Revisiting my youth...

For those of you who know me pretty well, you know that back in high school, I was a HUGE Duran Duran fan.. a 'Duranie', if you will. Yes, my friends and I were in love with the band. Most of our world revolved around them, and they hung the stars! We were lucky enough to get to see them in concert during their 'Seven and the Ragged Tiger' tour, at what once was, the Capitol Center. It was an awesome concert, and even back then, got great reviews from the critics. We had a blast.

Well, many years have past since that day, but we won't count them. The band split up, and recently reunited, cut more albums, and are touring once again (minus one guitar player). When I found out that they were coming back to this area, my desire to see them again got the best of me, and so tickets were bought, plans were made, and excitement created.

Last night was the big night! I would finally get to see Duran Duran once more! This time would be different though. This time I'm all grown up (questionable), and would be sitting MUCH closer than I did back in the 80's. I cannot express how excited I was for this concert. So much, in fact, I gave myself a headache just before we left! Thankfully, Advil worked it's magic.

So Heidi picked me up just after 6pm last night. Two of her friends, Pam and Christina, were also going. They're fun girls, so I knew it would be a blast. We decided to 'tailgate' in the parking lot before the show, and brought cheese, crackers, pasta salad, and wine. We partied in the lot, while listening to DD tunes on the ipod.

We finally made it inside the venue, making a mad dash to the bathrooms. Guess we just can't hold it like we used to! Just after our much needed bathroom break, we got this picture taken by a fellow DD fan.
Next, we headed over to the Tshirt counter to check out the loot. Steve had told me to go ahead and get myself a Tshirt. Well, once I saw the prices, I changed my mind. The cheapest Tshirt was $45! That's CRAZY! So, we decided to skip the Tshirts, and headed over to the beer counter!
We figured our Tshirt money was much better spent on beer! :)

On our way into the actual seating area, we passed a stand for California Tortilla. They had some free giveaways, including Pop-Tarts! Yes, you read that right.. Pop Tarts! Apparently, today is National Pop Tart Day! Pam and Christina ended up taking a full case of pop tarts (hey, they were free)! I decided against taking one, purely because I didn't want to carry the box around. Regretting it today though! Let's just say it wasn't easy carrying around that box of tarts, and trying to not spill your beer! lol

Okay, so we finally made it to our seats. Our smoozing the young security guards was unsuccessful in landing us backstage, or with seats closer to the stage. However, this did not deter Pam. She was on a mission. We made our way to our seats, which I have to say, were quite good. The view was much better than many years ago, when the guys looked like ants on the stage. The opening act was still performing... True Vegas, was their name. They were okay. I might probe into finding some of their tunes to listen to. I didn't really pay much attention last night. I was ready for Duran Duran!

We hung out for a while, waiting for the band, drinking our beer. Finally, the moment came. The lights in the house dimmed. The stage went black, then red. The crowd (including all of us) screamed. It was time. Duran Duran was only moments away. Suddenly, there they were! Whoo Hooo!














They played a mix of songs... lots of oldies, and some new ones, as well. I have to say that the crowd would go nuts when they played the older songs, and I really wish they had more of them in the song line up. Nevertheless, the energy of the band was great. Just like in their younger years. We had a great time singing along, and dancing... so much fun. Pam continued to work it, and all her efforts finally paid off. She was able to get a guard to let Christina and I go down to the front during the encore!!







































Here's my fav... John!

What a great night! Thanks ladies :)

Is that the sun I see?

Oh it's Amanda! :) Every day, I tell myself how lucky I am that God sent her to me. She certainly lives up to her middle name, for she is truly a Joy. I, too, went through something (when I was pregnant with her) that most parents go through when they are expecting their second child. I was no different, even though she is our third. I worried if I would have enough love for her, as I had for Hannah and Becca. Of course I love her just as much as I love my other girls, and feel so silly to have ever worried about it in the first place. :P So, back to the picture... she woke up at 6am, and laid next to me, chewing on her duckie. She eventually drifted back to sleep, snuggling up with it. I just had to snap a picture!

I'm trying to enjoy the blue sky that I can see outside. Seems like I haven't seen it in quite a while. Both yesterday, and today, have been beautiful! Sadly, tomorrow is supposed to be cloudy, and then T'storms are slated for Friday. Hopefully, all this nonsense weather heads out of here.. for good!

Happy Belated Mother's Day

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all of you Mom's out there! I hope you had a wonderful day. We had a lazy morning, which was nice. Close to lunchtime, we headed out to Home Depot for a new lawn mower. I know, I know, not very exciting for Mom's Day, but we really needed a new one! Our old one broke, and the grass was getting pretty long. I'm not much into gifts for myself anyway. I did end up getting some flowers to plan in my pots out front. After Home Depot, we had lunch with Steve's Dad and Donna, at Double T Diner. I was in the mood for breakfast food. I was quite satisfied with my meal. It was such a pretty day out, too. On the way home the clouds were rolling in, so it was a mad dash to get home so that Steve could cut the grass before the rains came. He was able to get the front yard mowed, and I got my plants in the pots, just before the heavens opened up. It hasn't stopped raining yet! This rain, on top of the rain we got last week, has really made for a big mess. In fact, our county opened schools 2 hours late today, due to flooding and power outages. There are several schools that are closed. Here's a look at how much water we're retaining....

My neighbor's backyard.. he just put down a bunch of sod and soil.. it's now floating:

And part of our backyard (there are many sections like this) :

And lastly, my poor neighbor across the street, who just dug up all the grass in his front yard, laid down fresh topsoil, and seeded...

We're all hoping that he didn't lose all his seed! It's just a total mess!

Stay dry!

Soaked to the bone!

Man, did we get some rain! Yesterday was a bit dreary, and we were wondering whether or not Hannah's team would have their lax pictures taken, or even have practice for that matter. The rains held out for both (thankfully). By later in the evening, the storms rolled in, bringing downpours, along with thunder and lightening. You know, the type of thunder that is so loud, that you think it's in your backyard.. makes your heart race. The only good thing about it all, was that once the thunder stopped, the sound of the rain was so nice to sleep to. It poured all night though, and all day, today.. with it easing up around mid afternoon.

Steve took the day off today, and did absolutely nothing. I think he really needed a day like that.. to just chill. He's been really busy at work lately, not to mention his recent two week business trip, that really took a lot out of him. The downfall was, with him doing nothing, I was motivated to do the same. After I dropped the girls off at school, I came home and the three of us went back to bed! LOL I haven't done that in a long time! I usually wake up in the morning with the intent of coming home and taking a nap, but it never happens.

So a non productive day led to a fun evening. We went to dinner at our favorite, local Ribs place, with Teresa and Heidi (and families). The food was yummy, but our waiter was, well, a bit idiotic. Let's just say he royally messed up our bill in the end. After dinner, we drove up to Babies R Us to look for a teething blanket for Amanda. Hannah had one that she absolutely loved! It was easy for a young baby to hold. I couldn't find the exact one that Hannah had, but found something really close: So far, she absolutely loves it!!! I also picked up a couple of pacifiers, for she's growing a little bit more interested in them. She's starting the whole screeching thing (for entertainment), and I'm hoping they might help! lol I also found the exersaucer that I want to get for her:
I'm actually surprised that I picked out one that is pink, but for the price, I think it's the best value. So many of them come with tons of bells and whistles, it's almost overkill! I think this one will do just fine. Now we have to wait until our coupons are valid! lol

Tomorrow, depending on the weather, both girls have lax games. Unfortunately, they are both at the exact same time, and on different fields, so Steve and I have to split up. He's going to Rebecca's game, and I'll be going to Hannah's. After her game, Hannah is supposed to go to the zoo with a friend, and Steve was thinking about taking Rebecca to see the movie, IronMan. I'll just come home with Amanda, and chill.. maybe get some housework done.

Just a few pics to share

Not a big update today... Rebecca had her lax team photos yesterday, as well as her strings concert (she plays the violin). She was very excited to play the violin this year, though she really wanted to play the flute. However, since she's only in 3rd grade, she has to wait until next year to do so. The beginning of the year was trying, for she became frustrated with the violin very quickly, but we're proud of her for sticking with it. She's improved so much!! I think next year she plans on playing again!

Isn't this the cutest picture of Hannah and Amanda? I snapped it yesterday, while we were up at the field for Rebecca's lax pictures. I won't even tell you how long it took to get Amanda to look in my direction! LOL Poor thing, she has a scratch between her eyes. I laid her down for her afternoon nap yesterday, and it was there when she got up! :( I try really hard to keep her nails short, but they grow so quickly!


Hannah's field hockey coach was taking the lax pictures!! She works part time, for a photo company. Rebecca was thrilled to have Coach Gabi take her pictures, and Hannah was happy to see her coach! :)


Isn't she pretty? And a little goofy, too! lol

Playing catch up!

I haven't blogged in a week! Ha! Bet you thought there's been nothing going on.. well, that's far from the truth! We've been pretty busy, actually. I'll try to play catch up here.. hopefully it won't bore you ;)
Let's see... we've had much better weather lately. I think Spring may finally be here. Though it would be Murphy's Law that after I write this, the cold temps will return! Let's hope not. Steve made it home early Friday, and was able to make it to Hannah's lax practice, and the school's Family Fun night. I made Hannah go to practice (which was only an hour), though she wasn't happy about it. But, I think it showed her coach that she's dedicated to her team, and the sport. She still got in 3 hours at Family Fun Night. She didn't miss out on anything.
Saturday, we spent the day running around between lax games. Rebecca had one in the morning, over near the Community College. As the girls were warming up, I noticed a little girl on the other team that I recognized. It was Patti's daughter, Victoria! I haven't talked to Patti in a while. It was nice to see her. Rebecca's team won their game.. I believe the score was 13-8. They're doing great this season! I had brought the camera, but after taking several pictures, realized I had forgotten to put the memory card in the camera! LOL We ended up stopping by friends house to borrow a card, since we wouldn't be going home before Hannah's game (which was nearby).
Stopped off in Glen Burnie for lunch, and ran into Hannah's coach! Had a nice, but quick lunch at The Glory Days Grill. Amanda was funny because she found the t.v., and was watching a horse race most of the time! lol Then it was off to Hannah's game! This game was a nail biter! The refs were HORRIBLE! They seemed to be favoring the other team, big time! Missed a lot of calls, and blatantly didn't call stuff that they saw. Hannah's team ended up losing by one point, in the last minute of the game, due to an obvious ignoring of a penalty on the other team. So frustrating! After Hannah's game, we ran home so that Hannah could get her bathing suit, and then I took her to her friend, Katelyn's house. Katelyn was having a few girls over after the game to chill out in the hottub (which they had set on 'cool'). Hannah stayed until 9:30pm! Rebecca had Jenna spend the night.
Sunday, we stayed around the house ... Hannah went to lunch with Tina, and in the evening, we grilled Hamburgers ;) Yum! At the last minute, we had a firepit and made s'mores. Invited Heidi and and her family over for the fun!
This week has been crazy so far, filled with school stuff.. mainly 5th grade graduation things. Deb and I ran around yesterday, getting things done, and today I did the same. We are down to the wire with it all now, but I have to say that this will be a fun end of school year!!! :)

Here's some exciting news!! Amanda rolled over!! Yes, we have now entered a new realm of babyhood! LOL Here's a little video that I shot last night. Sorry it's on the dark side, but you can get the drift! :)

31 cents worth of fun!

Hope you all remembered to visit your local Baskin Robbins last night. It was 31 cent scoop night! The girls and I met up with a bunch of friends after Rebecca's practice, last night. I allowed each of the girls to get two scoops, as did I. My total was less than $2! Pretty cool! Wish they'd have them more often! I'm sure they'd do A LOT of business, judging by how busy they were last night!

Well, it looks as though the sun is trying to come out.. finally. Better late, than never, I suppose. Would be nice if we actually hit 70 degrees, like they forecasted. I'm tired of the cold weather, and even more tired of all the rain! We just had a rain shower. Amanda and I ran out to the store, and got caught in it. I had more errands to run, but decided to come on home, for I had no idea how long the rain was going to last. It's not very easy toting a baby carrier around.. especially in the rain! LOL I may try to run out later this afternoon, after I pick up the girls. However, they have a bunch of chores to get done after they finish their homework, and Hannah has practice. I may run out of time :( Steve comes home tomorrow (hurray!), and I want to get the house in order for him. I'm going on a field trip with Rebecca's class tomorrow, so I won't be around during the day to do all the last minute stuff I want to. I tell you, there's always something to do around here!