The other woman

(this post is an email that I recieved from Mudd Pimp. I thought I would share. And this pictures is from May 2008, right after I had Weaky. Me and my mom the Queen)

 

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to

take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She

said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves

you and would love to spend some time with you.'

* * *

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit

was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,

but the demands of my work and my two boys had

made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

* * *

That night I called to invite her to go out for

dinner and a movie.

* * *

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?

* * *

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a

late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign

of bad news..

* * *

'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some

time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'

She thought about it for a moment, and then said,

'I would like that very much.'

* * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick

her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her

house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous

about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled

her hair and was wearing the

dress that she had worn to celebrate her last

birthday on November 19th.

* * *

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an

angel's. 'I told my friends that I was going to go

out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said,

as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.

* * *

We went to a restaurant that, although not

elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my

arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat

down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only

read large print. Half way through the entries, I

lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at

me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I

who used to have to read the menu when you were

small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and

let me return the favor,' I responded..

* * *

During the dinner, we had an agreeable

conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up

on recent events of each other's life. We talked so

much that we missed the movie.

* * *

As we arrived at her house later, she said,

'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me

invite you.' I agreed.

* * *

'How was your dinner date ?'

asked my wife when I got home.

'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,'

I answered.

* * *

A few days later, my mother died of a massive

heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't

have a chance to do anything for her.

* * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a

copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place

mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I

paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I

could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two

plates - one for you and the other for your wife.

You will never know what that night meant for me.

I love you, son.'

* * *

At that moment, I understood the importance of

saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved

ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is

more important than your family. Give them the time

they deserve, because these things cannot be put off

till 'some other time.'

* * *

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back

to normal after you've had a baby..... somebody

doesn't know that once you're a mother,

'normal' is history.

* * *

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by

instinct ... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping..

* * *

Somebody said being a mother is boring ....

somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a'good' mother,

your child will 'turn out good'....

somebody thinks a child comes with

directions and a guarantee.

* * *

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a

mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader

with his math.

* * *

Somebody said you can't love the second child as

much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't

have two children.

* * *

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother

is labor and delivery....

somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus

for the first day of kindergarten ..

or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'

* * *

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her

child gets married....somebody doesn't know that

marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a

mother's heartstrings.

* * *

Somebody said a mother's job is done when

her last child leaves home....

somebody never had grandchildren.

* * *

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so

you don't need to tell her....

somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life

and to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't

just about being a mother; it's about appreciating

the people in your life while you have them....no

matter who that person is.

Bagel in pictures

What's new with my Bagel? Well let me tell you...

Art room

Bagel was freaking excited about her jumbo glue stick. At this point (3 1/2 yrs) she uses scissors, glue sticks, and my paper cutter (ITS SAFE, and I am ALWAYS around for it!) she uses crayons, and colored pencils, she has lost the freedome of markers, since she ALWAYS has an urge to draw a full beard, mustache, and uno brow with the darkest or brightest color marker.

She loves to stamp, and now that she uses my Big Shot (die cut machine with Stampin' Up! and Sizzix) she loves that too! She loves her playdough, and her paints, and her sticker books too.

This is bagel with glue stick, and her purple paper making valentines for everyone. She glued on die cut hearts and butterflies she die cut out with Gigi the other day.

Bagel also likes to play in my laundry when I am folding it. So instead of getting frusterated at her playing in my clean clothes I have her search for her stuff, and go put it in the right drawer, she thinks this is a big deal. So do I.

Bagel loves Starbucks as much as I do, she and I found on by the dentist, so we go eat sugary things before we go their (she's been getting fitted for an appliace, retainer like thing, so we've gone a few times this month already!) Nothing like a sparkly donut and an organic juice drink (looks like apple sauce in a green pouch)

She also loves to cheese really big for those mommy and Bagel shots!

She wasn't mad, just very chill at the dentist, no nap and the sugar buzz had worn off. I agree with Maternal Mirth, this is one of my favorite shots of her lately. (BTW, we call her dentist, Dr. Purple, this lady has a fetish with purple like Bagel and I do. She has a HUGE purple chair, purple stools, purple walls. But even better? She has purple spit cups, purple gloves and purple bibs to drool on! AND purple heart sunglasses to borrow when you sit in her chair. She is awesome!)

Bagel was bad. Bagel yelled at me to "Shut it up" I gave her a time out. Explained it was mean to say that to mommy. She appologized then wanted to call Queen to tell her. It's like her confessional. My mom loves it, and I like that she can go to the Queen for anything like that even at such a young age.

I had to stop by my dear friend D. Mudd Pimpster's house

(BTW, this is her "THIS NKOTB CONCERT REUNION IS BETTER THEN MY WEDDING DAY"

excited face. Your welcome D Mudd.)

for some WW papers. I brought along Bagel so she could meet D. Mudd's daughter, K Bug. She is just 2, but they played nice together for a bit. I was excited to see them together, and can't wait for more play dates in the future.

Bagel also said something cute last night, she was up late folding laundry with me, and I had a pile for Weaky's room, so I asked her to quietly put it in front of his door, I will put it away in the morning. She said she would "Tick Toe" to his room. Which was her shuffling her feet down the hall. Too funny!

And if you know of the "Tinkerbell" movie well since Bagel has declared her self Tinkerbell, it only seems fit that I am

Queen Clarion. Sure I was sad to not be Tinkerbell anymore, but with my old age (HA!) and being a mom, I like the promotion. On that note she also said that the Queen is...

Fairy Mary. To cute, looks alot like my mom!!

Hope you enjoyed another one of my rambling posts, I need to keep remembering to use my fancy signature I worked so hard on in paint (not the misspelled one either) look forward to a fun post by the cats. They are tired of seeing Sophie on here all the time.

It's Britney Bitch!

Hooray! It's been a long 7 years since Spaghetti and I paid through the nose on ebay for Britney tix. But after a very long time waiting, my dear friend Mudd, her friend Kelly (both long time Brit Brit fans) and Aerial all went to see the beloved Miss Britney Spears.

As always her shows are non stop. YES I know she lip syncs the songs (all but one) but the dancing and the show is A. MAZ. ING!

We ate at Chilli's before the show, visited my Father-in-law who has a beer bar at the show, enjoyed the crazy dressed fans, and bought our $2 souvenir cups! (Mudd and I both bought Brit hats later that night)

The Pussycat Dolls (PCD) rocked the stage. I was SUPER excited to see them. I have been wanting to see them, and what better then opening for Brit!!

Waiting for Britney to start, there was tumbling act flying in the air, hoola hoopers, little people, stilt walkers, it was literly a Circus!! There was no intermission, but short breaks with just the dancers preforming. (you have to give the dancers mad kuddos. The were nonstop!)

It was a great show, I will go again when she comes back (I wish I had tickets for tonight's second show!) But it was SO much fun, and to know D Mudd peed her pants when Britney came on... well that just made it worth the show right there.

Mudd thank you again. For getting us the tickets, having an extra one so Aerial could go, and for having a kick ass camera.

I was home and in bed by 12:26 am, but when Spaghetti came pounding on the bedroom door at 8:15 am it was a wee bit early! (Queen and Carrots had the kids last night, and Spaghetti picked them up after his grave yard shift at 6 am) I am grateful that I had the night out. Thanks everyone.

Now it's time for some coffee... lots of it!

Found: One missing best friend from 1989

Here we have myself (center) and my two closest friends from grade school. We three were the best of friends growing up. From sleep overs, to birthdays we've been thought it all. Now all through H.S. and into our collage years we were not as close, still friends but busy with our own lives.



Years later, as we all got married, had kids and turned 30 together. We have bonded and rekindled that friendship we once loved.

Now don't get me wrong having Maternal Mirth (above) as one of your closest friends, and D. Mudd Pimpster (below, with Maternal Mirth hung over at her surprise 30th in the background) is the best ever. But something was missing... that one skinny, funny, wacky dark haired girl. The one that left in the 5th grade. The one person that got me way before I even got me. She moved to another town, not to far away. But the distance and life kept us all apart. Till one winter day, February 11th 2009 to be exact.

I received an email from someone I didn't know. Thought about deleting it. (I am still getting a ton of spam) but I thought I would open it anyway. It was from Renee. I about died. Let me tell you, short of stalking, I have looked high and low for this girl. Not knowing her married name, or the city she had moved to made it hard.

She found my sister on Facebook, and found all of us too. D. Mudd Pimpster and I are looking for a day (when I am free of the flu) where we can (kid free) have a nice long dinner with Renee, full of hugs and laughter and old memories. We have SO much to catch up on. Maybe we can conference call to Maternal Mirth in LaLa land.

So now the 3 that once was a 4. Is now back to the 4 it once was 20 years ago!

Vent about the "cool people"

Did you ever see a picture of someone that used to make fun of you in grade school and just smile to yourself?

Now I know I am not the 107 lb hottie I dream to be. (24lbs to go!) But shieeet, after seeing some of the people that were SO much better then me, and belittled me and my friends. Sigh, it just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

I really don't have hard feeling but for just a select few. Those few who made sure that they said loudly in the lunch room "This pop I am drinking is flat. Just like some people" with there evil eyes looking right at me. Right in front of the boy I liked.

Or when you told all the boys in class that I didn't start my period yet, so I was still a little girl, and no one should date me. One even asked me to slow dance, in that creapy basement cafeteria at a sock hop, and after about a verse you cut in. Knowing that was a happy moment for me. Your ruined it.

Or 15 years later when you see me in public and you ignore me when I say "hi" our parents are friends, so I thought I would try and be civil. I wasn't looking for a conversation. Maybe just a polite "hi" to much to ask for? (I tried this on 3 occasions, and I got the same response. You can't say I didn't fucking try)

The best one was Monday, Weaky was at the Doctor for his 9 month, and we had the kids in the "not sick room" when someone from gradeschool (a year below me) came in with her kid, looked at me. Rolled her eyes, and walked out. Fuck you. I hope that since you avoided being seen in the same room as me, and you forced your kid to sit with the sick hacking adults, you all get the flu.

I really don't get what the deal is? I mean was your life that fucked up as a kid that you needed to mock me? To make fun of my best friend behind her back? To still to this day 17 years later, not be able to grow the fuck up? I mean you called me a loser, but I am thinking the real losers where the bitches that still can't get over themselves.

Well like I said I have seen pictures. And they ain't pretty. And no I am not one of those freaks that can't get over this shit, going on the Maury show, but when it still continues, after we are all grown, have families and kids of our own? I am just a bit bitter. That it still goes on.

My only request. Is that if those people do corrupt someone into marring them. And if those people, god save us, do breed. I only ask that they raise there children to be nothing like themselves. Because they were the most rotten, self absorbed, bitches.

So out of 32 class mates, I must say there are only a few that I can not stand. The rest, are awesome people that I still connect with. I am happy to say that after 25 years Maternal Mirth and Mudd D. Pimpster, are still my close friends. Quigs and I just found each other, and thanks to MySpace and Facebook, I am finding more of my old friends.

It's just those few... those rotten few... that just ruin it...

Well now that that is off my chest, I guess what I needed to say is that I am tired of sad people, who have shitty lives, and chose to shit on the happy people. Maybe that is it. Maybe because your family life was shit you needed to hate on me?

What a waste of my energy today. Well I should be a happier camper, now that I vented. And with some quality time with the voodoo doll, all will be good.

Anyone else still hate the gradeschool slut, bitch, bully?

I passed cranberry sauce through my nose...

As a joke, my brother Jay used to hang a pair of panty hose over his fireplace before Christmas. He said all he wanted was for Santa to fill them.

What they say about Santa checking the list twice must be true because every Christmas morning, although Jay's kids' stockings overflowed, his poor pantyhose hung sadly empty.

One year I decided to make his dream come true. I put on sunglasses and went in search of an inflatable love doll. They don't sell those things at Wal-Mart. I had to go to an adult bookstore downtown.

If you've never been in an X-rated store, don't go, you'll only confuse yourself. I was there an hour saying things like, 'What does this do?' 'You're kidding me!' 'Who would buy that?'

Finally, I made it to the inflatable doll section. I wanted to buy a standard, uncomplicated doll that could also substitute as a passenger in my truck so I could use the car pool lane during rush hour.

Finding what I wanted was difficult. 'Love Dolls' come in many different models. The top of the line, according to the side of the box, could do things I'd only seen in a book on animal husbandry. I settled for 'Lovable Louise.' She was at the bottom of the price scale.

To call Louise a 'doll' took a huge leap of imagination.

On Christmas Eve and with the help of an old bicycle pump, Louise came to life. My sister-in-law was in on the plan and let me in during the wee morning hours. Long after Santa had come and gone, I filled the dangling pantyhose with Louise's pliant legs and bottom. I also ate some cookies and drank what remained of a glass of milk on a nearby tray. I went home, and giggled for a couple of hours.

The next morning my brother called to say that Santa had been to his house and left a present that had made him VERY happy, but had left the dog confused. She would bark, start to walk away, then come back and bark some more.

We all agreed that Louise should remain in her pantyhose so the rest of the family could admire her when they came over for the traditional Christmas dinner.

My grandmother noticed Louise the moment she walked in the door..

'What the hell is that?' she asked.

My brother quickly explained, 'It's a doll.'

'Who would play with something like that?' Granny snapped.

I kept my mouth shut. '

Where are her clothes?' Granny continued.

'Boy, that turkey sure smells nice, Gran,' Jay said, to steer her into the dining room.

But Granny was relentless.

'Why doesn't she have any teeth?'

Again, I could have answered, but why would I?

It was Christmas and no one wanted to ride in the back of the ambulance saying, 'Hang on Granny, hang on!'

My grandfather, a delightful old man with poor eyesight, sidled up to me and said, 'Hey, who's the naked gal by the fireplace?' I told him she was Jay's friend. A few minutes later I noticed Grandpa by the mantel, talking to Louise. Not just talking, but actually flirting. It was then that we realized this might be Grandpa's last Christmas at home.

The dinner went well. We made the usual small talk about who had died, who was dying, and who should be killed, when suddenly Louise made a noise like my father in the bathroom in the morning. Then she lurched from the mantel, flew around the room twice, and fell in a heap in front of the sofa.

The cat screamed.

I passed cranberry sauce through my nose, and Grandpa ran across the room, fell to his knees, and began administering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

My brother fell back over his chair and wet his pants.

Granny threw down her napkin, stomped out of the room, and sat in the car.

It was indeed a Christmas to treasure and remember. Later in my brother's garage, we conducted a thorough examination to decide the cause of Louise's collapse. We discovered that Louise had suffered from a hot ember to the back of her right thigh. Fortunately, thanks to a wonder drug called duct tape, we restored her to perfect health..

I can't wait until next Christmas.

Hope you all enjoyed my Christmas funny, close to a day with my family, but I can not claim this as my own. My dear friend Pimpster of Mudd sent it to me via email. Tee Hee Hee. I peed my pants. No really I did. Hope you do too!

Going to the Circus!

You bet your sweet ass I am going. D P.I.M.P. Mudd has already gotten tickets, but we are looking for closer seats (so far 3 row off the floor) I am elated that we are going! Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait, can't wait...

Oh and she bought 4 tickets. So if you are in the area of Chicago and would like to go we have an extra, the catch is these tickets are $168 (tax and all) and we are looking to maybe spend more if we can get better seats (these are fine with me though) so let me know if your interested. We, D. Mudd, her friend Kelly, and I are HUGIGUNDO fans of Brit, have been since day one, through shaved heads, crazy umbrella stunts, barefoot gas stations (eww) and all.

I have stood by her as a fan, and I love her. And yes her new CD is out today, oh, and a big fat Happy Birthday Britney!! is in order too!

Can't wait!!

No. Thank you.

I am thankful for...

• Myself. No really. I like who I am, and for the most part where I am in my life. I like what I stand for and that I am a strong person.
• Spaghetti. Of coarse I must mention my other half. The half of me that supports me, and I love his values and love for his family.
• Bagel. Love her sassy attitude, her demanding, and charming ways. Her spirit and her energy. (it's alot like looking in a mirror)
• Spike. This little man, steals more and more of my heart every day. I love his smile, his hugs (yes I know a 7 month old doesn't really "hug" but there hugs to me) I love his babbling, and his love for a good 12 hour nights sleep.
• Ding and Dong. Lovem', can't live with out them. These two 70lb brindle boxer monkeys are my big babies. And I am thankful for there company and there endless love for me.
• Thing 1 and Thing 2. How can you not love cats? I mean of coarse they barf, and pee on things, and scratch and bite, but seriously. I love to sit on the couch at night, with both my girls fighting for my lap.
• Blogger. Yes may seem funny to most, but I am to assume the majority of my readers are bloggers themselves. Blogger is an escape, a place to empty my head, and just get it all out. And thanks to SITS, it's a place to meet other bloggers just like me, to make friends, and read that I am not going insane, that we are a lot more alike then we thought.
• Aerial. Yes my one friend. I have many friends, but Aerial is like a sister to me. She listens, and well go back and read her birthday post for more, but she fits the words "best friend" like a BFF should.
• Queen, Carrots and Frances. My family. Mom, Dad, and sister too. Love them, knowing that that was my original family of 4, I love to spend as much time with them as I can. Enjoying old memories as we create new ones.
• Gramma and Grampa Mc. Or otherwise know as my IL's. Awesome people, of coarse since the made my Spaghetti, they are giving and loving. And I thank them for it.
• Scuz. Surprised? You shouldn't be. She and I are kindred spirits, we are one in the same, finishing each others sentences. The fact that she is my favoritest cousin of all, but sadly the farthest away (not counting Maggie in Ireland) and as the economy eats through any airfare money either of us had. Visiting is hard. But I am Thankful for you Scuz. Muah.
• Old friends. Mudd D Pimp, and Maternal Chandler, I gots mad love for these two. We have been around each others lives, in and out at times, but for the greater part of the last 25 years. Thanks ladies.

That is who, I am thankful for. Now for some random other things I am thankful for...

• My Art room. My escape from reality, and my happy place. Yes my post-it note yellow basement.
• The t.v. room. Again a basement room, the other 1/2. Filled with two overstuffed, love seat recliners, a flat screen t.v. and my Ding and Dong. Spaghetti's happy place
• The loft. I love my loft, it is at the second floor, it is in between the kids rooms, over looking the front t.v. room, and open to the pool room in the back of the house. This room holds my dear computer, and is home to my cats Thing 1 and Thing 2.
• Scrapbooking, a newer hobby that I have learned that I love.
• Coffee. On which my sole survival on a day to day basis depends on.

I am sure there are a ton more. But that is all the time I have, I must go make stuffing, and head over to me Madre's house! Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you have a happy and safe Holiday!

Saturdays Secret. I hated myself.

For the longest time, I hated myself. I was never good enough to hang out with the cool kids at school (I went to a small private Catholic school) I was made fun of for my lack of puberty (didn't hit it till I was 14!) None of the boys liked me, I had friends. But the "cool kids" reminded you that you weren't pretty or good enough. I hated myself, my yellow hair, my white eyelashes (no make up at a Catholic school!) flat chested, dork. My friends at least had boobs, and darker eyelashes. I was the little 4'9" albino freak.

I spent the next few years of H.S. realizing that there were the pretty and perfect (on the outside) group. But enough of us average people, that I had friends that were like me. Average, but they still thought I was weird too. The whole crazy sock thing, artsy, doodly, craft me.
Let's not forget my one friend. Someone who is still to date the best artist I know. She was artsy, crafty, creative. And she was just her. That was it. Nobody could change Nikki. Nobody. She amazed me that she never tried to be like anyone else. I was myself, most of the time. I had a boyfriend, who just didn't like my creative artsy side. And so I pretended to be more preppy then anything.

That was until I was a Jr. in H.S. I went on a trip with my church youth group. We were gone on a 4 day retreat. There were these freshman girls, who were pretty, funny, and just fell all over me. They really liked me and the crazy thing was I was me. The whole time. I was loud, artsy, singing, funny me. And they liked me. The looked up to me. It was crazy.

From then on I took a good look at myself and realized that I need to surround myself with people that get me. No I mean get me, and don't judge me later. After H.S. I went on to Jr. College and when that didn't last, I found a full time job.

I was still with the boyfriend. But even though he loved me, he just never gave me the attention I needed. He told me I said "I love you" to much. He said I wanted to many hugs, and that I talked to much about my friends and people that he didn't care about. It made me sad. But I stayed with him, because I didn't know anything better.

At this full time job, my life changed. I was on a night shift, working with this really angry red head. Holy cow she had lots of curly red hair, and a temper to go with it. But funny thing is, we had a common anger towards co-workers that just were to slow, and ass hole customers.

Then we got a new guy on our shift, he was shy, polite, and a collage graduate. Probably the first collage graduate that ever spoke to me (he was 2 years older then me) he had dark hair, and was tall. Very handsome, he joined right in on our sarcastic rants about others. Trying to be polite all the time.

This red head and I exchanged phone numbers and quickly became friends. Working 12 hour shifts made us really close, and at the time I seemed to go through things and then she would soon after. It was like we could compare life notes.

That new guy became a friend too. But I realized as I told him stories, we needed more time to talk. So we would go to breakfast after night shift. We would sit there for 6 or 8 hours, watching waitresses come and go, switching shifts.

We talked of friends, family, stories, and what we wanted in our own futures. I realized in just a few months of these "breakfast hangouts" that I needed to leave the security of my boyfriend. The one guy that had stood by me since I was 16 years old. But I needed to move on. I couldn't leave him hanging. and new guy is very liked by a few of the single girls we work with.

I did. I left my boyfriend, it hurt. A lot. It hurt more to see him so sad. He cried, and wanted me to come back. Just like I did all those times he broke up with me over 4 1/2 years. I just couldn't. There was something too good with this new guy.

I begged new guy not to hurt me. I was making a big change in my life, and I needed to be sure I wasn't leaving someone for a few months of dating. Well new guy and I dated for only 5 months.

Then he asked me to marry him. 20 months later I married him. That was the best day. When Spaghetti and I became one team. But lets not forget the angry red head. Yep, she was standing right up there with us.

Aerial and Spaghetti taught me that there are people out there that will love you for you. It takes time. It takes work. And I have always had the motto to be happy with what I do. From friends to work, to life. I need people to make me happy.

Aerial gets me. She is a lot like me in ways. We are both loud, bold, straight forward, social, but we enjoy our own time. Stand up for ourselves and our family. We have learned and grown from knowing each other. I don't think she thought she was as arty as she is, until I taught her to play with paper mache' and stamps. I don't know what my life would be if I didn't find that one person who gets me. I appreciate her.

Spaghetti respects me. As much as he is a conservative, he is funny, and I think I have taught him to loosen up, and not worry so much about other people. He loves me unconditionally, and I think so far as parents we work very well together. He works hard for this family, and is a big mamma's boy. I love him for his love for his family. And his want to put family first.

My family has always been my cheerleader, teaching me that I can be funny, outgoing, artsy, crafty and just a book loving girl that I am. And even thought that means the world to me. Having two strangers get me. And love me for me. Well that is something else to me.

I have made so many friends in the past 30 years. I must say the first few friends in my life, Mud and Chandler. And the last two friends, Aerial and Spaghetti, before my life changed. Those 4 get me. And they love me.

This is what made me. Me. When you don't think you mean something to someone. Realize what you have done to change there life. What your voice and opinion has impacted on me. You four. You get me. I welcome new friends all the time, but the core group that are my biggest supporters. You rock.

And with that, my self esteem was built, from the Freshman at that trip, to the people that make my life. To the family that always got me. Thank you.

I love myself.

NKOTB or Bust.

Here we are. Again. MnM, Feisty and Mud. We three did this same concert, 20 years ago. This one included tears of laughter, and of happiness that it was really happening.

NKOTB was really right there, and we were really all right there. Together again. Parting like it was 1988.
While MnM was starting a fight in the bathroom, Mud and I posed for a cute picture, but it quickly reminded us of gradeschool, with the whole brick wall and everything behind us.

I must point out, that all while LZ looks very happy to be here, if she only knew the sheer, and utter excitement on the face of her bestest friend behind her. Mud was just a wee bit elated. And no not drunk.

On that note, Mud also took my camera away from me, and wanted to document again how this was the best day of her life, well not better then the birth of her daughter. But she did call her husband and told him it was better then there wedding day. I have to say since I witnessed both, the wedding day, and this concert. I did not see this look at all on Mudds big day to Mr. R.
Yes this would be me. Feisty, rocking my mahawk, Joe and Jordan pins, Joe earings, and no I did not have a t-shirt, so I just cut holes in my 20 year old pillow case. I know. It's hot.
Her is LZ and Mudd. Who I must say looked very festive in her Amusement park made, t-shirt, of her and Donnie (with the words "he's mine" under it) also her Donnie heart necklace, and New Kids on the Block earings.
Mudd and Me... my god I wore a pillow case...
Myself rockin' the case. And the ultra cool and hip MnM eating her popcorn, and her beer (I do believe at that point you were on #5) You said something about numbing the opening acts. See MnM has gone astray from the ever so awesome Pop Music, and so she only wanted NKOTB, so beer was the solution to her happiness. And well to ours also.

Mind you MnM you were fun before the beer, but I agree you were way more fun after about 6 or 7 beers. But mind you I told you NOT to pull forward in the drive through until you check your bag. Damn it, they always fuck you in the drive through. And what do you do? Pull forward so I can check the bag... I don't get it. I mean they did screw up, forgot Mud's fries and I had to go in. So if we would have stayed in the window, we could have just told them. Who gives a fuck about the wankers behind us? Bah. Well now that I have that off my chest, thanks for letting us use the rent a car to get us there.

Mud, thanks for getting us the tickets, AWESOME job on the seats. As always it's fun to hang out. And LZ you were awesome to put up with our pillowcase wearing ways, and screaming our lungs off.

As always ladies it was a blast, I froze as many memories as I could in my head. And I thank you again for giving me the best memories at one of the best concerts. Much love.

Just like it was 1988 all over again.

You scream, I scream, we all scream for New Kids On The Block. Yes there was 3 ten year old girls that went to the New Kids On The Block concert, it was end of summer 1988.

Fast forward 20 years (oh god, did I just say, 20 YEARS! Ack!) and here we are again. Feisty, MnM and Mud (girl scout story) all over again. We also brought along Muds friend, LZ, who very nicely put up with us and our crazy antics all night. (thank you.)

We arrived, MnM couldn't wait to get to the nearest beer stand, because unlike Mud and I, she no longer loves herself some good pop music. Ever since the grunge came and took her away. (she was just there for the memories and the beer) she needed to numb herself through the opening acts that she had little or no idea of who they were.

Props to both the opening acts, I loved them. Took me a minute to remember the first guy, you might not know him by name, Colby O' Donis, but his song "What You Got" is featuring Akon, and is on the top 40 hip hop and pop charts. AWESOME!

Then the ever so beautiful and talented Natasha Beddingfield came out! I loved it! I am a fan, so on top of the bestest friends, the memories, the NKOTB I also got two awesome opening acts too!

I will just post all the pictures here. And comment below each... some pictures deserve there own posts, and will be saved for just that. (yes my dears, stop stalking me for the pictures, it is 12:53 am and I am editing, cropping, and we all know red eye removing from every one of my shots) Enjoy...

The opening of there show, they come up from the top stage floor... it was deafing in there.
A.MAZ.ING.

Jon and brother Jordan Knight, on the side stage by us!

Donnie and Jordan on side stage, with some back up dancersJoe did a solo song, he has his own album out too.

Love it!!

Not that Jordan didn't have my attention with his solo (also an album out) but when he did it with his shirt open and the wind blowing it...my life is complete...

This is Mud's freebee, I will explain in another post, all hail to Donnie.

Half way through the show they appear on this mini round stage in the middle of the floor audience. Just big enough for them, and a piano. One of my favorite moments, they did Tonight, Tonight out there.

And right before they left they came over and said good bye to me. (and some of the other people around me... I guess...)

Final bow, after they finished off the show, with the first encore being Step by Step, and then back out for the ever so wonderful Hangin' Tough. I loved every memory making moment. It was SO fun, and the show was amazing.

I will be doing a separate post on all of our asinine pictures of ourselves.