Tiptoe through the tulips...

Do you have some days where you think....


Wow! I am really lucky to have such an awesome person in my life.


My friend Melissa is amazing. Like really amazing. She's moved away and started her own family since the days of our prime, when the 4 of us girls would close up shop at our Walgreens job and then head over to the local underage dance club. But she's always stayed in touch, and I don't know if she knows how much I appreciate that. I love my past. Not all of it, of course. But I love the happy times, the fun times...mostly I just love memories. Sometimes this gets me into trouble when I reminisce too long, and then I realize I'm almost 30 and I'm not quite sure where the last 10 years have gone. But I love memories of times with the girls, and Melissa has always been the one who held the group together. She comes to visit when she's in town and I just love to see her (and her family, too!). (And I promise I'll come to visit soon!)


She's just announced she's pregnant with Baby #2, and I couldn't be more thrilled! But when she drove out of her way to come visit me at work this last time she was in town, instead of me buying her a gift...she brought me flowers! And not just any flowers....tulips!

Melissa is one of the best friends a girl could ask for, and one of the best moms I'm proud to say I know. If I have to grow up, I'm glad I get to grow up with Melissa as my friend.


P.S. The tulips really made my day :-)

You've Got Mail

What a lovely week for mail!

First, my good friend Melissa sent me a wonderful surprise for my birthday.

(Melissa and me, circa 2001)

When I opened it, I danced and jumped about and Aaron thought I was crazy. You're the best, Melissa, and I have no reason to deserve this....but I love, love, love it! I can't wait for it to rain!

Foo Foo danced and pranced with me.

Don't mind the pile of weeds and such in the background...we've been keeping busy with the garden.

On the same day, this arrived (from myself)...Aaron hates it, but I love it. Now, just to get those arms toned.

Modcloth.com

Bright Young Things Dress

And then today, I received this from my good friend Anja in Germany. Thank you, Anja! What a wonderful surprise!

Take me out to the ballgame

Last week we went to the Tin Caps season opener with Kyle and Tim. It was so cold that I couldn't even feel my fingers or toes by the end of the game!

But don't worry, we had lots of beer to keep us warm. It was Dollar Beer Night, after all.

And you can't go to a ball game without getting a hot dog!

Kyle wanted to make sure he didn't run out. Well, actually, that was for a few of us.

The Tin Caps won, which made the cold game worth it.

We were lucky enough to come on fireworks night, too!

Afterwards, the guys raced the bases. Kyle won, as you can tell from his victory stance.

Thank you, Veterans!

Thank you to all of our veterans. The service you have given our country and its citizens is immeasurable and we can never repay you for what you've given us.

Thank you especially to one of my favorite veterans, Chris, who is an awesome guy and a really great friend. You are appreciated.

All for a good cause, all for Rachel

Last night Rachel's Regulators decided to Light the Night to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, just as we've done for many years since Rachel was diagnosed in 1999. Our team's turnout was sparse, but we did pretty well overall and had a great time!

Lucy was so proud of her face paint. She knew just what she wanted, too. She waited quietly, patiently in line, and as soon as she reached the front and the lady asked what she wanted painted on her face, she pointed to a picture and said "That one."

Unfortunately, Jenny and Ben got cut out of the photo, and when we tried to take another one, my camera of course wouldn't work.

This little girl was so cute! She had just had her face painted and she kept modeling and looking in the window at herself.

Next year marks the 10th Anniversary of Rachel's bone marrow transplant (donated by the oh-so-generous Jenny). Let's make next year a monumental year for the Light the Night Walk. If you have touched Rachel's life, or if your life has been touched by Rachel, or even if you don't know her personally, please consider walking and/or making a donation. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society literally saved her life, and all donations are invested wisely. The walk is held on the last Sunday of September, so be sure to mark your calendar for 2010!