They say it's your birthday!

I had to get older, it's just how things work. So, for this special day, I took the day off work, spent most of it with my parents and brother in Old St. Charles having lunch and tooling around. Then, after some cookie cake at mom and dad's, I went home and took a nap (my gift to myself). Off to youth group for fun and games and a SURPRISE party with cake, presents and cards (and 2 birthday poems)! THANK YOU all so much! You helped make my day VERY special! (pics of family time to come - they are on brother's camera).

The cookie cake from my family!

Johanna and me, while the youth were playing a game
My cake from the youth group!
M really liked it!
Charles and N, on a sugar high
Who else would you possiby want to spend your birthday with than these two?
For those of you curious, i am celebrating the 5th anniverary of my 24th birthday! ;)

Ode to Amanda

This was written for me while I was gone by my dear friend (and dance partner) Marta:

Amanda You Rock
I love you like i love my Socks
You are in Boston
My name isn't Austin
You are like my Diet Coke
You are a good Folk
Amanda is going to marry Mr. Bourne
Why do Unicorns have horns?
I really like your face
You are my ACE
Baseball connects us
i like to ride the bus
You remind me of Jack
Your sweet dance moves do not lack
My eyes are sad
They miss you and are mad
I will see you soon
We can eat with spoons
I Missed you on Sunday
But will see you Wednesday
I have to Go
my happiness is low
I miss you so
can't wait to reunite
Alright?
-Marta

A little over a year ago.....

Cougar was put to sleep after being mine for 15 of his 17 yrs. Still not quite ready for a new cat, someday........

What is it about this picture.....

that makes me want to throw up? HOW long have we been waiting for Mulder to come back? Are you kidding me? Did Mulder get his arm chewed OFF by a dog or something? This ice job seems a bit much after about 2 innings in a minor leage ball game. Is he really expected to come back to the majors? really? Also, I read that our old pal Matt Morris was released from Pittsburg and retired yesterday. Is he that old? Am I that old? What is happening?! Next thing you know, the sky will fall down!

The rainy day trolley tour

Don't ask me why, but I chose the nasty, rainy day to take my trolley tour. So, the pics are dotted with rain drops, I was soaked with them! We went all over Boston and Cambridge. There were 6 movies filming in Boston while I was there, including the following famous people: Sandra Bullock, Bruce Willis, Kevin James, Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, and that's all I can remember. Also, I learned that Boston is 75% landfilled! We saw these fish guys below repairing their nets, the place where the fish comes in and gets sent out, the place where the Declaration of Independence was FIRST read in Boston (there was a water main/ gas pipe situation right there, hence the construction equipment), the weird looking building was where the police station in Departed was filmed, the steaming kettle, and more! All in all, it was such a great trip and I cannot wait to go back!

My room with a view

This is my room and the amazing view from it! I was directly across the street from the Boston Public Library (see it right there?) and tons of great places! I was able to stick my hand out the window and snap some pics....yay!

2 breakfasts and 2 lunches

This place is one of my favs. I always go when in Chicago, but was DELIGHTED to find them ALL over Boston (and IN my hotel). I was a HAPPY girl......plus, the conference food was terrible, so this sustained me all 4 days! They have wonderful (fair trade) coffee and really good selections at the right portion sizes! So happy.

Midwest girl in Boston

I went to Boston last Saturday through Tuesday for a conference for work. I went by myself, to a city I had never been to, and came home in one piece! My luggage took two trips to make it back, but it did and all is well. Here are some pics of my trip!

The first day, Saturday, I got in around 10:15 am (yes, we left STL at 6:45) and I was able to check in to my room and I hit the ground running. I went all over the area of Copley Place and Back Bay seeing the Boston Public Library, Boston Public Gardens, Trinity Church, Newbury Street, crossed the Boston Marathon Finish line (a week after the runners - which is about right), and yes over to Fenway (although, you have to be a direct descendent of the Babe himself to even get stadium tour tickets - I am not ready to talk about that yet). Don't get me wrong, I in NO way support the red sox, but anyone who loves basbeall and the history of it, needs to see Fenway. Also, took a walk along the Charles river at sunset. I had a great seafood dinner at Legal Seafood and then spent some time in the Observatory in the Prudential building before CRASHING in to my Westin Hotel "Heavenly Bed". That's only day 1.