Vodka = Kiss



Courtesy of M2 Photography



Courtesy of Rob Upton Photography



On June 10th, 2006 my hubby and I said "I do".  What a better way to spend our 6th anniversary together at my dear friend's wedding in PA!  I am so honored to be able to share the day with her.  I believe that June 10th is a very lucky day to get married.  I mean, my hubby and I have an awesome marriage, so they should too.  It's all in the day. :)

Courtesy of M2 Photography

This wedding was epic.  I mean of legendary status.  There was a lot of drinking, and a lot of dancing.  It was the most interesting wedding I have ever attended.  It was a mix of two very different cultures, Russian and well, American.  They had the most food/courses I have ever seen!  The whole event was beautiful.  My friend looked amazing.  Her husband looked amazing.  The bridesmaids looked amazing (and yes, I was one of the lucky girls standing up for her).  The groomsmen were hilarious.  They had this thing about high heels and felt the need to tell me about it alllll night.  They didn't get it - I don't wear high heels.  Cannot walk in them, dance in them or well...wear them.

The reason for the title.  The band leader was trying to teach us some Russian.  He said that if we said the word "groyka (I am sure the spelling is completely wrong and maybe even the word) that would mean kiss and the bride and groom would have to kiss.  He said it kind of sounds like vodka, so if you say vodka...it's the same thing.  Of course, with a few drinks (and some vodka), I just kept yelling VODKA for them to kiss.  It worked! :)
It was a very busy weekend.  We had a great time with great friends and family. 
I was also very lucky to share in a surprise baby shower for my wonderful friends.  I am so excited for their baby to arrive. 
All in all, it was a very awesome weekend.  To my hubby of 6 years, thank you for the best 6 years ever.  Here is to many, many more happy years together.  To my friends who now share our anniversary, may you have many happy years ahead, filled with laughter and love.



Courtesy of M2 Photography

Courtesy of M2 Photography

Remember

Today is a sad day.  Around 1:45pm my time, I learned that a great friend's father passed away.  He had been in the hospital, and had his ups and downs.  People always say to remember the good times and the fun memories of those you loved.  So today, that is what I am going to do. 
My friend's dad was always so happy and smiling.  When my friend and I started to hang out in high school, I worked at Weis.  The competition to where my friend worked.  His dad however, shopped at my store (that is right because we were more awesome).  Everytime he came in, he always stopped and talked to me.  Never in a hurry, never a "hey" and run.  He always, always took the time to talk.  Always asked how I was doing, how my family was.  It was so nice.  Always had a smile on his face and joking around. 
Even when I went away to college, and came back to work at the store, he always remembered me and took time out to chat.  He was so friendly and it always  made my day of work that much better.
This past New Years, we had the honor of going to my friends house and spend it with him, his wife and his family.  We had so much fun that night, we even got his dad to do a shot with us.  We played games, told stories, watched the ball drop.  It was a really great New Years.  Never in a million years would I have thought it would be the last time I would get to see him.
It is days like today that make me look back and realize how great my life has been.  The friendships I have made, the families that I have had the chance to get to know and enjoy.  My friend's father was a great person, a loving person, and I am a much better person because I was able to know him.
Many thoughts, prayers, and love go out to his family now.  May you find comfort knowing he will be missed by many and remember him for the loving, genuine person he was.
In Memory of Mr. G. 05/21/12.

Summer Time

Ah, summer is almost here.  It has been nice and sunny and warm the past few days.  Summer is by far my favorite season.  I love the sun and warmth.  I love the smell of people grilling and sitting outside with cold beverages in hand.
I just put together a huge fruit salad.  Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapes, Bananas and Pineapple.  That is another great thing about summer time, fresh fruit is in season.  Same with ice cream.  I love ice cream all year round, but there is just something about getting ice cream on a warm summer night.
Today would be my perfect summer day.  First my hubby and I went golfing.  Now, I made my huge fruit salad, my hubby is grilling chicken and we are watching the Phillies on the TV.  Ah, baseball is back.  The Phils aren't doing really great right now, but they are doing okay.  Hopefully, Utley and  Howard get back in the line-up soon.
Well, back to enjoying my favorite time of year.  I hope you are all enjoying your night too.  Here is to the best summer yet. :)

New Hobby

I am trying to make an effort of blogging more.  I am really trying. :)

A few weeks ago, I turned 31.  I had the BEST birthday ever.  My hubby really spoils me...of course I don't mind. 

I went to work like every other day, but I took a half day, so I left at noon.  My hubby and in-laws bought me a golf set for my birthday.  Now, before he bought this for me, I have only gone golfing twice before.  Always using his clubs, which are for men, too heavy and too long.  He got me my very own set, made for women and they are a pretty blue sparkly color.  My length and not heavy at all.  So on my half day off, what did we do?  We went golfing.  We drove to Macon, MO and tried out their course.  It's a 9 -hole course.  It's really pretty nice, well kept.  It's weird they don't have anyone working the club house and they go on an honor system.  Basically, you write your name down on a sheet of paper, you take the cart keys off the cork board and drop your money in an envelope on the first tee.  Then away we go.  It was a really warm day, sun mixed with clouds.  It was perfect.  It took a while getting used to my new clubs, and after I stopped trying to kill the ball - I actually didn't do half bad.  I figured out my 6-iron is my favorite club to use, and that my pitching wedge is the devil.  Man do I hate the pitching wedge.  Actually I like it just fine, it hates me.  I had a 67 in 9 holes, which for my 3rd time golfing ever isn't so bad.  Now, however, I am hooked.  I LOVE golfing.  It's my new favorite hobby and I want to leave work early every day to go.  It's addicting.  I also love riding around on the cart. 

After golf, we went to AJ's to eat dinner (and have a few drinks - remember celebrating my 10th reunion of my 21st birthday).  It was delicious.  The onion rings are so good there.  If you live in Missouri (Northeast) I highly suggest you go there.  It's awesome.  Or for my PA peeps who do or do not read my blog...if you come visit us ever...I will take you there.  You will love it.  Then we went to the movies to see The Hunger Games.  Very good movie, the books are so much better, but the movie is really good too.  Then we had ice cream cake for dessert.  Like I said, best birthday ever.  You are totally jealous now right?

Anyway, golfing is my new favorite hobby.  Since my birthday we have gone three times.  Even leaving work early one day last week to go.  Last week was my first week golfing 18 holes.  We walked the course that day, getting 5 miles of exercise too, score!  In 18 holes I finished with a 112, which I thought was pretty good, considering it was my 5th time golfing and 1st time golfing all 18 holes.  I had a 56 on the front and a 56 on the back nine.  Consistent. 

I am going to golf as much as possible so I get that much more awesome.  Then maybe when I retire I can join the seniors tour and make lots of money. Okay, that will never happen, but I really enjoy golf.  Something that I can still enjoy as I get older, and maybe one day join my dad and brother out on the golf course.  I also really enjoy the fact it's just another thing my hubby and I can do together.  I love hanging out with my hubby, he is my best friend.  :)  Thanks J and my awesome in-laws for my awesome birthday gift!  Thanks J also for my awesome birthday!  Love you.

CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

Hello to all my followers.  :)  I have been MIA for a while.  Let me explain...I have just been busy.  I have no real great explanation...just life I suppose.  Right now I am taking to classes and working full time, and volunteering.  I have a lot to talk about, but maybe I will stick to one subject at a time.

First, I think I will discuss changes.  Change is an interesting thing.  No one is really ready for it or necessarily excited for it...but yet it happens to all of us.  Usually for good, hopefully rarely for bad.  Change is hard to deal with sometimes.  For me, change makes me feel really old.  Maybe it's because in a week from today I will be celebrating my tenth reunion of my 21st birthday.  Right, for all the math people out there...I will be turning 31.  To me, age is really just a number.  Just another year gone by celebrating life.  You know that saying "you are only as old as you feel," well most of the time, I feel about 21.  Lately I am really starting to realize that I am no longer 21, and neither are my friends.

Last year my two good friends had babies.  My brother also had another baby.  He is younger than I am, and now has two children.  Our nieces are adorable.  I love them to pieces.  My friends babies are my nieces as well.  I love being an Aunt.  Seriously it has to be the best thing in the world.  I get to spoil them, buy them things, play and then go on my way and leave them with their parents.  When they are crying, or puking, or just sleeping.  I have found this is a really great thing, especially when you don't plan on having your own kids.  I get my fill of kid fun, then I return to my normalness of life. 

My good friends Jen and Josh are also expecting.  Last night we found out they are having a girl!  Which is very exiting.  I could not be happier for them both.

This change is really great though.  I cannot wait to meet their child, find out if he/she has red hair and see what type of personality he/she has.  I cannot wait to see who their child looks like.  While this officially makes me feel my age (on occasion), I am so happy to be another "Aunt" again.  I cannot wait to add another little person to our ever growing gang of friends.  This is one of those great changes in life.

Family

Yesterday was Thanksgiving.  I love Thanksgiving.  I mean, what is better than sitting at home stuffing yourself full of food, napping and watching football all day.  It's like the perfect holiday.  You can spend time with your family without worrying about presents.  Don't get me wrong, I love presents. :)  I especially love buying presents for people. If I were rich, I would just buy stuff for people all the time, not limit myself to just one day a year.
The holidays is a great time for families to get together and have a great time.  Yesterday I was with a great family, my husband of course, and our other PA native Josh.  It was a nice time with a small Kirksville family. 
Family is so important, and it's important to stay close to them not just on holidays.  I cannot wait to go home to PA for Christmas.  I am so blessed to have a great husband, an in-law family that I just adore, and my family who I love more than anything.  The holiday's is a great time to be thankful for all the wonderful things we are so blessed to have.  I am also so thankful for all of my awesome friends I have made over my 30 years of life.  Without them I don't think I would  be the person I am today.  I am thankful that I have gotten to know all of my friends families over the years as well.  They are so loving and supportive of not only their children, but their children's friends. 
I cannot wait to go home and see everyone.  As of today, the countdown is at 28 days.  Now, on to some Black Friday shopping.

October

Welcome, fall.  Even though as I write this today, it is sunny and 84 degrees here in Missouri.  Usually I am excited for October to arrive.  Halloween, orange and black decorations, beautiful fall colors surround me.  Usually I am excited for playoff baseball.  Not this year.
Last weekend started baseball playoffs.  I love it.  The Phillies have been hot, I mean they had the best record in baseball.  The last day of the season, the broke the franchise record and won 102 games.  They also knocked out the Braves from the playoffs.  Yet, they drew the short straw.  Their opponents in the first round...the St Louis Cardinals.  Ugh.  They got hot late, had great offense all season.  Yet, it shouldn't have been a match for the best pitching rotation in MLB right?  WRONG!  It was all wrong.  Living in Cardinal nation usually isn't a big deal.  But now that my team and their team were playing, it's all I freaking heard about.  People who don't normally stop in my office to say "hi", now stopping by to talk about baseball.  Seriously? 
J was already gearing up to lose the series.  His words "they are going to lose the first round of the playoffs and get knocked out by the Cards".  I didn't believe him, but then again I never do when it comes to sports.  He is more a pessimist, I on the other hand, am an optimist.  Always have been.  Believe they can pull it out at the end, as they have so many times before. 
Last night was game five of the series.  Winner moves on, loser starts their golf season earlier.  Phils main guy was pitching, Doc.  I mean he has been great all season, minus the first innings of games.  But, it's just the first inning right?  You still have 9 chances to come back.  And the game was at the Bank.  The 10th man would bring it.  He would be there.  He was one of the only ones to show up last night.
Everything was wrong, just wrong.  Doc had a typical first inning, the kind where he gives up runs early.  He gave up a triple with the lead off hitter.  Before you know it, they score.  The game is 1-0 Cardinals.  After that inning, Doc was himself.  Stellar, stopping any other Cardinals from crossing that plate.  Getting himself out of jams.  I thought, they have to come back right?  I mean, they are down by 1 run.  One swing of the bat can fix that.  I sat in my chair, hopeful, they wouldn't let me down.
I tried shifting, I tried waving my imaginary rally towel.  We even ate the same dinner we did when they won in game 3.  Another must win game.
By now, everyone knows how it ends.  The Phils did not come back.  Ryan Howard, ending the season like he did last...by not getting a hit.  On top of that, he tears his achillies tendon.  Great.
My hubby, I love him, but he gets a little crazy.  He is in a funk, and probably won't get out for a while.  I understand.  We all bleed Red in the summer, Green in the fall, Orange through the winter.  We are passionate.  We are all passionate.  Are we too passionate?  Some might say maybe.  Maybe we are crazy when we live this much through our sports.  We are up when they win, but when they break our hearts...man are we down.  Probably more down than the players themselves.  They put our emotions on a rollercoaster.  You think they know the ride they force us on? 
Last year when the Phils lost to the Giants in the NLCS...we cleaned and rearranged the living room furniture.  My husband just had to do something, anything.  I must say it looks really nice.  Last night, he was ready to move again.  So there we were at 12:30 am starting to rearrange our bedroom.  Something we haven't done since I moved out here 5 years ago (rearranged that is, not cleaned).  I wonder if cleaning and moving is a way we deal with all the emotions.  Clean our slate, get it out, wipe it down, so we can start all over again in April.  I must say though, I love the way we arranged our furniture.  It looks so nice.
While we finished after two am, I was up early today to go support the organization I volunteer for in the homecoming parade through town.  Today is Truman's homecoming.  The parade started at 9 am, but we had to check in and be there by 7:15.  I am tired.  And as I sit here, the sting of last nights game has not yet gone away.  Like I said I live in Card Nation, and I had about a half dozen people apologize to me during the parade today.  Really, you bring it up already?  Luckily I can let it go easily.  I mean being a fan of Philadelphia sports, you get used to say "well, there is always next year".  Maybe I, we, are not lucky enough to feel the high of more than one championship in our life time.  I mean, they did just win in 2008...what were we expecting anyway, a dynasty?  We aren't the Cardinals, or the Yankees.  Afterall, we are just Philly fans.
Luckily for me, the Eagles and the Flyers are in season now.  Time to bleed Green/Orange and give probably too much of my life riding this crazy rollercoaster of sport fandom.  For some strange reason, I wouldn't want it any other way.