderful friends.

After the pre-party action, we walked to the bowling alley down the street from our house and did some Beer Bowling.

It was a BLAST!  And I won 2 out of the 3 games!  Who knew I had such skill!? ;) joke

After bowling, a few of us headed over to the Drive-In where we watched Bad Teacher and Hangover2..... I already saw Hangover2 a couple weeks ago so I ended up napping through the whole thing .... whoops!  Cleo came to the drive-in with us even though they don't allow pets.  And I would just like everyone to know that she did AWESOME!  Didn't make a peep the whole night :)


DAY 3 - July 3rd

J spent most of the day picking up our new washer and dryer from Provo/installing it/ etc.  That evening, we went to Olive Garden for my favorite salad and then saw Midnight in Paris..... I absolutely adore Rachel McAdams... as in, she is my FAVORITE actress!  So I adored the movie even though she played a total bitch.   J liked it a lot too since it incorporated the creative side of things and discussed living in the past vs. the present.  I recommend it for a fun, lighthearted evening.  :)



DAY 4 - July 4th

MY BDAY! Woo to the hoo!   J cooked me some of my VERY favorite breakfast... flaky biscuits!  He bought vegan bacon so I was able to have a semi-normal breakfast sandwich ... which was divine :)

We had planned a tailgating party for the Real Salt Lake game that afternoon.  We showed up at the tailgating parking lot around 3pm and J cooked burgers/hotdogs for everyone.

It was SO much fun and my FIRST tailgating experience since leaving Oklahoma! 4  years without tailgating?!  Talk about withdrawal!  None of my Utah friends had tailgated and they were ranting and raving how awesome it was!  They may make it a regular game tradition!

 My friend MK even made me vegan cookies for my bday :) love her!

Not to mention I was rep'ing OU ....

The game was a lot of fun but we ended in a draw (3-3) due to some bad calls by the refs. 

That evening, they also honored the Real Salt Lake coach and retired his number from when he played for our team.  It was a really awesome memorial type service.

After the game, J and I raced across town to try and get to the fireworks near our house.  Due to traffic, it didn't look like we were going to make it in time.   But thanks to an accidental wrong turn and some awesome driving skills by J, we found a perfect spot up near the east bench.  We pulled off into a little dirt parking lot and sat on my trunk.  From our spot, we could see 9 different firework shows going at once.   It was REALLY neat to see because the shows ranged in distance so some were small and far away and some were close and huge!

After returning home, I then spent about half an hour dancing around like a goon playing with sparklers in my drive way.... I am a total nerd.... but it was my favorite holiday so who cares :)

No, that is not a Red White & Blue crown on my head... maybe .... 

It was the perfect cap to a PHENOMENAL Birthday weekend!  Hope everyone had a fabulous Independence Day!  Here's to 28!