My Sisters Keeper

I just saw this movie tonight and loved it. It was probably the saddest movie I have ever seen, but the story was so beautiful. It was a good reminder of what is really important in life.

3rd of July

On the 3rd of July, Columbus Ohio has a firework spectacular. Fireworks are shot of to music on a radio station and hundreds of thousands of people come out to enjoy. It is one of the largest firework shows in the Midwest. We had gone last year and decided to go again last night.

The evening began with a wonderful barbeque in one of the parking lots downtown. The food was so good and the people watching was even better.

Unfortunately, we had forgotten that the bathrooms were pretty limited downtown and drank too much soda. We ended up having to wait in a 30 minute line to use 1 port-a-potty without any toilet paper. Lets just say that it was on my list of the top 5 grossest bathrooms I have ever seen.

The line was about 30-40 women long. Pretty quickly, we realized that there was a men’s restroom that people were cutting in line to use. We had two women in front of us that were pretty upset at all of the cutting and it made for a very entertaining wait.

One was cursing at the girls who were cutting and going into the men’s bathroom. There were a number of guys letting one girl in particular cut. The woman in front of us kept saying things like:

“Just because your cute, it doesn’t mean you can cut all of us.”

“Look at the kids in line you (bleep), I can’t believe you are cutting kids!”

Some how, I can’t remember why because it didn’t really have anything to do with the port-a-potty, but she kept mentioning how she was a lesbian. Anyway it was pretty funny. I am going to get some pictures from and upload them.

It was also pretty funny to see all of the drunk people that had apparently not thought about drinking and the lack of restrooms available. There were people in tears because they had to go so badly. Seriously, I love red white and boom.

BUT THE BEST PART OF THE NIGHT WAS:

We had been walking around for a while and decided to head back to the car. When we got back to our car we saw some couples camped out on our car. They had also parked themselves on some other people’s blanket. Seriously, no shame!

Later Ryan wanted to get some soda out of the car. When Ryan walked around the back side of the car and saw the people with their plate of food resting on our trunk, he said “Excuse me, I need to get in my trunk.” They apologized, but still continued to loiter around our car.

Justin Wheeler was also with us and caught them changing their baby on our trunk and was offered one of the joints they were smoking. The saddest part was that the people probably had 4-5 little kids with them (great example).

Well, I am glad we could provide them with a nice seat because all 6 adults enjoyed sitting on the hood of our car while watching the fireworks. We didn’t really get to enjoy the show because we were afraid they would try to put out their cigarettes or joints on our car or key the car. The whole time I wanted to say something to them about sitting on car, but they didn’t really look like the kind of people you wanted to mess with.

Overall, it was a fun night with lots of fun memories made.

Bulbs

I officially have a love hate relationship with all of the wild animals in Columbus. I loved coming out of my house last winter and seeing 5 dear standing in my front yard. I enjoy driving down the road and seeing the wild turkeys and beavers off to the side. Unfortunately, we also have the raccoons and squirrels to deal with as well.

For mother’s day, I usually buy my mom flowers but decided this year to get her some bulbs so that she could enjoy the flowers year after year. When I was in Georgia last weekend we planted them and then she gave me 40 of the 200 bulbs home to plant in my yard.

Two days ago I started to plant the bulbs, but it seemed that nearly ever time I came outside, within 15 minutes we would have a downpour. I would quit and decide to come back when it stopped. The next time I came outside, it happened again, but I was nearing the end of the unplanted bulbs so I kept going. Wet, yet satisfied I looked at my flower bed and was so excited to wait and see what all of the flowers would look like in the coming months.

Yesterday, I came home from work and was walking home from my bus stop when I noticed one hole dug into my flower bed. I stepped closer to get a better view and then realized that the squirrels had gotten to my bulbs. I couldn’t believe it. Of the nearly 30-35 bulbs I planted there were at least 15-20 little holes throughout my garden, right where the bulbs had been planted.

When Ryan and I first moved here, he always talked about getting a pellet gun to shoot the squirrels with (not kill them, just stun them a little bit). I always thought it sounded so mean and heartless until last night. 2 hours of manual labor after working a full day and nothing to show for it, I was angry and ready to declare war on the squirrels of our neighborhood. Honestly, I don’t know what to do to keep them away. I have some bulbs leftover to put in my backyard, but am afraid of what will happen once I bury them. Please let me know if you have any suggestions of how to keep all the vermin in Columbus away from my flowers.

Actors and Actresses

I was at a girl’s night out last week and somehow we started talking about watching TV and commenting to our spouses on the attractiveness of actors or actresses. I recalled a number of experiences that I have had with Ryan in the past regarding my preference for Silver Foxes. Yes, I admit there is something about men over 40 that I like. They exude a quiet confidence that can only come with age. Many have reached a successful enough point in life where they no longer feel the need to show off like 20 and 30 year olds. It is a characteristic that I admire. They have families of their own and would rather enjoy their time with their children than going to bars and partying. I haven’t quite put my finger on what it really is, but for some reason I am attracted to it. I like their wrinkles and smile lines and gray hair that all remind you of their wisdom and knowledge. When Ryan and I first discussed our opinions on attractiveness, I think he was shocked and disturbed by my preference. I think he honestly thought that if I found these 40 and 50 year old men attractive, what did say about him? For lack of anything better or more exciting to write about, here are my top 10 choices. While searching for images to upload to my blog (you have to show pictures to do the Silver Foxes justice), I came across a Silver Feast website. If you have a chance, you should google it because it was pretty hilarious. Well, I hope you enjoy.

These are in no particular order because I was honestly having difficulty putting them in order.

George Clooney- He is probably number 1 in my book



Kevin Costner- Wait, no maybe he is #1. So wonderful in Rumor Hast It.



Hugh Jackman- I have heard from reliable sources that once you watch Australia, you will fall in love with him. Honestly, he really isn't that old, but is kind of bordering on the Silver Fox category.



Colin Firth- Pride and Prejudice. I am usually not into the whole British accent thing like some women, but he won me over.



Pierce Brosnan- James Bond and Mamma Mia. Ok, so maybe I do like British accents more than I knew.



John Slattery- Mad Men



Richard Geere- Runaway Bride



Robert Redford about 15 years ago (He is probably the most attractive of all, but now is a little too old)



Brad Pitt- Also not super old



Mel Gibson- Pre anti-semitic comments



If you think I have left anyone out, please let me know.

Passports

Ryan and I are going to Aruba this summer with his family (yes we are so incredibly excited), however, this means we had to get passports. I went about a week ago and first ran to the Fedex store by my job. I walked into the store and spoke to one of the most mello kids I have ever met. He took me over to a white wall to have my picture taken. He would wait and wait with his finger on the camera and then when my eyes could no longer take the staring and I was just about to blink, snap the picture. I wanted to say, “come on can you please give me a three count.” So there I was waiting and waiting and could no longer continue to stare at the camera when…. FLASH, another blinking shot. The third time, I just managed to keep my eyes open. The kid asked me to wait while the pictures printed. When he handed me the card containing the photos, I looked and my first thought was “YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME.” In the pictures one eye is almost closed and one is open. They told me not to smile, but to make a normal everyday looking face, so of course I have the stupidest looking smirk on my face. For the next ten years, I get to have a passport with a photo of me looking completely stoned. Awesome. I wish they would let you look at the digital camera before printing the picture.

So today, Ryan sends me this text while I am at work.

Ryan: “My passport picture girl was about 4 ft. tall, so I had the option of an up the nose shot or a chin on chest, fat neck shot.”

Me: “Which did you pick?”

Ryan: “I had a split second to make the decision and went with the extra fat neck… I kinda regret it now.”

So there you have it. Won’t we be the pair, FAT NECK GUY AND STONED GIRL.

Melissa

I had been reading that Melissa from the Bachelor was supposed to be taking the place of Nancy O’Dell on Dancing with the Stars. Well, I tuned in last night and sure enough, there she was. She only had 48 hours to prepare for the show and did so great. She has a dance background, so I am sure that helped a lot. Anyway, I am not a big fan of Dancing with the Stars, but I might just watch this season because I like her so much.

The Uglies

My friend suggested that I read a series by Scott Westerfeld called the Uglies, Pretties, Specials and Extras. Honestly, if you haven't read it, you should. I am not huge into the science fiction stuff, but these books are so easy to read and keep you completely captivated the whole time. I have loved them. I read an entire book in a day and a half. I went to work for 9 hours and then came home and read the whole night and then finished the book in about 1 hour yesterday. Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know. The books are really clean because they are young adult novels, so no language or sex. They have been really enjoyable to read. Here is a link to a synopsis of the books. I promise that you won't be dissapointed.