Broken Hearted

Last weekend was one of the best of my life.  As you know by now, I was happily and very shockingly married on Saturday.

At the same time, my brother's baseball team was fighting to get into the NCAA Baseball Tournament. 

You see, the Missouri Tigers were picked to finish last in their conference this year.  And for most of the year, they lived up to that potential.  They couldn't seem to find a way to win.  I know it was a frustrating year for my brother, his coaches, and the team.  There just didn't seem to be anything positive to hold on to.

And then, about six weeks ago, something strange happened, and they started winning.  They kept winning, and they won themselves right into their conference tournament.  Granted, they were the lowest seed, but that didn't stop them.  They beat the highest seed and put themselves into great contention to win the tournament.

On the day I married Steven, the Tigers beat Texas for the second time that week, and put themselves into the final game.  If they won, they'd advance to the NCAA tournament.  If they lost, they were going home for the summer.  That all or nothing scenario sets up so much to play for, and so many emotions. 

The following day was the final game.  It went to extra innings, and the Tigers were in the field.  There were 2 outs and 2 strikes on the batter, when the kid from Texas A&M hit a home run and won the game for the other team.  And, as happy as I was for myself and all the wonderful memories I had created that weekend, I felt so very sad for my brother.  I texted him with the simple phrase, "heartbroken."

Today, while thinking of what to write, I came across a picture on the internet.  It's a picture of my brother in the dugout after losing that game.  Hanging above his head is the jersey that managed to survive the tornado in Joplin.  I have never felt so sad for my brother in all his life.  He's not emotional, and rarely shares how he is feeling.  But, this photo says more than he ever could.

Heartbroken.

(Click here to read the story of the jersey)

Saturday Random

Seeing as it's been one wild rollercoaster of a week, how about a little randomness to finish it off?

I've been  married for a week now.  I love it.  So far, so good.

I made a very delicious risotto last night.  Thanks to my sister in law for the recipe, and to my child for all the stirring.  My tummy says thank you.

Is there anything better than bacon?

Arnold Schwarzenegger is a creepy dude.

I love me some Jesse L. Martin on Law and Order.  Have you heard this man sing?  Holy Moly. 

I felt old when I had to put 47 on my marriage license application. 

I think I need to live somewhere that I can wear a sassy raincoat on a daily basis.  And rain boots.

I now have 8 nephews.  Doubled by this marriage.  Taylor is still  the only girl in the mix.  Spoiled much?

Best candy bar ever?  My vote is the Heath Bar.  Consistently a classic.

I wish I had a magic wand.  I'd do some serious good with that thing.  I promise.  I'd also make myself a bikini-ready-bod.

Summer TV is really pretty crap.

NO, I'm not having a baby.

Our big fat white cat talks.  Of course, the only things he says are, "Let me out" and "Feed me."  But, I do enjoy these conversations.  The other two cats let him do all the talking.

I still miss Bailey.

I have uber dry skin on my hands.  Witch hands.

Should I put pictures on random blogs like this?

Okay chickens.  I'm gonna go back and admire my hubby.  ( <---------Taylor, that one was for you!!)

Happy Saturday friends!

 

Too Pooped to Pen

Yeah, I'm tired.  But I wanted to say hello.  Here's two babies.  First one is mine, second is Stacy's.  It seems an awful long time ago that mine was that small.

Mid Week Mute

Well, How About That?!

Have you ever been to a surprise wedding?  No?  I hadn't either.  Until this past Saturday.



Steven and I went to a going away party for our friends Christer and CiCi.  They are moving back to Sweden after living here for seven years.  Saturday was a day long shindig where we were instructed to come dressed as our favorite Swedes.  This is the reason for Steven's dye job.  (see previous post!) 

Traffic was horrible on Saturday.  Our hosts live out at Isle of Palms which is the beach area of Charleston.  Everyone and their brother was heading to the beach for the holiday weekend.    The weather was lovely, and many people were gathered to celebrate the Swedes.

As the party started, we were all gabbing and watching the European Championship Soccer game.  Man United was in the final, and thus Steven was beside himself!  It was a normal party with friends, food and plenty of icy cold beverages.  After the game,we all were in for a gigantic surprise!!

The groom found the bride and convinced her to go outside to the deck of the three story house.  His premise for getting her outside was the old, "I've got to show you something" routine.  Once outside, he got down on one knee and proposed.  The bride was shocked and overjoyed.  At that point, the groom tells her that they are getting married right there and then.  He had asked a friend to become a notary, and here in South Carolina, a notary can officiate a wedding.

The friend/notary, owner of the house and their wives then witness the wedding.   No one down below knows what is taking place on the third story deck.  Music is playing, folks are laughing, and upstairs, a man and woman are marrying with beers in their hands.  A few wedding pix were taken and then the couple is introduced to the party below.  Groom had been planning this for months, bride had just over ten minutes to digest all this.  The rest of the party became a celebration of the newly married couple and the beautiful Swedes.  It was surreal.  The bride was shocked. The party goers were shocked.  People that didn't even know the couple were shocked.  This just doesn't happen every day folks. 

And, who was this couple?  Why, if you haven't guessed by now---Steven and I tied the really surprising knot this weekend.  

And yes.  I'm still in shock.   Thanks for the blog fodder,  husband.

Crazy Weekend

I have so much to report, but I'm just going to have to do it in snippets.

Let's start with this:

My  Friday evening was spent playing beauty parlor.  With myself, you ask?   No.  With Taylor?  Nah.  I got to play with this head of hair.

 See, we were attending a going away party for our favorite Swedish couple, Christer and Cici.  The theme of the party was to come dressed as your favorite Swede.  So, Steven decided to dress up as his favorite Swede, Christer.  In order to do that, he had to have blonde hair.  Thus, the beauty parlor.

Two applications later, this was the final product:

You tell me, does he look Swedish?

Friday Funnies

Let me just tell you how my day started.

I was in my bathtub, enjoying some bubbles, and I looked over at my toilet and it was so disgusting.  Seriously, it's probably as dirty as it has ever been.  So, as soon as I 'm out of that tub, I clean my toilets.  This was at 7:30 in the morning.  That is too early to clean a toilet. But, LAWD, it was time.

Then, I go to Dunkin Donuts to buy donuts for my office. Yeah, donut bribes go far in my world.  I'm feeling cocky and sassy as I also buy an iced coffee for our receptionist.  How nice I am!  How giving of me!  So what if this means I'm going to be late to the office.

I'm eating my bagel from DD and my phone rings.  It seems someone broke into our office building overnight.  Sigh.  I'm not there to handle it.  Yes, I have two dozen donuts, but still....

Nothing was taken, and no damage was done, other than the big plate glass window.  I guess one of the homeless folks just wanted to get inside for some reason.  We had the nicest police officer help us out (no, he didn't eat a donut) and Steven was kind enough to get the window boarded up so no other passersby would be temped to pop in for a sit.

I also dyed Steven's hair this evening.  Long story, and that's a whole blog in itself.  But, suffice it to say that I have no desire to be a hair stylist on a permanent basis.

Weird day, and it all started with my dirty toilet.

Oh, don't you love these M&M's?  My dear friend, Kristen, sent them to me.  They're  almost too cute to eat.  ALMOST.

And, was this wine not made with me in mind, or what??!!!