Events!

This blog stinks so much lately, I can't barely take it. I partially blame myself, but mostly blame

all of you. With that said, I don't know how it is that we have had so many things going on and no pictures to show for them. Welllll, here you go!

Aloise's bridal luncheon and shower:

And her bachelorette (I'm sorry Dad, I mean, "girls weekend") in Atlantic City!

It was wild! It was crazy! We did everything Dad hates!

Martha's baby shower (terrific job done by Linda!):

Mama-to-be!

Lastly, Mikey finally graduates Law School!

Congrats, bustah!

Okay -- let's get better at this whole blogging thing now, shall we??

Thank you!!

I don't have the cord to post my pictures from last night (at Mike's) but OMG I had such a great time!! Thank you guys so, so, SO much for all of your help. It should have been a really stressful and hard to put the fundraiser together, but it really wasn't. Mom and Maureen were champs, doing so many errands for me, and all the raffle items were terrific. I'm pretty sure DJ Jazzman hates me now, and I'm very sore from dancing (also, I am incredibly hungover) but my gosh was it worth it. I passed my goal for what I wanted to raise, and now I'm starting to get really pumped for next month, if not a bit sad to leave.

Some highlights from last night:
- Group dancing, most specifically to Bad Romance and Everlasting Love
- Airborn's performance
- Annie showing up!
- Davo surprising me and coming! What a guy, that Davo.
- Introducing everyone to my college friends -- Maddog's going to get such a big head.
- Martha pulled me aside and said, "You cannot get too drunk -- people donated!" Then, once some people cleared out, I was delivered 3 shots in a row.
- Staying until 1 am instead of 11. ANIMALS!

Low points:
- Biting it.. hard.. ouch it still hurts.
- DJ Jazzman not liking me no mo
- No one in our family won a raffle prize, how did that happen? Our numbers put us at such good odds.
- There are now rumors that Martha is the best dancer of the family, which REALLY gets me going!
- Mary and Cy! We missed you!

Thank you, for reals. This trip is so important to me and it felt really great last night having everyone there. I'll post pictures soon!

Annucio!

Many of you already know this, but for those who don't I'm going to do an awkward blog post (since I find it even more awkward to announce it in person). After a lot of thought, and a strong desire to do it for years, I'm going to volunteer in Kenya for four months, starting March 15th. I've been researching doing this since I graduated college, but it's a wee expensive and I never really found the right time. I decided back in August to apply to the Global Volunteers Network, but with so much going on I put off telling everyone. Also, there is just something funny about telling others. Like when I told my dentist that I couldn't schedule my next check-up in six months because I'd be in Africa. Chicky, say whaaat?

Anyway, like I said, I start March 15th and I won't know what my placement or village will be until about a month before. I have requested to spend two months in an orphanage and two months in a school, but ultimately they'll place me wherever I'm most needed at the time. I'm in contact with two other volunteers who have been super helpful and encouraging. To be honest, I've been really excited about it but also a tad panicky. In August, March seemed very far away, but now it's becoming a lot more real. Me no likey not showering. I also need to remember that Simba won't be prowling around in my backyard, more like a few chickens. However, one of the volunteers I am speaking with DID spend her birthday in a cottage in the Ngong Hills. I hope all of you are mentally reciting the first line to Out of Africa right now.

So, folks, that's my big news. But wait! There's more! In order to afford doing this, I am throwing a fundraiser on either January 30th or February 6th. Martha, Annie, and Frank have been helping me plan (awww, roomies!!) but it will take place in some sort of hall with a bar and lots of food and dancing. My bff from Fairfield is making a website for it where people can get information about where their money is going and pay for their ticket via Paypall (Annie's brilliant idea). Sounds pretty legit, eh? Yeah, I guess I am pretty legit.

So, hurray hurrah! Africa, here I come!

A "Million" Thanks!

Jimmy and I want to thank all of you again for being a part of our anniversary. Everybody's excitement, all the help, the cooking, setting up, everything. It was really one of those gatherings that can not be replicated, and it was all that we had hoped for!

Mom and Dad, thank you for the house a thousand times over! Martha your delicious cheeseballs, Mary for the slideshow help, Annie for the beautiful benches, Lisette for the extra booze, Catherine for the cheesecakes, Nora and Sean for traveling so far with the wee one, Clare, Aloise and Brent for helping set up and decorate.

It was one of those things that was a lot of work, and worth every bit of it. We love all of you and vote for a fancy Christmas party every year at Dad and Mom's. So much fun!!! And you all looked so gorgeous!

Merry Christmas. See you all then.

Artificial Sweetiner

Happy news for you Full House fans (am I the only one who teared up at the end of every episode? I digress): Jody Sweetin recently enjoyed a Vegas wedding! Congrats.

What's important however is this:
Lisette, I pronounce this your new blog photo.



You can upload it using this URL. Cut - It - Out! and paste.

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070720/capt.febf009aa3374bf3b767097538fcad21.people_sweetin_nyet142.jpg?x=229&y=345&sig=EnTrCbIyOPBQUokKGfNilA--

Thanks!!

I though the Olsen twins never appeared in the same episode. Talk about a Full House!

How rude.

Natural and Blonde

If you're lucky, maybe once in your lifetime you'll see an unknown player emerge seemingly from nowhere and dominate the game when the stakes are highest. This week, from the cornfields of East Longmeadow, there came a post and a man that set Brewster's Millions on its sweet, buttery ears. Some would call him a Natural. We struggle to search our memories for an adequate precedent. When is the last time something like Jim's post was both a first and a phenomenal effort?

Thirty years ago the Boston Red Sox called up a young outfielder named Fred Lynn who took the American League by storm and garnered not only Rookie of the Year honors but also MVP - a feat still unmatched [103 runs, 47 doubles, and a gawdy .566 slugging percentage; second in batting, with a .331 average, swatted 21 home runs with 105 RBI and 175 hits]. The 23 year old Lynn joined Fisk and Yaz and brought the Red Sox to the very edge of their first world series crown in 57 years... only to fall short to Cincinnati's Big Red Machine. Despite their own magical run, so too Jim and his entry fall just short. He came so painfully close, the decision was even more excruciating than this extended metaphor.

My darling young Annie, I suppose this makes you Pete Rose. I realize this erodes all credibility I ever had (if any) with the community but I have in fact named my wife the winner. In fairness it was Mary's choice too which probably doesn't help my cause. Anyway, the other bloggers may come at me with pitchforks and torches, Ann, so I need to write fast. Congrats on a great post. Jim made me laugh more but yours was just a little more refined and found amusing common ground between two disparate subjects. Good form, old man.

A close third goes to the Captain incidentally. Definitely the most influential post - it set the tone for the rest to come. At first blush I was going to name this entry as the winner. But as you've likely noticed I can't do anything fast (assuming I can do it at all-does it involve being outdoors?). So my deliberation hurt your cause but it was a post good enough to win on most days.

Now, young Jas. Blanchard, you have a raw talent, son. And I think I speak for the rest of the establishment when I say we would love to see it develop. So, for your 2nd place prize, I hand over the judging of the next caption contest to you. I hope it will instill an appreciation and interest in Brewsters Millions that will result in many posts to come. Knock the cover off the blog, Hobbs.

Jim you will have to work with Ann on that contest as I pass the reigns of all Caption Contests in their totality to Ann to administer according to the whims of her unique caprice. That's the first place prize and the price you pay for the talent you flaunt. You wear the daddy pants now. Unlike Pete Rose you gambled and actually won. Enjoy. Also, I think that post warrants another modest prize when I find one that's just right (possibly your own red leotards - that's a nice look).

Charles' Baptism

Por fin! Charles will be baptised on Sunday, June 24th, after our 12:15 mass. We'll have some goodies back at our apartment afterwards. But please know we don't expect you guys to come. If any of you do want to come, we'll be thrilled to have you. And as always, our apartment is open to anyone who might like to come in Saturday night.