Last Game

The last Lion’s game of the season was a memorable one – not because we lost (no surprise there) but because my brother and his buddies came in from Chicago. He’d gotten me a new jersey for Christmas and I was pumped to wear it – though I had to take it off when we were losing in the 4th quarter… can’t jinx a new jersey by wearing it through a losing game.

Mr.U&I met them at Loco's prior to the game then headed back to the Greektown Hotel so the guys could change into their silly game-day outfits. Once we got in line at the stadium, Bears fans from every direction were yelling “Da Bears!” at our group – a point in the day that was certainly not Mr.U’s favorite. And in our seats, which were conveniently in the same section, we passed around smiles&beers throughout the game. After the loss, we headed to Detroit Pub for food&drinks. Of course – I had too many, got emotional, and needed to head home early. Before that mishap, though, it had been a pretty good day.

I guess the biggest thing about that day was my realization the next morning that I need to control my drinking better… getting drunk and crying is annoying – especially when the things I’m crying about happened over 3 years ago. New Year’s resolution to Never Do That Again.

Barbie's Bash

Barbie’s Bachelorette Party was planned for the holiday break to accommodate for lots of out-of-town travelers. The excitement has been building for about a month now and the night definitely did not disappoint. A few of Barbie’s old friends&family as well as a bunch of our sorority sisters invaded Downtown Detroit Friday night for dinner at Angelina Bistro, barhopping from Old Shillelagh to Delux Lounge, and a stay at the Greektown Hotel. Kicking-off the night was predrinking and getting ready in our hotel rooms, before we met in the lobby and headed to the People Mover for our ride to dinner where we enjoyed specialty martinis, excellent Italian food, and a fun guessing-game while Barbie opened her un-labeled gifts (of course, she guessed that the Complete Dawson’s Creek series was compliments of Yours Truly).

After dinner, we headed back to the People Mover, which was now packed with people. We waited for one full train to pass before the next one pulled up – again full – and a voice came over the loud speaker urging us to hop on since the trains wouldn’t empty any time soon. So we piled on – sitting on laps and crowding up to strangers while screaming sorority chants and grapping everyone’s attention. Though obviously obnoxious – it was incredibly fun&entertaining.

From there we barhopped – buying shots (with a signature round of tequila from Yours Truly again), dancing with strangers (including some who attempted to sweep Barbie off her feet with wedding jingles and a live Irish band), slipping our shoes off, randomly running into frat boys we knew (who happened to be part of a Bachelor Party), and generally causing ruckus in the Downtown Detroit Club Scene. By the end of the night, Barbie was jumping in circles around a couple making out in the corner (an absolutely hilarious sight to see) and none of us wanted to walk through the snow back to the hotel. But, we made it to the cozy beds and – despite the morning hangovers – completed an undeniably successful Bachelorette Bash.

NomNom Burgrz

I’ve wanted to try this Burgrz place down the street from our office for a while now. Odd – I know – since I don’t eat hamburgers… but I figured they had some delicious veggie options.

And I was right.

I got a Black Bean patty with Green Olives and Mr.U got a Turkey patty with Grilled Onions then we split some waffle fries.

Absolutely wonderful, fast, and reasonably priced.

Perfect lunch.

Holiday This&That

Some favorites from this week:

 



 Tons of New DVDs

 Olivia in her WinterWear

 Nommy Snowman Peep

Sweet Dove Chocolate Message

Pandora Gift

I decided I wanted a Pandora bracelet way back around Mr.U’s mom’s birthday-time when we bought her a bead and I fell in love with the whole display case. I feel like it’s such a wonderful jewelry&gift option. I’ve never been a fan of receiving jewelry, because I’m really picky with my jewelry, so I don’t want someone else to pick any out for me. But a Pandora bracelet makes perfect sense. It’s easy for a guy – like Mr.U – to run into a jewelry store and pick out a bead in the color I like without having to put lots of thought into the purchase and – since I like the style of the bracelet in general – it’s almost impossible to end up with something I’d have to pretend to like&wear. So I made up a wishlist and sent it to both Mr.U and my mom way back then and hoped I’d receive one for Christmas.

And I did.

With two beads.

I can’t wait for my collection to grow.

Christmas Details

CashMonster Being Babied

Gma&Gpa's Orniments

My Favorite Rainbow Mug

Little Girls in Little Heels

Evidence of Kiddos in the Bathroom

My Nephew Giving Toys to Grandpa

Christmas Breakfast

Every Christmas of my life has been spent at my maternal grandparents’ house – and it always starts off with an 9am breakfast.

 Egg Bake & Coffee Cakes

Like clockwork on Christmas morning, we show all up for this meal – even my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew who drive across the whole state. I never want to miss these traditions – whether I really like the food or not – I love love love kicking off the day that way.

Christmas Treats

After stressing&obsessing over Christmas gifts in November and getting everything ordered&bought long before the holiday, I started second-guessing myself the week the holiday finally arrived. So, I decided I needed to add to my gifts. Instead of purchasing more, I did some making&baking on Christmas Eve’s eve with my momma.

Puppy Chow

–

Chocolate Chip Cookies

–

Fudge Covered Oreos

I put them in some cute-little-themed containers for everyone. Of course, throughout the process, I munched on quite a bit of the goodies – you know, the make sure they were acceptable for gift-giving. Then mom&I laughed about our crazy sugar-buzzes – have I ever mentioned that she’s the reason for my lack-of-control when it comes to sweets. Anywho, I thought it was a great idea for the holidays. I always enjoy a gift that can be used&enjoyed immediately.

Wrapping Desires

Wrapping Presents is not my favorite thing.

I’m actually pretty bad at it…

and every year I want to wrap my presents in recycled newspaper,

but always happen to end up with real wrapping paper,

so I simply use that and disappoint myself.

.Next Year.

Hopefully.

.Next Year.

I do love ribbons&bows…

but they eventually just get smashed during transportation.

Weekend Weather

.Rain on the window's of Mr.&Mrs.Jones apartment in Chicago.

.Snow on the windows of Mr.U&My house in Detroit.

Finding Her

I’ve been having crazy dreams lately.

Last night – I was looking for my bunni. I had a party at my grandparents’ house out in the country and I had a few too many drinks, got in Betty, and drove off down the country roads – determined to find my bunni. I “woke up” in the morning of my dream world and my dad was making breakfast. He gazed at me with tired, sad eyes and asked, “How often do you do that? Get drunk and think she’s still here?” “I don’t have to be drunk, dad, I look for her all the time.” I bit into one of my dad’s wonderful egg sammiches and contemplated in my dream … remembering the desperation of peering through my headlights into the darkness of the cornfields, hoping to see my bunni coming running toward Betty&I.

Sometimes I wonder what my dreams mean … why I’m looking for her … why she pops up in the middle of my sleep … what it means that sometimes I can’t find her. Is she trying to tell me something? That she doesn’t want me to find her? That she’s gone somewhere she can’t be found? Is she trying to tell me to stop looking? I guess it doesn’t matter. I’ll always miss her and love her and with I could find her again. I’ll always search for her face in crowds and relate so many of my moments to the ones I had with her. I just hope my next dream is one with her beside me – holding my hand – and allowing us to be bunni&I for a night.

Graduation Day

.my outfit&accessories were very colorful&fun.

Mr.U's Masters

Mr.U graduated with his Master of Public Administration this past weekend. We woke up early Saturday morning and trekked across state through the rain with his mom and family friend to meet my parents for the ceremony at our alma mater. We took some pictures for our Christmas card, sat through the long ceremony (listening to all the über-long-thesis-names & giggling), then headed to my hometown for a fancy-family-dinner at The Grill House. All-in-all, it was a lengthy&wonderful day and I’m so proud of Mr.U for graduating. Soon – maybe – it’ll be PHD time.

Winter Nails

Driving to my #BFFs

Tiger at the Office

Sneaking Some Sparkle

#BFF Earrings

Got a new pair of earrings from the #BFF over my weekend visit to her house.

I just love these.

So simple&adorable.

And the fact that they're made by someone so special to me makes me happy every time I put them on.

Polished Pals

All I want is the perfect shade of mint

...

all these colors and I just want mint.

I found my favorite at wal-mart the other day, then

– awkwardly enough –

realized I didn’t have any cash on me

so I had to pass on finally getting it.

Someday, I’ll get it.

I was inspired to take this pic of my polishes after my #bff posted a pic of hers. I remember our nail-painting days of two summers ago when we’d watch PLL, float around in the clouds, and paint our nails a different color every day. I miss those days.

TicketText

So there’s a lot of debate going on about building a new arena downtown Detroit for the Pistons and the Wings to play in. The Pistons currently play in Auburn Hills, which is a pretty far drive out of the city – making going to their games pretty unappealing for me (and more-than-likely most people living anywhere downtown&downriver). So the idea of moving them downtown is very exciting to me. I’d love love love to be able to see Pistons games more easily&often. They were discussing this concept on 97.1 the Ticket this evening on our commute home from work and I don’t think any callers have fired me up more than today. Two men in particular – Gabe&Greg – made me especially angry, claiming downtown hasn’t done anything to “deserve” a new arena and that the suburbs have “done too much” for downtown already – obviously, actually driving down there (in the multiple cars Greg insisted on pointing out owning) to support the local economy is above them. They both called in and bashed downtown, discussing how much they didn’t want to encounter the “un-cut lawns” and “abandoned buildings” blocks away from the proposed new arena. I personally feel these men don’t know anything about downtown, though. Anyone who knows the proposed location knows there aren’t even houses in that “neighborhood” so lawns are out of the question. And that area (where all the athletics would be located) is at most 2 blocks from the highway, so passing anything unpleasant is unnecessary. I’m sure people are scared of downtown … and I can completely understand why … but trying to ignore downtown and abandon the concept of fixing it up or adding to it is completely pointless&ignorant. I couldn’t help but send in a Ticket Text to voice my opinion about these arrogant men and their obnoxious opinions.
“Gabe & Greg are pompous assholes. The longer we neglect downtown, the more likely those un-kept-lawn-residents will creep into their perfectly-manicured-suburban-neighborhoods. I’m a petite, 24-year-old Lions Season Ticket holding female and I LOVE going downtown.”
I don’t know if it was read on-air or not, since I got home and stopped listening, but sending the message made me feel better anyway. I have hope for this city … long-term hope, obviously, since it’ll take time to bring this city back … but I support downtown and long to see it flourish someday.

Netflix Junkie

Barbie&I finished Gossip Girl, Desperate Housewives, Pretty Little Liars, and now Army Wives. I felt like I was mourning a loss when Desperate Housewives ended – I absolutely fell in love with that show. I think I could watch it again already and still enjoy every episode. I’ve seen PLL from the first season, but Barbie hadn’t, so I had to catch her up. Her pick was Army Wives (which still has one season to premier and lacks the latest season online) but the first 5 were good. Heartbreaking, but good. We were both mentioning how attached we get to characters and in a show like Army Wives – where people are expected to die – the attachment is even worse cause we eventually lost some of them. Fall in love with strong wives, vulnerable husbands, and their wonderful children then lose some of them along the way… how awful? We both found ourselves crying through work at points, but it really was/is an inspirational show. The military – no matter how I feel about the wars they defend their country in – will always create a soft spot in my heart. And the actors&actresses in this series made it even more enjoyable&emotional.

Now, it’s on to One Tree Hill.

Breakfast Lately

Something about weekend mornings make me crave breakfast foods

…

lately every other day of the week

I go without food till about 1pm

…

but I wake up on weekends and immediately bound down to the kitchen for some type of egg creation. Lately I’ve been making turkey sausage omelets for Mr.U and – obviously – my favorite egg sammiches for myself.

 

BlurryKentFans

Two of my brother’s best friends he met in Chicago went to Kent State University, so when their football team made it to the MAC Championship game at Ford Field on Friday night, the 3 of them decided they needed to head our way for the game. Mr.U&I already got 4 free tickets just for being Lion’s season ticket holders, but on at the Thanksgiving game we sweet-talked the ticket booth guy into giving us one more.

We left work early Friday to pick the 3 of them up from the train downtown and drop them off at the Greektown Casino. After parking our own car in the free-MGM-structure and walking back to Greektown, we started slamming drinks at the casino bar. Too bad for us, neither of us had eaten enough to be drinking so quickly and – after quite a few pitcher&shot deals at Detroit Pub – we barely stumbled into Ford Field and down into the Kent State student section for the game. I insisted on getting sweet, roasted almonds and falling all over the place … ripping a hole in my favorite jeans and new winter jacket.

Around 3am I woke up in the hotel room with Mr.U nowhere to be found. A little freaked out about my missing boyfriend&cellphone&wallet, I threw on my boots and my brother&I headed down to wander the streets and look for my drunk&lost boyfriend. Ofcourse, when we got to where my car should have been, it wasn’t there. So we grabbed a cabbed and headed to our home … for the whole 20min ride all I did was hope&pray that we’d find him safely tucked in our bed. And there he was. So I drove my irritated brother back into downtown and left him at the hotel.

That night was too blurry for me … for how fun it started, I wish I’d remembered it’s ending. I definitely don’t drink enough these days to hold my own with the big boys.