Just another Friday night...

It is Saturday and today is Virginia Pride in downtown Richmond... I will be there with bells on and take pictures... it will probably not be as wild and crazy as you folks in SF, DC or other big cities...but should be fun none the less... Lady Bunny is the MC of the event... so we will see... now on to last night...

It was a long week and we needed to unwind... so we had some cocktails and headed out to Avalon for dinner and more drinks...

Stacey and Jeff early in the evening...

Should I have the red ketchup, red wine or red drink??

Kissy Kiss

3 queens... well two sassy girls and Raymond

Jeff, reflecting on the night... yeah, right!

The wrecking crew...
Back Row: Stacey, Jeff, Me, Carey
Front Row: Raymond, John

Sassy straight girls of the night... they loved us!

That is is for now... I will add roll call when I get back from the gym and shopping...

And the thunder rolls....

Well the storms have rolled through the area and we still have power and cable and I have hooked up my new HDTV cable box and it is fucking AWESOME to see McDreamy in hi-def... me oh my!!



So, I am now going to watch Grey's Anatomy and ER in HiDef surround sound...


Okay, so the wagon was put up early this week... screw it! I have new home theatre and Pride is this weekend... oh and I hit a new low.... 208.0.....Yippie Skippy!!!!

Roll Call:
Weigh-in: 208.0
Richmond Murders: 51st happened today in broad daylight... Go Richmond!!

My Name Is Kelly...and other answers...

Well, I did not get that many questions this week, but the few that I got were pretty good...so I have a challenge to you all to get your act together and ask me some questions next week. When something pops in your mind this weekend, put it on a post-it note and stick it on your computer for next Wednesday.

It is Pride time in Richmond, and October is around the corner, which is National GLTB Month...Coming Out Day is October 11th... We are moving closer to the important election here in Virginia... and I am asking that if you live in Virginia or have friends and family in Virginia... ask them to vote NO on Ballot Question #1... gay or straight, this Amendment to the Commonwealths Constitution is wrong...

Now on to what you all wanted to know... the answers to your questions...

From: Tony
Questions:
What one thing tells you 'inside' over and over again that you made the right decision when you chose Jeff to be your partner? In a quiet moment, staring a glance Jeff's way, what puts a smile on your face? Moments like the one to the left... Most of the time Jeff is a very serious person, very shy-like... but when he opens up, he is adorable. Other times when we are lying together hanging out in bed or on the sofa, he has this sweet southern innocence to him...(he also looks a lot like James Dean when he lays across my lap... I need a pic of it one day)...

I'd love to answer that question myself Kel, but Jeff's not my partner, unless you're not in a monogomous relationship. LOL. Got you on this one! Guess I get out of answering?! (I will let slide on this one)


From: cb
Simpsons vs. Family Guy- which is better? I will have to go with The Simpsons... though I do not watch either show often... The Simpson crack me up all the time... they are classic dude!

For me this is a difficult one to answer, as the Simpsons is quite simply a brilliant show. However, I think I give the nod to Family Guy- because its a bit fresher and more off-center.




From: Kel
Long time reader, first time question poser. Too bad I couldn't come up with a really good one. heh?
Do you encounter many people your own age who share the name Kelly? Were you the only Kelly in school? Were they boy Kellys or girl Kellys? How did your parents select the name they gave you?
Great question!!! When I growing up I used to try and go by my middle name of Scott...but it would always fail when Mom would call Kelly to dinner and it would ring out throughout the neighborhood... then in 7th grade I was at a new school and up until that point I had never had another Kelly in my class...then in 7th grade another Kelly came to town... and it was a he Kelly... and we spelled our names alike...and for a couple of years, it seemed we were the only Kellys and we were always in the the same class... he, though, became a jock and I a band geek... he got into drugs and I got into college... but as to how I got my name, well, my Mom only knew one Kelly that was a guy in school and decided that no matter what, her first child was going to be named Kelly--girl or boy... it was going to be Kelly Sue or Kelly Scott... well guess what? she got a Kelly Sue in a Kelly Scott body...hahahaha... so, that is how I got my name and though I hated it alot through Elementary and High School... I loved it in college and my days in the news... I was the only boy Kelly on a campus of 9000 students... then my name was very unique in the television market I was in... so lots of folks remembered my name... though lots of times I did not know theirs... sooo... Kellys are cool (wink to Canada and San Fran) and a wink to you for following my blog (mistakes and all...hehehe)

From: Ur-spo
Do you have any data on who reads your blog?... actually no... just where they come from... it seems most are in their 30's and 40's (some 50's)... seems to be a good variety of folks which is very nice...
I get the impression I am one of the older readers (44). and you are not old....

Thanks for your questions this week...

Roll Call:
Weigh-in: 209.0

A dogs life...

As I mentioned last night, we took delivery of some of our new furniture yesterday... and you know it is comfortable when the dogs make themselves at home on it... I know a lot of folks do not allow pets on furniture, but we are suckers for cute faces and cuddling with the pups... so as long as they do not chew the new furniture to shreds, we should be okay...

Cricket made herself comfortable on the new love seat and Pino took over the chair.... the new sofa and ottoman should arrive in a couple of weeks...

Don't forget to check the previous post... I need your questions and answers...

Also, has Blogger Beta gotten any better??? I was thinking about toying with it tonite...

TTFN! Happy Hump Day!

Well...

This weekend is the Virginia Pride Festival. We did not have it last year, but it is good to see that it is back this year, a very important year here in Virginia with the possibility of an Amendment being approved that would limit any kind of partnership, gay or straight, that resembles a marriage other that of one man and one woman. It will be interesting to see if any politicians have the balls to show up to the event. It is actually taking place somewhere different this year, actually in downtown Richmond at the 17th Street Market Place, right in the heart of where all the straight people go on the weekend. It should be a fun event and if you are in Richmond, go show support for equality and also have some fun. There will be more openminded people there than you can shake a stick at. Then there is the after party at one of the clubs down there. Should be a blast and I will take lots of pictures. Though I am sure they will not compare to those of other larger city Pride events.

I came home from the gym tonite and was going to read over peoples blogs, but I guess blogroll is down. So I am going to make this post and then grab some food. We did get most of new furniture, but still have to wait for the sofa and ottoman... I will take pics and post when we get things organized. But you know what time of the week it is kiddies...tis Whadda ya want Wednesday? Shoot me a question in the comments and also leave your answer to the same question... I love this time of the week... so shoot!

Roll Call:
Weigh in: 208.8

President Allen... I don't think so...

I mentioned before that Virginia's Senator Allen has had a bad case of foot in mouth disease. And that came to the forefront again yesterday here in Richmond as he joined a dozen or so black ministers to support the Marshall/Newman Amendment that would make anything that looks or resembles marriage illegal and non binding, unless you are a man and a woman with a legal marriage license... hmmm, sounds like we are pushing one particular faiths ideas on marriage down the throat of everyone... in a country that promotes 'religous freedom'... mmm hmmmm... and the following quote from Senator Allen last week... do you think anyone will jump on him about this... again lets have a partnership license for ANY couple who wants it... let the churches deal with marrying or not marrying a couple...

Asked on Monday about published stories that his grandfather on his mother's side was Jewish, Allen said:

"You know what, our first freedom in our country was freedom of religion, where people's rights are not enhanced or diminished on account of their . . . religious beliefs. . . . As we try to stand up free and just societies, that's the first pillar of a free and just society. And to be getting into what, what religion my mother is, I don't think is relevant. . . . And so I'd like to ask you, why is that relevant? . . . My mother is French Italian with a little Spanish blood in her. And I've been raised, and she was, as far as I know, raised as a Christian. . . . But let's ask questions about issues that really matter to people here, in Virginia, . . . the land of opportunity for all. And I'll say one other thing. Preserving our foundational values, and one of those values is, freedom of religion, and not making aspersions about . . . because of their religious beliefs."

I don't think Allen will be able to pull out a win in his run for Senate now... and bye, bye to Presidential hopes... if Allen keeps talking, the Webb campaign will save a ton of money in advertising... Allen is keeping all the bad press on himself... hehehe

Other things....
I broke 20,000 visits over the weekend... wahoo!!!!

Most of our new furniture arrives today... I will take photos and post later...

Think of the questions for tomorrow... I will asking for them later on tonite...

Roll Call:
Weigh-in: 210.6
Richmond Murders: 50ish

Allen, new toys, beer, vodka and other Sunday type things

It is Sunday... Jeff is working, Carey is holding an open house and it is just me and the dogs...

YO! Just me and my dogs hanging out!

(My dogs would be Cricket, Pino and Abbie)

and speaking of dogs... should my Male dog be laying like this??
He still pees like a girl doggie and then lays like this...
Is Pino gay??? I will love him anyway... hehe

I have been good... went to the gym...
Do I look soooo 80ish, John Travolta in "Perfect"
Where is my Jamie Lee... oh he is working...

I also hit the grocery store and then Blockbuster to get a vampire movie (which I am watching as I work on this)...nothing like a Vampire movie to break in the new home theatre... I am looking forward to all new ABC tonite... Extreme Home Makeover, Housewives and a new show with Sally Fields that looks pretty cool...

So at the gym today, I was watching the politcal crap on TV and Virginia's very own Sen. Allen was in the headlines... It seems that in a live debate that took place last week, a reporter asked about Allens mother and she being Jewish... he flipped out... said he was raised Christian and then got pissed at the reporter and asked why religion had to be brought up... stating that religion should not be brought up and should be kept seperate from politics... well then, why to the republicans bring religion up every time same sex marriage is brought up... I mean, hell they stand on the Bible to preach how wrong same sex marriage is, but as soon as someone is dragged out of the religion closet as something other than he really is... they want to push religion aside... come on Republicans... make up your mind... seperate Church and State... lets have partnership licenses all around... and let the church decide whether to perform a ceremony or not... gay or straight... Jewish or Catholic... whatever... just don't use religion to make laws then turn around and say that it is not important when it comes to your own political survival. I think Webb may have just won the election with this gaff by Sen. Allen.

"What did I do now???"

I want a new profile pic... here are #1 and #2

and choices #3 and #4...

Jeff bought a bunch of these cute Mums this weekend and planted them.
I love the yellow and orange color...

Our yard is looking like a jungle...
It will last a couple of more weeks, then it will be soo bare...

So there is my Sunday thus far... I am going to take out this horrible movie and watch something else... it is too cloudy for any sun today... shows come on in a few hours... wahoo!!! I hope everyone has had a great weekend... now start thinking about questions for Wednesday...

Roll Call:
Weigh-in: 209.8
Richmond Murders: I think it is still at 50... we are due for a big one though
Chances Sen. Allen will win in Nov: getting slimmer everyday he speaks
Richmond Pride takes place on Saturday!!!

Boys and their Toys

Okay... I took Friday off to spend with Jeff and we bought new living room furniture... Today we went out looking for a new surround sound system since our other one pretty much shit the bed... so I have been in electronic heaven for the last two weekends... it is not like we are rich or anything, but the lords of credit have been getting us in trouble... but we don't have to pay for any of the following items until 2008... no interest no payments... gotta love it when companies are trying to clear out stuff... we will likely pay this off with tax returns and bonuses after first of the year... but I am giddy as a school girl... I love all my new toys.... and here they are...

Jeff bought me the iHome for my iPod for our Anniversary last week..

This is my fat, bloated ass, unpacking the new toys today...
We got a new flat panel television and surround sound...
A new home theatre... and it rattles the walls!!!

So here are three of my favorite things...
Vodka/Fresca... new laptop and new television
the TV is flat panel with ambience lighting wich is sooo coool..
the back lighting changes with whatever is playing on the screen...

and this is me... all smiles...
I love Jeff for getting all these new toys for me...

Roll Call:
Weigh-in: 209.4
Richmond Murders: 50ish

It's late and I have new toys and have a good drunk going on

It is really late and I am drunk...go figure... vodka frescas will do it to you... today was a fun day of sorts... as I mentioned in previous post, I took it off so Jeff and I could spend time together and go shopping... well, we shopped...lordy did we...

first i went to the gym and weighed in at 208.0, which is a new low for me.. wahoo!!!! and I had to wear the hat backwards and all at the gym... how cool am I???

We actually went shopping to look for a new sofa because the dogs over the last year have ripped a hole in the leather sofa and we needed to replace it... so we went shopping... and guess what???

we bought this set of furniture... no interest no payments until 2008
and we need it...kinda.. heee

This led to us switching the the living room and dining rooms... more pics to come on that one, once new furniture is delivered next month...

Here is Jeff and the dogs hanging out after we moved furniture around...
Tooo cute!!!!

So... Carey wanted to buy my laptop and I wanted to get a new laptop... so we went to the chop shop where I get my stuff and bought this laptop, which I have been spending all night loading everything on... well updating pics and stuff... that is why I am sooo drunk... I love the new smaller version of the laptop...

The new laptop is coool for now.. still working on it...

Me taking a self pic drinking... I am wasted and need to go to bed

Thanks for tuning in... will see you later this weekend... it already seems like it is Sunday..

HA HA HA... I am off work today...

Okay... now that I have said that, work will call and I will have to go in I am sure... but I have taken today off... I put it on the calendar last week, so it is not a "sick day". Jeff is off today and tomorrow and we wanted to spend time together... and spend money... we have errands to run and things to do today... hopefully we will be able to sneak in some sunshine and get a tan...So we started the weekend off right by sitting on the front porch with friends and neighbors shooting the shit... so here are some pictures and there is also a late night video of the guys being silly...hehee

Pictures of the front of the house... I like the American flag with the rose shadow.


This spider has taken up residence above the water feature in our front yard

Jeff... No pictures please!!


This is David, our neighbor from across the street...
He is a crazy old queen... and I tell him that to his face...
Very nice guy...

This is Justin... a friend of Careys who stopped by to say hello

Carey lighting up... again


and me in my lounge wear for the evening...

They are going to kill me for posting this video...

Roll Call:
Weigh-in:
Richmond Murders: 50ish

Bad blogger...bad bad bad...*whack of ruler across back of hand*

I feel soooo bad... I ask you all to send me questions and I said I would answer, and last night I overlooked one and did not post it... cb, I am sooo sorry. I was not ignoring you. Maybe it was lack of sleep and long day at work, but I am sorry.....

Please forgive me....

(these are the best puppy dog eyes I can do right now)

From: cb
What would you say your favorite travel destination is? Or better yet, what's the most awesome place you've ever visited and why? I would have to say I really loved Puerto Vallarta...being in a whole other culture... we stayed in a part of the city that was not super commercialized and was very neat... and very gay friendly... I also loved San Juan and really look forward to going back to both places... both very beautiful... I would like to give Spain a twirl some day and Jeff and I have talked alot about Buenos Aries...(you see a latin theme going here??)

Mine was New Zealand. I wasn't wild about going initially (it was with family- and we toured in a camper van for 2 weeks). But I gotta tell you, it was utterly fantastic. I am reminded of the line from "the color purple" when Nettie sees the African coast for the first time and she says something struck inside her like a large bell.

I know what she meant.

Again I apologize for not including your question and answer yesterday... it was not intended... and if anyone else ever catches me not including a question... please let me know...

Our long weekend has started...the vodka fresca is flowing and pictures have already been taken... i will post throughout the weekend..which is sure to be a drunken fun adventure...

TTFN

Answers Please....

Well, you asked and well, I am answering... so here we go...

From: Tony
Kel...This past week or so you did a post on what concerts you recall having attended over your lifetime. Let's see how much culture you have been exposed to. What plays, musicals, and/or ballets have you attended in your lifetime? I saw CATS in high school at the National Theatre in DC on school trip, The Nutcracker a couple times as a kid by Lynchburg Fine Arts, I played Walt Waldowski in MASH in high school and was in a couple of one-act plays... never did much in college... Then at Snowshoe I always took in the annual Music in the Mountains Symphony Perfomance (4 times) where the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra did two big performances over a nice cool weekend in August outdoors under a tent on top of the mountain with wine and food tastings... soo freaking awesome... and yes, WV does have an excellent orchestra... I even went to see them do show tunes special in Charleston once... very good... since I have been in Richmond, Jeff and I have seen Mamma Mia (twice) and Evita...

As for me, the majority of my cultural exposure has been to musicals and that started at an early age, thanks to my eighth grade teacher, Sister Therese...yes I went to a Catholic grammer school. My first cultural exposure started in the eighth grade. I saw three musicals that year, 2 put on by the San Francisco State Theatrical Dept. They were Canterbury Tales (awesome) and Sweet Charity. The 3rd one that year was by a professional group and it was Jesus Christ, Superstar. I saw the Nutcracker when I was in high school, performed by the San Francisco Ballet troupe. I was also privy to seeing Westside Story and Oklahoma performed by fellow classmates in high school (in conjunction w/ a few of the local Catholic All-girl high schools...yes I went to an Catholic All-boys high school).

I had a lapse in college. In my twenties, I saw a production in Santa Ana, CAlifornia which for the life of me escapes my mind. But the images of the singing "and dancing" are still vivid in my mind.

In my mid thirties I saw Phantom of the Opera three times within 2 years. Can you tell I was a bit GaGa over that musical...absolutely stunning and my far my favorite to date. I also saw the RIVERDANCE production.

In my forties, basically within the past year here, I saw the musicals, Spamalot (next in line as my favorite-a musical comedy/parody), Wicked, and The Lion King.

I could throw in two symphony productions seen in high school, performed by the SF Symphony but I can't recall what composeer the pieces were from. So I guess I have answered my bit. Now you Kel.

From: Ur-spo
In all your "Whadda want to know Wednesdays", you have been asked a lot of quetions. So - is there a question you are hoping to be asked but no one has asked it yet? I honestly can't think of one... more afraid of having to answer really personal questions I guess...
What is that question? You guys will just have to keep asking... hehehe
And what is the answer too please!

From: Rian
Kelly, here's what I want to know. Imagine a gay fairy grants you one wish that will come true no matter what it is in exchange for something very precious you already have. I.e. you need to say good bye to something you really like to get something you like even more. You can't offer her crap, it must be something of (intangible) value. What would you offer her and what's your wish? I would want to be immortal and not age... I would give up my ability to negotiate... which has saved my ass from getting beat up, saved me money and gotten me quite a bit...

My wish would be to be able to fly, I would fly to the US back and forth, and I would offer her my programming skills, which is the biggest and currently most important skill I have and which pays my bills.

From: Steven
Time for the question you probably were never waiting for...
Do you smell your fingers after eating chicken or ribs?
See? Told ya. I smell and suck my fingers after a lot of things...even eating sometimes...
**
I do not.
I suck mine, then use the napkin to dry off my fingers.

From: John
Hi Kelly,
How are you? How's Jeff and the babies (pups)? I am fine, Jeff is fine, and the kids are okay
My question is: How do you relieve stress? Gym, Sex, Masterbation, Vodka Fresca, soaking in hot tub
In my most recent post I wrote about how cleaning the house relieves my stress. I like to get down on my knees and really scrub the tiles--it's the only way to get them clean. And I oddly hum/sing/whistle "Whistle While You Work" from Snow White.

Roll Call:
Weigh-in: 210.4
Richmond Murders: 50ish

McGreevey, New Blogger and questions...

I just wanted to make a real quick post about a few things this morning...

I watched the former NJ Governor this morning on The Today and his long interview with Matt Lauer... I must say I am very impressed. I was expecting something else. I don't know what, but I was not expecting what I saw. This man was very well spoken, did not stumble when asked tough questions and took the blame for everything he did. While two years ago I thought this man slapped the gay community in the face and set us back, today I feel different. Yes, he is pumping his new book, but the purpose he says, is to make people understand than when they make people live secret lifestyles, those people tend to be a little more careless in some of their choices in order to keep their lifestyle secret. He is basically saying some of his mistakes he made, he is responsible for and takes the blame. He also says he feels much better now that he has really gotten everything out in the open. Hell, I think I will ask Santa to buy me the book for Christmas. It might be a good read.

I also wanted to point you folks to someone new to the blogging world. My Big Fat Blog is a new blog that I have added to my blogroll. This guy was someone who was an intern at the TV station I worked at in Roanoke, VA and I think he was trying to figure me out back then... He has since gone on to work at a couple of stations and is now in the DC Area. So if you get a chance head over to Thomas's site and show him some love. He is a good guy and so far the few entries he has made have been very entertaining. I think you will like it.

And FINALLY....

WHADDA YA WANT TO KNOW??? (and your answers too)... I will be answering later tonite... so go to previous post and leave your questions and answers in the comment section... Look forward to hearing from you guys and gals...

TTFN...

Hmmm...whadda ya know??

Howdy folks... lots going on with work... lots going on in the world... and I am too fried to think about it... but it is come down to the time of the week where we get to learn a bit about each other. So let's here it... whadda ya want to know?? and be prepared to answer your own questions. Throw out some good questions... politics...television...life what ever you want... I enjoy this time of the week and look forward to what you guys have to say... until tomorrow... smooches!

Roll Call:
Weigh-in: 210.6
Richmond Murders: holding steady at 50ish
I am going to quit the storm count... no more fun (unless one heads our way)
Gas Price: $2.14... I actually saw it that cheap... and oil dropped again today
My Stock: I am still ahead... call your local guitar shop and ask for Grem Guitars
So many new shows on TV...season premiers galore!
Happy Happy Joy Joy!!! Someone give me lots of money so I can retire... I will help those who need help... hehehe... a few million would be nice... lets vote some politicians out of office...

Soapbox please....

I am coming off a weekend where I celebrated being engaged for two years... I would love nothing more than to take the next step and have a wedding, but this may not be possible in the current place I live... and soon it may get harder, if not impossible to do so. Virginia has always been pretty conservative in its views on things, but history has also shown that it has broken a few barriers too (but it has been a while and the Supreme Court had to push the whole Interacial Marriage issue). Now, this November, residents of this Commonwealth will be voting on a Constitutional Amendment to ban contract that even resembles marriage, gay or straight. If this amendment passes, we are looking at a whole bunch of court cases down the road, and not just from same sex couples. Just about any contract between two unmarried people will be up in the air. For the most part, I don't think it will effect many folks, but I do think it will bring some greedy folks out of the woodwork. When it comes to insurance policies, wills, and who gets to make medical decisions, all this will come into question regardless of being gay or straight. Basically if you are not legally married, you could be screwed. Let's put it this way for any of you straight folks who may happen along my blog... Say you are a female... you have been dating your love for several years and you guys get engaged. You buy cars, a home, even have a kid... yet you are not married. You are saving money so you can have nice wedding... You and your fiancee' are now rolling into year two or three of the engagement, you know this is the one. Problem, your family doesn't really like your fiance'... especially your mother... So one day you are driving home from work and BAM! you are hit by a tractor-trailer. You cannot make your own medical decisions and guess what, neither can the love of your life... it will be up to your mother, I mean she is your immediate family afterall... and lets say you unfortunately pass away... guess what, that kid, the kid can go to your mother too... your fiance' is just some person you happen to have a contract with, but even though the kid is yours, it can legally be taken by her mother since you never entered into a legal marriage... the mother, who was not fond of you... she can also challenge any agreements you and your fiance' entered into... I know this is extreme, but I think it will take a very high profile case of someone famous for this to really wake up some folks as to what this amendment would really do to people in this Commonwealth and this country... so if you live in Virginia... get out and vote NO to the Amendment...it will be Ballot Question #1... Here are a few links and the commercial that the Commonwealth Coalition is trying to raise money to play on television... Even if you do not live in Virginia if you could send these folks support financially or just drop them an email supporting them and their efforts this vote could turn the tides, not just in Virginia, but other states and this country.

Commonwealth Coalition: they are heading up the fight against this horrible Amendment
Equality Virginia: fight for the GLBT in Virginia
HRC: fight for GLBT folks all across this country
Project Vote Smart: go here to register to vote
Gay Pride Virginia: Takes place September 30th in Richmond... show some love




I now scoot the soapbox back into the closet... Have a great Tuesday!

Two Great Years....

It was a Friday two years ago when I officially proposed to Jeff... he had wanted to take a long weekend and get-a-way for a few days... So one of my coworkers family had a house in Nags Head, NC and offered a really good deal for Friday through Monday stay... and I had been thinking that I really had found the "one" and I wanted to take the relationship to another level, in hopes he would feel the same... So, I went to Zales and bought the masculine looking Titanium ring... I hid it in my car... I thought he and I would take a long walk one evening and I would do some cheezy type thing, you know... Hey look at this shell Jeff... isn't it pretty... I also thought of a romantic sunset dinner... but I needed to wait until we got there so I could see what there was at the house and near where we were staying...

So Jeff and I head out around lunchtime on Friday... it was only about a 3 hour trip, so when we got there it was still sunny and kinda warm for this time of year... the house was a 3 story house with a swimming pool and hot tub... halfway between the ocean and the sound... it had nice views... so we unpacked the car and changed clothes... but since it was dead and our other friends (another couple) were not going to be there until 9 or so, we got naked and romped around the pool... laid in the sun and made a few phone calls to relatives and friends because we had heard about some storms that moved through Richmond after we left... dinner time rolled around, we needed more cocktails, so we moved up to the third floor kitchen/living room area for a snack... well things happened and we were all over the living room... in the midst of things, Jeff held me close and said "I don't know what I would do without you in my life"... at that moment I knew what I had to do...

After we fixed us some drinks and went to sit on the back porch in big wooden rocking chairs (Jeff and I have always wanted these)...I excused myself to run to the bathroom... I snuck (?) down to my car, got the ring out the box, and went back upstairs... I did the idle chit chat for about 2 secs when Jeff finished his cigarette...then got out of my rocker and down on my knee... at this point, I pulled out the ring and don't really remember what I said... but I think it was something along the lines of... If you are willing to spend the rest of your life with me, I am ready to spend mine with you... I want to grow old and sit in rockers like these with you... I was shaking like a leaf and so was he... tears grew in his eyes and he said yes... I put the ring on his finger, and we kissed... then I felt bad, because the ring was waayyyy too big for is finger... misjudgement on my part...but the sweetest thing was, he kept it on and held it tight for the rest of the weekend... well, unless we were swimming or something where he might loose it... he wanted to keep it on sooo bad... it was sooo sweet... Carey and Jesse showed up that night, we all had drinks and celebrated... the weather turned on us due to a hurricane or something, so we could not hit the beach, but we had a great time anyway... it was nice cool weather... we lounged in bed, in the hot tub, in the pool, on the sofa... the only worry we had was when we ran out of vodka... but thank goodness there was a liquor store near by... It was, by far, one of the best weekends I have ever had...

We did hit the Wright Brothers Memorial and Museum before we headed home... and before we even went home to unpack... we drove straight to the mall... the sassy saleswoman who helped me before was working and we got Jeff a ring that fit his finger a little better and then ordered mine to match...

A couple of months later he sold his house and WE bought our first house together...and that is where we currently live... We want a wedding... but Virginia does not allow it... we have discussed Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada for a ceremony... also, depending on this years elections, we may even consider a move outside the Commonwealth of Virginia... but we live day to day... and I think we have grown to love each other even more over the last two years... previous to our engagement, we were "courting" each other for about 18 months... November 15th will be four years since our first "date", so to speak... I have found someone who makes me laugh, makes me cry and makes me love...I only wish others the luck of finding someone who can do the same for them... as I have mentioned in previous posts... any relationship is going to have its ups and downs....but it is the downs that strengthen the relationship and the ups that keep it going...and I think our will keep going, because I think we have had a lot more ups than downs... but the downs always bring us closer together...

This is us at the Wright Brothers Memorial in Nags Head 2 years ago
and us on Friday...

Jeff... I love you!

Drink Drank Drunk

I took half a day off on Friday so Jeff and I could hang out on his day off... this weekend marks two years he and I have been engaged...(and if Virginia doesn't wake up, we may be engaged forever)... Jeff got me this awesome thing that I can put my iPod on...it is like a mini stereo with alarm clock... too cool...we had a gift certificate for $100 we won, and it was to this French Bistro in the Carytown area of Richmond, so we decided to head over there to look around, have a few cocktails and grab lunch... we went to Cancan (the restaurant where we have the gift) and really were not to hip on the lunch menu... so..

We had cocktail number 1 around 2:30 and decided to head down the street for a snack, then come back to Cancan for dinner

We headed to the New York Deli, where Sassy Pants (Catina) was our bartender... she was a hoot... we had some Bruchetta and drinks 2-6 I think...

The Deli had one of those photo machines... so we hopped in and took these crazy ugly photos...
chins and all... but it was fun...

I took this pic of Jeff from outside New York Deli... too f-ing cool

We then headed back to Cancan where we had the likes of Yordan here, to wait on us...and that is Yordan with his back to us and Jason is the fine guy next to him taking someones order...Jeff ordered mussells to start...
he fought with them...and this one lost out... mussel down!!Hey! Do I have an umbrella sticking out of my head??
This after cocktail ??...

It would not be a celebration without a cosmo...

This poor woman and her friend got seated next to us... and we hit it off... Barbara was great! She and her friend Coleen were way too funny...

Lordy...what a day... needless to say, we blew through the $100 gift certificate easily... but it was a great day spent in Carytown... we walked home... threw in the movie Hellbent... and then I woke up around 11:30 on the sofa... yea... I passed out real early... like 9ish... vodka all day will do that to you... I LOVE YOU JEFF!!!

Roll Call:
Weigh-in: 208.6 this morning at gym... NEW LOW!!!!!