She's an ADULT.

My baby sister, Meghan, turns 18 tomorrow. Joins the world of adulthood. Holy. Crap.

It seems like just yesterday that she was a wee little baby. (Assuredly, there were better pictures of my sweet baby sister - just could not RESIST posting this HOT HOT HOT big hair picture of my aunt Erin - Hi ERWIN! Nana looks a little high. Were these the valium years?)

And now. She's all grow'd up. Engaged to a wonderful guy. Well on her way to GREAT success. We had her party last night.

Here are the three proud older sis's. I (on the right) was 13 when she was born. (Yep. Do the math, pretty please.) The middle sis MELISSA (in the middle - how appropriate) was 14. And the OLDEST sister VANESSA (on the left) was 17. All of us, at one time or another, have been mistaken for Meghan's mommy.

When she was a newborn - racked with colic and never sleeping- she made me not want to have kids. In fact, I vowed that I would never do that to myself. And then she got older. And ate chips and sang to me. At the same time.

And loved her niece and nephew before she knew how to use a toilet.

And then she got even older and helped me wash my car.

And talked on our brother in law's brick cell phone to her broker.

She taught me how to be a mom. Without even trying. I think my kids would thank her if they stopped to think about it.

(This picture really has nothing to do with Meggie's bday- I just could not RESIST posting this rockin' early 90's outfit that my sister Melissa was sporting. Side french braid? Check. Bandeau top in bubblegum pink? Check. Muscle tunic in tie-die? Check.)

I got her this as a gift.

It contained: *A voter registration form; *A booklet on the ABC's of credit; *An alarm clock (yes, my mom still wakes her up.) *a sewing kit; *a get out of jail free card (In the unlikely even she were ever arrested, I promised to come bail her out and not tell our mom- more of a joke than anything) *A strand of big girl pearls with matching pearl earrings *and a daytimer :)

The party was tres fun. This is Miss P laughing her head off.

Happy Birthday, Miss Meghan.

Nerdy Teen Years chronicles...

I am feeling the pressure of the NaBloPoMo challenge. (I missed yesterday- I suck) I am digging in deep to come up with new information to share witcha. These last 8 days have really proven something to me - my life is a little BORING. So I am falling back on some of my more interesting history to carry me through those days I just simply have nothing to share - So. Welcome to the Nerdy Teen Years chronicles. These years in my life hold a TON of material. A TON. I was a total nerd in high school- Yep. I understand how hard that is to believe coming from such a hot, put together, self assured chick (LOL) such as myself. But it's so true. I was the editor of the yearbook, in the Audio Visual club and in all honors classes- My induction into the Quill and Scroll society was a momentous occasion. NERD. NERD. NERD. But I was not a wallflower nerdly type. As this story will illustrate. (Ahhh, the impetuousness of youth. I miss it.) In 1995 my friend won tickets to a movie premier- I wish I could remember what movie it was, but alas that detail escapes me. This premier was being hosted by the local alternative rock station- 106.3 the Edge. (loook- I managed to find a pic of the bumper sticker- viva la internet!) Well, one of the dj's that was there looked really young. And cute. (To my nerd eyes.) So, the next night (assuredly over some wine coolers and zima- although UNDERAGE DRINKING IS WRONG, Mom) me and my girl Alison decided to call the radio station (because he was on the air) and ask how old he was. I am cringing at the memory as I write this. His on air handle was Squiggy. Squiggy. I can't remember how old he was , but I am thinking something around 21-22 - he could go to bars legally, of that I am sure. I was 17. Seriously. So, after a few hours of chatting with him on the phone that night, he rigged one of those call in contests and let me 'win' a free New Wave Hits of the 80's cd. I had to go to the station to pick it up the next day. And could I just pick up said cd without making a nerd of myself? Absolutely not, my friends- do you know me? So, whilst picking up said cd, I left a note AND A PICTURE

(my senior headshot, for the record.) and said it was nice to chat and to call me (with my home phone number- ACK.) So. Called he did. Many times. Over the next few weeks. And during one of our many convos, he realized that I had never seen Die Hard. Apparently this was an important movie in cinematic history and he was appalled that I had never seen it. So, we made plans for him to come over to my house to watch said movie. So. I may have told a few friends. And my mom. And my sisters. And ok, EVERYONE I KNEW that this DJ from a rather well known radio station that we all listened to was coming over to my house to watch a movie. I may also have mentioned the date and time. And invited them over. And they all showed up. About 5 minutes after he got there. O.M.G. We tried to watch the movie in my room. On the delapidated tv that I inherited from my grandma. And the equally delapidated VCR that was the OG from the 80's that I saved from the trash. How cool was I? And really, how horrified do you think he was? 20 something. Watching a movie in the bedroom of a 17 yr old he didn't know. Where was Chris Hansen? So, not only did said vcr not work, but Awesome.Momma came in and chastised us for being in my room with the door closed (times have SO changed, eh little sis?) and made us come out to the living room to watch. Surrounded by 20 or so of my friends, my sister's friends and my mom. O. M. G. He stayed for approximately 15 minutes of the movie and the gawking and then got an 'emergency page' (LOL) and had to go. I know this will totally surprise you, but he never called me again. In my freshman year of college, my creepy neighbor stole that cd. But that's an entirely different story.
Squiggy (I don't remember his real name) if you're out there, I'd love to hear from you. I am so sorry I was such a nerd. If I had it to do over, I would have made sure there was no more than 10 gawkers :)ETA: And for the record- I've still never seen Die Hard- well except for the first 15 minutes.

Facelift + Lou.

I am doing some fall cleaning on my site this week. Sprucing up the crap-shack a wee bit. I am also tackling those tasks which have sat on the back burner for WAY too long. Nothing like foregoing a little (lot) of procrastination to make you feel so darn accomplished! It's almost...... GRATIFYING. Except that said tasks should have been done MONTHS AGO.

So. Seriously, why I am I feeling so good about this?

new welcome page to the site:

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Oh. And another new kitty joined our family.

(crazy cat lady comments will be deleted.)

Her name was Lulu until I most recently found out(due to the cat.weenie.incident.of.2008-don't.ask.) that Lulu is actually a Lou.

And for the record, I was taking pictures of that delectable European Velvet whilst impromptu photo session took place.I kept 3 yards for myself, including the yardage he is playing on. I promise.

He's a (pet quality) bobtail cat- complete with the crazy curly-q tail. Super friendly and playful!

Did you notice this ^ over there ---> ? I accepted the challenge to blog every day this month.

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I am, right this minute, having a WTF moment. Go sign up. Be my friend. Post useless drivel (like this) or useful info, your choice. Just. Don't let me go it alone, pretty please.

My astronaut.

My 9 year old delivered his first speech in class yesterday. He did great. He had to study an American Hero and give a speech as if he were that person. I won't assume that he chose John Glenn strictly for the costume potential. I'll let myself believe (for the most part) that he values Glenn's hard work, bravery, innovation and the ability to realize so many different firsts in one small lifetime.

But the costume did turn out pretty great. And it looked awful fun to wear.

Funniest part- He started out by introducing himself.... As Glonn Jen. And I didn't even laugh out loud. Proud of me?

happy halloween......

....from the Village People!