We have moved in. To. A. House. We. Are. Ecstatic. Ok, enough of that kind of typing. Things have been crazy, but I finally have a minute to write about our new home. We have moved on from the apartment life in Valley Ranch/Irving and made the trek up North on 75 to beautiful Allen, TX. We like it here. There is a Little Caesar's Close. :) 

My current top five reasons I love the house: 

1. The absence of the leash. 

I hate that this is the first thing I think of, but let's be honest here. Call a spade a spade. I don't have to take Sadie out on a leash (as much). I can put her in the backyard! 

2. Ryan being closer to work. This means he wakes up later, therefore the dog wakes up later, therefore, I wake up later. But this is not the only reason why I like this. I also like that Ryan does not have to drive incredibly far to McKinney, as he was before we moved. 

3. A feeling of pure joy when I am not rubbing elbows with Ryan, tripping over the dog's toys and tearing my hair out over lack of closet space. Read: SPACE. There is space here! Hallelujah!

4. Hobby Slobby. One of my favorite places, 5 minutes away. 

5. Feeling like grown ups. This is the best feeling. I feel like adults when we pull up in the driveway and we know this house is ours. I feel like adults when we carry furniture upstairs and Ryan reminds me that "these walls are ours now..don't hit them." We feel so blessed that if we hit the wall, we have to fix it! I am not sure blessed is the right word for that scenario, but we are blessed. 

Much love, 

Allison

P.S. Here is Ryan in the "fraidy hole". It is where you go when you are scared.

TV Problem

I happen to enjoy great TV shows. Several great TV shows. And I am not the only member of the Harms household who enjoys TV. Both Ryan and even Sadie like to watch TV. Ryan and I have what I call a "TV problem". We love TV. We would marry it, but we are already married to each other and since we both love TV there is no point. 

Below is our list of shows we DVR. Be prepared to be amazed. 

Big Bang Theory (Ryan enjoys this because it is about nerds.)

How I met your Mother (Love this show!)

The Unit (my all-time fav)

Cold Case (Not my fav)

One Tree Hill (we have watched it since the beginning...we are faithful to our shows.)

Prison Break

Dancing with the Stars (NOT Ryan's)

Samantha Who? (GREAT show.)

Chuck (Not going to be around forever, but we like it.)

Desperate Housewives (NOT Ryan's)

Private Practice (NOT Ryan's)

House (NOT mine)

Law and Order SVU (My Dad makes fun of me for this one.)

Without a Trace (I hate this show.)

America's Next Top Model (I am faithful.)

Private Practice (I enjoy Addison)

Project Runway (Gotta watch this...it's fun.)

Criminal Minds (GREAT GREAT show.)

CSI: NY (My favorite CSI)

CSI: Miami (Everyone is really tan. Ryan's favorite CSI)

Law and Order (I am very faithful to this show.)

CSI (Eh....I don't like it now, but we watch it.)

Grey's Anatomy (LOVE it.)

Numbers (Pretty good.)

Dog Whisperer (We gotta..for Sadie)

All NFL games that relate to Ryan (Ugh)

All Big 12 football games (Tolerable. I only watch the OU games)

Frank TV (Ryan's.)

30 Rock (heheheh.)

The Office (GREAT.)

Kath and Kim (Funny!)

24 (the most amazing show EVER.)

Heroes (I put this in italics because we had to "drop" it...too many monday night shows. We will watch it on DVD.)

....and we have opinions about all of them. 

There. We are officially confessing our problem. But hey, we like it. It's how we bond. 

So...No, we can't watch any new shows. We are booked.

Sometimes we rule.

Halloween 2008, Brangelina. I am Angelina, Ryan is Brad...if you couldn't tell. 

P. S. The tattoos on the inside of my arms still have not come off, and I have showered four times.

Much love, 

Allison

What I love about Halloween. . .

Here are a few things I love about Halloween and Fall. . . 

1. Candy Corn. I adore Candy Corn. And this year I was introduced to Caramel Apple Candy Corn, which I love! The only thing annoying about Candy Corn is that every time I eat some, someone tells me to eat it with peanuts, cause "It tastes like a Payday!" This got really old this Halloween season. If I want a Payday, I will get one. Sheesh. 

2. Little children in their costumes. So cute! I mean how cute are two sisters dressed as Dorothy and Toto? At the Fall Festival at church this year, I saw some of the cutest costumes I have ever seen. Ok, maybe not ever, because Kelsey, Denise and myself as a Lion, Tiger and Bear (Oh my!) when we were little was REALLY cute. Really cute. 

This is my sister, Kelsey. I am sure she will love that I posted this!

3. Colder weather. At 6:30 in the morning, when I walk the dog (long story), I don't love this. Not so much. But when I get to wear my green peacoat out and my fleece around the apartment, I love the cold. It is nice to wear boots, sweaters and old college sweatshirts. Which, let's face it, I shouldn't have bought so many of. 

4. My dog in her Halloween costume. Love it. 

Happy Fall, y'all!

Much love, 

Allison

Obama Variet Hour Skit

I love this SNL skit! Funny!

Dear Sarah Palin...I love to laugh at you.

Sarah Palin

Here is Sarah Palin, sporting a "Vote Democrat" donkey scarf at a rally in Nevada. Good one, Sarah!

Ok, if you know me, you know I am an Obama supporter. Unlike my husband, who thinks McCain is the lesser of two evils. I have spent a lot of time watching videos on Sarah Palin, including her interviews, speeches and of course, her SNL parodies. I gotta tell you, the only thing I like about Sarah Palin is hearing her speak out for disabled persons and their families. That point alone makes it VERY difficult for me to not like her. But from what I have studied about her, she is just not an experienced enough politician to be the Vice President of the United States. Do I think McCain/Palin will win the election? No way. I will sleep in my dog's new extra large crate if they do. (Which I can fit in.) So, I give you now a fantastic video. Even if you like Palin, you probably will enjoy this. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrzXLYA_e6E

A tribute to Kali Elizabeth.

Back at the OC, I had a fantastic roomate. I had many roomates, but I lived with Kali the most. And I love her. Here are a few reasons I love Kali!

1. She will make faces like this.

2. No matter what Friends reference I made/make, she knows the season, episode and who said it.

3. She loves RENT as much as I do. Except for that one scene.

If we were in RENT we might wear costumes like this.

4. She is amazing at Mini golf. "About that..."

5. She will eat a milkshake with a straw like this.
Love you, Kal Pal!

The decline of the Gap.

When I was in High School, I worked at the Gap. High school and some of college. I met one of my first boyfriends there. I spent the majority of my paycheck on sweaters, jeans, etc with my amazing discount. I loved it. And you know what, I like to think Gap loved me too. They gave me a little pin and a certificate that said I had worked their over a year. They had to love me, right?

But now the reason for this post. The Gap has lost its magic. At least for me. I used to not be able to enter a Gap without at least one purchase. On a side note, I loved to go in and see my old friends at the Quail Springs Mall, shop and they would tell me who was still there and what all the sales were. It was great fun. But now that I have moved, there are no friends there, and there is no cute items to buy! They are all too expensive and just not cute. I don't even like going there. It is loud, and just not my favorite place anymore. It is very sad, but I must say it: RIP Gap. I shall go to Old Navy now. And probably Target. I love Target.

A video I find incredibly funny.

Wow. One word. Wow.

I love me some Dancing with the Stars.

It's that time of year again. That precious time of year where Ryan and I have the Monday and Tuesday night debate of who gets the big TV.
"Please, watch DWTS with me. If Emmet Smith can do the show, you can watch it!"
"No thank you. I would rather watch Emmet play football."

After last night's premiere of DWTS, here are my thoughts:
1. Cloris is really old, and kinda weird. And she says bad words. She is annoying.
2. Kim Kardashian bothers me. Urks me. By the way, did you read that she swears she wears a size 27 jean (waist) and got ticked that people didn't believe her...so she showed her tags on a video on a blog? Really? I digress. 3. Edyta got screwed over. Jeffery Ross is not a good partner...and Edyta, even though she doesn't really wear clothes, is a great dancer. Sorry Edyta.
4. Samantha Harris looks pretty bad. She obviously works out like crazy and lives in a tanning bed. This overtanned, overly skinny, overly done up look is not flattering. And she is not really a good host. She is the queen of making the show awkward.
5. Julianne is beautiful! I have always liked her.
6. Lance Bass needs to stop going tanning with Samantha Harris.
7. Cloris is annoying. Did I say that?
8. Toni Braxton is pretty good. I like her. She MIGHT be my favorite.
9. Len can be an old fart.
10. This season should be interesting! I don't really just LOVE anyone....but hopefully someone will grow on me soon...because I am sacrificing the big TV to watch it. And I have to miss football. Darn it. (Read: sarcasm.)

More thoughts to come, I am sure.

Much love,
Allison

Puppet skits, Palin and Planning...

Things I did yesterday: 

1. Wrote a short puppet skit. 

2. Colored a puppet blue. 

3. Planned a bible hour and a class for Wednesday night. 

4. Watching the Palin/Clinton SNL video several times. 

5. Ate Mike and Ikes. (They rule)

:)

A time for change...

My life has changed drastically over the past month or so. I changed jobs, got a puppy and started reading novels again. Ok, that last one is not a big deal, but I needed a third one. 

1. I changed jobs. I moved out of my school and my education field into a Children's Ministry position at my church. And so far, this is one of the best decisions I have every made. Fo real. I like it. I spent the morning organizing puppet skits. Seriously. Be jealous. 

2. I got a puppy. Who is now huge. And occupies my life with her supreme cuteness. My goal is to bring her to work and let her roam and play with the ministers. Yeah right...but I can dream!

3. I started reading novels again. Which rules. In fact, I may write my own. Be on the lookout! 

Much love, 

Allison

We had a baby!

Ok, not really. But it sure feels that way! Ryan and I are very attached to our new little bundle of joy. We love her so much, and we just met her!

Funny does not begin to describe how entertaining she is! She has stumbled into every object in our apartment...the fan, the couch, the bed, her crate, her own feet....she is too cute!

Here are the reasons we feel like we have a baby....

1.When we are gone, we worry about her.

2. Our lives have completely changed. You have to think about what to do with the puppy before we make any plans!

3. We feel so protective of her, and taking her to the vet was nerve-racking!

Now, a baby and a puppy are completely different. But one thing we have established is...we are not ready for a baby!

Team Jeff Dye

We love "Last Comic Standing". We laugh for hours at the stuff these people say. Here is my favorite this season, with my favorite of his jokes. Oh Applesauce Pete.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ8IJY9AHqI

Happy Birthday, Memaw!

Happy 80th Birthday to my beautiful Memaw!

Here she is opening a gift at her party on Sunday. She said she had a great time! And speaking of good news, sister Kelsey is back in the US of A!

Welcome home, Kelsey!

Much love,

Allison

San Antonaversary!

Ryan and I went on our one year anniversary trip! We went to San Antonio, thus the title...San Antonaversary! (From FRIENDS....anyone?) That is what we called it. And boy, did we have a blast. We did. Fo real.

We went to Six flags and rode some great roller coasters, and went to the water park there. Which was called White Water!

White Water!? We have one of those in OKC! My fam and I went their all the time in the summers! It ruled. But, I digress.

We went to Sea World! Which was the best. I LOVE SEA WORLD. Give me a dead fish and a dolphin or sea lion to feed and I am THERE.

See below. Apparently my make-up had worn off. You can also see a video at the bottom of this post.

I took over 300 pictures. Yes, 300. It was insane! If you would like to see them go here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2026037&l=3eb31&id=168301255

and here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2026035&l=1eb2d&id=168301255

If this is your first time reading my blog, welcome!

Much love,

Allison

What is new about me?

I have come to the conclusion that marriage and growing up really changes you. Yeah, you are thinking, well duh. Which reminds me you don't get a lot of "duh" these days. Anyways! I feel like a different person. A better person. Here is what is different about me.

I cry at 'The Bachelor":
Yes, at the Bachelor. Ok, don't laugh. But really. Years ago, I would never have cried at a reality TV show. But sometimes, now, when I watch it, I get a little misty. I am just more emotional when it comes to love. I see a couple get married on the TODAY show and I can't stop crying. I can't decide if this change is a good thing or not.

I feel more creative:
I feel like now, if could go back to school, I would be an awesome music major. I would be more creative. I know it! Cause now, I love to write songs. Yes, most are for my elementary students, but it happens. I also like to paint. And scrapbook. Scrapbook? Heck yes.

I cook and bake:
Growing up, I had no interest in this. In college...I still had no interest in cooking and making cupcakes. But my need to keep busy during the summer juxstaposed with my need to make my husband say "yum" has made me like to cook. I have made a cake with two layers, cookies of all kinds, cupcakes, wings, ribs, chicken in all forms....the list goes on and on. And my mom said I was never interested growing up! Maybe that is what I needed....

I am way more sentimental:
I collect it all. Everything. Move stubbs, baseball tickets, programs, CDs....it's ridiculous. Hence my need to start a scrapbook. I have boxes of stuff. I also want others to be sentimental. I send lots of cards. This is fun, and I think people like it. If they don't, they don't say so.

So these are the things that are different. Now I am off to pack for our super cool anniversary trip to San Antonio to see Shamu!! It's our San Antonaversary!

Allison Harms: It's Not Complicated

School is over for the year, which RULES, by the way. So now I have to decide how to fill my time. I must point out that it is 7:30am on a Wednesday morning, and I am trying to figure out why I am not working. My husband is off to work, and I am here watching reality TV and drinking coffee. Drinking coffee to wake up for.....nothing.Go figure.



Lately I have been watching reality shows, mostly because there is not much else on, but also because it is like a bad car wreck. You just can't look away. Recently, "Denise Richards: It's Complicated" premiered on E! and I can't look away. Just can't.



Poor Denise Richards. That is the premise of the show. Poor thing. So misunderstood. Made millions, married Charlie Sheen. Had two really cute kids....stole someone's husband (supposedly)....and decided that she should make a reality show because her recently deceased mother wanted her to make one. Really? She did? I find this hard to believe. While she was dying of cancer, she told Denise that a reality show would be a great recreational activity and really help her career?

Do they not see that all families who do reality shows fall apart? The Nick and Jessica, Kimora's marriage, the Hogans? Ring a bell? Maybe Denise thinks that since her marriage is already over, maybe she thinks there is nothing left to mess up? Only up from here? I don't know.



So far, most of the show shows her trying to defend herself against tabloids and other antics like spray tanning, fishing, riding go carts and finding a mate for her pet pig. (Really.)





But her sister and her good friend sit and look at stories and pictures of Denise, and Denise claims that they are "so untrue". I wonder if they will read this? That would be awesome. COMPLETELY awesome. Denise, if you are reading, tell your friends. Tell your friends about my awesome blog.

Untraceable or something....

Movie: Untraceable
Starring: Diane Lane
Emotion: Pain and discomfort

If you are the type of person who likes torture and watching other people suffer, this is the movie for you. I have to tell you, I, on the other hand, am not. Now, mind you, I do not mind seeing the bodies on CSI. I don’t even mind the scenes where they show the wounds and the insides of the victim. You know what I am talking about…the scenes that make your husband say “Whoa.” Untraceable stars Diane Lane, who I actually like. I have no qualms about her ability to portray the leading lady in this Jodie Foster, Julianne Moore type film. Lane plays Jennifer Marsh, an FBI computer hijacker, ahem, analyst. She is a single mom living with her mother and her soon-to-be eight year old daughter. While doing her everyday job, Marsh and her loveable single computer friend, Griffin, stumble upon a disturbing website. On the website, someone is streaming live a video of a cat being slowly killed. This bothers Marsh, and she takes it to her boss. Her boss, being the typical FBI boss stereotype, comments “It’s just a cat”. Well, come to find out, it is the beginning of a string of attacks, and not on animals, but on innocent and seemingly random people. I do not really recommend this movie to anyone. There were several times I said “Oh my word. That’s awful.....Oh! That's really gross.” Not just like that, but you get the idea.

Blisters or Comfort?

I am trapped. I have reached the point in my teaching career where I am considering buying not-as-cute-but-very-comfortable shoes. I swore to myself I would never reach this point. I will not be the teacher wearing crocs (product placement) as dress shoes. I will not be the teacher that looks really dressed up until you see her tennis shoes sticking out from under her dress. (Oh trust me, it happens.)

But I still have this problem. Some of my heels are just so cute. But just so painful. I have tried to trade off. I wear heels one day, then flats the next. But as we enter the summer time...I have noticed all of my dressy sandals are heels. This proposes a dilema. Do I buy the ugly brown sandals and walk on air? Or do I ice my feet, suck it up and pretend I am on "Sex in the City"?

I just don't know.

Get off your cell phone!

Driving in Dallas is quite interesting. People are crazy and just plain dumb. There are crazy drivers, bad drivers, and just really wreckless drivers. But to the already horrible driving, we add one awful, damaging thing. A cell phone.

Don't get me wrong, I love the cell phone. I talk on it....I text. I am down with the cell phone. But I do NOT talk on it when I drive. If I have to, I pick it up, tell the person I will call them back, and GO BACK TO DRIVING.

Driving recently, I can tell who is on their cell phones by their driving. They are the ones driving 55 and swerving. They are the ones going 60 in the fast lane. They are the ones driving half-way on the shoulder with their left turning signal still flashing. As I drive past them, I can see they are on their cell phone! And if its not a cell phone, it's a cigarette in one hand or a small dog in their lap. I mean really. Really? You might get in a wreck because you want your dog to see out the window? That is just silly.

Every once in a while, I am wrong. I say to my self "she is on a cell phone". And when I drive by there is not one...so I think "okay, just an idiot."

Yes, I still care.

My sister asked me if I was coming to Spring Sing to see her Miss Piggy show...and I wanted to, so we came. Ryan and I were due for a trip to Edmond, and Spring Sing weekend was the perfect opportunity. Plus, I wanted to come see Gamma and see old friends....and see Ryan yell during the "Kappa Snaps". So we went. Kelsey was adorable, the show was great, and I only missed being a part of it a little. (Really, only a little. I know. I was surprised myself.)

Two years ago, I directed my own Gamma show with the beautiful Amy Hubble. Two years before that, I directed the Freshman show with Joe Thurman. I know what it takes to be a director.....blah blah. I was really rooting for Gamma! Not just because I had been in Gamma....but because I could tell they had worked the hardest.

When they announced Gamma as the winners.....I think I peed a little. What a great moment! And my sister was up there! How perfect.

Love. It. :)

Where's my lunch?

The past few days I have been sick. I have a sinus infection and bronchitis. We went to the Doctor on Sunday night because I almost died. Not really. But if you were around, you would have thought I was dying. However, this is not my point.

On Monday, my Husband took a few hours off work to take care of me. He was great. At about lunch time, he decided to go back. I said from the bedroom: "Ryan, take the stew in the fridge for lunch...." Did he? No.

On Tuesday, Ryan left to go to work. I said from the bedroom: "Ryan, take the stew from the fridge or the pineapple chicken for lunch...." Did he? No. Later that night. . .

Me: "What did you take for lunch?"
Him: "Nothing.. I had to eat at the cafeteria."
Me: "Ryan. Look in the fridge. Look! There are TWO meals in here!"
Him: (sheepishly) Oh.

And then...Ryan discovers that the mail has not been picked up in a few days. Why? Because I get it everyday. Goes to show: he makes the rules, but I get the job done.

Parking Space Snob

I have recently discovered something about myself. I am a Parking Space Snob. I admit it. I will not park and walk. I will drive around until I find one that is semi-close, or until someone pulls out so that I may take their spot. This drives Ryan crazy! He just parks. Considering that he drives most of the time we go anywhere together....this causes us to disagree.
"Wait, there is one!"
"No, that has to have one of those hatchbacks in it. We will just park back here."
"No! There has to be one closer. Don't park here."
"Babe, this one is fine. By the time we find a closer one, we would have been inside."
"But think of walking all the way out with our groceries and stuff...it will be worth it."

Guess which one is me?

And then I like to bookend the conversation by finding the closer spots on the way in and saying "Ryan, why didn't you park here?".

So for all of you Parking Slot Snobs out there, stay strong. I am on your side.