Better Start Talking ~ Donell Jones

Because I have been so quiet as of late.....

1. In the long, hot summer afternoons, all I want is a Starbucks Frappuccino. I can not even begin to afford to spend money on Starbucks. When the Starbucks craving strikes, I simply repeat to myself the following phrase: "A gallon of gas. A gallon of gas. A gallon of gas." Since I am perpetually short on gas and gas money, this effectively curbs my Starbucks impulse.

2. In sad news, one of the dogs that I dog sit on a regular basis died. I think I have gone soft in my old age because I totally wept at missing his sweet little doggie face. Repeatedly. For my previous stance on pets, see here.

3. I had my May dinner party. I made pasta (Me? Pasta? Never!), kale chips, and a new batch of experimental brownies.

If I Knew Then ~ Lady Antebellum

One of my first big high school crushes was very white-boy-grunge-cool. Yes, this was before goth or emo. This was way back in the day of grunge. Go look it up kids.

A few days ago, I fell down a black hole in the Internet and clicked on a link that led to a link that led to a link and lo and behold! My former crush is a totally legit white collar IT specialist.

I am crushed. You might as well tell me that Kurt Cobain is not dead. He is a CPA in Des Moines. And he listens to Justin Bieber on his drive to work everyday.

I wonder if this is how hippies felt in the '80s?

I love this game. I really love this game.

So, of course, I have been watching the final episodes of Oprah. The Part 1 episode that aired on Monday had me crying over everything. Every little clip, song, surprise guest. It was rather pathetic.  The second episode that aired on Tuesday, only had me crying at one scene. Can you guess which one?

No you can't. I could not have even guessed what I am about to tell you.

Michael Jordan.

And I am not talking teary-eyed. I am talking full on crying.

Michael Jordan.

This has been an especially sweet NBA season for me.  I realized as I wiped the tears from my eyes while watching MJ show Oprah some love that if the Bulls somehow manage to win the Eastern Conference Finals (I know, I know) and win the championship, I would totally lose it and sob like a baby.

Some might call me a fair weather fan because I haven't watched too many Bulls games since 1999. (Truthfully, I have tried to watch and watching the Bulls lose is just too hard for me.) Some might say it was just about Jordan. And yes, a lot of it was about Jordan then. But it was also about an Illinois team. It was also about a sporting event on tv that I could get into with my dad. I remember watching playoffs and final games with him. And in the end, it became about something I love. I love this game.


And now a trip down memory lane:

This also made me cry:

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Best part of this next video? MJ's outfit.

YouTube Link

And while I am not going to share it here, I also found a tribute video to Michael Jordan set to "I Believe I Can Fly" by R. Kelly. And guess what? Yeah, it totally made me cry.

Two Weeks ~ Grizzly Bear

Hi.

Do you have plans for this weekend?

If you do, I hope they are fantastic! I hope you have a great weekend!

If you don't, might I suggest a few things?

1. Listen to Grizzly Bear's songs "Two Weeks" and "Easier" on repeat.
2. Occasionally throw in some zydeco and dance like you are the least self-conscious person to have existed ever. I like Buckwheat Zydeco and their songs "Zydeco Boogaloo" and "Hot Tamale Baby."
3. Handle your scandal. Think about all the things hanging over your head stressing you out. Get rid of at least one of those things. Handle your business.
4. Eat something really delicious. Bonus if you made it yourself.
5. Breathe.
6. Do something intellectually stimulating.
7. Focus on someone other than yourself. Show personal interest.
8. Give yourself a pedicure.

Now/At the Party ~ Maxwell

I helped out with a kids' party. It is impossible to be grumpy or worried when faced with a rainbow of balloons. 

Ice cream cone balloon weights. Also? The ice cream cones had bubbles inside them. Awesome! 

A play-doh station. 

Rainbow Streamers. I hung them. Hence the lack of awesomeness. 

Each table was a different station. Coloring. Making masks. Blowing bubbles. Painting. Chalk wall. 

Visors that were given to the kids as party favors. 

Can I Take U Home ~ Jaime Foxx

I recently went home for a long weekend.

I got in late Thursday night.

Friday I spent some time with my sister and my main squeeze:

Friday afternoon and evening were devoted to celebrating the reason for my visit home, my girl Samantha's wedding!

The  future bride and groom at rehearsal. 

After rehearsal fun:

Saturday:
WEDDING DAY! CONGRATS TO SAMANTHA AND AJ!!

The only picture I have of the groom on his wedding day and it is with his new brother -in-law, not his new wife. How sad is that? 

 Sunday was family day:

Sunday afternoon: GO CARDINALS! WE WON!

Sunday evening my sisters and I totally overwhelmed our beloved nephew with our girl power. BEHOLD:

Does he or does he not looked totally freaked?? 

 Monday:
My sister Margaux and I went to breakfast. Check out this waffle-y goodness!:

Then my sister Rita and I went to the zoo with a group of friends:

Rita, Kaylan, and I were totally enthralled by the sting ray and shark exhibit: 

My hand on a shark. I got to pet a shark! They feel like sand paper. 

And then I went back to Tucson.

The end.