Pitching In For Kids!

This is the name of one of the charities that Johnny Damon and Tim Wakefield (of the Boston Red Sox, in case you weren't sure...) support. Tonight is their big celebrity auction at the Comedy Connection in Boston and I'm going...it's my 3rd or 4th year helping out. A good friend of mine's mother really sets this bad boy up...it's a load of work that I don't think she gets enough credit for but that's another topic...

Last year I met Derek Lowe - I know he's no longer a BoSox but come on. That guy seriously had it going on...cute and all watching him play but meeting him up close and in person - there was a moment when I seriously had to walk away. I refuse to pull a 'Paris Hilton' here but boy, he was...ahhh...very good looking.

This year I have no idea who'll be there. I've met Mike Timlin before (love him) and a bunch of other guys...can't remember all their names here. Monday will be the actual celeb golf tournament that they all head out for...that's fun, too. Seeing as my friend's mom runs this shindig, she always gives me 'fun jobs' :)

Gotta leave work early to get to the CC tonight so that's all for now...I'll try and update you tomorrow if I saw anybody tonight! Have a good one...

Word choice...

always intrigues me. Whether it's what a person is saying/answering or how they are wording a question, it just fascinates me. I honestly don't think people realize how much they say about themselves with the words they choose.

I had a boyfriend once who used to always make a 'judgement call' of sorts by how people asked questions...did the person dig a little deeper or go for the obvious question when in a given situation? He was a pretty intense guy...

My mom always pounded into us how ignorant people sounded when they swore. To this day, I completely agree with that sentiment. Now, I say this, but hey, I have to admit, I can be ignorant. But when I do swear, boy, do I hear my mom's voice telling me exactly what I sound like.

My sister emailed this morning - the one getting remarried. I have honestly made peace with it all. I mean, thanks to some prayer, sharing with friends, and even comments made by you, the blogfriends I've been blessed with...I trust she's making a good decision & am honestly happy about it.

What triggered this post, though, was her word choice for the subject line of this morning's email. 'Happy at last...' was what she wrote. Gosh, I am so female sometimes it hurts. I can take that phrase and read into it just about 4,378 meanings.

But I don't want to...I just had the most amazing birthday celebration weekend (which started Thursday evening, JR!)with friends that have seen me through literally - the best and worst points of my life...here a muchloved sister of mine is experiencing such a bright joy after going through an incredibly dark time...I am going to join in that sunshiney time with her...I think I need a good dose of it.

Here's to you finding your good dose of sunshine, too. Take care...

The year of the good birthday...

No, make that 'The year of the GREAT birthday'...

Maybe it's the whole 'what you appreciate changes as you age' or that I'm realizing what really makes me tick...but this birthday was my absolute favorite...

Growing up birthdays were 'important' in a sense...I mean, they certainly weren't overlooked or forgotten in any sense of those words. There were years when I actually had a 'party' and then, as I got into high school, had some surprises thrown at me that still make me laugh when I remember them. (I have some incredible friends...really, I do.)

This year, though, the entire day was just amazing...amazing in that it held everything I love about life.

I got up around 7 ish and did some things around my place. My former roomie isn't quite fully moved out yet so I packed up a few things for her and packed it in my car seeing as she and hubby invited me over for a 'Birthday Breakfast' :) On the way over, I stopped and got some beach toys for our other girlfriends' kiddos. Got to their place and had a yummy breakfast, chatted it up some with B, P's hubby (love this guy - so kind & thoughtful - just what P needs) Then B said he'd take care of the cleanup so we could hit the road!

P & I made our way down to CT on one of the most goregous summer days I can remember! It was perfect weather...we get to this little lake/camping area that my girlfriend, D, and her family stay at. We spend the afternoon on the shore of this lake and have the best time...kids had a blast! There was this 25ft slide that the three of us went down - in honor of my 35th! Just flippin' hilarious. So fun, we went down a couple more times, too!

Then we got to D's home, showered, got ready for dinner...I have to say, I like clothes and all but I found this FABULOUS skirt...black with purple, Indian stitching and silver accent. Iloveit. SO did P & D...in fact, we all looked pretty hot...so we made our way to this restaurant in Hartford called 'Hot Tomatoes' that was incredible. It was such great summer weather, we ate outside on the patio. For our food selections, I had this amazing pork chop dish (and I am usually not a pork chop eater) that came with asparagus and twice baked sweet potatoes! D got a great lobster dish and P got a chicken saltimbocca yummy dish...for my birthday dessert, I had to get their tiramisu and am I glad I did! Cheesecake and a funky blueberry & nectar crisp was tried by the others and we loved it all.

When one of the hosts came by with the check, he said my dessert was on the house and that he wanted us to come by the bar for a drink when we wanted to. So we stayed and talked and got caught up on nearly everything...it was fantastic. As we began to make our way out, that host caught us and lead us to the bar where we all got a free drink...so fun. I will definitely hit this place again and will reccommend it anyone!

For my birthday gift the girls got me an Italian charm bracelet...it came with four charms - an Icthus, my birthstone, a bday cake, and the charm 'FRIEND' on it. It is so adorable...it was just the sweetest birthday celebration I can remember. The day was just wonderful - not only did I feel 'celebrated' but we all had such a great time together.

My posse here will take me out this Saturday so my birthday celebration is getting stretched out...just the way I like it ;) Yesterday I went through my mail and received a bunch more cards...I feel loved :)

That's all for now. Caught 'Cinderella Man' Friday night - a GREAT flick if you haven't seen it already. Take care & Happy Monday!

About last night...

ok - how many cheesy posts have started with that title? Sorry, but I really wanted to share 'about last night'...

I had a wonderful time with my girl, JR. She took me out to dinner for my birthday at Margarita's - a yummy Mexican restaurant that has great - you guessed it - margaritas. I'm usually the driver when I'm out with my posse but seeing as she was driving, I had a few...our waitress reminded both of us of someone we know but we couldn't remember to save our lives...AND the waitress gave us some advice in choosing our tequila. Fabulous.

JR brought pics, conversation flowed, I laughed so stinkin' hard, then we went for dessert after...not.home.til.12:30ish. 'Day Before Birthday-Girl' is a lil'tired today! But again, it was so worth it...thanks JR - I love spending time with you!
PLUS she gave me some fun handcreme and a great CD - Mindy Smith, ever heard of her?

Tonight, I'm not sure what's up but tomorrow I'm heading to CT with the new bride to see one of the bridesmaids for a little birthdayshindig for me:)Happyhappyjoyjoy...I really love just celebrating in general. The fact that we're celebrating me? Oh, like the cherry on the top of the sundae...and I love cherries.

So peeps...have a great weekend doing whatever you're doing...have a wonderful July 23rd...I know I will due to super friends and family I'm blessed with :)

oh - ps. Received a bday card from my bro - and it reads:
"Boogers are like birthdays...the more you have the harder it is to breathe."
You've really got to love brothers, don't you?

Boy, do I need to get this off my chest...

I've only told my BF because I needed to share the shock and awe of it all...but I'm sitting on it for a few days before I tell the rest of my posse cuz it just needs to sink in a little.......

I honestly can't remember right now if I blogged about this a few weeks ago but when I was home for the blissful Fourth of July weekend, my sister went on a date. This is the sister that lost her husband last March '04 to cancer. The guy she went with is great - I've known him for quite a while...he lost his wife to cancer on the 1 yr anniversary of my bro-in-law's death. (It's coming back to me, I'm pretty sure I blogged this - sorry for the repeat)

Well, I've been calling home fairly regularly to check in on Dad and Mom's been giving me the updates....R came over for dinner, my sis and R went to church together last Sunday, and so on...this past weekend Mom tells me the R brought up marriage already but that my sis wanted to take it slowly. (Phew, I thought and so did my mom.)

So, my wonderful mother calls me at the CRACK OF DAWN this morning - woke me out of a dead sleep because I stayed up way tooooo late last night organizing - to wish me a Happy Birthday! I freaked slightly because I thought for a moment my mom had lost it - the 'big day' isn't until Saturday - but then she told me she feared she wouldn't catch me on my birthday, knowing me. Hee hee hee, my mom really does know me BEST OF ALL.

Anywho...she then proceeds to update me on everyone...which leads to her telling me that my sister is engaged to R and they're planning a November wedding.

I can't believe I typed that as calmly as I did. No caps even. Yeah me.

This isn't a shotgun wedding, my sister is going to be 53 in December - no prego worries there. Their first date was July 2nd. Nineteen days ago. Now, they've known each other for years and of course, the argument of 'life being short' certainly rings true for these two people - I just hope this is a Godly decision...for both of them. They really aren't two crazy nuts just going on a whim (even though if I were you, I so wouldn't believe that last line, either.) I think it's more that neither one of them have ever - and I mean ever - really known life without a spouse.

For me, never having had a spouse - I can only guess that that must be, well, a lot of things - none of which are pleasant to them. I'm so torn over this...I'm happy for my sister...really, I am. The last 2-3 years of her marriage to my bro-in-law wasn't so much 'marriage' as it was caretaker and patient. It, as you can imagine, was the most difficult thing she's ever experienced and I want her to have the companionship I know she's been longing for for quite awhile now...

But it's the idea of feeling like I'm being 'forced to' let go of my bro-in-law...I know I don't have to, I have the memories, he'll always be in our hearts, etc etc etc...I don't downplay any of that. For my sister to so quickly 'jump into' this next phase of her life feels like some of those memories are being jerked around for me and it stinks. At least for right now, as I am trying to process it all, it stinks.

Who knows, maybe there's even more there than I care to admit...am I jealous? Could be. Am I hurting for my nephew who tells his mom that he's fine with her decision but wonder if he really is? (He's 23, big boy, can make his own decision.) I ultimately trust God to guide and direction them and I know I sincerely am happy for her. I just gotta go with it...she wants my help in planning the family shindig...how could I not help! :)

Well, thanks again Blog Friends, for letting me purge this all over you. Any thoughts, advice, jokes? ;) Take care y'all!

Just three days away...

till July 23rd. It's that infamous day where I honestly believe when it hits - summer's over. August is like a speed race to the end of this blissful season...

About thirty-five years ago, there was this couple who had seven children. The youngest was about to turn seven the following month. Well, actually, now their youngest was two weeks late in arriving. The mother's due date for their eighth child was around July 7-8. "It's probably another girl, but I can never be sure," she told her family and friends. This was because of their seven children, only one was a boy.

The wee hours of the 23rd finally came and she went into labor! The older siblings watched the younger ones as the mom and dad made their way to the hospital. As she laid there waiting for her doctor to come and deliver her baby (like he had all the others) she kept getting excuses as to why he hadn't gotten there yet. "Oh, he's in traffic," to "He's with another patient, he'll be right here" was all she kept hearing. As she started going into the heavy pushing and he still wasn't there, another doctor showed up.

Now she had other things on her mind - like giving birth! Her baby was half way down the birth canal when they lost the heartbeat. 'Mrs. Smith, we have to do an emergency C-section right now!' There was no time to wait - they put her under and before she knew it, she was coming out of anesthesia. The nurse gave her her baby to hold...her seventh daughter.

Knowing this would be her last, she gave her youngest sister's name as the middle name for this daughter...for a first name, though, she still hadn't decided. Her husband had a couple ideas but none really stuck with them. At last she thought of it. "'Adrianne' is a pretty name," she thought and so the baby was named.

Two weeks after my arrival, my mom brought me in for the check-up with the doctor that was supposed to be the one delivering me. As we walked into his office, my mom couldn't wait to ask where he was back on the 23rd.

"Well, Mrs. Smith, I apologize for not being there for Adrianne's birth. I was in the hospital, though, just two floors down. I was in the cafeteria with some colleagues and heard the page. I got up to leave and, boom! I had a mild heart attack right then and there. I'm doing ok, just came back in today to start seeing some patients."

At the time, my mom had been pretty surprised by that story. I, however, when told the story, wasn't. Seeing as how these were the events at the kickoff to my life, it helped explain a lot of what's happened since...

This Saturday marks the 35th anniversary of my mom's only C-section (I quite literally 'broke the mold'), her doctor's first mild heart attack (not sure if he'd had any others), and our family coming to a 'completion' of sorts (My eldest sister had her first child three years later so that didn't last long.). I could never thank my parents enough for all they've done for me in those 35 years...and for the example they started to set for my siblings when they married 57 years ago. I love you both very much...

A few sidenotes:
1. OK, thinking summer's over after my birthday is a tad self-centered. When I was growing up I honestly felt that way.
2. My mom's name isn't "Mrs. Smith" - changed it to protect the innocent. She would HOWL if she knew this story was on the WORLD WIDE web.
3. The doctors and nurses kept the truth from my mom because they didn't want to upset her and as traumatic as the delivery was, good thing they didn't tell her.
4. I've had a zillion people ask about where my name came from - we're not French, we're not Catholic (oh, yeah, there was a line of Popes named 'Adrian'), and my parents don't have a thing for the 'Adriatic Sea'...but even MORE IMPORTANT - I was born prior to the 'Rocky' movies - like a good six years before the first one came out!
5. I have sisters that are identical twins - rarely does anyone in my family confuse them. The sister one up from me - yeah, she's 7 years older, MUCH shorter than I and we have COMPLETELY different personalities. Her name is Andrea and we're MIXED up 98% of the time in my family. Hilarious.

Happy Early Birthday to me :) Have a great Wednesday folks!

I think I'm onto something here...

I read this article this morning and I think it's 'me'...my style, I mean. I've always wanted a home where there's quiet & peace found...maybe this is it.

Wabi-sabi ~ the Japanese art of imperfect beauty


I'm so not into 'art deco' or having the streamliniest of furniture...other than it's ties to 'Zen' and/or Buddhist philosophy, I appreciate the connection to the 'spiritual' in our homes...it's not just about stuff.

Any thoughts? Ever heard of this? Let me know...

Weekend update...

Friday night I napped after work - how lame am I (it was only for 20 minutes!)? Ran some errands to get ready for Saturday. "What was Saturday?" you ask. It was the day we FINALLY celebrated a couple of our friends birthdays. Both were back in May and one we used as the 'cover' for the surprise bridal shower I threw for my former roomie (She was AOK with postponing it). I just felt bad it took so long to get to celebrating!
Well, the day was so stinkin' fun. We headed to Cambridge and went on the Charles River boat cruise...an hour of cruising along the river, hearing some interesting factoids, just relaxing...it was great. I love being on the water - even a river in Cambridge :)
Then we headed over a GREAT tapas restaurant on the Cambridge/Somerville line. My former roomie and I went there almost ten years ago for another friend's birthday so it was very nostalgic going back - and very fun - and very yummy! The sangria this place serves is fabulous...dessert was scooting over to one of our favorite ice cream places. We hung out there for over an hour, different peeps in our group of ten hanging out and catching up with each other...so fun. My former roomie and her new hubby came & for some, it was the first time seeing them since the wedding. Just so much fun - just what I needed after the day I had on Friday!
I'm really very thankful for it all...I get to plan these birthday celebrations and was thrilled with the weather more than cooperated...1 Guy and I went jeeping after, too. We had a good talk...I let him have it about this woman he's 'seeing' kinda. Yeah - too long to tell here. But the talk still didn't take away from the great time we had hanging out. (It's like getting mad at my brother - I get over it quickly!)
Sunday was good, too...got some stuff done at home, cried when I watched Extreme Home Makeover (hadn't seen it yet - the one with the autistic child and deaf parents - I bawled.) Eventually made my way to sleepland...
Hope your Monday is going well ~ who followed my advice and loved on someone this weekend? Later...

Reason # 49 why I miss being in a relationship...

Having him scratch my back whenever necessary...I was in a 'Pier 1' yesterday and they had backscratchers on sale. I SOOOO should have bought one. I think my tan is fading and I need to moisturize my back more. Well, that brings on it's own issues as well...more reasons why God intended man and woman to be together :)

A tough day...

You know what it's like when you hear one sad, horrible piece of news? You sit there, let it begin to soak in, try to muster the intelligence and compassion to say something 'appropriate', then....then what? I try to think immediately of a prayer for that person and situation, knowing God already knows my heart and how my heart, let alone His, is breaking for them...there's some comfort right there.

This morning I got an email and it just started the tears aflowin'. All of a sudden, it's like I allowed separate events all meet up in my heart - all at once.

There's this computertech company that services our computer system here at work - a bunch of really sweet, funny guys. (not geeky at ALL.) A few months ago, one of 'em, Jamie, was here and, as he was checking my computer, flat out asks me, 'A, are you a Christian?' I won't say it shocked me but for a second all I could think was,'Hmm, why's he asking?' I then said, 'Yeah, I am...why do ask?' He said he could tell something was 'up' because of the sites I visit (thank God!). We began a talk about our faith and he shared with me that his fiance was fighting cancer - again. They're keeping the faith that she'll defeat it but know that she's in the Best Hands if she doesn't.

This morning's email was from Jamie's boss letting some business contacts know that Michelle passed away on Monday. He said Jamie asked if he'd pass on the word. Instantly every emotion I felt last March ('04) when I found out Danny had died came rambling back at me...my heart is just broken for him.

I also found out that a couple I care deeply for miscarried their second baby last week. There was some difficulty after the procedure but she'd doing a bit better physically today. A few days ago, I found out my dad had knee surgery complications. He's improving each day as well but it's taken a toll on my mom...I guess all three situations just 'hit' and I broke.

That kind of breaking where all you can do is pray. I'll be heading home in a few weekends to spend some time with my folks and I call almost every day to check in but other than that, I just feel helpless...prayer and the passing of healing time is all that can really happen right now...for Jamie, for my friends, for my parents.

Life truly is an amazing thing...again I'm reminded how precious every moment is. I hope you can take some time this weekend to just allow yourself to appreciate even just one of the people in your life that makes your life as wonderful as it truly is...with all the stress, all the responsibility, all the blessings & joys. Love on someone this weekend then come back and tell me about it...

Take care of yourselves and hope to blog more soon...peace to you & yours.

Thanks so much...

If you haven't read 'em yet my last post got some FANTASTIC comments. It certainly goes to prove that with a bit of evil, there is always Good(God) to overpower it. The question is, will the good (believers) be brave enough to do so! From the comments left, I think so...just brillant thoughts and I honestly pray 'anonymous' comes back to check it out.

Had a pretty 'fast weekend' - started out with seeing 'Batman Begins' with a friend of mine. We drooled over Christian Bale and, seeing he was on the IMAX hugo screen - we had a lot to drool over ;) Good flick, fyi. I got up Saturday morning and had barely rubbed the sleep out of my eyes when 1 Guy (remember him?) calls and asks if I want to get some breakfast...he was paying so, why not? (I'm sure many single women are saying a quiet 'amen' to that...) Seriously though, he had had an odd week of sorts...went on a road trip with a friend of ours (a guy), an 'online girlfriend' he has, and her son. Trouble erupted btw the friend and the online girlfriend. Honestly, even too much for me to blog right now - he needed a listening ear plus I think he was missing his ogf - she had just flown out that morning.

So after our talk over scrambled eggs (he uses WAY TOO MUCH KETCHUP - anyone agree with me on this?) we went shopping in a nearby mall, then I hit the tanning booth, showered, and hit a movie with 1 Guy - yeah, he needed company. So we watched 'Bewitched'. All I can say is that I love Will Ferrell. Never saw 'Anchorman' and from what some peeps have told me, I'm glad. But when he's in a role like this one - I could just hug him, he makes me laugh so hard! Then I met up with another friend of mine, had dinner, watched 'Fantastic Four' ***I hadn't seen a movie in WEEKS and thought I'd personally help the sagging movie ticket sales this weekend. If you check, best ticket sales in MONTHS - you're welcome, Hollywood.

Anywho...M & I go to pick up our other friend who was returning from Ecuador! One of two mission teams from our church got back safe and sound Saturday evening - only 2 hours late. I brought my friend back home because her pup wouldn't have made it that long then I returned to the fabulous Logan airport (pls. note sarcasm here.) and picked up my buddy. It was great to see her and hear about the 12 day adventure...she and another good friend had a terrific time and I was glad they were safe and not sick :)

Sunday was a GLORIOUS day all around...church was such a blessing, got some work done, had ice cream with some of my wonderful friends, then hit home :) Sleep was very good!

And now I'm back to the grind...oh joy. I'm praying about what is next workwise. I'm hoping something comes together by the end of the summer - I'd appreciate your prayers, too.

Hope you all have a great Monday! Take care...

So, any thoughts on this comment?

Here is someone's comment about my post from yesterday:
"Anonymous said...
Prayer is the greatest weapon??
Come on, WAKE UP!
Religion IS the reason for all this!
GOD is responsible and GOD doesn't even exist outside of ignorant human minds.
Death to ALL MUSLIMS! That's the answer."

I'm thankful that God is ultimately in control and knows exactly what is going on!
The sadness I feel continues when I read a perspective like this. What a horrible way to live...wishing death on certain groups of people? This person wants me to 'WAKE UP'? Wow...well, anonymous, you may not appreciate it, but I'll be praying for you, too.

How do I make this a permanent part of my blog?

The attack on London..

is just so unbelievable. I'm a bit thrown by all this. Before leaving for work this morning I caught the clip of Tony Blair speaking while still in Scotland with the leaders at the G8 summit standing behind him - it just made an impact on me.
9/11 was unimaginable - it still is. But to have walked through that and know that this attack, like others that have followed 9/11, are tragically effecting lives...my heart just breaks.
Due to my last relationship, I've visited London quite a few times and have many friends and acquaintance there. Prayer is obviously the greatest weapon I have right now but I did contact my ex to ask him to let me know once he hears anything. We're still emailing so I felt comfortable asking...and he knows how much I care about the mutual friends we had and his family.
The eery thing is - his sister is getting married and it may very well be this week -if J and I were still together, we'd be there - in the heart of London. Wow. The things you remember when tragedy strikes.
Sorry this is so rambly...my thoughts are pretty much all over the place. But my heart is in London right now...hoping for the healing that is needed now more than ever.
I love this Colossians 3 passage:
"12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Amen.

Science fun!

Hey, you so gotta check this out!

Let me know how it goes!

OK, the TEASEBLOG will give something up!

So I was listening to Kiss 108, the hip radio station here in Boston. It was early/mid May and the final episodes of 'LOST' were on...the DJ (Matty of Matty in the Morning, for all you locals) asked the question about Sayid (Naveen Andrews, great actor - was in 'Bride & Prejudice') - to nutshell it, how could he hook up with Shannon when he was ohsoinlove with the woman he was going to find in LA? Well, on a TOTAL whim, I try calling in to give my 2 cents.
(Background to this. I SOOOO wasn't going to get hooked on this show. I watch too much TV as is. ER, Alias & 24 are my shows. LikeIneedanother. Well, a girlfriend of mine would tell me what was happening on Lost and hey, Matthew Fox is, well, foxy, so, she got me into it. This show rocks. Alas, I could call into the radio show and comment.)
As you might have guessed, I got through and was chatting it up with Matty. Of course, he was calling me 'Julie' because I didn't want to give my real name. I had just called in and tried to win Celtics tickets like the week before and I have a pretty memorable name. Partially due to a movie that's had WAY TOO many sequels as well as a song named it (it's by the group 'The Calling'). Now what woman doesn't want a song named after her? I would LOVE it IF the song had a decent message. No, no, the one I get is about the woman named my name (although spelled differently!)that rips the heart out of the guy singing and basically tears his heart apart with the stilletos she's wearing. Yeah, nice.
So back to rationalizing why I gave a false name - I didn't want to hear the song and I figured I'd be on for about two seconds so - just call me Julie. Boy, was I wrong. Matty and I get talking and realize we're long lost TV buds. We watch the same shows, feel the same about certain plot twists...at one point I answered a question they all had about something on Lost and the producer in the background is yelling, 'We love Julie, we love Julie....'. I honestly had to stop and think, Hey - who's this Julie chiming in on my airtime??? Oh please.
So after almost 10 - yes TEN - minutes of airtime bonding...Matty says, 'So Julie, how white are your teeth?' Knowing they've been doing a monthlong promo for this cosmetic dentistry place in Boston, I say, 'Well, Matty, they could always be whiter!' Hence the $500.00 gift certificate to this dental office. I thought of using it before the wedding but I didn't want people to be blinded by the whiteness. I am going to try and use it this summer though...my teeth aren't bad but like I said, could always be whiter!
Ok - there's the story...my friends & family all freaked on me because they claim I always win stuff...I don't ALWAYS win...just a free ticket here, a trip for four to Florida there...I'm just blessed :)
Wedding details to come...I'm heading to the new couple's pad tonight for dinner - I'm their first official guest! And Eddo, we're having Mexican!!! Have a great Wednesday people!

I haven't forgotten...

Wedding details and the teeth whittening gift certificate story is still yet to come....

and then she let out an audible sigh.....

Oh how relieved I am...the tux shop came through for us, my friends...after an incredible week of playing voicemail tag, the district manager FINALLY called me at work this morning and he basically did everything I wanted him to. I can honestly let out a definite sigh of relief knowing this was all taken care of before the bride and groom return from their honeymoon! Groomsmen who were charged incorrectly are getting a refund, one groomsman who was charged DOUBLE is getting a hefty refund and the groom (who initially wanted to pay for his so that the price for his groomsmens' tuxes would be less) is getting his for free. The DM is also sending me gift certificates for the guys for future rentals and/or purchases! I tell ya - it's all about the polite, squeeky wheel getting the grease....
'Classic Tux' is the store, btw - everything would have gone beautifully, I'm sure, if it hadn't been for the fact that the manager of the particular store that we worked with hadn't QUIT just days before the wedding. Oh well, the groom got his for free and people are being refunded...I can sleep easy now. Anyone need help getting things straightened out with a vendor? Give me a buzz...if you're from the Boston area - Hank Philipi Ryan would like me to work for her! (Channel seven news shout out!)

So last night I went over to the new bride & grooms' pad...made sure all their gifts were laid out, made sure I brought mine over!!, then I laid out a new table cloth and matching napkins for their dining room table...got a couple cutesy items from Crate & Barrel (LOVE THAT PLACE) for a festive Fourth of July centerpiece...and left a little 'welcome home' note...stocked their fridge and got 'em some snacks so they don't have to rush out to the grocery store when they return...it was fun. Like a surprise waiting to happen!

Yes, it's all so sweet of me and all that (cuz I'm sure that's what you're thinking ;) ) but if you knew these two - you'd be doing something similar for them, I'm sure as well. The bride is the epitomy of kindness and sweet friendness and the groom is so thoughtful - I'm so glad they found each other. Again, another audible sigh....

I honestly don't want to jump from all that sweet emotion to the 'what about me' tiraid that can happen for us singles after SUCH A GREAT WEDDING...it's more 'what about my incredible single friends??" (mostly female - did you hear me Eddo?)! I have some of the BEST women friends that are unattached...not even seeing someone! Personally, God's really done a work in me over the last six months (especially since my last relationship) and I'm in that 'ok contented' place again where I'm in no rush to 'get back out there' and date...but some of my friends, well, I don't know. I mean, they're waiting on God, too, and not doing anything TOO insane to 'find Mr. Right' (or Mr. Right Now) - oh, I don't know...it's not like they're not living their lives to the fullest, making sure they're making the most of every day or anything...it's just when you know someone's heart's desire and from a purely human standpoint you think that desire is not getting fulfilled...my heart just aches for them. But God knows them way better than I do and ultimately I trust God to fulfill the desires He created in them. Yeah, this patience lesson never really gets easier, does it?

See what happens when I 'find the time' to come back and blog? You get it all my friends...all the gushing emotions, the raw crud that needs releasing, the - ok, I'll dial it down a notch. Here's hoping everyone has a great Fourth of July - I'm heading to the homeland till Tuesday - I can't stinkin' wait. Maine is supposed to have the best weekend weather...I'll be thinking of you all as me and my peeps are out having lobsters by the ocean on Monday! Hope you all see some kind of firework display this weekend :) Peace out!