MOBOT

Now that I live in St. Louis, I'm picking up the lingo. The Missouri Botanical Gardens is affectionately known as MOBOT.
Lyra, the boys, and I went this morning and strolled through. That place just makes you feel all romantic.

The scent of the flowers is heavenly. We saw the most beautiful duck EVER. The weather was perfect. And it was so nice to go on an un-crowded weekday. We had a picnic and even saw a little baby snake.
But I have to admit, one of my favorite parts was the Tower Grove House we hadn't seen before. That place had the most amazing carpet! I seriously am trying to find a similar pattern online. But then again, the Shaw dude who owned the house was like major filthy rich and I could never afford it. Well, maybe I can find a small area rug.
Anyway, check it out above.

(Click on the photo to see larger. Oh, and by the way, in case you wonder, all photos posted on this blog are taken by me. Need a photographer? Call me. I'm a genius. Seriously.)

Better than Zanax

This is Shea, Jared and Lyra's little sweetness. The Lees are more than best friends.
They are my family. And by far, the best part of my move to St. Louis.

The other day, I dropped by, as I often do, after work and sat down at the table. It had been a long day.
Shea looked at me and said "Man-ee, you bouful."
(Translation- "Mandy, you're beautiful.")

He is the best little man you could have around. He gives me kisses, poses for my endless photos, and even compliments my jewelry. "Man-ee, I lite you netty."
(Translation- "Mandy, I like your necklace.")

This kid is my personal sunshine.

Know Why Chocolate Covered Long-Stemmed Strawberries are Better than Long-Stemmed Roses?

Because you eat them. Duh.

TAG, etc etc

I'm off work for 3 days and seriously have NOTHING to do. I am passing the time with online shopping (big mistake) and playing Brick Breaker on my new Blackberry. I did get some very cool stuff though. Including a new Lensbaby for my Nikon and some snazzy new summer dress pants. I have also re-watched 6 seasons of friends over the last month. No, I don't have cable. I refuse!
Oh crap. Am I boring?
I think I'll go to the zoo and watch the penguins. The zoo, like most other things in St. Louis, is free. I am all over that. Damn. I wish I had my lensbaby. I need to take some fun photos. I'm in a rut.

In other news, I'm going to Dallas next week for a Train the Trainer with all my cool trainer peeps from the Central Region. I'm so excited to see my Chicago boy, Draz. In case you didn't read my previous post, I heart him. I will also see my AT&T career mentor, Jenna. She is who I wanna be when I grow up.

With all this online shopping and reruns, I have forsaken my blog. And I was tagged by Tricia almost a week ago.

Tricia is an IFF (Internet Friend Forever.) Funny how the whole blog world is.

Anyway, I think I've done this one before but since my eyes are going crossed from looking at my Blackberry display, I'm playing along.

Four films I’d watch again: (or I'll just say, films I watch over and over.)
1. Bridget Jones' Diary
2. The Saint
3. Elf
4. Wedding Crashers

Four places I’ve lived:
1. St. Louis, MO
2. Charlotte, NC
3. Atlanta, GA
4. Chicago, IL (well, only for a summer. but that counts, right?)

Four TV shows I watch: (I watch DVDs and the internet)
1. Alias
2. Family Guy
3. 24
4. Grey's Anatomy

Four things to eat:
1. Farfalle with chicken and roasted garlic from Cheesecake Factory
2. Chicken Burrito from Chico's in Greenville, NC
3. Outlaw Ribeye from Longhorn
4. Chicken Kiev from Minsk, Belarus

Four places I’d rather be:
1. Laurel Hill, NC with my Mom
2. Paris, France
3. Moscow, Russia (GO! It's amazing!)
4. Atlanta, GA with my Brother

Four people to tag:
1. Everyone I know
2. with a blog
3. has already
4. done this.

OK, seriously, I'm going to hang with the penguins.

I No Longer Want to Drive Off a Cliff

Since my last post, I got a few emails asking if I was gonna off myself so I figured I should write an updated blog and tell the internet I am not suicidal.

March is flying by. So hmmm...what's going on with me...

* I have been spending a ton of time in Kansas City. KC is cool but I would actually like to spend enough time in the STL to hang pictures on my flippin walls. And unpack some of those lingering boxes.

* I bought a new coat from Lands End! It's super snazzy and I could totally go skiing or at least make some cool snow angels in it. But as irony would have it, while I was in Kansas the other day, it snowed over a foot in St. Louis and I missed it! Bummer.

* I have found that spending time in the hotel is not so bad since I have discovered www.watchtvsitcoms.com. Free movies and tv shows. Suh-weet.

* This past week, I have been hanging out with a trainer I am co-teaching with. He is the coolest guy ever. He is Serbian, speaks 5 languages, lives in Chicago and loves the Bears. He hugs me and we speak Russian in class, all stealth like. If I were the type of girl who says "I heart" things, I would say "I heart him."

* Chocolate pudding guy is married, so for all of you who urged me to hook up with him...not gonna happen.

* In other news, I broke a nail yesterday.

And that is the extent of what is going on with me.
I love you, dear internet. You're always there for me. You fill my days with Family Guy episodes and cool photographer blogs. I heart you too.