Summer Tease

I LOVE that smell...the first rain on hot pavement. Although I miss living in the country with fresh air and miles and miles of leafy scenery, I DO love living in the city during a summer-like rain. I especially love a thunderstorm at night with the windows open. A day like this is such a tease. I know its going to be 40 degrees again in a few days.

Thanks Eden!

This was stolen from Eden. I liked it because it didn't have any questions about Hilary Duff or last week's geometry quiz. The only rule is you must answer either "yes" or "no" with no explanations. These are mine:

Taken a picture naked? Yes
Made out with a member of the same sex? Yes
Danced in front of your mirror? Yes
Told a lie? Yes
Gotten in a car with people you just met? Yes
Been in a fist fight? Yes
Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back? Yes
Been arrested? Yes
Left your house without telling your parents? Yes
Ditched school to do something more fun? Yes
Slept in a bed with a member of the same sex? Yes
Seen someone die? Yes
Kissed a picture? Yes
Slept in until 3? No
Laid on your back and watched cloud shapes go by? Yes
Played dress up? Yes
Fallen asleep at work/school? Work,Yes School, No
Felt an earthquake? No
Touched a snake? Yes
Ran a red light? Yes
Had detention? Yes
Been in a car accident? Yes
Pole danced? No
Been lost? Yes
Sang karaoke? Yes
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't? Yes
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Yes
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes
Kissed in the rain? Yes
Sang in the shower? Yes
Got your tongue stuck to a pole? No
Ever gone to school partially naked? No
Sat on a roof top? Yes
Played chicken? Yes
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? No
Been told you're hot by a complete stranger? No
Broken a bone? No
Mooned/flashed someone? Mooned,Yes Flashed, Yes
Forgotten someone's name? Yes
Slept naked? Yes
Blacked out from drinking? Yes
Played a prank on someone? Yes
Felt like killing someone? Yes
Made a parent cry? Yes
Cried over someone? Yes
Had sex more than 5 times in one day? Yes
Had/Have a dog? ? Had, Yes
Been in a band? No
Drank 25 sodas in a day....aka POP? No
Shot a gun? No

And The Beat Goes On

A stranger in the store about my daughter:
"Oh, what a beautiful baby!"

Tam, smiling:
"Thank you."

Stranger, smiling as well:
"What's her name?"

Tam, still smiling:
"Britain, like GREAT Britain"

Stranger, puzzled:
"Britney?"

Tam, no longer smiling:
"Britain"

Stranger, uncomprehensive of any original thought:
"BRITney?"

Tam, louder:
"Britain!"

Stranger (and stranger):
"BritNEY?"

Tam, sighing:
"Yes."

Depression Is For The Self-Absorbed

Although I don't believe in God, I believe in angels/ghosts. I don't think they are just hanging out like perverts watching us shower though. I believe if they are around someone, there is a certain purpose, whether they are looking out for them or making them trip down the steps because they are bastards. I think at least one is watching out for me.

Some people don't know this, but I've been in MANY auto accidents. Thankfully I was only the driver in TWO of them. I've been hit by two drunk drivers, side-swiped, knocked into two telephone poleson two seperate occassions, been rear ended, and two of the cars have been totaled. Amazingly, the most serious injury I endured was glass in my undies.

In fact, throughout my life, I've never broken one bone, never had one stitch (not even with Britain) and still have all my toes. I also used to think I couldn't have children. I actually tried with my ex for over a year with countless negative pregnancy tests. Perhaps Britain didn't come at the perfect time, but I couldn't ask for a better baby with a better man and am thankful everyday that I'm finally a mother. And I'm not only lucky to have such a beautiful, loving and supportive family but wonderful friends as well who I know I can count on if ever I'm in need. (Creating the wedding list has really opened my eyes up to who is TRULY important to me.) I have a great life. I have a fortunate life. Its not as spectacular as some, but not as hard as others. And there's always something worth smiling over if you really think about it.

There is a new study out that links depression and heart disease. I'm not exactly saying depression doesn't exist or certain people are plagued differently from the disease, but I DO think that not going to therapy, not getting on medication (if needed) and wallowing in self pity doesn't help the matter. So look around you, idiot. Figure out what is right and beautiful in your life. No one else is going to get you out of the funk. Until you do, no one will want to be around you! If there is one thing I can't stand, its a negative attitude. And its no wonder if also effects your health.

Random Photos

When I'm working full time this summer, you'll all be deprived of my meaningless posts with no direction. UPDATE: See Comments

Love me tender.

That Day Everyone's Irish

Here are my pictures from St. Patrick's Day with Matt, my sister, Theresa, my cousin Steve and his girlfriend Amy (who blinked in every damn picture no matter what I tried).



I felt like a real club hopper when I had to wait outside for a WHOLE FIFTEEN MINUTES because the fire marshall said we couldn't get in until others got out at Sherlock's.

We heard the bands Moneyshot.......




........and New Wave Nation.





It was a great time. And we stole these glasses from some drunkards who left them.

Steve



Tam






Amy


Theresa



Future groomsman, Jeremy







Future groomsman, John





Jeremy and his girlfriend, Christie

It Is Like SO My Color!

My sister, Theresa and I went wedding dress shopping for the first time yesterday. I was excited but was really scared that all the sales people would stand so close to us that the oxygen would be removed from my lungs and I would die...So we started at Starbucks. One venti, low fat macchiato later, I was strolling through my favorite store, Charlotte Russe. I found a white strapless dress there for super cheap and thought "What if I only had to spend a tenth of my dress budget?" But alas, strapless looks like shit on me. We were then off to Kaufmann's. All the prom dresses were on sale so we thought I might get lucky and find a white one I liked. There were PLENTY I liked, just not any that fit without starving myself for three weeks or taking out a few ribs. You see, I have what they call a "broad back" and while it makes a great stunt double from the rear for Rocky Balboa, it doesn't do much for sporting a dress from the Junior's section. So at this point I was rethinking the skimping on a REAL wedding dress and decided to head over to Bridal Elegance and face my fear of people working on a commission.

It turned out, there weren't too many people DYING to help us since it was so busy on account of prom season. I think I heard five "I know, right"'s, four "shut up"'s, three "chill"'s, two "Nah Uh"'s and one "that is like, SO your color"'s. I felt like I would be crowned at any moment.

There I was, silly me, shopping in the size 10 section of the wedding dresses. I grabbed three. And on a whim, I grabbed a much bigger size because I loved the way it looked and needed a bigger comparison. Then we had to actually GO GET a sales woman, and it turned out they don't get commission either! I was ecstatic and started to get really excited to try actual wedding dresses on and pissed that I hadn't brought my camera. Theresa and I went back into a dressing room the size of my kitchen and the woman (Melody...so fitting!) helped me into the first size 10. And helped me right back out. Obviously the other two were NOT going to zip, let alone get over my toe. So, while Melody was going to go back out and find some 12's, I thought perhaps I could try on the last, bigger one to compare.

Not only did it fit, but I bought that shit! I can't believe it, even seeing it in print, but I actually have my wedding dress and more importantly...I'm totally on budget.

"NAH UH!"
"I know, right!?"

I wish I could describe it, but I wouldn't want to give anything away to a certain future groom...he can PAY for the dress, he just can't see it until the ceremony. A BIG THANK YOU to Theresa for helping me decide that just because it was the first dress I tried on, didn't mean it wasn't the right one. Just like when I first saw Matt, I didn't think I had a chance in hell, but tried it anyway. And they both worked out perfect.

Let It Begin And End

First, let me just say that the first time I ever laid eyes on this winery, I thought of having my reception there. Going in, I couldn't help but have high hopes. And after this weekend, I think we began and ended our search in just one day. It not only was in our price range, but there were tons of perks along with it...They are letting us bring in all the alcohol we want besides wine...THREE entrees for the buffet...Sure they'll give us a bartender, but they'll have to charge us a fee costing a little less than what we paid for our meal at Wendy's last week...Free wine tasting beforehand...They just happen to be overhauling the entire place to which it will look even MORE fabulous next summer...But maybe the best part: not only can we have the reception there, but we also can be wed in the back among the grapevines.

My sister Theresa suggested that "3" doesn't HAVE to be the date. It could be other aspects like making the wedding at 3PM! I love that idea. She's also a genius when it comes to style and color and what looks "just right". And with my other sister, Michelle, on board for all the flower arrangements and centerpieces, its sure to be even more beautiful and just what I always envisioned. (You've seen her pumpkins). We talked about alternate dates later in the summer, because of Eden's tip on how hot early August really is, that witch! And I can sort of have that Fall wedding I've always wanted. Considering they only had four wedding/affairs for THIS year booked, I'm pretty sure they'll be able to squeeze us in next summer. I'm not sure why more people don't know about this place.

I was so excited, I wrote my vows last night. I was trying to get through them today, reciting them to Britain and trying not to tear up. Unless you don't have a soul, there will not be a dry eye in the winery.

Wine Wedding

IF ONLY I WOULD HAVE KNOWN THERE WERE SUCH CHOICE SELECTIONS FOR THE EXPECTING BRIDE.


I wouldn't say that Matt and I regret having Britain before we were married, but we certainly will both feel so much better once we are. Tomorrow, we are going to check out our first possible wedding site. Its a local winery. Ever since I first visited, I thought it would be the perfect place to get married. Although I love the scenery, I won't sacrifice our bank account. We will certainly walk away if the pricing is outlandish, which, already in the back of my mind, I think it will be.

I've always wanted a Fall wedding, but its looking more like late Summer, 2007. Matt's brothers will be the co-best men and they both have hectic schedules in the Fall due to college football season. Also, I'm fond of the number 3 for Matt and I and the only months with the third falling on a weekend are June and November...too hot and too cold. But August third, although a Friday, sounds juuuuuust right. I'll keep you posted.

A Child's Treasury Of Songs

Britain has moved onto food, not food that I'd actually eat but jarred contents that can be classified as food that isn't formula. Actually she's up to Stage 2 of 3 (because stage 2 was on sale and Stage 1 wasn't anymore). But she's having a little trouble with some foods. So I sing to her to get through the spoonfuls. She has quite an aversion to green beans and BANANAS, no less (which I could NEVER get enough. One other problem food was butternut squash in the beginning. But all it took was one tiny song, and now she loves it. Sometimes I wonder why I was able to ever get pregnant, other than to keep a good child psychologist in business one day.

Butternut Squash

Butternut squash, butternut squash
Its so good for you
Although I know, butternut squash
Kinda tastes like poo

So many good things about butternut squash
The color, not the taste
I wouldn't argue, makes butternut squash
Look like human waste

By Tam

You Can Really Taste The Tam

Alright, so I'm cheating and stealing someone else's post (thanks Rachel!). She found this fun "sloganizer" that YOU too can try at home.

Here's Matt's:


NOBODY BETTER LAY A FINGER ON MY TAM!

Quizno Blows

Being in Erie, we don't have all the fancy restaraunts them big ole' citites have. So only recently did we get Quiznos. Well, I tried it today, because it was on my way to work. I should have just driven the extra 6 blocks to Subway. First of all, the damn menu is 50 yards away and I honestly am not sure if I ordered the Turkey Light On Wheat or a Thursday Lick Of Weight...but whatever if was, I wanted no onion. Then they sent the sandwich through the heat conveyer belt and it scared me a little that I lost track of my sandwich for a bit. When it came out, there are all kinds of goodies you can add to your roll, but the lady never offered it to me and before I could say "Lick of Weight", she was wrapping that shit up and hurling it to the cashier. "Go Long!" Then I had to wait for said cashier to figure out how to re-ring up the guy in front of me because she pegged him as a "regular" and not a "small" kind of guy. Three hours later, I was on my way to freedom! She rings up my total for the Thursday Lick combo: $7.61 What?!? I could have two subs and and get felt up for the same price at Subway. I give her my hard earned money, although paying in quarters wasn't the smartest idea of mine. She counted every single quarter out loud (five dollars worth) and held my bag of food captive until she made sure it was the right amount. Good thing I didn't need a price check on tampons. Finally, when I got to work I opened up my sub, since by then I was starving, and you guessed it...Onions.