Winos

This weekend Tony took me to a couple of local winerys around the KC area for an early birthday celebration.  We started on Saturday around 11 am (it was 5:00 somewhere).  We headed to Somerset Ridge which is about 30 minutes south of Overland Park.  We walked in and the lady had us belly up at the tasting bar.  We tasted about 13-14 wines- white, red, blush, dessert, and port selections.  I heart wine, but don't know much about it so it was really interesting hearing her talk about each one.  I had never tried Port Wine, which I guess is a combo of wine and brandy and meant to be sipped... I didn't like it.  Tony did.  I should mention that the pours were very generous, and I started worrying about being able to make it to the next winery on our list :) 

Tony and I both prefer red wines, but it was HOT out so we picked a cold white to buy, open, and drink while we walked around the vinard.  It was a beautiful day!!!

We sort of felt like it was our honeymoon all over again from the individual pictures of each other.... 'I'll take one of you... okay now take one of me...'

Here's the grapes that were used in the bottle of white that we were drinking. Chardonel.  I thought it was a fancy word for Chardonney, but it was totally different.  See, I learned something!

After a quick walk around the vineyard we sat in this adorable area outside of the tasting building.  Tony packed a picnic - crackers, cream cheese, hummus, smoked salmon, cheese, and sushi.  Delish!  How cute is he?!?

Finished the bottle of wine sitting outside and listening to a guy play his guitar.  I could have stayed out there all day, but we had more drinking to do... on to the next...

So we headed to Holy Field which is up by Leavenworth.  Basically the same scenerio there - tasting, more tasting, buying a bottle and sitting outside enjoying the weather. 

Not the greatest picture of us, but when a stranger is snapping the photo, you just go with it. 

This was followed by a nap and then dinner at PierPonts - tasting/wine pairing dinner.  As if we hadn't consumed enough wine throughout the day :)  I thought we both were going to turn into grapes.  It was an amazing dinner to finish our amazing day.  I have the best hubby ever!!

Here's a pic at dinner - again, not the best picture.  Hello droopy eyes.  I blame the wine... or the giant gin and tonic sitting in front of me.  Pattern in the last 2 pictures??  Apparently wine makes me hunchbacked...

Babies Babies Babies

These are my pregnant friends Erin and Sarah - aren't they cute???  Erin is due in September with a boy and Sarah is due in October with a we-don't-know-yet.  I'm very happy for them and also happy for me.  You see, I absolutely LOVE little baby things.  Tiny little clothes, or shoes, or hats... I could go on but I won't.  Tony and I are not quite ready to have a baby of our own, so I will live through my friends for now.  I can 'browse' the baby sections of stores with an actual purpose now.  Thanks friends! :)

Erin & Margo - Marg loves Erin.  And cute little Sarah and her dog, Mack. 

Marg giving Baby Brockus some love.  I heart this pic!

A.I. or BUST!!!

Another season of American Idol is about to wrap up.  The top 2 will be announced tonight. 
I'm hoping for... Lee and Crystal

 They've been my favs from the start.  Well minus cutie patootie Tim Urban, but we all knew he wasn't going to get to the end.  He was always so surprised when he made it through... deer in the headlights face. 

This is really only the 3rd year I have really been into it.  I watched it here and there before, but after my boyfriend  (it's okay Tony knows) David Cook was on it, I was hooked.  Ahh small sigh for DC.  Side note: I saved his 'always be my baby' show on our DVR for a good year and a half until we changed cable companies and it was gone forever.  Tear.

Last year I loved Adam Lambert - not in the boyfriend way though... pretty positive he is into dudes. He is just amazing and so talented! 

This year I struggled a bit getting into it.  Most of the Top24 annoyed me.  I did however always love Crystal.  I like her story and even though I think she should have more personality on stage, I think she is wonderful.  Then out of the blue, this Lee character started ROCKING it!  Last night's performance of Hallaluyah was incredible!!  Major goosebumps.  P.S. I made Tony save it on our DVR... wonder how long that will be around??  Anyways, Gina and I have been sending our love through our calling votes.  He will thank us personally when he wins I'm sure. 

I didn't get to go to the A.I. concert to see David Cook, so when he came into town for a solo concert I. was. going.  Tickets on sale at 9 am - got it.  I'm at work, 9 am hits, I call and I'm on hold................ 7 minutes later a lady answers and tells me that it's sold out.  In 7 minutes??!!  Wtf?  I think I was depressed for a good 2 weeks. 

Last year was the first year I experienced the A.I. concert ... maybe the best time of my summer.  Sunday concert at P&L when it's nice outside = Funday Sunday day drinking with friends early.  Gina, Emily and I had SO much fun!!  And getting to see Adam Lambert sing in person was pretty awesome (ask Emily about it, I'm sure she can give you a play by play of the whole concert... or not) :)  We were a little worried about being the oldest people there and getting stuck behind the million teenieboppers with glittery signs, but surprisingly there were a ton of mom's that were more excited to be there then we were!

This year we are going again - can't wait for August.  It's on a Friday this year... thank God! 

See you soon Lee!!! 

And I need to give a shout out to Gina for giving me the idea of this post :)

Big Ass Binder

I've had a few people ask about this amazing coupon binder I have, so I'm finally putting up pictures of it.  It's okay, you can laugh.  This is what I stroll through the grocery stores with - no biggie :)

The binder is Studio C - I believe it's just a regular binder.  The coupon inserts are from Mrs. A's Coupon Organizer. 
I have colored dividers separating pages so I can find each catagory easily.  Breakdown: condiments, snacks, cereal, dairy, frozen foods, pet coupons, cleaning products, medicine, etc. 

Isn't it cute??  I'm obsessed. 

Bring It

I know, it's another post about my dog... please refer to Awkward Positions if you need an explaination. 

Margo is very VERY used to going to the vet.  We'll just say, she's had issues.  Tony normally takes her and then sends me pictures from his phone.  I ran across these the other day and it made me chuckle. 

First time to the vet = scared

Last time she went to the vet = not so much

Bring it, Vet...

To My Mama

I have the most amazing mom - she is wonderful, caring, kind, funny, very extremely athletic, energetic, charismatic, beautiful, giving, creative, talented, and the most self-less person I know.  She is not just these things, I could go on forever.  I sometimes think that she is supernatural :) 

I am so blessed to have her as my mom and more importantly my best friend. 

She has taught me so much and made me who I am today.  So here's to you Mom!! 

Thanks for everything you have done and you do for me...

I might not tell you often enough, but I think you rock! 

Love,

Cal 

Dynamic Duo

Tony's parents came into town this weekend for Rich's birthday and Mother's Day.  Had a great weekend!  Margo and Rich were quite the team.  She had to be beside him at all times... it was pretty funny :)
Sorry Rich, she is the closest thing you get to a grandchild for now! 

Awkward Positions

We don't have kids (yet), so my dog is pretty much my kid for now.  I will (already do) blog about her as if she is my baby.  Sorry if this bores you... she just makes me laugh. 
Here are her top 4 favorite positions...  (apologies for not 'censoring' her privates... she is not very lady like)

Score!!

Another great day for checking my mailbox!!

Full size ReNu contact solution
Full size Redken styling product
Small secret deoderant
Small size Pantene S&C (shampoo & conditioner)
Sample Lorel S&C
Sample Pantene S&C
Cascade Action Paks
OK Magazine
Shape Magazine

Oh and a pair of heels... but I did pay for those :)

Wedding Weekend

Lindsay and Scott got married this weekend!  It was such a fun weekend seeing everyone and catching up.  Here's a few pics! 

Started out the afternoon at Rockabelly...

Got to stop off at 509 (Tony's old house) for a few brews...

Rehersal dinner @ Kites Banquet Room...

We stopped by Kites after the ceremony for a quick drink before the reception...

 

Wally Judge and Rodney McGruder at After Hours.  Story:  Tony tells me he saw McGruder walk by Kites... Emily and I run sprint out the door and down the street yelling 'Rodney Rodney!!'  He is adorable and my favorite.  Then I noticed that Wally was next to him (how I missed that I have no idea... he is 7')

Margo had a rough weekend too... 

We took her to a boarding place in Manhattan where she could run around with other dogs.  Not sure how she would do, Tony and I were a little nervous about it.  (in case you haven't noticed, we love our dog like obsessed parents)  They gave her a report card :) 

Here's what it says: 

Margo played & PLAYED!!! She had a blast with all her friends.  She wrestled from sun up 'til sun down

Yep, sounds about right...

They gave her an A+.  Guess she didn't miss us much.  :)  She was super excited to get home though... this was the position she layed in for at least 5 hours on Sunday. 

KSU - PINK!

They're here!!  We finally got Frank Martin's shoes from the Coachs vs. Cancer event back in October.  I guess I didn't get a good look at them when he wore them at the KSU vs. KU game in January... I think I was busy drinking my nervousness away during that game.  Neither of us realized that they were bright pink!  I guess it makes sense because it was for breast cancer awareness, but that makes them a little challenging to display around the house... 
Someday we will have somesort of bar in our house that we can put them in with Tony's other KSU memorabilia.  Until then they will be kept safe in a box (that is, if Tony lets me take them off the mantle) 

By the way - They are a size 14!

Handy Hubs

Our Tony's big weekend project was lining our flower bed with pavers.  He's been wanting to do it for awhile and we had a free weekend. 

Here's some before pictures:  (sorry some are sideways)

Marg was such a good helper...

Honestly, did I help? Do anything but take pictures? Not really, but I have to mention that I did help Tony unload the pavers from the truck to the garage... those suckers are HEAVY!!  (oh and I planted a flower)

The finished product:

Did I mention that it was raining 99.8% of the time he was doing this??  What a stud. I was really surprised about how awesome it turned out but I should have known with my hubs, the perfectionist, working on it :)

It's a...........

We were invited to a BBQ at our friends Erin and John's house.  Erin is preggo and due in Sept.  The purpose of the BBQ was to reveal the sex of the baby.  We were to wear blue if we thought it was a boy, or wear pink if we thought it was a girl.  For some reason, Tony and I have always thought it was a boy.  Probably because John and Erin really thought it was a girl. 
Here is a picture of everyone in their guessing colors.  It was 50/50.  (Andy's in blue boxers...)

And here are the winners!!!

Yay for Baby BOY Brockus!!  We are so excited for them.  They will be amazing parents!!

Grrrr...

I love my dog.  I really do.  Even when I come home to this...

My favorite brown flats destroyed.  I had only worn them about 4 times.  But then I look over at her...

How could you not love this face?? :)

Dear Mailman,

I'm sorry.  Thank you for bringing me goodies every day even though I'm sure you curse my name as you near my house. 

Sincerely,

Callie

I said that I would post the next time I got a big stash of goodies in the mail, so here it is. 

The run down:

Wine Spectator Magazine (get monthly)

Good Housekeeping Magazinge (get monthly)

2 sample bags of Rachel Ray dog food

2 coupons for a free bag of Rachel Ray dog food

Coupon for a free bag of Sun Chips

Glade Oder Eliminator Plug In + Coupons

Bounce Dryer Sheet Sample

Downy Fabric Softner Sample

Uniball Ink Pen

A Plan

Latley I have heard a lot of sad stories about happenings to people that I know, some I know directly and others I know of.  One after another it has seemed.  It makes me take time to think about how truely blessed I am.  I realized that I need to do this more often - reflect on how blessed I really am and remember to not take things in my life for granted.  I keep wondering why such terrible things can happen to wonderful people, but I just read a great quote giving me a new outlook. 

Instead of saying 'everything happens for a reason'.  I'm going to start remembering to think of it as 'God has a plan'.  I feel that this is more comforting. 

He does have a plan and even if we don't like it... I sure don't want to mess with Him. :) 

Lord, please be with all of the families who need you right now. 

Give them comfort. 

Keep them strong. 

Amen. 

Spring Storms

I arrive at work this morning, pull into the parking lot and it begins to pour.  Like pour pour.  I (of coarse) have no umbrella so I grab a random sweatshirt from my backseat.  (this is the exact reason that I have such a selection of things crap in my backseat... I will prove my point to Tony later).  Walk into work, soaked.  All of a sudden it gets super dark outside and the wind is blowing the rain like crazy... followed by a lot of thunder.  Tony and I were emailing back and forth wondering how Marg would handle the noise.

Tony got home at noon and I get this text:

'Marg pees when it thunders'

Can't help but laugh. 

Can't help but hope it wasn't on the couch. 

Can't help but be thankful Tony got home first.

April Fools

I've never been very attached to this 'holiday' as some call it.  Partly because I am not good at playing jokes on people or watching them get worried over something for no reason (I have a heart).  And partly because no one has ever really 'got me good'. 
This takes me to the email from my dear hubbs today saying that his boss chewed him out at the office and wanted him to just work 3 days a week, then stormed out.  He was worried about not working as much and a pay cut, blah, blah, blah.
So I'm feeling bad for him and thinking that maybe his boss was just in a bad mood.  I typed out this long 'i'm sorry' email in attempt to console him.
Reply back : April Fool's!!  Off to get my oil changed.  See you later!

You did it babe.  You got me.  
I didn't think he had it in him.