Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Pardon the dust!

I’m not positive that I’ve officially crawled out of my blog funk, but I may be on the up and out. I kind of feel like Jesus, wearing an “I love blogging” t-shirt, trapped in a cave by a huge boulder. A boulder compiled of the lack of motivation, the lack of energy, the lack of creativity, the lack of anything good to say.

And today is my Easter.
 
No, not funny? Inappropriate? Whatever.

I was quite humbled when I had fans, <sarcasm>I mean thousands upon thousands of them</sarcasm> ask if the Stanga Train had run out of steam. I wouldn’t necessarily say it ran out of steam, as there is way too much dysfunction to ever… I.MEAN.EVER. … run out of steam. I’d rather say that the train stopped and the conductor stepped down from the engine and spent some serious time in the bar … or something like that.

With all that bullshit being said above, I have declared that it is time to dust off my tales *cough cough* because I’ve got an excellent come-back blog in the works.


Well, on a Monday back in May, one of our beloved feline friends bit the dust. After much debate and many tears and a shit ton of cheers from my dad and me , it was time to put dialysis cat Maxie down. The word down is about to have a whole new meaning for you folks. 

As a reminder, Maxie was my grandmother’s cat that lived with us for 5 {count ‘em: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5} years after my grandma passed away. By the time Maxie had reached the youthful age of 18 years old, he had already expended his checking account left by grandma (this is 100% true…and you wonder why my mom is bat-shit crazy) had been receiving daily dialysis treatments on our pool table in the triage center for two years, and had managed to slim up for bikini season by dropping from twenty+  el-bees to about seven.

Adios Maxie. Poor Maxie.

Since Maxie was only our temporary pet and really belong to my beloved maternal grandmother, it was only appropriate that he rest in peace with her, correct?

Are you reading between the lines yet?

Well, small problem. Or a long distance problem actually. The Roberts duo is buried in Covington, LA – a small suburb on the north shore of New Orleans.

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If you are shaking your head no, thinking there is no possible way that The Train is hauling a dead cat 8 hours in a car to New Orleans, let me introduce us.

We’re the Stanga’s.

So, as creepy/weird/completely jacked up as it would be to travel with a cat corpse in the car, it would have made this little gem of a story that much better. But no worries, the cat was at least in the ash-form.

Okay, so in my head I’m thinking:

Maybe it’s not totally ridiculous to travel 8 hours with a dead cat to a graveyard if we’re only going to sprinkle the ashes on top of the grave.

Then I was overwhelmed with reality. Unlike my blogging, the train doesn’t stop there.

Oh.My.God. NO!!!!
Leslie, what the crap is in your hand?!?!
Is that a shovel?!?!?

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Ever been to a cat funeral? Because sure enough, that crazy lady {who claims to be my mother, but I will forever deny it after this} took it upon herself to dig up my grandmother’s grave and bury the cat.

Did you read that closely?

Buried a cat in a human grave.

I blame her for my recent drinking binge.

So, excuse us G-ma, Pardon the Dust!

Pretty sure this is a federal offense, as I don’t really think you can dig up someone’s eternal resting place without earning a shiny pair of matching bracelets.

Anyhoo, this dark feline funeral cloud has a bit of a silver lining.

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Apparently, the graveyard maintenance men got a bit confused and placed a “DAD” silk flower arrangement on my grandfather’s grave. There is no way my uncle would have put it there, my aunt lives in Virginia and my mom didn’t put it there – so she felt that it didn’t need to be there. So yes, my mother dug up a grave to bury a cat and she stole funeral mementos!

But, the good thing is, we’ll save some money on flower arrangements when that day comes for my mom to bury daddy on top of the cat who is buried on top of my grandma.

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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Updates!

Did some MAJOR bloggage today.  So proud of myself! 

 

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

You Can't Always Get What You Want

I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Christmas Traditions

Santa's Reindogs

Christmas Festivites...Again!

Going In Circles...Again!

Adios Donald Trump!

 

And with all that writing.  I’m pooped! 

Adios Donald Trump!

When I first moved into my house, and for oh – you know – the last THREE years, I’ve been living Trump style with a heinous gold casing around my fireplace. It is HIDEOUS!!!

If you don’t recall, let me show you my bling:

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I know. You’re totally jealous, right?!?!

Well praise Jesus for my parents and their wonderful Christmas gift to me. Remember that awesome fleur de lis fireplace screen?

I finally disassembled the le Trump that was donning my fireplace and spruced up the room a bit with my new accent.

What do you think? I think HUGE improvement!

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It also probably helps that my house doesn’t look as bare anymore, but I am definitely pleased with the way it all looks now. Thanks mom & dad.

Going In Circles…Again

Remember a few weeks ago, Allison & I went ice skating… she called it ‘going in circles’ since ultimately, that’s really all we did.

Turns out, I would go in circles one more time this season when Marty came in town for New Years. I have never been a big New Year’s Eve person and just refuse to pay the marked up prices and deal with all the ridiculous drunken crowds.

So what else to do other than stay in with pizza and a movie…. ice skating!!!!

I was an ice-skating superstar and stayed on my feet the whole time. Marty on the other hand… well…. he tried.

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It was the perfect NYE event followed by a few drinks and pizza. Simplicity. Love it!

Cheers to 2010!

Christmas Festivities … Again

Another very special family we share the holidays with is the Buckley family.  The Buckley kids are definitely spread out all over the place, so we usually have to pick the night when we can round up the most number of people.  With Jarrod & Erin living in Seattle, Justin, Christi & Ella in Austin and Kasey doin’ her thing over in LA, we are so fortunate when we can all get together!  Unfortunately, this year we missed Justin&Co and Scott… Boo!

We also had a special visitor from Chicago.  Bobby is Maegan’s dad and he always come with guitar and music in tow to liven the mood.  Between him, Maegan and Kasey, we had plenty of live entertainment.  Talk about good times! The biggest treat of it all though was listening to Kasey play us a couple of the new songs her band is working on. 

 

 

 

Check out Miss Willie Brown and their song Freeland.  Big props to them for making this song the new theme song for Lifetime’s Army Wives.  You can also find their original cd on iTunes, which includes Kasey’s amazing tribute to her daddy, Gospel Song.  

Thanks for the private concert, KB – we loved it!  And even more, we loved just catching up with all of the Buckley gang!

Santa’s Reindogs

 

Over the holiday break, I was able to capture plenty of party pics of some of the dogs.  Molly was in town with Boudreaux and De’Larry’ous’ dog Margeaux.  Pair those two up with Jacques-Imo – what a goofy bunch of Cajun pups!  And talk about some matching collars – - A.dog.a.ble! 

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And my favorite, even if they are poor quality, is when Claire tries to feed and brush ‘Mac-Mo.’

Christmas Traditions

 

Every Christmas, we spend the afternoon and evening with some of our favorite family friends.  Danette, Chris & Blayne come over, along with Kay & Richard and Todd, Nicole and Carly.  Of course, we indulge in a huge feast and drink a glass of wine or two.  It’s been this way for as long as I can remember and now that we’re not the kids anymore, it’s fun to watch the new kids get all geared up about their new toys. 

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The big girls, Blayne & Carly are so good with Claire and love teaching her how to use her new toys.  If this isn’t just precious…

Back in the old days {or up until last year,} we all exchanged gifts with each other but this year we decided that we only need to do cross-family gifts for the kids.  It’s more fun to watch them anyway.  Of course, Blayne & Carly got very similar items from each of us, since they’re cousins and play together so much, but Blayne got one extra special gift from Molly and I.  Remember the time Chris got caught posing with a snuggly teddy bear?!?!  

  We decided to pull a little prank on him with the use of Blayne.  I mean, since she does love her daddy beary much! and all….

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Needless to say, she was not impressed with the gift.  I think we made her think that she was getting some special present {ok, I don’t think, I know – since we made a public announcement} and she was disappointed when it was all a joke.  Molly and I had then had to make it up to her with a special big girls’ day out, sans her mom.  Pedicures and manicures, don’t mind if we do!

Hahahahhahaha – I’m freaking awesome!  I wonder if Blayne will ever wear that shirt?  Molly and I thought she’d actually be proud to wear her daddy on her shirt, but we were wrong!  Clearly, we don’t have kids…

After our Christmas with that crew was over, Daddy and I headed to the Griswalds Regenscheid’s for their annual Christmas Night Gathering.   I loved that it was low-key and most of the people who showed up were our friends!  Loved having a little extra Zuber time before they went back to PHX.  We had way too much ‘fun’ as we were later informed by the boys. 

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Casey and I cuddled and enjoyed some much-needed vino while Robyn did…

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…well, Robyn did what she does best!

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I’d definitely say this was the perfect nightcap to an amazing Christmas day!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Isn’t that what the song tells us to do?  Well we sure did it! 

This was supposed to be a recession Christmas and as she does every year, my mom says how much smaller this Christmas will be compared the past years.  Yeah right!  When we commented on how once again, she outdid herself, she just claimed that she found some amazing deals, which I don’t doubt.  But does this even look like a smaller Christmas?  She is RIDICULOUS!

Please note the Choo Choo that Claire had to turn on at least forty-seven times every single day.  “Hi Choo Choo.”  “Nite nite choo!”

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For the last two years, my mom has turned the atrium {the most pointless use of space in that house} to the Christmas room.  It does look all pretty in there, but… IMG_1685

…. does anyone see a problem?  Let’s look a bit closer. 

IMG_1681The bar!  How the heck are we going to get to the bar!?!?!  Bad call, Santa.  Bad call.   We need to get these presents moved stat!  So all the little elves started relocating Christmas.  Whew – that was a lot of work, but at least we can now share a Christmas morning cocktail!

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Christmas was so much fun this year since Claire actually knew how to open presents and recognized the new ones Santa had left out for her.  She loved walking in to discover brand new toys!

It didn’t take this little busy chick anytime to start shoving us out of the way to get her shopping on.  I think she’s seen this a time or two. Precious.

Claire already had a little jumpstart into Christmas morning with her visit from Santa, but to get all the big kids in the spirit, we began our morning with a little game I stole from Danette.  I bought a gift {unknown to the rest of the family} and wrapped it up several times.  Box after box after box.  I love jacking with people!

The way you play is each person rolls a pair of dice.  You have to get double numbers {like two 5’s or two 3’s, etc. ) in order to get a turn at attempting to open the box.  But before you can dig in, you must put on your Santa hat, scarf and oven-mits.  Let me just tell you how hard it is to open a wrapped present with those big things on!  While someone is trying to unwrap the present, the other players are trying to roll the doubles in order to steal the present and wardrobe and begin their own attempt.  Believe me, we went through several rounds of each of us trying to open the dang thing, but Scotty was finally the big winner.  He won a $15 iTunes gift card.  Too.Much.Fun! and a great family game to kick-start family festivities.  IMG_1726

And with that energy flowing, we were ready to dig in with the presents. 

Claire was really good at opening presents this year and scored some totally awesome toys:  a bag toss game {to channel her throwing aggression in a positive manner to develop a good throwing arm for football} lots of baby dolls, two puppies, a blender and hair dryer so she can be just like mommy, plenty of other garb and probably by far her favorite, her chair and Barney DVD’s. 

Oh and don’t forget about the absolutely adorable vest that I found for her.  I knew I just had to get it for her when I saw it, because I have one very similar.  She wasn’t as impressed…

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Molly and the boys all scored big with either a new flat screen, new TomToms (for all three,) new Texas gear for the big game, luggage, bedding, etc.   

Molly and I decided to get my parents a little matching set to sport on Sundays.  How queer adorable are they going to be in their new Saints get-up? Who Dat!?!?

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As for myself, I definitely think I racked in some pretty awesome loot, if I do say so myself.  Everything but one item I received was a complete surprise and I am just so thankful for the effort my mom put into making all of our Christmas’ extra special!

But, you know you’re an adult when you buy yourself a new tooth for Christmas {true story} but an even bigger adult when you get this awesome accent piece for Christmas! Heart it.  Adios Donald Trump fireplace!

IMG_1745   Pair that with the new iPod Nano + speaker docking station, a coffee maker {which I’m sure Molly & Kacy will get far more use out of than I actually will} amongst plenty of other goods, I think I faired pretty well this year. 

PS – No, I didn’t get deodorant for Christmas. Hah!  That’s some awesome anti-chaffing Glide for when I run.  Cool, huh?

IMG_1758 But more than all the stuff you see above, Christmas always means so much to me because of the joy I see in the eyes of my family and the awesome memories we make together.  Seeing someone’s face light up when they open that perfect gift makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside.  I love it!

But wait, Jacques-Imo scored a sweet little gift to from Aunt Molly and Cousin Boudreaux.  He loves sportin’ his new collar.  Such a handsome boy!

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And if you think that was good, Christmas was only half-over at this point.  Stay tuned…

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas

 

Can you believe that we finally had a white Christmas here in Dallas?  This is my 25th Christmas and it has taken me 25 years to see snow falling during the holidays.  It made the spirit of the season that much brighter for me and my family. 

Of course, sir Jacques-Imo wanted absolutely nothing to do with the snow.  Does this look familiar?  I swear I took this same picture just a few weeks ago and then there I was…taking it again.  With the snow that we are expecting later today, I have a feeling there will be a third picture for this season!

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After going to the early Mass on Christmas Eve, we returned home to mom and dad’s house to find this: 

Unfortunately, we didn’t get any snowfall on Christmas day but waking up to find the golf course covered in a pretty white blanket of snow was just perfect!  Jesus really blessed us this year.

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

 

The Rolling Stones said it, but sometimes people just don’t get it.  For instance, Miss Claire.

Last Wednesday night, we had to make a quick last minute trip to Michael’s, where we ran into Nonnie {my mom’s grandma name.}  Claire was about thirty shades of excited when she saw her and wouldn’t take her eyes of her until she found the toy shelf.

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Apparently, she’s never seen something so cool as this Abbie Kadabbie thing.  She would not put it down and carried it around with her like a purse. 

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Anytime we’d try to take it from her and put it back, she’d take off running in the opposite direction. 

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It was too funny and we were chasing her all around the store, trying to get this damn thing back.  Finally I had to hold her down and pry it out of her hands.  You would have thought I cut off her right leg, she threw such a screaming fit!  It was so funny, but I had already stopped the video before doing this.  Damn! 

At least I captured the chase:

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Breaking News: Stanga Train is Back on Track!

 

I really can’t even describe what has been going on in my head when I even think about blogging.  I have just been so blah about it, not blah about life, just blah about blogging.  There are plenty of things I still need to blog about, but I figured this is a nice little start to catching up and moving right along this track.

Choo Choo!

Find the newest posts below!

Fashion Do or Fashion Don't?

Girls' Night Out

Murcripmus

Love At...

A Little Christmas 'Spirit'

Fashion Do or Fashion Don’t?

As if I didn’t catch any shit for the awesome little tribute to Jesus I’ve been sporting around my neck this holiday season, I’m fairly certain I’ll catch a little more for what I’m about to put on my feet.

First of all, let me introduce you to my gaudy God-y Christmas necklace {mentioned in a previous blog} I found at World Market. While it’s hideous and completely blinged-out, I secretly heart it, much to the dismay of many.

Amen!

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So if you think that’s bad, just wait. Remember how I went out for a festive date night with Allison last night? And she definitely influenced me to dish out some dough on a frivolous pair of boots? Turns out, I had actually been looking at these boots the day before and when she urged me to try them on, I figured I’d give them a second thought. I asked the sales assistant what the sale price was and he informed me $109. It was a sample sale for Donald Pliner {like I know fancy brands} and this was an unbelievably low price for one of his boots. I looked at his display of regularly priced shoes and one of his small slip-on women’s loafer with just a smidget of the same skin as the boot was selling for $333 {GASP!} so I didn’t deny him when he said the boots were anywhere from $700-900 originally. Okay, twist my arm. You know I’m a Jew and can’t pass up a good deal, even if the shoes are absolutely insane and even if I don’t know who the hell Donald Pliner is. So of course, I bought them. And I can’t wait to see what kind of wild outfits I can pair with them.

Love.Them!

Girls Night Out!

Again, I was fortunate enough to get together with some awesome chicks to celebrate the holidays.  Man, I was one busy lady last night with a few events on my dance card. 

First up was a festive date night with Allison.  I can’t even believe that I hadn’t seen her since July and we live in the same town!  CRAZY!  We have been trying to get together for months and either our schedules conflict or we had something come up on a night we had planned to catch up.  FINALLY, last night was the night!  We met up at the Galleria to partake in a little holiday ice-skating.  We definitely weren’t the fastest moving ones on the ice but we laughed {while terrified} at ourselves trying to just stay on our feet.  It’s possible that she may have even yelled at a few kids for going too fast or backwards or coming within an arms reach of her.  It was too funny!  Unfortunately, I didn’t even get a picture of us because I was too scared to bring my camera onto the ice.  I was just certain that I’d faceplant or something and smash my camera, so I left it behind.  Boo!

After an adventurous skate, we headed over to Five Guys for a DE-LISH burger and some amazing Cajun French Fries.  OMG Cholesterol!!! {Literally}  It was so good and the fun conversation continued.  As we headed out to our cars, we perused the shoe department at Nordstrom’s.  I mean, who doesn’t just LOVE that shoe selection.  Ah.Maze.Ing!!!  With a little help from my sweet sweet friend, I indulged in a frivolous purchase {which deserves it’s own blog.}  After laying down the plastic and walking out with a ridiculous find, I hugged her goodnight and we parted ways.  It was so so nice to catch up with her.  It had been way too long! 

While I had an awesome night already, I had one more stop to make on my way home.  Casey is in home visiting for the holidays and that definitely was worthy of sharing a cocktail or two at Black Finn {Hello Jersey Shore!}  While I’m so sad I didn’t get to document my great night out with Allison, I was at least able to capture a quick photo of some other awesome chicks! 

I think I need Girls’ Night Out much more often.  I just can’t even get enough. 

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