I feel like pound-sign, question mark, star, exclamation point....

This past Thursday, I went to the Kevin Fowler concert with a few of my friends.  When I got the call from Joe asking me if I wanted to go, my first question was "Who is Kevin Fowler?".  Of course, he laughed at me and said your going.  After he got the tickets and we were out and about before the concert we heard some Kevin Fowler songs at bars and on the radio, so I knew a few of his songs when we went to the concert.  Needless to say, I had a blast even though I didn't know all the songs!  Here are a few pictures from the evening:

Joe, Diego, and I...these are the guys that I refer to in my blog from time to time!!!

Diego and his turkey leg!  Of course, I had to have some of it as I love turkey legs!!!

Ashley, Joe, Claudia, Diego, and I

Scott, Ashley, Joe, and I

We had a good time, and I love these people that I have met down here!!!  I am having such a good time down here in southern TX that it is going to be so hard to leave in Feb. 

Sushi, Books, and Boots

It's almost time for my to make another trip back to KS for Christmas!!!  I am so excited!!!  I haven't been to my home town since July 4th and I can't wait to snuggle up in the chair that my sister and I fight over, and sit next to fireplace!!!  I am praying for good weather so that I can get there, and then "secretly" praying for bad weather so that I can't come back!!!  As I was talking to my older sister this last week on the phone, we talked about all of our Christmas tradtions that we have had in the past.  It was a great trip down memory lane, except as my sister's and I get older it's hard to keep these traditions alive due to the fact that we are all living in 3 different states, they are getting married/are married and have to alternate holidays and  my grandparents, the ones who started these traditions have passed on/live in an assisted living center.   As we were getting off the phone and talking about how we are all going to be together this year, we promised to relive most of these Christmas traditions this year and for the years to come!!! I'll go into detail about these holiday traditions, that mostly happen on Christmas Eve, when I post about my Christmas adventures!!!
Along with not being to my home town since July 4th, it's been that long or longer since I have seen some of my best friends from high school.  As I was recieving all these emails/texts yesterday about planning a get together with them when I'm home it really made me want to click my ruby red slippers three times!!!!!

Ok, so for an update with what is going on in my life right now....
* I look forward to every Tuesday night when my friends and I hit a great sushi place for 1/2 price sushi and then head out to a bar that has $1.00 well specials that night.  You read that right, $1.00 wells!!!  Usually this makes for a pretty interesting night!!!

* So, I admit, I'm addicted to watching the Kardashians and I can't wait for the new season: Kim and Kourtney take New York.  As I was walking through Wal-mart a couple weeks ago, I saw there book and picked it up.  When I saw the price tag, I told myself that I didn't need it.  So, I put it back.  However, since I left that day I have been thinking about it and one of the girls at work has to book.  So, I went back and got it!!!  I can't wait to start reading it!!!

* Last week I was Christmas shopping with my friend Joe, as I got out of my car I got my foot caught behind the brake pedal, it was just my luck that I had my tan Uggs on and got grease all over the top of them.  I was highly outraged. So, a friend tried to use a tide pen to get the grease out. As she was doing this I was thinking, tide pens take blood out of white scrub tops surely it will take this grease out.  But, much to my luck it didn't.  So, I ordered a new pair and I can't wait for them to arrive!!!  They should come today!!! 

Well, I think that is all the new things going on my life until I head home for the holidays!!!  I'll try to update when I'm there!!!!  Until next time.....

Flat Miss Chaput

So, my little sister is something else!!!  I HATE chain letters or anything that is remotely like them, but a couple weeks ago I got this letter in the mail about a book called "Flat Stanley", but I'm not exactly sure what this book is about, but my sister has been reading it to her 3rd grade class.  For a class project, she had every student cut out a flat image of them and mail it to a family member or friend, so that person could take this piece of paper on an adventure whenever they live.  So, there she was, Flat Miss Chaput sitting on my coffee table!!!  My mom, being a teacher too, had all these fabulous ideas for Flat Miss Chaput!!!  This piece of paper spent the whole weekend with us, and was in many pictures!!!  Here are some of the pictures!!!

Flat Miss Chaput and I at the enterance of the hospital that I work at.

Flat Miss Chaput and I during mom and I's walk along the ocean.

Flat Miss Chaput and I at the Marina.

Flat Miss Chaput and I on Thanksgiving Day at the RV park for my parent's friends.

Flat Miss Chaput and I at the TX State Aquarium.

TX State Aquarium

Flat Miss Chaput and I with the USS Lexington in the background.

Flat Miss Chaput and I on the USS Lexington.

Mom and Dad with Flat Miss Chaput on the USS Lexington.

In the captin's chair on the USS Lexington.

In the USS Lexington Brig!

Flat Miss Chaput directions stated that I needed to write a descriptive letter to the 3rd graders about what we did while she was visiting.  All that I have running through my mind is, "I'm a nurse, when I do my charting I don't even write in complete sentences and abbreviate everything because if I didn't I would be charting all day long, now I am expected to write a descriptive letter to 3rd graders with out any grammar or spelling errors, yea right!!!"  So, I am sure that my sister will not hesitate to call me and let me know what kind of errors my letter had in it!!!!  I can't wait for that phone call...

As of today, Flat Miss Chaput is on her way back to Kahoa Elementary!!!  I hope the students enjoy the things that we did while she was here!!!

Thanksgiving the Southern TX!!!

After a long weekend in KC, I came back to Corpus and just three short days later, my mom and dad came down to Southern TX for Thanksgiving!!!  I know that many of you have heard me say it before, but I seriously have the best family a girl could ask for!!!  I have parents that I respect and look up to more than anything in the world, the two most amazing sisters that I trust with everything and adore completely, the most handsome nephew a person could ask for that only has to give me those "puppy dog" eyes and he gets anything he wants, the best brother-in-laws that love my sisters with everything they have, even if that is the only thing that I ask for, they give my family and my sisters so much more!!!
So, my parents made the trip to southern TX and we had a great Thanksgiving weekend!!!  Of course my mom, the exerciser that she is, made me get up bright and early, well early to me when I'm not working, but late to mom on anyday, ok it was 8:45am, and go on a power walk!!  We walked for what seemed like just a few mintues, but 1 hour and 15 minutes and 4 miles later, we were done!!!  The weather on Thanksgiving was beautiful despite the wind!!  For dinner we went to Port Arnasas where my dad's friends from Oakley winter from Nov to April!  In their RV park, a bunch of their friends got together and made a fantastic feast!!!  The highlight was the pineapple crisp!!  I got it because I thought it was apple crisp, which I LOVE, then I took a bit and it was pineapple, and pretty much heavenly!!!  After we went back to my condo, we were seriously in our pajamas at 6:30pm, and in bed by 9:00!!! 
Friday was so cold here in Corpus that mom and I were not able to walk, we woke up and it was 30 degrees!!!  It was pretty much like KS!!!  We spent the morning at the Texas State Aquarium!!!  It was small, but fun!!!  That afternoon we decided to go to a movie since it was so chilly out!!!  I suggested Due Date, I had already seen this movie with my friend Joe, but it was funny and there wasn't really anything else!!!  I was praying that mom and dad would like it!!  Once we got into the theatre, and the movie started, the first f-bomb was dropped and I was a little worried!!  But as we were walking out, my mom said that was a pretty funny movie, so the pressure was off!!!  However, they may go back to KS and tell their friends, "Alli took us to this movie, and I can't believe that she would take us to that kind of movie."  Oh well, they both laughed several times!!!!

After the movie, we went back to Port Aransas to meet my dad's friends for dinner!!!  We got to the island a little early so we went to walk on the beach!!  It was a site for sure, since it was cold I was wearing my Ugg boots on the beach!! 

On Saturday, we went to the USS Lexington, an aircraft carrier that  served in WWII!!! I see this ship everyday when I am leaving or going home, but I never imaged that it was as big as it is! Now, I wasn't very excited about going because I am not a big history buff, but my dad was super excited!!!  However, it was pretty entertaining and educational!!!  I would have been ok if we were there for 2 hours tops, but oh no, we were there for 4 HOURS!!!  By the time we were finished, I was starving, thirsty, my feet hurt, and I was ready to go!!!  My dad could have stayed there for several more hours!!!  Thank goodness, mom was on my side and ready to go too!!! 

Saturday night, my mom, dad, and I celebrated the 1st Sunday of Advent at the Corpus Christi Cathedral.  As I sat in mass, I was reviewing the life that I have lived, and as the homily was being said everything just hit home!!  I am soooo blessed!!! 

The weekend ended with a trip to Best Buy because my dad wanted to "check out" the ipad, which I happen to have on my Christmas list!  Of course, running through my mind is the thought that, oh good he is going to buy it right now for me, but take it home and wrap it!  Well, my happy little thought was blown when we walked out of Best Buy with an ipad, but not for me, for mom and dad...their Christmas gift to each other!!!  Oh, my parents!!! 
 It was a fabulous weekend and I can't wait to continue my journey as a travel nurse and have them come visit me every place!!!  I can't wait to get back for to KS for Christmas!!!

I had the time of my life....

Like I predicted I wasn't able to post anything until after Thanksgiving, so I will have several posts today!!  Last post I left you with was my upcoming trip to KC for my older sister's wedding!!!  The title of this post is exactly how I would describe that weekend!!!  I HAD THE TIME OF MY LIFE!!!  Knowing how many bridesmaid dresses I have hanging in my closet at my parents house you would think that I would HATE weddings...but with all things considered I LOVE WEDDINGS!!!  There is just something about the atmosphere, people, music, drinks, but most importantly the reason that we were all together on November 19th celebrating the joining of my sister and her new husband!  Amazingly, I held back the tears, but as I'm typing this and remember the last year and a half it brings tears to my eyes!  My sister is one of those people that by her actions, selflessness, and heart, has helped me to realize that no matter what life brings me, I will get through it!  She has been handed her fair share of difficulties in life, and just when you didn't think she would be able to handle one more thing, she did and she ALWAYS held her head high!  I have to utmost respect for her!!!  When I saw her walking down the aisle, I couldn't help but have the biggest smile spread across my face knowing that she is truly happy!!!  Here are some pictures from the wonderful wedding that was beautiful!!!! 

Of course, I can't go back to KC and not see my friends!!!  On Wednesday my bestie Karisa picked me up from the airport and we went out for Mexcian and Margaritas with Lexie!!!  It was great to catch up with these two great friends!!!  I have definietly hit the jack pot on friends!!  They are the best!!!  Karisa also got to join in on the fun at my sister's wedding!!

One Contract down!!!!

I just finished my first contract as a travel nurse on Saturday!!!  Can you believe it???  I have been a travel nurse for 3 months and I am lovin' every minute of it!!!  This is by far the best thing that I have done for myself in a long time!  My contract ended kind of down in the dumps...I was sick, but I am that person that always feels guilty if I call in sick even if I really am sick, so I stuck it out and worked! I had the usual nasty sinus infection, headache, chills, aches, and ear infection....my usual!!! But, even though I feel fine, I am still coughing like crazy! Last week I worked 60 hours and was sick...Saturday night when I got home I couldn't get to the couch fast enough to relax!!!

Yesterday I ran some errands and got a few presents bought for Christmas, so I decided to treat myself to a movie!!!  I went and saw "Life as we know it" with Katherine Heigl!!!  I love that girl!!!  My favorite movie of her's is 27 dresses...because of course I am 27 dresses!!!  When you are the maid of honor in two weddings in less than a year, then you know you are 27 dresses!!!  But I love it, of course!!!  Anyway, Life as we know it was so freakin' cute!!!  One of those movies that you laugh and shed a few tears all at the same time!!  It's worth seeing!!!

When I was working in KC, one of the nurses there got me hooked on a Nora Roberts series, and the last book came out this month!!!  I didn't even realize that it was out until I was strolling through Target yesterday killin' time before the movie!!!  When I saw it I about jumped for joy!!!  The series is the "Bridal Quartet"!!!  I am addicted to this love story!!!  It is a good easy read for those of you that like to go through books fast!!  The one that just came out is "Happy Ever After".  The other books are Vision in White (Book 1), Bed of Roses (Book 2), Savor the Moment (Book 3)!!!  I love this series and I am not the biggest Nora Roberts fan!!!

 On Friday, my southern TX friends are going to celebrate my birthday with me as I only have off Saturday until I fly home for Jera's wedding!!!  I am excited!!  Joe (my friend) and I have given up drinking since Halloween until Friday night, so I am exctied to go out and have a few drinks with these great friends I have made down here!!!  I will for sure update you and give you the run down of the whole night after it's all said an done...that's if I remember it!!! ;)

I'm not sure when the next time will be that I will get a chance to update my blog...I only have one day off until I fly back to KC next Wednesday!!!  I come back to Corpus next Sunday and work three days, then my mom and dad are coming for Thanksgiving, so it might not be until after Thanksgiving that I get my blog updated...I sure hope not!!!!  Well I better get back to work........

The usual Tuesday....

For some reason, I have had every Tuesday off for several weeks and I have come to develop a ritual!!  I get up in the morning and do my laundry, and I make sure that I finish before noon!!!  For lunch I head to downtown Corpus to a little coffee shop called Aqua Java and order my usual lunch, it consists of the soup of the day, and 1/2 a panini.  Today was broccoli and cheese soup with my usual Monterrey panini!!!  Today, I walked into the Aqua Java and I was slightly peeved that a couple was occupying my usual table...I mean, come on people I sit at that table EVERY Tuesday at this time and you should know it!!!! :)  It wasn't long and they were finished with their lunch and left, and I immediately took over the table!!!!  I come here to relax and catch up on some of my shows that I have missed the week before, pay some bills, catch up on my emails, and surf facebook of course!!!!  My friend Joe calls me a dork for coming here and eating lunch by myself, and honestly it wasn't something I would have ever done by myself if I had not started this new chapter in my life, but I have learned to do a lot more things on my own and not always having to have someone with me!!!! 
I realize that I haven't updated my blog since I have returned to TX from a great weekend in KC...OOPS!!!  Let me give you a little run down of what has been going on in my life!!

* I signed my new contract for the next 13 weeks of my life!!!  I will be staying in Corpus Christi until Feb. 5th!  I wanted an extension until Dec. 18th, but the manager got approved for 13 more weeks and wanted to use the whole 13 weeks which is totally understandable.  They are going to be flexible with what I wanted during the holidays, and I would have had to sign a 13 week contract somewhere else, so I signed on again!!!  I like southern TX and have meet some great people down here that will always be a huge part of my life and an extension for 13 more weeks will just give me more time with these fabulous people!!!!

* My friend Diego introduced me to Niko's Steakhouse that has $3 martinis on Wednesday nights!!!  HOLLA!!!  The strawberry ones are like HEAVEN!!!!

* I have taken a road trip to San Antonio with my friend's Joe and Diego...we had a great time!!!  We went to the River Walk and ate dinner while people watching!!!  After dinner we went to Howl at the Moon a dueling piano bar and had a blast!!!  I can't wait for the next road trip...it hasn't been decided yet if we are going back to San Antonio or to Austin...  During this road trip, I have come to really appreicate the fact that I have these two great guys friends!!!  They would do anything for me. They have become my best friends down here!!!

* I got to book my flight for my second trip to KC!!!!  I am going back to KC for my older sister's wedding on Nov. 17th!!!  I can't wait to spend more time with my family and friends!!! 

* I received fabulous news last week when my dad called me to tell me that him and my mom are coming to Corpus to spend Thanksgiving with me.  I can't wait!!!  I will only be back in Corpus for 3 days after returning from my sister's wedding and they will be here!!!  I am truly blessed to have the best parents in the world!!!  Joe and Diego are determined that they are going to take them out...we'll see about that...not sure that I want to share my parents while they are here...I'm have become a little selfish since I don't see them all the time anymore!!

* For anyone that knows me, knows that I hate mascots, so Halloween isn't the most favorite time of the year for me! This year all that was running through my head was the a time in college when several of my sorority sister's and I went to a basketball game, and the mascot chased me around the whole indoor track, I about lost it!!! I am ok with children dressing up, but to have an adult walk up to me when I  don't know who they are and I can't see their face makes me a little uneasy!!!  So, as for me dressing up for Halloween it's kind of out of the question.  I was so relieved when my friend Joe didn't find a costume that caught his eye while we were shopping for one, so it got me off the hook!!!  So, for Halloween we attended an 80's rock band concert at a local bar, and had a freakin' blast!!!!  They played all kinds of 80's music and we rocked out all night long!!!  The highlight....me wearing my new purple heels!!!  My little sister wore these shoes in KC and I loved them, so of course had to have a pair too!!!

* Another thing that I have come to enjoy and enjoy it by myself is going to the movies in the afternoon!!!  It's way cheaper to attend a matinee!!!  Since I love movie theatre popcorn then I just eat it for lunch or dinner, which ever one I happen to attend the movie closer too!!!  This last week I went to Social Network, and unfortunately I don't have great reviews on it...my mind was constantly wondering and I was on my phone a lot!  Thank goodness I was 1 of 3 people in the theatre!!! 

Well, I don't think there is anything else to update at the moment!!!  I have been working a lot lately...last week I worked 4 days, and this week I will be working 5 days!!  It's a lot, but all I can see is the MONEY IN THE BANK!!!!  Well, I'm off to see if I can find what my sister's and I are going to get my mom for Christmas!!!  Hope everyone is enjoying their week, it's gonna turn out to be a long one for me since I am working most of it!!!  

A FABULOUS WEEKEND IN KS!!!!!!!!

I had the best weekend ever going back to KC for a cousin's wedding!!!  I got to see my entire family, whom I haven't seen since at least July 30th!!!  We had a great time and made great memories!!!

The weekend started out with my bestie picking me up from the airport...it was the best sit ever having her pull up and jump out of her car and give me the biggest hug ever!!!  We drove to the neighboring town and had dinner with several of my sorority sisters that I have greatly missed!!!  The MVP of the night was little Easton!!!  The last time I saw her she was only a few weeks old, and now she is 3 months and the cutest little girl EVER!!!  I couldn't get over how much she looks like her Daddy!!!!! Can't wait to see her again soon!!!

After dinner I met my parents at the hotel, and I'm telling you that it was the best site ever having my  mom and dad walk up to me!!!  My mom couldn't get the things she was carrying out of her hands fast enough to give me a hug!!!  My dad engulfed me the biggest bear hug ever and I couldn't stop smiling!!!  We just hung out in the hotel room Thursday night while my mom and I caught up on all the latest small town gossip!!!  I finally got to read the small town newspaper and held it in my hands instead of reading it via email!!  It's the small things in life that we cherish!!!

Friday morning, my mom made me get up bright and early, not something that I'm too fond of, especially when I don't have to get up!!  We met my aunts, counsins, and all the bridesmaids for breakfast and then shopped until we dropped!!!  Thank goodness I have been on a big saving money kick...I only bought 3 things!!!

Friday afternoon, I finally got to see my baby sister!!!  We went to the church for rehersal and then back to the hotel for rehersal dinner!!!  Needless to say, the open wine and beer bar was a bad idea!!!  However, we loved it!!!  We closed down rehersal dinner in style with my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, and cousins!!!  I'm pretty sure that the bartender wasn't the happiest when I plopped my 7 year old cousin on a barstool at the bar and let him order a Dr. Pepper at 11:00 pm!!! 

Pictures from Rehersal Dinner

Anna, the flowergirl and I

Sam was SOOO excited for his ringbearer gift!!!

My mom and Sam going through his bag of goodies!!!

Sam got a light saver!!!!

My mom and her baby brother!!!

Time to cut Aunt Wendy off, she spilled her whole glass of wine on Tori's lap!!!

My baby sister!!!

Finally the big sister showed up!!!

And she brought the nephew!!!  YAY!!!

Toby, Sam, and I with Tori in the back!!!

Darren's had way too many drinks!!!

Saturday was wedding day!!!  In the morning we went and picked up my older sister's wedding dress!!  She is going to look stunning in a month when she walks down the aisle!!!  Then, back to the hotel we went to get ready for the wedding!!!  With the majority of the family being women, it takes a little bit for all of us to get ready!!! 

Pictures from the wedding and reception

Husband and Wife

My family!!!

My beautiful sisters and I

Sisters with the Bride and Groom

Lindsey, Jera, and I

Derek, Taylor, and I

AUNT JOLENE!!!! 

We wear sunglasses at night!

Jera, Tori, and I with all the wine we got before the free bar closed!!!

KISSES for the sistas!!!

Oh my, Darren!!!  You are done!

The wedding was a blast!!!  One to go down in Honas history!!!  There are a tons more photos being added to my facebook, so check those out!!!  There were lots of laughs the next day looking at them all!!!

I just booked my flight for my sister's wedding in November!!!  Less than a month away!!!  YAY!!

So, it's official, I will be staying in Corpus Christi until Feb. 5th!!!!  I'm so excited!!  I have met so many great people down here, I didn't know how I was going to leave in November, but now I don't have to until Feb!!!!  I can't wait to met more people and continue to have a good time down here in southern TX!!!  You all need to come see me!!!  I'm always open to visitors!!!