Bestie Birthday Redux

Happy Birthday Sarah!!! Actually, it was yesterday, but we haven't celebrated together yet, so it doesn't count!!! ;)

I know I didn't post about Sarah's birthday yesterday...I was wrapping up all the gray. But I did not forget! Sarah has been one of the best things about living in CT! Without her and Kim I don't know what I would have done with myself!

I remember the first time I saw Sarah...she went to MOPS, had been there a couple years before I started. She was one of those people that I've always envied...adorable, curly hair, total people person, everyone knew her...I've never been like that. I've always struggled with small talk, breaking the ice, etc. I mean, once I get to know you, it's a battle to get me to shut up, but if I don't know you, good luck getting me to say much. It's so annoying! lol...anyways, back to Sarah...the best word I can think of is vivacious! I knew I wanted to be her friend right off the bat...but took a little longer to make it happen. We weren't in the same small group...but eventually we started hanging out, have play-dates, and then girls' nights at my house with Kim. We used to get together almost weekly...David was working crazy hours and wasn't home much...and the kids weren't old enough to leave, so my house was the hangout zone. We would play Wii...especially bowling! lol...and watch movies...even did a Twilight movie party! hahaha....

I won tickets for a couple of concerts way back...I got tickets to a private pre-show type concert at the radio station with The Fray.

Fixing to go in!

But even better, a few months later I won tickets to my favorite band, The Killers!!!! David had no interest in either of them, so Sarah went with me! 

In the backstage catering area

Yes, those are the band members with the ticket winners...Ronnie Vanucci, the drummer, has his arm around me!!! 

It was an amazing performance!

As the years go by we've been with each other through life's ups and downs. They were the first to know that I was pregnant with Buddy...Kim and Sarah instantly knew as soon as I didn't partake in girls' night libations...lol...they were the first to visit in the hospital after he was born. When my David got his diagnosis, they were there to support me. When Sarah's David was hit with the same disease, well, we gathered around. It sucks to have to go through cancer and all that entails, but to have each other to lean on and cry on and depend on...well, there's no better way. 

We've learned that in the midst of dark times, we still need to remember the good, and have fun!

Celebrating Sarah's 40th birthday!

Ain't she gorgeous???

We still make the effort to get together as often as we can...even if it isn't weekly anymore ;) But it's important to maintain our friendship, relieve stress, and offer a listening ear. I know personally, that girls nights have sometimes been the only bright spot in a very dark place. I thank God for bringing these beautiful ladies into my life! 

a few months ago! like the Joker green? lol 

last May 

and my birthday a couple years ago!

Love you Sarah! The happiest of birthday wishes...and can't wait to party!!! lol

Day 31 - May was all Gray!

Wow, hard to believe another Go Gray in May is over! But just because it's the end of May, doesn't mean it's the end of raising awareness. I'll continue to blog throughout the year, especially updates on David's doctor appointments and scans, as well any gray outfits :)

I gotta admit, I'm ready for some color though ;) But I managed to get through the whole month without any repeats! lol...David couldn't believe I had that much gray...said I might have issues...issues shopping! haha

Nothing too exciting today...church and home...laundry, dishes, movies...the usual. ;) But sometimes those are the best days...no plans, nowhere to be, just hanging out with the family. 

We did it!

My little redneck boy

Buddy took this pic of Glitter...lol plus, she's in gray!

As always, I love having guests...so if you're wearing gray and want to send me a pic, I'd love to post it anytime! Thank you for checking out my gray again this year! I so appreciate all the kind comments and support! And stay tuned...I'll still be posting!

Day 30 - Slumbering and Shopping on a Saturday!

I was so beyond thankful that the kids let me sleep in this morning! Not only was I running low on sleep, but Saturday is the only day that I have a chance to sleep in. It was awesome! lol

The girls finally got their room clean today...you wouldn't believe how bad it was! I should have taken pics! I mean, it's not totally their fault (mostly, but not all)...there are three of them stuffed in a room...once you put three beds and three dressers in, there's not much room for anything else. But their crap was literally, I kid you not, knee deep! It's only taken them like 2 months to get it done. It was the no electronics (tv, computer, phone, kindle...etc) that finally lit the fire under them. So if you're looking for a way to get your kids motivated...there ya go! You're welcome. ;) I'm definitely gonna keep up the "no fun if it ain't done" rule! You've been warned girlies! lol

I totally need to get them some bunk beds...that will definitely help with space issues. And once Sparkle is gone in a few weeks, then Shift will move into her room...so then there will only be two of them in there. But for now, it's cramped! Which is all the more reason for them to keep it neat...it only takes a little bit to make it a mess. 

Then, I actually got to have a little time to go shopping by myself!!! I love that! lol...Sparkle and her friend were going to the mall then a sleepover. So I dropped them off, but figured, hey, while I'm here! Got David some t-shirts at JCPenney...they have a tiny but decent Big and Tall section...plus they were on sale! Plus I popped into H&M (fun store!) and Forever 21, while I don't really fit in the clothes, I love their accessories! Great, cheap jewelry and hair stuff...I enjoy checking it out. I even saw Sarah for a few minutes at her store...always nice to visit her if she's working!

I also checked out a new liquor store Sarah had told me about...oh my goodness! It was huge!!! I'll have to bring David to see it...he'll have to see their Scotch selection! (blech!!!) They had a decent bourbon section too...I'll have to try some new ones out. ;)

I forgot to take a pic until after dark...so you get the flash glare today!

 Now we're fixing to have family movie night...if we can all agree on one...wish us luck ;)

Day 29 - Happy Birthday David!!!

36! I don't have any deep thoughts this year...I barely have any brain cells atm...lol...but I hope the day was awesome...food plentiful and good...and the love felt! Buddy and I were able to eat lunch with Daddy...at Sonic! followed by some delicious peach milkshakes from Chick-fil-a! mmmm mmm!

Buddy's got gray too! 

Last night I almost forgot to start smoking the meat! That would have been bad! lol! Oh, oh, oh!!! So, this is hilarious! This morning, as FlufferNutter and I stepped outside to walk to the bus at 7:00, there's a firetruck parked in front of our house, with firemen disembarking. One of them asked if we were burning something...apparently one of our neighbors ratted us out and called the fire department on us! I said just the smoker! They double-checked to make sure and then left...lol...with all the times we've smoked stuff, I found that quite funny! But seriously, you report us??? I really wonder who it was! lol

I should have gotten a pic with the firemen...that would have been awesome!

 Don't know why they were worried about the smoke...lol...it was actually a lot more at points

Not only did David want BBQ, but he also wanted Pineapple Upside Down Cake...but with real pineapples, none of that "canned crap!" haha...he is such a diva! I found a good looking recipe to try...came out looking beautiful! I gotta tell you, this is one of the best cakes ever!!! it was so delicious and moist and WOW!!!

Averie Cooks - Pineapple Upside Down Cake

This is the recipe I used, with a few tweaks. First of all, gotta cook it in a cast iron skillet! I got the idea from another recipe to cook the brown sugar and butter together until it carmelizes...then I used fresh pineapples instead of canned...and no cherries, no fans here. Instead, I used pecans! I wound up doubling the cake batter since my pan is pretty big, and 1 1/2ing the brown sugar/butter. Seriously though, it came out so perfect! Super moist and really tasty...sometimes the cake portion of pineapple upside down cake isn't that great...but this is awesome!

The food was delicious! I love pork shoulder...shhhh!!! don't tell, but I think I even like it more than brisket! But don't tell anyone, I'll lose my Texan card! ;) I bought Hawaiian bread burger buns...and made Apple Cider Vinegar BBQ sauce (perfect with pork!)...so pile on the meat, sauce, coleslaw on the bun...HEAVEN! Plus some fresh, roasted corn...such a good meal! Good choice babe!

'

If you've never eaten meat that looks like this...you're missing out on more than you can imagine! 

coleslaw, pork shoulder, corn 

the reason for pigs! well, that and bacon and sausage...ok, it's all pretty good ;)

perfection

I managed to get some decorations up too...other than the pink from Sparkle's birthday ;)

It was so funny, the girls were trying to make it look nice but not girly...so they found my Texans napkins and used them...thought they were perfect! haha

After dinner the girls wrapped their presents. I didn't have one to wrap yet. I'm getting David a new paintball mask...but he's got to pick it out...wouldn't do to get the wrong one! lol...

Look, Daddy's wearing gray! 

I love how excited they get about giving presents! Makes me so proud! 

Sparkle trying to hide from the camera 

super cool! From Buddy and Sparkle 

Buddy's more excited than Daddy! lol 

Glitter can't wait!!!  

The girls waiting for Daddy to see what they got him!

Daddy LOVED it!!! 

haha, all by themselves, they picked out a really cool flask for Daddy...all their idea! I found it hilarious!

Happy Birthday to you... 

Happy Birthday to Daddy! but no cha cha chas this time...hmmm, wonder why?

Glitter was so pleased to get this shot! lol

kids stole the camera for a bit...pretty good pics

FlufferNutter in gray as well!

 Me and the birthday boy! Isn't this a great shot???

I love you babe! Hope that you had a wonderful day! I am so grateful to have you in my life and have treasured almost every minute ;) You may not be perfect, then again, neither am I...but we are perfect together! Every time I see that sign in our room, "We are so good together" it never rings false. Looking forward to many, many, MANY more years with you! xox

Day 28 - Prep Day

As you might have picked up on, I am a massive Supernatural fan! Love the show, love the fandom, love the actors! Just recently the two leads, Jensen Ackles (Dean...my favorite!!! also known as Squirrel (inside joke)) and Jared Padalecki (Sam...AKA Moose), decided to get in on the charity campaign club...like Stephen Amell from Arrow did with the F8ck Cancer fundraiser. They each had their own campaign on Represent (Jared's was Always Keep Fighting, to support To Write Love On Her Arms, Jensen's was #SPNFamily for charity)...but then they teamed up together to start a fund that they can use to support various charities going forward. I'm a sucker for celebrities who actually use their status for worthy causes...and to have two of my absolute favorites participating, well, I was in! My shirt finally came yesterday! So exciting!

Even though the campaigns are all over, I included links to all of them so you can see the charities they were supporting and their goal for the joint effort.

Jared &Jensen's Represent Campaign
Jared Padalecki "Always Keep Fighting"
Jensen Ackles "#SPNFamily"

There's totally gray on it! Plus, I had a gray skirt on...

Moose & Squirrel Say Always Keep Fighting!

Buddy wore his Super Awesome gray shirt today!

Can you believe it's already almost the end of May??? Crazy how it's just flying by! Today was super busy, as David's birthday is tomorrow and he only just figured out what he wanted...BBQ! I couldn't find a brisket in time, but I've got a couple of giant pork butts just waiting to be rubbed (lol...that sounds so naughty) and smoked! So I hit up the grocery store...needed regular groceries too...I always need groceries! With 7 people in the house I am no longer amazed at how quickly food disappears around here! It's like magic! Anyways, after Walmart and Sam's...and a quick stop home to put the perishables away, Buddy and I headed to the apple orchard for some wood for the smoker. My favorite orchard is Belltown...it's a great experience every time! But they also have racks of apple wood (from trimming their trees, etc) for $20!!! You just can't beat that price...I mean, people sell little tiny bundles of firewood for $5...for 20.00 you get a crapload of APPLE wood, which is just about the perfect wood for smoking just about anything! And even if they're closed for the season, they have a little mailbox and the honor system...just pay and load up!

After unloading all the wood it was time to pick up Glitter from school. Next on the agenda, losing our redneck status in the neighborhood. The grass was seriously so long! Thankfully the mower seems to have fixed itself, so I got the front done. I saved the back for Shift...she was so grateful :P

I told the girls that after dinner (and chores/homework) I'd take them shopping for a birthday present for Daddy. They decided on Cabelas...they actually found a really good present! But you'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out what (on the off chance that David will actually read this :)

When we got home, David and I watched Super Troopers...oh my goodness...I haven't seen that movie since it came out. So hilarious...stupid funny, but good stupid, if that makes sense. Sometimes you need something brainless!

My favorite line!