So, now I can come clean.

This is why I've been anti-social and wearing baggy clothes.  And hyper. Don't forget hyper. Did I mention that I REALLY miss Ritalin?

All of those "drinks" you saw me drinking these last few months were fake (thanks to all my bartenders!).  And to everyone I flipped out on when you asked if I was pregnant....yeah. Sorry about that! We didn't want anyone to know till we were 3 months, so don't feel left out. Do you know how hard it was to keep this a secret?! Especially since I've been showing since month 2 (look closely at those Halloween pics and you'll probably see it!)

Everything's going great now, and we find out next month if the baby's a boy or girl! I really don't care what we have, as long as it's healthy...and a redhead.

I'm so glad I can stop wearing this damn girdle.

It's all how you look at things.

Gas prices are not that bad.  At least It's made me realize how much I take for granted, and how wasteful I am.  This is such a disposable society. I just always felt that gas was part of life, nothing special. And we'll NEVER run out of it.

 It only takes 20 minutes to walk to the ice cream place in the center of town (mmm... Chilly Cow) but I drive there.  I also circle the block several times to get a closer parking space, while my AC is cranked. Not anymore. Now I walk there... unless it's close to closing time and I need my cotton-candy ice cream fix...or it's too hot out.

..and How often do I drive to the store around the corner because I don't feel like carrying my groceries down the street?  And how many plastic shopping bags do I use? Sure, I reuse some of them,  but I'm sure most of them end up in the trash. ---Put away the groceries, throw away the bags. ---Now I'm wasting gas AND plastic.  I felt so guilty that I bought some of those reuseable shopping bags... now if only I could remember to bring them into the store.

I thought of all the plastic water bottles I use. If you know me, you know that I drink water like a camel storing up for a long desert trek.  My car has enough empty bottles in the back seat to cushion the fall of a 500 pound stunt-man.  So I switched to one of those big camping-style jugs and filtered tap water.  It's great for the most part, but it doesn't fit into my bag when I go for a walk... and they're damn difficult to sneak into the movie theater.

I thought I was so eco-friendly. I guess I was just an eco-pal. But still, I'm gonna keep trying.

So, thank you, Gas Prices, for making me realize the error of my ways... Now you can go back down....really...I've learned my lesson...

Just because something is trendy doesn't mean you should wear it. It also doesn't mean that it looks good on you.

For the past few years, I've had a hard time finding clothes that I like. It's not that I'm picky, I just absolutely HATE every trend that has come out lately. I refuse to buy skin tight sweaters that come down past my butt, hugging every pocket and wrinkle in my jeans. It's not a flattering look.
My other option is to go for the flowy, baby-doll crap that's out. Now, I may be crazy, but I believe that stuff is usually found in the maternity section. I don't enjoy people asking me, "So, when are you due?" Also, not a flattering look, unless you happen to be pregnant, which I am not. 

I walked past Express yesterday and was absolutely mortified to see the new HOT SPRING FASHIONS!  This season, Hot = neon spandex shirt/sweater/dress things with stirrup pants underneath....yes, I said stirrup pants. This look makes the size 00 manequins look like they should hit the gym and lose a few pounds off of their already 12 inch waists. The clothes are so tight, you can actually see their plastic belly buttons.  Needless to say, I won't be shopping there this season.

Next, let's talk about White House/Black Market. A store I usually love to shop in. Usually classic and stylish, without being too trendy.  I got their catalog today and on the front page was this dress...


I immediately realized where they got their inspiration.


Now, let's combine the two.


It looks like I won't be buying any new clothes yet again this season. *sigh* I think I'll become a nudist.

Ok.. things are finally looking up.  I found a car and I should have it by next week (I hope!) and I got a lawyer.  Rodrigo got his car back, and I picked up a part time job so we can get our lives back on track!

Thank you so much for being there for me when I needed you. For calling me when I was down and cheering me up, for giving me all the advice and information that I needed.  I appreciate all the help you gave me.  I'm truly blessed to have you all in my life!!

 

Thanks for all your support and information. As usual, you guys have all come through when I needed you.

I reported my accident to my insurance company, and asked for the police report from the State Police.  I also got a few phone numbers of lawyers from you guys, and I'll call them when I get the report.

As if we didn't have enough to deal with, Today Rodrigo was taking me to my office to drop off some equipment, so another photographer could use it, when his car died on the side of the highway.  Now neither of us have a car.  Great.

We will make it through this. I have no doubt about that. It will be tough, but we'll get through.  Unfortunately, we will probably have to cancel our wedding plans for March, so don't be surprised if you don't get invitations... you're not off the guest list, it just might be delayed till next year.

Don't worry, This won't keep me down. I refuse to let it.

I love you all. I know I don't say it enough, but I love you.  I'm lucky to have the best friends in the world. Even if I don't see you often, you still make my world a better place.
You call me just to say hi,
You send me cute little messages that let me know you're thinking of me,
You forward amazing pictures because you know I'll appreciate them,
You come running to help everytime I need it, even if I haven't seen you in months,
You know me better than I know myself,
You believe in me,
You build me up, when I think I'm worthless,
You accept me for who I am, crazy, flighty, and at times, obnoxious.
And you support me in anything I do.

How did I get so lucky?

I just wanted to let you all know that I appreciate you. ALL of you. If I don't call you enough, or see you enough, I'm sorry. But know that I will always be there to help if you need it, and that I'm always thinking of you.

     Why does summer go by so fast?  It's a question I've been asking since I was a kid.  I was planning on working part-time, and enjoying my summer, while doing side-projects and building my business.  Instead, I'm worrying about losing my job because my sales aren't as good as the other sales-person's.  Even though I deserve to hang out on the beach without a care in the world, I have this constant nagging feeling of "you should be woooorking!"
     So here it is, the end of July, and I've been to the beach exactly ONE time. It's not fair. I have one more month of summer to have fun, then it's back to 60 hour work-weeks. BLAH!!
    Well, at least it still beats retail.