Ewww

Ok. I'll admit it - I, like every other woman out there, have a few "problem" spots on my body that capture my attention every now and then. (notice I did not say that I obsess over it...) Mostly my "issues" are related to the aging of my body - y'all know that I'm talking about - a little cellulite there, a little pudge that cropped up out of nowhere...



But I laugh at myself because I'll see some skinny girl with NO ass and think to myself (or say out loud to David) "Man she has NO butt! I'd rather have my badonkadonk instead of NOTHING!!"



Well I was cruising through some "celebrity slide show" today and came across this:

Ok - sorry if you think this is hot -but I think it's disgusting! I don't even know who this is (apparently I'm not up on the young, hip newcomers in the "industry"...)

Do you see her pencils??, uh, I mean legs??? Her thighs are about the same size as her calves!!! What is with that??

Ok, so her thighs don't touch when she walks. Big deal. Somebody make this girl EAT! No wonder woman of all ages have such horrible body images!! THIS is what's supposed to be deemed as attractive? Really??

In this girls defense there were many other photos in the slide show that I could have cropped out to use as examples too - but her picture was first.

So next time I bitch to myself about by thighs or ass I'll remind myself of this picture and just be glad I don't look like that...

Beans, anyone??

The cookout went as planned this past Saturday - no rain!! Yeah! Except of course there wasn't quite as many guys as we were anticipating because, well, they're boys. I put on the invite - RSVP regrets only. Don't do that with guys. Apparently they don't get it. But alas - we had a good time anyway. Even though we couldn't get in the pool...

Yep. No pool. Have you ever heard me say "I didn't want the pool"?? I meant it. I don't touch the thing. I'm all for filling the damn thing in. All last week David was out of town and I didn't touch it. Needless to say - it wasn't exactly clean and clear Friday when he got home. Not gross with algae growing or anything... just dirty and a bit cloudy. So Friday night D went and got the stuff he needed to clean it but it just wasn't enough time.

Plus I don't think it would have mattered anyway. Only one kid brought his trunks and the pools probably only in the 60's.

But we did play CORN HOLE! and ladder toss. And I drank several beers throughout the afternoon to get through it all. (just kidding. They're good guys. But I did drink several beers. It was scary - I had several of the guys eying my brew throughout the afternoon...)

It was a good time but we'll be eating hamburgers, hot dogs and baked beans for the next 6 months!

Insect Porn

I saw this happening right there on my sliding glass door! They should ben ashamed of themselves!! :)

Cornhole update and more

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to be able to see my jr. high BFF and her family. They were in Canada for vacation so I took Friday off, drove over and spent the afternoon and night with them. While there we were discussing the upcoming cookout and I mentioned "bean bag toss".
"Oh, you mean cornhole?"

Wha?? you too??

Yep - apparently everyone EXCEPT the Northeast refers to this bean bag toss game as "cornhole".

When telling my dad this story he said he first read about the game a few years ago where the game originated in... well, he couldn't remember but threw out the possibilities of AR, WI, IA, MN... take your pick. They called it cornhole too.

Sorry David, JJ and Farmer M. It would appear you are in the minority.

So Saturday morning I left Canada early to get home to meet up with David's BFF from college, his wife and their nieces and nephew. They were on a road trip from FL up to and through NY. We met them for a good 'ol lunch at the famous Dinosaur BBQ. (or as my dad likes to call it Jurassic Park...)

I would like to apologize to Coach, Mrs. Coach and their car full-o-kids. David invited them back to the house after lunch and Stanley Steemer was waiting for us - early - in our driveway. We got everyone out and hustled Mrs. C and the kids to the backyard and Coach helped D move the remaining furniture out of the way. What a way to say "Welcome to our home. Here, help me move furniture!"

Needless to say - everyone took a bathroom break (cuz you don't want to use the b-room at Dinosaur) and then they were back on the road. Hopefully next time they can actually come IN the house and stay a while.

After that whirlwind Friday and Saturday D was on a plane Sunday morning to the mothership. I have been tending to health related issues with dogs all week. I won't even tell you what we've spent on the animals this month. Let's just say it's up to 4 digits.... I swear kids are probably cheaper... (ok, maybe not in the long run) I will say if you have animals (although I'm sure this probably works for kids stuff too) GET OXY CLEAN!! I mixed up a batch of that to clean up some Nikki pee pee and kitty puke and you can't even tell it was there!! And there's no fake perfumy smells like with other carpet cleaner stuff. It's AWESOME!!!

RIP Billy Mays.

Oh, and if you're keeping an eye on my FB status I will say that I FINALLY had that bloody mary last night!!!

It's how much?!?!?

So, since the cookout is closely upon us I decided that I would cheat and purchase (as opposed to make) a bean bag toss game. (or corn hole, if you prefer....)

Well, Wal-mart's got a set for $75!!! You can get it with "Clemson" on it for $80!

Target's Eddie Bauer Version is only $49.99.....

Really?? It's really that expensive?

Forget it - I'll make it...

Harry Potter here we come!

Yes, David and I are HP fans.

Really.

And so is my friend, veg girl.

D and VG wanted to go see it tonight - but I refuse to see it opening day. I mean, three adults among tweens? Isn't that a little... weird??? creepy, even??

So we're going tomorrow.

Can't wait!!!

Summer fun

I have to yell at Sweet T. You got me in trouble!!! (read her comment.)

D and I were out to dinner a few weekends back with our friends JJ and the farmer and I was talking about the cookout we're going to have and all the ideas people gave me. I proceeded to tell them we should get "corn hole". All three of them looked at me with this very bizarre look - and started laughing.

Apparently "corn hole" means something ENTIRELY different around here. And it ain't a lawn game!!!

After explaining what it was I trying to do I was informed that it is called "bean bag toss" around here and was warned about saying "corn hole" in public.

Thanks Sweet T!! ; )

I'm curious - do your friends look at you funny when you call it "corn hole"????

Life and Death

For any of you who follow my friend Emily's blog you'll be happy to know (if you haven't visited her recently enough) that she gave birth to her twins on July 1st. Both babies (Finn and Mirabelle) are doing great, as is mom. I believe she now has a post up about them so check her out!!

Congratulations Em!! Let the fun begin!!!!

In sadder news, David and I attended the funeral of a fellow rower this afternoon. He was tragically killed while cycling with a friend this past Friday. He was only 47 and had a wife and 3 teenage boys.

Please, please, please watch out for cyclist, runners, et certa on the roads!!!

Life and death events, I'm sure, get many people thinking about, well, life and death.

Both the birth of Em's twins and the death of a fellow rower remind me to live each day to the fullest. Life is a gift. Live it, don't waste it.

250th Post

So, some of my friends decided when they hit landmark posts to write X number of things about themselves. I thought it was quite fun to read through!!

But I'm pretty sure I can't come up with 250 things about myself - let alone fun enough stuff to keep you entertained. So here are just 25 things. I'm not going to guarantee they're interesting or funny... maybe something will be new to you.

25. I'm quite proud of my fingernails now that I'm adult. They don't grow long but they grow - which is not what they did when I was a kid.
24. I check my wedding set at least 3 times a day because I'm scared shitless I'm going to "break" my ring and lose a diamond. I'm still truly uncomfortable wearing something this expensive on my person...
23. I've noticed that my body shape is changing quite dramatically since I've turned 32/ 33. Not in ways I was hoping...
22. I wish I'd had more "fun" when I was in high school/ college... but then again if I did then I wouldn't be making up for it now! : )
21. I also wish I'd taken college more seriously. I think I got it backwards - all serious and studious in high school and then got lazy in college.
20. I'm easily bored.
19. I still hate getting my picture taken - although I've gotten better at not making it so apparent to people. (out of courtesy)
18. I can eat my avocado salsa for every meal of the day. As a matter of fact, I did just that yesterday!
17. I miss playing racquetball - but there's really no good place to play here. (yes, we have a Y but it's expensive as hell...)
16. I go through stages of being extremely frugal and then spending. I don't spend a lot - it just seems like it because 1) I rarely do buy stuff and 2) I buy it all at once or 3) I buy big ticket items - like a piano... ; )
15. I haven't gone backpacking since 2002, camping since 2007. : (
14. I'm starting to actually enjoy running -a first in the 20 years I've been running.
13. My favorite thing to do it curl up on the sofa with a cat. (and a book - but the cat never lets me read it...)
12. I've been in 4 weddings, not counting my own. And I've been a witness on the marriage license at two of those.
11. I can't stand things between my toes... but I'm getting better. I finally started to wear thongs (flip flops!!) a few years ago.
10. I buy my underwear in packs of three. Isn't that sad? I never bought packs of underwear when I was in college...
9. I can spend hours reorganizing my planner - but I lack the interest to organize my house.
8. I dread the thought of having braces again - regardless if they're the Invisalign or not. It would make it the 3rd time!
7. The big scar on my left shin was from making an ass of myself in front of a boy I liked - but it got me noticed! ; )
6. The little, yet deep scar on my right ankle was from making an ass of myself in front of a different boy... (that one should'a had stitches, but didn't...)
5. I can't bring myself to take out my navel ring for good... I don't know why.
4. I want another tattoo.
3. I'm one of those crazy drivers singing to the top of her lungs in her car - I don't care who sees me.
2. I had a much better vocabulary when I was in 8th grade.
1. I used to think that I wanted to be a person who lived for their job. Then I realized that it all sucks no matter what and decided I'm trying to live for when I'm NOT at work.

Another wedding pic

I can't help it. Laura looks so beautiful and I had such a GREAT time....

Here's one I just got from Laura. Isn't her dress awesome?!?!?

The Wedding Story

So my cuz Laura got hitched to Bill on June 7th at Bald Head Island, NC. There are a few things you should know about the island:

1. No cars allowed - you get around in golf carts
2. There's a dress code at most (but not all) places on the island
3. Yes - this is the same island Kate was on with her sextuplets, and no I didn't see them but they were there about the same time we were

This is how it looked driving around the island - from a golf cart perspective.

These two pictures are of the chapel were L & B got married.

Here is Bill, me and Laura at the welcoming dinner. Note we'd all had a bit to drink at this point....

The lovely bride and groom!!!

(gorgeous, isn't she!! He's not too shabby himself ; )

Entering the reception....

David took pictures all during the reception. Every picture of me is essentially this pose. Here I'm dancing with the ring bearer.

And here's the best picture I have of me and David... unfortunately it was taken with a Blackberry... : ( I think the professional photographer got a similar, yet better, picture of us. I'm hoping I can get that one!!!

Of course we had a blast. So much, in fact, that I'm having dad make us "kids" t-shirts of the "Top 10 Things Said at the Honeycutt - Baxter Wedding". The "kids" who are getting shirts know they are coming but they don't know what the shirts say - it's a surprise!! But I'm going to list it here for your benefit - with explanations. I hope you find it as funny as we do. If you really don't understand it must be a "you had to be there" kind of thing... sorry...

10. Oh well, it's just water OVER the bridge!

My Aunt has a way with messing up common phrases. This is one of them...

9. I didn't know you knew the words to "Joyful, Joyful"!!

During the ceremony we sang the hymn "Joyful, Joyful". I don't know the words, sorry - and being in the wedding party - we didn't have hymnals up at the alter with us. During the hymn I look over to the Best Man (groom's bro) and he's singing all the words! All three verses we sang! I was impressed! I asked him later about it. He grinned "I don't know the words! I was just moving my lips to make it look like I did!!" FAKER!

8. All the ladies are gettin' their war paint on.

A perfect explanation from my Aunt's husband as to where all the women disappeared to before the wedding started. In case you didn't understand, that's West Virginian for "putting on make-up"... ; )

7. Ever heard of hallway sex?

Famous joke from Chuck (best man) and his wife. When you're first married you have "house sex" - you have sex in every room of the house. When you've been married for a few years you start to have "bedroom sex" - sex just in the bedroom. When you've been married 15 or 20 years you start having "hallway sex" - you pass each other in the hallway and yell to each other "Fuck you"!!

6. Show up, shut up and pay up!

This was the joke to my Uncle Sam, Laura's dad. enough said.

5. Maybe she could find her phone if she had a BIGGER bag!!

Read my previous post for explanation....

4. At ease, soldier!

My cuz Tim (Laura's brother) was a career Navy man. He was also an usher at the wedding. Needless to say, many times we had to remind him to relax - this is a wedding, not the Navy...

3. Oh my god! I look like a drag queen!!

The make-up artists Laura hired took over an HOUR to put our make up on. Laura even had fake eyelashes!! Of course the make-up made the pictures impeccable - but you should have seen our reactions to ourselves when we looked in the mirror the first time with all the goop on our faces!!

2. Sam! Wine! Now!

Of course, this is me to my Uncle Sam to open a bottle of wine - pronto - for Laura. I would have gotten her a glass of wine myself but I too, was trapped in the make-up chair!

And now for the infamous #1....

Rock out with your (insert image of rooster) out, Jam out with your (insert image of open seashell) out!!!

At the rehearsal my cuz Patrick (Laura's brother) pulled out this doozy. We ended up saying it ALL WEEK LONG!! Ok, this is definitely one of those "you had to be there"... I understand.

C'mon Twins!!

Click here to view these pictures larger

While I was in NC week before last I was able to get to Wilmington and visit my friend Emily from high school. As you can see she's pregnant. Very pregnant!! With TWINS!!!

Doesn't she look great!?!?!?! From the back she doesn't even look like she's pregnant! I think most other pregnant women are probably VERY jealous of her!!! : )

She's technically due middle of July but is ready to have these kids! Everybody pass your good "labor thoughts" to Em!!!

NOTE: I like how it looks as though my boob is resting on her tummy!! She's very tall!!!

Aw.. the kids are graduating!!

We had two graduation parties this weekend. They're not even "our" kids and I still can't believe how fast time flies.

Of course I'm talking about rowers...

I was talking to the older brother of one of the graduates (and one of D's former rowers) and was asking him about school, etc. I can't remember exactly how I phrased my question but he looked at me funny (which he usually always did anyway so it wasn't out of the ordinary) and said "Julie, you DO realize I just finished my sophomore year, not my freshman...."

What!!! Where did that year go??

Oh well. I guess I'm really starting to get old. I can't keep YEARS straight!!

I finally convinced D to start an annual alum cookout at our house for the alumni boys he's coached. So the planning begins for a fun day sometime in the end of July before they all go back to school. What does that mean?? That means Zookeeper (mwa) will start the planning, sending invites, etc... But I think I'll definitely put on the invites "RSVP - for all you guys that means CALL US either way - if you're coming or not!!" These still are college boys (ok, some still have a HS mentality) and need a primer in proper etiquette. Not sayin' their parents didn't raise them right - this a GREAT bunch of boys!! But sometimes the parents don't know or it just never sank in. They are boys after all!!

Any suggestions on what to do to keep guys between 18 - 22 entertained?? We will have the pool open...

Sick of junk mail???

I don't know about you but I get, on average, about three credit card offers in the mail A DAY!!! I don't want anymore people!! I'm set. I'm good. STOP SENDING ME OFFERS!

The worst part - Marriott keeps sending me offers for their credit card that I ALREADY HAVE!!!

WTF?!?!?

Well, I found this great website yesterday. You can register to opt out of many different mailings, such as credit cards!! You can also control catalog and magazine mailings and other types too.

I just went an did a 5-year opt out for all credit cards. I left the catalogs alone - I admit it - I'm a catalog whore. I want to receive new and exciting catalogs. I really don't get junk mail that falls out of those two categories but you can surely stop a bunch of stuff through this website.

If you're sick of getting junk or just want to reduce the paper used on the planet I highly suggest that you visit the site.

Oh, and you're welcome.. ; )

Today's Random Thought

How is it the skinny little guy from high school grew up to be HOT gay man??? And he apparently hangs out with the most beautiful, HOTTEST group of gay men too!!! Damn!

Man, I love FB... great for snooping... ; )