It all started because my friend Bob wanted German Chocolate Cake for his birthday on Nov. 6. He didn't want a homemade one, he wanted a GOOD one. So, since I am getting the cake, I decided to find the best German Chocolate Cake in Houston.
I brought my friend D along to help me. I have known her since 9th grade, (about 30 something years) and she is my favorite running/traveling/roadtrip buddy. We left at about 8:30 or 9 am and set out to find Ooh La La bakery in Cinco Ranch. It took a while, but we found it. That place is so wonderful! All the employees were dressed in costume for Halloween. They had the most amazingly beautiful cookies, cupcakes and cakes. I bought a german chocolate cupcake for the taste test later. (I also bought a piece of pumpkin roll, you know the kind with cream cheese and pecans....It was wonderful.) So, we left there and were heading to the Montrose.
On our way to the Montrose, we decided to stop real quick at Memorial City Mall. D went to Express and I went to Sephora to look for this eyebrow brush where the color comes out while you are brushing your eyebrows. Now, I have to tell you I don't have a unibrow, in fact my eyebrows are naturally kind of thin, but I still need to fill them in a little. Sephora didn't have it, so I headed over to Macy's. It has been years since I have been in Memorial City (the mall part). Holy Bananas that place has changed! I worked there when I was 16. I got my first real job at an ice cream shop there, then I moved on to a crystal shop. That particular job was not my best work.....since I ended up getting fired for breaking the crystals, but I can't help it if I am not that graceful. Back to Macy's....I found it at the origins counter, but surprisingly to me, it is actually harder to put on than I thought it would be. So, I passed it up.
We headed toward the Montrose again, but got side tracked again. This time it was at DSW for me, and Marshall's for her. I have been looking for some black flats for work, since my shoes are so old they have to have those gel soles to keep the water out. I did find 2 pairs that I really liked. However, they were both $50! That is insane! I will sometimes pay that for brands I know will last, but if I am not familiar with the brand, then forget it. I didn't know either, but one was white mountain. I left there because I didn't want to pay $50 for a pair of shoes. D came in and we decided to head to Ross. I found a pair of white mountain black flats for $15! What a steal! Then I went and looked at clothes for Tater. Briley was born on Halloween of 2008. She is D's granddaughter and is a very beautiful child. I did find 2 outfits for her that were reasonably priced. D found a couple of outfits for Briley as well, so we went to check out and they had only 1 checker. I was number 10 in line! The security person had the service desk begin checking and split us up, and I asked if there were any more checkers and he said no. They both moved at a snail's pace. One even stopped checking to go answer a phone call! Unbelievable. I think the head of Ross needs to go undercover and find out exactly how they don't hardly work instead of working hard!
Then we headed to the Montrose again to hit the Chocolate Bar. I LOVE that place! It is probably one of my favorite places in Houston. But you will never believe they do NOT have german chocolate cake! What the heck! A totally chocolate place that doesn't make german chocolate cake? They do make other amazing cakes and cheesecakes. Probably some of the best chocolate cakes on the planet. So, having struck out there, we decided to go next door to Candylicious. I love that place too. They are so creative there, and they have everything!
So off we go again looking for Three Brothers bakery. I know it is somewhere on S. Braeswood. But we can't find it, so we stop and get gas, then head on over to Moeller's bakery. They don't sell german chocolate cake slices, so it was either buy the whole cake or get something else. What I needed to know was how the cake part tasted, so I got this chocolate cake with raspberry filling. Got it to go, but then D had some urgent business she needed to take care of and called her friend Cynthia who lives near Moellers. We went over to Cynthia's and waited for her to get back home, made it just in time before D had issues, then decided to go to Tuesday Morning. Cynthia went with us, but none of us found anything we couldn't live without. Dropped Cynthia back off and headed off to find Three Brothers again.
Finally found Three Brothers and they didn't sell by the slice either, so I got a german chocolate cupcake from them also. We finally decided to head home, since it was getting close to 5:30. What a day and what fun we had!
Later......I took over the cakes to my friend Bob's and he and his wife and I tried all the samples (including the pumpkin roll) and all this nonsense I have written about is to say that the winner is .................
Ooh La La!
We all three agreed! How rare is that? We usually don't all agree on anything! What a great day that was! I feel blessed to have D as my best friend for all these years, I just wish Dawn were around so she could have gone with us. Dawn....we still miss you!
Now, I will be turning 50 in December. I did tell my husband I want a big party for my birthday. What do you want to bet he forgets??????
Until we speak again.......
Monday, November 1, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Wild Side
My wild side catches up with me every now and then. (This is my toned down, getting older wild side.) I went to the hairdresser on Saturday. She is actually a friend of mine and I was a bit bummed because I still have not found the motivation to lose even an ounce. So, I told her that I wanted 3 colors, I was tired of being hot and I don't like hair on my forehead. I told her she could do whatever she wants. So what did she do? She gave me a fohawk? frohawk? something like that. Whatever it is, it made me laugh out loud every time I look in the mirror. Also, I teach a bunch of Hispanic boys and they are all constantly making sure their rooster hair is sticking straight up, so now I can do the same thing! How cool is that?
However, I do work in a somewhat conservative district.......so today I fixed it differently. It is much more respectful looking. And definitely more boring. Everyone likes it except my friend James. But he doesn't really count.
It really doesn't look bad. Not near as bad as when I tried to do it myself and it came out fluorescent! A few years back I tried to dye it myself. I've always been a bit hair challenged......and I have no idea how it could get messed up so badly, but it actually glowed. A most unbelievable combination of pinks, purples, and oranges. I had to go and get it professionally done, and it took more than one trip to the hairdresser. Ended up costing me a fortune!
Skilled hairdressers are highly underrated. I have learned that it is definitely worth the money. The only thing she is not able to do is make me look 50 pounds lighter like I asked.
I will talk at you soon.......
Alias Mary Smith
However, I do work in a somewhat conservative district.......so today I fixed it differently. It is much more respectful looking. And definitely more boring. Everyone likes it except my friend James. But he doesn't really count.
It really doesn't look bad. Not near as bad as when I tried to do it myself and it came out fluorescent! A few years back I tried to dye it myself. I've always been a bit hair challenged......and I have no idea how it could get messed up so badly, but it actually glowed. A most unbelievable combination of pinks, purples, and oranges. I had to go and get it professionally done, and it took more than one trip to the hairdresser. Ended up costing me a fortune!
Skilled hairdressers are highly underrated. I have learned that it is definitely worth the money. The only thing she is not able to do is make me look 50 pounds lighter like I asked.
I will talk at you soon.......
Alias Mary Smith
Monday, October 11, 2010
Catch 22
My husband and I went to Galveston this last weekend and stayed with a couple who are very good friends of ours. I also brought along another friend with me, someone who keeps me honest and tells it like it is.
We had a great time. We went shopping, ate alot and rode bikes. As I was talking with my friends, I realized what a mess I have gotten myself into with this weight issue. As it is now, I am exhausted when I get home. Granted, teaching is not for the faint of heart, but my goodness, I shouldn't feel like I have been wrestling alligators while trying to outwit Albert Einstein for the last 8 hours! So my solution is to sit in my chair, surf the net and watch TV while I am nothing more than a mouth breather.
I have gotten so out of shape that bending over is a major feat. If I bend over twice AND use the clacker to change channels, then I have completed my daily exercise routine. It sometimes leaves me breathless! Not really, but it is almost that bad.
Anyway, I have let myself go to the point that any exercise is physically painful. (It is amazing to me that walking up the stairs in my own house requires me to get psyched up to make the trip.) I don't want to exercise because I am too exhausted, yet I am never too exhausted to get up when that wonderful piece of dark chocolate is calling my name.....or the ice cream........or that wonderful piece of sourdough bread......or whatever those Gremlins in the kitchen seem to be yelling at the time.
I did get a suggestion from the other person that actually read my blog (besides my daughter) from someone who goes by Silver Lining Lady. Woohoo! Someone else read my blog! Anyway, she did offer some good suggestions, involving a personal trainer. I am going to have to look into that. I love the idea of getting physical again. I actually used to like physical activity. Right now, my favorite form of exercise is going to the masseuse and having her workout my stress and rub my muscles, while I lay there to the wonderful relaxing music and try to keep from dozing off. If she had a handsome man standing next to her feeding me bonbons and grapes, life would be perfect for that 55 minutes!
So, I will devote a little of my time this week to getting out of my chair and looking into getting a personal trainer. Hopefully, they are not outrageously expensive and I can actually afford to start seeing one. I will let you know what I find out.
Until next time.......
Alias Mary Smith
We had a great time. We went shopping, ate alot and rode bikes. As I was talking with my friends, I realized what a mess I have gotten myself into with this weight issue. As it is now, I am exhausted when I get home. Granted, teaching is not for the faint of heart, but my goodness, I shouldn't feel like I have been wrestling alligators while trying to outwit Albert Einstein for the last 8 hours! So my solution is to sit in my chair, surf the net and watch TV while I am nothing more than a mouth breather.
I have gotten so out of shape that bending over is a major feat. If I bend over twice AND use the clacker to change channels, then I have completed my daily exercise routine. It sometimes leaves me breathless! Not really, but it is almost that bad.
Anyway, I have let myself go to the point that any exercise is physically painful. (It is amazing to me that walking up the stairs in my own house requires me to get psyched up to make the trip.) I don't want to exercise because I am too exhausted, yet I am never too exhausted to get up when that wonderful piece of dark chocolate is calling my name.....or the ice cream........or that wonderful piece of sourdough bread......or whatever those Gremlins in the kitchen seem to be yelling at the time.
I did get a suggestion from the other person that actually read my blog (besides my daughter) from someone who goes by Silver Lining Lady. Woohoo! Someone else read my blog! Anyway, she did offer some good suggestions, involving a personal trainer. I am going to have to look into that. I love the idea of getting physical again. I actually used to like physical activity. Right now, my favorite form of exercise is going to the masseuse and having her workout my stress and rub my muscles, while I lay there to the wonderful relaxing music and try to keep from dozing off. If she had a handsome man standing next to her feeding me bonbons and grapes, life would be perfect for that 55 minutes!
So, I will devote a little of my time this week to getting out of my chair and looking into getting a personal trainer. Hopefully, they are not outrageously expensive and I can actually afford to start seeing one. I will let you know what I find out.
Until next time.......
Alias Mary Smith
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I am an addict.
Some people love wine or a good cigar. Others like to travel. Then there are people like me....who like to eat. I have no idea why food is so important to me. It has always been important to me. My husband says me and my family ask "What's for lunch?" while we're having breakfast. Then at lunch we ask "What's for dinner?" and at dinner we ask.....well, you get the picture.
Monday was a good eating day, until I realized I was so full I could hardly move. So Monday night I told my husband that because I have such an oral fixation, I think I need psychiatric help. I was asking him for suggestions on how I can control myself. Here I am, all upset, wondering if I am ever going to be able to get a grip on myself and he is so NOT helpful! I don't know what it is about men, but they don't really like to listen to their wife. At least mine doesn't....he only had 2 suggestions for me, and the first one had nothing to do with eating....although it did involve my mouth. Is that not such a man thing to say? He did offer one nonsexual suggestion: get a bunch of pictures of food that are gross. Like pizza with cockroaches for toppings, or chocolate with maggots inside where the caramel should be. But I think that might require even more psychotherapy!
At least cocaine addicts are thin. Oh how I would like to be a size 5! Even a size 10! You would think that I could control myself, but I can't.
So, I am open to suggestions! Please do not be mean....or nasty....or offensive. I know there are people out there who know exactly how I feel, and they have managed to kick this addiction in the butt. I need that inspiration. I can't quit cold turkey. I know it would probably take 3 years for me to starve to death, even if I never eat another bite, but that is not a reasonable solution. Also, I don't want to go to a meeting where I have to introduce myself and learn 12 steps. That is not for me either. I want something fun, exciting, adrenaline pumping.....
If you are naturally thin, petite and cute, you are probably adorable, but I am very envious of you. My idea of heaven would be to eat anything I want and never get any bigger than a size 5. Then my little 4'11" body would be a little more evenly proportioned than looking like Violet in Willy Wonka after she has eaten the blueberry gum. The only thing I have on Violet is that I am not purple.
More to come............
Alias Mary Smith
Monday was a good eating day, until I realized I was so full I could hardly move. So Monday night I told my husband that because I have such an oral fixation, I think I need psychiatric help. I was asking him for suggestions on how I can control myself. Here I am, all upset, wondering if I am ever going to be able to get a grip on myself and he is so NOT helpful! I don't know what it is about men, but they don't really like to listen to their wife. At least mine doesn't....he only had 2 suggestions for me, and the first one had nothing to do with eating....although it did involve my mouth. Is that not such a man thing to say? He did offer one nonsexual suggestion: get a bunch of pictures of food that are gross. Like pizza with cockroaches for toppings, or chocolate with maggots inside where the caramel should be. But I think that might require even more psychotherapy!
At least cocaine addicts are thin. Oh how I would like to be a size 5! Even a size 10! You would think that I could control myself, but I can't.
So, I am open to suggestions! Please do not be mean....or nasty....or offensive. I know there are people out there who know exactly how I feel, and they have managed to kick this addiction in the butt. I need that inspiration. I can't quit cold turkey. I know it would probably take 3 years for me to starve to death, even if I never eat another bite, but that is not a reasonable solution. Also, I don't want to go to a meeting where I have to introduce myself and learn 12 steps. That is not for me either. I want something fun, exciting, adrenaline pumping.....
If you are naturally thin, petite and cute, you are probably adorable, but I am very envious of you. My idea of heaven would be to eat anything I want and never get any bigger than a size 5. Then my little 4'11" body would be a little more evenly proportioned than looking like Violet in Willy Wonka after she has eaten the blueberry gum. The only thing I have on Violet is that I am not purple.
More to come............
Alias Mary Smith
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