A Birthday Fit For A Douchebag

Yesterday I celebrated my 3rd Annual 29th Birthday. Although this was the first birthday I've had that didn't feel like my birthday. It could be because it was in the middle of the week, and I couldn't really celebrate Erica-Style with drinks since I am preggo, or that my dear old hubby was out of town for work. I tried to make the best of it anyway. So what does one do on their 3rd Annual 29th Birthday? I went to work, vacuumed my car, and went to dinner with one of my besties.

The day was filled with little surprises nonetheless. My Mom and Dad sent me a lovely birthday flower cake. (PS - Mom if you are reading this, never do that to a pregnant girl again. I really thought I was getting cake. I was bummed to find out I couldn't eat the cake.) 

My bestie Jessica surprised me with a bunch of birthday balloons, and a birthday banner at dinner too.

But my sister, as usual, topped the surprises with her little card and somethin' somethin' she sent me. It is a little known fact in our family that my sister Kimberly and I, lovingly, call each other douche bags. Since she is the elder of the douche bags, she is Big Douche Bag (BDB), and I am Little Douche Bag (LBD). So it is no surprise that she found a pretty douchie gift.

 
I immediately called her once I got the mail to let her know that I loved the gift, and she shall be getting the first citation because I'm not 30. I should also give one to my brother-in-law.

The surprises didn't stop after dinner. I walked out to my car, and almost had a heart attack. I thought someone hit my car. But alas, it was just some Douche who parked waaaaaaay too close to me. Granted I was over the line, but seriously dude? Then the lightbulb went off.

I decided to give him a little surprise. A douche bag citation for being a douchie parker. This may be better than the Christmas gift she sent me last year. This will be the birthday gift that keeps on giving. Thanks BDB!

Best of 2011

As the end of this year approaches, and as a new year begins, I took a look back at all that happened in 2011. We worked as hard as we played, and it will go down in the books as one, really great year.

And now ... the Best of 2011, in iPhone-365 fashion.

Celebrated a milestone with My Father In Law as he turned 60.

Spent some quality time with Ma, Pa, and the Hubby in GA.

6 years worth of hopes, dreams and pinched pennies = new wood flooring.

And carpet.

Our annual ski trip with our awesome, amazing friends (Marky, Mike & Jen!)

I opened my own company! I'm CEO biatches!

Surprised both our Moms for Mother's Day.

Celebrated our first year of wedded bliss.

Took our anniversary trip to Alaska!

The most annoying cat ever turned 5.

My BFF has her first child, and I become Aunite Ebowski.

My little girl becomes a little ol' lady.

After months sleeping on the mattress on the floor, and using wine
boxes as night stands, we finally got new furniture.

My banana bread is a hit, and I actually sell some loaves.

A whirlwind trip to the NE for a wedding, and a bike ride from hell.

We learned how to coupon.

I won an antique dresser at an auction thanks to my Mom.

We helped make the world a little better.

I turned 30 ... and licked a Moosen.

Rang in my 30's by dressing up as a Blow Up Doll.

His backside looks as good as his front side, and he cooks.
I'm one lucky gal.

It's the gift that keeps on giving.

Looking forward to all that 2012 has to offer. Happy New Year!

King Richie

"Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened."  Jennifer Yane

Happy Birthday Dad.

Love,

Your Kiddo

An Ode To My Birthday

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Chad thinks that I bash him too much on my blog and make him appear like a sissy so, in honor of his 32nd Birthday I give you 32 reasons why my manly husband is the greatest guy ever and why I love him so much.

1. He is strikingly handsome.
2. He laughs at my jokes and thinks I'm funny.
3. He kills bugs.
4. He takes out the trash and recycle because almost after 6 years of living in the same house, I still don't know what days the trash guy comes.
5. He makes me yummy dinners.
6. He is a very hard worker and is good at his job.
7. He empties the dishwasher without me asking.
8. He gets me awesome gifts like a Nook.
9. He knows how to spell everything.
10. He learned how to put the coffee pot back together.
11. He gives good feet rubs.
12. He takes pride in whatever he does.
13. He is a good son and calls his parents every week.
14. He lets me drag him to Old Time Pottery.
15. He is a great golfer.
16. He loves our fur balls, gives them food, treats, love and good rubbins'.
17. He is very competitive.
18. He is good with saving money.
19. He goes grocery shopping when I don't want to.
20. He has a great sense of humor.
21. He loves his family.
22. He keeps me motivated to go to the gym.
23. He puts up with my crazy antics.
24. He hangs all the pictures and stuff on the walls and it comes out straight (unlike me).
25. He is great with numbers and math.
26. He teaches me new stuff every day.
27. He lets me watch my vampire shows on the good t.v. when sports are on.
28. He always picks the best restaurants to go to.
29. He plans awesome vacations.
30. He can reach the stuff on the top shelf.
31. He knows a lot about wine.
32. He loves me and always has my back.

This guy is my everything.

Happy Birthday Chad! I love you!

Niner, Niner

Side by Side, Year by Year.

"It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life." - Rita Rudner

 

 

Belated Father's Day

Daddy and Me

You may have thought I didn't see,
Or that I hadn't heard,
Life lessons that you taught to me,
But I got every word. Perhaps you thought I missed it all,
And that we'd grow apart,
But Dad, I picked up everything,
It's written on my heart. Without you, Dad, I wouldn't be
The woman I am today;
You built a strong foundation
No one can take away. I've grown up with your values,
And I'm very glad I did;
So here's to you, dear father,
From your forever grateful kid. -Joanna Fuchs

This Day Last Year

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These too are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are also the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it the most. These too are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family together as one. And lastly, these are the hands that even when becoming wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Oh Mudder

We planned to surprise and we succeeded.

A week before Mother's Day we thought it would be nice to go visit our Mothers. Instead of choosing between the two, and because they only live two hours away from each other, we decided to go see them both.

Friday night after work we packed up and headed on South. After a little pit stop at Captain Eddie's in Venice/Nokomis for some dinner we got back on the road for the remaining portion of the drive. We pulled into the in-laws around 11pm. We were hoping to beat them home since they had an evening party engagement that night but they beat us! Stinkers! Dad B. knew about our plan and as he saw me sneaking up to the door he quickly told us that Mom B. was asleep. Drats! We woke her up anyway. Tee, hee. She was thrilled to see us and very surprised. Total success.

Saturday morning we went out to Breakfast and then spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out in the pool. I even attempted to get a tan. Chad and I must be dunces when it comes to applying sunscreen though. I ended up with a red blotch on my arm and Chad had a couple of red spots on his back. We had a yummy dinner, wine and dessert at Konrad's and then headed out for Leg 2 of Operation Mudder's Surprise.

We pulled into my Mom's driveway around 10:o0pm. I was afraid she had already gone to bed but she answered the phone when I called. I asked her if she got the package I sent her and she said she hadn't checked the mail that day so I told her to go outside to see if it did arrive. The front doors are half glass so I squatted down so she wouldn't see a person figure when she turned on the lights. The front door opens and the crazy woman doesn't turn on the lights. She looks down at me and I say "Hey". She screams, realizes what I am, screams again, then realizes WHO I am and screams with delight instead of sheer horror. Not exactly what Chad and I planned but total success in our book nonetheless.

On Sunday morning my Dad made some breakfast and then we headed on over to spend some time at my Aunt's house with the family and the Meme. It was a great weekend full of fun, surprises, and most importantly happy Moms.

Spoiled Rotten

When I was three I got a pony, named Alvin, for my birthday. He wasn't a real pony but an old miniature horse. I remember riding him down the street from my grandparent's house to ours kicking him in the sides telling him to giddy up. My Dad liked to spoil me rotten so it is no surprise that I pretty much got whatever I asked for growing up.

This year I ask my husband for a Nook and I got it. Somethings never change. Happy Birthday to Me!

He Likes Cake

I have the cutest husband ever. Happy Birthday Chad!

He's Got Freckles and Red Hair

It was eight years ago today that my husband and I met. My good friend's boyfriend moved into a new apartment which came with a cute roomie. I met Tom but he was neither cute or single. There was another guy, who was single, living in the house but my friend described him like Alfalfa. I had her set up a get together so I could meet him. He was no Alfalfa. He was, and still is, very handsome, smart and super funny. I'm one lucky lady.