Are You Ready!?!?!?!

Three Things:

1. This weekend is a big weekend around these parts. The Indianapolis 500 is on Sunday.

What's all the fuss about you ask? Other than the fact that it is "THE GREATEST RACING SPECTACLE ON EARTH", it is a down right awesome time to get silly and hang out with some seriously trashy locals. It's basically a people watcher's dream come true. I pass on going to the actual race these days, but I do go to the track the day/night before the race. Stone's college buddies all post up in the "Coke Lot" with brews and food. (there is a Coca-Cola plant right next to the track that has a HUGE field they rent out for camping/parking during race weekends)

Things I have learned at The Track and/or in The Coke Lot

*never refer to a carnival worker as "a carnie"....it doesn't go over so well.
*unless you want to pass out on a bus, don't do keg stands in the afternoon (or evening for that matter)
*when sitting in direct sunlight during and 90 degree day, it is a good idea to pack something other than beer in your cooler (I learned that the hard way)
*if possible during the 90 degree direct sunlight day, sit next to a friendly older woman spritzing herself with a water bottle that has a fan on it (she eventually will feel bad for you and spritz you too)
*take a camera, snap as many photos as possible because people won't believe you when you say "I saw a man with a checkered flag shaved into his back hair" If you have a camera (like I did) you can say "SEE!!!!"

***NOTE: I know. It is shocking, hilarious and disgusting all at once....

2. Stone and I leave for Charleston, SC on Monday morning. I'm so excited I could pee my pants a little bit....but I won't because that's plain embarrassing.

3. I don't usually eat ice cream....BUT, last night Stone surprised me with a little individual size Ben & Jerry's Strawberry Cheesecake. a) it was delicious 2) there was a spoon under the lid so I didn't have do dirty up one of ours c) it is just about the cutest little thing ever!....just the right amount

PS: perhaps this is really the cutest thing ever.....look at his belly!!! (and at his super sexy dad!!!)

Ain't That Sweet....

Saskia has "tigged" me with a sweet little award. Thank you Saskia dear, you are AWE-SUMMM!!!

7 REASONS WHY I AM AWE-SUMMM!!!

1. I love to love (it's true I do. I love you and you and you and you. But mostly I love you...you know who you are)

2. I can knit a mean scarf

3. I give good hugs (it's all about a tight squeeze, but not too tight)

4. I can twirl a baton

5. I'm funny (what?!?!? I am!)

6. I married my best friend

7. I'm the only sibling (out of 4) to have blue eyes....thank you dad

need.to.have.

The Broad Ripple Art Fair was this past weekend.

While wondering through the many many many booths we stumbled upon Dolan Geiman's booth. (go here or here)

I think any of these would look smashing hung up on a wall in my home. If anyone is feeling like purchasing a surprise for a stranger (like me) I wouldn't be opposed to it. Heck, I'd even invite you over for "Hanging Party"! Dinner, drinks, a hammer and a nail.....sounds like a bitchin time.

I like surprises....I'm just sayin

wait a minute......

I'm 92% sure I saw Ted Bundy this weekend. Not only is this terrifying because he is one of the nation's most horrendous serial killers, he is also supposed to be dead.

Let's just say I won't be giving any "injured", not so bad looking, strange men a helping hand any time soon.

Silly Silly Silly

Saturday night we rocked The Casba.....a local bar near mi casa, that I usually do not enjoy going to (crowded/smokey) but it ended up being a grand time.

Whilst doing our "rocking" all of us girls be-friended a gentleman, flying solo, sitting at the bar. Apparently he was friends with the bartender (hence his solo status) but he also just so happened to have a little nook of space available to his right that we could occupy and therefore got speedy service when ordering drinks.

In my silly (drunken) state of friend making with this rather teddy bear-ish man, I told him: "You are too cute to boot! I would like to pour you in a brandy snifter, breath you in, take a sip and warm you with my palm." To really bring my point home, I acted out said pouring, breathing in, sipping and warming......

These are the types of absurd things that come out of my mouth when I have Budlight running through my veins.

CHA CHA SLIDE......

I need/want this to be on my back porch.

NOTE: not the man and children....just the table and stools.....although, if "the man" (aka: Michael Chiarello) would like to come to my house and cook my meals I would be fine with that

Too bad it is absurdly expensive causing Stone to laugh out loud when I told him if he was smart he would buy it for me. I pointed this one out too:

both are from here

Telling him, "It's only $699 for the table and the benches." This too caused laughter.....

PS: I ventured down to Bowling Green, KY on Saturday morning/afternoon to have lunch with my Aunt Deidra and her husband Chuck.

Four Things:
1. We went to a local place called Mariah's....I highly suggest it to anyone going that way.
2. Mi Madre and I thought it necessary to talk in hardcore country accents the entire time we were driving to/from this city....my niece Chloe, who came along for the trip, thought we were embarrassing.
3. When leaving the city to head back home we drove around for a bit in an unsuccessful attempt to find local shops to pop into. We did however drive through the Western Kentucky University campus and spotted an awesome bronze statue of Abe Lincoln. The statue was casually sitting on a park bench. If I were a student at WKU, I would most certainly spend a few quality afternoons on that bench reading a good book with Honest Abe.
4. Deidra & Chuck, THANK YOU for a lovely afternoon!!! We can't wait to do it again soon!!!!

on my mind....

I am one of those people who tries to live by the words, "everything happens for a reason" and "this too shall pass". In times of hardship or sadness I hold tight to those words. I let them plant a little seed of hope in my heart and slowly, my spirit is lifted.

I tend to shy away from saying either of those phrases to friends/family when they are going through tough times. I'm pretty sure I would have to stifle the urge to slap someone in their face if "everything happens for a reason" was their advice to me when I lose a loved one or something else horrible happens. Even though I am saying it to myself....it is 100% annoying to have someone else say it to you.

Does that make sense?

This blog is a place for me to celebrate all the fun,silly wonderful (to me) things going on in my day to day life. So I try to leave out the unpleasant bits. Thankfully I don't have a lot of "unpleasant bits" in my life. That's not to say I don't struggle daily with one teeny tiny section of my life that brings me anxiety, (sometimes) tears, heartache and bitten fingernails. I get through it knowing I have the support of my Main Squeeze, my loving family and my loyal friends. Without that tasty combo platter and their hugs, smiles, reassuring words and patience (when listening to me vent) I know I would be one unhappy little lady.

I say it is a "teeny tiny section of my life" because in the grand scheme of the story that is my life, it doesn't matter. It is nothing but an annoying case of the hiccups that no matter how long I hold my breath or how many people jump out to yell "BOO!", they won't go away.....until I stop worrying about them. Remember? "this too shall pass"....even if that is a heavy phrase to say in regards to the hiccups! hee hee!

I hope to one day be able to write a post, IN ALL CAPS SO YOU KNOW HOW HAPPY I AM, telling you that teeny tiny chapter of my life is closed.

Until then.......

"hiccup!"

Rude Thursday

Preface To This Post:
I have rather thick (dry) curly hair. Therefore I do not wash my hair everyday. It's pretty great, you should try it sometime. Not only do I keep my locks healthy, I get to wear a super sexy shower cap AND I get to sleep in an extra 15-20 minutes every other day.

Today is one of my sleep in days. Other than looking a bit frizzy my locks look good. I did a little side braid sort of a thing.

So I'm at work,minding my own business,when one of my bosses walks by (this boss just so happens to be my brother-in-law too). We'll call him Boss Man...BM for short....or Bowel Movement...whatever suits your fancy

BM: What kind of hair do is that?
C: It's a side braid. I just got my hair trimmed so it's not as long as I would like it to be.
BM: mmmmhhh....interesting......Did you wash your air today?
C: NO....(giving him the stink eye)....you don't like my style?
BM: ummmm....it's just a little....different.
C: Well thank you for basically telling me my hair looks like crap.
BM: I didn't say that, it just looks a little dirty.

The urge for me to scream back at him "NO, YOU LOOK DIRTY!!!!" was so great I literally had to count to ten.

ps: I informed mi Madre of the situation (yes that's right, I ratted him out to his mother-in-law) and she told me he is an idiot and my hair looks great. SO THERE!

pps: so did my girls Katie Jean and Kitty....my peeps got my back!!!

snug....

Do you ever get into such a comfortable spot that the idea of moving seems criminal? I do. It never fails that when I am snug as a bug in a rug the need to pee creeps up on me.

This infuriates me.

In fact, it is happening right now. I have my tootsie tucked into my chair, I'm toasty warm but I'm having to shake my foot because it's quite possible I might pee my pants. I know holding "it" is bad for me, but I also know that even if I recreate this cozy seating position upon my return, it will not be as cozy as it was before I got up.

So yeah, enough of the pee talk.....

This morning Stone and I were talking about what we hopefully be doing this 4th of July.

(I don't want to talk about it and jinx it. All you need to know is it is HILARIOUSLY ABSURD and AWESOME! Hopefully I will get to discuss more in a few weeks.)

I told Stone it was on my list of "funny silly things to do". He told me he didn't have a list of that nature. WHAT!?!?!? I couldn't believe it! He doesn't have a absurd places he wants to go list???....like to see the biggest ball of yarn or Dollywood!?!?!?!?

No. Nada. Nope. Zip. Zilch. Zero. He has nothing of the sort.

In my state of shock I couldn't help but inform him of another absurd place he will someday have to visit with me.....

I have already discussed this once before, but someday I will go to Punxsutawney, PA to celebrate Groundhogs Day. I will get up early, venture to Gobbler's Knob and watch that little rodent get spooked by his shadow. If by some horrible chance the Pennsylvania Polka isn't being played in the background I shall come prepared with a boom box and cassette tape, hit play and do a jig.

For your listening/imagining pleasure (picture me with a boom box on my shoulder getting down):





PS: I got up to pee in the middle of typing this post. I was right, totally not as comfortable as before.

chuckle....

I like (ok love) wine.

See.....

note: since this photo, my pallet has matured....I'm on to loving the red vino. (haha..."my pallet matured"...I'm an ass)

My love for the vino in no way means however that I know what type of wine I should purchase (I generally judge a bottle of wine by it's label) nor do I personally taste the "hint of jasmine or tickle of grapefruit" when doing a wine tasting.

Call me old school, but I just taste goodness.

Last Thursday Katie Jean and Momma O took me along for their monthly wine club meeting. (wine tasting + hors d'oeuvres = I'M THERE!) Now remember, I really know nothing about wine other than that it tastes good and makes me sassy. So imagine my surprise when one of the other ladies (strangers) sitting at our table leaned over to the owner of the wine store and asked, "Do you like menage a trois?" And I'm not the only one who didn't have a clue where she was going with that!!!....the owner of the store (a sweet older gentleman) slowly said, "Nooooooo. Dooooo yoouuuu???" She then went into a whole explanation of why she was trying to find another wine similar to it and blah blah blah.

But the damage had already been done. My giggle reflex had already been turned on. I glanced over at Katie Jean who was looking down/grinning which only made it worse.

Things got a little awkward. How am I supposed to know there is a wine with such a racy name?!?!?

(yes, I'm still a teenager)

(In the future I think it would be to the mystery lady's benefit to start that conversation with a "Do you like the wine menage a trois?" Less room for misunderstandings, no?)

B-Day Time!!!!

Today is Katie Jean's Momma's birthday. I call her Momma O. She is a second Madre to me and a wonderful person.

I have had almost as many silly good times with her as I have had with Katie Jean. Those two girls know how to party!!!!

Happy Birthday Momma O!!!!! I love you!

A little something....

We have a friend who is going through a rough patch right now. He frequently stays with us on the weekends when he is in town. Sometimes we aren't home when he comes over so we leave a key for him.

Yesterday when we were out to Mother's Day brunch he spent a bit of time at our casa. When we arrived home this little note was waiting for us....

"If you're reading this, then you already know......Thanks Yo XOXO Dupree"

Referencing 1 great movie (Old School) and 1 movie that is only funny now because we are currently living it (You, Me and Dupree....except our friend isn't ruining our lives like the friend in the movie did)

mushy.....

I was supposed to go to the dentist yesterday but they called and canceled because the hygienist wouldn't be coming in after all.

(yet another reason why I hate this place I have to go to now.... still an anti-dentite)

I wasn't looking forward to this visit, so being the person that I am, I have yet to call and reschedule.

This morning I was sitting in front of the mirror putting on my face. (which by the way...where in the hell did that saying coming from? This is probably the first time in my life that I have said "putting on my face" instead of just saying what I'm actually doing "putting on my make up". I'm rather uncomfortable with the saying if you want to know the truth.) Stone popped in and asked if I had rescheduled my appointment.

C: "No"

S: "Nice. I'll still love you if you have no teeth. Although, it will be weird when we go out in public......Hi, this is my wife Courtney. I'm sorry, it's hard to understand her sometimes, she has no teeth. We can't go to steakhouses anymore because she can't chew the meat. I guess I could always put the steak in a blender for her...."

FLASHBACK

I am the youngest of four children. 2 boys and 2 girls. (it goes girl, boy, boy, girl)

The younger of my two bros was a bit of a hypochondriac when we were growing up. He was/is also pretty naive which we all used to our advantage. The other day I was staring off into space (something I do far to often) thinking about who knows what, when a couple funny memories of CJ and his "medical scares" popped into my head.

I will share one with you....

For about a month when CJ was in middle school he would cry at dinner because he "just couldn't get full". He was certain he had a tape worm sucking all of the nutrients from his body. My mom tried to assure him he was just going through a growth spurt so his body needed more food than usual. (he is now 6'3" or 6'4") Being the type of siblings who relish any chance to deepen another siblings irrational fears....Rick told CJ one night at dinner that he definitely agreed with him that he had a tape worm. He also told him to be careful to not hold his forkful of food in front of his face too long. "The worm" might get impatient and snatch the food off of the fork before he had a chance to put it in his mouth.

How awful is that!?!?!?!

(pretty awful...but I still laugh out loud every time I think of it)


PS: I thought a few old school photos would pair nicely with this post.

A few things I would like you to notice:


PHOTO #1 (CJ & our Pops)
1. my pops' awesome stash...HILARIOUS! (note: he no longer rocks it out 80's style)
2. the olive green fridge in our kitchen...classy
3. my pops' bitchin front pocket jeans


PHOTO #2 (CJ & RICK)
1. by bro Rick (the older of the two) clearly has feathered hair that mi Madre styled before this photo

Seis de Mayo?

I hadn't planned on posting today. I'm currently in a holding pattern for two other posts.

(which you shall know about in due time my dears)

Stone made us Enchilada Casserole for dinner in celebration of Cindo de Mayo.

Which by the way HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How rude of me to forget.

I took a picture of said casserole, intending to blog about it tomorrow. Stone however informed me that a "Cinco de Mayo post on Seis de Mayo really lacks luster". Soooo.......

Without further a do.....

MOMMA STONE'S ENCHILADA CASSEROLE:

(note: this is a 100% American-Mexican dish....but you can't beat a good casserole with a stick)

NEED

*8oz sour cream

*1 pkg flour tortillas

*1 can cream of mushroom soup

*2 cups grated cheddar cheese

*1 can green chilis chopped

*1 1/2 pound ground beef

*1 cup onion minced (or 1 tablespoon dried onion...that is what Stone used tonight)

HOW TO

brown ground beef and drain

mix sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, green chilis and onion in a bowl

layer....1/3 sauce, 1/3 tortilla (broken into pieces), 1/3 ground beef and 1/3 cheese

repeat layers 2 more times

bake (uncovered) in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes
ENJOY

PS: this doesn't necessarily look or sound like the tastiest thing....but it is

PPS: this dish is even tastier when paired with one of these:

UPSETTING AND FUNNY ALL AT ONCE

The Bitch is a beggar.

I have many people to thank for this (myself included) but mostly mi Madre is to blame. Mi Madre is not an animal person. When we first got Matilda she was a bit leery, then she decided to treat Matilda as if she were one of her human grand-children. I think it made the whole Matilda being a dog thing less scary for her.

The first time we had my parents watch her I called to make sure everything was going ok (to verify The Bitch had not torn their house up). Mi Madre informed me that her and Tilly (that's what she calls her) were watching a movie enjoying a bit of popcorn. "But don't worry Court. I'm feeding her like she is a toddler.....I'm only giving her the "puff" of the popcorn, not the husk. She LOVES it! Oh also, is it OK for dogs to eat yogurt?"

That was the day our dog turned into a beggar. There was no turning back.

It has progressively gotten worse. She does the usual puppy dog stare until you feel like a down right terrible person if you don't giver her a little piece of your pita chip. So you do. Or she will do the worst thing ever and actually put her little paws up on your lap while you are eating. This I do not stand for. She does not succeed in getting food from me on those occasions (from mi Madre though...VICTORY IS HERS!!!)

Last night while eating dinner, The Bitch took it to the next level. Stone and I were sitting in the living room eating dinner.

note: we do this far too often...something I am not proud of. I'm going to make an effort to really "set the table" and dine in the actually dinning room.

I look over to see this:

The Bitch has invaded Stone's space. Biding her time, waiting for him to drop a bit of his angel hair pasta w/ vodka sauce.

ps: now do you see why we call her "The Bitch"??????

vino

Wine makes me saucy. Seriously. I have half a glass and I turn into Miss Sassy Pants.

Kitty, Kelly and I ventured down to Huber Winery to visit Andrea. She lives on the winery. That's right, I said LIVES ON THE WINERY. Her house is smack dab in the middle of grape vines. I might (just might) have a serious drinking problem if I lived in that house. Oh how easy it would be to pop into the restaurant (located 2 minutes walk from their front door) for a quick glass of vino and a few bites of cheese.

It was a lovely day. We hung out with Cydni and Matt (Andrea's little girl & husband), did a bit of wine tasting (cue Miss Sassy Pants) then watched a little of the Kentucky Derby coverage. Thank you Andrea for a sweet day. I can't wait to come down again when you can join in on the tasting!!! (she has a bun in the oven)

Cydni...check out those baby blues!!!

Andrea "throwing back" her water

Kelly, Andrea and Kitty (there is a picture of all 4 of us, but I appear to have bed head and therefore opted to NOT share with you)

bubbles

Some people call it "Thirsty Thursday" but I prefer "Champagne Thursday". However those tiny bubbles in champagne really make me loopy so when I say champagne I really mean beer or wine or if I'm feeling down right CRAZY maybe maybe rum (if I'm totally off my rocker whisky).

So yesterday being Champagne Thursday I told Stone we needed to spice up our night. I decided to whip up a pitcher of White Sangria. (go here or here for a recipe). I think it turned out SPLENDID!...if I do say so myself. Well, other than the little mishap I had when opening the club soda. (I'm 99% sure the woman at the grocery shook the crap out of that bottle when my back was turned)

note: I cheated and used orange juice instead of fresh squeezed juice for my sangria, which is why it is way cloudier than the pics on the world wide web.

Cha Cha Cha-ing Right Along......

I found these two little diddys this morning while drinking my morning cup of joe/online window shopping (except this morning I sort of threw a brick through that "window" and bought myself a rockin new top)

both from here

I'm pretty sure these needed to be added to my summer wardrobe....