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A trip to Wrigley

Written on August 22, 2008 by Jennifer in Lucky Me, marriage, photo story friday, Pictures, playing along, Quirky Me

Tate and I are huge Cardinals fans. For those of you who don’t know, one of the Cardinals’ biggest rivals is the Chicago Cubs.

Although it would be a cold day in hell before I’d ever root for the Cubs, I do have the utmost respect for their stadium…Wrigley Field. Two weeks ago, we got to go to a game between the Cards and Cubs at Wrigley. It sounds totally cheesy, but it was a dream come true to get to go to Wrigley Field. SO THRILLING!!!!

Without Cathy, this trip never would have happened…so THANK YOU, Cathy!

Cathy did all the very nerve wracking legwork to get the tickets, complete with desperate emails between us. Where should we sit??? OMG, they are SO EXPENSIVE!!! Right field side or left field side????? For some reason it never occurred to either of us to just exchange phone numbers. Don’t let the $22 price on the ticket fool you, we paid DEARLY for the tickets on StubHub. (It was worth EVERY penny, though.)

Not only did I get to meet Cathy, I also got to meet Mandie. She met us for lunch on the Magnificent Mile.

Before the game, we sat and had a beer (or five) with Harry Caray himself.

Sadly my beloved Cardinals lost to the stinky ol’ Cubs. But on a positive note, we drank LOTS more beer, Old Style OF COURSE. (Also sadly, I regretted the last 5 beers that I drank the next morning.)

The second best part of the trip was that I got to fall in love with this goofy guy all over again. It was wonderful to have him all to myself.

This was my first time participating in Photo Story Friday!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

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Means to an end

Written on July 29, 2008 by Jennifer in hole-y matrimony, Lucky Me, marriage

My 30 days of free camera glory and all it’s unadulterated goodness are just about up and after much ADO, I’m keeping the camera.

About two weeks ago, Tate informed me that he really “couldn’t tell any difference between pictures taken with THAT camera *insert irritated huffing here* and our perfectly good, just bought less than a year ago camera.” He went on to say other things about money and computer space and Snapfish, but all I heard was:

“WE’RE NOT BUYING THAT CAMERA.”

Oh the blog posts I composed in my head! They were filled full of hateful words and threats. I would just get my OWN job and make my OWN money, damnit! How DARE he make me feel like a child asking her daddy for money!

Days upon days I stewed over this injustice. I could barely speak to Tate, let alone be in the same room with him (naked). Several days later was our anniversary. To say that I was less than enthused for the day was an understatement. I even wrote a post about memories from our wedding day on our anniversary just so that I’d remember that I did actually love him (at least at one time).

So on our anniversary, Tate surprised me by coming home in the middle of the day to bring me roses and a card. Inside the card was a little homemade gift certificate for a camera lens.

I stared at the card in disbelief. “Well…don’t I have to have a camera, first???”

Apparently silent treatments and no nookie is the key to getting what I want. I’m not sure if I’m actually comfortable using my womanly prowess for such endeavors and getting goods in exchange, but I really, really, really wanted that camera.

I guess the end justified the means THIS TIME.

Tate got what he wanted out of the deal, too. *AHEM* So it’s not all bad?? Right?

***

halp! Can anyone give me any ideas on what lens to get?? I borrowed and 18-200mm lens from Anne Glamore and then I rented a 50mm lens…but I’m still not sure what to get. I really want something versatile and I love bokeh. Suggestions PUH-LEASE!

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Seven Memories

Written on July 14, 2008 by Jennifer in Lucky Me, marriage, Men?, Uncategorized

Today Tate and I celebrate our seven year anniversary.

On the morning of July 14, 2001, I woke up very early, unable to go back to sleep due to the anticipation of this long awaited day. I went down to the hotel lobby to have breakfast. My dad happened to be in the lobby, so he and I ate breakfast together. Sitting there with just my dad before my big day is one of my favorite memories from the day.

Later that morning, I saw my grandpa. He asked me if I knew that July 14th was also my grandmother’s birthday, she’d passed away when I was just a young child. I hadn’t known that our wedding date was also her birthday, making the day that much more special.

When the doors of the church opened, Tate looked like he was going to cry. I’ve asked him many times since if it was because of my breathtaking beauty or his nerves…of course, he always answers correctly. It was all I could do not to ugly cry as I walked down the aisle.

At our reception, I told the DJ that I did not want to hear any music by AC/DC or Rush, two of my most detested bands. It didn’t matter if one of the reception guests requested to hear one of their songs, he was supposed to tell them that he’d add it to his list but then never get to it. He respected my wishes. Smart DJ.

We served a buffet dinner, which sadly I barely remember. I know I ate, I know that we had prime rib, but I don’t even recall if it was good. So sad to not even remember the food. I love reminiscing about food. What’s even more sad though, is that I only got one bite of wedding cake. I told Tate prior to the wedding that if he smeared cake in my face, he’d pay dearly. Tate respected my wishes. Smart Tate.

We decided that getting a limo to drive us to our hotel where we’d spend our wedding night would be silly. To save money, my mom drove us to our hotel. I remember laughing as she dropped us off, knowing what we were getting ready to go do for the VERY FIRST TIME. *ahem*

Tate carried me over the threshold. Thinking about that makes my heart flutter.

A wedding is just one day out of a marriage, but ours was a WONDERFUL day to BEGIN our marriage. I had no doubt in my mind that I was making the right choice. I still have no doubt that Tate is my one and only.

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I have 30 days to become a master photographer

Written on July 1, 2008 by Jennifer in begfest '08, hole-y matrimony, Little Monkeys, Lucky Me, Men?, Pictures

So remember how I’ve been begging for a camera? And then I told you last week that all that soul sucking begging paid off and then never told you how it paid off?

Yeah, well sorry ’bout that. Well my new Canon 450D/Rebel XSi arrived via UPS yesterday afternoon amidst much jumping up and down and gleeful shouting. Here was me, all day yesterday…”Was that the UPS truck!!!” as I ran to the window only to see NO SIGN of the UPS truck. “Oh I better not shower, what if the UPS man comes while I’m showering??” “No vacuuming today! I might not hear the doorbell when the UPS man shows up!” “Carson BE QUIET!!! I can’t listen for the UPS man!” “Did you hear that? Did it sound like a UPS truck, Carson??”

So needless to say, I got very little done yesterday waiting and waiting and waiting. It was torture! But I’m guessing you’re sitting at your computer saying, “GET TO HOW YOU GOT THE CAMERA ALREADY!”

Jeez, I was getting to it. Patience.

One of my wonderful readers, Trish, emailed me recently and told me that she works for a company who sells cameras at wholesale price. She offered to let me choose a Nikon d60 or the Canon XSi for free for 30 days. After 30 days I could either box it back up and return the camera OR buy the camera at wholesale cost. Her exact words to me were “I know it’s not as cool as Canon contacting you directly…”

Shut up! Oh it’s as cool alright! Since it’s not a free forever camera and I’m not expected to write a review, I’m not even in violation of my BlogHer ads agreement! I, of course, accepted the offer and am now in a mad frenzy to prove to my skeptical husband that we NEED to buy this camera. He’s convinced that we won’t be able to capture any better pictures with the XSi than we can with our S5IS point and shoot.

I have 30 days to prove him wrong…and YOU can help! Send me your best camera tricks, tips, settings, WHATEVER so that I can become a photography wizard. HALP! I CAN HAS NO CAMRA SKILLZ.

[pictures deleted]

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Reading My Mind

Written on May 12, 2008 by Jennifer in Lucky Me, marriage, Quirky Me

Despite watching years and years of daytime/self-help-style talk shows like Donahue, Oprah, and Dr. Phil, and learning that you cannot expect people to read your mind, this is exactly the trap I set for my ever-suffering husband yesterday. Despite my husband’s kind offers to take the kids out for the day to give me a break or to do anything I could reasonably imagine, all I could muster in response was a mournful and sigh-laden, “I don’t know.” **shrugs and pouts**

I swear I don’t know how he stays married to me. I am insufferable!

In some sort of defense of myself, I do have several reasons why I didn’t jump at Tate’s offer to make himself and the kids scarce. First, I’ll admit to being completely ashamed that I’d rather not be around my children on Mother’s Day. I feel like I must have some sort of mothering flaw to want to send my children away on the the ONE day that celebrates mothering them. Aside from my inherent flaws, I also know, well I at least hope, that solitude will not be my solo goal for future Mother’s Days. One day I won’t spend every waking second with them and I’ll WANT to spend a special day like Mother’s Day with my kids.

I was also afraid to take Tate’s offer of solitude because I was afraid that I’d answer too gleefully. “YES! Go AWAY. Go FAR, FAR away and don’t come back for hours. Leave me the hell alone! Amen! I don’t have to spend the day with you SUCKAS! I’m FREE! FREEEEEEEE!”

So instead I moped and sulked and heavy sighed. My logical self kept telling my asshole self to just come out and tell Tate that yes, I would really enjoy spending the day alone. My asshole self kept telling my logical self that Tate should JUST KNOW that I want to be alone, since I was obviously sending him all sorts of signs.

Thank goodness my logical side gave my asshole side a swift kick in, well, the ass.

I finally told Tate that it would be really nice if he and the kids left for awhile. Without complaining, Tate got the kids ready and they left for the afternoon. He even took them during their afternoon nap, which in and of itself makes Tate a SAINT.

Amen.

While they were gone I caught up on this season of the best of trash TV, The Hills, and watched a few episodes of WE’s High School Confidential (thanks for tip on this show Shelly!). I also peed blissfully alone which was truly thrilling.

When they returned, St. Tate informed me that he’d made the executive decision to make me a fabulous dinner. Without any help from me, he grilled ribeyes, roasted asparagus, and made a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing. For dessert he made ice cream floats. Then he cleaned up the kitchen and folded laundry all by himself while I enjoyed a glass of wine.

Apparently St. Tate actually can read my mind.

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I. Am. Famous.

Written on April 28, 2008 by Jennifer in Indiana, it's not a blog it's HBO, Lucky Me, Quirky Me

Brad Pitt and I are practically cousins. We grew up in the same town (Springfield, MO! Holla to my homies in the 417!). He attended my rival high school, the same one attended by my high school boyfriend. That’s just two degrees of separation right there. Back when he used to date Gwyneth Paltrow, the two of them came to Springfield for Thanksgiving and shopped at the local Smitty’s. I have shopped at that VERY SAME SMITTY’S. We probably touched the exact same floor tiles. Another time when he was in town, he went downtown to bars where I used to frequent. Also, my sorority sister in college, her boyfriend at the time grew up down the ACTUAL street from where Brad grew up.

See? Practically related!

My hometown was also home to several other celebrities. I like to drop their names sometimes to make myself look cool.

Ever heard of the Disney Channel? How about the slightly popular, High School Musical? Lucas Grabeel, better known as hunky ”Ryan Evans” from HSM also graduated from MY rival high school. It’s like I KNOW him.

Aaron Buerge, a former male ~~slut~~ suitor on The Bachelor STILL lives in my hometown and owns a restaurant in that same downtown district. We have breathed the SAME AIR.

I went to the same college as Kathleen Turner of Romancing the Stone fame. Really! I did! Also, John Goodman (Roseanne) went to my college. Sure they attended DECADES *ahem* earlier than myself, but just the fact that we attended the very same school counts for something I say.

Have you heard of that auto parts store, O’Reilly’s, the one with all the catchy radio ads? It started in MY hometown and my best friend in elementary school, her sister used to ride horses with the daughter of the owner of O’Reilly’s. (O, O, O, O’Reillyyyyyyyyyyyyy’s. Auto Parts.)

When I was in L.A. for spring break years ago, I saw Noah from Beverly Hills 90210 in a bar, Jack Nicholson driving around in a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Chad Lowe in a Ford Taurus.

Impressive, no?

My bestestest claim to fame has to be from last Thursday night when I got to actually meet (and fall in LOVE with) Bossy when she and her Saturn stopped in Indiana during her road trip. Also, I now know (and LOVE) her, her, her, and her. I already knew (and LOVED) her and her.

I. Am. FAMOUS. (For reals.)

What is your claim to fame?

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Three Things

Written on March 22, 2008 by Jennifer in Huh?, Lucky Me, Pictures, Quirky Me

Thing one:

I went shopping alone yesterday, as it was Tate’s attempt to make up for falling asleep on the couch on my birthday. My mopey, feeling sorry for myself mood wasn’t helped by seeing all of these horrible clothes stores are selling! What is WITH all the boxy shirts with square necks and the maternity-esque shirts and TUBE dresses! And Old Navy! Those clothes were the worst! Maybe I’m too old for shopping there. Is this what kids (feel free to substitute the word “whippersnappers” here) these days are wearing?

Hello. My name is Jennifer and I just turned 80.

Thing two:

Whenever I leave a store, I have a fear of setting off the alarm and being accused of shoplifting. Never in my life have I (purposely) shoplifted and partly it’s because I’m afraid I’d set off an alarm and be CAUGHT. As I get closer to the exit, I feel myself tensing, imagining the alarm sounding as I leave, STOP THIEF! STOP THIEF! and thinking about the embarrassment WHEN the alarm is SURE to sound. I skirt quickly across the threshold holding my breath, only exhaling once I’m free and clear and RELIEVED that I dodged the bullet THAT time.

Thing three:

Cake. Lovingly crafted by Tate and Carson while I was gone shopping.

The mopey and feeling sorry for myself mood is gone. Cake, even a day late, has a way of making everything better. There there, now. It’s all better.

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