Eventful Week...

Completed my third week at the new job (I'll start abbreviating it as AP). This week was good and felt like things are falling into place. I feel it was a great move on my behalf. I just can't go on the Internet, but I am adjusting it the new schedule. I thought 7am (I have to leave my house at 6am) would be tough and I can never adjust to it, but I am finding it easier and easier.

I got my new car Friday!!!! It is so much better than I thought. WOW! Such a great car. I take pics later, but WOW. I am just shocked that I finally got it. I am so proud of it. The new design looks sharp and expensive. I choose the perfect color...plus, it is one of it's kind. I am the only one that has the options that I have with the color.

The bathroom is COMPLETED! FINALLY! It was a little harder on me than I thought, with all the dust and complications. But it just looks amazing. Ryan did such a great job on choosing the right materials. I'll take pics and show you all the before and after pics in another post.

Top Five Reality Competion Shows...

Those who know Ryan and I, know that we LOVE our reality shows. I especially love the competition ones. With a nod to my fav that starts tonight, here is my top five favorite reality competition shows....

1. Amazing Race - (CBS) How can you not LOVE this show. You learn about the world and see amazing parts of the world that you might not see. The competitors have to mingle with the locals, so you see that side. Ryan and I interact with each other by saying what direction that we would take or how we would have done it differently. We try to solve the puzzles. We find ourselves yelling at the TV for them. I just really enjoy watching Amazing Race, especially with Ryan.

2. Survivor - (CBS) A little less interaction here, but gets me excited to watch the challenges and watch the Survivors, survive. Jeff Probst is a fantastic host. He doesn't sugar coat things and tell you how it is, with sarcasm of course! Plus he is HOT. I am very excited to see them in Africa this season. It is such a beautiful place.....Gabon is truly the last untouched part of the world.

3. Project Runway - (Bravo) After watching these episodes....it makes me feel like I can make a 3 piece outfit. Ok, I never have sewn before, but it gets me motivated to take on the sewing world by storm. Love the creativity, love the guest judges. LOVE Heidi Klum!

4. Top Chef (Bravo) / Hells Kitchen (Fox) - Yes, they are two different shows ran differently, but I love the equally. Like Project Runway...I leave the show thinking I can cook. It motivates me and challenges me in the kitchen. I like the yelling and chaos that comes with Hells Kitchen. I also like the competitions and creativity the comes from the kitchen of Top Chef. Two incredibly different shows, but both incredible.

5. Top Design - (Bravo) Now sure if I put this down because I currently watch it at the moment, but I truly love this show. I get TONS of ideas from it. I run to TiVO it see if it recorded ok. So That is why it made the top 5. This is the second season and it was a vast improvement from last season. Love the challenges, love the creativity.

Runner up shows included: America's Next Top Model, Apprentice, Big Brother, The Mole

BTW, I just wanted to point out that Bravo has three out of six shows on my list. Bravo has really upped their game and made one heck of a network.

BUSY, BUSY!

So the last few weeks have been super busy for me:

I just said good bye to DEA. I was really sad.....I am going to miss the people and I am sad to leave them in the state that I left them in. It was bittersweet. The new job is a good move for me.

Ryan and I went to a friend's 'Dirty Thirty' birthday bash this weekend. She went ALL out in decorating her house. She moved furniture around....just went NUTS. But everything look great and we both had a FANTASTIC time. Ryan and I entered into a poker tournament. There was around 15 give or take people. I have only played a few times. Really! Guess who won third place???? Ya, that's right, yours truly. I won $40 bucks! Go me! Ryan actually won FIRST PLACE! I am so impressed with his poker playing skills. He is getting better and better. He won $200 bucks. Go DENKE'S! Poker champs. I am now super excited about our Vegas trip in October.

I did the invites to the dirty thirty. We wanted them to look like Vegas night club promoter flyers:

We are also remodeling our master bathroom. WOW, it is exhausting. I'll post all the pics later date, but here is a teaser in the mean time. This is the last picture I took. We still have a few more days. It is such a HUGE improvement. Ryan choose all the material. He did a really great job.

Dell Taco, btw is dead to me. The jerks decided to pull my favorite menu item off their menu. I am so upset. Those who know me....know I LOVE my fast food. So I hope you support me in boycotting Dell Tacos. They are offically removed off the top 5 list.

Next top 5.....top reality tv shows. Start thinking of them now!

First few Days on the New Job!

First day was great! It went by so fast, but a bit overwhelming. I have to learn not only the industry, but the people and their names and personalities. I am also now on a MAC and I haven't used mine in a while, so it is re-teaching myself the shortcuts and how to use them. Overall, the company and the people are great. I have more work than I can handle.... I am up for the challenge! The negative is the hours at the moment. I need to adjust to them I never had a job where I needed to be at work before 8:30. At the new job I have to be there at 7am. It is already a challenge and I just started!




The 2nd day....WOW is all I can really say. I went to a photo shoot at 6:30am to help creatively direct it, but the Photographer was FANTASTIC and needed no direction. After that.....the owner/CEO/MD asked us (my new boss, Ashley and I) in his office (BTW, HUGE ASS office! At least 800 to 900 sq ft. HUGE! So nicely decorated in Copenhagen style furniture. I'll sneak a picture one of these days. HUGE!) Anyway....this guy has more energy than I know what to do with. He even drinks decaf drinks. He is brilliant and extremely smart. He is a lot like Ryan if Ryan had lots of energy drinks all day long. He wants this brochure thing....tomorrow! Ya....I thought the same thing....how the HELL am I going to pull this off. He doesn't give text....the just shouted them as fast as he could. I am writing as much as I can, I only got about 45%. I am a little overwhelmed. I know I can pull it off, but I want to be fantastic at my job and wow everyone......at this moment, I don't feel that I can. I can't work that way. I don't know the industry that well to "fill in the gaps". I need to find a way that we can work together. I am thinking about purchasing a recorder or something. The CEO is just not the type to ask to repeat himself.....extremely intimidating!!!! So please, wish me luck and I hope to start to WOW people soon.






On another note....I went shopping and got a whole new wardrobe, complete with super cute shoes for work! Notice all the "patterns"? I am moving up in the world.

New Car, New Do, New Job

Busy week! I worked a ton of hours trying to prepare DEA for an interview for a potential job. I have my fingers crossed that they get it.

NEW JOB

With much sadness, I decided to part ways with DEA. It was a very difficult decision, but in the end, I know it is the right one. I will now be working for a hospitalist company that staffs doctors to certain hospitals. The company that I will now be working for takes care of all the admin stuff for the doctors so all they have to do is show up and take care of the patients. They seem to really care for the patients and want to provide great service and great doctors. They are 2nd largest hospitalist in the world. They grew from 9 doctors to over 300 in 5 years.

Their HQs is here in Phoenix. Actually in the biltmore (right down the street from DEA). I will be doing all of their in house graphic design. Ads, updating their website, trade shows and day to day graphics that they will need. Oh, and the BEST thing....... I FINALLY GET TO USE A MAC! YAY!!! That just sealed the deal. I can't wait to see what they do for a Christmas party. My start date is on the 15th.

NEW DO

I let my hair stylist do what ever she wanted to do. I have been seeing her for years and her hair is always so cute. That is how I tell if they do good hair.....look at their own hair. So she wanted to go short and thought a bob would look cute. We agreed Katie Holmes bob would be cute. Then I remember....I liked Katie's hair a year ago....not today's bob. Michelle was on it....we were thinking the same thing. I wish I took photos the day of. Michelle does such a great job. I SUCK @ss at styling.

NEW CAR

It should be arriving the 3rd week of September. I am SO excited. I just have to sell mine now.

FOR SALE

I am selling my car. So if you know anyone want a car that gets great gas mileage, please pass the flyer along. Thank you!

NEW CAR!!!

I got a new car! Well, ordered it anyway. I am so excited about it. I should be receiving the car in about a month. It is a Toyota 2009 Corolla Sport. I did get the metallic grey color, as seen in the first photo. So pretty!

Top 5...

Top five fave fast food restaurants. Fast food in my eyes would have to have a drive thru to qualify for fast food.

1. In-N-Out Burger - Love them and their secret menu. Yes, the secret menu is real! They get #1 because of their "never frozen policy". Their fries have got to be the best in the biz.
Favorite Item: I usually go for the protein style cheese burger.

2. Chick-Fil-A - Their Chicken sandwiches way too good to pass up, plus the waffle fries....little slices of potato heaven. I usually have them scarfed down before I get home. The bad part about them is they are not open on Sundays. Sundays are perfect days for a damn chicken sandwich. Favorite Item: Crispy Deluxe Chicken sandwich.

3. Taco Bell and/or Dell Taco - I put them in the same category because they are equally yummy and all Mexican food includes beans, cheese, tortilla, just cooked differently. I know it is not the healthiest thing in the world...but Taco bell was the one thing that I was craving when I was in China. There are several different things on the menu and for all the college students out there....cheep as hell! If you are spending over $5 at Taco Bell, You are doing something wrong.

Favorite Item: Taco Bell - Mexican Pizza or Grilled Stuff Chicken Burrito add red sauce. Del Taco - Hands down, the Shredded Beef Combo Burrito with Nachos.

4. KFC - I is a great alternative to burgers. The sides are fab and reminds me of my child hood picnics. Also, where else can you get biscuit with dinner.

Favorite Item: I like original Chicken Breast with Mash Potatoes and Macaroni -n- Cheese. Oh, and warm biscuit with honey!

5. McDonalds - Ok, I had to do it.....don't say you don't like it 'cause I know you do. Their breakfast tops all others. I survived on it in China.

Favorite Item: Breakfast, hands down, Egg McMuffin. Lunch/Dinner, McNuggets or Double Cheese Burger.

For non drive thru restaurants: Chipotle tops the list as does Subway, Quiznos and Boston Market.

In honor of the winner...here is the "secret menu" of In-n-Out.

• "3-by-3" = three meat patties and three slices of cheese.
• "4-by-4" = four meat patties and four slices of cheese.
  "2-by-4" = two meat patties and four slices of cheese.

*Note: You can get a burger with as many meat patties or cheese slices as you want. Just tell the In-N-Out Burger cashier how many meat patties and how much cheese you want and that is what you'll get! For instance, if you want 6 pieces of meat and 10 pieces of cheese tell them you want a "6-by-10."

• "Double Meat" = like a Double Double without cheese.
• "3 by Meat" = three meat patties and no cheese.
• "Animal Style" = the meat is cooked and fried with mustard and then pickles are added, extra spread and grilled onions are added.
• "Animal Style Fries" = fries with cheese, spread, grilled onions and pickles (if you ask for them).
• "Protein Style" = for all you low-carbohydrate dieters, this is a burger with no bun (wrapped in lettuce).
• "Flying Dutchman" = two meat patties, two slices of melted cheese and nothing else - not even a bun!
• Fries "Well-Done" = extra crispy fries . . . even better than the regular!
• Fries "Light" = opposite of fries well-done, more raw than most people like 'em
• "Grilled Cheese" = no meat, just melted cheese, tomato, lettuce and spread on a bun.
• "Veggie Burger" = burger without the patty or cheese. Sometimes we call this the "Wish Burger."
• "Neapolitan" Shake = strawberry, vanilla and chocolate blended together.

The friendly employees of In-N-Out Burger will take your special order without question, if you use the right terminology. The printed receipt will have your special request typed on it just as we said it. Try it!

Last few weeks....

The last few weeks has been busy....

Last Saturday we had our annual Steaktacular party. HUGE hit. We had a lot of people show up, everyone seemed to have a great time. It was also a chance to bust out some of the wedding gifts and use them for the first time. Thank you to Mya for bringing the yummy cheese dip.

Earlier in the week, we had this big storm in the valley. We had micro bursts of wind that was topping over 60 mph. It knocked down an orange tree in our backyard. This is the 5th tree we lost in the last few years. Our RV gate was also damaged.

Ryan has been busy lately with real estate, in this market, it is strange to say. I am very happy for him. If you are looking for a very talented real estate agent click here to go to his site.

As for me...the biggest thing is my company (not the invites) is going down big time. They are laying off people and dropping their hours. I have been reduced to 32 hours. I am kind of sad about it. Everything happens for a reason, so I hope things turn out ok.

Both of my cousin's wives are due any day now so I wish them the best of luck during their labor and hope moms and babies will be healthy.

Top 5 list

I am going to start doing these....I hope you share your top 5!

First top 5 is going to be movies that you should see.

These are not necessary my favorite movies, just movies I obsess over!

1. Memento - This is def. my favorite movie....at least in the top three. It is a movie that makes you think and it was so ahead of it's time when it came out. Such a dark movie. LOVE it!!!

2. Scent of a Woman - Boooyaa! I really enjoy it and can watch it over and over. Teaches you about life and where you belong in the world. It also teaches you about conformity and how it can hurt you.

3. Pulp Fiction - An outside of the box flick that I just adore. Acting is fantastic. Just a great movie.

4. American Beauty - It is one of those movies that you need to see over and over again. I like movies that have a dark side to them. AB has one...you just don't know about it. Def. going to be a cult classic of it's time

5. The Shawshank Redemption - WOW! Another flick that has a dark side to it, but they sneak it in. This has every element that you need in a movie. You laugh, you cry, you are excited, you cheer for the underdog. It is a movie that make you think, not only about our justice system, but your judge of character and how you view yourself.

These are my top five movies that I think everyone should see at least once. You don't have to like it.

Please share your top 5!