Chicago trip - The Navy Pier & the pledge

Sunday was our day to head home.  We had planned to go see the Navy Pier on Saturday, but had no time because the line at the ledge of death Willis Tower was so long.  We decided to stop there on our way out of town.

I don't know what to tell you about it except that it's a Pier....with like yachts & sailboats you can rent rides on.  There are all kinds of shops as well.

There is also this huge ferris wheel...yea - we didn't go up in that...

The Children's museum is at the Pier.  We made the mistake of sent the guys into the gift shop to find something for Brian & Shauna's son WHO IS 5.  Shauna & I shopped for normal adult  souvenir stuff:  key chains, t-shirts, magnets.  The guys got Dylan a couple cute little toys & I noticed they were acting funny. 

Let me back up a second:   The guys like to do things to get on our nerves be silly.  They have apps on their phones that make a 'whip' sound.  They did that over & over & over & over again.  We got to Chicago Friday in the late afternoon...by that night, Shauna & I were saying 'never again.  We're never bringing the boys again'. 

So after the trip to the CHILDREN'S museum gift shop, I noticed they were being weird.  They were acting kinda quiet so I figured they were hiding something or about to do something to really irritate us.  I kept hearing B-rad making fart sounds & I thought it was his phone.  (Oh yes, they have farting sound apps too.  God help us...) I scolded him & noticed he had his hand in his pocket.  I naturally thought his phone was in his pocket & he was pushing the button.  He yanked his hand out of his pocket & very loudly exclaimed, "NO IT'S NOT MY PHONE!  My phone is on my belt!"  So it wasn't the phone.... 

Uhm okkkkk????  

We got into the car to start the drive back home & again, they were VERY quiet.   (Kinda like kids - if they are quiet - we need to worry.)  All of a sudden we noticed they were wearing moustaches.  Brian had bought a package of stick-on moustaches at the gift shop!  Well, c'mon - that's just funny!  We all slapped them on for a pic!  I was laughing so hard I was incapable of keeping a straight face.  

And those farting noises I heard coming from B-rad?  Oh well, that was THIS.  
(Can you see it says, 'do not take to church?  For the Love of GOD.)

This is what he had in his pocket that I couldn't see.  You stick your finger in there & it makes all kinds of hilarious farting noises.  Do ya'll feel sorry for us yet?!  He did this in the car over & over & over & over.  I finally told him he had to stop before I killed him.

Shauna & I looked at each other no less than 4,324 times this weekend & said 'NEVER AGAIN.'  And ya know how it is when you SAY something, but you get some distance & you forget how miserable annoyed you truly were?   I told Shauna we were making a promise to ourselves on video so we would NEVER forgot.

Behold - "The Pledge"

(And what I say B-rad is doing...he wasn't doing...he had that damn phone in the bathroom with him...we could only hear sounds...)

(This is the original pledge we made Saturday afternoon after I barely survived the ledge of death .  If you saw the other version on Facebook it's because I say a bad word in this one & didn't want mom to see it on Facebook...YES she is ashamed of me already because knows I cuss just a teeny tiny bit, but I thought putting it on Facebook would cause her to call & scold me...)

Chicago trip - Jason Aldean concert

Saturday night was the reason WHY we went to Chicago.  Jason Aldean concert, baby!  I can't remember if I've told ya'll how all this came about?  If I did-you're about to hear it again.

Shauna & B-rad LOVE Jason Aldean & went on & on about how if he ever came to town in concert they wanted to go see him.  I decided to get on his website when I was bored one day this winter at work to see where/when his tour dates were.  The closest place was Evansville but it was sold out.  The next closest place was Chicago & it was going to be on a Saturday night.  I told Shauna & B-rad & they thought going to Chicago was no problem (it was about a 5 1/2 hr drive) & a weekend trip was born.

NOW....let me tell you the really ridiculous funny part.  Maybe 3 months AFTER we bought our tickets, he announced he was coming to Louisville this past April (I think?).  So yea, we could've seen him right here in town, but what's the fun in THAT?!

The concert was at Wrigley Field.  Of course, I don't do sports, but even I know the Cubs play at Wrigley Field & it's like an uber big deal.

I thought it was cool that the surrounding business rooftops had bleachers on top of them as well.  After coming home & talking about it with people who ARE sports people, I found out these are called "Wrigley Rooftops" & they sell the seats for ball games & concerts.  It's BYOB & they provide food.  AND I'm sure you don't have to wait in a massive line like Shauna & I had to wait in to pee.

There were 3 acts before Jason Aldean came out.  Thomas Rhett (no clue...) was first & then Jake Owen... If you know country music he sings "Barefoot Blue Jean Night", "8 second ride"...

AND someone we wouldn't have seen if we saw the crappy show that came to Louisville - Kelly Clarkson.  I really like her.  She was the first winner of 'American Idol'.  She sings, "Catch My Breathe", "People Like Us".  She's also engaged to Reba McEntire's step son.  (Yea, I'm a geek about 'star' trivia..)

After Kelly Clarkson, we were waiting for Jason Aldean to go on.  And this is where I experienced 2 funny stories to tell you. It's also reasons #3 & #15 that I don't drink in excess.  (If you're wondering, #1 is because my freakin' mouth gets even  bigger when I drink...& my normally tiny filter becomes non-existent...  And #2 is hangovers.  But I've never really had a hangover because of #1...)

Reason #3-while waiting in the reallly, REALLY long line to pee (it was wrapped down around the ramps a couple of times.)  The girls waiting to pee were on one side & the ones walking up or down the ramp were on the other. Shauna & I saw paramedics coming at us.  They were wheeling a younger man who was passed out cold on one of those dolly (I know that's not spelled right!) thingies.  And he had vomit all down his front. 

 UHM gag.  No thanks...

Reason #15-there was a couple that sat 4 rows in front of us.  I could tell she was blitzed when they walked to their seat.  Apparently she gets REAL touchy feely when she's blitzed.  She was ALL OVER the guy she was with.  Like I felt bad for not paying to see that kind of action.  I TRIED to take a pic, but the one I got was blurry & I didn't want the people around me to think I was a perv.  However, they ended up leaving when it started raining (oh yea, hang on for THAT!) & later I heard people around us asking each other where they went.  Apparently I'm not the only one who noticed free porn.

The guys had been watching the radar on their phones & knew we were gonna get rain.  Like a lot of rain.  And guess who didn't care a bit?  (Surely you said me!)

They delayed a few minutes waiting for the rain to let up, but finally..the music started! 

In the spirit of full disclosure, we were under an over hang so we didn't get direct rain like others did.  However, our seats were on the very edge of the stadium so it didn't take much for the rain to blow in on us.  This was just as the rain was starting.  See the drops on B-rad's shirt?

Rain?  Eh, who cares?!  We were watching Jason Aldean!  We were dancing!  We were singing!  B-rad was photo bombing!

A little rain didn't stop the pyro action either!  It was awesome!

We all got soaked.  My hair was a hot mess.  I should have taken a pic of that for ya.  After maybe 5 or 6 songs the rain pretty much stopped.  He made a comment that 'now that he didn't have to worry about getting electrocuted...' & he started to move on stage a lot more.

He & Kelly Clarkson have a song together & since she was there with him, we got to see them sing it.

It was a FABULOUS concert!  We had a great time even though we got soaked!  It was a great weekend with great friends!  Sadly, our summer concert tour has come to an end.... tear...

Next up...Navy Pier, heading home & 'the Pledge'...

Chicago trip - my freak out 103 stories up

On Saturday, the guys wanted to go up in the 'Sears' Tower.  It's now called the Willis tower, but no one really knows what that is.  Most people know when they hear Sears Tower what I'm talking about.  The line to get in was extremely long.  It was a really nice day out so we knew we would be able to see a lot.  I guess everyone else did too.  We had to stand outside the building for about 45 min before we even got inside to wait there.  I took a pic of B-rad & I standing outside.  If you look closely you can spot the photo bombers. 

Ok-so I'm a little uncomfortable with heights.  I don't know why.  I've never had a bad experience up high - it just make me nervous.  We went up to the highest point of some island on one of our cruises 3 years ago.  We had to ride a cable car type thingie up to the top & it was wobbly & made noise.  I don't know if that screwed me up or what?  I have no problem being on an airplane.  I can be in hotels high above the ground.  Heck I had no problem with our seats way up high in Wrigley field for the concert.  (I think it's a mental thing...like having walls around me or knowing I probably, most likely -won't plunge to my death...) But I didn't know how I would do on the top of this monstrosity.  Over 1300 feet up on the 103rd story... Really close to God.  Gulp.  

We waited over 3 hours to go up to the Skydeck.  It was really cool to see out over the city...safely...behind windows, walls & bars...

They also have something called 'ledges' of death.  They are like little tiny 'rooms' that go out 4' from the side of the building.  (GOOD GOD.)  They are completely made of glass...like even the floor...so you can see 103 stories down.  (Oh ma Gawd.)  And everyone was really excited to go out in them.  Everyone but me...

Notice in the pic the chick with the white shoes.  She's standing on the glass...the grey area is the carpet safely INSIDE the walls of the building.  

We stood in line to have our turn out on the ledge of death.  Brian & Shauna went in & took pics & looked around...B-rad got in, took pics & laid down to make it look like he was falling (madness, I tell ya!) & I stood there VERY quietly.  Like hoping they would forget I was there quiet.  I tried to tell myself I could do it, but at one point I held my hand out & it was shaking.  I took that as a sign that Jaime Mac ain't supposed to be out there.  Shauna asked if I wanted to step out.  I said 'nu uh' & she simply said "ok.".  (She didn't try to convince me or talk me into it at all which I really appreciated.)   

In one of the ledges of death they had a camera set up.  You could pose or do funny pics.  Brian & Shauna took a pic like they were falling. 

So we thought we could do a group pic inside the ledge of death.  Again - I kept telling myself I would be fine, I could run in, take a pic & run out.  (Well, I got the running out part down for sure...) None of them forced me to go out.  Not at all.  But I wanted to TRY to do it.  

Brian & Shauna we already standing there...B-rad was behind me & Shauna took my hand to get me in.  I looked down & that was it - freak out commenced.  I cannot explain the feeling of stepping out seeing buildings under your feet & knowing you are outside away from the safe confines of the steel building.  I think I might have said, "no no no."  (I was thinking it if I didn't actually say it.) I heard B-rad say, "NO! DON'T LOOK DOWN!" & I clamped my eyes shut & threw my head back.  I remember standing there shaking standing between Shauna & B-rad.  They both had hold of me & kept saying, "You're ok."  "It's ok." "We'll be done in a second."  When the pic was done - I got my ass outta there.  I heard them say, "You did it!  Great job, Jaime!".  Even the camera lady said, "Yes, you did it, Jaime" & patted me on the shoulder as I ran by her.  

I stood next to the wall & cried.  Shauna came over to hug me & told me she was proud of me & let me cry.  I got tears (& a little snot) on her shoulder.  Sorry, Shauna...  B-rad came over a minute later & I finally dried it up & pulled myself together.  

I feel bad because I kinda ruined the picture.  I tried to smile, but I was crying so I didn't want to open my mouth because, well - you know what it's like to cry with your mouth open - not pretty.  Shauna was sweet to say that I didn't ruin the pic & it just looks like I'm squinting from the sun.  (I don't have a copy of it to show it to you.  I only saw it briefly while the little photo place was showing them the pics to choose from to buy.)  I'm not ashamed I was scared, I'm embarrassed that I couldn't hold myself together for the 15 seconds it took to get the pic. Sigh.   So really - other than me having a melt down teeny weeny tiny issue with the glass room that sits out away from the building 103 stories up & messing up the pic, our Willis Tower visit was a success! 

But to give you some perspective, I totally stole this from Brian's Facebook...
THIS is a ledge of death.  Brian & Shauna are in one & that guy looking down to his certain death is in the next one over.  
I mean - if you look at that & DON'T freak out even a little - I think there's something wrong with YOU so there.

Chicago trip - the Blue Man Group

We finally made our way to Chicago for the last stop on the summer concert tour after B-rad finished his interview Friday! I decided to split the posts up so ya'll didn't have to read about everything in one.  I know I'm known for my short posts & all...  

Brian & Shauna came with us & we drove their car.  North of Indy we came across this HUGE windmill farm.  Shauna & I were completely amazed by these things.  Of course, the boys were spouting facts off to us about them.  They were as far as the eye could see & were very peaceful spinning gently around.

Traffic Chicago is crazy, people.  Like Crazy with a capital C.  I've NEVER seen anything like it.  Cars everywhere & they drive like maniacs.  We passed this fountain on the way to our hotel.  Anyone remember the show "Married with Children"?  This is the fountain in the opening.

Shauna's boss is from Chicago so he said we had to see the Blue Man Group.  They have a residence at a theater in Chicago.   We got dressed up & went to dinner.  

(YES I AM WEARING A NECKLACE.  Shhhh don't tell my dermatologist.  I wore necklace, earrings AND bracelets this weekend.  I was tired of not being a normal, bedazzled gal!  BUT I only wore them for a limited amount of time.  Just to dinner & show Friday night & dinner & concert Saturday night!)

We ate at the restaurant in our hotel.  B-rad & Shauna both splurged on the $30 filet.  They both said it was the best steak they'd ever eaten.

I LOVE doing pics like this.  All of us on our cell phones.  Sad thing is, we were probably posting pics of each other on Facebook & tagging each other.   I don't know about you, but if I don't keep up with my Facebook stuff I can get seriously behind & overwhelmed.  Checking it periodically each day is for my sanity.

We took a cab to the theater after dinner.  I made this pic extra large so you can read what I found so funny: 'Vomit clean-up fee  $50'.  Seriously?  Reason #432 I try not to drink in excess.  WOW.

Before the show...

 So if you don't know about the Blue Man Group, they are a group of guys who are painted, well - blue.  (Shocking.)  They make music from random stuff like pvc pipes & they have drums they pour paint on & play & the paint splashes up.  Very cool.  That's really all I knew.  I also knew when we bought our tickets we did NOT buy tickets in the section deemed the 'splash zone'.  Our seats were the next row back. When I saw the lovely clear ponchos laying on the backs of the seats in front of us, I got a little nervous.   

Luckily, we did not get any paint or other stuff they spewed on us.  It was a fun show & they interact with the audience a lot.  If you've never seen them before, you can Youtube some of their stuff.  We had a great time!

My hubby the star

This spring the boys entered a trial program for a new product to be installed on the planter.  We were chosen to be one of the farmers it was tested on by the Dealer in our area.  I could go into all the boring farm details, but honestly I don't even know everything it does.  I know that it was to help with seed depth, spacing & consistency.  For example:  we have MANY different soil types in our fields.  Instead of B-rad setting up the planter to do one set pressure for the whole field & just hope for the best, this system KNEW how much down pressure to put on the seed in different soil types to get to the right depth.  Fancy, huh?  Basically it's new technology for planting.  It makes sure that every 'how ever many inches' a seed gets dropped.  In addition, you just want ONE seed to fall at a time, not 2 or 3.  Older planters aren't consistent & precise.  That's why if you ever see a field where there seems to be empty spaces where a plant (or plants) is missing that's why.  

Oh, you've never looked at that?   Huh.  Just us then...

B-rad could watch in real time on his iPad mounted in the tractor while he was planting to be sure that everything was working properly.  I rode around with him a few times this year & it was really a cool thing to watch.  The boys were very pleased with how planting went with the new system.  Lets face it - if there's no seed in the ground or it's not deep enough they won't have any yields.  The Delta Force allowed them to know exactly what was going in.  Now that everything is growing they can see we have a great 'stand' (that's where there are no 'plants' missing) & the boys are really happy with that.  Of course we'll have to wait & see what happens this fall with our yields.  AND if it keeps ruining everyones life but mine raining, we will hopefully have some AWESOME yields.  

Of course, more yields = more money but that doesn't mean we'll personally 'see' any of it.  It's sticky when it comes to the farm.  B-rad doesn't collect a 'paycheck' & we won't be buying 50 new cars or anything.    I try not to go into TOO many details because while I have no problem telling ya'll everything - we're involved in it with B-rad's brother & our sister in law... they're not as forthcoming with the personal details of their lives as I am.  Let me say this...they did several updates to our corn & bean planters this year including putting on the system for the trial. (That alone was $16,000.)  It took many, many hours & weeks to install & all of it came to the tune of $50,000.  Uh yea...

Also-the land we live on - the FARM pays for.  The 200 acres that B-rad & own together payment is around $16,000 a year. The property taxes alone are over $20,000 on all our land combined. I don't have that kind of money laying around.  Most the time The farm sustains itself...which is fine by me.  I always say that B-rad is investing in our future.  Not many 30ish year olds can say they own 200+ acres & eventually it will be paid off.  So yes, we NEED it to rain.

Ah, I digress...(shocking).

So B-rad had to email the Delta Force people to tell them if we were going to keep the new system.  Of course, they want to keep it & B-rad told them how happy he was with the technical help he got all along the way & was happy with how our stand looks.  They sent him back an email telling him how they appreciated his comments & wanted to know if he'd be willing to be interviewed for a marketing video they were putting together.  Psssh, would he be interested?!  DUH!

(And if you're wondering why they would interview B-rad & not his brother?  That's because B-rad is the one that plants corn.  His brother is the sprayer, truck driver & paper work guy...)

Friday morning the camera crew came to the farm to set up.  While they were getting all their equipment ready, they had B-rad rehearsing his answers to the questions.

 He had a little microphone up his shirt with a battery pack & everything!

 See the little red & yellow 'T''s?  Those are their 'marks'.  I told you this was fancy pants.

 The director (YES there was a director!), in blue, was a really cool guy.  He explained to B-rad how the process would work.  The guy in grey (which is the 'dealer' & we also know him & his family personally) would ask the question but his voice wouldn't be heard on the video asking them.  B-rad had to repeat the questions in his answers.  Example:  guy in grey would say, "why did you decide to choose Precision planting products over other products out there?"  And B-rad would respond, "We chose Precision Planting products over all others because blah, blah, blah."    

 There was no 'action' called (disappointing) but they would say, 'Ok, we're rolling'.  When he was done with his answer they would say 'cut'.  They made him answer every question twice so they could piece it together in editing.  

 The kitty at the barn wasn't interested in any of this at ALL.

 It took about 2 hours for them to get B-rad's part done.  I had to go home to get a shower to get ready for our Chicago trip so I missed them taking video of him & the guy in grey 'working' on the planter & pointing at stuff to have video to roll over the audio. 

  B-rad works really, REALLY hard & this was a really cool thing to be a part of.  I'm super proud of him!

Preview of our weekend

We had a jam packed weekend of craziness!  We had taken off work Friday to head to Chicago for the last stop on the summer concert tour, Jason Aldean.  Welllll, long story that I'll tell you when I download the pics but B-rad got interviewed by the company that makes a new thingie we put on the planter this year & they did that first thing Friday morning.  We're talking like serious stuff - video camera's, a microphone under his shirt, a director & an audio guy.  It was awesome!

After B-rad finished, we headed north to Chicago w/ Brian & Shauna.  We did TONS of stuff there & if you're my friend on Facebook (& if you're not - SHAME ON YA!) you've seen some of the pics.  Of course I can't do my story tellin' thang on there so you're in for a real treat.  Blue Man Group, Jason Aldean & me having a serious f***ing teeny tiny itty bitty meltdown at the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower.)  They have this 'ledge thing' that's completely glass & you can step out 4' from the building 'into' it to see the ground 103 stories below you...(gulp)  It's the tallest building in the western hemipshere....3rd tallest in the world & I FUH-REAKED.  Ok...I gotta go...my breathing is becoming shallow & my heart is racing...

Rain, food, offensive music & no internet filled weekend.

Fourth of July weekend was going to be our first lake trip of the summer.  It was on Thursday this year & because my work sucks we have to work the day after.  I mean, it's a Friday...just like any other Friday...any other week.  UGH.  B-rad found out he was off on Friday (punk).  We had asked Brian & Shauna to go down with us & the plan was to leave Friday after stupid me I got off work & spend the weekend.  Then Shauna got off work Friday... & after much controversy at his work, Brian got off Friday too.  Looks like I'm the only loser in the bunch.  Hmph.

After a lot of anxiety & stress, I decided to ask my boss if I could take Friday off.  In the 11 years I've been there, I've worked EVERY day after Thanksgiving.  I've worked EVERY Christmas Eve... EVERY day after Christmas.  I've worked EVERY New Year's Eve... You get my point...

He said, "Well hell yes you can have the day off." & we were set for a 4 day weekend of fun in the sun on the lake....

B-rad's parents were also going to be there (it IS their houseboat after all) so that meant there was going to be 6 adults & 1 child for 4 days.  Ann's really good about cooking whatever we bring (HEAVEN) so Shauna & I worked on a menu.  We had each day & each meal planned out...

Then we made out a grocery list of what we'd need.

We actually made it through Walmart Wednesday night pretty quickly.  I think we stood in line to check out longer than it took us to get everything.  This is what 4 days of food looks like:

(Side note-my mil DID say how nice it was to know what we were going to have her cook us to eat & having us bring all the food.  It pays to be a planner.)  AND in the spirit of full disclosure-Shauna & I DID help with the cooking.  Honest..I did...

 We got down there really late Wed. night & if you live around here, you know the story... it rained all day Thursday.  And if you read my previous post about rain, you will also know that I didn't care.  Nope, not me.  I mean, did it put a damper on things?  Sure.  But I like to try to make the best of a bad situation.  We ate, played card games, the boys played video games, ate some more, we talked, we laughed, we listened to music.  The rain was NOT the end of the world.

Friday was an 'ok' day.  It was overcast, but no rain during the day.  We did more laughing, more talking, more video games.  Friday night the rain started again & continued all night.  The boys were playing video games into the WEE hours of the morning (3:30am to be exact).  They have headset thingies they talk on but we could still hear them talking into them from the different rooms.  It was loud & obnoxious.  Shauna & I had to have an impromptu sleep over in the living room because they were playing in our bedrooms.  I was on the couch, she was on the air mattress on the floor.  And if you don't think THAT gave us plenty of ammo to gripe about tease the boys about on Saturday, well you don't know us at all.  Like I said, we HAD to try to make the best out of a bad situation...

I was a bad blogger & only took ONE picture the whole 4 days.  ONE.  I just wasn't in a photo taking mood.  We have NO cell phone service at the lake...(it's like living in 1994) & the wi-fi card thingie B-rad has didn't work well either.  4 days with no cell phone & no internet is comparable to death.  Truly.  No Facebook.  No Twitter.  No email.  No Word with Friends.  NOTHING.

That bothered me worse then the rain. (I'm starting to think I have a problem...?)

B-rad took Dylan on a jet ski ride one of the days (can't remember which).  There's your picture.  You're welcome.

Saturday was another overcast cool day.  We took the houseboat to the Dam in the afternoon to wait for the fireworks that evening.  The houseboat next to us was the party boat.  There were TONS of people on it & he had a huge sound system.  I know I'm getting old(er) because the rap music that they were blasting was incredibly offensive.  Like seriously explicit lyrics of a sexual nature.  And I have a foul mouth, people but even I was embarrassed by the things I heard.  I totally wanna type them here, but it would be really inappropriate...  You SO wanna know, don't you?!  Ok, I'll tell you...(Marcia don't be mad!) One song said 'aereola' over & over & over again.  I also heard something about sticking a d*** in someones c***.  It was BAD, people.  Really, really bad.  And those are the things I remember!  I swear to you it was  only the rap music that was offensive.  I never heard a country song come outta that big ass speaker saying nasty stuff like that.  

We woke up Sunday (the day to come home) to a beautiful sun filled sky.  We went out on the little boat for a bit, swam in the lake & I finally got some color on my pasty white skin.  In spite of the rain, being up until 3:30am because of video games, no cell service OR internet (!) & wanting to gouge out my ear drums - we had a good time.  Make lemonade outta lemons, people!  

Jewelry, bloggers & WINE

For those of you who DON'T know me on a 'personal' level (& by 'personal' I mean you haven't met me face to face...lets be honest, ya'll 'know' me pretty well...) I have decided to retire from the jewelry business. 

At the end of last year, I wanted to slow down a bit (which I told ya'll) & then I ended up enjoying the slowing.  (Which I can't remember if I told you?!)  So...I was contemplating not renewing with Premier this month when my renewal is up.  But I struggled with it too.  I didn't want to feel like a 'quitter'... I was worried about the gals that had joined Premier under me... I was also going to miss being involved with such  a great company.  Premier truly is awesome & they ALWAYS went above & beyond where the jewelers are concerned.  

Fast forward to the beginning of May & I find out I'm allergic to all kinds of different metals.  Perhaps you've heard me mention it?  Perhaps.  And that really was the final piece to the puzzle that made my decision very easy.  I'm allergic to jewelry...I can't very well wear it like Mr. T. & sell it like I was doing before.  It may sound silly, but I also feel like I was given a good 'out' from Premier.  Instead of having to explain to people why I wanted to get out & all the circumstances surrounding my decision, I could simply say, "I'm allergic" & there are no questions.  

They say God works in mysterious ways.  Yea, he's mysterious AND hilarious.  

Thank for THAT, God...

I am in the process of selling most my samples.  I will be keeping a few of my favorite pieces, but can only wear them on special occasions.  No more layering bracelets just because.  Tear.  When I DO choose to anoint an occasion 'special' enough to wear jewelry, I will have to suffer.  I will get itchy & break out in a painful rash.  I told the dermatologist that it was "unreasonable to think I was never going to wear jewelry again."  She said she will continue to give me a script for a magic cream so when I wanna be like a normal freakin' girl have a flare-up it will help the pain & clear the rash quicker.  

Alicia was kind enough to let me bring my samples to her house last week so the gals I know 'in town' could look through them.  One thing led to another & it turned into a blogger date of sorts.  There was also wine.  A lot of wine.... Alicia was a tyrant sweet hostess to make sure our glasses never went empty.  

(See the bottles already emptied?!)

Miss Nora was also there...I mean, jewelry IS her thing, ya know?!  She showed us some of her new gymnastic moves.  (I found it incredibly funny how Alicia would do it beside her.  She cracks me up!)

Gretchen was double fisting at one point.  Red or white?  That is the question.  (I'm a white kinda gal...) 

It amazes me how much 'stuff' we can talk about when we're all together.  I mean, we all read each others blogs so we know practically everything that goes on in the others life.  It's fun for me to make ask them to elaborate on things that maybe they just 'can't' say on the blog...  Like Gretchen's job is WAY more fun then she lets on.  I wouldn't mind being surrounded by children all day working in a school office to see the things she sees!  We talked about how 'old' we're getting... & we're all only in our 30's!  We talked about how the "young 'uns" don't use Facebook because it's not as cool as Twitter... & how we all just LOVE Facebook... uhm yea...

We forgot to take a group shot before Denise left!  Boo!  Thanks to Alicia for having us & to everyone who came to look through the jewelry... & drink!

Sausage fest & paint class

Every few months, B-rad's friend, Brian, hosts a 'game night' for the guys.  They eat,  play video games, scream at each other while playing said video games & God knows what else.  I lovingly refer to it as 'sausage fest' for, well - obvious reasons...

This edition of sausage fest game night was going to feature a new game of sorts for some of the guys to 'play'... archery.  Like bows & arrows, people.  One of the guys recently got a bow, another one got one, B-rad's had one forever (remember B-rad has lots of hobbies!) & Brian has one too.  They decided this sausage fest game night was also going to be a chance for some of them to practice their skills.

Shauna is super crafty & can use a drill & other tools I don't even know the names of like no gal I've ever seen.  She saw some arrow stands when we were at the archery place weeks earlier & decided to make one for each Brian & B-rad.  She was originally going to let me watch because I am incapable of using even a screwdriver have me help, but I wasn't able too.  I think they're really cool & especially like the handles.  The boys like them too.

I love this pic I stole from Facebook because THIS was the essence of this edition of sausage fest game night.  Some playing video games (yes, that's Butterfly) & B-rad is shooting in the background.  (They're in Brian's basement.  The far side isn't 'finished' & they've decided it's the PERFECT place to shoot.

When sausage fest game night rolls around, most the time Shauna & I try to get together & do something un-sausage related.  We decided to go to Uptown Art's new studio in New Albany.  I was serious about my painting this time & pulled my hair back so I didn't have to worry about it being in my face distracting me while I was channeling my inner Picasso.  

These classes are perfect for me because I am NOT a perfectionist & I really don't care what my painting looks like.  It always turns out fine & fine is ok with me!  I love listening to all the people in the class that freak out about every little thing.  

I've also figured out that if I take a pic of my painting & look at it on my phone it looks so much different than having my face being right up on it.  It gives me a bit of perspective & I can see how awesome it's turning out if I need to add anything or put the brush down!

The finished product...can't remember the name.  It's colorful which I love.

If you can imagine, these itty bitty teeny tiny people almost gave most the gals in the class a stroke!  If you've ever been to a class, you know how the teacher is all like, "Oh don't worry about it, it's abstract, it's funky, there is no wrong way to do it."  But when this chick started talking about 'the people' & how we needed to 'pay attention for a minute' it sent a shiver down my spine.

They are SUPER tiny on the painting so they made us suggested we paint them first on our paper in large size & went over how to do them step by step.  Then they strongly suggested we paint them yellow on our canvas (because it's easy to cover up) & then we could paint them the real color.  UHM, yea-I practiced on my paper & then I went balls out & painted on the canvas the real color.   I am a REBEL.  

Here we are posing with our master pieces.  I know I've said this a thousand times, but I love how all the paintings look so different yet so similar.  It's weird, but fun!