Friday Favorites: Fall & Winter 2009

For those of you who know me, or are friends with my on FB, you could say that I'm known to snap a few photos here and there.  I love pictures & I love looking back and pictures of happy memories.  There are some pictures that you look at, you can't help but smile, laugh or cry. 

First up: Some of my favorite memories from the fall of 2009 and the winter of 2009-2010.  From top to bottom, my favorite memories of this time period based on the pictures alone.

Seven.

We scored some 8th row seats in the end zone at the Bears game!  It was awesome til some woman made me cry, Jes dumped a beer on her head, and the other Jes got lost.  After all that.. it's still one for the books!

Six

My first visit to Ann Arbor and I spent it on a boat with Ry Guy.  The laughs and comments on this trip were unmatched!  He also took me to only my 2nd MSU football game (I usually just tailgate), and a dip  in the middle of G's water polo game. 

Five.

Jes & I saw Brand New at the Aragon!  Great venue.  Amazing show.  Even better cab ride out afterwards.

Four.

Mar & I crashed an 8th grade reunion to do some investigative work on a situation.  It didn't hurt that it was at the Ale House-- Home of the greatest frozen sangria margarita drink of all time.

Three.

Giorgio is being 'the ball' (of warmth) as Taryn and I freeze are butts off on Brett's boat in Florida.  This trip was awesome as it was, but it would have been really nice if we hit 70 degrees while we were there in OCTOBER!

Two.

I went on an impromptu trip to Colorado to ski with Ryan & Luke.  Picture on the left shows me dead on the mountain because these crazies took me on double black diamond runs.  The picture on the right shows Ryan and I finding mimosas immediately after picking me up from the airport.  (obviously)

One.

My favorite find of today.. Christmas with the Hahn's-- After drinking champagne all day, my aunt hid the final bottle on us.  But Taryn followed her heart to find the last bottle which of course ended with a champagne toast!  Hallelujah!

Is it bad that my top two picks involve champagne?

It's My Birthday.. Month!

Did anyone realize today is August 1st?  You know what that means!!  Now I know that all of you are pretending like you looked at the headline of this post and decided not to read it.. and that's okay.  But in reality, you want to know what the birthday princess has got to say for herself on this precious occasion.

First of all, stop being such birthday haters.  I do not expect anyone to celebrate my birthday, but one day out of the month.  And that one day is usually a good one.  Someone please tell me when they had a bad time on my birthday?  And Dave.. let's not talk about the sweater birthday.  You did that to yourself.  There's been a few moments that I shed a few tears, but hey, you know the saying.. "It's my party. And I do what I want to." (That's for you G.)

So what are the chances that this August is packed to the brim with weddings, bachelor(ette) parties and vacations, not to mention going back to work again for a living (lame, I know.).. but what are the chances that the only weekend people are free in August is my BIRTHDAY WEEKEND?!  It's a sign... it's pointing to Leo.

That's right.  I'm a Leo so I can't help it that I'm obsessed with my birthday.  See:

Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac. These folks are impossible to miss, since they love being center stage. Making an impression is Job One for Leos, and when you consider their personal magnetism, you see the job is quite easy. Leos are an ambitious lot, and their strength of purpose allows them to accomplish a great deal. The fact that these folks are also creative makes their endeavors fun for them and everyone else. It's quite common to see a Leo on stage or in Hollywood, since these folks never shy away from the limelight. They are also supremely talented and have a flair for the dramatic. Warmth and enthusiasm seems to seep from every Leo pore, making these folks a pleasure to be around. They do love pleasure!

It's the Lion that symbolizes Leos, and the king (or queen) of the jungle is a most appropriate mascot, since they consider themselves the rulers of their universe (and the zodiac at that). (read more...)

I think I've made my point.. My birthday's fun! It's my day to shine! What's not to love?

Now let me take a minute to explain the birthday month.  It's not like I think people need to respect my birthday wishes for an entire month.  I'm fine with just a weekend.  However, I do feel the need to celebrate my birthday with everyone!  So the birthday month manifested because I happen to have lots of close friends who for some reason or another, can't all attend my birthday.  So in lieu of my party, we have a birthday lunch, dinner, or champagne toast!  Then there's a family birthday dinner.  Then there's a birthday beach day.  A birthday bar night! Birthday cake with the babies!  Then there's a birthday with the boy.. You can see how this goes on and on to take up the whole month of August.

I'm not the monster that created this birthday month, its everyone else.  I'm just reaping the benefits.  So everybody just relax and stop pretending that you don't want to partake in the festivities!!  Plus, I've made it more enjoyable by teaming up with some more awesome Leo's having joint birthday parties the past 3 years (I think I deserve some credit for that.)  Sadly, no birthday plans have been made yet. But rest assured that once I make a birthday decision with my fellow birthday betches of the month, you will be receiving your favorite email of the year (except you Jes. I'll spare you by hand making your invitation and posting it on the fridge.)

Happy Birthday Leos!!