Just like Montell Jordan...

"THIS IS HOW WE DO IT..."

Sometimes, there is nothing you can do.

Just a little bit of this....

A lot of this....

And Finally....

...AGAIN!

It was....

my mother-in-laws birthday ... and that, is funny.


Let me explain. Dan is wonderful. He is smart and helpful and just an all around stud -- but, he is horrible at remembering birthdays.

When Dan and I got married we put all the birthdays/anniversaries on our calender and in our address book so we didn't forget*. I love sending cards and wish I could get paid to send cards and write letters. Anyhow, so Dan, Annika (the cute girl I nanny) and I went strawberry picking with Dan's mom, (from this point on -- she will be referred to as Mom) just for fun because I wanted to make Jam and needed her help.

We arrive at the house with a post dated Mother's Day present in hand and give it to mom. She smiles and says thank you as she opens it. Within the hour we are all in the car on our way to pick strawberries. I am in the front seat because of course, Annika, just as all the little girls we watch, has to sit by Dan, and the phone ring. YAY, it is Aunt Shelly - Or Mom's sister. I answer and here is our conversation.

Shelly: Is Stephanie there?

Me: Yeah, this is Amanda! How are you?

Shelly: Good. I was just calling to talk to the Birthday girl.

Me: Speechless (with a look to kill on my face as I turn around to Dan)

Me: Hands the phone to mom

Me: (To Dan) Today is your Mother's Birthday

Dan: (Looks at watch at bit confused) The 21st?

Me: Yeah, Today.

You see, Dan told me that her birthday was the 24th. We didn't mention her birthday. Not once, I mean really.... we had no idea.

Moral of the story -- send birthday cards in the mail. (Ha)

Anyhow, we had a lot of fun picking strawberries. Dan and I alone picked almost 19 lbs of those beautiful red beast. I was awesome. Then we took mom to lunch, because that is what you do when you forget it is someones birthday, and made jam until 4:30.

Here are some pictures from the extravaganza.

BEST STRAWBERRY PICKER EVER

CUTEST STRAWBERRY JAM MAKERS EVER

BEST STRAWBERRY EATER EVER

BEST KEEPER OF OLD THINGS* EVER

*Interesting -- Dan found the Fruit Pectin in the garage -- It expired in 1987. I found this milk in the fridge, it expired on May 4th. Today was May 21st, mom's birthday.... ... I'll let you decide on what has aged the best.

163 miles (one way)

I am really tired of driving to Charlotte.

It takes forever and is only slightly rewarding.

Okay, actually this weekend wasn't so bad. We got to spend the day with Jackie (LOVE HER) and Jericho which is was fun.

Here is my favourite picture from our trip to Carowinds (maybe I'll add more later).

It's because we shop at Wal-Mart....

....that we run into stupid people.

Some friends of ours (Marco & Meredith) recently posted a blog entry about the price of bread & milk in Hawaii.

Dan and I were checking out at Wal-mart one day and the cashier said, "I've noticed people are buying less and less these days." So, I relayed to story about how much stuff was in Hawaii and said, "At least it isn't that bad". A little confused the lady said, "Well, isn't Hawaii still part of the U.S.".

I laugh -- but, it's crazy. Dan was born in Hawaii and he said milk has always been pricey. Back in the later 80's it was apparently $4 dollars a gallon.

Apartment hunting

5 hours, 32 phone calls and one lunch with a friend in Charlotte later -- we still have no apartment.

Why? Well-- while we were apartment searching Dan and I spoke to a group of officers who told us about CMPD.ORG - you can check out crime "hot spots*"...







*Aparently, Charlotte is a crime hot spot.

Dan and I each took 3 classes the semester. I think we had about 11 hours each. I checked both Dan and my grades on-line today. Dan is smart and not as far along as me so, he takes harder classes... He made straight B's.

Me: "GOOD JOB, DAN!"

Dan: "How did you do this semester?"

Me: "I made enough A's to spell my name!"

A-m-A-nd-A

This is for you....

Yes, I am posting an anonymous post in my own blog.... because I love being your friend and you will appreciate this.

Just look. Yesterday, May 4th, was apparently National Infertility Survival Day, a national day... to celebrate as the website says...but Read on... It gets better.

Interesting facts -- in case you don't go to the link...

• Just like Mother’s Day, when all the hard work that goes into motherhood is celebrated, on National Infertility Survival Day, we celebrate and honor couples who are desperately trying to become parents.
• The holiday was founded in 2004 by Beverly Barna, author of Infertility Sucks! Keeping it All Together When Sperm and Egg Stubbornly Remain Apart

Also, for those of you who are not burdened with the pains of infertility -- here are some heart breaking facts.

• One in six couples (17%) trying to get pregnant will experience some degree of infertility
• Infertility affects 6.1 million American women and their partners
• Approximately 30 percent of couples who have a complete assessment are diagnosed with unexplained infertility because no specific cause is identified.
• More than 70,000 babies have been born in the U.S. as a result of all assisted reproductive technologies, including 45,000 as a result of in vitro fertilization.

* Dan and I are not infertile... (Not that we know of anyway... but, I do understand the feelings associated with infertility.)

Over Due?

Yes, long over due. That is exactly what this entry is.

An interesting fact about Dan and I -- we really want kids. I like that. I mean, I like that Dan and I are on the same page when it comes to our family. Anyhow, that is just a little tangential and irrelevant.

I'm excited. I have one on-line exam left and them I will be done with classes for a few months. I feel like I haven't had a break in... forever! We have a lot of things coming up this summer. I think the schedule goes something like a week trip to Florida (with work) wedding, trek, wedding, moving, wedding, wedding... and then school starts. Gotta love those weddings. However, Dan and I did get Carowinds passes so, if anyone ever wants to go then we are totally up for the fun.

Besides the typical stress of life - we are really happy. I love being able to say that because for some reason people get married and seem like it is terrible. I reject all of those negative feelings and enjoy being with Dan... I mean, we have our moments but, typically end up laughing about them a few minutes later.