Pinky lives!

In high school, around graduation time a bunch of pink flamingos were placed in front of the school for each senior (I do not remember this but my parents recall the story this way). I took mine home for one reason really; I love pink flamingos!
I proudly displayed it in the yard and named it Pinky.

Well fast forward a few months and I was away at college. I started receiving emails about my beloved Pinky. The first email was a ransom note stating that Pinky was kidnapped and was safe. My father sent it to me and said he was doing everything he could do to save Pinky (I know, my family is crazy but you have to love them). At first I did not understand what was going on, thought it was funny and went back to my college life.

Another email popped up a few weeks after that. This one had a picture. Pinky was dressed up with random things and surrounded by hunting riffles. I had to do all I could not to pee my pants from laughter. (My father and his buddies evidently have a lot of fun when they get together).

These emails continued for a few more months (I think my dad and his buddies were bored).

Eventually Pinky was safe and sound in the back yard where she stayed for a few more years. Sadly, her life ended about a year or so ago. She was a great plastic pet.

Well, I am proud to say that Pinky LIVES!



Yep, that's right Pinky II has found a home in the Dirty Durham. What a great life she will have here.

P.S. I know it is tacky but she is in the backyard so hopefully the neighbors will take pitty and not call the home owners association on her.

Yesterday...

This is me when I was young...



And here is Jason...



And yesterday this happened...

Yep, unfortunately those are not the only ones I took. Two lines mean pregnant. Shocker! We were trying but as Jason put it, "I didn't think it would happen that fast!" Well his first reaction was, "OH BOY!". I thought he was going to pass out.

He is better now and I am starting to process of calling doctors to confirm. Hopefully it is true because that would be AWESOME!

And the countdown begins!

Super excited!

For our one year anniversary last year we went to a Carolina Panthers games. They played the Falcons and of course they won! It was a great day.

This year, 2 days before our anniversary on October 11th, the Panthers will defeat (yes, defeat) the Redskins. The Dirty Durham crew will be present. If I have to sell a kidney (it happens!) I will to be there. I love the Panthers and I love watching my husband sulk when his team loses (just kidding...no I'm not :) ).

A life goes on...

And my heart will go on and on...



Camera replaced. Mission accomplished and it only took 1 hour at Best Buy and I controlled hubby to only purchase 2 DVDs. I swear every time we go to that store we end up spending more than necessary. AGH, Men!

R.I.P.

Today my beloved camera went to a better place.



She was a good camera who never let me down. Sure, some days she could be a little slow to take a picture, but she always came through with high quality photos.

Nikon you will be missed!

Unfortunately it means I now have to shop for a replacement. One of my least fav activities is shopping for high tech things.

Less than a month

Less than a month I will be in Vegas doing this:



and playing some of this:



eating all of this:



begging Jason to do this:


lounging around the pool:


with a sparkly drink in hand:


All while staying here:



Before that I need to do a little of this:



and some pampering for the toes that I will show off all week:


and possibly not eating for next month so I can wear a bathing suit; that makes me sad :(

Romance

A few nights ago I was watching tv and there was some show on discussing romantic gestures. It got me to thinking about my husband and how he has shown me his love over the years.

I would like to give a kudos here to my husband for all the sweet things he has done for me over the years. He truly is the my best friend and the person who I will grow old with.

One story sticks out in my mind.

In May when we lived in VA Beach there was a Redskins Beach Blitz weekend. All the Redskins players, cheerleaders, etc. came to the beach for a weekend full of events open to the public. My husband's company was one of the main sponsors because the entire Redskin crew stayed in their hotels. Jason was the main contact person for this event. A privilege for him being the huge Redskins fan he is.

Now, I am a Carolina Panther fan and have been for years. However, I do love me some of this:



and this:


oh yeah, and this:



Yes, Chris Cooley!

For those of you who are not Redskins fans or football fans he is #47, tight end and the only reason I watch the Redskins.

So during the Redskins Weekend we had free passes to pretty much everything. The only thing I wanted to do was get Chris Cooley's autograph. So we went to the convention center on the day of one of the "Meet and Greet" sessions. I found out where he was to be located and what time. I staked myself out in line and began my wait. My husband proceeded to wander the event and collect other peoples signatures. I waited with a good friend for about 4 hours. At that point, Jason found one of the Redskins coordinators he knew from working with him on the event and asked about Cooley. He was told that he would not be coming due to other arrangements. Disappointment! Well, he actually did show up shortly after that conversation. He entered the building, an announcement was made that he was sick and would only sign a few autographs. He was there for 5 minutes and I got just a glimpse. That was it!

I sulked like a 2 year old who could not get chocolate. Then I got angry, then sad and finally I pulled my #47 jersey off and threw it on the ground and proceeded to curse the only Redskins player I liked. After throwing my tantrum (so mature I know!) we went home. 4 hours and I had nothing to show. I was upset but my life went on.

The next week rolls around and I picked the mail up. There was a pretty decent size package in the mail from the Redskins with Jason's name on it. I called him at work. He said something along the lines of "Oh, yah I asked for something. Go ahead and open it. It really is nothing. But it is for you."

So I opened the package and pulled out a Cooley sized jersey. I turned it around and looked at the #47 and realized that Cooley had autographed it. My mouth fell to the floor. The coordinator for the Redskins called Jason to thank him for all his hard worked and asked if there was anything the Redskins could do for him. Jason explained his wife's obsession and asked if he could get an autographed picture. Needless to say he did not think they would send a jersey.

Lesson of this story: The way to melt Pam's heart is to give her an autographed jersey from a HOT football player.

My birthday gifts

I had a wonderful birthday. You know you are getting old when you spend your birthday going to Arby's (it was delicious), Home Depot (new bff) and gardening (still have a black thumb but it is getting a little more greener).

I was showered in gifts beyond what I expected. My husband gave me a new coach purse(of course I picked it out but he claims it would have been the one he picked for me by himself).




He also gave me a coffee gift card and a month of tanning, which is awesome since we are going to Vegas and I am a little pale right now.

Baby Joel gave me a general gift card because he said he went to my fav thrift store here in the Dirty D and they did not sell gift cards. Awww, so thoughtful.

My parents came down the day before and took us all to lunch. They gave me some spending money and also we went to Target and picked out curtains for my living room and dining room. SWEET! (I got upset a few weeks ago because we have lived here since December and new neighbors moved in and they put curtains up before me. Jealous, I was!). My youngest sister sent me the cutest dress and my other sister gave me new Vera Bradley flip flops and a cute Vera vase.




I was shocked at the gift because she does not like Vera Bradley but she saw a cute diaper bag and now she is in love. We had fun spending time with my parents. It was a nice day and my birthday weather was beautiful.