Chinese food, foo-foo drinks and booty shakin'

Oh, how I love my girls in Wichita

I had a fabulous weekend with my gals in The Ta. When I refer to "my gals" I mean Amber, Erika, Emily and Melanie. I worked with these great gals for 4 long years at Dillon's in El Dorado. Melanie was sick so I didn't get to see her, but I had a fabulous dinner with Amber, Erika and Emily and my wonderful friend Shawna joined us and my sister Alicia.

It was crazy, as it always is when you get all of us together, but we had a great time. Shawna and I went shopping and then watched KU play at Emerson Biggins and then we all went to dinner at P.F. Changs and then dancing at Finns and the Pump House in Old Town. Here are some photos from our evening! Oh, how I will miss those gals!

The whole gang at P.F. Changs

Amber and I enjoying some Mongolian Beef and foo-foo drinks

Erika and I at the Pump House

Alicia attempting to use chop sticks

Me and that girl they call Shawna

Emily, Erika, Amber and me before dinner

Thank you for calling Dell Support India, how can I help you?

AAARRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!

So, I received my beautiful pink Dell Inspiron computer in the mail yesterday after waiting patiently for the DHL delivery gal to show up. I was rushing out the door to a training as she delivered it so I didn't get to play around with my new toy until about 8 last night (after getting house picked up for the buyer's inspectors to come tomorrow). I tore into the package, tossing foam and plastic by the wayside and looking for that bright pink lid. It was impressive and it is the first computer I have ever purchased, so I was pretty proud of myself. I get it out of the package and carefully open the lid and look at the silvery inside. I pushed the start button and got up for a second to grab a drink. I come back and it is started up and ready for me to begin the set-up process.

However, there is a huge problem. The screen is dim. I mean really dim.
So... with my knowledge of computers, I quickly work through the set-up process and go into windows and begin the FUNCTION (arrows) command to brighten the screen. Nothing happens. I try it again, nothing. There is a little bar at the botton telling me that I am increasing and/or decreasing the brightness, but my screen remains the same. A few curse words begin to roll out of my mouth and my cat looks a little afraid. It's under warranty, so I am calling Dell and they are gonna take care of this for me.

Well, you know how call centers work, I get a guy in India with an extremely thick accent. I don't even remember his name, but for the story's sake, I will call him Akbar. Akbar tried to navigate me through various commands and functions, he even used Dell Connect to work on my computer from India (pretty impressive). Nothing seemed to make a difference. Then, I started to think he was hitting on me... asking me what time it was in Kansas and what I do for a living. Then he started telling me how nice I was and I was the best customer he has ever had, blah, blah, blah. WHOAH Akbar, I need you to fix my computer not try to pick up on me. Overall he was a pretty nice guy and I felt like we really made a connection in that hour and a half on the phone. :)

His conclusion was that I needed a new LCD screen or I can exchange for a new computer. So, I called back today to get that all set up and apparently they want me to try a few more things before they decide to send me a new screen or exchange the computer. Apparently Akbar was too busy flirting and not troubleshooting. :) So, I will try their suggestions tonight and if they do not work I will be back on the phone AGAIN (this time with Jose... also of India. Weird huh?). Jose didn't hit on me though, he must not be into American women. :)

It's old, but dependable

jared made it to Indiana

It might be a 1991 Ford F150, but by golly it made it 10 1/2 hours to South Bend Indiana. Jared wasn't so sure he would be able to make the entire trip, especially with no cruise control and with the age of his truck. But, I got a call from him at about 8 last night and they had made it and were staying at the Knight's Inn (Yipppeee.... I bet it is a real nice place).

Today they will be signing there lease at our apartment and getting some things moved in and settled. Hicks told me the other day that by the time I get up there they will have it all decorated and fixed up for me, HA! I'll believe it when I see it, haha.

I really don't have much else going on, but I wanted to let everyone know that Jared made it safety and in less time than we predicted. Until next time fellow bloggers, have a wonderful day!

And he's off to the Hoosier State

my hubby left this morning

After a busy day of packing, Jared left this morning to make the 13 hour drive to South Bend. Oh yes I will miss him, but compared to how long he has been gone in the past, this will be a breeze. Last year he was in Kentucky for 3 freakin' months while I was planning a wedding. Talk about stressful!

So this time it is only a month and a week, so I will definately be able to manage. AND... I have so much to do to get ready for him to come back so that we can load up the truck and move everything up north. He will be back the weekend of April 19 for the Annual Jake's Fireworks Customer Shoot-Off, where they light up the sky with all the Jake's products for all the customers to see. It is always a good time and a free firework show, which I just love. After the show, we will start loading up the truck and getting the house cleaned up so that potential buyers will still think it is pretty even without all the furnishings and decorations in it!

I will keep you all updated on Jared's trip and let you know when he and his old truck make it up there, haha.

Once a Drennan, Always a Drennan

gotta love my family

Jared and I had such a busy weekend! Saturday we went to Fort Scott for lunch with his Uncle Dave and Aunt Debby and his cousin Amy and her husband Dan and their two boys. It was a lot of fun and I got to play with leggos with Charlie, so that was an added bonus, haha.

Sunday we made the 4 hour trip to Edmond to see the entire Drennan family at my grandma's house. She was DETERMINED to get the entire family together and she accomplished that goal. With the exception of my cousin Chad, who was sick, and my cousin Eric's wife, who was also sick, everyone was there! It was so great to see everyone, eat a good home-cooked dinner and just talk.

I finally got to see my cousin Laura's little girl who is 9 months old. She was just too cute and her cheeks were just a pink as ever! I just kept looking at Jared and saying "I want one just like her". He just rolled his eyes.... but then I caught him smiling at her and watching her, haha.

Anyway, it was just awesome to see everyone, especially my cousin Robert who has completed culinary school and if now a chef in OKC. I am so proud of him and I know our grandpa Jim is watching over him and is extremely proud of him as well. He just needs to move to South Bend with us and be our personal chef since Lord knows I can't cook! haha

All in all, I had a great time and started to get a little sad thinking about how far away I will be once we move. But life goes on and people move away and start their own families. But one thing is for sure -- I will always be a Drennan and I will always have fond, happy memories of my time spent with this great family!

Here are some pictures from Sunday...

The Birks

Chris and Alicia

Chris, Alicia, Dad, Mom, Me and Jared

The grandkids and MamMaw

Aunt Glenda, MamMaw, Aunt Cindy and Dad

Ah, kids

what a little stinker

Last night Jared and I had some friends over for a BBQ. Nothin' fancy, just some wild bird Jared and Skip shot last weekend, some yummy pork loins that Jared marinated and cooked to absolute perfection and some random pasta salads, potatoes and bread. It was delicious.

Besides cooking and eating, we got the pleasure of hanging out with our little friend Jace. Jace is the son of our good friend Jamie. He just turned 5 this January and he is just growing up so fast! Well, when he comes to Birky and Stacy's house, he thinks he has full rein of everything, haha. He KNOWS that Birky has a really neat knife collection and that we have a little kitty that likes to run from him. He definately likes to see what he can get away with, Overall, he is a great kid that you just wanna scoop up and hug and kiss on. But, my oh my can the boy push your buttons.

The conversation went like this

"Jace, what are you doing?", I said.

"Nothing, just jumping off the couch," Jace said.

"Jace, please do not do that you are going to hurt yourself." I said.

"No I won't," he said as he jumped off the couch and hit the coffee table.

****PAUSE**** (Zac Morris style)

Well, I kinda like use Jace as my "test kid" (sshhh... don't tell his dad, haha), try out some Super Nanny techniques, see if I will be a good mom and can remain control of the house. So, I take this opportunity to try something out.

*****UN-PAUSE******

"See Jace, what did I tell you. Please do not jump on the furniture. Come over here and play with your toys," I said, trying to give him an alternative activity to jumping on the couch. I wanted to stay strong and not waiver with him. I didn't wanna give up on it.

"No, I like it over here," he says smiling as he climbs back up on the couch and gears up to jump.

"Jace, if you jump off that couch one more time and you are going in the naughty corner. I don't know where that is right now, but I will make one," I said, not sounding too sure of myself at this point, but thought if other people have used it, maybe it will work.

Needless to say he jumped, several times, I got mad and he knew it and not even thinking about it I took him by the hand and we went outside to tell Jamie.

I'm not sure what happened to the whole "naughty corner" threat, but since he's just my "test kid" I can just pass him right off to dad right? :)

Not even 20 minutes later, he jumps off the couch again and then one more time just to make the smoke blow out my ears.

I give up and get Jared to take care of it.

So much for the "staying strong and not waivering"... I guess I need more practice. :(