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.