blast from the past...pic explosion!

That's Blake and I July 2005, our first trip together in Cancun! After that trip, we both new we were going to spend the rest of our lives together....aw, i know.

But then, i found this birdy......love? not quite but he was a nice kisser! :)

This is the first installment of a blast from my past. Call me nastolgic, or call me bored, but some of these pics i just like, some have wonderful memories, and some are just plain funny. I love pictures, as you can probably tell, and some of these are older than old, which is why the quality sucks! Ah, this first one is from our first annual girls night out. Apparently, we like to steal things on these outings, or act like idiots but it makes for good pics and good fun! This is 3 years ago--I think--girls correct me if i'm wrong, but it is right out front of Bugaloo!

This was the following years annual GNO. And yes, that is a man, and yes, that is my "omg, get this man away from me face." and shortly after this photo op he was escorted out of Harry's for being a wierdo. Hmmmmm...i dont understand why! and that was the year of blake's disappearance to the underwear factory.

This is just a good memory...While we no longer have Johnson (no, I did NOT name him) but i was out cold, and lily, loooves to snuggle. I mean how freggin cute are they?
Note to self: go on diet.

Ah, last years float trip--and the birth of the BLUE COWBOY hat. Maybe one day, and this is a huge MAYBE, i will post the video that birthed our BEST MAN'S SPEECH. If you know Blake, you will understand, but oh, man, I will tell you that i have NEVER laughed so hard in my life. NEVER. So, in honor of this trip---DO WORK, SON!
This is my favorite installment of Before.......
and after......yes, that is her cake. what a waste!

Don't ask. Too much alcohol can really put you in the doghouse!
um, all i can say is Matt's got nasty ass weave! I look weird in this pic and so does Tim but it was the first time I saw him after we moved from CoMo. Large consumptions of liquor+old college roomie=several buckets of tears
I don't know why I love this pic, but it just makes me laugh.......this is from our old crib...
And this has always been a fav too.....
and talking about going waaaay back? This is from my first lake trip with blake and the boys. First of all, don't you love the Jesus clown. yes, that is what his shirt says. Anyway, this weekend, really well, i'll let this explain itself.

One condo, One bathroom, 6 boys and one little ole me. This is going on my fridge, so that i can remind myself what it was like to be a size freggin 0. Diet? Yes, please! Now, this is a reaaaaly old one. Blake and I went camping together for the first time. This involved someone getting knocked in the head by a tree (ahem, BECCA!), our tent becoming a pool, bologna, the introduction of sandal, a chair roasting party, and an No-Ad sunscreen fight that resulted in horrible rashes. Ahhh, the memories. Jen and Sandi--look our men. Tell me they don't look like beeeebies??? I guess this was a cool photo to take back then?

I don't know, but i love this one too. While it may look like they are staring lovingly into each others eyes (remember, the boy on the right married me!) they were dancing to some rad tunes, or something like that.

Apparently Sam didn't know this statue was ALIVE. HA!And the last one for today comes from New Year's Eve, 2005?
I think we like each other!

Ok, I lied. This is the last one of today. From new years, 2007.

Sheesh, I'm exhausted! Next time won't be so long, i will at least try!

stupid Juicy C emails.....

makes my mouth drool every time i open my inbox.

First of all, how freggin cute are these boots?

Now, who wants to buy me one?

Of course, i love anything that is pink and green! :)
and lastly, my favorite! I'll take one in black and brown please!
My dog doesn't bite but I do!

And i am ALMOST tempted to have a baby just so i can have this:

Amy--think about the stupid kids running around the grocery store that you were ready to take out with a cantaloupe. That is what babies turn into. Ok, my baby fever is gone. thank the lord.

A little PSA for summer....

I love summer, ya know? With summer approaching, and with the weather getting warmer and warmer, I thought i'd take a little time to spread the news. I was at the farmers market today (Sappington) and i thought that i'd walk in and smell the aroma of watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, hell, even onions.

nope. And this is why i am writing this today. Obviously this phenomenon of this product that's been around since the dark ages hasn't caught onto everyone. So that you all know, there is this product out called DEODORANT. It's made to prevent wetness and odor. Did you catch that----ODOR?

It's not hard to put on either, swipe and your done. So, for the sake of small children, and the elderly, and me, please buy some today. There are soooo many kinds available--roll-on, spray, gel, and even kinds that go on clear. I don't give a rats ass what kind you use, just freaking use it or stay out of public area.

I know that it might be new to some of you, but try it. All the cool kids wear it. You won't be disappointed, and neither will your friends and family, hell, the girl at the grocery store will be DELIGHTED you did.

I'm squeeling with delight!

My slideshow of the wedding is up!

http://www.browersphotographyblog.com/2008/06/amyblake-show-stillls.html

I laughed, and I cried. Well, worth the wait.

This and that....

I caught an episode of Friends the other day. Man, i miss that show.

I am SO excited for this weekend! We have NO plans! First time in like, a looong time. I'm pumped.

My dog is the laziest dog--ever! I was off on Monday, and she hardly got up all day. Is that all she does all day while we are at work? I mean, when i got up, she went from our bed, to HER bed. Even still, she is too damn cute. Look at her as a baby!

She finds the wall really interesting!

She's on the right, that's her brother we gave him to Blake's bro (who gave him away without tell us! GRRRR)

• Little did i know, that getting married and changing my last name would cause so many problems. Well, at work it's causing my computer to do crazy things, since we changed my username, i've lost log notes. not cool. who knew changing my name would cause so much chaos?


• I am so frustrated right now. The car accident was almost 2 months ago, and the freggin pain hasn't gone away. PT is helping, but I'm miserable. I've gained like a million pounds bc i can't do anything. I am so tired of going to appointments and yep, gotta go again tomorrow, I called my doc to see if i could get an MRI to see if there is more to it, and she wants to see me. GAH. Stupid car accident. I just want to be back to normal again!
  


• I heart Popsicles. Its weird tho--as a child i used to love the purple and cherry--and now i find myself liking the colors i hated as a kid. I'm also finding that i hate bugs. I used to be SUCH A TOMBOY as a kid. I remember when i was younger, my cousin and i used to squish worms in my dolls baby bed my dad made (i know, weird. what were we thinking?) Now, they repulse me. Blake and i (well, mostly blake) got rid of ALL the stupid rocks in our backyard, and every time i picked one up, i found a worm or 1,000's of rolly polly's. and i want to hurl. when did i grow up?
  
• I am going to attempt to get my haircut this weekend. I am SO sick of it right now. Wish me luck. I haven't had a real hair cut other than a trim in like two years. Scary!

Going for something like this:

Please, I hope i dont end up like this--somehow i just don't think that could happen!

Ah, tomorrow is friday! Friday's kick ass!

A month ago today.....

I got married! I cannot beleive it's been a month already!

It feels just like yesterday I was kissing my HUSBAND for the first time!IHO of our first month as a married couple, here is a little conversation I had with my mom after we opened gifts. It makes me smile and went like this:

mom: so, did you come out even (meaning that with all the cash we got, and with what Blake and I spent on our wedding)?

me: nope.

mom: really? (as she has NO IDEA how much a wedding costs these days.) was it all worth it?

me: HELL FREAKING YES.

mom: would you do it all over again?

me: IN A HEARTBEAT.

Mom: well that is all that matters.

Even though he is driving me nuts lately, i do have to say that i love him more than i ever thought was possible. It seems like forever ago, that I sat down and looked across the table to see his face. We had a conversation that lasted a split second but little did I know at that time, i had just met my future hubby. (I'll divulge the whole 'how we met' story another day)

Before we know it, we'll be an old married couple!

My latest obsessions...

My latest project has sucked the energy out of my body--literally. The cabinets are ALL painted, now I just need to buy and add hardware! Woot--and I am working on talking my dear hubby into buying me this: and once I get this, I'll need the matching components. It's going to take a while to convince him that the money we spend it worth it when our properly working yet unmatching appliances are still in working order. Plus--it's honestly, driving me nuts that they do not match. I NEED MATCHY MATCHY!


So, in attempt to update our kitchen on a measly budget (and let me tell you, there has been A LOT of F-BOMBS involved in this project, and next time, i decide to do something this crazy, hit me in the freggin head please.) I have been scouring the blog-o-sphere and www for fun ideas. I found these two funky pieces on bhg.com--and i am in love with this idea. i don't know what it is about the baskets, maybe it's because they are so orderly looking, and um, yes, lined up. Now, i wouldn't ever be so brave to go all out with these funky colors but I'm thinking of adding one of basket goodness!

Since the cabinets are now painted, my goal is to find some baskets. Two places come to mind: gardenridge and world market--two places i could seriously do some damage at. Now, prepare yourself for the next thing, i am so obsessed with this, if we were ANYWHERE near finishing our basement, and I'd sell my right arm to get this:

I found this on Dwell, but searched ASKO's site, and this is what they say about this magnificent creature.

The ASKO Laundry Care range is the world’s most co-ordinated range of
laundry appliances. It is totally modular for flexible configuration, comes
with a range of concealed door finishes and can even be integrated with your
own cabinetry. And with a range of hidden helpers and storage solutions you will
enjoy more freedom, options and space than ever before. Of course, like all ASKO
products, the range reflects our tradition of pure, minimalist, ergonomic design
and our commitment to the environment.

Sigh. I want.

Weekend recap and random bits of goodness....

This weekend was kinda weird as it was basically a girls weekend for me, not a bad thing by far but haven't done one like that in a LONG LONG time!

Friday we had our annual spring picnic, and then caroused over to a few coworkers homes for cocktails. Ahhhh, cocktails.

Speaking of cocktails, I had more on Saturday night with some lovely ladies for an awesome GNO (girls night out!.) It's been a while since i attended any of the get-togethers, and i was finally able to go! woot! I am a sucky blogger bc i brought my camera and didn't take any pics. Luckily, Jen did. Thanks, Meghan for being an awesome hostess. i love how her hubby came home and she told him to go away and watch some manly movies!!!!!

I decided that i needed to add a pic in this loong blog of unpictured goodies...so i stole one from Nikki who i had the pleasure to meet last night. I stole this one bc it had the doggy in it!


This is only a portion of the girls, so check out Nikki and Jen's blogs to see more! Plus, next time I plan on actually taking pics! All in all, I had a crazy week so it was great to relax this weekend, with good food, good friends, and freaking sweet ass drinks!

Now, regarding the random bits of goodness.

• I have gotten over my wedding hangover....(thank god. ) I think that it's a combination of just being so relaxed, loving life, and realizing that while some bad shit happened over the past year, it's cool...why cry over spilt milk, there are worse things in life. While most of you know, i work with kids with disabilities, and i met with one of my parents and kiddos last week (after not seeing them for about a year) and suddenly, my whole world didn't matter. Some of the kids I work with are terminal, and to see a frail little body, all skin and bones, you start to feel like shit bc you worried so much about a freaking tiny detail that really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of life. So, i am back to being my normal sappy, and happy self. I love my job for this reason, it keeps me grounded and teaches me that the important things in life are worth waiting for, and worth everything. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful group of friends, and a supportive, loving family, and the BEST HUSBAND in the world, who loves me no matter what. Life is too short to cry about spilt milk, so we must move on! Moving on---
• I am 90% done with my cabinets. Can we say, WOOT!


• I freaking love summer. There is nothing like waking around in flip flops, and relaxing in the sun.

I can tell it's summer for two reasons besides the effing humidity--junebugs, and the laughter of kids enjoying summer vacation (oh, how i miss those days....) Speaking of summer, i've made a few goals!!!

1. Get to the gym and stop eating like a lard ass. Well, i am going to start being more healthy. with the wedding, school and everything going on, I stopped being so good. I have gained SOOOOO much weight, and am so tired of feeling like crap ALL THE TIME. I am planning on going to spinning at the butt crack of dawn so wish me luck! I am a bit nervous i am going to hurl all over the place.


2. Once I am finished with the cabinets, my goal is to replace the appliances and the kitchen table that i detest. This ones going to take some time bc the hubby doesn't understand the need for things that don't relate to TV's or Video games....stupid boys. :)


3. With my whole going the gym thing, I want to loose 30 pounds before my dear friends Steph's October wedding. I am ready freddy!


4. Learn something new---whatever that may be, I am going to learn it. I'm loving entertaining and cooking so maybe something of that sorts!
   

I am going to go back to work now, booooo! those cabinets aren't gonna paint themselves!

I'm on a posting rampage lately!!!

I can seem to stop posting with all this time i've got on my hands...ha! I am going to flood this post with wedding pics my dear friend nikki took! She was one of my readers and wow, she sure can read!

I can say this is the first installment of what the hell is Amy doing?
It is a good shot of my bouquet tho! I sho' do love me some peonies!!! Becca, jen, and nikki on my sweet ass trolly!!!
Um, them again? Nikki likes to take pics.....
If i had to guess, I think I would say that this may be after a few bottles of champagne?? Whatcha think T???
Awww....maybe if Jenny would stop running away from bouquets she might just be the next one to walk down the aisle! Ha, just kidding--you know i wuv you!
Noone is looking at this camera but hey, i'll take what i can get right now.....

Dave looks like he is concentrating REALLY hard at reading those programs....

There's tony hamming it up like he does bestThe boys, but i do have to wonder why the heck Joel is pointing to his crotch????

I think matt thinks it's time for him to get married.....and i'm glad to see Blake was smiling before he saw me!!!! Oh, and if your super anal like me all you can notice is that the stupid coordinator forgot to give the boys their bouts. Stupid lady. First you show up to the rehearsal 45 mins late, and then you forget the flowers. GAH!

LOVE LOVE MY CHURCH!!!
Damn, those boys are looooking goood!
I MADE IT!!! (and without falling down the aisle, or losing an eyelash!)
We are married! What a sweet moment, huh? (Note my awesome photog capturing it all!)
Hopefully, we'll have some REAL pics soon!!

Stand Up 2 Cancer

This is the PSA...Stand up for Cancer....

Very Cool...Stand up to Cancer

I had to post about this. I am sure we all know someone who is fighting cancer, or someone we had to say goodbye to way too soon. It is that one word that we all know, and we pray that we don't have to hear.

I have heard it too often this year as my grandma was diagnosed with cancer late last year. Thoughts crossed our minds, and my poor grandpa was distraught but luckily with chemo and radiation, she is now in remission. (YAY!) I have had several friends who have lost loved ones to this. I remember when Brock's mom was diagnosed with colon cancer and about four months later she lost the fight.

I saw talks about this on E! and it immediately gave me chills.....ABC, CBS, and NBC are all partnering up for an event on September 5th at 8:00 pm. I found this on their site:

On Friday evening, September 5, 2008, the networks will donate one hour of prime time for a history-making interactive television special, uniting the nation as we Stand Up To Cancer, including: Performances by legendary recording artists.
Over 50 of the biggest names in TV, film, sports and music will participate in the
live phone bank, answering calls from viewers who want to donate. Stand Up To
Cancer plans to auction celebrity video chats where viewers will have the opportunity to chat in real time with film and television stars. Segments on
cutting-edge research -- likely to be reported by network news anchors Katie Couric, Charles Gibson, and Brian Williams -- will include intimate dialogue with the renowned scientists who are making the big, potentially life-saving discoveries. Celebrity performances and participation in special live and filmed pieces designed to educate, inspire and entertain.

You can go to their site to learn more, donate, and join the fight, .

This made my heart melt!!!!

The Constellation is a tribute space to honor anyone who has received a cancer
diagnosis. For a donation of $1 or more, you can add a star to the
Constellation in the name of someone you love: a family member, a co-worker, a
friend. We invite you to search the Constellation and become a part of something big.

So, who wants to be part of something big???

I have to give a shout out.....

Most brides don't thank who i am getting ready to thank, at least i hope not...( Julia---you'll enjoy this post......) Three weeks before the wedding, I remember sitting on the couch, balling my eyes out to Blake. I was terrified that I wouldn't enjoy what was supposed to be the best day of my life.

If you all remember, I was in a car accident on 270 three weeks before the big day. Luckily, i walked away without a scratch, but started developing neck and back pain immediately.

I went to the ER, and eventually to my doc bc it was 3 days later and i was still in pain. I was freaking out because i was getting married in less than 3 weeks, my to-do list was exploding and school/work was already out of control. Luckily for me, my doc referred me to physical therapy.

They put those freaky little electrodes, and used traction to whip me into shape. While the pain has come back, (booooo!) I felt amazing on my wedding day.

So, i had to thank Hunter, and all the staff because this moment may not have been as amazing and memorable as it was..........

I was completely walking on clouds that day, and could not stop smiling, and after going to PT 3X's a week, i was so ready for that aisle. I remember telling the bridal party to walk faster so i could get out there!

I'm going back to PT tomorrow! Woot! I heart PT! So, I get to tell them tomorrow!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(oh and thanks to the Browers for the pics....)