The Strainer

Tanner can attest that my least favorite thing on earth is to dry the strainer...he laughs every time he hands it over to me. I mean who wouldn't hate it? I swear I can dry that thing for hours and as soon as I think I am done a little droplet will roll out.

Today I was having a bad day....I have just been kind of mopey and snappy, you know? Well we had just finished up our delicious dinner, washed the dishes, and I was drying the last pan. I said to Tanner very matter-of-factly, "You know what would really push me over the edge?" Tanner takes a drink listening intently as I said, "If I had to dry the strainer." We started laughing so hard Tanner almost shot Miller Chill out his nose and all over the room. I can honestly say that I am in a much better mood right now. I have so much fun with Tanner, I love our friendship.

"A friend is one who knows us, but loves us anyway."

Fr. Jerome Cummings

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One down, three to go!

Jack is tired of all of my studying...
For those of you who don't know I am studying to take the CPA exam this summer. There are four parts and I took the first one in May. I didn't expect to get the scores until the end of the month but to my surprise I got some really exciting news yesterday. I opened an email from someone from the Virginia State Board of Accountancy and nearly fell out of my chair when I saw that I passed the BEC exam! It is so fulfilling to see that all my hardwork is actually paying off. I wonder if it would be out of line if I took my BEC book outside and burned it? Read more...

Simple Days of Summer

Yesterday I was studying my little heart out when I got a call from Tanner saying he was getting off work early and asked if I wanted to go golfing with the Doyles. He didn't have to ask me twice. I was in dire need of some fresh air and sunshine. It was an awesome 9 holes and a great way to spend the afternoon. We wanted to top off the perfect afternoon at our favorite sandwich shop, Logan's Heroes. We we got there the open sign was turned off but we decided to check the back door just in case. The owner was there talking to his last customer and was so nice that he made our sandwiches even though he was closed. Don't you just love those days?
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STICKY

Saturday was the annual Harris Research Lagoon Day. I would like to mention that Patrick did give an accurate description of Lagoon in his reasoning for not venturing to Farmington...it is sticky. Sticky, but fun and interesting. The people at Lagoon are of a different breed. You don't see the Lagoon style person in everyday life, they only emerge from their homes in their favorite attire (tanktop for men and bikini top for women) when Lagoon opens its gates at the beginning of summer. I am pretty sure that on more than one occassion my mouth was gaping. As for the fun part of Lagoon, the rides! I love rollercoasters! Because they are so scary but I am 99 percent sure that I won't die while I am riding. We rode the rapids of rattlesnake rapids,Wicked, Collosus, Rocket and the Sky Ride a handful of times. We wanted to float the lazy river at Laguna Beach but we didn't want to miss BINGO with HR so we dodged the huge line to the fake beach and rushed to BINGO. That game is so frustrating its always down to the last number on your card and they say "clear!" Tanner and I won a whole 5 bucks between the two of us. We have the worst luck. Although, a sure-fire way to win at Lagoon is to have the "guess my...(weight, age, birthday)" game operator guess Tanner's weight. They always guess about 20-30 pounds off so we walk away with a present for our pups. What an interesting, fun, and sticky day!

We are easily entertained...here is Tanner's performance for us while standing in line for Wicked. My mom really loved it : )

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I hate bees & I hate spiders.

Lately I have had many run-ins with nature's wonderful creatures. Earlier this week I let the dogs out to potty and left the door open for them. I went to check on them but was distracted by the buzzing of a bee that had decided to join me in the kitchen. I dropped everything, threw open the cupboard, and grabbed the fly swatter. I was swinging and dodging and never even came close to swatting the bee. It would have been hilarious to be a fly on the wall. I ended up shooing it out the door...it really got the best of me and woke me up for the rest of the day.

Today I was minding my own business studying on the couch when I looked up and saw a freaky-looking spider on the ceiling. I stared at it for a while and it didn't move I knew I couldn't reach it so I tried to ignore it and concentrate on my homework. After a while I couldn't take it anymore so I constructed the following...

After a few unsuccessful tries I ended up killing the spider and I didn't break my neck, so that's postive because I don't have health insurance.

Later that afternoon I went outside with the pups and I saw this enormous bumblebee struggling on the cement. It was stuck on its back trying to turn over and I screamed and ran. I got to the door and looked back to see Baxter running in with me...where was Jack? Sniffing at the giant bumblebee with the giant stinger. I was like "Jack! Jack!" I had to run back to the disaster and pick him up. I shoved the dogs in the door grabbed a shoe and squashed the bee. Now I am safe, I hope.

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Birthdays never get old.

I woke up early Wednesday morning to torture myself at the stadium with my bootcamp trainer, Natalie. Only this time I thought I would run every single stair and do some sprints around the track as well. Birthdays are so funny they take us all back to being six again and being so excited you want to tell everyone. You will be happy to know I only wavered once and told Natalie.

It was a different kind of birthday this year. Honestly a lot more quiet than the others. Fun, but quiet. I am not sure if its because I am getting older, or if its because my birthday buddy, Courteney is clear across the country, or if it because I am a stay-at-home wife this summer and spent a chunk of the day running errands and studying alone???

I did get to go to lunch with my mom at Old Grist (love it, and will miss it when I'm gone). And Tanner got off work really early to spend the afternoon with me. As for the Birthday night we hit Hamilton's and we all loved it. We sat outside on the deck and just soaked in the moment and the weather.

After dinner it was time for the cake and present opening tradition. There was a little twist to it that was pretty entertaining. And that was a cake made from scratch by Tanner. He made my favorite carrot cheesecake made famous by The Cheescake Factory. First of all, he was supposed to make it the night before but forgot so he had to make it on his lunch hour on my birthday. When I left to go to lunch with my mom I saw him bent over down in the laundry room and I was like "what are you doing?" He responded in a calm, normal voice, "cracking open a coconut." I got home to the creation overflowing out of the pan, but it smelled delicious. That night as Tanner was frosting the cake he told me how much it easier it was to frost it with lumps and that the recipe called for lots of lumps. It took only one extra trip to the store and a lot of love for it to turn out amazing.

By the way I got some awesome gifts from my loving family. Thanks you guys! Here a few photos from the celebration.

Jack trying to sneak a taste...

Baxter posing with his tennis dildo...

Tanner Kirsten-proofed all of my gifts...it was a giant task to open each one, which made the anticipation even greater....Two awesome gifts: My mom gave me a Garmin Navigation so I don't get lost back east, she is always looking out for me. And Nance got me a digital camera which is so exciting, I love it! (My camera has been broken since 2005)Photos taken with my new camera! Read more...

Arnold Palmer

Everytime we go to a restaurant Tanner loves to mess with the server. No, not the entire time but when they ask for his drink he always asks for an Arnold Palmer. About 90 percent of the time they have no clue what he is talking about (all it is one part lemonade one part iced tea).

Well the great thing is they are bottling the stuff now. My dad told me it was on sale 24 for 6 bucks. I knew Tanner would be stoked so I wanted to surprise him. My mom knew exactly where it was in Sam's so as soon as we entered the store we went straight for it. As we were approaching it in the very back corner of the store we slowly realized that we didn't grab a cart on the way in...yeah...smart. So, I got to haul the honkin' case all the way to the front of the store. And these muscles, they are purely for looks so it wasn't a pretty picture if you know what I mean. My mom was cracking up she thought it was the funniest thing she had ever seen. She had her camera phone & video out and was documenting the whole thing. I was sweating bullets and my back was broken by the time I lifted it into my trunk.

All I can say was that the look on Tanner's face made up for all of my efforts. He died when I entered with an armful of Arnold.

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Big Poppa

I mean isn't this the greatest picture on earth? We are so adorable in our trucker hats.

I know my dad would do anything for us...he is the nicest and most patient person I have ever met. I mean I guess he would have to be living in a house full of girls for all these years. He used to tell us that we gave him every gray hair on his head...I don't see any gray so we must have been angels, right?

My dad has taught me a lot about being sincere and loving and I hope he knows that I appreciate everything he has done for me over the years. Happy Father's Day!

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The first real day of summer...finally!

Logan finally warmed up and the sun came out. I love everything that summer brings with it. Today Tanner and I woke up early and went up to the stadium to run stairs. It was so nice to get some good ol' vitamin D and exercise. We got home and did our Saturday chores and interestingly enough the sunlight has put me into a crazy want to clean every inch of the house mood. I have been talking Tanner's ear off about things that I want to take to the dump, take to goodwill, put on Craig's list, sell at a garage sale. Poor guy...especially because he is the one that will end up moving everything.

Today my cousin Shantel had a birthday party for her son Casey. It was pretty fun for a four-year-old's birthday party. You know summer has really begun during the first cookout when you are sitting around spitting watermelon seeds everywhere. It took me back to all of my summer memories over the years at my g-ma's house. Some of the best moments happened right in my grandma's backyard with all of the same people plus a few extras. It was great to get together with everyone and just relax, have fun, and talk.

My mom and her sisters got on some pretty random topics. One that sticks out to me was about my gram'pa, who if you don't know is the most loving, sarcastic, charismatic grandpa you'll ever meet. They were telling stories from their childhood that I really find hard to believe. My mom told a story of a time that she had a really terrible cough and my gram'pa got so annoyed with her that he made her eat Vick's. She listened out of fear and then after looked at the packaging that read "for external use only." According to Courte, and I would have to agree, my mom's parents were so much different than our grandparents are.

The rest of the day consisted of birthday presents and excited kids high on birthday cake running around. It was a perfect way to spend the first day of summer.

p.s. Happy 20th birthday Courte!!! I think this is the first birthday that we haven't spent together...sniff, sniff. Read more...

TC: Greatest lunch break Ever

Due to a torrential downpour today I was unable to ride the scooter home for lunch. Luckily Kirsten was free to pick me up. Screw going home for lunch, 5 dollar foot longs. So we walk in and as all ways, a line (we are people watchers so we love lines). The conversation that we witnessed was unreal.

Lady ordering: I'll have tomatoes, lettuce, and olives.

Worker: We don't have tomatoes today.

Lady: Why?
Worker: Because of the salmonella.

5 year old in line: Dad, why don't they have tomatoes?

Dad: Tomatoes have germs.

5 yo: Deep in thought, "Never eat another tomato!"

Lady: In that case....I'll have mayo and ketchup.

Worker: We actually don't have ketchup here either.

Lady: .....How about some Russian dressing then.

Worker: ???? (Looks at other worker) Russian dressing?

Me: Did she just say Russian dressing?

Kirsten: (Laughing)

Me: Why not some Samoan sauce too!

Kirsten: (Laughing)

Lady: Well just mayo I guess.
Worker: (Wipes brow) Alright. Next!

I mean, this was the single greatest exchange between a group of people I have ever seen. Where in the sweet hell is that lady from? Has she ever been to Subway before! Russian dressing! What is that? Do you think she meant Italian, the country that actually does have a dressing? I guess she thought instead of tomatoes and ketchup she wanted some of that new eastern European stuff. Wow!

Needless to say, it was a great lunch break.

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Sunday morning at the Cooley residence

The Sunday morning goal at our house is to sleep in. It is increasingly hard to accomplish this with our alarm clock, Jack. As soon as he is ready to get up he uses his highest pitch bark and literally digs us out of bed. He doesn't give up no matter how hard you try to ignore him. He looks like a really sweet pup but he is a maniac. After we get up and have breakfast it is time to study (that is about all we do these days). This morning he had so much energy I swear he circled our coffee table about 72 times and managed to leap and bound across our laps and laptops as well. There is never a dull moment at our house and we love it.

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Hot Pants

Last week Tanner showed me a video of the new Redskins coach, Jim Zorn, in one of his finest moments as a quarterback for the Seahawks a few years back. The video was utterly amazing. Well Tanner had a bright idea that came out as an awesome article. If you need a good laugh check out his post and video on Chris's blog... Read more...

LOVE

My mom has been dying to see Sex and the City...she honestly made a countdown (you know like one of those Christmas chains). We decided to make it a family event and went when everyone got off work. It was soooo good, one of the best movies I have seen in a while. I didn't really know what to expect but I was satisfied to say the least. We all laughed until we cried and cried until they made us laugh. The girls behind us were honestly weeping, weeping. It was great. What I took to heart out of the rollercoaster of a movie was to always be honest with yourself, love without holding anything back, and the importance of forgiveness. Sounds all serious for Sex and the City, huh?

When we got out of the movie my dad said he got a text from Courte that said "The new Ford Taurus looked really cool." We all kind of just moved on with our own thoughts I honestly thought she was kidding because my dad is the biggest Honda/Toyota guy. We couldn't decide where to go for dinner and then finally decided upon Firehouse but my dad said that it made him sick last week (everything makes him sick, he is lactose intolerant and refuses to admit it) so we changed our direction to Sabor. We have so much fun with my parents, they aren't much like real parents, no offense. I feel like they are good friends that you can just be yourself with. They really have great stories too (about circumcision, drinking, and interesting things like that). At dinner pops mentioned that Courte said via text "It kind of looks like the Ford Focus" (like it was a good thing). I lost my mind. If you are reading this Courte, what has gotten in to you?

Whul all in all it was a great Thursday night. I thought it would be appropriate to post this cute photo of my high school sweetheart parents... Read more...

TC: Scoot scoot...

Before gas prices decide to hit $12 per gallon I decided to take some initiative. So purely by good fortune I asked a friend of mine, who happens to own a scooter and does not use it, if I could "borrow" it for the summer. His response "It doesn't work right now but if you can fix it you can ride it." "YES! New ride!"

Also by good fortune, the "Car Doctor" (my dad) happened to be in town for the weekend. He and I went up to the mansion to check out the bike. The simple diagnosis was a bad battery. We had two choices; One, charge the battery or two, buy a new one. So off to Renegade Sports we went. A new scooter battery only runs about $30 so that's what we did. After a short scuffle between "Car Doc" and "Behind the Counter Guy" (about "venting" the new batter) we left Renegade without the battery because it had to be "vented and fully charged."

5.5 hours later I was in and out of the store, battery in hand, and back to the mansion to attempt a possible fix on my own ("Car Doc" was M.I.A.). Upon arrival I quickly noticed I wasn't the only outsider at the mansion. There was an entire window cleaning crew (advantage). After putting the battery in and having no luck starting the damn thing, I managed to putz around the rest of the bike like a monkey would on a computer. I tipped it on it's right, on it's left, upside-down, and right-side-up. Nothing seemed to do the trick. Finally, after likely being quietly ridiculed, one of the washers decided his two cents might help. "Has this switch (shut off) been off the whole time?" he asked. I hadn't even seen or touched any switches but I'll be damned if that wasn't the problem. One quick flip of that little guy and "zoom zoom" I was off and on my way down the driveway.

To make a long story short, I got an awesome ride, learned a bit about scooters, and met a new friend. Now who gives a shit if gas prices are through the roof, my scooter gets 60 miles per gallon! Look out open road, here I come (max speed 45).

Tanner has taken an interest in the blogging world...so hopefully he will continue to make more posts on our personal blog because this was a good one.

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