Instant Re-Play

I've chosen vacation over blogging. My sincerest apologies. As a consolation, I offer you a summary of the past week. Prepare to be exhausted. Very exhausted.

Monday:
Flew to Vegas with the fabulous Angie and Darla. Our pilot was a close relative of Evil Knievel and actually accelerated as we landed the plane in turbulance. I was terrified that I might either die or--worse yet--throw up all over myself. Vacation highlights from Monday include: Benihanna, the Elvis slot machine, and a walk down the strip from the Hilton to Paris. I also made the chicas watch the volcano at the Mirage. Sorry, Ladies.

Tuesday:
Enjoyed a little shopping and some serious pool time. The Paris pool is on the roof by the Eiffel tower. Watched the Bellagio fountain show, too. Very cool! Probably my favorite thing about Vegas (other than drooling over purses I could never afford).




Wednesday:
From now on, August 16 will be known as "The Day Darla Won Big at BINGO." She won the Black out in very few numbers and got paid big bucks! Darla wasn't the only one, though. The BINGO gods were also good to Angie and I--just not as good.


This was also the evening we enjoyed a huge steak dinner at Binion's. We were the only all girl table. We tried tossing our hair and giggling while eating our steak in hopes of getting some free drinks in the male-dominated restaurant. No luck!



Thursday:
After waking up to fly home at 2:40 a.m., I jumped back in the car to head to Volk Field for Chris's arrival from Iraq. Seriously. I have never witnessed something this cool. The atmosphere was so excited and emotional. I'm honored that Nicky and Chris asked us to be part of it and so happy Chris is home safely.


Friday:
From Volk Field, we went to EC for the weekend. Grandma Audrey cooked up a HUGE lunch for us including: BBQ, potato salad (world famous) and apple pie.

Saturday:
A trip to the fabulous new EC Farmers Market. Very fun! Took tons of pics. Also enjoyed some family time.

Sunday:
Dragged my butt home to prepare for an ENTIRE week of work. Everyday. All week. YUCK.

I'll get caught up on blog reading and emails soon. Thanks for being so patient.

Okay. I know it's not good to put hate out there in the universe, but I'm totally hating blogger right now. I've tried to upload a ton of cool pictures. I can't. It won't let me. UGH.

Adios Las Vegas

Hello, hello, hello.

Coming to you live from McCarran airport, Las Vegas, NV.

Had a fabulous time.

More to come (including pictures).

P.S. Getting up at 2:40 a.m. is no fun. Don't ever try it.

My Rock Star Life

So. . . the Headbangers Ball was a rockin' good time. There were rockers of all shapes and sizes in attendance from a traditional Southern rocker to Slim Shady. Virtually all classic rock fashions were represented from lace gloves to mullets to side ponytails to black eyeliner to tattoos.



Thanks to Mike and Angie for throwing such a fabulous bash. These two were concerned with details. Besides great music, fabulous food, and never-ending beverages, they even decorated. A disco ball. How cool!

My rock star life continues tomorrow when Angie, Darla, and I leave for Vegas. Ssssssh. I haven't started packing yet. I've fooled myself in to thinking I can do it tomorrow morning.

There's still time!

Seriously. If you are reading this (as I'm posting it) there is still time for you to make it to the par-tay of the century. Get in your car. Get on a plane. Hop a train. Get here. Now.

Angie and Mike's Headbanger's Ball is tonight, people. Tonight.

Please note: Headbanger apparel is REQUIRED. Don't worry about looking ridiculous. As you can see, there will be a few guests who look more ridiculous than you.


More pictures to follow. See you there!

What bugs you?

There are some strange and random things that bug me.

1. NASCAR
Annoyed by the noise that it makes. Annoyed by the redneck eccentricies it brings out in people. Especially annoyed by Talladega Nights which I had the misfortune of seeing today.

2. NBC 26 Investigates
Irritating local news segment where people can phone in things that they think need investigation. NBC 26 sends someone to the scene where they treat someone's random complaint like MAJOR news. How annoying.

3. Rudeness
If I hold the door open for you, say thank you. If I'm helpful to you, say thank you. Be polite, people. This especially goes for people in stores and restaurants and businesses. I won't come back to your business if you are rude to me.

4. Golf
You already know my feelings on that.

5. Celine Dion
Orange skin + Sappy ballads + Too skinny = Annoying

6. Fake foreigness
I can't take credit for this because it's Angie that this truly annoys. But, you know what? It annoys me too. Don't talk with a European accent if you are from WI. Don't wear a beret unless you're from France. In fact, don't wear a beret at all. Authentic accents and real foreigness I love. Just don't pretend to be something you're not.

7. Vanilla Ice Cream
Come on. Where's your creativity?

8. Baby Sports Clothing
If the child is not old enough to make a decision about whether or not he loves the Packers or the Brewers or the Bucks don't make him or her wear clothing announcing their allegiance to a team. Let them decide when they are old enough to decide.

9. Wal-Mart
Don't even get me started. I'm annoyed by everything about it. Usually because each visit to Walmart involves so many of the things on my list above including, but not limited to: NASCAR, rudeness, and baby sports clothing.

10. Buffets (especially Old Country Buffet)
I can eat with the best of them. Really. But, buffets bring out the absolute worst in people. (NOTE: I will, of course, set aside my annoyance by buffets to enjoy the one at Paris next week, which I've heard is wonderful.)

11. Clapping at movies
Do not clap in the movie theatre. Just don't do it. Not during the movie. Not after the movie. Not at all.

Hmmmmm. I feel much better now that I've gotten all of that off my chest.

Now. What bugs you?

Big news!

Two pieces of big news.

1. I'm all grown up.

I started a TSA today because someday I am going to retire! It was super easy; I did it on my cell phone on the way home from work. I highly recommend it. It's nice to be financially prepared for something. We just won't discuss what a mess my current finances are.

2. A certain soldier is coming home!
My friend has been gone since June 2005 and in Iraq since August 2005 with an Army unit. He will be back on American soil next Thursday. He even flies in on his fourth wedding anniversary! He left when his little girl was less than two months old. Soldiers and their families make such a huge sacrifice. I'm grateful every day that they are willing to put their own safety in jeopardy for the well-being of other people. We need to be more appreciative.

I was at the grocery store when I got the phone call about Chris. I'm sure everyone thought I was a total nutcase as I cried my way through the produce department. I'm so happy that he will return safely to his family.

And the winner is . . .

Lucky # 10. Becky!

Brad randomly selected a number 1 - 10 to be the winner of my over-looked movie contest. He shares Becky's love of the movie Swingers. Watch your mail, Becky.

Now, I'm going to solicit more advice. I am leaving for VEGAS in one week with the fabulous Angie and her equally fabulous cousin, Darla (who doesn't have a blog, but should!). On a completely unrelated note, I don't know how Angie got so lucky as to have cousins as cool as Darla and Tina. Anyway . . . . Darla and I will forever share a connection. We both wore the same dress to our junior prom. Strange because Angie and I both wore the same dress to the same homecoming dance one time, too. I guarantee, though, there will be no dressing alike in VEGAS!

Anyway . . . .

We are staying at Paris (imagine me saying that in a horrible French accent). What should we be sure to do while we're in Vegas? Angie has been there. Darla and I are newbies. What's your advice about what we should be sure to do?

World Class . . .

Archess?

(I think an archess is a lady who shoots archery.)

Brad and I have been searching for a mutual interest. We don't have a lot of common hobbies and thought it might be fun to actually do something together.

I was thinking dancing or cooking or stain glass.

Today (completely out of the blue) he suggested we try competitive archery. I wouldn't actually shoot at anything besides a target--no killing involved.

He even told me I could have a pink bow--with ribbons in it, if I wanted.

Hmmmmmm. Doesn't quite seem like the hobby for me.

Plus, Brad is already really good at shooting archery. Who wants to start a hobby when they're going to do nothing but get showed up at it!!!!???

Must-See Movies

There are some movies that at first appear totally ridiculous or just plain-old not funny. I beg you, though, to watch and watch again. Some make the list ony because of how horrible they are.

Barb's list of under-appreciated or forgotten about movies (in no particular order)

1. Wayne's World. Party on, Wayne. Party on, Garth.
2. Election. This choice compliments of Angie. Matthew Broderick at his finest.
3. Bridget Jones's Diary. My favorite movie of all time.
4. Dirty Dancing. My fav movie of all time prior to Bridget Jones.
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Heroes in a half-shell. Need I say more?
6. Crossroads. Dear, sweet Britney. You cannot act. Stay home. Make babies with K-Fed.
7. Office Space. Love the scene where the beat up the fax machine gangsta' style.
8. Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The ultimate playing hookie movie.
9. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Dude! Time travel.
10. Days of Thunder. Tom Cruise--before he was weird.
11. Cocktail. Again. Tom Cruise--before he was weird.
12. Grease. Great dance moves and a love story.
13. Coyote Ugly. Great dance moves and a love story.
14. Save the Last Dance. Great dance moves and a love story. Sense a theme here?
15. Uncle Buck. Fat uncle visits and embarrasses children. Funny stuff.
16. Overboard. Classic Goldie Hawn.
17. Legally Blonde. Barbie does Harvard Law.
18. Cutting Edge. Ice skater falls in love with hockey player. Love, love, love it!
19. Say Anything. The original boom-box serenade.
20. Money Pit. Tom Hanks. Lady from Cheers. Good stuff!
21. Singles. It's been so long since I've seen this, even I don't remember it.
22. Swingers. This movie is money! It's so f$%&ing money, baby.
23. Varsity Blues. Dawson turned football player.
24. Clueless. I'm gonna be a supermodel. (Imagine me singing that.)

This list might be better titled "I can't believe I'm admitting I like these movies." Some of them are pretty embarassing.

I left one movie off this list.

Name the movie in the blurry picture above in your comment. I'll draw a name from the correct answers to get a fun prize!

Make sure I know how to track you down in case you win. Email, blog link, PeaName, whatever. I'll draw a winner on Monday.

Plus, you have to tell me what movies you're too embarassed to admit you actually enjoyed?

Golf

My grandpa always wanted me to be a golfer. When I'd visit in the summer, he'd take me the driving range and to a Par 3 course. We'd always go out for ice cream on the way home. One day I took a ball to the head. No major injuries, but that was enough to make me end the golf outings with grandpa (depsite the ice cream).

In college, I needed to take a fitness course. I took a 1-credit golf course. I was actually pretty good at the real golfy part of it (swinging, putting, yelling "FORE!"). However, I never bothered to learn any more of the rules than birdie, par, etc. before the final exam. I did horrible on the exam and got a "B" in golf. Now, here's where I have to confess that I am a serious maniacal over-achiever when it comes to grades. The "B" in college golf is probably the only "B" I've ever gotten on a report card.

Needless to say, I've sworn off the sport forever.

How's that for a completely random non-scrapbook-related post?!?!?!?

When is the last time . . . .

you created something you were totally, madly, completely crazy about?

Gallery at 2Peas (It looks a little better there. Stupid Blogger!)

Gotta love 'em

So, last night amidst all the McDonalds lack of McFlurry chaos, I realized I won a RAK from Kim of HMITM.

I said to Brad, "Honey! I won a RAK!"

I was very excited.

He replied, "You won a rat?" He has selective hearing when it comes to things scrap-related.

"No. I won a RAK." I said with more emphasis this time.

"You won a boob job?!?!?" He said in amazed, but grateful disbelief.

Ahhhhhhhh. I'm expecting scrappy goodies in a box from Kim. Brad is expecting Dr. 90210.

Princess Babs (Edited 9pm)

Okay. I'll admit it. I'm a princess at times.

Take this lovely example from earlier today . . . . .

We were driving home from a Brewers game (where it was as hot as I imagine HELL might be). I decided I'd like nothing more than a Take 5 McFlurry and exited the highway on an exit with a McDonalds sign. Brad didn't really want one but said I could stop anyway.

We drove about 10 miles from the highway before finding the McDonalds. Grrrrrrr.

SIDE NOTE: There was a scrapbook store in the strip mall by the McDonalds. It was closed.

We waited in line another 10 minutes before the following happened:

Cashier (C): What can I get you?
Princess Babs (PB): I'd like a Take 5 McFlurry.
C: I'm sorry. (Smiling patronizingly.) We're out of the ingredients.
PB: (Long pause.)
Brad (B): I'll have a Peanutbutter Cup McFlurry.
PB: I guess I'll have an Oreo McFlurry (Complete annoyance in voice).
C: It will be $5.41.
PB: No! I won't have an Oreo McFlurry. I won't have anything.
B: What? (Complete annoyance in voice)
PB: They don't have what I want. I won't have anything. (Stomps away)

Um. Yeah. I acted like a total baby.

The worst part, though, is that Brad munched on his McFlurry for quite a ways down the road-- the same McFlurry he didn't even want.

What he doesn't know is that later tonight I will insist that he goes to get me a Take 5 McFlurry from our local McDonalds. [Insert evil laugh here. Bwahahhahahahaha.]

Edited (9 pm)
I made Brad drive me to McDonalds to get the McFlurry.

The following conversation occured:

PB: I'd like a Take 5 McFlurry
Cashier: Actually, our McFlurry machine is broken.
PB: Shut up! (more disbelief than annoyance)
C: No. It actually is broken. You could go to the other McDonalds.

How does this happen to the same person twice in one day? Is it the health food gods having an intervention to tell me it's time to stop eating fast food. Well! It didn't work. I'm just pissed off, fat, and hungry!!!!!!! A lethal combination.

Confessions of the Unfit

I've been thinking about this story all week and have decided that since the parties involved don't read my blog I can share it.

On Monday I went to a park with some friends for what I thought would be a leisurely stroll through the woods and a nice picnic. The picnic part was very nice.

There was nothing leisurely about the stroll.

It was actually more of a jog. Well. It was a BRISK! walk. But, for the terminally out-of-shape, it felt like a jog.

I tried to keep up at first, but it didn't take me long to discover that my body would have been found on the trail if I continued to keep up.

I thought if I just fell far enough behind, the other two girls (one of whom bikes 80 miles just for fun!) would slow down. Not the case.

At one point, the biker actually said, "I just like to RUN up the hills. It goes so much faster." And she took off running. Straight up hill. CRAZY!

At one point, the other girl's dog just laid down. Completely exhausted. Kind of like me!

There were spider webs and bugs and mud and sweat. More sweat than any human should produce.

The hell that was the leisurely stroll lasted for more than an hour.

Experiences like this just remind me that I will never be fit. Why? Because I don't really enjoy the activities that result in being fit.

I will especially never be a jogger. What are those joggers always smiling about when they're running? The only time I have that kind of smile is when I'm flipping between re-runs of Friends and Sex and the City.

Now, don't be offended, Fit Friends. We can still hang out. Just don't ask me to do things that require being fit. Let's go to dinner or watch a movie or scrapbook or gossip or something else that burns very little calories.

Birthday List--Super Sweet 16 Style

Last night (pre- and post- The Hills) I caught a few episdoes of My Super Sweet 16. Brad will try to deny watching it with me. But, I'm telling you the truth. It's his second favorite show--right behind 24.

Anyway . . . . .

The girls on this show are whiny and spoiled. But, you've got to give them credit. They know what they want. You've got to respect a girl who knows what she wants.

Drum roll, please.

My birthday list--Super Sweet 16 style. My birthday isn't until December, so you have plenty of time to save up to purchase any item on the list. Feel free to go in with someone, too.

1. Kate Spade bag. I won't be particular. Any bag will do. In fact, I might request each guest bring me a different Kate Spade bag.
2. A performance by U2 just for me and my closest friends. The Edge is my fav rock star. No birthday bash would be complete without him.
3. Daddy always gets the birthday girl a car. Here is my choice. It's even a hybrid.
4. Diamonds are a girls' best friend. And these come in a little blue box!

Besides my birthday wish list, there are the details of the big day:
1. Ali Edwards will design the invitations.
2. Each guest will get a customized cupcake rather than a traditional birthday cake.
3. There will be lots and lots of totally fabulous flowers.

What's on your crazy birthday wishlist?

A Plea to Em, Updates, Some LOs

First order of business . . . . A Plea to Em

Em. You know how much fun we had hanging out on Sunday. We are officially old friends. Move here. We'd have that much fun all the time (although we couldn't eat that much ice cream all the time!). I guarantee Maddie and Justin would both have a great time. Maybe I'd even raise money for some kind of signing bonus if you'd agree to MOVE HERE soon!

Second order of business . . . . Updates

Memphis had a little incident on Saturday that required a trip to the vet and a diagnosis of extreme lower back pain. Figures my drama queen dog would have an issue like that. He's good as new now, though.

Miranda came for a visit on Saturday. Seriously love this girl. Had a great time just chatting and hanging out.

A. Amy and Jen came for a visit Tuesday and Wednesday. Ate tons. Brad even finished off 12" of pizza! Got some scrap on--which takes me to my next order of business.

Third order of business . . . . Some LOs

Hang in there dear brother, Rob. I know you don't like when the blog goes all scrappy. But, you're in the minority.

LO 1: Summer Eats (for Chiara's Challenge @ HOP)

LO # 2: Another challenge @ HOP from the weekend (use SEI).

LO # 3: Ali Edwards' PP Challenge # 2 (See 2Peas thread for more info.)
Had some serious issues trying to create this LO. It's so different from what I've been doing lately that I'm having a hard time lovin' it. Plus, the day and the pictures were just so fun that I guess my expectations were a little too high.

LO # 4: Grow (HMITM Challenge # 7)

Have also been VERY busy working on a scrappy surprise for a friend. It's more than half done. I'm very excited about it.

What I Should Do vs. What I Did

I should have cleaned tonight or went to bed at a decent hour. Instead, I did one of the challenges for this weekend at House of Paper. This LO is a scraplift of one by Audrey Neal.

Shout Out!

Thought I'd take a few minutes to say nice things . . . .

• Tomorrow is the fabulous Em's last day of grad class for the summer. Applause for Em!
• The amazing Becky is having a Ms. Scrap-tastic Beauty Pagent. Brad got quite a laugh out of this. He thought--quite incorrectly--that beauty pagents were an event that involved nakedness. He assumed the pagent would involve placing LOs in key places to cover nakedness. Ugh. Boys.
• Angie competed in a Powder Puff Fishing tournie yesterday. Brad is incessantly asking how she did. I'm sure she kicked some fish tail!
• Received the CJ of Michelle aka Burberry Girl in the mail today from Hailey. Am totally in awe and am slightly afraid I might have gotten some drool on the CJ. I've admired Michelle's work from afar forever. Crazy to have a little piece of it right here in my house (for a few weeks anyway).
• Miranda is coming for a visit this weekend. Hooray! Haven't seen this girl since New Year's Eve. Am totally pumped!
• A shout to myself for some fabbity scrapbooking: Check it out @ 2peas.
• Last week my aunt Amy and I kidnapped my grandpa to go to Lauber's. It's a great old fashioned ice cream place. Would you believe that my grandpa only drank a root beer while Amy and I hoovered down turtle sundaes? Ahhh. If only I had inherited his will power.
• My little brother (published author) has apparently returned to the world of blogging. If you've read his lengthy comments on my blog you've gotten a taste of his fabulous writing. He's a crazy CA lib. Gotta love him!
• Can't believe Lauren on The Hills. Honestly. How much of Jason's crap is she going to put up with?!?!? WTF. Dump his sorry goat-eed ass and redeem at least a little of your dignity, girl.

Odds and Ends

Normally, with a customer service issue, I take the bitchy route. I decided to take the apologetic, friendly, embarrased route at the bank yesterday. I got all the $6 fees waived! Plus, I closed the account. My finances are back on track.

Did a little scrapping yesterday. Check it out!

How Much is Too Much? # 6: Rainbow

Also, had a totally great dinner last night. I'm back on track with my new meal each week. This week it was Salmon Baked in Foil and Noodles with Spinach and Pine Nut Pesto. Both recipes were compliments of Giada--Everyday Italian (my current fav show on the Foodnetwork). I tricked Brad in to eating both spinach (in the pesto) and tomatoes (on the salmon). Bwahahahahaha.

Financial Super Sleuth

Did a little sleuthing. Found the souce of the massive over-draft:

Student loan withdrawl.

Damn student loan company. I haven't made a payment in three years (loans weren't being paid in grad school). What do they do? They randomly withdraw the money for my payment from a checking account I haven't used since my last payment three years ago.

I have to go get a physical and then I'm headed to the bank to take care of it.

I HATE MONEY! I think the secret must be to have a lot of it. Then a $6 daily overdraft charge for 15 days might not seem like such a big deal.

Wish me luck.

Whiny Me

I'm back from vacation. I had a great time visiting with family, and I got to meet Becky! I'm excited about all of these things. Really. I am. I'm just to crabby to blog about them.

Because . . . .

I opened the mail this morning (after being gone since Wednesday). It is incredibly insane how quickly my mood can change. I went from being excited about having an entire Sunday with nothing to do (Brad is on vaca with Memphis) to being raging mad.

I got a ridiculous notice from my stupid bank about a dumb account I haven't used for more than six months (check card cut up and checks never used) that I'm over-drawn by an insane amount of money and being charged $6 each day I let it go. The letter was dated July 10. Am very angry about this, especially because the bank isn't open today. And--have no idea where the money was spent or who spent it. UGH! I should not be allowed to have money. I spend it all to avoid situations just like this.

Also, got several emails and /or snail mails about things I have to do this summer. Basically, I'm a whiny baby. I love having nothing to do and am annoyed that of the 29 week days in August, 14 of them are already filled. Ugh. Now I'm dreaming of summer 2007--the summer where I actually will have nothing to do. Yeah. Right.

Since I'm complaining, let me also mention that it is hot here. Wet. Sticky. Cannot breath is you go outside hot.

Man. Can't believe any of you stuck around to ride this whiny crap. Hope you enjoyed my pity party.

What I'm lovin' today

Ugh. Things have been busy. Summer always gets the best of me, and I'm forced to wonder how I ever manage to live my life while actually working from September until June. I LOVE NOT WORKING!

Here are some other things I love right now:

• Cherries. We were in Door County for the weekend. It was cherry filled because cherries are just starting to be harvested there. YUMM-O. The best cherry dish--by far--was french toast stuffed with cherries and cream cheese. Totally, totally fabulous.
• Working out in the morning. It's just me and the white helmets. Plus, re-runs of Dawson's Creek are on from 8:00 until 9:00 (today Dawson found out his mom had an affair and Jen's grandma caught her making out on the kitchen table).
• Grey's Anatomy. I watched a re-run on Sunday. I was doing okay with my Seattle Grace withdrawl until I watched that episode. Love, love, love this show!
• Ali Edwards. Got the new book in the mail today. I might actually have drooled on it. She's just so darn sweet and fabulous and amazing and talented.
• Sweaters. They are starting to be back in stores again. I love fall clothes and fall weather and fall food.
• Vegas, baby! We leave in about a month ladies. Are you ready?!?!?
• Road trip. I'm headed to visit the fam-dam-ily for the next few days. Will shop, shop, shop on Wednesday, eat some ice cream on Thursday, and shop again on Friday. Saturday Aunt Amy and I are doing a fundraiser walk. Did I mention I'm cropping at Becky's on Wednesday?!?!? Hooray! This will be my first official face-to-face meeting of a scrappy Internet friend.
• Cupcakes. Still love 'em. I bought the pan (see previous post from June) to make the ice cream cone cupcakes. They definitely didn't look like the picture, but it was a fun little project.
• Chores. Bet you never thought you'd hear me say I love chores. But, I do love chores--when they're all done. House is clean. Dishes are washed. I even vacuumed the couch. My house is sparkly clean. Drop by. Please. It's clean.

What are you lovin' about life lately?

1 little LO

I know I said I was going to be gone for awhile (and you probably got your hopes up!), but here's one LO from my scrapping festival.

Used some Sassafras Lass for the July contest @ Scrap-Tastic. Have I mentioned that I get to crop with Becky next week?!?!? Am so excited to meet her!

Bug spray, Hot dogs, Making out

What do these things have in common?

Drive-in movies. Of course!

As a kid, my family always used to go to the drive-in. My dad had a red 1966 hatch back Charger. We'd hide my sister in the back (so my parents didn't have to pay for her). We'd sneak in a party sub from Cousins, and my mom would pop huge paper grocery bags full of popcorn. We'd (the kids anyway) always wear our pajamas. I never remember what movies we saw--just that we always had a great time.

In high school and college, I worked at a drive-in. One of my favorite things about working at the Gemini was that there was always an interesting cast of employees. Some of them I became great friends with (including Angie, Rachel, Jesse) and one of them I even married! Many, many, many things went on at the drive-in that are best not discussed in a blog posting. Some things, though, can be discussed:

1. Bitch names. Rachel--a tough girl with a love of tattoos--insisted we call her Vivian when she was in a bitchy mood. If she came to work and said, "Just call me Vivian!" we knew to stay away. I know this prompted all of us to have bitch names. But, I can't remember what mine was.
2. Phase 10. If you were assigned to sell tickets, you had to sit in the box with another person for a LONG time. There weren't always a lot of customers. We used to play cards all the time! Phase 10 was my personal favorite.
3. Food! Pickles on a stick. Footlong hot dogs. Popcorn. YUMM-O. I once, however, started a rather large fire with the arcane popcorn popper. It was powered by natural gas and actually had to be lit with a big lighter. The secret to the perfect corn was the let the oil heat up. I just let the oil heat a little too long (to the point of flames). Luckily, there was no damage done.
4. Old Car Night. Brad and I got dressed up (poodle skirt and 1950s) suit and took my dad's convertible to the drive-in. Totally fun!
5. After hours. Cannot discuss what happened after hours. Always fun, though!

What brings about this bit of drive-in nostalgia? We've decided to take a mini-break (Bridget Jones talk for weekend away)! We're going to camp out (don't ask me how I feel about that!) and go to the drive-in. HOORAY! So, I will be MIA for awhile. . . Have a great weekend.

What's wrong with this picture?

I was totally a work-out queen (as much as someone who is as out of shape as I am can be) today at the gym. Did me some elliptical and walked 3 miles on the treadmill.

Now--I'm eating mint chip ice cream out of the container with a spoon.

Guess that explains why my behind doesn't fit in to my clothes from last summer.

Neighbors

I am quite confident that my neighbors do not read my blog. Therefore, I feel it is okay to tell you about some of their strange-i-ties.

I should start by saying that they are not loud or disruptive or sloppy. They are not completely horrible people to live next door to. Just weird.

Problem # 1: Tackiness
They installed a white rock garden directly adjacent to our driveway (between the time we looked at the house and the time we did our final walk through). It's hideous and makes me think of Miami Vice. I don't really get the purpose of a rock garden and just can't bring myself to tell them that rocks don't grow! But, I do have to give them credit for filling the Miami Vice rock garden with figurines from the Dollar Store and a green plastic bird bath that never has water in it. They provide me with endless hours of entertainment.

Problem # 2: Red-Neck-ness
They have three dogs. One of the dogs is named Lil' Bit. Please. Do not confuse that with LITTLE. It is Lil'. I know this because the neighbor lady is constantly coming outside in a moo-moo with a cell phone in one hand and a cigarette in the other to scream at Lil' Bit to be quiet (she's quite a barker).

Problem # 3: It's Pat!
There is a teenage CHILD that lives in the house next door. We've had endless conversations about the gender of said CHILD. Turns out (judging from the bathing suit) that the CHILD is a GIRL. Who would've guessed?!?

Anyway . . . I've obviously run out of things to blog about and have to resort to sending bad Karma in to the universe by making fun of my neighbors.

Happy 4th! Any exciting plans?

Together (HMITM)

I know I said I wasn't going to do a Dare / HMITM combo LO, but I ended up putting a little list on this page. Don't be confused though, it is definitely my HMITM page for this week. . .

There are 80 stickers on this bad boy.

Have a happy Sunday.

Dare 34

I know I said my Dare 34 was going to be "The B List." But, I guess I ended up making a different kind of list.

Am so totally annoyed that this scan isn't perfect. I tried taking a picture, but no luck there either. I am in love with this page and just want everyone to be able to see it perfectly.

There are a few other challenges I want to get done:
How Much is Too Much?
Sassafras Lass (July Challenge at Scrap-Tastic)
Dream Street (July Challenge at House of Paper)

No more scrappiness until tomorrow, though.

The "B" List

I'm going to the the Effer today. And the How Much is Too Much? Although, I vow not to combine then in to one page. I think both challenges are worthy of THEIR own page. Don't get me started on how I feel about this, really.

So, here it is. The "B" List (or maybe I'll call it My Good Things or Things that Make me Happy). Soon to be scrapped.

Popcorn with M&Ms (salty with sweet)
Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ginger Lotion from Origins
Caramel Mochas from Starbucks
Pajama Pants
Ribbon & Buttons
Great first lines (in books and movies)
Grey's Anatomy
Boat Rides (preferrably on my grandpa's boat with the polka blaring)
Cuddling with Memphis (the dog)
Sunsets
Fresh snow stuck to trees
Bubbly Christmas lights
Hugs
Laughing so hard I cry
Watching Brad catch fish
J. Jill
Suduko
Bridget Jones
Ice cream
U2
Lists of Things to Do (with all items crossed off)
People watching
Traveling
Getting packages
Burt's Bees Lip Balm
Playing Bingo
Internet friends
Getting my hair cut
Small of chocolate chip cookies

What's on your list? What makes you happy?

Looks like . . .

A. Someone excited about making a big change
B. Someone getting ready to do some serious scrapbooking
C. Someone ecstatically accepting a tentative offer for a new teaching job
D. All of the above

If you answered "D," you are correct. I will resign from my current position and accept a new position by Friday at the latest. HOORAY! Brad is bringing his muscles to my room tomorrow to help me move all my crap out.

It will be really difficult for me to leave behind the great friends I've found in some of my co-workers in the three years at my current job. But, I'm excited to try something new and to move forward.

Off to scrap! I have a special project planned for a friend.

P.S. Did you notice my new t-shirt. Yipee for AE!

Random Thoughts

I've been neglecting my blog lately. But, I just don't actually have much to say! Here's a little randomness . . . .

I'm listening to The Time Traveler's Wife while commuting to summer school. This is one weird little story. It's part Lolita and part Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and maybe even a little Back to the Future. It's part love story. It's a little science-fiction. Most certainly the strangest thing I've read in a long time. I know some of you have read this. What are your thoughts?

My references are being checked. Maybe even as we speak. That's a good thing for someone looking for a job, right? It's usually not the references that are the deal-maker or deal-breaker. HOORAY! I will keep you posted on this.

Saw the Babes on Sunday and again today. Noah and Chase are so totally amazing! As is my sister-in-law. I cannot imagine being the mother of 17 month-old twin boys.

Brad is laying on the couch reading a story about catfish fishin'. Apparently, someone meant to catch a catfish and caught an eel. This is hilarious to him. Ahhhh. I love my husband.

Saturday Scrappin'

Did two challenges today.

# 1: Junkitz Challenge @ Scrap-tastic
Just needed to make a LO using 75% Junkitz. I'm lovin' Becky's gallery, message boards, and shopping over there. Check it out!

# 2: How Much is Too Much? Challenge # 3
This week's challenge was to use 5+ ribbons / fabrics on a LO. Checking in with 14 ribbons. I now wish I would have done something with fabric, too. A scan didn't do it justice, and the photo doesn't really either. It's much more colorful in real life.

Not much else going on here. I need to do some housework and a little grocery shopping. I kicked Brad's butt in Monopoly last night (the Railroads are the secret!). I'm hoping to log some hammock time this afternoon, too.

Have a happy weekend!

Ssssshhhhh!

I've been keeping a secret from you, dear Readers. Fabulous Brad sent me these flowers today.

. . . to congratulate me on the my second interview for a new position in a different school district. It's working primarily with staff (rather than in a classroom) on helping implement literacy initiatives. It's only 16.24 miles from my front door, too! I interviewed the first time on Monday and again today. I'm hoping to hear about the next step by Monday or so.

As excited as I am about this new prospect, I'm trying hard not to get my hopes too high. As much as I sometimes hate going in to work, I know I could go back to my current job next year and do fabulous work with the kids.

Cross your fingers for me!

In other news, had a totally fun and completely yumm-o dinner with Wendy and Meggan tonight. We, at Meggan's urging, had Indian cuisine. I'm not a fan of curry or really spicy food, so I was a little nervous. But, it was so tasty! I can't wait to take Brad there sometime.

I also cranked out a LO for a CJ tonight. Plus, I got a fun prize package in the mail from House of Paper. I won one of the anniversary crop challenges over the weekend. It was filled with new KI stuff. Hooray!

One more random thought. . . I watched Say Anything today. Have you seen this movie?!? I've always loved this movie. Smarty pants, daddy's girl falls in love with lost, rebel boy. Ahhhh. What a great story!

And the Award For . . . .

Angie and I scrapped today. Some awards definitely needed to be given out to commemorate the day's festivities.

Best New Doodler on a Scrapbook Page goes to . . . . . me!


This is the first time I've gotten down with my big, bad, doodling self. I did, I'll admit, need some encoruagement from Ang. I tend to be a little too uptight to really enjoy doodling. But, I think it looks pretty cool. Unfortunately, this page was also a finalist in the "Worst Scan Ever" category.

Dumbest Comment Ever goes to . . . . Me!
when putting a stick pin in a page I said, "Wow! This is sharp." Followed immediately by, "That was the stupidest comment ever." My personalities were talking to themselves. Luckily, Angie has known me for long enough that she knows she needs to accept these strange quirks.

Most Disastorous Journaling Ever goes to . . . . Me!

This page was going so well. I {heart} We Are Memory Keepers and had so much fun making this page. Then, the journaling happened. This is by far the worst journaling I've ever read. It's horrendous!

It's so horrendous that it has led me to host a contest over at 2 Peas. I'm going to start a thread in the Pub for you to post a link to your worst page ever. Come on, gals! You know what I'm talking about. That page that is hiding in the bottom of a drawer or back of a shelf. The one that is so horrendous you're embarrassed to ever show it to anyone. Attach a link to your worst page ever on the 2Peas thread. I'll toss everyone's name who enters in to basket and send a RAK to the name pulled from the hat. The deadline is this Friday. Get down with your BAD self, Ladies!

My worst LO ever: Cowboy Disastor!

Link to Pub Thread in Message Board: Worst LO Ever!

Amish Friendship Bread

WARNING: If you were once Amish (or have any Amish relatives) please don't read this post, as you may consider it offensive.

Have you ever had someone give Amish Friendship Bread to you?!? It requires 10 days of maintenance after which you are able to bake two glorious loaves of tasty bread.

I do, however, have some concerns about it.
On day 6, you add 1 1/2 cups of milk. It is never refrigerated.
Ever.
Is that kind of gross?
I know.
The Amish don't have refrigerators.
But, the Amish also don't use deoderant.
Neither of those things are good ideas.

In the end, you produce four bags of Amish friendship bread starter to give to friends.
The Amish must be a lot nicer than me.
(Depsite the whole deoderant thing.)
Because I can't find anyone who wants to take my bread starter!
10 days from now,
I'll have 16 more starters and 8 loaves of bread.

In the end,
the bread has not only made me fatter
(It's not exactly healthy),
but it has also made me feel bad about the number of friends I have.

I'm always very curious about the Amish. Remember the reality tv show that brought Amish kids to the city and city kids to the Amish? Or Kingpin (Woody Harrelson, professional bowler, meets the Amish)? When we used to drive to Point a lot, there were tons of Amish homesteads. Brad and I would play a weird version of "I Spy" by trying to be the first to spot an Amish house.

One time, while on the highway, we were passed by a small car (Geo Metro or something similar). It was driven by someone in Amish clothing (Menonite, I later learned). The entire car---and I mean the ENTIRE car---was filled with Hostess treats. Twinkies. Ho-Hos. Cupcakes. Pies. Hostess treats everywhere. I don't even know how the dude could see! The passenger seat was full, and the backseat was just crammed. That just goes to show, that if you take too much of something away from someone, they will only binge on it when they get the chance. What other reason would someone need so many Hostess treats?!?!?!

After all these strange comments about the Amish, I probably should point out that I could never be Amish. Too many sacrifices and too much devotion for me. I do, however, think I would excel at Amish crafts like quilting or furniture making.

So, now that I've completely convinced all of my readers that I am entirely shallow by making a totally random post poking fun of someone else's culture, it's probably time for me to sign off.

I'd like to thank . . .

the Chicks for helping me find my mojo.
my own horrible impulsive spending habits for keeping my craft room so well stocked.

I haven't been feeling at all scrappy lately and have only recently begun to find my crafty mojo after a few weeks of hardly any creating. Today, I busted out my newly purchased Dixie Chicks CD and created away. With their inspiration, I made some rockin' LOs.

Friemily.
My entry for this week's How Much is Too Much? challenge. It uses 10 types of bling. Watch out for the glare; it's one shiny LO. Thanks to Michelle, Angie, and all the girls for organizing this. Fun stuff!

Swingin.
A challenge to celebrate House of Paper's second anniversary. The challenge was to use a series of at least three squares in a LO.

Love
Another challenge at Chiara's HOP. Use Scrapworks, rub-ons, and ribbon.

All are in my 2Peas gallery.

Do not remember the last time I pumped out three LOs (all of which I actually like) in one day. How fun!

Let's make a deal. . . .

I hate doing chores. Really hate it. Will let my house go un-vacuumed for days, never dust, want-to-hire-a-maid hate it.

But, last night my relationship with chores might have changed!

Brad and I bargained for jobs. That's right. Here's how it went:

Me: I'll vacuum if you do the dishes.
Brad: Only if you vacuum the couch [covered with dog hair].
Me: I'll unload the dishwasher if you vacuum the couch.
ETC . . . .

The final score:
Brad--dishes and couch vacuuming
Barb--vacuuming and dishwasher unloading
But, the joke was on Brad because I still haven't unloaded the dishwasher!

It makes me feel in control of chores. It makes me feel like I have a choice about the chores. It somehow makes me feel like I'm being sneaky and tricking Brad in to doing extra things.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA. [evil laugh]

Scrappy Goodness

To get Brad to hang some new shelves in the craft room (I officially have too much stuff!), we had to eat Take 5 McFlurries first.

Then, I created some serious Scrappy Goodness.

This is for the How Much is Too Much Challenge . This week's goal was five: patterned papers, rub-ons, stamps, embellishments, and epoxies. The stamps were the hardest part for me.

In other news, my first package is ready to be sent to my Firecracker Swap partner. Fun stuff!

Dropping out

I was really planning to put together an entry for CK's Scrapbooker of the Year contest not really so much to win as to challenge myself. It didn't turn out to be a challenge, so much as just too much pressure. It hasn't been fun to scrap lately, and I've decided the contest is why.

So, here are the few LOs that I managed to complete for the contest. I decided to just share them with all of you. I'm proud of the few LOs I managed to complete. They are some of the coolest stuff I've done in awhile.

LO # 1: Play
My nephews playing outside on Easter.

LO # 2: All Dressed Up
My newphew, Noah, is trying to make a nudist escape.

LO # 3: Sweet Summer
This is my mother-in-law and her siblings as children.

LO #4: Create
This is my grandmother standing by the last full quilt she completed and showed before her death in 2004.

LO # 5: Mr. Postman
Brad looking totally hot as a mail carrier.

Babes Entry

I be a babe.
I be bloggin.
I be running seriously behind.
Seriously.
It was supposed to be done one week ago.
Watch out, Em!
It's headed your way tomorrow.

My finished entry for Hailey's CJ.

Hailey's topic was cars. My journaling is hidden. It reads,
"After a few "beaters," my first grown-up car was a 1994 Grand Am. I loved her, and drove her to 234,000 miles. I cried at the dealership when she was traded for the 2001 Esacape, my current ride."

Other memorable cars in my life include:

• 1978 Chrysler LeBaron (my first car) It was backed in to so many things that on the trunk, where it used to say CHRYSLER, it only said "LER."
• My dad's 1954 Plymouth Sports Fury convertible. This thing was serioulsy huge. We drove in it on our wedding day. Brad and I also took it to old car night at the drive in. We got busted parking by the police afterwards dressed in a poodle skirt and a 1950s suit. Totally embarassing.
• Angie's dad's truck, The Red Russian. I remember a few late night drives after the drive-in with hot tamales and Cokes.
• My grandma's PT Cruiser. It was the first new car she ever picked out and bought all by herself. She emailed me pictures of herself standing next to it and got personalized license plates that said "QLTMBLE." She had a huge lead foot and was one seriously cool lady.

So, dear virtual friends, tell me about your ride.

Why I'll Never Be a 10 Again

The small clothes of summer have gotten me to thinking a lot about size lately. I seriously think all clothes have gotten smaller. A 12 just isn't a 12 anymore; it's more like an 8. Plus, the physical size of the clothes is smaller. Shorts are shorter, t-shirts are shorter. It's all smaller. (Except for pants which seem to be getting increasinly longer. But, that's a whole different post.)
The smallest size I have ever been (since I can remember caring about size) was a 10. Sigh. My current size is most certainly not a 10. I wish I could say it falls on the "less than" side of 10, but that would be a big fat lie (if you're questioning me, please see the previosly posted unflattering picture of me on a hammock).

In case my last post dedicated to the cupcake was not evidence enough, here, ladies and gentlemen, are the reasons why I will never be a 10 again:

1. The Take 5 McFlurry (YUM-O). Warning: Consuming this tasty treat will not take five pounds away from your total weight!
2. Television . . . need I say more?
3. the Internet (Thanks a lot, Al Gore!)
4. My dog doesn't like to go for walks (he's a bit on the heavy side, too)
5. My couch is possessed. I sit down. It sucks me in and refuses to let me get up until I take a nap.
6. Brad only eats one meal and day. Consequently, the portion he eats is ENORMOUS. He thinks I need to eat just as much.
7. I'd rather build my brain by reading than build my biceps by lifting weights. Plus, I'm not coordinated enough to do both at the same time.
8. I don't really like salad all that much.
9. I love sugary kids cereal. Cinnamon Toast Crunch is where it's at!
10. I don't like diet soda and am convinced that I get headaches from Nutrasweet.
11. My hobbies are not cardio-vascular (unless standing while scrapping counts as cardio)
12. Water is boring. I can't ever drink 10 or 12 or how ever many glasses a day I'm supposed to.
13. I actually made cupcakes after posting about them. Thought about them and had to have them. Even though it was 8pm and really hot outside. I went to the store, turned on the oven, and made cupcakes. I bet I'm not the only one! Confess, dear readers. Who else ate a cupcake after my last post?!?!

Honestly, though, I do still secretly wish that someday I might be a size 6 and be able to eat whatever I want to whenever I want to. The person who can invent such a situation deserves some kind of huge award.

The Fashionable Cupcake

I've been thinking a lot about cupcakes lately.

It seems they are experiencing a sudden surge of popularity.

Take for example, the following links.
A Blog About Cupcakes
Sprinkles (gourmet cupcake store)
Totally Fun Cupcake Pan

Also, my co-worker's daughter recently had her third birthday. It was a cupcake celebration! I just made cupcakes (in Barbie wrappers with pink frosting) to take as a treat to my last grad class. Cupcakes are everywhere!

I just thought in honor of all the bad things going on (Canadian terrorists, deaths in Iraq, consitutional definitions of marriage, crappy days at work, etc.) we could all find a little joy in cupcakes.

To the cupcake. The next great thing.

Sunday

Ugh. Busy day filled with errand-running. Multiple shoe stores (for Brad), Menards, Target, grocery story, etc.

Luckily, one of the errands included buying a hammock! Please forgive the horrible picture of me looking rather much like a little troll on the hammock. You get the idea.


Other fun purchases include the new Red Hot Chili Peppers CD, a watering can (for my newly acquired plants), and some pants.

Check out Angie's blog for some more information about our weekend antics.

Things to Do

For me the last day of school is a lot like New Year's eve. Three months of vacation deserves some resolutions! I present to you, my loyal readers, my list of things to accomplish this summer.

1. Start going to the gym regularly again. I can no longer use the "I have no time!" excuse.
2. Finish my Scrapbooker of the Year entry. Must get my butt in gear on this one!
3. Read (preferably on the hammock I want to buy today).
4. Organize the house a little.
5. Do a better job doing my share of the chores.
6. Go to Vegas, baby!
7. Go to the drive-in at least once.

This weekend has been a super fun kick-off to the summer. I shopped with Nicky and Natalie yesterday. Then, Mike and Angie had a cook-out with us, and we went to a Timber Rattlers game followed by fireworks. Side aches from so much laughing!

And the answer is . . . .

Damn sangria. Damn yummy sangria. I just typed an entire fabulous post and accidently hit delete on the stupid laptop. Dumb computer. Doesn't it know that drinks were 2 for 1 and my typing is a little erratic!?!?!? Damn, damn, damn. Must start over.

Anyway. . . .

If you guessed on yesterday's post that "B" was the correct answer, you passed the test. From the list of things on yesterday's post, the only one that didn't happen dealt with my t-shirt. My tagless tee was worn perfectly all day. It does sound like something I would do, though.

I am proud to say I survived a day filled with student-generated profanity, four hour meetings, free martinis, 16 hours of work, and pee in Mt. Dew cans.

Tomorrow. . . .I spend the day at Six Flags. Hoping that the sangria doesn't wear off before then!

T -2.5 and Counting

There are only 2.5 days of school left. The closer we get to the end the stranger things get. Today was a real winner, so I'm not quite sure how tomorrow can get any weirder.

Which of these things didn't happen to me today?
A. I left the house at 6:30 a.m. and didn't return until 9:50 p.m.
B. I walked around all day with my tagless t-shirt on inside out.
C. I attended a meeting that lasted four hours.
D. After the meeting, I coincidentally ran in to three other people from the meeting at the bar.
E. I got a "free" chocolate martini when the waitress forgot to add it to my check.
F. Two students peed in a Mountain Dew can and made another student drink it.
G. A student called my co-worked a bitch and a slut (neither one of which she deserved).

Hmmmm. One of those things did not actually happen to me today. Thank goodness I have a dinner date with some fun gals from work at a place that claims to have the best sangria in the area tomorrow night!

THE Hostess with the Mostest

If you've never been to a party at Angie and Mike's, you have to drop what ever you're doing where ever you are in the country and get here. Now. This girl throws the best parties!

A party during any season is fun, but it is especially fab in the summer--chicken from the flip-flop grill and all kinds of fun summer food and drinks.

Last night's lethal drink was a lemonade and vodka concoction invented by Angie and Darla especially for last night's party.

There was also some seriously competitive bocce ball. Please note the drink in Darla's hand. This is a game played best while drinking.

But, the best part of parties at Angie and Mike's is the laughter. You are guaranteed to laugh so hard you can't breath / think you might pee / have an ache in your side. Love it!

In other news, I'm downloading songs on to my new iPod (hiding in its cute pink case) right now! Even as I type I'm filling it with all my faves. Right now . . . . (embarrassingly enough) I'm adding songs from Prince's greatest hits albums. Yes. That's right. I have two greatest hits Prince CDs.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

What's your word?

I've been busy devouring, yet savoring, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

In the first section of the book, she visits Rome for three months. She gets in a conversation with her traveling partners where the following question is posed,

"'Don't you know that the secret to understanding a city and its people is to learn--what is the word of the street?'"

Basically, the author believes every city has a word to capture its essence. Sex for Rome. Achieve for NYC. Succeed for LA. Conform for Stockholm. People don't feel like they fit in a city unless the word they choose to represent their life fits with the word for the city.

I'd chose AVERAGE to represent EC. I think I'd chose GROW to represent the Fox Valley. But, I haven't been able to come up with the word I'd choose to represent my life.

What is the word I'd chose to represent my life? Can you sum up your life in one word?

And the winner is . . . . .

Lucky # 49.

Brad chose a number 1 - 72 to pick the winner.

The 100th post RAK goes to Katrina. Love reading this gal's blog. She always has something fun to say and is a rockin' scrapper. Check out her 2Peas gallery.

Congrats, Katrina!

In other news, take a second from your day to send Ang some cheerful thoughts. This girl gives her all to the people she cares about (not quite sure how I got so lucky as to have a friend like her) and life has been not-so-kind to her lately. From waiting patiently on a new job to basements flooding to food poisoning to getting a cold, she's had more than her share of bad luck. Hang in there, Ang. Things will turn around soon. They have to.

One more thought. . . . On Saturday night at dinner, Brad asked (in a completely serious voice), "Do pickles grow on trees?" He honestly didn't know/forgot that pickles are cucumbers and grow on a vine. Ahhhh. My husband.

Happy 100th to Me

In honor of my 100th post, I'd like to leave you with a list of a few things that are making me happy lately . . . . .

1. Ice cream
2. A day of sunshine after 15 consequetive days of rain
3. Starbucks. The one 2 blocks from my house opened on Friday!!!!
4. Helping other people. (I did lots of good deeds this week.)
5. Nine more days of school this year
6. Grey's Anatomy (watched season 1 all over again last night)
7. Doing nothing while wearing pajamas
8. Grilling out
9. Flowers (especially spring flowers like tulips and lilacs)
10. My new pink Brewers hat

What makes you happy? Let me know in your comment. I'll draw a name from my commenters to win a RAK that might just have 100 little scrappy goodies in it (assuming it's won by one of my scrappy friends and not a normal friend).

Just another week

No serious news here. . . other than the fact that there are only about 11 days of school left. For all the bitching I do about my job, it is pretty fab that I get a fresh start every year. I can wrap up the year and start all over in September.

Anyway. . . . has been a busy week.

I spent all day Monday in suspense about Grey's. And I've spent every day since then in suspense about Grey's. I'm going to be a basket case about it all summer. Why do I feel like I actually know these characters, like they're my friends?

I finished my CJ tonight. I know. I'm a slacker. Big time. But, I was honest with Em about it not being done. I just didn't feel like doing it. Couldn't really get my groove on. There are some pics of the finished product over at Two Peas. This is one seriously talented group of ladies. I'm so pumped to get Hailey's book.

Tomorrow will be my 100th post. Stay tuned. It's going to be great. BIG things planned. HUNDREDS of things planned. Tell everyone you know.

Graduation

I'm seriously considering building an ark. I swear, it's been raining since like Tuesday, and it's not supposed to stop until Friday. Despite all the gloominess, I had a great graduation yesterday! The ceremony was inside, and we just had the party in our garage. Plus, we busted out the Beach Boys on the boom box and plenty of tropical drinks for the ultimate luau atmosphere!

I'm so lucky to have such awesome friends and family. Everyone contributed in their own way from borrowing us tables and chairs to remembering to bring a heater to keep everyone warm to arranging vegetables as flowers on the top of the potato salad to endlessly snapping pictures for me, everyone was so helpful and fun. Even the woodpecker (damn him!) chipped in by choosing not to peck this morning and letting all of us sleep in. Plus, almost everyone had on assorted luau uniforms. Although, no one ever did bust out a coconut bra! I was so busy having a fun time, I didn't get to take many pics. I'll rely on the other party guests to share their photos. For now, though, this is what I've have to offer.

Pic # 1: Brad and I after the ceremony.

Pic # 3: Jennifer (my littliest cousin) came to the party. She was a real trooper hanging out with the adults all night. The highlight of the night was when she handed my mom a dessert and told her she "better eat the whole damn thing!"

Pic # 3: Despite her flooded basement and over-all bad day, Angie still came to luau with us. She made a killer fruit salad.

Pic # 4: My dad built a tiki bar! Leave it to him to come up with something so totally great. There certainly was not a shortage of liquor.

Pic # 5: My grandpa gave me the last quilt my grandma finished as a graduation gift. I'm usually a cryer, but I'm proud to say the only tears of the day that I shed were when I opened the quilt. In my defense, though, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.

My parents were such sweethearts for the whole weekend. They brought an entire trailer full of luau goodies and food for the party all the way here! We had a great time hanging out on Friday night. My dad is such a Mr. Fix-It. He never comes here without doing some kind of a big project. Today's project was to hang a cabinet they bought us for Christmas in the kitchen. Stay tuned for some great pics of my dishes looking all fab in the new cabinet. For now, though, I'm off to lay my butt on the couch. I'm wiped out!

Damn Woodpecker!

Remember Woody the Woodpecker? When he'd peck something metal or really strong his beak would curl all up and his head would shake around. He didn't like it.

Not the case with the woodpecker that has decided to take up residence in our neighborhood. He lives on an old television antennae on top of our roof. Each peck of his sharp little beak on the metal antennae is like a gong sounding in our house. It starts early (before 5:30 am each day). It lasts for a long time. The antennae is right above our bedroom, so it's loud. It's driving me crazy!!!!!!!

Brad requested I ask my students if someone has a sling shot he could borrow. None of the students did, but the principal had one he confiscated from a kid that he gladly sent home for Brad. Brad is now outside trying to shoot the Metal-Pecker with the sling shot. It has trouble written all over it. I'll keep you up to date. I may need to be investigated by PETA if the troubles with the Pecker continue. UGH!!!!!!