Taking Orlando by Storm

Last week, I received the best surprise a girl could ask for.

My friend Jen and I were en route to a weekend Orlando trip we'd planned as a belated birthday celebration. She pulled over at a Bob Evans to supposedly meet her mother-in-law to hand over some alleged rash cream for her son. As we waited in the Bob Evans parking lot, Jen turned to me and said ominously, "She's here." I was just chalking this eerie update to Jen's innate flair for the dramatic, when I look up and see a stunning blonde with a huge smile walking toward us.

"JAMIE!"

Background Info: Jamie, Jen, and I have been best friends since junior high-- even though we haven't all lived in the same state since high school graduation. Jamie currently resides in Fresno, California and we only have a chance to get together every few years.

The three of us have a tendency to talk over each other and laugh loudly in any setting-- no matter how appropriate our behavior may or may not be. Last weekend in Orlando was no exception. Flying high on the unexpected reunion, I pronounced that we were going to "take Orlando by storm".

And we did. Millenia Mall, the outdoor cafe at the hotel, the pool, and several Orlando-area restaurants can attest to the domination of our loud, obnoxious behavior. We even managed to cross an item off my "bucket list"-- singing karaoke in a dive bar. Hilarious. We did what we have always done-- lounged by the pool discussing celebrity gossip, had many wardrobe changes, took cheesy pictures, spent way too long on our makeup, and ate LOTS of food.

I just love these girls. We never break stride. We never have to work to fall back into the rhythm of our friendship-- no matter how much time and distance is between us. We have been friends for 20 years and we joke about being the Golden Girls in another 20. (Of course my jerky friends have proclaimed me Bea Arthur...)



Jamie brought two of her four boys to Florida with her (they stayed with their uncle over the weekend). We were able to get all the kids together before she left town.

Best. Surprise. Ever.

Patience...

I try not to go more than a week without posting anything. I had the BEST WEEKEND EVER last week and I can't wait to write about it, but all of the accompanying pictures are on a friend's camera. So... I am exercising patience. I only ask that you do the same...

Purpose

I went jean shopping at a consignment store last week. I was not paying particular attention to the cut of the pants-- just grabbing a handful of jeans in my size from brands I like. Through this practice I did something that I swore I would never do.

I accidentally tried on a pair of skinny jeans.

They looked exactly as I always knew they would. I actually laughed out loud in the dressing room. I tried to take a picture with my phone, but decided that as much as I enjoy making fun of myself, the world was not ready for the likes of SKINNY JEAN KIRA.The Skinny on Skinny Jeans- They are a curse on this planet. Why do we not just call a spade a spade-- as in lets just call skinny jeans "denim leggings."

Unless the circumference of your ankles are greater than or equal to the circumference of your thighs-- you will end up with a phenomenon known as "carrot legs". Not a great look. For anyone.

The only exception to the carrot leg rule is if the skinny jeans in question are paired with knee high boots-- thus maximizing the circumference of your ankle. I live in Florida so this rule does not apply here.

I was telling a friend about my horrifying brush with the skinny jean virus and she said- "I don't mind when people wear skinny jeans." I asked for clarification and explained the carrot leg law to my misguided pal. She responded, "I think that's why I like people wearing skinny jeans-- they make even skinny people look chubby." Ah-- mystery solved.

The skinny jean epidemic does indeed have a purpose on earth-- to make skinny people look chubby.

Hilarious

Lance and I love going to see comedians live. We are always looking for new comedians (hard to find clean ones). This guy cracked us up every single week on Last Comic Standing-- Tommy Johnagin.

Last night was the finale and Tommy was announced as the first runner-up. We were disappointed, but hopefully we'll get to go see him when he comes on tour to Tampa.

This is one of my favorite sets. Check it out when you get a sec:

Brothers

I love these two boys.

They just couldn't be more different from each other. Tobin is mellow and easy going. Chase is moody and intense.

Tobin's appearance is truly "Slovacek" (as evidenced by his giant head and stocky build-- like me). Chase is the spitting image of Lance as a baby.I don't know if anyone would ever peg them as brothers, but luckily they both happen to be hilarious and adorable!

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy...

August 3, 2001August 3, 2003

August 3, 2005
August 3, 2008
August 3, 2010

Return

I'm back online!
I had to completely re-boot my system-- so I am starting from scratch. My font is weird, my pictures distorted, and my audio still doesn't work, but I am here! I am pretty regular about backing up my photos, so I only lost 2 months worth (as opposed to 4 years!)

As exciting as my return to the world wide web is-- even more exciting is my parents return! The Slovaceks have been back for a few weeks now. The kids can't get enough of "Papas" Time. This past weekend, my parents came and stayed with the kids for two days while Lance and I celebrated our anniversary in Orlando. I just realized that we have been too busy playing with them to get any pictures (SO unlike me!)

Here are a few pictures of the pre-arrival preparations (making posters for them) and the one picture I have of the kids with my Mom: