LOVE HIM

LOVE HIM LOVE HIM LOVE HIM The most underrated idol contestant. All girls must leave besides Syesha and Danny (because I just like to watch what he does next, but please stop wearing such tight pants). Carly deserves her moment. We all know the plus sized model, Joanne, was robbed. Michael may take the whole thing. And David C. needs to get the hell out. Is it possible to hate and love American Idol and Big Brother all in one season? Why, yes. Yes it is.

Happy Birthday Baby

I took Matt to a surprise location for his birthday which falls on Valentine's Day (notice the candle on that dessert). It killed Matt that he knew nothing about the evening. I gave him very little hints...only that we were going to dinner and no one going with us had ever been there. He guessed a McDonald's in Buffalo, a random gas station and a new Friendly's that opened up that we didn't know about. I found a write up on a new winery in Ripley, NY called Quincy Cellars. They have only a handful of wine on their wine list, but they are also a restaurant and hold something called a wine maker's dinner about once a month. It is a four course meal for only $45 a person, The best value is that with every meal, you are given a different (sometimes HEAPING) glass of Quincy Cellar's wine. The menu is always different and every morsel is made in house (nothing boxed or prepackaged) and collected from local grocery stores or fruit markets. The winemaker is indeed the chef and surprisingly, just opened the place less than a year ago. I say surprisingly because the eatery was filled. I half expected to walk in there with one other couple and that was it. It's wonderful to see such a nice guy doing so well. He comes out and talks to you before every course and gives you a bit of the background on Quincy Cellars. Quincy Cellars used to be a barn that they renovated into the winery, original exposed beams and all. It's all very open and contemporary. The downstairs tasting area is even more beautiful with stone walls and dark wood. I think I would have taken more pictures if Matt weren't already embarrassed enough that everyone knew it was his birthday.We went with Matt's mother and brother, Brad since his father was out of town. The entire thing was 2 1/2 hours, but there was barely a lull. We had a great time, great conversation and I'd recommend it to anyone. They also do rehearsals, parties, etc. Or if you're ever near the NY/PA state line, you should check it out.

I was looking back at old pictures for the last post and I found some of me close to Brit's age. I think she may have a little bit more from me than just my blood type.

Growth And Reflection

Well, this is the year I and all of my friends from high school turn 30. We went out over the weekend for Jeannette's birthday in Erie for .75 cent shots and $1.00 drinks. It's really amazing to think back on when we all first met 18 years ago. Some of my best friends in high school were some of my least favorite people in grade and middle school, but we quickly formed our group and stayed pretty well in touch since.

Matt's 27th birthday is coming up on Valentine's Day. He and I had a discussion today about birthdays and growing older and such. He hates being reminded he's getting old. He can't stand the fact that it will all inevitably end and that every day you're one more day older than the day before. I, on the other hand, embrace the fact that I know a little bit more today than yesterday. I like to think about me at age 40 or 60 and what I might accomplish, where I may be, how many vacations I may take, what Britain will look like and act like and which people she will choose to surround herself. I love to think of Matt and I all old and comfy and taking trips to out of the way places because we've seen everything else. I hope I'm happy and the triumphs well outweigh the tragedy. I hope I'm still the life of the party and the one friend you still talk to. I hope I'm just as excited about growing older with grace.
And I hope my friends and I are still all celebrating our milestone birthdays.