Friendships

This is a mild rant that has been going through my mind for some time.  It's not something  that has cause me to lose sleep over because planning a wedding has filled that void.  However, I have come to accept that friendships come and go over a lifetime.  Some friendships are going to last a lifetime and others are there just to fill a need for a short while.  But then there are those friendships that you have had for years, left for a time and then came back to like no time had passed.

It's those friendships that it seems should end up lasting a lifetime, right?  What if the "friend" isn't who you thought they were?  What if they will turn their back on you and befriend your enemy? How do you move on and cope with that?  Should you have a final phone call to end the friendship, like a break up?  Or just let it go?

It's amazing how people can live on drama and continue to bring drama into "friendships" or be a "shit stirrer."  Why create problems when they don't involve you?  Why act like a high schooler when you are years out of high school?

I guess by asking these questions it's clear that I don't need any of that in my life and it's better to just move on and avoid childish games that someone in their 30s like to play.

Time to move on and cut the ties.

Jammin'

I finally made it back to Jammin' at the Zoo.  Two years ago I went to Jammin' at the Zoo with Kristin and Tom and it was a mess.  I raced home from work to meet them and didn't eat, it was really hot and I was drinking wine.  I in turn got a migraine, nearly passed out and went home early.

I was not going to relive those past mistakes this year.  I wanted to enjoy the experience and have fun with everyone there.  So Theresa reminded me about a month ago that it was coming up so I bought my ticket as soon as I got paid and kept the receipt in my e-mail as a reminder.  I met Zipf and a couple of her friends at Steak 'N Shake so we could take one car over there.  Last time it was packed by 6 and wine was gone by 6:30, so our plan was to get there very early to avoid all of that mess.

We met up with Theresa in the parking lot and walked over to get our tickets, wristbands and enter the Zoo.  Since I bought a ticket so early, I bought the cheap ticket that didn't include tasting.  It really didn't matter to me at that point, I just wanted water it was so hot.  We walked to the first couple of booths and I manged to get sips of whatever someone didn't like.

[caption id="attachment_1366" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Theresa & I"][/caption]

Our group was a decent size and we all manged to stay together all night.  We did have to stop for food once.  We also, got to pet the sting rays and sharks for free.  You usually have to pay to do that when you go to the zoo.  We did have fun walking around the Zoo and catching up!

A nice little Niche

On Saturday night Scott and I decided to check out a restaurant in the Benton Park neighborhood called Niche.  Thanks to Jeni and gift cards we received for Christmas (I know, we really slacked at using them) we were able to really enjoy our meal.

It was the first time, in a long time that we dressed up for a nice date night out.  We both were excited to go there since we have heard great reviews from family and friends.  I'm always nervous about new restaurants but I did not google the menu for this meal.

We decided to start with some appetizers since we were warned it would take about 30 minutes for our entrees to cook.  So, we to go with the Day Boat Scallops.  I'm not a huge seafood fan, but this is the second time I've been in love with scallops.  The first was a dish Scott's sister made, these were just as good.

Then the main course, I had the fillet of beef and Scott had the pork duo.  Both were awesome and I just couldn't get enough of the pureed potato on the side.  I've decided that I need to learn how to puree things.  For desert Scott had the Chocolate and I had the Strawberry Shortcake (not listed on the menu online).  The food was amazing and I can't wait to go back!

After dinner, since we were dressed up we headed over to Bailey's Chocolate Bar for a drink or two.  It ended up being only a drink.  I forgot how strong the martini's really are and after my Dark Martini I was done.  We had a great night out!

Also, today is our 2 year dating anniversary.  I couldn't have asked for a better 2 years and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with Scott!  Under 20 days till the wedding!

Holy Crap!

Three more weeks till the wedding!  It's scary when you actually just look at a calendar and see the lack of weekends that are left and the things that are on the To Do List dwindle down.



I'm so happy to say that I think I'm right on track of what is left to do (programs) and that is the only major thing left.  And still it's coming of with in the reasonable cost range that my parents gave us.  It's not over the top and it's not looking cheap.

However, three weeks and the stress of it all will be over and I will be happily sitting on a beach!

Bachelorette Party Weekend

It's official, I've had my bachelorette party and now it seems like the wedding is just around the corner.  Kelly had done such a great job of planning some of the party, along with help from Sam and Zipf it all went off without a hitch.

[caption id="attachment_1343" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The invitation"][/caption]

Kelly and Sam arrived on Friday afternoon and we quickly started to have fun.  We headed down to my cousin, Debbie's restaurant for lunch.  It had been a while since I've had her pizza's and it was great!  I love taking people to try her food.  Then we headed down to Soulard to get some food for dinner and show off the farmers market.  And then back out to pick from Reily from the groomer's, she needed to get pretty for her guests.  And a quick stop at the Birch's to get the t-shirts for Saturday night and then Ted Drews.

On Saturday we managed to get some good shopping in at the Mills.  I finally found shorts that fit, a HUGE accomplishment for me.  Then we quickly ate some lunch and went jewelry shopping for the wedding.  We found everyone's jewelry in one stop!  And then headed downtown to the the hotel.

After a not so quick check in we started to get ready for the Cards game and changed into our shirts.  Before we headed over to the game we took a couple pictures in the lobby.

[caption id="attachment_1346" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The wedding date"][/caption]



After the photo op, we started our walk over to the stadium.



I was not very happy with the homemade hat Sammy made.  I do see the point of why it was needed, however, I did not want all the attention brought to me.  I just wanted a night out with all my friends.  But I did get a new Cardinals hat!



Our seats were awesome!  Thank you Kelly for finding the Bank of America Club seats section!  It had all you can eat buffet and all you can drink until the 8 and 1/2 inning.  We even made friends with an usher, Bill, the nicest man ever!

[caption id="attachment_1350" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bill!"][/caption]

The actual game wasn't too bad either.  The Cards came from behind to win against the Diamondback.  Pujols tied the game with a 2 run homerun.



[caption id="attachment_1352" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Celebrating Pujols Homer"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1353" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Girls in our seats"][/caption]

Afterwards we headed over to Paddy O's to celebrate the victory with other Cardinal fans.  We quickly ran into Nick Lograsso!  I was surprised to run into him there, but we hung out with him and his friends and then we made friends too.  There was dancing and shots and making new friends at Paddy O's.

[caption id="attachment_1354" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Zipf and I at Paddy O's"][/caption]

There are more pictures but I haven't seen them yet, they are on Brooke's camera.  Hopefully more later.

4th of July 2011

What a great 4th of July this year!  The actual day was awesome.  Scott and I had tickets to the Cardinals/Reds game but before that we decided to check out some of the Air Show that was going on at the Fair.  Although we watched most of the show from the walk to the stadium it was well worth it.  I managed to see a jet and some smaller planes doing tricks as well as 2 cargo planes flying by and then hovering over the Mississippi.  Since I love planes this was great!

We then headed over to Busch a couple hours before the game to watch batting practice.  Somehow, Scott had never done that before.  So we hung out in the bleachers for an hour or more just watching the players warm up and take BP.

[caption id="attachment_1337" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Lohse, Westbrook, McClellan"][/caption]

Then we took our seats up the first base side in right field.  The Cards had solid pitching by Carpenter and every time Cueto or Phillips came up to bat they were pleasantly greeted with boos.

[caption id="attachment_1338" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Carp warming up"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1339" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Booing Phillips"][/caption]

The Cards ended up winning the game 1-0.



After the game we headed over to the Arch grounds to look for a place to stand for fireworks.  But by the time we got there we managed to hear about half of the Montgomery Gentry concert.  I was happy that I knew more songs than I thought I would and they put on a great show.

Then it was time for the fireworks.  I was a little annoyed that I only saw one firework show this year but seeing the fireworks under an national monument makes up for it.  Except for the annoying French people next to us that didn't quite get that you watch the fireworks instead of playing thumb wars, but I digress.  Since the show the night before was cancelled it seemed like we had 2 finales and they were both awesome!  Nothing like feeling the boom of fireworks when you are that close.





Of course what 4th of July would be complete without Ted Drews.  We stopped there on our way home and it just topped off the night.  It is one of my favorite holiday's and it was a perfect day!