Monday, July 16, 2012

Most Photogenic?

When I was a senior in High School the student's voted on 'Senior Personalities,' Chris won most athletic but I was voted most photogenic:




When I see a picture of myself all I see are teeth, but I've done my best to uphold the most photogenic honor bestowed upon me, and smile for the camera with all my heart:

Senior Picture

My best friend Jana, and me, at one of the most outrageous parties I've ever been to.

My best friend Lesley, and me, at the Phantom of the Opera.

 Us at a wedding. 



My dear, kindred Spirit, Mackenzie, on Cinco De Mayo. 
(See what I mean about the teeth?)

I've never been a person who doesn't like her picture taken. If there is a camera being taken out of pocket or a purse, I am posed with smile on my face and a hand on my hip saying: "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. Deville!"....and this is why I'm baffled......


Remember how I had to re-new my passport because of my new last name? When you need a new passport you need a new picture. When you need a new picture you go to Walgreens. When you go to Walgreens there is a VERY crabby lady who doesn't count to three before the picture. When she doesn't count to three, you get a passport picture that looks like this: 
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Oh you don't believe this is my real actual passport photo? I didn't either. Surely the Government wouldn't do this to me?

Well, I DID get my passport this morning (HUZZAH!) and it was confirmed: 
So much for most photogenic......






Sunday, July 15, 2012

Countdown to Paradise, or not:


Hotel Paradisus

 You may not know this, but we are leaving the country in 2 days for Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Yup, we're going on a vacation with the fam. This vacation has been in the works for awhile now, we got a travel agent and everything.

 **Side note: Our agent's first name was Don, short for Donahue (Don-a-hew), but for some reason my dad got it in his mind that it was pronounced Don-a-hoe. So every time he'd communicate with the agent he'd tell me: "I talked to the Don-a-hoe guy today and he said..." It amused me greatly that someone would be name Don-a-hoe.**

We booked the trip in March, and have been counting down the days ever since. Now that it's so close, I wrote a to-do list, on my trusted dry erase board, of things to get done:



I can say with satisfaction that most of the laundry is done: 
It was a lot worse than this...

The rooms are mostly clean: 

 I still have to tackle this beast of a master bedroom:
Wish me luck.....

I even cleaned the kitchen:
....which Chris immediately messed up when he decided to cook potatoes. 

 I finished the Doggy Do's and Don'ts for Molly, who is puppy/house sitting for us (Hi Molly, thanks!): 
The pups have no idea what's about to happen to them.

There is just one *teensy*weensie*tiny*little thing that I have yet to get before we leave the country in TWO days. What is it? I'll give you a clue: It's a small blue book that is required for entries and exits between countries. If you guessed a passport, you're correct.

Chris, of course, didn't have to change his name after we got married; or get a new passport which involved getting a new picture, sending in $110, and the necessary paperwork. 

Nope, Mr. Happy pants just has to pull it out of the drawer and show up to the airport on time:

Hi, Honey! Your smile seems a little smug to me!

If I seem slightly bitter it's because I've been waking up at 2:30AM for the past 3 weeks due to stress. I rarely let things get to me, or get me freaked out and stressed out so much I can't sleep. But about 2 and 1/2 weeks ago I got a letter in the mail saying the marriage license I sent in was not certified.

So Chris went and got an 'official-certified-oh dear God please let this work or we can't go to the Dominican Republic' marriage certificate, and we over-nighted it back to the passport jerks and waited....and waited...and waited. I called and paid Seventy-two bucks to have my paperwork expedited, THEN I called every single day to find out when I could expect my passport I tried to impress upon them that we were leaving in less than two weeks and I REALLY needed that passport.

Finally, in an act of desperation, I called the great state of Missouri's senator, Roy Blunt, and was disappointed to discover I wouldn't actually be talking to him but his office workers. However, they assured me with the upmost confidence I would receive my passport.  I spent last week nursing an ulcer, drinking one to many glasses of wine and waking up at 2:30AM on the dot every. single. night.

Then, Friday morning,  I received the most blessed news: I had a tracking number.
I tracked the number, and learned my passport was already in Joplin- set to arrive tomorrow:



If you thought Saturday was windy, it was probably me breathing the biggest sigh relief EVER breathed. And guess what? Last night, I had the BEST night sleep EVER slept; and I probably looked like this:



Friday, July 6, 2012

Ten best ways to have a great 4th of July:






1. Load the boat with flotation devices and people: 




2. Head out on the boat to find a nice sunny spot in a secluded cove. If you are like Christian and have been up since 3 am, working, you are probably exhausted and may want to find a shady spot on the boat and take a quick cat nap:

3. After finding the perfect spot,  you float.....



and float.....


and float...

Proper beverages are must, naturally.




4. Noodle placement for optimum floating is not optional: 
Yeah, he knows what this looks like, he just doesn't care because great floating has been achieved!





5. Don't forget to get a fantastic group picture!



6. and remember to come prepared with stories to share:
"And then I says to this wise guy, I says: Yo! I've had it up to here with yo' bull shiz..."
I think Chris'  sweet aviators and fu man chu makes me think of him with a 70's New York accent. 

7. If you brought furry friends, they may need a piggy back ride, even if they are wearing their own $35 doggy life jacket: 




8. After a full day of floating, talking, laughing head home for the main event: 

Forget the tickets to the gun show, this is what you should want to see! 

9. Let your dad take a picture of you looking REALLY excited to be holding a sparkler:

There is no better way to express your love for American then to blow stuff up.....

10. Finally, make sure your furry friends are dressed to represent their love for their country: 






and it doesn't hurt if you are wearing your favorite patriotic outfit either: 



HAPPY FRIDAY! I HOPE YOUR 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION CONTINUES WELL INTO THE WEEKEND! 


LOVE,
This girl