So much for posting more in 2010... I'm really not sure where all of the time goes! I can't believe January has come and gone, I'm not even used to writing 2010 down yet.
Work has gotten a lot busier with the start of 2010. We are planning to hold one hearing a month to discuss the interim charges, so just about the time you get everything wrapped up from one hearing, it's time to move onto the next! I'm not sure how we did a hearing a week during Session. I guess it's the difference in the amount of research required. During Session, you are holding hearings on house bills... so you are dealing only with the specific information in front of you. During interim hearings, you are dealing with broad topics... and that means lots of research!
I got to visit with my cutie patootie niece a few weeks ago. She's at such a fun age! She loves her Aunt Jamie and was so excited that I came to Dallas to see her. She really wanted to come back to Austin with me, so I'm trying to arrange my schedule so that she can do that sometime this month.
I'm thinking about joining the Junior League. I'm probably crazy for getting involved with another organization, considering I keep on getting asked to do more jobs in DAR and C.A.R.... but oh well. I really admire all of the work they do within the community, plus it's just another way to network. Not to mention the women in the Jr. League are a much younger age than the average DAR member.
Also starting training for another 1/2 marathon. There's an all-women event at the end of March that my co-worker Carolyn and I want to do. Once again, we shall see how my schedule allows for this. I went on a 3 mile trail run this past weekend with some of my running friends, it was quite an experience! The trail is actually a bike trail, so it consisted of lots of steep hills, roots, and even running through streams! Needless to say, it's pretty dang amazing I didn't fall flat on my face.
I'm heading to Lufkin this weekend since I don't know when I'll be able to visit again (March-May is almost completely booked every single weekend!). Looking forward to seeing the fam and the kiddos. I'm also contemplating a cell-phone upgrade while I'm there. I guess 4 years as a Razr user is long enough...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
STILL HERE!
I'm still here, even if from the lack of blog posts it doesn't seem like it. Perhaps my New Year's resolution should be to blog more than once a month! I will post pictures from Christmas after I get them uploaded to the computer, but just thought I'd check in while I was thinking about it.
Enjoyed Christmas in Lufkin, even if it did come with a tornado, family death, and lots of craziness! Got to spend time with my Stinky niece, who has officially become obsessed with her Aunt Jamie. I love it! Also got to hang with all of my favorite kiddo cousins, there's getting to be so many with the additions of Brax and Will this year.
I'm really looking forward to 2010. I think it's going to be a fantastic year! 2009 definitely made me stronger, but I'm glad to see it go. It's so nice to start off the year gainfully employed, to say the least. I think this year I am really going to focus on ME. I've never been a selfish person, but as I'm getting older I'm starting to realize that it's okay to prioritize for me, after all, no one else will.
The next few months are going to be crazy-busy for me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We are gearing up for our first interim hearing next week in Houston. So I guess it's time to officially dive into the world of tax code, should be interesting stuff... to say the least.
Enjoyed Christmas in Lufkin, even if it did come with a tornado, family death, and lots of craziness! Got to spend time with my Stinky niece, who has officially become obsessed with her Aunt Jamie. I love it! Also got to hang with all of my favorite kiddo cousins, there's getting to be so many with the additions of Brax and Will this year.
I'm really looking forward to 2010. I think it's going to be a fantastic year! 2009 definitely made me stronger, but I'm glad to see it go. It's so nice to start off the year gainfully employed, to say the least. I think this year I am really going to focus on ME. I've never been a selfish person, but as I'm getting older I'm starting to realize that it's okay to prioritize for me, after all, no one else will.
The next few months are going to be crazy-busy for me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We are gearing up for our first interim hearing next week in Houston. So I guess it's time to officially dive into the world of tax code, should be interesting stuff... to say the least.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
Here are some pictures of my beautifully decorated office. I guess the 9 years at BBW has really paid off when it comes to my decorating and bow-making skills. This afternoon we are hosting our first of 2 Christmas parties... should be some good times! Also, according to blogspot, this is my 100th blog post. Yippee!
the wreath on our front door
garland in JJ's office
by the way, I personally hung every single ornament (minus the tree... Carolyn did that)
I'm super proud of my bow on top of the book case.
garland in the main office
our little Santa scene that JJ made
view of mine and Carolyn's desks
wreaths and garland in Rene's office
our tree!
the wreath on our front door 
garland in JJ's office
by the way, I personally hung every single ornament (minus the tree... Carolyn did that)
I'm super proud of my bow on top of the book case.
garland in the main office
our little Santa scene that JJ made
view of mine and Carolyn's desks
wreaths and garland in Rene's office
our tree!Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Well, since my last post my car has died. She's not really dead, but she's on life support and it's no longer safe for me to drive her back and forth to Austin.... so I have a new car! Jay found a really great deal on eBay last week and I am now the proud owner of a 2007 Jeep Compass. My mom drove down to Houston with my Uncle Page to pick it up on Monday, so I will meet the new car when I get to Lufkin this afternoon.
It should be interesting to note that there was not a leak in my water pump. However, I did blow a head gasket at some point and the mechanic didn't seem to notice that?!? Blowing a head gasket means replacing the engine. My dad could have gotten the work done for about $800, but the car is only worth about $900, so it was time to call it a day. Jay is going to turn the Civic into some kind of Derby car.... I'm just happy that she's getting a second chance at life. I'm going to have a wake for her while I'm home for Thanksgiving.
So I've started thinking about what I'm thankful for with Thanksgiving tomorrow. I am naturally thankful for the usual suspects: family, friends, health, employment. I think what I am most thankful for this year is the journey my life has been on the past year. There have been difficult times, but I've grown and found strength during it all. I am also very happy with how things have worked out. I loved my time at my last job, and I'm loving my new job. I've learned so much more about the legislative process and will only continue to do so. Plus I'm meeting some pretty neat people along the way.
Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
It should be interesting to note that there was not a leak in my water pump. However, I did blow a head gasket at some point and the mechanic didn't seem to notice that?!? Blowing a head gasket means replacing the engine. My dad could have gotten the work done for about $800, but the car is only worth about $900, so it was time to call it a day. Jay is going to turn the Civic into some kind of Derby car.... I'm just happy that she's getting a second chance at life. I'm going to have a wake for her while I'm home for Thanksgiving.
So I've started thinking about what I'm thankful for with Thanksgiving tomorrow. I am naturally thankful for the usual suspects: family, friends, health, employment. I think what I am most thankful for this year is the journey my life has been on the past year. There have been difficult times, but I've grown and found strength during it all. I am also very happy with how things have worked out. I loved my time at my last job, and I'm loving my new job. I've learned so much more about the legislative process and will only continue to do so. Plus I'm meeting some pretty neat people along the way.
Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Terminal...
It's been a rough week! I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that my 11-year-old Honda Civic, with 268,000 miles is terminal. She may have two weeks, two months, or a year left... but the end is coming. I've signed a DNR and we will let her go off quietly into the night when her times come. No more heroic measures will be taken.
It all started on Saturday afternoon when I was driving downtown to meet Bunker and friends at Third Base to watch the Texas/OSU game before all of the Halloween festivities. Over the last few months, my car has occasionally run hot. Usually on road trips, and usually all things were fine once water was added. I had noticed that my car was starting to run hot earlier in the day, so I had filled up the radiator with water before leaving my apartment. About 5 miles away, the temperature gauge suddenly spikes. I end up exiting Mopac and pulling into an Extended Stay America parking lot to put water in my car. I pour the water, and the temperature doesn't drop. Deciding that 5 pm on a Saturday (Halloween, too), is not the time to find a mechanic, I call Bunker and they come pick me up. The temperature spiking continued for the rest of the weekend anytime I tried to drive my car.
I decided to take my car to the mechanic first thing Monday morning. I arranged for my friend Michelle to meet there so she could drop me off at the Capitol, since she works across the street. I get to my mechanic, as my temperature gauge is spiking, to find out that he has retired and gone out of business! It's vacant! Not knowing where the nearest mechanic is, I leave my car at the gas station across the street and have Michelle bring me to work so I can figure this out. This is where the tears started. And continued for most of the day. I called the mechanic's number, and it turns out he had forwarded his phones to another auto place that he did a lot of business with. Tony takes me to my car and follows me to the shop so they can take a look at it.
The guy runs a diagnostics test to see what's wrong with the car and he determines that there's a crack in the RADIATOR, of all things. Do you know how annoying it is to know that you could easily have the problem fixed in about an hour if only you were in Lufkin? I call my dad and have him call the auto shop because I don't make any decisions about my car without him, seeing as he has been a radiator mechanic for over 50 years now. The guy wants to charge me $345 dollars for the repairs, and my dad is outraged. He calls the guy a cheat, but ultimately we decide that this is going to be the cost of repairing my car in Austin. Made me miss small towns just a little.
The guy puts a new radiator on and then calls to tell me that there is a leak in my water pump and it needs to be replaced as well. He also says that while he's replacing the water pump he should go ahead and do the timing belt and a whole list of other things. I ask him how much this is going to cost and he says with the radiator, about $1250. The blue-book value of my car is currently around $950. He says if he just does the water pump it will be about $850 total. I tell him not to touch another thing on my car, and that I'm coming to pick it up. I couldn't justify spending that much money on my car. I love my car, but it's just not worth it. My parents and I had many conversations about my car that day, and decided to just get the car out of the shop and see what kind of condition it is in.
I am sure that there is a leak in the water pump, I can't imagine that this guy (who also has East Texas roots), would have made it up. But, since I've gotten my car out of the shop, the temperature has run even, minus running a little hot when I was sitting in traffic.
So, it looks like the end is coming soon. My mom has Jay scouting out cars for me. I was absolutely distraught on Monday (Tony thought someone had died, I was that upset when he came into the office), but I'm coming to terms with the situation at hand. This has been weighing on my so hard that I've had dreams about my car two nights this week!
For the good news, I have a new baby cousin! William Seth Siegling arrived last night at 6:21 pm weighing 8 lbs 2 oz, and 20.5 inches long. Mom Kathryn and Dad Noel are excited and everyone is healthy. Can't wait to meet the newest edition to the Durham family!
It all started on Saturday afternoon when I was driving downtown to meet Bunker and friends at Third Base to watch the Texas/OSU game before all of the Halloween festivities. Over the last few months, my car has occasionally run hot. Usually on road trips, and usually all things were fine once water was added. I had noticed that my car was starting to run hot earlier in the day, so I had filled up the radiator with water before leaving my apartment. About 5 miles away, the temperature gauge suddenly spikes. I end up exiting Mopac and pulling into an Extended Stay America parking lot to put water in my car. I pour the water, and the temperature doesn't drop. Deciding that 5 pm on a Saturday (Halloween, too), is not the time to find a mechanic, I call Bunker and they come pick me up. The temperature spiking continued for the rest of the weekend anytime I tried to drive my car.
I decided to take my car to the mechanic first thing Monday morning. I arranged for my friend Michelle to meet there so she could drop me off at the Capitol, since she works across the street. I get to my mechanic, as my temperature gauge is spiking, to find out that he has retired and gone out of business! It's vacant! Not knowing where the nearest mechanic is, I leave my car at the gas station across the street and have Michelle bring me to work so I can figure this out. This is where the tears started. And continued for most of the day. I called the mechanic's number, and it turns out he had forwarded his phones to another auto place that he did a lot of business with. Tony takes me to my car and follows me to the shop so they can take a look at it.
The guy runs a diagnostics test to see what's wrong with the car and he determines that there's a crack in the RADIATOR, of all things. Do you know how annoying it is to know that you could easily have the problem fixed in about an hour if only you were in Lufkin? I call my dad and have him call the auto shop because I don't make any decisions about my car without him, seeing as he has been a radiator mechanic for over 50 years now. The guy wants to charge me $345 dollars for the repairs, and my dad is outraged. He calls the guy a cheat, but ultimately we decide that this is going to be the cost of repairing my car in Austin. Made me miss small towns just a little.
The guy puts a new radiator on and then calls to tell me that there is a leak in my water pump and it needs to be replaced as well. He also says that while he's replacing the water pump he should go ahead and do the timing belt and a whole list of other things. I ask him how much this is going to cost and he says with the radiator, about $1250. The blue-book value of my car is currently around $950. He says if he just does the water pump it will be about $850 total. I tell him not to touch another thing on my car, and that I'm coming to pick it up. I couldn't justify spending that much money on my car. I love my car, but it's just not worth it. My parents and I had many conversations about my car that day, and decided to just get the car out of the shop and see what kind of condition it is in.
I am sure that there is a leak in the water pump, I can't imagine that this guy (who also has East Texas roots), would have made it up. But, since I've gotten my car out of the shop, the temperature has run even, minus running a little hot when I was sitting in traffic.
So, it looks like the end is coming soon. My mom has Jay scouting out cars for me. I was absolutely distraught on Monday (Tony thought someone had died, I was that upset when he came into the office), but I'm coming to terms with the situation at hand. This has been weighing on my so hard that I've had dreams about my car two nights this week!
For the good news, I have a new baby cousin! William Seth Siegling arrived last night at 6:21 pm weighing 8 lbs 2 oz, and 20.5 inches long. Mom Kathryn and Dad Noel are excited and everyone is healthy. Can't wait to meet the newest edition to the Durham family!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Least Changed???
My high school reunion was a blast! It was good to see everyone and catch up. I think everyone who was there had a lot of fun. I somehow managed to get myself voted the "Least Changed." People tell me this is a good thing, but really? Not something I expected at all... I wanted to the Hoopty of the Decade award for still driving the same car I did in high school!
It's been a very busy week. The boss-man was in town for a few days, and so our schedules were busy with various events. It was the first trip he's made since I've come on-board here, so it was nice to spend some getting-to-know everyone time as an office. I also got to take a tour of the Capitol dome this week, it was so cool! I can't believe it's taken almost 5 years of working here to take a tour. You have to make a special request because the tour involves climbing a lot of very narrow stairs, plus it's REALLY high up. Did you know that the top of the Capitol dome is made mostly of tin? I had absolutely no idea before I saw it in person!
I'm looking forward to a very quiet weekend. Spending tonight on my couch and catching up with all of my shows since I haven't been home before 10 at ALL this week. Tomorrow I'm heading to San Antonio to have lunch with Col. and Mrs. Metts and some friends. Looking forward to spending some time with them, I think March was my last visit.
I need suggestions for a Halloween costume. I never dress up, but I have two different parties to go to... so I figure I should at least try to get into the spirit.
I will leave you with a few fun pictures from my reunion!
Friends at my house for a Pre-Reunion "pre-prom" Picture on the stairs.
My Class of '99 Cousins: Ryan and Jason
John won "Least Suprising Career Choice", Emily won "Life of the Party", and I won "Least Changed"
Apparently you could only win one award, so they gave Ashley the "Hoopty of the Decade" award, after they had put my name on the certificate!
We were obsessed with shaking our light-up tamborines. I suggest them for all parties!
It's been a very busy week. The boss-man was in town for a few days, and so our schedules were busy with various events. It was the first trip he's made since I've come on-board here, so it was nice to spend some getting-to-know everyone time as an office. I also got to take a tour of the Capitol dome this week, it was so cool! I can't believe it's taken almost 5 years of working here to take a tour. You have to make a special request because the tour involves climbing a lot of very narrow stairs, plus it's REALLY high up. Did you know that the top of the Capitol dome is made mostly of tin? I had absolutely no idea before I saw it in person!
I'm looking forward to a very quiet weekend. Spending tonight on my couch and catching up with all of my shows since I haven't been home before 10 at ALL this week. Tomorrow I'm heading to San Antonio to have lunch with Col. and Mrs. Metts and some friends. Looking forward to spending some time with them, I think March was my last visit.
I need suggestions for a Halloween costume. I never dress up, but I have two different parties to go to... so I figure I should at least try to get into the spirit.
I will leave you with a few fun pictures from my reunion!
Friends at my house for a Pre-Reunion "pre-prom" Picture on the stairs.
My Class of '99 Cousins: Ryan and Jason
John won "Least Suprising Career Choice", Emily won "Life of the Party", and I won "Least Changed"
Apparently you could only win one award, so they gave Ashley the "Hoopty of the Decade" award, after they had put my name on the certificate!
We were obsessed with shaking our light-up tamborines. I suggest them for all parties!Thursday, October 15, 2009
10 YEARS!
This weekend I am heading home to Lufkin for an event that has been highly anticipated by me and my friends for quite some time... our 10 year high school reunion. It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years since we graced the halls of Lufkin High School. And even though with the creation of sites like facebook and myspace I am well aware of what most of my classmates have been up to, it will still be fun to see everyone in person and catch up and reminisce. I am certain that I will come back with all sorts of crazy stories from this weekend. In true high school tradition, my house has been designated as the hang out location.... it's going to be just like old times! Just for some fun, here's a few pictures from my high school days.
The infamous L Man and P Man, Jay and Luke... ready for a football game.
Lauren's surprise birthday breakfast at my house.
Girls before Junior Prom '98.
One afternoon we drove around Lufkin and squirted our friends with water bottles, then made them pose for pictures.
One random Friday night we went around Lufkin taking fun pictures.
The infamous L Man and P Man, Jay and Luke... ready for a football game.
Lauren's surprise birthday breakfast at my house.
Girls before Junior Prom '98.
One afternoon we drove around Lufkin and squirted our friends with water bottles, then made them pose for pictures.
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