the next thing

I've been occasionally wondering what my next 'thing' will be after we do our triathlon in August. As I've mentioned ad nauseum a few times, having this goal to work towards has been extremely motivating and fun in terms of getting me to enjoy working out again. Assuming the novelty doesn't wear off, I still have 2 whole months to enjoy my motivating workouts with a goal in mind. But what then? Once the tri is over, what will keep me going? I guess maybe if we really like it (and don't fail miserably), we could find another one to sign up for (maybe a full length tri!) and work towards. Or something else? But what?

I haven't known. Until last night, at the gym, when I saw this poster. And I knew.

The next thing.

I mean, obviously. Because nothing says sexy quite like...that. Just think of all the amazing photo shoots Matt and I could have if we were both scary ripped like those folks! Wow.

I mean...wow.

Question: if you noticed a friend started looking like that, would you stage an intervention? I kind of think you should. People should not look like that. It's unnecessary and frightening. 

In conclusion, this is not going to be my next thing. I tried to keep a straight face and convince Matt that it was, but I failed miserably after about 4 seconds. Because seriously. Wow. People.

seven things

1. I've had the 'Elephant Love Medley' (from Moulin Rouge) stuck in my head for about 4 days. Continuously. It's not bad, since it's one of my favorite songs ever, but it's LONG...so when I am forced to sing through the whole thing over and over (doing both parts, of course), it just takes a lot of time. Oh well. Over the weekend my sister and I did one of our usual dramatic sing-throughs and it was as spectacular as ever. (Best part: We could be heroes...forever and EVERRRRRRR with that amazing high harmony? Gah. Amazing. We are amazing. Nicole and Ewan, eat your hearts out.)

2. It has rained a RIDICULOUS amount this summer. On the one hand, it's nice that I haven't had to water my flowers basically at all. On the other hand...it's always raining.

I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever see anything else out of the front door. Blah.

At least the flowers like it!!

I might look ridiculous, but so would you if your tomatoes were growing like freaking mutants. When they start turning red...watch out, world.

3. Due to Zack K's untimely departure on The Bachelorette last night, my bracket is officially wrecked. It's okay, though. Now I am free to cheer for whomever I want, unhindered by my bracket. Now that we're a few weeks in and I feel like I 'know' the guys a little better, I'm a big fan of Chris, who displayed the talent of twirling hula-hoops while in heels last night during the 'Mr. America' pageant. I love a guy who can look like a huge goofball and laugh at himself. He also writes poetry, doesn't look like he takes 'roids, and makes really hilarious comments...therefore, current fave. I'm patting myself on the back for not yet having looked at spoilers...can you believe I've made it this far?!

4. Our sixth anniversary is just around the corner. Matt is occupied with trying to make some kind of plans for us. I am occupied with trying to figure out what to write about. I re-read my previous year's posts (last year's is here) and I don't know if there's anything left to say. I think I set the bar too high for myself. Also, I can't read that one without crying. Bah.

5. Since I had to go look up the 'Elephant Love Medley' to put a link in the first paragraph, I've been listening to it continually since then. I must say, actually listening to it is even better than just having it stuck in my head!

6. I've been occupying my time lately with daydreaming about vacation-- and making plans! Even though it's a reeaaaaalllly long way off still...oh well. Since we have friends going with us this year, plus we have a better idea of where we're going and what there is to do, we are really excited to up our vacation-game. Therefore I've already started a running list of things to take (or think about the logistics of taking). And I'm keeping the list on the resort's stationary that I have left from last year. Obviously. Can anyone think of any other small/light/easily packable beach games or other games (to play at night)?

7. I'm going back to Trappeze today to meet another friend for lunch. This will make the third time in less than a week for me and my main love, the veggie reuben sandwich. I can't help it. Don't be surprised if I weigh 2840218 pounds by next week. IT WILL BE WORTH IT!!!!

Lucky seven, I'm done. Have a wonderful (rainy, if you're in GA) Tuesday!

the good life

We spent the weekend with my family in Augusta. My family has never been the type to argue or feud (the three children during the years prior to their high school graduations being the obvious exception), and I think I've discovered that the secret to this is that we pretty easily all agree about what constitutes a good time, and we stick with doing those things. 

Things We All Think Are Great:
1. Holding babies.
2. Eating.
3. Being outside.
4. Shopping.
5. Holding babies.
6. Eating.
7. Jesus.
8. Being pampered.
9. Eating.
10. Taking pictures.
11. Laughing.
12. Holding babies.

Seriously-- stick to doing the things everyone likes and you are guaranteed to have a fabulous weekend. Unless you start fighting about whose turn it is to hold the baby (mine, always mine)...and then you can just appease yourselves with food and get back to the good times. So here's what our weekend looked like.

Saturday Morning: Matt and Erika Bike the Augusta Canal.

 It's been years since I've biked or ran the Canal (and Matt's never been), and it was as fabulous as I remembered. I'd be lying if I didn't catch myself thinking I want to move back to Augusta a few times as we rode...there's just nothing like this in Athens! Sigh.

Saturday Afternoon: Sarah and Erika Get Their Nails Did.

I laugh hysterically as I watch Sarah laugh hysterically as her pedicure guy evidently TICKLES HER TO DEATH. It was ridiculous. And Sarah's a VERY LOUD laugher, so I'm pretty sure everyone in the shop hated us was highly amused. [my toes- Essie 'in the cab-ana', my fingers- Essie 'clambake']

Saturday Night: Sarah and Erika Have a Photo Shoot in the Back of Dad's Truck on the Way to Dinner.

 Having photo shoots in the car has been our tradition since about 199whenevertheyinventeddigitalcameras. I'd like to think we've perfected the art. I'd also like to say that the front-facing camera on the iPhone leaves something to be desired.

Saturday Night: We Have a Surprise 60th Birthday Party for my Dad at a BBQ Restaurant!

We have fun celebrating my dad (who was TOTALLY SHOCKED, which was extra fun!), eating, and holding Carley slash taking pictures of ourselves holding Carley. 

You know all those years of childhood you spent making sure that you and your siblings got the EXACT SAME AMOUNT OF TIME doing something limited/coveted (sitting in the front seat of the car (before that was illegal), playing video games, choosing what movie to watch, holding the new puppy)? Well, this skill comes in super handy again once there is ONE baby and FORTY-SEVEN hands that want to hold her (rough estimate). Sarah and I can shut down pretty much everyone else in the room pretty fast (Jake & Emily- out, they get to have her all the time. Our parents- out, they live 2 miles away. Emily's parents- out, they live 10 miles away. Anyone else- out, they don't love her enough) so we have just the two of us to share her between. So far we've kept things moderately friendly, although we certainly keep tabs on who's had the most time and who is proving she does/does not love her the most [for instance, while I was holding Carley, Sarah accidentally bumped (barely brushed) C's head with her elbow. CLEARLY SARAH HATES HER AND IS A TERRIBLE AUNT OMG HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?!??!]. Obviously I'm winning, but Sarah keeps it a pretty close race. 

Sunday Afternoon: Father's Day Cookout at Jake & Emily's House.

 I'm sure you're all shocked to think that we might spend the afternoon passing around the baby and taking pictures. Matt even got some turns this time...sometimes Sarah and I are saintly like that.

Later Sunday Afternoon: I Woo Carley to Sleep Using my Top-Secret, Patent-Pending, Highly Effective Baby Whispering Techniques.

Everyone else ate, I spend 20 minutes convincing Carley that life isn't completely terrible and that she won't miss anything fun if she closes her eyes for a few minutes. As soon as I got her to calm down a little in my arms, Sarah decided that my time was up and more or less snatched C away. Then, 5 minutes later, when she puts the sleeping baby into her crib, she tries to steal all the Baby Whispering credit. The nerve, right? It's okay. We all know who the Best Aunt really is.

All in all, it was a completely delightful weekend. In case you can't tell, I absolutely love spending time with my sister and my family, and I am head over heels for that precious one-month-old (!!!!), 45-lb (ish) chunk of baby. And I have the photographs to prove it. Boom.

it's a gift, really.

Today is Father's Day, and I'm happy to claim my dad as the Best Dad Ever in the Born in 1950s Division (it would be 'ever, period' except obviously Matt would also need to hold that title, so I created divisions based on birth-years so that they can both simultaneously hold the title). We were thankful to get to celebrate the weekend with him (and the rest of my fam-- much more on that tomorrow!) and give him silly gifts and have yummy food.

But as you would probably expect, Matt and I also exchange Mother's and Father's Day presents with one another. Call it 'from Lola,' call it 'consolation prizes for infertility,' call it 'we want to be parents more than anyone on earth ever,' or just call it 'we like excuses to buy presents for each other!'...it's just how we roll. 

Sometimes our gifts are traditional (flowers, chocolate), sometimes practical (beach towels), and then sometimes you just shop where the Spirit leads you...and you come up with the Best Present Ever. For your husband. For Father's Day.

When I saw these *cough*ontheclearancerackatTarget*cough*, I knew. I knew. Matt needed them.

#1) We've had a ridiculous, sappy, stupid-to-anyone-except-us inside joke about unicorns since before we were married. Unicorns are equal to love for us, but they've never managed to make it into our home decor...or kitchen utensils...or anything, really. Until now. WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY!!

#2) Matt really likes corn handle thingies. We got some a few years ago as a part of a BBQ set. They were some kind of cheap dyed wood and the color bled onto our fingers as we used them. I never used them again. It doesn't really bother me to touch my corn, so it wasn't a big deal for me. But Matt...he missed them. A few weeks ago he actually dug through the drawers and found those holders. He started using them again (we eat a fair amount of grilled corn). I tease him every time, but he doesn't care. So in a way, these are actually rather practical.

#3) Read that description on the card!!! I mean...hilarious. How could I not purchase them?

Obviously, I was going to wait until Father's Day to give him this amazing gift (along with some other treats). But then on Friday night, we were at my parents' house and we were having a fish fry and my mom grilled some corn. As we sat down at the table, I noticed there were no corn holders...and I knew. I just knew. It was Time.

Basically, everyone died laughing. Even if you don't have inside jokes about unicorns...or care about touching your corn...these are just dang funny. SO funny. Matt generously allowed everyone else to use them, too...as long as he got the green ones. 

They made a fun dinner even better, and I'm just gonna have to say...uniCORN holders are a way better FD gift than ties. And now we have to find a place of honor for them in our kitchen. Forever and ever. Amen.