Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Gardening on the cheap

This is what happens when:
  • I'm a gardening newb.
  • I get desperate because my plants start dying.
  • I can never remember to water my plants.
  • I can't justify spending $10+ on a watering can.
  • I feel like being green (reduce, reuse, recycle).
My new watering can.


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

If you don't love Houston, why are you here?

I guess my love for Houston was exuding from me the past few months or how ever long my friends have known me because more than two friends on different dates mentioned it to me. The conversation started around traveling to other cities and why or why I didn't like the city and if that city would be a place I would want to live. The answer always ended with, "I would still live in Houston."

For the longest time, Houston was just the default city to live. It's where my family lives. It's where my friends moved to after college. It's where I'm from, so it just made sense. I know the city (half of it... I don't know North Houston). I'm comfortable. I can't stand the cold so anything north of Dallas is pretty much out.

"Why do you love Houston so much?" they kept asking me.

It's really simple. FOOD. Seriously. I absolutely love the food here. The restaurants, my parent's house, my relative's cooking... I'd say my house but that's relevant no matter which city I live in. Yet, there's still so many places I still haven't tried yet, but I will. No other city beats our Tex Mex. I admit, LA has some pretty bad ass Asian food but for the cost of living, no deal here. Of course, I don't see how anyone can beat Texas bar-be-que.

I said family already. I'm daddy's girl - 'nuff said. I said friends but I can expand on that. I've met so many great people the past few years that living and working in Houston has made my life so much better. Having friends I can call up and invite to hang out or just going to events and seeing familiar faces is such a comforting feeling. I am one of those that walks into a party and looks for familiar faces and now I see them.

Another one... work. It's no secret I love my job. I'm lucky. Working at chron.com is so much fun. The people, the projects, upper management, the culture - it all meshes well with my personality. Then one day Hearst put me on a team to help come up with a new site, 29-95... it's where you go to find the good stuff in Houston. Ever since we launched I've been discovering so many cool things to do and so many free things I like. One of the best things on the site (aside from the restaurant section) is the online radio. I never heard any of these bands until now... well Chamillionaire because I have his cd. The art section is also kick ass but check the site out for yourself. To me, 29-95 proves that Houston doesn't suck. Who ever says that... YOU SUCK!

Other things that make me love Houston.
  • Low cost of living means I get to enjoy as much good food as possible.
  • No state tax means more money goes towards eating.
  • Weather - It's hot & humid. I guess I'm getting used to it but that's why every building and car has a/c or you opt to get out after 4pm.
  • Mosquitos - yeah I don't love them but it's not that bad where I live.
I must not be the only one that thinks Houston is a great city. Kiplinger rated it 2008 Best City.

Life is too short to be wasting it away complaining about why Houston doesn't have what you need or want. It's your life. You make it what it is. So now I ask you... if you don't love Houston, why are you still here?

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

"Yo Stinky! The dogs needa pee."

I was listening to the radio this morning and they started talking about this article on msnbc - Cutesy nicknames strengthen a couple's bond. Of course the DJs asked for callers to tell everyone what nicknames they have for their boyfriends/girlfriends, etc. The article goes into more about using code to tell the other person you want to leave. And today, at the end of a meeting for MomHouston, we started talking about nicknames for kiddos and parents which ended up with how kids learn to crawl.

I wonder how true it is that using "cutesy nicknames" makes a couple's connection stronger because if it is true, E & I won't last much longer. I'm not sure we do cute well but goofy and literal works for us. A lot of our conversations goes like this...

E: Hey Mrs. Stinky.
L: Sup Mr. Stinky. Watcha doin?
E: Just workin. You?
L: It's going. Yo Stinky! The dogs needa pee. Bye!

I can only imagine the nicknames we'll give our kids when ever we decide to have one or two. And even then I'm sure they'd run away from us as soon as they can crawl.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Best garden "sculpture" - worst nigtmare

"If you have any medical conditions like pregnancy, sensitive heart conditions or just plain trying to stay sane please consult your physical and mental physician prior to contacting Sky Mall for purchase."

Oh Southwest, I still love you!

Leg room is awesome!
and no my feet can't touch the wall