....These Go to 11

Ari says:

Sniffle and sigh, my long-awaited and glorious weekend has come to an end. I headed out to San Diego to finally spend some time with my husband. It had been entirely too long (8 weeks) since we had seen one another and I expected a rocky start to our adventures, but we had nothing of the sort. Friday was dinner and a great night of catching up. We also decided that we would celebrate the "3 Days of Birthday." I had three presents for Bart and since I'm horrible at waiting to give someone something, we agreed that one present a day would be fun. Bart proceeded to sing "On the first day of birthday my true love gave to me...." and we had a great time going through the presents one by one each day (I'll let Bart tell you what he got). Saturday was some fun shopping at an outlet mall and then an awesome dinner with "the fam," drinks at a pub and then a fun, impromptu party back at Karl Strauss (no, not my German friend Karl's residence, but rather his restaurant which is situated in the parking lot of the resort where Bart is staying) (and not that I have a friend named Karl, I was just being silly). The place has great food and drinks, and a fun staff that doesn't mind if you're loud and obnoxious. I also got a chance to meet some of the guys that Bart is flying with, so it was awesome to finally put faces with names. Sunday was Bart's Birthday (Happy Birthday to my sweetest!), and we took an awesome drive through the mountains and Cleveland National Park. First off, I don't know why it's called that since it's in California, and second, if you're looking for this park on Google Earth, make sure you you start your search at San Juan Capistrano, CA and not San Luis Obispo, CA. That'll make it much easier to find, trust me. We topped the evening off with some thoroughly sought-after sushi, a quick dip in the hot tub and some crap tv (thanks for indulging me, honey). Monday took us to the base for a couple admin items and then it was back to the airport. This weekend was very tough to close out, but I am holding on to the hope of seeing Bart for Memorial Day weekend (that would only be 4 weeks away). If not, we'll get back together for our 1 year anniversary in June.

For Bart Only: Thank you for a wonderful weekend, Baby. I miss you already, but know that we'll get back together soon. Until then, fly safe, behave and go get some of those great shirts we saw at the mall. They'd look great on you. I love you so very much.

I Can Get Enough

Ari says:

Ok, you've seen a full-out hissy, but it's time for a rant. If you don't want to read it, I don't blame you a bit, but here goes: I am about done with gas prices. In preparing to write this little entry, I found this picture of a Shell station and became even more incensed that the price shown is a full dollar less than our current gas prices and this picture was taken less than a year ago. I've got two words for you "E Nough." I will refrain from getting all political on you, especially because my political savvy is rather limited, but this is just ridiculous. I don't care who you are, what office you hold or how much money you make, at some point this is going to ruin us all. We are successfully running our entire economy into the ground simply because we can't let go of our incessant and churlish "need" for oil. Not to mention the fact that it's filthy. I won't pretend that I'm "green" or anything, but we have to realize that this is destroying our planet and if we don't change what we're doing we won't have a planet left to destroy. There are so many alternatives to our gas-guzzling customs, I just don't understand why we can't start to actually use them. I take that back, I understand that the oil companies have their fingers in so many pies that trying to eradicate this epidemic would be on par with exorcising demons from the soul of our country, but frankly, I'm not sure I care at this point. I'm sure I have a very limited scope of what something that drastic would do to our economy, but I can't help but think of all the good using a renewable resource would do (hey ethanol, how are you?). I'm not a tree hugger type, but I love how pretty our world is and would like to keep it from being destroyed. I'm also not a spend-thrift, but if things keep going this way, I'm going to need a raise just to get back and forth from my job.

That's a Wrap!

Ari says:
From time to time, God sees fit to test us. I get that, and am sure He's just keeping us on our spiritual toes. Saturday morning must have been my time. I got up that morning at 9 (which should be illegal on a Saturday) and showered in preparation for Bradley's baby shower. I got my hair slung into a towel and proceeded into the living room to wrap Conley's and my presents for the shower. I had purchased this absolutely precious paper (white with silver hand and foot prints) and was really excited to use it (I'm kinda a freak about wrapping presents). The great part about the paper was that it was gender neutral so that I could use it for all the upcoming newborns that are spewing forth from my friends. Anyway, I removed the annoying plastic wrap from the roll and commenced unrolling the paper to cut it. As I unrolled the lovely white paper turned a solid pink and continued to be that color for the rest of the roll. I was bamboozled, tricked, hoodwinked (not to mentioned severely pissed)! The entire reason I bought the paper was wiped out in one fell swoop. I rushed to my conservative collection of wrapping paper and was able to find some that was acceptable, but I was certainly not happy in any way, shape or form. The shower itself was very nice and Bradley certainly racked up on the baby paraphernalia. Now it's time to get little BJ here. We're all very excited to see what he looks like. But before that happens, I've got some wrapping paper to return.

It's a Mexican Thing

Ari says:

First off, let me offer each of you a huge TGIF (not anything about toes being inserted first or other extremities going in front, but the real thing)! That being said, let's get down to business. As some of you may know, I am a fan of La Comida Mexicana (Mexican food, or "that's Spanish for The Comida Mexicana") and today I am certainly feeling the effects of not having had it in a while. You could say I'm "feenin' for a fix, yo". I generally rely on lunch outings with friends to feed my addiction, but the past few times I've been out, those wonderful friends have let me down. Don't get me wrong, I heart food of all shapes and sizes, but there's just something magical about bowls of chips and salsa waiting to be gorged upon. I know, though, that I am not alone in this craving. I know there are others of you out there that may be afraid to speak up (like you have a pair). Well, fear no more! Arise fellow enchilada-cravers and join me for lunch, dinner and the occasional breakfast burrito. Any takers?

Spring is in the Air

Ari says:
Yeah right and let me add P-shaw! It was 34 degrees outside when I drove to work this morning. Come on. I mean really?! Yes, things are in bloom and there are lovely colors everywhere, but the fact that I wore a sweater and jacket today is just not right in the middle of April. (Please note that the following actions are all being done in excess at this moment: extending of lower lip, stomping of right foot, head rolling back onto scrunched shoulders and slight raising of outer right nostril to display utter distaste.) Yes folks, you have all just witnessed an S&S hissy. I am not a fan of being cold, although I know Bart is crigning right now. Ok, allow me to modify that statement, I don't like being cold when you shouldn't be. Dead of winter, snow outside, fire going... cold. I get it and actually enjoy it. Football game, cool, crisp autumn weather, chili and hot dogs to keep you warm.... cold. I get it and actually enjoy it. Middle of April, sunshine, flowers in bloom, bees bombarding my porch and having to scrape off the car in the morning.... cold. I don't get it and I don't enjoy it. Nope. I veto this weather.

Cat Scratch Fever

Ari says:

It isn't any secret that I love our cat Sherlock. He is basically our child and we treat him as such. As with all children, though, my fuzzy child is going through a new phase. Well, lucky me, Sherlock has returned to an old favorite: howling at anything and everything in the dead of the night. For the past week or two between 3:30 and 4 in the morning I have received a lovely little wake-up call from the ball-0-fur, who is usually perched on some piece of furniture and has just decided it is the perfect time to demonstrate the full extent of his vocal chords. This performance is usually followed by me basically flopping out of bed and then chasing the offender around the room until I can put him out and shut the bedroom door. I don't understand our cat and have never claimed to, but some things that just really get to me are that: 1. he won't do this in another room, just in the bedroom, 2. he runs from me when I try to put him out, and 3. he's silent after I lock him out of the room. Not a chirrup or purr escapes until I let him back in the room for our morning ritual of "let's-knock-everything-off-the-counter-while-mom-is-trying-to-get-ready." Don't get me wrong, I love this precious monster, but sometimes (ie. 3:45 am being awoken from a dead sleep) I think very bad things about him.

And the Winner is....

Ari says:
The K's have it. Last night 2 particular K's became champions (not to be confused with Special K, the cereal or the artist) and I want to send out my congratulations to them both. Kansas became this year's NCAA Men's Basketball Champions in a great game against Memphis. Considering Kansas was down by 9 with 2 minutes left in regulation and were able to win by 7 points in overtime, I am impressed. I love it when the last game of the season actually lives up to the hype, and neither Kansas nor Memphis disappointed. Great game all around! My second congrats goes to Kelly who easily won the Bartolomea Bracketology, in what would have been a bloodbath had anyone else actually picked Kansas to win. Kel, you rock and some day you'll have to teach me your secrets. I'm wondering at this point if you have that sports book from Back to the Future 2 (anyone with me?) and are just hoarding it to yourself. Anyway, congratulations to all. Now I'm going to hibernate until November when it all starts again.

It's All Relative

Ari says:
What an awesome weekend! Despite a nasty drive on Friday, I was lucky enough to get up to Indy this weekend to see my Mom and several other wonderful members of my family. Side note: for those of you who don't know (which most of you do/should), my Mom is fantastic. She's seriously one of the greatest people I've ever known, and I'm not biased at all (I could go on forever, but I'll spare you). Anyway, we didn't do much of anything, but we all had a great time hanging out, catching up, and of course eating more than we ever needed to. I will say, though, that I've developed a nasty new habit. My lovely (aforementioned) Mother and Grandmother peer-pressured me into learning the revolting and time depleting game of Sudoku. I'm really mad at them right now, considering that I got so into it last night that I gave myself a headache trying to make the grid work on the diagonal (don't ever try that). Hey, I've already told you that I am weak, and buster am I a sucker for things that so fully appeal to my OCD. If you haven't started playing, don't. You'll never see your television or favorite books again. If you have started, do you know how to quit? I could use some help over here. And if you're laughing at me right now, it means you know exactly what I'm talking about and are a closet player yourself and have no room to talk.

All in a Day's Work

Ari says:

It's official. I am well into my second week of "the travels." Now some of you may consider this some horrid form of incapacitating bodily function, but in fact the name says it all. Starting the last weekend of March through the middle of May, I will not have one weekend at home. From San Diego to Kentucky (or "the bay," name that quote) I will not be resting until the weekend of May 16th. And then, buster, allow me to say... bring it. Not only does the new Chronicles of Narnia movie come out, but I plan on divulging my entire weekend to one of the greatest things ever: relaxation. With life comes work, responsibilities, errands, obligations, but with those sacred, unfettered weekends comes a simplicity that can only be reached when one fully devotes oneself to doing absolutely nothing and loving every second of it. I plan on reveling in that weekend and I challenge each and every one of you to find that time as well. Come on, you know you all have your indulgences like crap tv, cheesy romance novels, long baths or even a mild sport; in which case, you know what I'm talking about. Go on and find that time to devote entirely to relaxing. You'll thank me for it. I promise.

This is Only a Test

Ari says:

I am a weak woman; a woman of little substance you might say. I swore that I would never become one of the dreaded "bloggers", but here I am, typing my first post and feeling a shameful tingle of excitement that I might actually accrue a comment. Sadness. Anyway, before I start regaling you with fantastic stories, amazing demonstrations of my lexicon and pure entertainment, I must check to see that I have set this contraption up correctly. Stay tuned....
(Disclaimer: I love to read other people's blogs and really don't think of you as "dreaded." Also, no Bibles were injured or sworn upon during the refusal to create a blog.)