huh.

So I guess Katie Holmes took my advice about Suri's bang trim and her own coif. Though I still can't say I'm thrilled about Katie's 'do, it's nice to know I'm being heard.

how did i not know this?

How was I not informed that former Bachelor, the Officer and Gentleman, Andy Baldwin, would be visiting Duluth this week? As someone who believes she has her finger on the pulse of local current events, that I didn't know about his visit is a crime ... a crime I tell you!

Someone on his PR team completely dropped the ball on this. I had no idea about it until this morning when I heard about his visit on the radio. Apparently he's in town to recruit for the Navy. According to the paper, he's talking to the Chamber of Commerce today.

He's so dreamy. You know, I'm not married yet. I'm thinking I might make a play for him.

Do you think he'd be interested in me? A chunky, midwestern white girl with funky eyebrows, a flat-ish nose and knock-knees? Sure he would! Who wouldn't?

On second thought, I don't know if the military-wife lifestyle would really suit me. There are just too many rules, too much structure, too little freedom. I probably wouldn't be able to get crazy bitchy drunk, occasionally run around without my shirt on or completely ignore housekeeping tasks, all things to which I've become accustomed and enjoy.

Alas, it appears that a relationship wouldn't work between us. Too bad for Andy Baldwin.

slowly but surely

My life, of late, has been revolving around that certain rite of passage known as a wedding.

Who knew there was so much to organize?

We got most of our invitations out this past week. So that's done, for the most part.

We met with the caterer this weekend and decided on our menu. So that's done, too.

We've largely decided on things like booze, cake, decorations, flowers, favors, etc., but there are always little things that can't be determined until the final RSVP number comes through.

Then there's the attire. Now that the jewelry has been decided, all I have left to do is find the perfect "shapewear" undies, and my vision will be complete.

We picked out the tuxes last week, so as long as the gents go get themselves measured, we'll be all set there.

And all three moms have discussed and confirmed their outfits, so it's all good with them, too.

As for showers, two down and one to go. I've been liking the shower thing. Although it's kind of tiring to be "on" all the time, it's fun to finally be the one that everybody else is celebrating.

And then there's the bachelorette party at my cabin. A weekend of drunken swimming, card-playing, dancing, bonfiring, backwoods-bar-crashing and junk-food eating fun. Perfect.

Finally, we loaded up my credit card with the outrageous cost of our honeymoon flights. We're going to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in January. Cannot wait. Seriously.

So anyway, all things wedding are marching along, slowly but surely. I'm sure that everything will start careening out of control at some point, but for now, I'm enjoying the fact that all my ducks seem to be in a row.

finally, it has happened to me

I finally found my wedding jewelry, and yes, for those of you urging me to look on Etsy, that's where I found it. Pretty, no?

And with only 57 days to spare. Phew.

it's the most wonderful time of the year ...

...for the daytime denizens of Superior Street. You know why? Because it's Sidewalk Days.

For three glorious days, the cops close off Duluth's main street so the vendors located thereon can display and try to hawk their clearance items to shoppers caught up in the fantasticness of the moment.

But it's not the shopping that does it for me. No no no. It's the food.

And actually giving this stuff the name "food" might be going overboard. More apt would be "consumable items guaranteed to result in indigestion, greasy stools and heart disease."

On my way over to Starbucks this morning, I saw the first indication that this week will be a bad week for my diet. The mini-donut/fried cheese curd/garlic cheesy breadstick cart is located right in front of my building. Good for my taste buds, though .... appetizers.

On the next block over is the bratwurst tent sponsored by some local fraternal organization ... Moose, Elks, Lions, Masons ... who knows and who cares? All I know is that they grill a mean brat with beer-soaked onions.

Across the street from the brat tent is the gyro table. So we're talking options, people.

Finally, down a little further is the fresh-squeezed lemonade, kettle corn and root beer float vendors.

Damn, I can't wait til noon. Meanwhile, my gastro-intestinal tract is already bracing itself for the onslaught of terror I intend to impose on it.

It's going to be an awesome week.

absence makes the heart grow fonder

Right? You guys missed me, admit it.


So anyway, I'm sitting here in my office, the day before the 4th of July holiday, and I'm fighting an mild hangover, willing the day to go by fast. Apparently I have no willpower whatsoever because the day is dragging by slowly. Molasses in January slowly.


In an effort to make it go by faster, I have been surfing the celebrity gossip sites. I came across this picture, and became aggravated for so, so many reasons:

Not sure if you can really see it, but you know what Suri has in her (I'm assuming perfectly manicured) little hands? A $100 bill.

Listen, Katie, I know you and your husband are loaded. I know you spend more on shoes than I make in a year. I know your average hair cut costs more than my mortgage payment. But do you really have to rub it in by allowing your two-year-old to play with money like it's a toy? There are families in the U.S. that can't afford to put food on the table, for pete's sake. Don't rub your wealth in our faces, OK?

Maybe you should take that $100 bill over to Great Clips to get Suri a bang trim. Don't tell me you're too busy. It would take about 5 freaking minutes. And then you could give the $95 in change to Suri to play with again.

I have to admit it, Suri's a cute little kid. And you're a great looking mom. But that doesn't mean you should wear your hair like Laura Bush. Grow the hair out again, you looked so cute when it was longer.

Oh yeah, and one more thing, a smile would be nice once in a while.

Thanks.

could it be?

For real?

Yes, it's true.

Blondie's leaving.

Oh heavenly day.