Steamboat, CO 2008

Hard to see trail map but before this year, I was only able to ski on about 2% of the mountain. This year I think I covered at least 25%. A big improvement.

Strawberry Park Natural Hot Springs

We went here on Saturday evening and the sky was so clear and beautiful. We saw every star we could possibly see. The water here ranges from 101 to 106 degrees. Refreshing

The traditional Wine Cellar Dinner Photo!

Fantasy Ski Team 2008

(GiGi, Maren, Bill, Lalo, Myers, Double D "Monty", Helen, Mike, Ann & Trond

This was my third time skiing with the Fantasy Ski Team and it has been my best trip yet. Gina and I actually did a Blue Slope and we didn't kill ourselves or fall. I do not have any broken bones-just a few bruises, most of which are from our trip to the Hot Springs. We really got to cover much more mountain then before and it was so much fun. I actually got to ride the Gondola for the first time. I wish I had more pictures but I think my camera froze up on me or perhaps the capture button was damaged on one of my many spills down the slopes. I have faith that I will be doing more Blue Runs next year.

I am already looking forward to our next trip. We are talking about going to Aspen! How exciting. Keep in mind, we recruit for a NEW team member every year! All in all it was an awesome trip but as always good to be home. I want to thank my Best Friend Tito for taking care of my little ones. You are the best girlie. Many many thanks!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY! Winter Wonderland!

THURSDAY THIRTEEN: THE NEXT 24 HOURS

13. SET UP CONTRACTS :-(
12. ASSIST NELLIE-VIDEO-LABLES-D.O.'S, COOKIES (WHAT WILL SHE DO W/O ME FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS)
11. LUNCH WITH THE FUN COMMITTEE-CAN'T WAIT TO PUT TOGETHER MY FIRST PPT. PRESENTATION FOR THE BOSS ON THIS YEARS EVENTS.
10. CHARGE IPOD AND ADD MORE MUSIC-SUGGESTIONS ANYONE?
9. CLEAN OUT MY CAR-I STILL HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT WHAT THAT ODOR IS-PROBABLY SOMETHING IN THE TRUNK. EWWW
8. LISTEN TO TITO GO ON & ON ABOUT VICKS!!!-ENOUGH ALREADY!! :-p
7. SHOP-A MUST BEFORE ANY TRIP "NEW CLOTHES"
6. FIND MY DENVER BRONCO BEANIE CAP
5. PACK-DARREN & LAUREN FOR THEIR WEEKEND WITH THEIR UNCLE AND PACK MY BAGS FOR THE COLD MOUNTAINS
4. REMIND GI-GI TO BRING OUR TRAVELING GNOME "CEDERIC"-HIS FIRST TRIP!
3. PLAN MY EVENING DATE-THINKING WINE BAR-MAYBE SOME PIZZA ;-)
2. CHECK IN ON-LINE, VERIFY I HAVE MY ISLE SEAT SO I CAN MAKE TRIPS BACK AND FORTH UP TO FIRST CLASS TO BUG THE SKI BOYS!!
1. DRINK BLOODY MARYS AT AIRPORT BEFORE DEPARTURE-IT HELPS ME ADJUST TO THE ALTITUDE CHANGE.

HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR WEEK. IT IS FRIDAY FOR ME. WE LEAVE IN THE MORNING AND I SHALL RETURN TUESDAY EVENING!

FORTUNE 100 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR!

My Company made this list again for the 2nd time in a row. Is it a coincidence that I've been with the company almost 3 years, enough time to make it this AWESOME?!? I look extremly excited in this picture taken earlier this year.

Do you look this happy at your desk?

The top companies on the list in Texas!!

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Alcon Laboratories Fort Worth (HQ) 3,192

Camden Property Trust Houston (HQ) 372
Camden Property Trust Dallas 199
Container Store Coppell (HQ) 494
Container Store Houston 142
David Weekley Homes Houston (HQ) 572
David Weekley Homes Carrollton 271
David Weekley Homes Austin 132
Devon Energy Houston 879
Devon Energy Bridgeport 355
EOG Resources Houston (HQ) 424
EOG Resources Ft. Worth 236
EOG Resources Corpus Christi 136
FedEx Dallas 4,859
Kimley-Horn & Associates Dallas 203
Methodist Hospital System Houston (HQ) 8,893
Methodist Hospital System Baytown 1,588
National Instruments Austin (HQ) 2,105
Rackspace Managed Hosting San Antonio (HQ) 1,265
Rackspace Managed Hosting Austin 64
Rackspace Managed Hosting Grapevine 57
SAS Institute Austin 85
Shared Technologies Coppell (HQ) 217
TDIndustries Dallas (HQ) 971
TDIndustries Houston 297
TDIndustries Round Rock 116
Texas Instruments Dallas (HQ) 9,613
Texas Instruments Houston 1,320
Texas Instruments Sherman 828
Valero Energy San Antonio (HQ) 1,836
Valero Energy Corpus Christi 828
Valero Energy Port Arthur 824
Whole Foods Market Austin (HQ) 1,617

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY! MAKING PIZZA

Steamboat, CO BACK ON!

What can I say, I got some items taken care of over the weekend so it looks like I'll be hitting the slopes. Leaving on Friday and will return Tuesday. Yay, short week. I really need to take more pictures this year but I find it difficult to remember my camera while out there, it could be because you are already carrying about 80 pounds of extra equipment.

Monday! Blah!

Lauren told me this weekend that she wants to donate more hair to Locks of Love. Isn't she sweet. I told her we'll go get it cut in a couple months so it can grow out a little bit more. She has a lot of hair and it makes me feel good that she enjoys knowing she can help other kids out with her beautiful curls.

My distraction this afternoon. MLK Day Parade.

Most of you got this fun survey in a previous email, I am just out of thoughts today. Have had a ton of work the past few days and the MLK Day Parade didn't help my focus on the important things. It was so loud and lasted about 2 hours. Talk about low production on the floor, most everyone was standing at their windows looking down below. Nothing like a Bird's Eye View of the parade.

1. Any nick name - Laurie, LaLo, Lovely Lalo, Chicken
2. Mother's name? Geraldine (Gerri)
3. Favorite Drink? Coke Zero
4. Tattoos? Just one, maybe another one someday.
5. Love your job? I will ROT here for as long as possible. Ha ha
6. Birthday? July 18
7. Favorite vacation spot? In the mountains
8. Ever been to Africa ? No
9. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Don't like cookies Chips I've had for dinner!
10. Ever been on TV or in a movie? Yes, I was an extra in Mean Girls (jk)
11. Ever steal any traffic signs? Nope but there is a sign on the way to Colorado outside of Dallas that says Laurie Rd. I want it. Anyone???
12. Ever been in a car accident? If you read my Blog, you know it. The first one that was MY fault. I am getting blind in my old age I guess.
13. Drive a 2 door or 4 door? 2 Door
14. Salad dressing ? None
15. Favorite season? Summer
16. Favorite number? Three
17. Favorite movie? Tombstone
18. Favorite Holiday? Ugh, don't bring up the holidays, I love them but I am glad they are over, I enjoy Halloween!
19. Favorite dessert? Chips
20. Favorite food? Mom's Green Chilli
21. Favorite day of the week? Crack Thursdays
22. Favorite month? July, My whole house hold has a Birthday in this month and my Mom!
23. Favorite toothpaste? Colgate Whitening Plus (that's how I keep my grill WHITE)
24. Favorite smell? Fear, j/k. I think it would have to be bread in the oven
25. What do you do to relax – Lay on the couch
26. Do you have a message to your friends reading this? I am happy to have you all in my life! Cheesy right!
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? I'll be the big 4-0 (probably still working as a SA III, if that is the case I bet I'll walk without moving my arms too)
28. What do you do when you are bored? Watch TV
29. Furthest place you will send this message? Hong Kong-just kidding I guess to my SDRUFBFF Julia Goolia in Michigan!
30. Who will respond the fastest? Juan
31. Who is the least likely to respond? Juan
PS-I don't even know a Juan and I really hate the questions, WHO CARES!!!

Steamboat, CO No More!!

It looks at though I will not make it to Steamboat Springs for skiing next weekend. I just really have a lot of things going on right now. For some reason I really wasn't looking forward to the trip very much anyhow. Maybe I am not wanting to be cold and not really wanting to lug around all that ski gear. Maybe it is because I slammed my head on the cold mountain snow last year to the point of seeing stars. The reason I am not going is because I am needing to make the kids my priority right now. There are a few new adjustments in their lives and I need to focus and concentrate on all that. Plus there are too many child care issues to have to worry about it all. So perhaps next year I'll be back on the slopes, with the kids would be best.

How I saw stars!! Look at this jump. Ha, I wish.

I am looking forward to my weekend, it is going to be a quiet one I imagine. Just working around the home front and trying to organize my surroundings. I think we are going to rent some movies tonight. Make some popcorn and have other goodies to munch on and stay warm under the electric blankets. Those things are heaven sent. It is too rainy and cold outside to do much else. I hope everyone has a good weekend. By everyone I mean Nellie, Stephanie, AR, Julia, Amanda and Holly-my favorite blog (reading) buddies.

THURSDAY THIRTEEN: ADVENTURES IN HISD

13. If you don't speak Spanish the Administrator doesn't have time to enroll your child.

12. The enrollment form has 15 spaces to write down other siblings that attend HISD schools. They thought I misunderstood the form when they saw I only had two children enrolling.

11. When you go to enroll your children for class they can only find forms in Spanish

10. If you don't speak Spanish you are an Outcast

9. There are Spanish to English Translators in the classrooms

8. The students ask Darren and Lauren where they came from and they reply Washington State-They are then asked numerous times if they met the President.

7. If your ride can't find you she calls the school and tells them she is missing the little WHITE girl and they know exactly who they need to locate in the crowd

6. Your teacher knows you only speak English but she still seats you at the Spanish Speaking lunch table

5. The PB&J Sandwiches are made with some sort of Flat Bread Tortilla

4. Breakfast is Free

3. The Administration Office seems very confused when you tell them you do not wish to apply for Free/Reduced lunch

2. There is no Transportation to school unless you live more than 2.5 miles away from campus

1. The School Bus Driver (private bus company that you pay) must have graduated from the Indy 500 School of Race Drivers

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY! BOUDREAUX'S WEDNESDAY!

Back at Last!

Lauren got a TON of Monkeys and a bunch of other goodies, including Denver Bronco shirts!
Darren was loaded with Denver Bronco gear (blankets, jerseys, pillows, t-shirts) as well as some Denver Nugget items and even got a LT bobble head. He was very excited.

Yes, Grandma Houston left her tree up for this photo op!


Yes Darren supports the home teams too and Lauren is just sporting her new "Monkey" PJ's that Grandma Rachelle made her.

My kids are back and are getting settled in to their new little home in Houston. It was not fun having to share them with their father but I have to do it (right?). They are getting so big right before my eyes. I couldn't be happier to have them with me. Today was their first day back in school since winter break. It will puzzle me for a long time why their father sent them back on January 8th. I guess it was because of the price break. *SHRUGS* The poor things had to sit on that plane for almost 7 hours. They had 2 stops, one in Denver and one in Austin. They said they were stuck with another unaccompanied minor from Seattle to Austin. I guess this kid really loved the song "Applogize" and sang it for a good duration of their flight. They said the flight attendants were great with them and they got snacks at every stop. Their father packed them goodies too so overall everything went well. They opened all their gifts from everyone on Wednesday and we went to their grandparent's house Sunday to open up the last few gifts. Grandma left her Christmas tree up so she could take a few snapshots of them in front of it. See how tall Darren is getting!! He has almost passed up his grandma. Things are pretty busy and a little hectic but we will soon be back in the swing of things.

The Best Day Ever!!

Two Great Things Today!

1. Darren & Lauren return today from their visit with their father in Seattle!!!
My sweetie pies are in the air coming back to Houston!!!

2. My Colby is all fixed and pretty again!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to all of my friends.

So far 2008 has been better then 2007. On December 31st I went to a beautiful dinner party and rang in the New Year Argentinian style. January 1st, had a nice lunch with a new "interest" and relaxed the remainder of the day. January 2nd was back to work and boy there is a lot of work to be done. I was off for 11 days so I guess it is to be expected. Last night Nellie went with me to look at homes near her area and that went pretty well, so I'll be meeting with a realtor this afternoon to do some walk thrus. Wish me luck that I find something for the kids and I.

My car is suppose to be ready tomorrow so I am keeping my fingers crossed. As of yesterday I am stuck driving a PT Cruiser. We all know how these vehicles scream dork mobile. I told Nellie I felt like SUPER NANNY driving into work this morning.

The above picture represents my face last night. How do you ask? Well it was subzero degrees in Nellie's house last night so I went to my room to grab my warm sweater and I guess at this point Nellie felt bad for me. So she decides to turn on the gas fireplace. She cranks on the gas, grabs the matches and tosses one onto the logs. The match is just burning there and hasn't caught on yet. So I take it upon myself to help her out. Afterall I am from colder climates and I have lit quite a few fireplaces in my day. I pick up the match and toss it above the logs and next thing I know all is see is FLAMES shooting up at me. The heat flashes across my entire face and then I hear screaming and realize that my face and hair are on fire! So Nellie starts to beat me down like she has never beat anything down before....I am trying to beat out the flames myself and it comes to my mind that I need to STOP, DROP and ROLL. (Remember I do have Fire Warden Training!! ha ha) In my attempt to Drop I land on her ottoman and smash down on top of her serving tray (picture holder) and I am down on the ground trying to roll around and extinguish myself. Nellie is still slapping me and screaming. Next thing you know, there we are-laying on the ground (just like in the movies) and B walks in asking "What the heck is going on in here?". I am sure the smell of burnt hair had hit him as he entered the house. I look up and see wads of hair and ashes all over the floor. Poor Nellie was so shaken up (so was I) and she felt so bad. I think I was feeling bad for breaking her serving tray. I am sure that was the least of her worries. Well it turns out that the gas was probably turned up higher then it needed to be and the fluke was closed so this was what had probably caused the enormous backdraft when I set the match upon the wood. All in all we are okay. My eyebrows got a bit thinned out and the flames gave me some stylish bangs. I don't think we will ever look at a fireplace the same. I now have what I'd like to call "Barbie Hair". It feels real hard and strange like when you use to cut your dolls hair too short! ha ha.

The year is still early and I still think it will be a good one. It has definately started off HOT!!! LOL I don't think it can go more wrong then setting yourself on fire so it can only get better!! RIGHT?????