Since last we spoke...

I...

... won an(other!) award from the beautiful Jess of Jess Loves NYC! Thanks, love! Per the usual blog award rules, I am to pass along this award to 7 other amazing blogs. Here's your award, lovelies-- I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!



♥ To Frank, just for being awesomely you. Grumpy, running, bacon-loving and all.

♥ To Rachel, for giving great advice and always having a funny word. BOOBIES!

♥ To Veronica, because I love her blog already and want her to keep writing! (And welcome to the rest of the Martin gang! Can't wait to keep reading more from ALL of you!!)

♥ To Jidai, so he knows what a prize he is as he enters married life.

♥ To Mindy, who cracks me up on a daily basis and is so uniquely HERSELF! This counts as a birthday present, right Mindy? ;)

♥ To Chris, who also cracks me up nonstop and is an East Coast stud!

♥ And, last but not least, to Sir, who writes one of my new favorite blogs. (Extra kudos to Mindy for pointing me in that direction!)

... said goodbye to my darling TansyBritches and sent her on her (loooong!) trip back to Oregon. We had TONS of fun! See you again soon, ladybug!

... celebrated my brother's birthday. Happy Birthday, Bro!!! We had barbecue (I had a veggie burger) (mmmm, and the BEST beer-battered onion rings EVER!), and ate by the pool, and I played mermaids with Bug until it was dark, and late, and way past her bedtime! Then we all opened presents, and ate ice cream and cake, and had Happy Family moments a little longer. :)

... got a little pissed when I found out that my brother's girlfriend was throwing him a surprise party the next night (on his actual birthday), and she didn't invite me. Then I figured I could make other plans, so oh well.

... got a little MORE pissed when my brother asked if I would babysit Bug all day on Saturday... and Sunday. Now don't get me wrong-- I love any excuse to spend more time with my niece, but this is his DAUGHTER, and he only has overnight custody every other weekend, and he was choosing to go out and get drunk (which he could do ANY OTHER TIME) instead of spending that time with his little girl. I guess that, even though he is a year older, he still has some growing up to do.

... just gave up and decided to be pissy all around when Wee Man called (have I ever explained Wee Man on here?? Remind me to tell you all about Wee Man someday...)(short story, we dated for about 3 years and then lived together for another 2 after we broke up. He was [is?] great friends with my brother-- was even in his first wedding. We are all Just Friends now!) and asked why I wasn't going. The Girlfriend had called to invite him, and he asked if I was going. I guess she hesitated and then told him that I had other plans that night. She never even asked me!!! Anyway, he said he wasn't going to go either, but I just found that whole thing annoying.

... decided to split the Bug time with my mom-- she already had stuff going on all day Saturday, and I had made plans for Sunday before Bro asked me to babysit, so we just decided to alternate days. Sweet!

... spent my whole day with my niece doing pretty much whatever she wanted-- having tea parties on the front lawn, taking videos of her dancing and prancing and shaking her booty (takes after her aunt? whaaaat?), reading book after book, taking videos of her "reading"/narrating even more books, playing in my car and pretending to drive, swimming swimming swimming, picking (and eating!) all the strawberries, taking a nap, cuddling post-nap, making dinner (cheeseburgers and watermelon! Summer's a good time for grilling!), and ... going to see "Wall-E"! She wanted to wear her Halloween costume to the show and I am less than picky, so I got to accompany little miss Snow White to the movie theater, where she sat totally still, paying rapt attention and holding my hand, and then spent the entire drive home saying "Waaaallll-E?" to me, to get me to say "Eeeeeeeeeeve?" back at her. Goof!

... put her to bed, took a shower, and then passed out, exhausted. Three year olds have ENERGY, man!

... got up early the next morning, made The Big Bug Switcharoo with my mom, and then headed out to pick up Funny Man at the airport. He was all grins, and told me how excited he had been all morning to see me, and we instantly delighted in our time together.

... spent some great time with my best friend-- watching movies, taking naps (I LOVE naps!), buying new fishy friends, running a few errands, just hanging out together, and ... going to see "The Dark Night"! It was AMAZING! Just a seriously well-done movie, from every aspect, and a chilling final performance by Heath Ledger.

... didn't want to leave, when it was time for me to go home. He didn't want me to leave either. I almost didn't. But, real life called and I had work to do, and I had ANOTHER friend to pick up at the airport that evening, so I returned home with a full heart and big smile.

... got to spend some time with First String as well. He and I helped his mom and his brother move a couch. (OK, he helped and I "supervised"!) Then we got to spend some time together, just talking and playing with my puppy and discussing life. Good times!

... wrote a guest post for Jidai, while he is out there getting ready for his wedding. Don't stress, my dear-- all that matters is that you and Ashley are happy and getting married! Love love love to you!!!

... didn't even feel the earthquake in Southern California the other day. But thank you to all those who called/texted/emailed to see if we were okay!

... am still working, and teaching swim lessons, and going to writing class, and am out there having fun in the warm California sun! (Cha cha cha!)

... said goodbye to Axl David Rose, my beloved betta, this morning. RIP my finned friend.

... am off now to catch up with you all! Have a great day!!!