"Luvya Dubya"

When I was in college, a group of my sorority sisters made shirts in support of President George W Bush for the 2004 election. The beautiful and classy First Lady, Laura Bush, and his twin girls were fellow Theta sisters {an added perk, not my sole reason to vote for him} and I just remember being so excited to vote for that man. It was my first Presidential Election to take part in and so there was that excitement of fulfilling my civic duty. Since then, I'll admit, I've become a little jaded. Politics can be ugly and the media usually makes me annoyed and disgusted with both parties when it's all said and done. But during that election, I felt GWB was the right man for the job. I admired and respected him for the things he had to do during his time in office. He had to deal w/ September 11 right out of the gates. I still admire and respect that man, and I can't wait to read his new book. I think he is a wonderful man who had an incredibly difficult responsibility to make decisions that none of us could ever imagine doing if we were in the same shoes.

Proud Papa of his little girls! I think we forget that our Presidents are also PEOPLE with personal lives and family.

Awwww...they love each other and they are just adorable!

He came and spoke at the 2006 Oklahoma State spring graduation and as an OSU grad, I was a little bummed that I had graduated just one semester shy of sitting out there in my cap and gown. I was in the audience though listening to our President encourage my fellow classmates to go out and do great things! Matt and I even sent them a wedding invitation to our wedding! I stole the idea from a dear friend who got married the year before us. Of course, we didn't expect him to attend, but I was so excited when we got a little note from the White House a few months later congratulating us on our special day! I'm not sure if every President does that, but if you're getting married, it's worth a shot!

He's been out of the spotlight since leaving the White House and I love that he doesn't criticize President Obama. He speaks through his actions. He knows the "Leader of the Free World" is always going to have critics and he chooses not to treat people in a way that he wouldn't want to be treated. The Golden Rule. I've been watching his appearances as his book hits the shelves this week and I think he is so genuine and charming. He is honest and it is refreshing. I really don't know why people don't like him. He said something on Oprah {& something similar when talking to Matt Lauer} and I just think that no matter what your political stance is, we can all agree on this statement: "If you chase popularity, you're chasing something that is just a fleeting moment, but principles last forever."

Luvya Dubya

**Note: I am not a hugely political person and I don't like debates. I try to pay attention to the issues, but until people in office can get over themselves, I'm not sure we'll really get anywhere. I feel that government is getting too big and people have lost their sense of personal responsibility.**

Cooking Update!

Ok, so I should probably clarify that I do cook. I cook really easy stuff, but I want to learn to be more comfortable in the kitchen...maybe make something from scratch or enjoy cooking fancier, more "impressive" meals. :) During our first year of marriage, I cooked pasta so often that Matt actually suggested that we try branching out b/c of all the carbs. haha!

After blogging my last post, I ventured over to the grocery store. I decided to drive b/c I now know of a couple of stores that have free parking and since I had procrastinated until just about every last edible thing was gone, I couldn't carry everything like I normally do. :) The grocery store was swamped...that's what I get for going on a Sunday evening.

Anyway, I decided to make a chicken, broccoli and brown rice dish. It was delicious! However...it. was. messy. The recipe said to put some veggie oil in a pan and cook the chicken for about 10-12 minutes until it was brown on either side. Well, the oil went EVERYWHERE. I mean, the floor was slick, splatter was all on the stove top, bar, places I didn't think it could get to {see story below}. I know what you're thinking...you used too much oil. I measured exactly what it said to use. 1/4 of a teaspoon. I took a few deep breaths and told myself "it'll be ok. This is normal to the cooking process." But of course, I get the 409 out and start cleaning the part of the stove that isn't in use. I know. I'm lame!



Look at all of that! Gross.



The final product! Not sure it will be a frequent meal at the Wilson home, but I'll make it again for sure! When I forget how messy it was. :) Mom, can you believe I actually cooked broccoli and I ate it too?! I know you thought the day would never come.

Today, 2 days later, I noticed our fish was looking a little sad. I peered into his bowl {behind the 409 in the picture above} and noticed an awful film on the top of the water. It was like the BP oil spill hit my poor fish's tank! I'm telling you, the oil splattered everywhere! I felt so bad for the little guy. We'll see if he survives...

Tonight...I made pizza. Not gonna lie, I just bought the Pillsbury pizza dough and threw on the ingredients. Someday I might actually make the crust. Not today though.

Confession...

I would really love to LOVE to cook. I just don't...yet. I feel like saying that makes me a bad wife and a bad future mom, but it's true! I'm determined to develop some sort of a love of cooking though. Maybe it will come with time. Or practice. I spent some time browsing online today for inspiration and recipes. I envy Pioneer Woman and the way she makes it all look/sound so easy. Here's what I think is holding me back:

*When I look at recipes, it stresses me out. I've made a list of all the things I need to get at the store to make about 4 things, and it is literally 2 columns long on a piece of 8x10 paper! Granted, some are things I hope will be useful for other recipes, but I'm hearing cha-ching in my head when I think about checking out at the register. :/ {this could also be partially due to the fact I haven't been to the store in a few weeks}

*I'm not comfortable in the kitchen. I think I need to force myself to have a "go with the flow" mentality while cooking.

*I don't like messes. That being said, I'm not a "clean freak". It's just that lots of ingredients and/or cooking things that require multiple dishes to be used is not ideal to me. A pile of dirty pots and pans to clean makes me wonder if it was even worth the mess. {This is also what makes me nervous about my ability to be a good mother. Messes=stresses for me. HEY! I titled this entry, "confession". Don't judge me. :) }

*Dinner for 1. During the week, I'm usually on my own for dinner. I don't have a hungry boy to help me eat what I've cooked. I'm not always great about eating leftovers and when the weekend comes around, I'm usually ready to go out to eat.

*I'm a procrastinator/impatient. I lack the foresight to start cooking before I actually get hungry. All of a sudden, I'm starving and I want to eat ASAP! This usually leads to a bowl of cereal, a grilled cheese or something I can cook quickly in the microwave.

So...here we go. I'm starting small and easy. I'm plan to try a few new recipes. A chicken, rice, broccoli dish; jalapeno & cheddar cornbread; taco soup and maybe a somewhat homemade pizza. Not all for the same meal of course. Oh and I decided I'm making puppy chow this week too. Just for kicks b/c I always crave it around this time of year!

Here are a few things I've learned in the last week:

*tights are essential in a Chicago office wardrobe...I've been told that I better just be prepared to wear them until at least April

*walking in tights while wearing heels is like Bambi learning to walk...I'm sure it was comical for people to see me slip out of my heel a time or two {or 20+}

*always pay attention when you're on the elevator...I've been busted a time or two getting off on the wrong floor with a load of files in hand. In my defense, we have 6 floors of office space and they all look the same in the elevator lobby.

*I really like & have missed wearing "office attire"...although it has sparked an urge to shop that I'm sure Matt will not appreciate. I think it's the preppy side of me. A girl can never have too many cardigans and pencil skirts.

And my most embarrassing revelation...
In OK, I had to leave my house by 7:30 at the LATEST to make it to work on time. Sometimes I was a few minutes late if I caught all the lights. Now, I walk to work and it is literally 2 blocks away...somehow I still manage to be rushing around at the last minute in an effort to be on time. Did I mention I don't even have to be there until 9am?! Really?! I've decided I need to start laying out my clothes for the week {thanks Marcie Belle, you're so wise!} in an effort to save myself from the "I have nothing to wear" melt downs in the morning!

TRICK OR TREAT!

We spent Halloween 2010 in the Chicago suburbs! I just had to see the world's cutest and most adorable duck, Luke! We spent the evening having dinner with Lauren, Jason and Luke & of course handing out candy to all the neighborhood kids. So fun!


Seriously, how cute is he?!?


He was trying to figure out why Matt was being so weird. I'm still trying to figure it out.

Look, I can touch my toes!

At this point, he'd been in his costume for oh...a few hours and he. was. DONE. Matt's trying to get him to laugh just one more time in his cute little costume!

Happy Halloween, Luke! Uncle Matt & Aunt Beth had a blast celebrating with you! I love being so close to such dear friends. Especially when we can't be with family for fun little holidays!

Mom & Giggy visit Chicago!!!

Last weekend my mom and grandma (aka Giggy) came to Chicago to visit me! They wanted to come and see everything before it got bitterly cold so I imagine this will be their last trip before next spring. We had the best time! I forgot to take many pictures and I hate when I do that. Ugh.

I also should mention some other fabulous ladies that joined us on our trip! Linda is one of mom's good friends. Her son, Jonathon and I went to elementary & jr high together and then they moved to Pittsburgh and now live in Alabama. Mom and Linda went to Napa last fall and had a great time! Linda brought her good friend, Yolanda (I'm not sure I spelled her name right) and we had a blast! Sometimes you travel with fuddy-duddies, but these 2 were far from it! They're so easy to be around and so much fun.

The first day we took the architectural tour on the river/lake and it was the coldest day they were here. Needless to say, nobody was really excited about taking pictures.

I had to take this one though b/c it's so obvious they're related! Look alike much?!


At the Buckingham Fountain. 3 generations! I love them to the moon and back!

Yolanda, Linda, Mom and Giggy at the fountain.



The cutest wicked witch I've ever seen!

These ladies were my good luck charm because the Friday they were here, I got the call for the job I had interviewed for earlier in the week! We went to Tea at the Drake, saw all the sights and went to the Million Dollar Quartet and shopped until we dropped!

I love y'all so much and I'm so glad the holidays are around the corner! See you at Thanksgiving and Christmas!!!

E is for EMPLOYED!

Well the vacation has come to an end, I started my first day at my new job! I accepted an offer on Friday morning from a law firm here in Chicago as their Continuing Legal Education Assistant! The firm has offices in NY, Chicago and DC but their main/largest office is here in Chicago (right around the corner from our apartment--YES!) Basically, I'll be helping 2 other ladies manage the CLE credits for all of the attorneys. I'm so excited about the opportunity to learn something new and meet lots of great people (already made some new friends!)!!!

I was so happy my mom, grandma, Linda and Yolanda could all be here with me to celebrate when I found out! We were a sight to see...I got the call while we were out shopping and everyone thought we were nuts when we all started celebrating in the store!

More details about the fun weekend we had to come on the blog later!!! Right now, I'm pooped! It's been a full and exciting day! I'm thinking wine and vegging out on the couch. Thanks to all my friends and family for all your support as I've been on the job hunt and thanks so much for all the kind and wonderful words of congratulations!!! I feel so loved and so blessed!