Courtney's 30th Birthday

BFF Court turned 30 this weekend. She has officially joined the club. Court's birthdays have historically been a good time, usually complete with scavenger hunts, trampoline jumping and sleepovers. This year's birthday was a little different. She started the weekend by running 13.1 miles in the mini, and Trinity and I spent the morning driving around, trying to park and catch a glimpse of her colt-like gait. We were all equally worn out by the venture. The evening began with appetizers at Allison and Steve's, then moved out to blatant bar debauchery. There were lots of displays of pursed lips, hands in the air, eyes closed in emotional music feeling. It was truly a beautiful experience.

Example #1- Music feeling

Example #2- goosing. Court with her pal Julie. Julie is a petite Southern Belle. She had a great accent. Notice how Court is hunkered over-

Cut to the Yankee Trannies. This was my chair dance. I couldn't be bothered to stand up, so birthday girl was forced to dance behind my chair in a gyrating style. At this point people were starting to stare at our classy behavior. I had to close my eyes and go to my happy place.

Proof that this ridiculous behavior is not new. Here we are last year at my 30th. Happy Birthday, Court!!!!

A Shout out to my Mommas

Ah, Mother's Day. A wonderful day to appreciate those women in my life that deserve a lot of respect for growing people. This is nothing short of amazing. What's even more amazing is that all 3 of them managed to vacate people from their wombs successfully.

First up on that list is my own dear mother, Jane. When it comes to childbirth, Jane is a real champ. She birthed an 8 1/2 pounder with Katie, I was like 9 lbs, 6 oz, and then big headed Rob came out at exactly 10 pounds. She required no epidural, or rather, was not offered one in po' dunk Terre Haute. One might think Rob was her most difficult birth because he was so ginormous. Such was not the case! It was I, Betsy, ever selfish and wanty from the start, who tried to leave taking along with me her placenta, uterus and other such necessities. The doctor abruptly stopped me from being so needy, but the condition unfortunately persists.

Jane was/is a strong personality who taught all 3 of her spawn to be strong and independent, even though she won't drive across the street by herself now:) Oh, but seriously, she has always been steady, reliable, and incredibly loving. My fondest memories involve my precious mother. She's also quite a looker-

Mother aka Silver Fox

Next up for discussion is sister Katie. She has always been the nurturer of the family, incredibly generous, and puts everyone before herself. This always worked out well in our relationship. She puts me first, I put me first. Katie always wanted to be a mother, and now has Caroline, who fulfilled that need. When she put Caroline before me, it took some adjusting. Now I suppose this is natural, but it took some adjusting all the same.

Finally, my last mother of the hour is Miss Pat. Thank goodness for this sassy, blonde Southerner. She is responsible for bringing my true love into this world, complete with gentlemanly manners and a hell of a lot of hair. Trinity's mother is what I like to call a Good Time Charlie, someone who is the life of the party and always makes you smile. She is also a talker. When Pat and Jane get together I wonder who will take a breath first in the conversation. They both enjoy the talking.

Lastly, I must honor this furry hot mess. Although I don't usually refer to her as a "fur baby" as many childless women might do, she has inspired some mommy-like tendencies in me. I feed her, I love her, and mostly I antagonize her.

The Cubbies!

Saturday was a big day! My dear father decided to take me and Trinity to Chicago to see the Cubbies play! Trinity had never been to a game at Wrigley Field, and I haven't been since I was a little girl in love with Ryne Sandberg. Dad wanted to celebrate Rob completing his first year of law school. We are so proud of our once wayward son who has a higher IQ than yours truly. My discovery of this fact is an entirely different post! Anyway, Dad planned a totally spontaneous trip to Chicago for a day of baseball fun. Mother did not attend. Why? Jane has an unnatural fear of driving to Chicago and she is terrified of being hit in the head with a baseball. This second part is not likely, but my dear mother was one shat upon by a seagull, so let's just say she isn't the luckiest lass around.

The game was so much fun, complete with lots of drunkards. On our way out of Wrigley, Dad was approached by a man who read the red "I" on his cap as an emblem of Wisconsin. He shook Dad's hand, slobbered all over him, slurring the word "Wisconsin" repeatedly. Dad, ever friendly, responds with "Wisconsin?" I had to interrupt with, "Buddy, that is an Indiana cap he's wearing. Wrong Big Ten school, fool." I actually left out that last word.

Dad drank nothing all day but water, as seen below. He is not as rowdy as his children, or that crazy Wisconsin man.

Meghan, rocking some shades, and the man of the hour. I think he is thinking about having another beer, or possibly Fraggle Rock. I'm not sure which based on that grin.

Post hot dog eating, but before nachos and chocolate chip cookies.

Besides the game, this little girl was the best part of the afternoon. She was hilarious, eating constantly, and walking up and down our row. She stood the whole time. At one point she rested her head on the shoulder of the random man in front of her. Oh, and she wore a bib all afternoon. I wish she had an extra one. I totally could have used one too.

Nacho eating. This got really messy.

Up there is the one and only Vince Vaughn. I love that native Chicagoan and funny man. He led us in the 7th inning stretch. This moment could have only gotten better if Jennifer Aniston was with him. I love her.

A Little Sugarbaker Fun

As a child growing up with my mother, we had one show that we watched religiously. The Cosby Show? No. Family Ties? No. Growing Pains? No. Alf? No, well actually, yes, but not what I'm talking about. My dear mother loved Designing Women. We watched these reruns all of the time! We never grew tired of the adventures of Julia, Suzanne, Charlene, Mary Jo, and Anthony.

We constantly tuned in to listen to Julia rant in her southern drawl, Anthony talk about his "unfortunate incarceration," Suzanne talk about her reign as Miss Georgia World, and watch the looney Bernice in action. My mother wrapped my sister and I up in a world of graceful southern living, and I imagined that Katie and I would forever be together in the same town, perhaps decorating homes and going out to lunch. We would have a maid that was always in danger of being deported, and one of us would be married multiple times.

We like to pull out Designing Women quotes whenever we can, such as "Suzanne's gonna exfoliate me!" Katie recently told me that her dear pal, Brenda Potter, plays Golden Girls trivia nightly with her sister. They try to stump each other with questions. Katie has this brilliant idea for us to talk nightly and see who exactly is the supreme head hauncho of useless Anthony Bouvier knowledge.

We started out, and are a little shaky on the rules. For example, I asked what happened the night that Suzanne threw her baton in the Miss Georgia World contest. Without hesitation, Katie quips, "it hit the rafters, sending sparks, and that WAS THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN GEORGIA!" I claimed that this was correct, but the answer I was looking for was "grown men wept." We then both laughed until we were teary eyed. This could get good.

Wedding Flowers

Mom and I met with our florist this past weekend and have finalized the flowers for the wedding! I never thought I would be that interested in such details, but I was thrilled with the flowers that were created for our day. These are garden roses, football mums and orchids. I just asked that we change the ribbon on the centerpieces from gold to pink!

A Reluctant Mouseketeer

My mom and dad spent this week in Disney World with my niece and her parents. Trinity and I picked them up at the airport, and we got these fabulous gifts. Mom said many people were on their honeymoon at the Happiest Place on Earth, and were sporting these. My honeymoon will be spent poolside in Mexico, sipping margaritas, so we utilized these hats in our very own kitchen.

He refused to cooperate. His tuxedo ears were great. He did not wanted to be internetted wearing mouse ears. Ha! Your attempts to thwart my blogging were unsuccessful.

I love my ears.

Showered by School Love

Today I had my first bridal shower! My wonderful coworkers gave me a shower at school, and I got lots of goodies! They kept in mind that my colors are Blush and Bashful.

Everything was pink, including the cupcakes.

Double fisting cupcakes makes my nostrils flare like an angry bull. This is totally misleading, since I am actually very happy!

Lifting Pyrex dishes from 2nd grade makes me strain and flex my muscles!

I am posting this as evidence for myself. My infamous 3rd grade school picture (see in previous post) has me making a very odd face. I claim I have never made it since. My friends disagree. As I looked through the photos taken on my camera, I was quite dismayed to discover that this IS THE FACE!!! 3RD GRADE AWKWARD ASS FACE. Oh, I'm such a humbled bride.

I am sporting a lovely mu-mu style top. I thought it looked like Mrs. Roper from "Three's Company." My friend Marinda thinks its more Naomi from "Mama's Family." Either way, loud obnoxious tunic top= lots of compliments from the under age 10 demographic. Its perfect for work.