Happy Day

Happy birthday to my friend Jillian. We had a lovely time at Buffalo Wild Wings with you and your Wegman's pharmacy coal mine workers.



This is Jess and Mike. Jess is nine weeks pregnant. I blame her cravings for ordering those scary sweet potato looking things they call "chicken."

This is Eric. His name translates in German to Eric Small Dick. He's super funny and always a good time.
This is Pirate Jill.
Jillian and Tam. She loved her gifts of beauty I bought at Big Lots. It probably helped she had three drinks before I got there.

Believe it or not, Matt was drinking water.

This was short and I feel horrible but I'm going out to dinner and a night at Rack n Roll. I promise a much better post next time, including pics from New Wave Nation at Sherlock's last night with some of Matt's groomsmen.

Beauty School Drop Out

From My So Called Life

Rayanne : I'm not okay, and you know it. Now everybody knows it. And you all thought I would screw up, didn't you? Well, congratulations! You were right!"


This took awhile to bring up because I'm ashamed.

I've been in a pretty shitty mood lately, as in for the past month. (Oh, if Matt could blog.) I'll even go as far as to say I've been depressed. You see, I think it stems from my most recent failure. Looking back, I don't think I ever really failed at anything. Then again, I don't think I've ever really tried something challenging either. About a month ago, I tried something I thought would be a piece of cake and I'd sail right through it. It wasn't and I didn't. It didn't piss me off so much that I failed at it. It pissed/pisses me off because I know so many people who do/have done it. I am in utter awe of anyone that can handle a part time job, a full time parenthood and a part time school schedule.

I could not, and I think I'm scared away forever.

Short And Sweet Cause I Have A Cold

Things I used to like but dislike now:

red meat, namely liver
black
the thought of having more than one child, a boy in particular
exercise
regular coke
snow
calories
watermelon
The TV shows MASH, The O.C., Saturday Night Live, One Tree Hill and Captain Planet
the Ford Taurus (Don't ask)
the Hundai Tiberon
playing outside
talking on the phone
being away from home


Things I used to dislike that I like now:

brown
pink
diet anything
my hair
my friends
my booty
driving (I not only disliked it, I had a MAJOR FEAR of driving)
The tv shows The Simpons, The Tonight Show and the news
reading the paper
purses
criticism (or at least I can take it better)
skirts
my parents
football
jewelry
alcohol
mushrooms, black olives and cottage cheese (not together)

Rosemere Academy

In relation to The Riches this week, I thought I'd get Britain started on her education. Here is a video of she and her stage mom doing ABC's (her "w" is especially adorable). Maybe we can be buffers too!

Warning: She wasn't really in the mood and kept yelling "I!" to get me to leave her alone so watch the volume.

For Keep's Sake

I used to save EVERYTHING. I used to have something called a keepsake box in which I'd put notes from my friends, cards from my grandparents, pictures, stuff I'd find in the woods. I'm sure you're picturing a tiny shoebox with Keds on the side but I actually had a microwave box and a tv box, both full.

I don't have them anymore. It's not because I didn't want to hold on to my childhood or decided one day to spring clean. I lost them in what I call "the fire" in which there was not a fire at all but a fast packing because we were moving (kicked) out of our house.

There were some really great things in there, things I would have liked to show Britain. All my yearbooks were in there before 9th grade. There were baby pictures, silly drawings and stories I wrote. I had a few full diaries in there too. After this happened, I kind of stopped saving such things. It may have even broken my spirit about keepsakes and such.

But you know I have all of Britain's crap from the moment we found out we were having her including sonograms, first curl and a journal I kept when I was pregnant. She seems to get pissed whenever I want to get rid of her old toys. Maybe she has the pack rat gene as well.

Top Bunk

So Matt has not only a new position but a new schedule at work. Instead of producing, he's now shooting during the week and master controlling all weekend. He works almost opposite shifts for each title. During the week he's in at 6 am and out by 2 pm. But every weekend, he's going in a 4 pm and leaving anytime between midnight and 1:30 am. It makes for a strange sleep pattern.

So not only is Matt not sleeping, but neither am I. This current lack of sleep is nothing compared to when Brit was born, but I'm still a walking zombie without the strength to eat any brains. I used to blame it on how light a sleeper I am or how late in the day I'd have caffeine but now I'm wondering if my bed has something (everything) to do with it. When we stay in other cities in a hotel room, I always sleep really well. I wake up bright and early, like the old Tam, and I never feel like I'll pass out in the afternoon. Every move Matt makes, every time he yanks the covers, shakes the bed, or turns to the left, I'm aware. I can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep at home.

We need either twin beds or one of those "bounce a bowling ball on one side while a glass of red wine is barely disturbed on the other side" beds. But have you seen the price of those?! Twin bunks may be in our future. I'm so getting the top!

Sugar Shack - More Than A Porn Site

Matt, his parents, Brit and I all went to The Sugar Shack in Westfield, NY today. The food was so abundant there, this was Matt's take home (smiley face not included). It's all cracked because it would not fit in the take home box without folding it. You may not realize it, but this 10 inch pancake is completely covering my dinner plate.

Here is a picture with Britain's shoe next to it for effect. We ate at 1:30 this afternoon and I swear I am still stuffed. They not only are famous for the pancakes and homemade syrups but the kick ass gift shop with cool things like quince butter (like apple butter, but not). Can anyone explain what this is to me? I didn't try it, but you could sample any syrup they make, just like a winery. It was quaint and had wonderful service. And I would not wait a whole year to go back like his parents did.

Thoughts From A Shower

I hate this shower head. It rocked 10 years ago when the steam setting worked and it didn't make that annoying whine like Kristen and Ray's. I wonder if I can hold out until the wedding shower to get a new one.

Damn this tub is gross. Britain is not bathing in this until I've cleaned it. I wonder what the "How Clean Is Your House" women would say.

So if garbage night isn't until Tuesday, should I make chicken today or wait until Monday?

I forgot my body wash in the closet! *exits the bathroom to run to the linen closet* I wonder if the neighbors can see this.

Is that Matt hair or cat hair?

*All hot water is stripped from the shower stream* NO, NO Don't you realize I'm in the shower! "HEY!"

Can't I take ONE shower without dropping a bottle on my foot?

"Layla....got me on my knees, Layla."

I have to remember to write Kim back.

How is it that Matt gets a shower at least once a day and has the softest skin I've ever felt while my skin is much like an alligator's?

Did I wash my face yet?

How is it that Matt gets a shower at least once a day?

I should probably clean the toilet too.

"Shook me allllll niiiiiiggghtt long"

*Sticks face all the way in the water* This would be a cool photo. Just let the water run down my face like....COUGH COUGH COUGH

*Steps out of the shower and sighs* Damnit! I forgot my robe.

For The Troops

Every time I walk into Walmart, I want to kill myself. I've had encounters before, and we all know how much Walmart can suck, but I am getting so fed up with that damn store! All I want to do is get my shit and get out but this NEVER happens. I can't remember ONE TIME that this has happened. The last time I was there, all I wanted was some cleaning products and some toilet paper. Ok, maybe I threw in some health and beauty in my cart too. But does that explain the $96 receipt? That's more than I make in a week!

I have been shopping at KMart a lot more lately. They have really come around with clearance and Easter candy. I also like that you can get through every aisle and they actually have stock in garbage bags. I can't remember my cashier ever being obnoxious or downright rude. (How a cashier says NOTHING to you the entire time you're checking out is still beyond me!)

So, who's with me? Shop at KMart, for the Troops.

Best Pick Up Line

In high school, we had a nice, well rounded group of friends. We had The Crazy One, The Track Star One, The One With All The Boyfriends One, The Weird One, The Good Girl Turned Bad One, The Intelligent And Slightly Popular One, The Young But Wise Beyond Her Years One and The Future Business Leader Of America One. None of these were me.

I was The Fat One.

I was the "best friend" role you see in the movies. I was the girl that guys would come up to all the time...to ask if my friend liked them and if I would give my friend their note. Even when my friend, The Track Star, traded off the same boy with me every other week, it was because he still wanted to be close to her in any way he could. I didn't seriously date anyone until I was 16. And even that was rather false. He decided he wanted to date me because The Good Girl Gone Bad One wasn't interested. Even after high school, going out with the same group of girls at the bar, I fell into the best friend role. I always joke that when I used to go out with The Future Business Leader Of America One, the best pick up line that was ever used on me was "What's your friend's name".

I'm just not one to get hit on. I'm the wallpaper in a famous art gallery. I'm the stepping stone to the big promotion. This is not something I'm not used to and I refuse to read comments (and might delete them) like "you're hot" and the like because this is not why I'm posting this. I can't stand women who post for that reason. I am posting because this is the way it is. This is what I've accepted. And I don't know how I'd be if it were any other way. I doubt I'd be half as nice or grateful or genuine. But, hey! At least I'd always walk around with my nose in the air and you wouldn't notice the creases in my neck! There's always a positive.

In all seriousness, I kind of like that I can go to a bar and enjoy myself. I'm not looking for anyone else. I hate saying "no" to anyone, especially someone who may come up and I'd have to shoot down. (Ugh. Who wants to be "that girl"?)

But I'm writing this because I actually WAS hit on a few days ago. I was at the Casino with a few family members. I was just sitting in line, pulling levers and hitting buttons, no makeup, same outfit I wore last week. I was, as always, oblivious to anyone noticing me. A guy walks up to me and hands me a piece of paper. Immediately, I'm thinking it's my coat check coupon that must have fallen out of my pocket. I notice it's folded and a different color. I look around and he's gone. I unfolded the note, my heart beating a bit because this could say ANYTHING, really.

Slot machines fade and I'm flashed back to high school, 1996: A bunch of Freshman passed a note to me all the way from the front of study hall. One of these Freshman, I could have possibly had a crush on before this incident. When the note finally gets to me and has my name on it, I open it with the same heart palpitation. Could this possibly be someone asking me out, confessing their love for me? Did they want to know why someone so amazing didn't have a boyfriend? Well, sort of:

"Are you a lesbean?"

It hurt. The laughter from the front of the room didn't hurt as much as the sound of my hope of ever walking hand in hand with someone down the hallway being smashed against the chalkboard. I was the butt of endless jokes for the remaining months of my senior year.

This note was different though. It was a bit longer in length and it was scratched out in places, as if he was too nervous to write anything more than the minimal. It simply stated he thought I was beautiful (spelled correctly) and asked me if he could buy me a drink if I wasn't involved with anyone. I stood up and turned the crimson color of my shirt. I wanted to let him know that I was, indeed, engaged but that it was probably the nicest thing a stranger's ever done. And if he ever wanted to try a sweet gesture like that on another woman, one who's available, then he shouldn't think twice about it. Well, except for the fact that he was gone before I even really knew what he looked like. I'd change that tactic a bit.

Quizzes Don't Count

Alright, so I've started this 30 in Thirty Days Challenge thanks to Rachel. I've decided to set up a few ground rules:

A) Quizzes, cut and pastes and the like don't count. That would just be cheating.
B) These blog posts must have some substance, whether there is a beginning middle and end or not.
C) I'll jot down things all day on a pad and paper so it's much easier to think of something to write about when I sit down in front of the monitor.
D) Although I'll be spending more time blogging, I'm going to try and spend less time on the computer. It's becoming a habit really that I'd love to break. I can be just as lazy catching up on my DVR'd shows.

You Are Balanced - Believer - Powerful

You feel your life is controlled both externally and internally. You have a good sense of what you can control and what you should let go. Depending on the situation, you sometimes try to exert more control. Other times, you accept things for what they are and go with the flow. You are a true believer in luck, fate, and karma. You believe that life is a game of chance - not a game of skill. You either consider yourself very unlucky or very lucky. No matter what, you don't feel like you can change the hand you were dealt. When it comes to who's in charge, it's you. Life is a kingdom, and you're the grand ruler. You don't care much about what others think. But they better care what you think!

The Three Dimension Luck and Power Test

Scented

All through high school, I wore the high class fragrance, Exclamation. My sister Theresa always wore Eternity for women and I loved/love the smell so i switched to that when I was 18 or so. I'm coming up on my birthday (May 16, mark it down) and my last few drops of Eternity in my current bottle. I'm wondering if I should switch to a different fragrance. I like the light, airy floral scents. I hate vanilla or patchouli. Does anyone reading this know of a perfume they could recommend, be it something you wear or smelled yourself? Eternity runs about $80 for a 3.4 oz size. Something comparably priced would be nice. And Cloud Dance is out, Kristen. Although those colors ARE so hot, they're cool.

Badly Drawn Cake

Wedding plans are still under way and it's only 144 days away. This is my extent of computer drafting. Those antennas at the top are wine glasses and the droppings are grapes. I recently went to a wedding expo where I won not only 75 mini bottles of champagne with free labels but a gift certificate for $75 off a cake at one of the more expensive bakeries in Erie. This cake (or a much better version) would be my ultimate cake, that high and those colors. But there are so many things to think about. Will the grapes look like raisins by the end of the night in the August heat? Will the colors be TOO matchy matchy with everything else? Will that merlot hue ever come out of my wedding dress when Matt smashes it all over my face? I will more than likely go with something like this (those grapes are sugared) with only two tiers. One we will cut from and serve to the bridal party, the other tier we'll save for our first anniversary. And all the other guests will get a piece of the sheet cake we'll have in the back, because I am that cheap...and poor.

I Forgot My Cane And My Camera

Is it just me or is there a cutoff age for going out in downtown Erie? I ventured out to the bars with Matt, my sister Theresa, her husband Michael, my cousin Steve and his girlfriend Ame on St. Patrick's Day. I felt like I left my walker and AARP card at home. We walked in and out of 3 or 4 bars and ended up at the corner bar, Clancy's. That was actually alright and we left just as our songs started playing on the jukebox. We, of course, rounded the night out at Rack N Roll, "the karaoke capitol of the world". My cousin and his gal drank from Friday night to early Sunday morning and said the "Chaser" medicine is the way to go for all you hardcore drinkers. He looked refreshed and hydrated when I saw him Sunday, late afternoon. It was a pretty good night, all in all and I had NO HANGOVER as well the next morning!


Although, I was pissed when I went to grab my camera and forgot to charge the battery so here are the pictures from Theresa's camera at Rack N Roll.

Country song. Unfortunately, I have no gag reflex.

The next few pictures are of Mike vs. the flash

Bored as hell.

More country.

When Ovaries Cry

Here's the newest addition to the family: Sweet little Aubri Isabel Ames. Monica had a rough morning complete with an emergency C-Section last Friday. But being the tough woman she is, she's well on her way to recovery and should be out Tuesday. Maybe she'll even be able to get out of bed in under 20 minutes! Aubri was born March 9 at 2: 0'something PM and weighed in at a whopping 7 pounds, 3 ounces (not too shabby for a chick born a month early). She was (and probably still is) 19 1/2 inches long and she looks like a fake baby. Actually, I think JR and Monica ordered her straight off of Ebay and it just came early. I changed her diaper, held her close and turned the key in her back to stop her crying.

And yes, I'm still good with one child and one child only.

"Papa", Aubri and some soiled linen.

Monica, JR, Kaitlyn (the big sister!) and Aubri.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

'Cause I probably won't update this until AFTER St. Patrick's Day.

My So Called Rant

While watching Igby Goes Down, I forget for an hour 1/2 how much I hate Claire Danes for not signing a new contract and fucking up a really beautiful and budding television show.