I've Learned My Lesson....

A few weeks ago, I went to my first book signing/reading with one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Weiner. Before you giggle, let me tell you that it is pronounced "wy-ner". I got there 40 minutes early and it was almost full. I really enjoyed hearing her talk about her book, writing, and funny stories about meeting celebrities, and her gay mom. She made me laugh several times. Because I bought my book at another store (forgive me for actually wanting to read it before I met the author....grrr), I had to wait for over an hour to meet her. 

When I finally got up to the front of the line, I told her that I really loved the book. I also told her that  her "Little Earthquakes" was my favorite book. She was nice and went on to the next person. I looked down at my signing as I left and it said "Allison, Enjoy! Jennifer Weiner" Enjoy? ENJOY? I just told you I read the book! Why would you write ENJOY? 

Then I reached my second disappointment of the evening. I saw the picture I took. Okay, take a look, and then I will tell you why it is so awful. 

My Husband stared and laughed at it for a good ten minutes. I have the longest fingers ever and I have awkwardly placed them right over her name. I have learned my lesson. Ryan made me hold a few books to practice, just in case I ever go to a book signing again.

I guess on the plus side, my arms look good.

At any rate, it was fun, I liked meeting her, in case she ever reads this.....which I doubt she will.

Allison Harms, Animal Rescue

Lately I have been saving small creatures left and right. It is becoming a pattern! Here's why....

Last Friday I was driving down Allen Heights, which is a street in Allen (Duh. I don't know why I just wrote that). I noticed on the other side of the road, a sweet turtle was trying to cross! I instantly needed to save this turtle. I pulled into the nearest neighborhood and took off running down the sidewalk. As I am coming close, I see a car coming and I almost lose it. I cannot stand to see this little turtle get squashed. Luckily, the car slowed down and waited for the turtle to cross, and then drove off. (Insert your best "Why did the turtle cross the road" joke here.) I then ran over, grabbed the little turtle, who instantly went in his shell, and put him in the woods by the side of the road, just before another car speed by. Phew. 

The other day at the gym I was on the elliptical, which faces the pond outside the recreation center. Which, by the way, is really nice. It is so peaceful to watch bunnies hop and ducks swim while you work out. But, I digress. So I am working out, and I notice these children running around. No big deal, right? Then, I see that they are THROWING ROCKS at the new BABY DUCKS the park just celebrated. I hop off my elliptical (interrupting a great workout, by the way) and go to the front desk at the gym. I asked the receptionist man (nicely) if I needed to stop the kids outside from throwing rocks at baby ducks. He told me not to worry, and that he would get them to stop. He did. Phew. Baby ducks at the park can live in peace for another day. I mean seriously...throwing rocks at ducks? Where are your parents? Were you born in a barn? 

Also, to complete my animal rescues, I save bunnies and birds from the wrath of my dog on our daily walks. She has discovered that birds and bunnies would be really fun to chase, and if she sees one, I better hold on, because she takes off pretty forcefully. 

Maybe tomorrow I will save a squirrel. Who knows? Or a stray kitten. 

Much love, 

Allison

Solution: Work Out Dilemna

I now know how to solve my need for good workout music. 

Solution: 

Just get incredibly frustrated when some rude lady kicks you off of your machine, when you have already STARTED,  after you have waited patiently for 10 minutes, and says she "signed up" (She didn't and can't sign up in advance) and then uses the machine where the arm handles move, and DOESN'T USE THEM, and you have to settle for the machine where the arm handles don't move.  After that, you won't care what is on your iPod, cause you are pretty angry.

So maybe I just need someone to come make me mad before I work out? Cause after this frustrating lady, I had a fantastic work out. 

In other news, I have made it my goal to make a great play list for working out. Still taking suggestions. Stay tuned...

Or, maybe I will just have someone come tick me off before I work out. 

Much love, 

Allison

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."

Complaining.

I love Music. I really do. Obviously, if I majored in it, but that is beside the point. But sometimes I wonder if I love it enough to study my ever-loving brains out, for a B. A "B". It's not even an A. I know some of you are thinking, well, it's better than a C. True. But you know what, I realized....C is better than a D. And a D is better than an F. And let me tell you something, friends, they don't give us 15 hours of D credit for nothing!

Ok, really. But sometimes I glance at my Study guide that is literally 15 pages long and I wonder. I know I wouldn't be happy doing anything else, but that doesn't mean I don't think about what it would be like if I had majored in something else. I am not ashamed to feel this way, and I think the reason I do is because I don't feel like studying. I know everyone has to study, it's college. But is it necessary to study for 24 hours, over 4 days, to hope for a B? I am a studier, really! I like to study. I like making good grades. But, still.

Just my thoughts. Carry on.