Friday, June 29, 2007

I'm Having Serious Problems Over Here...

Ok, so please don't just roll your eyes and skim this post...I'm in need of some serious support over here! You know I'm a big Kenny Chesney fan, ok, you all get that, right? I think you knew that already, but just in case you didn't, there it is.

So, yeah, as you can see by my countdown over there on the right, there's 26 days until I see Kenny in concert! That kicks off our Kenny vacation...3 shows in one week, traveling across 6 states, you get that too, right?

Well, here's my problem. I'm excited. Really, really excited. And for fuck's sake, I'm crying again! Yes, I said crying. Whenever I think about it, which is pretty much every second of every day, I start crying. Not boo-hoo like a baby crying, but my eyes fill up and there are tears. Real tears. And, I can't get ANY work done. No joke. I haven't done anything all day, and trust me, there's plenty to do. The next couple of weeks at work, I'm going to be completely swamped...problem is, my brain is so scattered and excited for Kenny that I can't concentrate. Not to mention, there's a constant excited knot in my stomach that just won't quit. And let's talk about how I can't sleep at night. Oh yeah, I was up at 5:00 this morning...wide awake. And usually, when I go to bed, as soon as my head hits the pillow I'm out like a light...not now. Now I toss and turn and lie awake in excitement.

I knew this was coming...the same thing happened last year, except that last year I was only going to see him one time and I had floor seats that were pretty far back. Do I need to tell you again that I'm going to see him 3 times that week with fantastic seats each time, and even front row one night??!!??

I'm excited and happy, but seriously, how am I going to make it through the next three weeks? Help!!

Monday, June 25, 2007

100 Things...

1. My name is Erin.
2. My grandmother picked out the name.
3. My middle name is Amanda.
4. When I was a kid, my Dad always called me Mandy or Manda.
5. Now he calls me Karen.
6. Because my great-grandfather thought that was my name because he was hard of hearing. Apparently the family just went along with it.
7. The only time my Dad calls me Erin is when he's trying to teach me a life lesson and it ALWAYS starts with "Erin, dear..."
8. The rest of my family calls me Erin.
9. I call myself 'Big Star.'
10. And no friggin joke, just as I typed # 9, the song, MY SONG, 'Big Star' came on the radio.
11. On a cruise last fall I did a karaoke version of 'Big Star' and it was bad. Really, really bad.
12. That cruise was the most fun that I'd had in a long, long time.
13. We went to the Bahamas.
14. A local man, 'Slim' wanted to marry me and paraded me around the island telling everyone that I was his new wife.
15. The other tourists just gave us weird looks.
16. My friends thought it was funny.
17. I did too for the 1st hour...then it just got really creepy.
18. The Bahamas is the furthest I've ever traveled.
19. Until next year.
20. I am going to the Virgin Islands.
21. I love to travel.
22. Travel & Tourism was my major in college.
23. I never pursued a career in that industry because the pay is too little in this part of the country.
24. You'd have thought I would have taken that into consideration before devoting my college years to it!!
25. College is kind of a blur to me.
26. As are my early to mid 20's.
27. 27 was a great year for me.
28. 28 is going even more fantastically!!
29. I have two kids.
30. Ryan is 5. Emily is 3.
31. Ryan is an angel. Emily is not.
32. But she's adorable.
33. I think the qualities that make her not-so-angel-like, she actually gets from me.
34. Woops!
35. I love music...a lot.
36. Country music...Kenny Chesney!
37. I listen to music pretty much 24/7.
38. Even when I watch TV, which isn't very often, I always have the radio on in the background.
39. I've already taught my kids to be music lovers.
40. I hope they hold on to that.
41. My dream is to move to an island.
42. I wish I had the guts to do it.
43. Someday I will.
44. I hope that 'someday' isn't too late.
45. I have a HUGE fear of dying.
46. Not really scared of dying, but I really, REALLY don't want to.
47. I think about it everyday.
48. My favorite colors are Orange and Pink. Bright, fun, summery Orange and Pink.
49. My favorite season is Summer.
50. I hate the cold and snow.
51. I don't know how I'm going to make it through another Maine winter.
52. Or why.
53. I'm hoping for the guts and some $$ to move somewhere tropical before snow flies.
54. I think I'm destined to win the lottery so that I can be a beach bum.
55. My favorite shoes are flip flops.
56. My favorite flip flops are brown, with bamboo on the bottom, and yellow and orange braids as the straps. Love them.
57. I'm on a diet.
58. Desperately want to lose 30 pounds.
59. I haven't been that small since high school.
60. But I know I can do it.
61. I'd like to lose those 30 pounds in the next 4 weeks.
62. I don't think that's going to happen.
63. That's ok, Kenny will love me just as I am!
64. By Kenny, I mean Kenny Chesney.
65. In 4 weeks, I am going on a 'Kenny vacation.'
66. With my best friend, Heidi.
67. We really like Kenny.
68. We've been friends for over 10 years.
69. She's more than my best friend. It's kind of hard to explain, but she's kind of like my 'other half.'
70. We do everything together.
71. And tell each other everything.
72. And share each others secrets.
73. We've made some pretty funny stories in the last 10 years.
74. I have a feeling that the next 10 years will be even better.
75. I never went to summer camp but I always wanted to.
76. I am a big Red Sox fan and have been ever since I was a kid.
77. I was the only one in my family who liked baseball.
78. I am also a big Patriots fan.
79. My Son is a Colts fan but I think I'm slowly converting him.
80. My favorite TV show is Wheel of Fortune.
81. I'm going to be on it someday.
82. I'm really, really good.
83. I was also really good at the old game show Scrabble.
84. My favorite TV show as a kid was Growing Pains.
85. I cried like a baby during the last show.
86. I used to have a huge Kirk Cameron poster in my room. He was wearing black jeans, a gray t-shirt, a black leather jacket. I loved him. A lot.
87. I also cried like a baby during E.T.
88. I still remember going to see E.T. in the movie theater and my friend threw up in the grocery store before the movies. We were very young, but I remember it.
89. I used to work at Disney World.
90. I loved it and wanted to stay once my internship was over.
91. I came home instead and I think I should have stayed.
92. My old roommate is still there and she still works for Disney.
93. Every time I go back, I always feel as though I'm home.
94. My favorite drink is a Margarita.
95. In a close 2nd is Mich Ultra.
96. The boys at work make fun of me for drinking the Ultra, but I love it.
97. I have too many favorite foods to list.
98. Remember how moments ago I said that Ryan is an angel and Emily is not? To prove that fact, Ryan is now playing quietly and Emily is in a time-out.
99. Now she decided to leave her time-out without my permission.
100. I have to go put her back now.

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Her Favorite Story Is The One She's Living Right Now



Since both my vacation days and my vacation funds are already spoken for during 2007, my inner traveler has now begun planning trips for 2008. And I've come up with what could quite possibly be the best one, EVER!! Departing December 26th, 2008, off we go to celebrate New Year's in St. John, USVI!! Are you so excited that you can't even stand it, cause I TOTALLY am!!

I'm not talking about some fancy vacation where we're going to stay at The Westin, St. John, although it is quite lovely. No, we're thinking more along the lines of the Cinnamon Bay Campground where we can, at least for a week or two, live the authentic island life! I want to lay on the beach, eat at all of the whole in the wall shacks, and drink the homemade rum at places like Foxy's (BVI's) and pound beers at Woody's, and drive a Jeep around the island on the wrong side of the road! We're going to take day trips over to the BVI's and experience the tranquility that these islands are.

Oh, and in case you were wondering why we're going over New Year's? Are you freakin serious? Foxy's is home to one helluva NYE party! A two day NYE party! (And Foxy suggests a third day for recovery!) They say the biggest amusement on New Year's Day is watching all of the hungover people searching for their dinghy's out in the water. People, I can't wait! And I'm pretty sure there'll be tears when Foxy and I actually meet. Seriously, read this to get a glimpse of who Foxy is and how he lives. Amazing, truly amazying!

You might be surprised to learn that I, Miss spoiled brat who gets freaked out by bugs who's afraid of the dark and can't stand dirt, is ECSTATIC about a vacation like this, but honestly, simply thinking of this vacation puts my soul at ease. I could totally live the island life...forever! Don't be surprised if I shack up with the locals and refuse to come home, cause I'm seriously considering it!

And while you might be wondering what the title of this post has to do with the actual post itself, let me fill you in on what's on the horizon: Kenny Vacation, Kenny again, Girls cruise to the Bahamas, Florida trip with the kids, Key West, USVI's and BVI's...seriously, I'm a pretty happy, travelin' kind of girl!

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Fashionista In Training...


Like Mother, Like Daughter!

Quote Of The Day...

"It's fine, we're fine. We have cheese, we're good."

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Ryan Lost His 1st Tooth!!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

It Came Upon Me Wave On Wave

By now you should all know that I live near the ocean, and more importantly, you should know that I HEART the ocean. Heart, heart, heart!

Yesterday was an anxiety filled day...nothing too major, but some lingering stress from the night before just kept brewing and brewing. I figured that once I got out of work, instead of emotional eating which is my most favorite past time, that I'd try something more productive and go for a walk. (Hello, going to see Kenny in 6 weeks...need to lose some pounds!)

With the mood that I was in I feared that I might be like Forrest Gump and keep on running and running, (except in my case it would walking and walking, because right about now if I ran too far I'd have a heart attack) so before leaving I set a limit for myself. I decided that I'd walk to the beach that is directly to the East of my house (yes, there is also a beach directly to the West of my house!!) and back and that surely a trip to the ocean would cure everything! And I was right!

Ok, so I set out on my walk, iPod in hand, and sorry to all of the bikers that, in passing, got to hear my stressed out versions of Kenny's island music. (Side note: do yourself a favor and buy this cd. Even if you're not a country music fan, this cd is a must have. Kenny wrote all of the songs about stories and people that he's met during his time spent in the islands. The music is amamzing and has the ability to take me away to a different world in an instant.)




So after walking for a bit (and a brief attempt at running) I arrived at the beach...the sun was just starting to set, and there must have been 150 people at the beach. There were over 50 people in the water surfing (I counted) as well as many locals playing ball with their dogs, frisbee with their buddies, and I even noticed one lady who was laying out (at 7:30pm??). Anyhoo, I approached the water while still listening to my iPod, and if you know me at all, you know that the ocean and the iPod are my two favorite things, so at this moment, my stress started to slowly fade. I stood there for a while taking in deep breaths of ocean air and letting them out slowly while staring into the ocean as far as my eyes could see. This is the beach that I was at:





Although I was starting to feel a lot better, it wasn't until I walked into the ocean that I felt completely whole again. I walked right in, sneakers and all, and my feet played and danced in that ocean for the next few minutes. Who needs therapy when there's an ocean nearby? Miss Cupcake summed it up best when she said 'it's funny how something so illogical can feel so right.' Normally I would have whined and cried about having wet, spongy shoes and socks and a 20 minute walk ahead of me, but last night, it was the best feeling in the world.

So as I breathed in the last few breaths of ocean air for the evening, I exhaled and let all of my stress leave with it. It was an awesome feeling. And then me and my wet feet started the journey home, passing all of the quaint little beach houses along the way. I smiled, I sang, I inhaled fresh, clean air, and my happy, wet feet danced the whole way home.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

God didn't promise days without pain,
laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain
But God did promise strength for the day
comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Happily Ever After...

The happy marriage, two perfect kids, the nice house, the nice car, the dog, and the white picket fence = happily ever after, right? HELL, NO...that's what I say!

Don't get me wrong, I truly believe that marriage is a beautiful, beautiful thing...I really do. For those of you that are happily married, I say congratulations, becuase it's wonderful. But, I wonder how many people are truly happy...really and truly, true to your self, true to your soul happy. I've been there y'all...I've been married, and although it didn't turn out the way it should have from a marriage stand point, I truly believe that it turned out exactly as it should have for me.

Now, being single for the last year and a half has been fun...lots and lots of fun...probably too much fun, but hey, I need it! And I've come to the conclusion, and slap me for being skeptical, but men really do SUCK!! Seriously, I love them dearly...great people, great friends, they have good hearts, and let's not forget about the obvious...they're great in bed! But alas, let me get back to the reason that they suck...men cheat. That's right ladies, men cheat. Husbands cheat, boyfriends cheat, and the single ones, well they'll probably end up cheating on someone someday too. And I'm not being all bitter...this has NOTHING to do with my ex-husband, but everything to do with the boys that I've come into contact with this past year. I don't hate men...in fact, I love them a whole lot, however...being single has opened my eyes to a lot of things, and quite honestly, the more I see of men in general, the more I realize that my own happily ever after isn't going to consist of the whole 'white picket fence' scenario.

This WILL BE my happily ever after:
  • A beach house = a cute comfy house, a slight breeze flowing through the open windows, sun beating in, and a nice porch that opens out to the soft, white sandy beach.
  • An Island = I'm not sure on which island this is going to be, but rest assured, it will be on an island. Some cute shops, local restaurants, watering holes, and plenty of local folks who share their life stories.
  • Girlfriends = plenty of girlfriends in the 'hood to shop with, lay out with, dream with, and chat about the things that only girls can.
  • Sun = I know it seems obvious, but in my happily ever after, the sun will be beaming every single day, with temperatures varying from low 80's to high 90's, and of course, no humidity.
  • Margarita's = Ah yes, plenty of Margarita's. And plenty of my girlfriends' adult beverages of choice. This is quite important for the...
  • Nightly soirees on my porch = Each night, the girls and I will gather on my porch to reflect on the day's events, and to relish in the dreams for tomorrow.

So for all of you happily married folks, I sincerely wish you well and am in awe of the relationships you have created...it is truly admirable.

But for the girl's out there like me that have witnessed too much wrong to think that things could ever be right with a relationship...please, pull up a chair on my porch, and what can I get you to drink?

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Song Lyrics...

I am a huge music lover...HUGE. It accompanies every single moment of my life, and I don't know what I'd do without it. I don't have time for a big post right now, so I just want to post these two lyrics from songs that I was listening to on my iPod this morning...can't get them out of my head!

"We come here with nothing, take it with us the day we leave, the first and last breath don't matter, it's all the ones that are in between." ~ Sugarland "Happy Ending"

"How do you keep your feet on the ground, when you know, you were born to fly?" ~ Sara Evans "Born To Fly"

Oh wait, here's another good one that I was just listening to...hehehe...
"Oh Darling, how I'd love to lay you down..." ~Kenny Chesney

Sunday, June 3, 2007

You're Only As Strong As...

The tables you dance on, the drinks you mix, and the friends you roll with.

34 Random-ass Questions

Yup, a little bored, so here's my post for the evening...not all that exciting, but I actually like these things...

1. Where were you 1 hour ago?
Same place I am right now, in my living room, playing on the 'puter. Might have taken a break to clean up poop off of my bathroom floor. Yup, good times.

2. Have you ever laid underneath the stars?
Yes, most recently last summer in my back yard with Heidi listening to the iPod.

3. Are you wearing socks right now?
Yes, and my feet are still cold.

4. When was the last time you went out of the country?
October 2006...Bahamas.

5. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
I haven't been to the movies in like, the last 5 years!

6. What was the last thing you had to drink?
French Vanilla Iced Coffee

7. What are you wearing right now?
Black and white socks, jeans, white t-shirt underneath a black long sleeved t-shirt.

8. Last food you ate?
Chicken nugget...gross, I know.

9. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My Dad.

10. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
I can honestly say no! That's impressive for me!

11. Do you have a pet?
No. Hell no.

12. I spy with my little eye...... :
Something that is pink...my cell phone.

13. Llama party:
Wtf is that?

14. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
Honestly? On top of Kenny. Sorry, but you asked.

15. What is the last thing you purchased online?
My Mom's Mother's Day present...a back/shoulder/neck all natural, theraputic pack.

16. One thing you hate about yourself?
Huh? Can we concentrate on the positive please? There's a few things that I'm not all that proud of, however...time to cue Ralph Waldo Emerson here: "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have, no doubt, crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, begin it well and serenely, and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."

17. What's your favorite soup?
French onion.

18. Last movie you saw?
Seriously, I fall asleep. I think the last movie that I watched thoroughly was 'My Father The Hero.' Don't laugh, I heart that movie. Or it might have been 'Dirty Dancing 2: Havanna Nights.' Yummy, yummy, Diego Luna.

19. What are your plans for the day?
Going to bed.

20. What time did you go to bed last night?
This morning...about 2 am.

21. What's the nearest red thing to you?
A toy truck.

22. Were you an honor roll student in school?
I'll have to go with no.

23. What do you know about the future?
Nothing. Pretty sure if there's one thing I've learned lately, it's that you NEVER, EVER know how things will turn out on any given day.

24. What is your favorite scent?
If you're asking about perfume, I'll have to go with Clinique Happy. But as far as a real scent, there's nothing better than the smell of the ocean.

25. What is your all time favorite band?
Does Kenny count? Cause he's my all time fave.

26. Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
Aside from my ears, I have my belly button pierced. Ha! It's not as cute now as it was when I got it done at 19, trust me!

27. Are you obsessed with Disney movies?
No. But I heart Disney. Love Disney. Very special.

28. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw?
Yes. These questions are getting dumb.

29. How do you like your soda?
Cold, with ice cubes, and with plenty of carbonation. I hate flat soda.

30. Do you like hot sauce?
No, but I wish that I did.

31. Last time you took a shower?
A few hours ago. How bout you, Cupcake?

32. Are you someone’s best friend?
I think so.

33. What are you thinking about right now?
"Finish each day and be done with it." - RWE

34. What are you doing right now?
Finishing these questions, finishing my iced coffee, and heading to bed. I'm tired.

Friday, June 1, 2007

Karma Is A MUTHA FUCKA!!

And that's a direct quote from Single Jen a while back. And it's true. Oh so true. And sweet. And that is all I have to say about that.
"Dreams are like little nudges from your soul. Sometimes they seem irrational, but if they persist, I believe it's your destiny edging you in the right direction." - Moran

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