isn't it funny?

I was thinking the other day while showing homes with Deborah how coincidental and strange it is how people are connected. It amazes me that the places you shop, the food you like, the neighborhood you choose to live in, all can determine the people you are connected with, and potentially your future friends. I was thinking about my neighbors the other day after having stopped and talked to many of them on one of my daily walks with Ben. I just thought to myself how incredible it is for all these awesome people to be living within a one mile radius. It actually isn't fair to the rest of the population. I thought about it a little more, and realized that not everyone may agree that these are the perfect neighbors. We are all here because we like the neighborhood, location, jobs, schools, community, etc. These qualities brought us here and these qualities bind us. I love it!
And then I realized, I do not see my pediatrician, chiropractor, gynecologist, or dentist out and about. You know why? Because I do not run around in the same circles or go to the same places as these type of people. Their unique professions have taken them to other neighborhoods and grocery stores where assumably other doctors and dentist frequent. It's stereotyping I guess, but I like to think of it as a form of market research. I'll call it social research.

Here are some places I rendezvous around town:
For Grocery: HEB
For Pizza: Candelaris, Pepperoni's Delivery, Bolli Brothers
For Mexican: Lupe Tortilla, Escalantes, Berry Hill, Bob's Taco Station
For Shopping: Nordstrom, Katy Mills, but mostly internet
For Hair: De Vero Salon
For Massage/Facial: Spa at Cinco Ranch
For eyebrows: Sunny at Genesis Day Spa
For a workout: Lifetime
For a nice walk: South Lake Village
For my toddler: Little Gym, Stomping Grounds, Houston Swim Club
For a movie: Studio Movie Grill
For a date: Mockingbird Bistro
For a deal: Kohl's, Last Call
For a splurge: Whole Foods
For a cupcake: Ohh La La
For a coffee: Kosmos or Dunn Bros.
For toys: Learning Express
For something handmade: etsy.com
For Worship: Berachah Bible Church

For the kid, I prefer:
Pampers diapers
Enfamil formula
Earth's Best baby food
Dr. Brown's bottles

Speaking of the kid:
Ben took a half step on Thursday night while we were over at my grandparents house for dinner. He is able to stand up on his own for approximately 4.5 seconds, which is an eternity for a 10 month old. Today he took a couple steps from Will's arms to the couch! I am so proud.
Lately I have been working on Ben's little playroom and am also in the throws of planning his First Birthday Party. The theme is going to be the alphabet: B is for Ben. I am working on a special book recounting his first year, a birthday banner, and painted B letters for the party. That MAY be all I will be able to do from scratch. :)
For the playroom, I picked out this fabric. My grandmother and I are going to make some cute curtains and maybe some chair cushions with the fabric. I am so excited to be able to make something so special with her!