We've all been annoyed by the rude cell phone user more than once. Probably more than once today. The problem is that most of the people using cell phones do not follow any guidelines on what is rude, what is acceptable, or what is in the middle. Maybe these people don't have any consideration of what is obnoxious or what is appropriate in the rest of their lives, but the cell phone craziness has to stop.
So, in an effort to better the world, here are some cell phone ettiquette suggestions from the desk of Krista Martin:
- Just because your cell phone has decreased in size, it does not mean that you need to speak louder - or yell - to the other party. Unless, of course, the other party is in earshot and yelling may actually help. Keep in mind that their ears are still the same size - they may actually even be bigger than the last time you saw that person. Yelling is not necessary.
- Cell phones do not belong on the dinner table at home unless you plan to use them as a utensil. I do not reccomend using the phone as a fork, but perhaps it would work as a spoon.
- If you have voicemail set up on your cell phone, please check it.
- Restaurant diners should not place cell phones on the table - or continue to wear an ear piece - at meals. It's not part of your outfit. And, you are not that important.
- Do not stand next to me in the elevator while talking to your doctor on the phone about your latest problems. I do not want to know that you went to get Mexican food lastnight nor do I want to know about the GI side effects you are dealing with. Take some Pepto and shuddup.
- There is no need to wear more than one cell phone on your belt. C'mon. Wearing it on your belt is pretty dorky, anyway. You might as well buy a fanny-pack and you can put your cell phone in that.
- You don't (or shouldn't) drink and drive so don't dial (or text) and drive. There are enough problems on the roads without problems caused by these dangerous habits.
- When you are out in public, picking up your ringing cell phone does not permit you to immediately stop right where you are. Don't stop right in front of me when crossing the street. You can do more than one thing at a time. Or..uh...just don't answer your phone until you are sitting down.
- And lastly, but definitely not leastly, do not set your cell phone to blast La Cucaracha every time someone calls you. Unless, of course, no one calls you.
Did I miss any?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
The Excitement of Married Life
While watching the Baby Borrowers, Dennis looked over at me and said: "Hey, do you even love me anymore?"
I answered this question the way I typically handle his random, totally-not-serious-at-all questions. "Dennis, are you doing drugs?"
"No. You aren't even watching this show with me."
"Yes I am."
"No you aren't. You are playing on your computer. You don't love me anymore".
After this nonsense continued for a few minutes and I resigned to my earlier assumption that he was doing drugs and that is why he was making these sarcastic comments, he told me that I need to pay attention to the show because the characters are talking about how much they love each other and how they've made their marriage work for many, many years. Maybe I could pick up a few pointers. So, I pretend to pay attention.
"Are we ever even going to do anything?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, this is all we do. We just hang out at home."
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know, but we could do something. Do you realize we've done this for the last 700 days? I'm going to the clubs tonight."
"700 days? Wow. I didn't realize we sat around at home for that many days. I thought it was closer to 600. Y'know what? I have an idea."
"Oh yeah?"
"Why don't you go ice skating?"
"Ok. I will. Maybe I'll find some hot chicks."
"Maybe."
Now that is what marriage is all about. Being ridicilous and making no sense what-so-ever. But the key is to find that someone that let's you be that way. And is that way back. Poor Dennis, he's definitely become more peculiar since we've been together. I LOVE IT!
Ahhh...just imagine what it'll be like after we've been married 40 years instead of just 4...
(Anyone else have this type of randomness? I hope the answer is a resounding yes.)
I answered this question the way I typically handle his random, totally-not-serious-at-all questions. "Dennis, are you doing drugs?"
"No. You aren't even watching this show with me."
"Yes I am."
"No you aren't. You are playing on your computer. You don't love me anymore".
After this nonsense continued for a few minutes and I resigned to my earlier assumption that he was doing drugs and that is why he was making these sarcastic comments, he told me that I need to pay attention to the show because the characters are talking about how much they love each other and how they've made their marriage work for many, many years. Maybe I could pick up a few pointers. So, I pretend to pay attention.
"Are we ever even going to do anything?" he asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, this is all we do. We just hang out at home."
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know, but we could do something. Do you realize we've done this for the last 700 days? I'm going to the clubs tonight."
"700 days? Wow. I didn't realize we sat around at home for that many days. I thought it was closer to 600. Y'know what? I have an idea."
"Oh yeah?"
"Why don't you go ice skating?"
"Ok. I will. Maybe I'll find some hot chicks."
"Maybe."
Now that is what marriage is all about. Being ridicilous and making no sense what-so-ever. But the key is to find that someone that let's you be that way. And is that way back. Poor Dennis, he's definitely become more peculiar since we've been together. I LOVE IT!
Ahhh...just imagine what it'll be like after we've been married 40 years instead of just 4...
(Anyone else have this type of randomness? I hope the answer is a resounding yes.)
Monday, July 28, 2008
What do all of these people have in common?
(1) Beauty
(2) Money
(3) Fame
(4) Great figures....
what is the last one?
Saturday, July 26, 2008
The best wedding idea EVER
Dennis, I cannot believe that we didn't think of doing this for our wedding. Josh and Maya - this would be perfect for y'all. Do not miss the slide show (link above). This story is from the Gwinnett Daily Post.
DACULA - As the famous twang of Hank Williams Jr. blasted from an SUV stereo Friday afternoon, about 30 folks socialized, sipped soda and puffed on cigarettes.
No, this wasn't a Fourth of July backyard barbecue. It was the run-up to a wedding.
In a Waffle House parking lot.
The lucky couple, George "Bubba" Mathis and Pamela Christian - both 23 and employees at the Dacula diner located at the Ga. Highway 316/U.S. Highway 29 interchange - wouldn't have it any other way.
"I don't know, it's something different," Mathis said while fixing his tie prior to the ceremony.
For years, the couple tried to marry on their Independence Day anniversary. But the bride was always scheduled to work. Instead of waiting any longer - she got the day off at the last minute; Mathis had to report for the morning shift - the couple of nine years decided to seal the deal at work.
The result was what a NASCAR tailgate might be like if Hank Jr. himself stopped by with all his rowdy friends: Loud and proud - country music, storytelling and plenty of Dale Earnhardt paraphernalia - and not an iota of pretentiousness.
Shortly after exchanging vows under the shade of a tree next to the parking lot, both man and wife let out sighs of relief as they picked up their two little blonde girls and chatted with family and friends. But there was not time to relax - the wedding cake had to be cut inside.
"It's been crazy, madness," the bride said. "Finally, everything worked out."Standing nearby, the father of the newly minted Mrs. Pamela Mathis, William Christopher, wondered if anyone had videotaped the ceremony. He wants to send it in to CMT.
"I think it's pretty redneck myself," he said, laughing. "But I'm a redneck anyway."
The couple plans to honeymoon Monday and Tuesday, butthen it's back to work.
The destination?
"I don't know yet," Mathis said.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Meggie & Krissy (1994ish)
Megan and I have been friends since 7th grade and have been through a lot together. She is my closest friend and I cannot wait for her to see this! She will die!
I remember when we made this video she has just returned from her family trip to Hawaii and we decided that we HAD to make a video because we hadn't seen each other in...oh...a week or so. Watching this video now, I see several things: (1) I know why neither of us had a boyfriend at this time, and (2) I haven't changed my dance routine since we made this video.
Anyway, enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bhfxck-ipQ
I remember when we made this video she has just returned from her family trip to Hawaii and we decided that we HAD to make a video because we hadn't seen each other in...oh...a week or so. Watching this video now, I see several things: (1) I know why neither of us had a boyfriend at this time, and (2) I haven't changed my dance routine since we made this video.
Anyway, enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bhfxck-ipQ
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Last bit on politics (for today)
Ok, I'll get off my soap box about politics. In a minute.
(Check out the fine print on the first picture. It says "TIME FOR CHANGE! Now reach into your pocket..." I saw an email that said it more eloquently - "TIME FOR CHANGE! Because that's all you'll have left". Same difference, I guess. )
I cannot stand to hear "Obama for Change" one more time. If a picture is worth a million words, then, well, these pictures are worth... 2 million words. They sum up my 2 million thoughts very well.
(Check out the fine print on the first picture. It says "TIME FOR CHANGE! Now reach into your pocket..." I saw an email that said it more eloquently - "TIME FOR CHANGE! Because that's all you'll have left". Same difference, I guess. )
Monday, July 21, 2008
Being PC is stupid.
What does it mean to be politically correct? I usually know when to bite my tongue, but I also slip up pretty frequently. I'm not talking about being deragotory or mean or insensitive. I'm talking about expressing my thoughts on politics. I have this uncanny habit of bringing it up at parties. Dennis LOVES it when I do that.
According to Wikipedia, Political correctness (PC) is a term used to describe language, ideas, policies, or behavior seen as seeking to minimize offense to gender, racial, cultural, disabled, aged or other identity groups. If we're all adults here, is it unreasonable to think that we could have a conversation about politics without offending someone? Well, it would be possible if people weren't so dang emotional about politics. Why? Is it because people often take the same political views as their parents or their family? And people's families are never wrong? Or people never differ from their parents views on certain topics? C'mon.
Whatever the reason for the strong emotional tie to politics, we need to get over it. It's not about this party or that candidate. It's about educating ourselves on the issues at stake and discussing facts. Let me say that again: facts. Let me say it louder: FACTS. Did you get that? If someone else has more knowledge, newer facts or figures than I do, please share them with me. Make me more intelligent and please share what you know. I know a little - enough to be dangerous - but I'm the first to admit when I don't know the answer and/or when I need to do my homework on a topic. I want to learn and be able to speak intelligently about politics because like it or not, it has an enormous impact on my life. And yours. And our children.
So, it's in our best interest to talk about politics. Simply asking the questions of a friend on why he or she believes something to be true is easy. Let me give some easy examples: "Why do you think that?" "Where did you get that information?" or, to be more blunt: "Prove it to me." Or, I'm particularly fond of "Show me why/how" (it has something to do with being from Missouri).
What I'm asking is this: Let's be brave and not be PC. Instead of worrying about being politically correct, let's have some political conversations. It's possible to do both at the same time.
Let's start by learning about the "global warming" nonsense.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
My Favorite Meal
When Dennis goes out of town we always joke that I am going to eat icing and wine for dinner. I am sad to say that yes, I have had those two items for dinner when he was out of town, but I don't do it too often. I must admit, though, if I was ever in prison and had to choose my last meal...it would probably be icing and a glass of wine.
Every single one of my friends knows that I am a sucker for icing. Cake icing. Cupcake icing. Icing right out of the container. Homemade icing. I will happily scrape the icing off of just about anything. The cake isn't all that important - the icing is what counts.
Dennis is going on a Austin, TX for several days for a meeting. Earlier today he asked me a very good question: "What are you going to eat while I'm out of town?"
Without much thought, I replied, "turkey sandwiches".
"Do you realize that isn't normal? It isn't normal to have turkey sandwiches for 5 nights in a row. It's also not normal to have wine and icing as a meal."
"I wasn't going to eat just wine and icing for dinner... there would probably be a turkey sandwich before that."
I smiled and we both laughed but I came to an important realization: I need to learn how to cook. Don't get me wrong, I mean, Dennis and I have a wide variety of meals during the average week: grilled chicken, canned vegetables, shake-n-bake chicken or pork, grilled hamburgers, this 3 ingredient meal with chicken, rice & chicken broth, and don't forget the turkey sandwiches. Wait - we do go get Mexican food on Friday nights. And, oh yeah, the other night I decided to make blueberry pancakes for dinner. And margaritas. Add that to the list.
So, my new job in life is to branch out and learn to cook. I will expand outside of our long list of routine meals. Maybe I'll try something besides chicken.
The frustration that I have with most of the cookbooks is that they have TONS of ingredients. And, most of them are things that I've never seen before, much less know where to find in the grocery store. If I haven't seen them in the grocery store, I definitely don't have them in my pantry. So, I need to find easy to prepare meals with no more than 10 ingredients. That is going to be my focus atleast a few nights while Dennis is out of town. Who knows - he may return from his trip and find a new, cooking-crazed wife waiting for him. Probably not, but at least I can try a few new things. I'll see if Kelly wants to come over this week and try some of my fancy meals. Maybe I'll fix her a meal from the back of the Bisquick box.
This is a committment that I am taking very seriously. To prove it, after Dennis and I had our conversation about me needing to learn to cook, I went to http://www.bettycrocker.com/ and signed up for a weekly e-newsletter on easy-to-prepare meals. Now, if that isn't dedication, I don't want what is.
Every single one of my friends knows that I am a sucker for icing. Cake icing. Cupcake icing. Icing right out of the container. Homemade icing. I will happily scrape the icing off of just about anything. The cake isn't all that important - the icing is what counts.
Dennis is going on a Austin, TX for several days for a meeting. Earlier today he asked me a very good question: "What are you going to eat while I'm out of town?"
Without much thought, I replied, "turkey sandwiches".
"Do you realize that isn't normal? It isn't normal to have turkey sandwiches for 5 nights in a row. It's also not normal to have wine and icing as a meal."
"I wasn't going to eat just wine and icing for dinner... there would probably be a turkey sandwich before that."
I smiled and we both laughed but I came to an important realization: I need to learn how to cook. Don't get me wrong, I mean, Dennis and I have a wide variety of meals during the average week: grilled chicken, canned vegetables, shake-n-bake chicken or pork, grilled hamburgers, this 3 ingredient meal with chicken, rice & chicken broth, and don't forget the turkey sandwiches. Wait - we do go get Mexican food on Friday nights. And, oh yeah, the other night I decided to make blueberry pancakes for dinner. And margaritas. Add that to the list.
So, my new job in life is to branch out and learn to cook. I will expand outside of our long list of routine meals. Maybe I'll try something besides chicken.
The frustration that I have with most of the cookbooks is that they have TONS of ingredients. And, most of them are things that I've never seen before, much less know where to find in the grocery store. If I haven't seen them in the grocery store, I definitely don't have them in my pantry. So, I need to find easy to prepare meals with no more than 10 ingredients. That is going to be my focus atleast a few nights while Dennis is out of town. Who knows - he may return from his trip and find a new, cooking-crazed wife waiting for him. Probably not, but at least I can try a few new things. I'll see if Kelly wants to come over this week and try some of my fancy meals. Maybe I'll fix her a meal from the back of the Bisquick box.
This is a committment that I am taking very seriously. To prove it, after Dennis and I had our conversation about me needing to learn to cook, I went to http://www.bettycrocker.com/ and signed up for a weekly e-newsletter on easy-to-prepare meals. Now, if that isn't dedication, I don't want what is.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Echo's Modeling Debut
As y'all know, Echo has done some commercials for Staples but she has decided to dabble in the world of print, as well. She is really brining in the big bucks now.
We routinely take Echo to PetSmart when we are out of town or when she just needs to work off some extra energy. They have "doggy day camp" which is basically one room with a bunch of dogs in it and an employee or two with water guns to spray any dogs that act up.
We came home from Pawley's Island several weeks ago and a day or two after that, a litle surprise showed up in the mail. We got a picture of Echo and a frisbee. I think that the photo is cute (even though we don't condone dressing up dogs). Dennis pointed out that apparently once you spend a billion dollars at that store, they mail you a photo of your own pet and a frisbee.
I'm just not quite sure how they got her to sit still for the picture. That hand in back must be holding her pretty tightly.
We routinely take Echo to PetSmart when we are out of town or when she just needs to work off some extra energy. They have "doggy day camp" which is basically one room with a bunch of dogs in it and an employee or two with water guns to spray any dogs that act up.
We came home from Pawley's Island several weeks ago and a day or two after that, a litle surprise showed up in the mail. We got a picture of Echo and a frisbee. I think that the photo is cute (even though we don't condone dressing up dogs). Dennis pointed out that apparently once you spend a billion dollars at that store, they mail you a photo of your own pet and a frisbee.
I'm just not quite sure how they got her to sit still for the picture. That hand in back must be holding her pretty tightly.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Voice
It's weird. When I am walking along, minding my own business, I often hear a voice over-- the best that I can describe it is that it's like Grey's Anatomy when Dr. Grey sums up the entire show at the end of the episode. I'm not kidding - and I'm not crazy (atleast that is what the voice says). It's just this voice that helps me to see things from a more broad perspective. I know, I know, on one had you want an example of what this voice says and on the other hand you are wondering what type of medications I need, or if I should increase the dose of my current meds, etc. Well, I'll give you an example and we'll go from there.
Today I had this "voice over" of how everyone has their thing. The reason for this topic is quite possibly because I was fretting about my current (almost) non-pregnant state (more on that later) and how I really want to know that somewhere, somehow, someone is keeping score. I want to know that while other peoples lives may seem perfect, that they are probably dealing with challenges, too. It makes me feel better to know Dennis and I are not the only ones with a thing. I feel more prepared and capable of dealing with it if others have had to deal with similarly challenging situations and succeeded. If they can do it, we can do it.
While at lunch today with one of my girlfriends, we were catching up about some of our mutual friends and acquaintances. One of which is a very sweet, out-going, smart girl. I was excited to hear that she is newly engaged but then sad to hear that her future husband's illness is progressing and althought he is dealing with his disease in the best way he knows how, he won't get better. Another one: another friend of mine is dealing with bad boyfriend #189,123. All she wants to do is to find Mr. Right and all she can find is Mr. Right Now. One more: a girlfriend recently had a baby and has seen an entirely new side of her husband since the baby was born - - a side that she doesn't think that she likes. It is definitely fair to say that each of these people have a thing right now. Very different things, but still a thing. We all have a thing at one time or another.
I didn't intend to list only people with things that have to do with men, but that does seem to be the common thread... (you can come to your own conclusion). Seriously, though, everyone has a thing and I think what makes us who we are is if we have the thing or if the thing has us and what we learn along the way. Am I a pregnancy-challenged woman or a woman with pregnancy challenges? The difference is ownership. Who owns who. For the last year, I hate to say that pregnancy-challenged has owned me. It has, and I need to focus on owning it. Not the other way around. We all deal with problems and that's the game of life. I just always like to win (and to not be forced to wait to win). This life lesson on patience and faith is going to help me now and later in life. I just wish we could we hurry up the whole process.
Plus, one part of my life that I would never trade for anything is Dennis. I have many positives in my life (besides being positively hilarious) and that should count for something. For a lot of somethings.
So, I need to own it. That's the lesson of the day. At least, that is what the voice says.
Today I had this "voice over" of how everyone has their thing. The reason for this topic is quite possibly because I was fretting about my current (almost) non-pregnant state (more on that later) and how I really want to know that somewhere, somehow, someone is keeping score. I want to know that while other peoples lives may seem perfect, that they are probably dealing with challenges, too. It makes me feel better to know Dennis and I are not the only ones with a thing. I feel more prepared and capable of dealing with it if others have had to deal with similarly challenging situations and succeeded. If they can do it, we can do it.
While at lunch today with one of my girlfriends, we were catching up about some of our mutual friends and acquaintances. One of which is a very sweet, out-going, smart girl. I was excited to hear that she is newly engaged but then sad to hear that her future husband's illness is progressing and althought he is dealing with his disease in the best way he knows how, he won't get better. Another one: another friend of mine is dealing with bad boyfriend #189,123. All she wants to do is to find Mr. Right and all she can find is Mr. Right Now. One more: a girlfriend recently had a baby and has seen an entirely new side of her husband since the baby was born - - a side that she doesn't think that she likes. It is definitely fair to say that each of these people have a thing right now. Very different things, but still a thing. We all have a thing at one time or another.
I didn't intend to list only people with things that have to do with men, but that does seem to be the common thread... (you can come to your own conclusion). Seriously, though, everyone has a thing and I think what makes us who we are is if we have the thing or if the thing has us and what we learn along the way. Am I a pregnancy-challenged woman or a woman with pregnancy challenges? The difference is ownership. Who owns who. For the last year, I hate to say that pregnancy-challenged has owned me. It has, and I need to focus on owning it. Not the other way around. We all deal with problems and that's the game of life. I just always like to win (and to not be forced to wait to win). This life lesson on patience and faith is going to help me now and later in life. I just wish we could we hurry up the whole process.
Plus, one part of my life that I would never trade for anything is Dennis. I have many positives in my life (besides being positively hilarious) and that should count for something. For a lot of somethings.
So, I need to own it. That's the lesson of the day. At least, that is what the voice says.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Video of the Weird: Savannah's Acid Woman
From time to time I come across videos of the weird so I am going to try to post one each week for your viewing pleasure. There are way too many people out there doing stupid things for me to not do this...that would just be irresponsible. Plus, I really like making fun of other people.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Kenny Chesney Concert
10:00 am: While waiting for Rachel & Brian at the Ritz , Dennis gets a part-time gig as a parking lot attendant.
8:00 pm: We are enjoying ourselves (and the fact that it had finished raining) as we are getting ready for Kenny Chesney to take the stage. Brooks and Dunn were just about to wrap up. It's amazing how quickly the stadium is filling up now that the weather has improved.
9:00 pm: Kenny Chesney takes the stage! His performance is awesome! No Shirt. No Shoes. No problem. Rachel bought Brian these tickets for his 30th birthday. Judging by the pictures, it looks like Rachel got him a gift that he really enjoyed!
11:00 pm: Grab a cab outside the stadium and head home.
10:30 am: Enter first parking lot to find an awesome parking spot near the porta-pottie, a grassy area for the tent and Turner Field.
10:35 am: Set up tent. Starts to rain.
10:36 am: The Parking Lot Supervisor (PLS) came over to tell us that tents are not allowed on Turner lots. He cannot explain the "why" behind the policy, it just is the policy. He doesn't really look like the typical Kenny Chesney fan so it's probably safe to assume that he doesn't realize that tailgating with a tent is a key part of the Kenny Chesney concert experience. Kenny would not be happy about this.
10:36 am: The Parking Lot Supervisor (PLS) came over to tell us that tents are not allowed on Turner lots. He cannot explain the "why" behind the policy, it just is the policy. He doesn't really look like the typical Kenny Chesney fan so it's probably safe to assume that he doesn't realize that tailgating with a tent is a key part of the Kenny Chesney concert experience. Kenny would not be happy about this.
10:37-11:00 am: Pretend to be reading the directions on how to take down the tent as PLS passes us and then open up some Smirnoff Ice Light's and Brian starts slicing a lime for his Corona. PLS returns and we decide that we need to find a new parking lot. Begin packing up the tent, table, etc. Rachel and I are really excited at this point.
11:00 am: We're officially the first people to enter this "gypsy" lot but they allow tents and are close to Turner Field, porta-potties, and plenty of grass. So, we're set. Unload car (again) and open another Smirnoff Ice Light. The rain is really coming down now. I thought that we were in a drought??
12:00 pm: Looks like it's clearing off. Look - you can see a little blue through the clouds, can't you? Brian pulls out his stereo and keeps the tunes going so we have some entertainment as we all huddle in the middle of the tent, drink, and dance (the bend-your-knees-and-sing-dance).
1:30 pm: The sun makes its first appearance of the day. Hooray! The people parked next to us pulled out their beer bong, Dennis & Brian start playing Corn Hole, and Rachel and I continue to entertain ourselves. It looks like it is going to be a beautiful day afterall! Karaeoke begins and Brian quickly takes the microphone.
2:00 pm: Ahh...another down pour. We scramble to put everything under the tent and in the car as the monsoon continues.
3:00 pm: Dance party in the next tent. We dance and enjoy the company of our new friends.
5:00 pm: Pack up and we're off to the concert! LeAnn Rimes has been performing for a while now.
5:15 pm: Stand in the first of many lines to get 4 beers for the great price of $28! We find our seats and then decide that we could probably get seats closer to the stage so we mosey down and see what we can find. We try to sneak onto the field and Rachel is the only one who was able to get past the guards. So, we end up sitting just a few rows back from the field which was still very close to the stage.
8:00 pm: We are enjoying ourselves (and the fact that it had finished raining) as we are getting ready for Kenny Chesney to take the stage. Brooks and Dunn were just about to wrap up. It's amazing how quickly the stadium is filling up now that the weather has improved.
9:00 pm: Kenny Chesney takes the stage! His performance is awesome! No Shirt. No Shoes. No problem. Rachel bought Brian these tickets for his 30th birthday. Judging by the pictures, it looks like Rachel got him a gift that he really enjoyed!
11:00 pm: Grab a cab outside the stadium and head home.
11:20 pm: Ask the cab driver to take us through Krystals on our way home.
11:30 pm: Cab driver drops us off, we devour our food and dive into bed.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Happy (almost) 30 1/2 birthday Dennis!
Dennis turned the big 3-0 on February 12th, 2008. We decided that the best way to celebrate was to have a "White Trash Birthday Bash" at our house. That way our friends didn't have to go out and buy a new outfit for the party - - they could just wear their normal attire.
From the twinkies, ding-dongs, Easy Cheese and dirt cake to the mullets, sleeveless and tattoed crowd that showed up at our house, you would've thought that this was just a normal night of beer pong (in the garage, of course) and hanging out. But, it wasn't. It was a celebration for Dennis' step into the "thirty-somethings". He is officially 3 decades wise, funny, sweet, good-looking, and smart. As a 29-year old, I cannot imagine how it must feel to be that accomplished.
I have been meaning to ask him...is 30 the year that we become "mature"? I sure hope not.
On second thought, I probably don't need to ask him that question. Based on these pictures, it's pretty safe to assume that we are a long (long, long, long) way from reaching the m-word.
From the twinkies, ding-dongs, Easy Cheese and dirt cake to the mullets, sleeveless and tattoed crowd that showed up at our house, you would've thought that this was just a normal night of beer pong (in the garage, of course) and hanging out. But, it wasn't. It was a celebration for Dennis' step into the "thirty-somethings". He is officially 3 decades wise, funny, sweet, good-looking, and smart. As a 29-year old, I cannot imagine how it must feel to be that accomplished.
I have been meaning to ask him...is 30 the year that we become "mature"? I sure hope not.
On second thought, I probably don't need to ask him that question. Based on these pictures, it's pretty safe to assume that we are a long (long, long, long) way from reaching the m-word.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Important Safety Rules
Megan just sent this to me and I have to post it because this is very funny. Please take a minute to read it all the way through (click on the box on the top right of the screen to make it larger in case you cannot read size 2 font or just click on the link below).
http://www.scribd.com/doc/314966/Things-You-Should-Know-Before-A-Terror-Attack
http://www.scribd.com/doc/314966/Things-You-Should-Know-Before-A-Terror-Attack
Read this document on Scribd: Things You Should Know Before A Terror Attack
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Dennis - come home!
Monday, July 7, 2008
The ticket of the century
In honor of Dave, who routinely posts a "Ticket of the Day", I am posting The Ticket of the Century. This movie ticket deserves this title because it was the first official date for Dennis and me.
Here is the story. We officially met several nights earlier when Phil invited me to join their gang for a night out on the town. We hit it off immediately and Dennis asked for my phone number.
Dennis called several days later and asked me to join him and a few of his friends for a movie on Sunday night. Of course I said "yes".
Dennis picked me up and we headed to the theatre to see "A Beautiful Mind". I was running a few minutes late because Niki and I were just getting back into town so we met up with Phil and Dave right after the previews started. I now know that the previews are one of the main reasons that Dennis likes to go to the movies. But, he didn't mention it that night.
I was incredibly excited to see him and thought that I was in heaven when Dennis held my hand during the movie. After the movie, I was sad (the day-after-Christmas-type-of-sad) because I was enjoying being with Dennis and his friends. I obviously did not want the night to end and Dennis did not either because he then asked me to go with them to Rio Bravo for a bite to eat. Of course, we had to eat! After we finished eating our mexican food, he asked if I wanted to watch another movie with them at their Dunwoody house. Yes - I would LOVE to watch another movie! Dennis now knows that I am not really a movie person. But, I didn't mention it that night. I was having too much fun to notice how ridicilously late we were going to be up together if we watched another movie.
While we were watching the 2nd movie (neither of us can recall the name of it) Dennis held my hand in front of all of his roommates. I tried really hard to contain my grin this time since we were all sitting in the living room but I'm sure that everyone could see how happy I was.
It was a late Sunday night for me but an even later Sunday night for Dennis because he drove me all the way across town and then he drove himself back to Dunwoody after the movies. It was a long night, but one of the best nights in my life.
Here is the story. We officially met several nights earlier when Phil invited me to join their gang for a night out on the town. We hit it off immediately and Dennis asked for my phone number.
Dennis called several days later and asked me to join him and a few of his friends for a movie on Sunday night. Of course I said "yes".
Dennis picked me up and we headed to the theatre to see "A Beautiful Mind". I was running a few minutes late because Niki and I were just getting back into town so we met up with Phil and Dave right after the previews started. I now know that the previews are one of the main reasons that Dennis likes to go to the movies. But, he didn't mention it that night.
I was incredibly excited to see him and thought that I was in heaven when Dennis held my hand during the movie. After the movie, I was sad (the day-after-Christmas-type-of-sad) because I was enjoying being with Dennis and his friends. I obviously did not want the night to end and Dennis did not either because he then asked me to go with them to Rio Bravo for a bite to eat. Of course, we had to eat! After we finished eating our mexican food, he asked if I wanted to watch another movie with them at their Dunwoody house. Yes - I would LOVE to watch another movie! Dennis now knows that I am not really a movie person. But, I didn't mention it that night. I was having too much fun to notice how ridicilously late we were going to be up together if we watched another movie.
While we were watching the 2nd movie (neither of us can recall the name of it) Dennis held my hand in front of all of his roommates. I tried really hard to contain my grin this time since we were all sitting in the living room but I'm sure that everyone could see how happy I was.
It was a late Sunday night for me but an even later Sunday night for Dennis because he drove me all the way across town and then he drove himself back to Dunwoody after the movies. It was a long night, but one of the best nights in my life.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Celebrity News
Jamie - Dennis and I wish you the best of luck in Arizona. We'll miss you and look forward to seeing you again at Josh & Maya's wedding (or hopefully sooner). Atlanta radio will never be the same!
Chad Jennings is an awesome name and we wish y'all the best.
I hope that Arizona is everything you want it to be. Good luck and we'll miss you!
http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/radiotalk/entries/2008/07/03/74_cledus_t_jud.html
In other celebrity news....
We just found out that The Atlanta Braves welcomed Jason Perry to the team - and he lives in our neighborhood (for right now, anyway)!
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080704&content_id=3064760&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Chad Jennings is an awesome name and we wish y'all the best.
I hope that Arizona is everything you want it to be. Good luck and we'll miss you!
http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/radiotalk/entries/2008/07/03/74_cledus_t_jud.html
In other celebrity news....
We just found out that The Atlanta Braves welcomed Jason Perry to the team - and he lives in our neighborhood (for right now, anyway)!
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080704&content_id=3064760&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Friday, July 4, 2008
Celebrating the 4th of July
This is the first year that I have been in Atlanta over the 4th of July without participating in the Peachtree Road Race. Dennis and I actually submitted our applications, sent in our money, and then decided that we'd rather sell our tickets to the Peachtree Road Race on eBay in exchange for buying some Kenny Chesney tickets for next weekend. So, here I am - - at home in the AM on the 4th of July.
Last year was quite a different story. First of all, it was the first time that Dennis ever ran the race - and he did a great job. He ran the entire thing! At the completion of the race, at Piedmont Park, you can purchase an "all you can drink" ticket at Park Tavern for the hefty price of $10. So, we took full advantage of that at 9:30 in the morning. After all, we just ran 6.2 miles and were very thirsty.
People came and went, came and went, but we stayed right where we were. Around 1pm, they started kicking people out (the 4 of us were really the only ones remaining). We were frustrated, though, because there was a lot of beer left and we weren't finished getting our $10 worth of beverages. So, very sneakily (or so we thought), we stuffed as many beers into my backpack as we could and then went right outside the doors to Park Tavern and continued to drink in Piedmont Park, which is entirely legal, I'm sure.
We had a lot of fun and were glad that Caroline and Ryan joined us for all of the festivities. They met up with us around 10am and we all stumbled into a cab around 2pm.
Oh yeah, Dennis "won" a free Chick-fil-a t-shirt during the race and proudly displayed his winnings all day.
Last year was quite a different story. First of all, it was the first time that Dennis ever ran the race - and he did a great job. He ran the entire thing! At the completion of the race, at Piedmont Park, you can purchase an "all you can drink" ticket at Park Tavern for the hefty price of $10. So, we took full advantage of that at 9:30 in the morning. After all, we just ran 6.2 miles and were very thirsty.
People came and went, came and went, but we stayed right where we were. Around 1pm, they started kicking people out (the 4 of us were really the only ones remaining). We were frustrated, though, because there was a lot of beer left and we weren't finished getting our $10 worth of beverages. So, very sneakily (or so we thought), we stuffed as many beers into my backpack as we could and then went right outside the doors to Park Tavern and continued to drink in Piedmont Park, which is entirely legal, I'm sure.
We had a lot of fun and were glad that Caroline and Ryan joined us for all of the festivities. They met up with us around 10am and we all stumbled into a cab around 2pm.
Oh yeah, Dennis "won" a free Chick-fil-a t-shirt during the race and proudly displayed his winnings all day.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Still Pregnant. Sort-of.
Ok, so I'm still sort-of pregnant. Since I had a miscarriage in May, I have been going in to have my blood drawn once a week to see what my "pregnancy level" is and to see when we can move on and focus on trying again. I guess your pregnancy test has to be a 0 for you to pass GO and collect $200. So, my pregnancy test has been coming back lower and lower - which is good, but not good enough. My test came back at 7,000 the first part of June and has gone down by almost half each week. I'm now down to 267. If we keep going down by 50%, this could take forever. And, since I'm the most patient person in the world, I am really excited about how s-l-o-w-l-y my body is working to get to 0. I wanted to pass GO yesterday! I won't even take the $200! Just get to 0!!
Once my tests come back like they should, it will still be several months before we can try another round of IVF. It's amazing how much of a detailed process it is when getting ready for a 2nd round of IVF. I thought that if IVF didn't work, you just waited a few weeks and tried again. Nope. Apparently you have to wait at least several months to maybe move forward.
I have tried not to post too much about our baby-making challenges, but it's pretty much all that I can think about every day...every minute. It's always on my mind so I made the official decision that it's OK for me to write about it as much as I want to. It's therapeutic in a way, too. And, people don't have to read it if they don't want to. It's that simple.
Since I obviously fail to focus on many (or any) things outside of this, I am constantly trying to convince myself that it's OK and that things will work out well for us. I know that they will, but it's really hard to go through all of this and then see people get pregnant without even thinking about it. It's not fair and it's really hard. That statement may seem to suggest that I believe life is fair but believe me, I know better than that. I guess it would make me feel better to think that there is some magical scorebook out there keeping track of who gets breaks and who doesn't and then makes sure that everyone ends up with an even score over time. I think we'd be due a break - or 20. It's no fun to feel like you keep trying and putting so much effort into the game, only to find out someone else won a long time ago without putting forth any energy.
Starting a family is in no way a game, but I do feel like Dennis and I should be ready to cash in our chips or have a break come our way. Despite how this post seems, I really do try to be positive and to look on the bright side of things. I really do. But, at this particular point, I am tired. I'm tired of trying and I'm tired of thinking about this. I'm tired of dreaming and praying so hard that we will get pregnant. I'm tired of going to doctor appointments every week. I'm tired of getting stressed about how much all of this stuff costs. I'm tired of pretending to be all smiles when I am feeling just the opposite. I'm tired of talking about it. I just want to pass GO.
Once my tests come back like they should, it will still be several months before we can try another round of IVF. It's amazing how much of a detailed process it is when getting ready for a 2nd round of IVF. I thought that if IVF didn't work, you just waited a few weeks and tried again. Nope. Apparently you have to wait at least several months to maybe move forward.
I have tried not to post too much about our baby-making challenges, but it's pretty much all that I can think about every day...every minute. It's always on my mind so I made the official decision that it's OK for me to write about it as much as I want to. It's therapeutic in a way, too. And, people don't have to read it if they don't want to. It's that simple.
Since I obviously fail to focus on many (or any) things outside of this, I am constantly trying to convince myself that it's OK and that things will work out well for us. I know that they will, but it's really hard to go through all of this and then see people get pregnant without even thinking about it. It's not fair and it's really hard. That statement may seem to suggest that I believe life is fair but believe me, I know better than that. I guess it would make me feel better to think that there is some magical scorebook out there keeping track of who gets breaks and who doesn't and then makes sure that everyone ends up with an even score over time. I think we'd be due a break - or 20. It's no fun to feel like you keep trying and putting so much effort into the game, only to find out someone else won a long time ago without putting forth any energy.
Starting a family is in no way a game, but I do feel like Dennis and I should be ready to cash in our chips or have a break come our way. Despite how this post seems, I really do try to be positive and to look on the bright side of things. I really do. But, at this particular point, I am tired. I'm tired of trying and I'm tired of thinking about this. I'm tired of dreaming and praying so hard that we will get pregnant. I'm tired of going to doctor appointments every week. I'm tired of getting stressed about how much all of this stuff costs. I'm tired of pretending to be all smiles when I am feeling just the opposite. I'm tired of talking about it. I just want to pass GO.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Big Balls
Dennis' comment: "I love the big balls."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H82oVFBbuTg
I have got to find a way to get on this show. Awesome.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H82oVFBbuTg
I have got to find a way to get on this show. Awesome.
I'll have a Shirley Temple, please
While perusing the Internet for "celebrity Republicans" in hopes that I could find some rich and famous people that are also smart, I came across Shirley Temple's name. Her name brought a smile to my face because I remember drinking Shirley Temples while at dinner parties with my parents. They made me feel important because I had a drink that came with a cherry in it. What more could a girl ask for?
So, I've always had a fondness for anything Shirley Temple because of this wonderful drink (ginger ale, grenadine syrup, and orange juice garnished with a maraschino cherry). But now, I have a new reason to like this famous lady. Did you know that Shirley Temple ventured into the world of politics in the 1960's? In 1967, she ran for Congress on a platform urging more American involvement in Vietnam War. She lost the election, but remained active in Republican politics, and was named by Nixon to serve as a US representative the United Nations. She was later an ambassador to Ghana and during the Ford administration, she was the first female Chief of Protocol for the White House. She also served as a Foreign Affairs officer for the State Department under Ronald Reagan who had played her romantic interest in That Hagen Girl four decades earlier.
So now I officially have another reason to admire this great lady. Her political stance definitely adds to my list of reasons for liking Shirley Temple but the #1 reason is because she has great dimples...
So, I've always had a fondness for anything Shirley Temple because of this wonderful drink (ginger ale, grenadine syrup, and orange juice garnished with a maraschino cherry). But now, I have a new reason to like this famous lady. Did you know that Shirley Temple ventured into the world of politics in the 1960's? In 1967, she ran for Congress on a platform urging more American involvement in Vietnam War. She lost the election, but remained active in Republican politics, and was named by Nixon to serve as a US representative the United Nations. She was later an ambassador to Ghana and during the Ford administration, she was the first female Chief of Protocol for the White House. She also served as a Foreign Affairs officer for the State Department under Ronald Reagan who had played her romantic interest in That Hagen Girl four decades earlier.
So now I officially have another reason to admire this great lady. Her political stance definitely adds to my list of reasons for liking Shirley Temple but the #1 reason is because she has great dimples...
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