Never Forget Your Past

So let's click off the bullet points of why today is a terrific Monday, shall we?

* I have laryngitis.

* My dog bit a basset hound's ear yesterday at the kennel and made PUNCTURE HOLES.

* I left my camera at Panchero's Burrito's at 3am Sunday morning.

* I missed my stop on the subway this morning on my way to work.

* Did I mention I lost my camera? The one I take EVERYWHERE? The one with all the pictures on it from Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning? Okay, just checking.

However, I am trying to make the best of the situation. Reasons why my bullet points are kind of humorous to me:

A. When I try to talk it sounds like this, "Squeak. Squ-sque-squeak? Sque-squeak-squeaky."

B. Hunter is now the scariest, most ferocious 37 pounds of flesh on our block.

C. Nothing funny about losing the camera.

D. I missed my stop because I was reading this amazing new book I got at the library.

E. Still nothing funny about losing the camera.

F. (Bonus) The morning java people were extra nice this morning, and some guy held the door for me to catch the elevator on my way back to my office. Then he offered to push my floor number for me because I was carrying my coffee and oatmeal in both hands. Love you, Nice Elevator Man.

G. (Double Bonus) We had an awesome time reuniting with the world's best friends this weekend in Ann Arbor. Aside from Dev's hospital trip, it was thrillingly rejuvenating to be in the company of many truly wonderful people who care so much about each other. Highlights include: Dinner at Grizzly's, Flip cup at Connors (Caitlin you cheat), Tailgating with Papa's Punch, Killing Penn State, obviously - The Jug, Ray Charles, Hollow Man, Rick's, and playing with Devin on Sunday before our flight. I would show you the pictures but I LOST MY CAMERA. Sorry, I'll be more responsible next time.

* I sniped some pics from Super Stacey's Shutterfly Reel! Yay!

This was at Connor's during intermission of Flip Cup 2007.

Not sure who this guy in the checkered shirt is, I think he just happened to be in the right place at the right time...

There would have been many self portraits of Brent as Ray Charles if I had my camera back. But alas, the world may never know such awesomeness exists...

Hail to the Victors

First Michigan Football game of the season in tomorrow = Yahoo! I love the fall for lots of reasons:

a. I was born in October.

b. I love college football.

c. Halloween is flipping amazing and thanks to my college roommate Kara, I absolutely love decorating the apartment like a jack-o-lantern exploded it's holiday cheer all over everything.

d. I'm no longer sweating my balls off.

e. My down vest is the single most favorite item in my closet. And yes, she has emerged from her summer hiding vacuum-packed zip-lock bag (Don't tell me you don't LOVE those things).

f. Apple cider and pumpkin pie, cinnamon candles and cozy blankets.

Yes, if I could wrap up Fall in shiny paper, tie a bow on it, and give it to all the nasty, grumpy people of New York, I could possibly run for Mayor. OF AMAZINGNESSTOWN.

Hopping a jet plane to Detroit Rock City today after work to meet up with Hutch and Spy and take off for Ann Arbor - I can't stand myself, I'm so excited. I'm taking: my camera, presents, my Michigan jersey, and my tenacity baby, yeah that's right. I'm sure I'll bring back: dirty clothes, tons of inappropriate pictures of my husband and my friends, a hangover, and someone's left shoe. (Hopefully.)

Detective Milton Bradley

Definitely saw two undercover cops bust a group of boys this morning as I was exiting the subway stop at work. It was less like the nail biting Law & Order episode I watched last night and more like playing Guess Who? at a sleepover when I was 8 years old. Unfortunately for the coppers, none of them had red hair.

So Fleeting, Our Time Here

The world lost a beautiful soul on September 7th, Anna Mae Bowman. She was a fiery, devoted wife; an astute and adoring mother; and an ever-present and truly dedicated grandmother. She left her home town to live alone in New Jersey while her husband and one true love fought in the Vietnam War. He returned safely and they moved back home to Greenville where she dedicated her life to raising her two children. She buried her husband in 1966 and lived a spirited and amazing life for 41 more years, never once relinquishing the beloved title of his wife. She went to nursing school and achieved her diploma at the age of 56. Her career was dedicated to the care of the elderly and needy at the Brethren Home. She attended every sporting event her grandchildren ever had and spoke to them about her love of God and commitment to her faith. They were truly the light of her life and she never let them forget it. Everyone in her church congregation loved her and she them as well. She lives on in the hearts and minds of her family and friends as the epitome of laughter, devotion, faith, forgiveness, inspiration, determination, and love.

I'll miss you, Grandma Bowman, but I'll think of you often.

Labored Day

You know how when it's Labor Day and you're feeling all, "I better go out on a boat today, it's Labor Day"? And then you go out on said boat and that's not enough thrill seeking for you so you up the ante with, "I think I want to go tubing!"? So you're dangling precariously far behind a 1,000 mph speedboat hoping to not play chicken with another speedboat out on the lake, and your brother-in-law who is now cut out of your will and will never be allowed to see your children crosses paths with a speedboat to take you over insanely high waves? Then remember what happened next? No? Well, EITHER DO I. I skipped right to the part where I'm in traction and cannot move one single solitary muscle in my entire body. THANKS TODD. Love you bunches and bunches.