Thoughts and "lasts"

Hello everyone -- HAPPY FRIDAY!!! Can you tell I'm excited? I'm really hoping to get all my work stuff done so I can enjoy the time I should be having off. I really really don't want to "work from home" but inevitably will and I really don't want to "come in on Monday" but still may. Oye.

So I just reminded myself of something as I was responding to my good friend Stephanie's recent blog -- I've had some of my first last's recently!!!! What do I mean?

Now that I'm ENGAGED! (yah! Yahoo! YIPPEE!) I've experienced some "last's" and there's NO TURNING BACK FOR ME, no siree bob!

I've had my last Halloween as a single lady. (we got engaged the friday before)
Robert's had his last Birthday as a single man!
We've both had our last Thanksgiving as Mr Corkren and Miss Chumchal. Next year will be Mr & Mrs Corkren. (cool!)

And I'm about to celebrate my last Christmas as a Chumchal. Well, ya'll know what I mean. :)

Some really cool "lasts". 10 months and it's all going forward from there!

MERRY CHRISTMAS with lots of love from Jamie CHUMCHAL! hee hee

Santa's Gmail

Hopefully you can read this -- if not, let me know, I'll email it to you!

Sophie

Hangin out at the house with her most favorite toy EVER - thanks to Granny -- her hot dog. She goes crazy over that thing!

Really -- how cute is she?? :-)

Lights in de Heights 2008

What another great party at Renee's! Everyone was in good form and had a great time!

Many thanks to Mom & Dad and Jenny & Nick for keeping an eye on the boys that night! No way would Robert and I have stayed out till 4 a.m. if they were at home on their own! Hee hee

Look at those HOTTIES! (darn pic won't turn the right way for me on here!)

Robert & Taylor (Rob asked Taylor to be a groomsman that night! Yay!)

Jamie & Robert (not too far into the drunkeness)

Me & the guys (Brad & Taylor)

Whoa!!! That shot must have been the one that did me in! 3 and it was ALL OVER!!
Apparently (according to Robert) we were telling jokes and having a good laugh! Good times gals!
Acting silly
Smooches!!!!

Texans Game

The boys, Robert and I headed over to watch the Texans WIN against the Tennessee Titans. Go Texans!

The boys after the game ... they had fun! It was their first Professional Football Game.


Here is proof that I made it to the game. Hungover and all ... I was there!
Stinkin' Espresso Vodka shots! :)

$1.39 & 9/10 per gallon

Yes, this is how much I paid for gas to fill up my Tahoe the other day. And it was at a Chevron.


I needed about 1/2 a tank, so 12.65 gallons and $18 dollar -- I was on my way.


Seriously -- $1.39!



AND -- YAY for Thursday being here!!! I have been looking forward to it since Sunday. My work week is over. Only 5 more days to go next week AND tonight is a girls night out at the Alley Theatre. We're doing an ornament exchange and have dinner at Birraporetti's. We're going to see the Santaland Diaries, which from the reviews is supposed to be a funny adult comedy! I can't wait! ... I hope everyone else is looking forward to it like I am!

Road Warrior

Well I finally racked up some miles on the car-o this weekend. :) (that one's for you KDK!)


Friday night Robert and I ventured over to Watson's to meet our friend Bryan for a few drinks. It was good fun and we had some good laughs. They especially liked posing for the Miller Lite girls. Of which the big picture magnet is hanging on our fridge!


Saturday morning I woke up early to hit the dusty trail back to Shiner. Picked up mom, met up with Dawn and Jenna and headed to K&K. We spent about 2 hours trying on dresses and even got Jenna in one. I can't wait to take Hana and Jenna out flowergirl dress shopping!!!!


Here's a few we found that were SOOO CUTE! this one was our favorite, I think!

This one was so precious -- it was cute in the front and had a little train in the back! aww.

So after shopping at K&K, Dawn and Jenna headed for San Marcos and Mom and I started our running around. We went and visited with the cake lady, then the wedding decorations lady, then -- yes -- we drove to Austin to try on the dress that is still the lead contender, just another time. It's still the most flattering!

After that mom and I went to Baby A's for dinner, since neither one of us had one single thing to eat ALL day. It was yummy. Then it was back to Shiner we went. We did stop off in Lockhart for a break at Wal-Mart then again in Gonzales to see what their material departments had. As we were walking out -- between the jewelry section and the electronics my heel slipped and down I went -- oh so graciously though. It was HILARIOUS!!! Mom turned around when one of the workers said "OH MY!!!". I bumped a stand and mom just cracked up. Seriuosly -- slooooow motion. We were laughing for a good 10 minutes!

We finally made it back to Shiner and although I had intended to go back to Katy that night, it was after 9p so I hung out with Mom and we did more wedding stuff on the computer. It was fun. I was sad my sisters weren't there with me, but hey -- we're all busy, especially THIS time of year!

Robert and I finished decorating the house for Christmas last night -- it looks good. We hung lights outside and are going to let the boys hang ornaments on the tree on Wednesday. This Christmas has completely snuck up on me!!!

AND ... might I add -- on the way to Austin on Hwy 71 I got a warning for having no front license plate on my car. Hello! That takes it down a notch! ha ha It was by a state trooper just barely outside Bastrop. He was in the turn land headed South on 71 while I was 2 or 3 cars deep headed North -- all stopped at a traffic light. What a booger. This is the 2nd warning I've gotten in my BMW in about 6 weeks -- for the same darn reason. It's a silly law if you ask me :)

Jaace is 14!!!!

I don't know if ya'll can believe it, I surely can't -- but on Wednesday Jaace turned 14! That is just complete craziness! He's 1/2 way done with 8th grade and will be driving soon.

Happy Birthday Jaacer Raacer!!!!

(here's one of him being silly)

We all met up in Wharton for a nice seafood dinner. Look how big our family's grown!

Wedding Dress, Wedding Decor

I tell you what -- October 2009 is going to sneak up on me - I swear it! But we're getting things going and hopefully we'll be ahead of the game.

Last week Robert and his good friend (and groomsman) Ryan worked on one of our table decorations. Here they are hard at work:


Here is the 90% finished product. Robert stained it while I was out Black Friday shopping with the gals. We have clear votive holders to go in it and it looks really good! Way to go babe!

So while we were out on Black Friday, Mom had a wild hair up her purdel and wanted to go look at wedding dresses. And we did find one that is really flattering and very pretty!! Yes, I'm still "looking" but it always goes back to that one, which I believe was the 2nd one I tried on. Jenny and Jill loved it and Mom did too!! So we'll see. (big smile!) I don't know about for some of you other married women -- but it's all very SURREAL feeling right now. SO exciting and so just "wow"!

I went on Sunday to Ventura's here in Houston for a quick look at one particular dress. Although I liked these, the other one from Austin still "does it" for me -- so just a couple more shops then we'll be ORDERING! I'm hoping to have bridal portraits in April -- so need to get it ordered soon!

Here's a few I tried on at Venturas:

And today, with all good luck and the moon and stars and sun aligning, I'll be sending out the official "will you be my bridesmaid" packages. Hee Hee. Fun stuff!

GUMBO! Aaaahhh-yeeee

Check out my man cookin me up some yummy gumbo. He put a twist on it with his duck and goose addition, which I steared clear of. It was so good! Thanks Babe.

Boy - he's trained right already!

Funniest Videos EVER!!

Oh

MY

GOSH!

I was in TEARS laughing so hard at these.

Karaoke, lots of alcohol and the Chumchal crowd = one hilariously good time!

Just listen to the GIRLS encroaching on this one -- freakin hilarious!

LOL watch Nick on this one -- oh my gosh I'm in tears!! (As a Chumchal Tradition at Christmas all the new out-laws get to sing a Christmas Carole. This year we started early at Papa's birthday party. freakin hilarious)

And one final one featuring Uncle Greg. Who knew he was such a Luther Vandross? Watch Robert. I cracked up when he was hoopin and hollering and then nudged Jaace and Jaace was like "what the ??!" LOL Then watch Jill and Thomas "get a little lower now" then Jenny break out in a split! Shit it's funny!! Greg ends with a resounding "God Bless America!" - classic!

Chiropractor, Birthday, Wedding, Work and Life in General

What CRAZY days the past few have been!

Last week at work was pure HELL. Work was insane and there were all sorts of things happening. I believe all the stress of that week and the week's before led up to a severe neck ache. So after 31 years I went to the chiropractor today. LOL He cracked the shit out of my neck at the end and I was in more pain than before. 4 advils later and an ice pack I was feeling a little better. I go back on Wednesday for more punishment.

We did celebrate KDK's 32nd birthday on Saturday evening at YiaYia Mary's! It was a good time and Karena looked FABULOUS! (I hope I look half as good as her when I get her age! ha ha - that's just an on-going joke we have. K's all of 4 months older than I am!)

Today is Robert's 36th birthday! He had the day off and has enjoyed it. He's over at his good friend Ryan's house doing wedding stuff (wood work and beer drinkin!). :) He's been so great with all the wedding planning!! We also found our centerpieces Sunday for some of the tables so that was cool!!! Now I just need to get a dress picked out so I can figure out what colors I'm going to use.

I had to laugh -- Robert THOUGHT he was snagging a younger woman -- but he's got one that's falling apart before HE is!

Today we also met with Alice and Eric our Serendipity Photographers!!! They are so awesome! Robert and I will be working on their contract this weekend.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!! I'm SO ready for the holiday's! ALL of them -- both Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's! Robert and I got the tree up but we still have a bit more to do, some other inside decorations and all the outside decorations. I just wasn't ready to take down the Fall/Thanksgiving stuff until at least Thanksgiving is passed.

Here's a few pics from the house.

Our dining table centerpiece.

The Stockings: Robert, Jamie, Jr, Matthew & Sophie's

Papa Ed's 85th Birthday Party

Here's a few pictures from Papa Chumchal's 85th Birthday Party. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! I believe everyone was so relaxed, and the weather was good, and there was a great turnout, that the day was just perfect. And we partied and karaoked until the wee hours!

Dad (58) and Papa (85)

Yeehaw Cowgirls!!

Robert & Jamie

Jenny, Jillian & Me

Arizona

So Robert and I were in Scottsdale, Arizona November 5 - 7. We had so much fun and it was SO PRETTY. The weather was perfect -- not too hot and cool in the evenings. He was there for a conference and I was there to do a lot of nothing -- which I succeeded in very well! We stayed at an awesome resort - The Phonecian - which was so nice! 8 pools! Awesome workout facility! Great golf course! Need I say more?

I was ready to get back to Texas though. As much as I loved the blue skies and all, I missed the humidity. Yes -- the humidity! Everything I touched I shocked myself with! My hair was staticky, my skin way dry, regardless of how much lotion I used and I'm still nursing dry lips.

I LOVE TEXAS (but like traveling to other places to learn these valuable lessons! ha ha)

Robert and I on our last day at the Phoenician
Cool pic on our evening trip to Sedona, Arizona.

We tried our HARDEST to make it to the Grand Canyon, got as far as Moose-Country, but sun was setting and we would have been there in the dark. So we detoured back through Sedona.

Cactus and Palm Trees. Who knew?

Red Rock Canyon in Sedona -- it was gorgeous there. We saw the sun set on the red rocks.

Quote of the day:

Whatever you give a woman, she's going to multiply.

If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.

If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.

If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.

If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.

She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

So - if you give her crap,
you will receive more shit than any one human being can handle.

Our First Meeting with the Church

Robert and I have had a busy week!!! We were in Scottsdale, AZ for a few days - him attending a conference and me just hanging out and thinking about wedding stuff. Got a few things done, which is great. We flew back on Friday night and drove to Shiner mid-morning Saturday for Papa Ed's 85th Birthday Party. We had FUN!!!!!! It was a great evening! I've got lots of pics to post!!!

Sunday was church, then Robert installed a ceiling fan for Mamo and then it was full-on wedding errands around town. A good 5-hours of stuff. We started at the Kasper B&B checking out rooms for our out-of-town guests. Got those all taken care of and then it was to the American Legion Hall for measurements, then to see Father Bob at the church to get that ball rolling, then back to the Hall for the final stuff, to my parents then back to Houston. We were exhausted!!! But I feel like things are getting accomplished.

Next big task for me -- officially asking my girls to stand in the wedding!!! Yay! I hope they say YES! :-)

Here is a picture of the Sts Cyril & Methodious Catholic Church in Shiner as we left Father Bob last night. It was such a pretty shot we couldn't pass up! A great way to end our day of wedding-planning!!!

Happy Halloween 2008!

We went to a costume party thrown by my best friend Dawn, her husband and kin - Shirley & Pat. It was so much fun. Darn jello-shots threw me (and everyone) for a loop -- which was the intent, huh?!

Enjoy the pics:

the Sumo & the Geisha (aka the future Mr & Mrs Robert Corkren)
Dawn & Scotty - Devilish Vixens! Pops n Mo (aka My Mom and my Aunt Karen)
Preggo Nun & the Priest (Jenny & Nick)
Sarah Palin & John McCain campaigning (down and dirty! aka Jillian & Thomas)

Nothing EVER comes easy

Well, some days that is my feeling.

So October 17, 2009 is the date Robert and I have picked to be married. WELL -- that day only has a 90% chance of going forward. In my gut, I feel like everything will be alright, but ....

The Shiner Brewery turns 100 next August. That is great. But there are ALL KINDS of rumors circulating. Will they have a celebration? Will it be in August? Will it be in Shiner? Will they bring back Bocktoberfest? Will it be on the 3rd weekend of October? Will it be the 2nd weekend? Will they have anything at all?

Of course the Gambrinas company is all HUSH HUSH about it which is SO frustrating!!! Good for them but it's KILLING ME!!!! The more I think about it the more upset I get.

My fear is people would come to the wedding for a little while, then go to the 'fest. I don't want that! I want people to stay and have a great time.

Am I thinking too much? Would people really do that? (yes, I believe so)

I dunno -- but this really sucks. There are 2 weekends in September that are possibilities -- I GUESS, but I REALLY want October 17.

:(

So see -- nothing ever comes easy.

Engagement Weekend - Talk about BUSY!

So this weekend has simply flown by, simiply because it was jam-packed even BEFORE the engagement! Saturday morning Robert was up early to go help out at the West Memorial Elementary PTA Carnival. I slept in till around 8 a.m. Then the texts, phone calls and emails started (or continued!). It was GREAT!! I cannot thank you all enough for your comments and thanks and well-wishes and 'about time' 's! ha ha I hope to get to respond to you each soon!

Just be sure to MARK Oct 17, 2009 on your calendar -- it's going to be one heck of a party!!

So after the carnival Robert helped clean up while I went to meet Karena out for a quick bite and to show her the ring. We then headed to Wharton to surprise Jenny. (Nick and Robert and I had planned for a couple weeks to come up this weekend to visit and go to a play.) She initially thought we drove that way just to show her the ring. Hee Hee

We went to the play -- Of Mice and Men -- which was good, but the wine made me sleepy!

Sunday Mom, Dad, Jillian and Jaace came to Wharton for lunch to Congratulate us! It was great! We headed back to Katy early, went look at a house in Fulshear, back to Robert's, then more phone calls, emails and texts.

Everyone has been so supportive -- it's incredibly humbling. Robert and I are SO BLESSED!

Lots of love from the soon-to-be Corkren's!

Date's Set

Also -- mark your calendar's for October 17, 2009.

Everything is booked and ready!!!!!!!!

Happy Happy Day -- We're ENGAGED!

Yes!! It's finally happened and I said YES!!!!

Well, what I kept saying was "this isn't real, this isn't real" but I did slip a "YES!" in there too!
Tonight has been nothing but SURREAL.

He proposed around 8:30pm tonight and totally caught me off guard. We had plans to meet up with our friends Brad & Jenny so followed through with that at The Tilted Kilt. Have a look:

FLOWERS!!!

Robert TOTALLY got me yesterday!!!! Aren't they gorgeous???

I even told the guy when he brought in this weird shaped box that he was in the wrong place. Are you sure it's for me? Who is it from? THE DEPT OF AGRICULTURE? What do they want? Are you SURE you're sure???

And as soon as I opened the box -- these are what I saw wrapped securely. They are so beautiful! I love you babe!!!!

Houston Texans -- a win?!

Yep -- made it to their first win of the 2008 season with a show-stopping win over the Miami Dolphins.

Despite the game -- we had a great time with Ted & Lecia! AWESOME seats -- just below the owner's box - 41 was there! Check out some of the pics below:

41 and the Mrs.
Dolphins going for an extra point
Robert and me after the game!

North Dakota Trip

So last week I flew up with some colleagues to visit Hess' North Dakota operations. I tell you what -- it was a great trip! We flew up Monday on the Hess charter flight out of Sugar Land -- direct flight into Williston, ND with 7 other Hess employees. Williston is a very small town (~1,500 people) and Applebee's was where we hit dinner that first night. It is one of 3 restaurants in town!

Tuesday was off to view our 3D Seismic Acquisiton which was already underway. It was about an hour outside Williston and about 10 minutes from our Tioga Office.
Here is the helicopter bringing a bag to drop at a new location (bag contains geophones & extension cords, which a group of folks walk to and hook up). This is our Staging Area. This is also the helicopter we got to fly on!!!! What a beautiful day it was! Jason and Kevin -- our seismic bird-dogs, doing what they do best. (standing around chatting) HA HA
Geologists doing what geologists do best (looking at squiggly lines). Actually, Rob the Hess geologist (far right) was a GREAT tour guide. Here he's showing the group some of what he analyzes.
The group of us by the big Thumper (this is what actually shoots the seismic waves down into the earth.) Pretty cool! You feel the ground shake! And yes, that's me on the left in a hardhat. :)
Aerial view of the local wildlife (cows) from the helicopter.

On Wednesday we headed into Stanley in HURRICANE FORCE winds to tour one of our land rigs. Like I said -- a great trip overall!