Just Sharing

Did you ever get exactly what you needed at the exact time you needed it?

Well I am a very fortunate girl. My friend Carmela came to visit this weekend. I feel so much better. There is nothing better than a Sunday with Carmela.
I first met Carm in college my Freshman year. I was at Mac's and she said something rather provocative to my male companion. I asked "Are you hitting on my boyfriend?" and she replied "Yeah what are you going to do about it?" That was it...I soon moved into her room and we have been friends ever since.
It is understood that she is "The Queen" and that I will certainly be put in my place at any point in time she deems necessary. Don't get me wrong, she doesn't always win. It is also understood that I have the option to listen or not to listen. Most of the time I listen to her. I used to purposely do things to set her off and then laugh. Sometimes, she didn't think it was so funny.
She has an amazing ability to give you advice without seeming negative. She will always tell you the truth, whether you want to hear it or not. She will never talk behind your back about anything she wouldn't say to your face. I have never heard her say, "I shouldn't tell you this but I will" or "promise not to tell anyone?" Her words are never delivered in a mean way (well not to me). Sure in the past 17 years we have had our share of "moments" but seldom heated to any degree of anger. Mostly irritation, simply due to the amount of time spent together, sometimes disappointment.
It is one of the most carefree relationships of my life thus far. She loves my friends and she is so great at meeting new people. We do not see each other all the time, but when we do it is like family. I am horrible about answering my phone, she is horrible about returning phone calls. She knows that she has to keep calling or leave a message and then I will call her back. I usually spend most of my time talking to her answering machine, we have developed a very good rapport. It is all good, we just know that is how we both operate. No one gets uptight or upset if we haven't communicated in a while. We are not mushy but she knows I love her and I know the same. Most of our friendship is based on this unspoken and never broken true bond. Nothing really has ever changed between us.
This weekend we spent most of our time hanging out with everyone else. It doesn't really matter. Her presence alone is enough for me to feel good.
I get sad everytime she leaves or I leave her house. It is always worse if Cassidy is involved, who wants to leave that little girl. This weekend it was just Carm that came to visit. Through the past 17 years we have been through a lot of good times and also sad times for both of us. She is such an amazing part of my life. I admire her, I love her, and I need her. She was all I needed to get by this weekend.

Tonight I went to dinner with my parents. Then we went shopping. I got two new dresses for Mexico. Just got off the phone with Carmela. The queen is arriving around 2:00pm tomorrow. As soon as I get off work we are heading down to Moundtown for a little girl's night. I am excited for tomorrow, should be a blast. My friend Carrie is meeting us here and going with us. My sister should have a pretty good turn out.

Today a friend of mine from college was in town. She has two little boys Devon (6 yrs old) and Adam (4 Months). I lived in the same Quad as Jess in T Moore. That is where Corie, Jess, Carm, Sharon and myself all started to hang out and become friends. My Junior year I lived in an apartment with Jess and Sharon before I bought my house. That was Jess's Senior year. She was a year older than us. I think I drove Jess nuts when we lived together. If I didn't then Sharon definately did. We survived, and we are all still friends. We don't get to see each other very much. I see Carm the most and Corie at least two or three times a year. It was great to see her again.
We all went to Cabela's to see the animals and then to lunch. My sister came with Pea and Dom, and Eric met us later for lunch. We had a good time, all of the kids were good. No crying or fussing. I can't believe how tall Devon is. He is only six. Adam is a sweet little guy. He is so pleasant. I am glad we all got to hang out and visit.

Devon

Checking out the Bear

Amanda and Domenic

Jes, Devon and Adam

Sweet Pea


The picture above kills me. The Dora purse, the hot pink shoes, and that pose. She carried around that purse the entire time. She opened it up and there was a comb and a cell phone. She makes me laugh so hard.

Devon with his Pop Gun

Dom Sporting the Coon Hat

Everyone trying on a coon hat

Little Adam


Eric and I went to Walmart after lunch. I needed to go shopping so bad. Now I have to put everything away and actually use some of the cleaning products I purchased.

Last night as a family we attended the Memorial. It was nice. The girl's were all dressed up in their new outfits. They looked sweet. Abby kills me with her new glasses. She is quite the trend setter. I really enjoyed getting to see everyone again. It was my Mother's Birthday as well. She turned, well...that's not important. We went to eat afterwards and it was a good time. Here are some pics.

Sweet Pea and Abby


Kaylee and Sweet Pea


And this is what I like to call MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO! Penelope loves Abby and apparently wanted to be just like her. It was so cute. Headband, glasses and even the purse.

I guess you have to start from the beginning. Amanda and I were having a girl's night when she thought of the idea back in late October. By early November we had the place booked and the ball rolling. We told Bud and Anne on the family trip in December and it was full steam ahead.
Amanda and I were a team on a mission. I will admit some nights we didn't get much work done. Boggle, myspace, full tilt sometimes distracted us. Sometimes we just ended up talking, but I loved every minute hanging out and working on this project together. We agreed for the most part, and compromised on whatever we disagreed.
The hardest part and the very last detail was to get them into the building. Bud and Anne did a great job on this. Maybe the most important element. It worked out perfect.
The hardest part for me was the 20 minute wait to get them there. Mavrick was texting Kaylee as to their whereabouts. It was like a personal gps system. Only problem is they were in Martins Ferry for about 20 minutes. It seemed like forever. I was so excited, couldn't sit still. Amanda and I just waited off to the side high fiving each other. I don't think we ever realized what that moment was going to feel like. Then Bud called and said they were on Kruger Street. Anne said the girl's were not ready to go and they should just come in. Simple right?
No. Dad had to call me to say they were going to be late. We all watched through the glass doors as Bud tried to get everyone to walk in together. Dad taking his time to leave me a voicemail. You could tell Bud was a little nervous, but he did great. Mavrick as always was cool as a cucumber. Then they walked through the door. Kaylee let out the balloons and everyone yelled SURPRISE! I got a little teary eyed, so did Mom. But one thing is for sure, they had no idea. SUCCESS!
The party was wonderful. All the stress and worries went away as soon as they walked through the door. We had both families there and tons of friends. We had plenty of food and seats for everyone. We quickly went through the planned program with ease. Uncle Rudy led us in prayer. Mom and Dad led us through the food line. Once everyone was seated it was slide show time. The DJ then took over the show, tables were cleared and it was time to celebrate. Mom and Dad had there dance to their song "Happy Together" by the Turtles. We cut the cake, and then did the HokeyPokey, Chicken Dance, and danced the rest of the night.
Thank you everyone who brought stuff and helped us out. Thank you Bobbie Jo for video taping everything. Thank you most importantly for coming and sharing the 40 year celebration with our family.
After the party Amanda and I came back to my house for a victory night cap. We were both so tired but still excited from it all. We went back over all the events of the day. We reflected on it all. I think we managed our way through one glass of wine before calling it a night. A couple tears, another high five, and a hug and kiss goodbye and it was a wrap! We had really done it!
I received a text message from someone who was there. It read "It was nice seeing everyone so happy. The energy was great!" That about sums it up. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! I love you.
Jennifer Beth

Well no more secrets! I can finally write on this blog about what my brother, sister, and I have been busy planning for 4 months now. We threw a surprise 40th Wedding Anniversary for my parents. I don't know how we did it, but no one messed up. They were truly surprised. I will post pictures tomorrow, tonight I am exhausted. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad, I love you.

Starts in Pittsburgh this year! May 30th and May 31st. I love Friday/Saturday Pittsbugh weekends. He is playing 51 shows in a little more than three months. Eric said the Columbus show will be cool. It is at Crew Stadium. I have never been, but I bet it beats Blossom!
I have a ton of things to do right now and I shouldn't even be on the computer...so I am off.