Wedding Day Predictions

Jessie & Jay got married this past weekend in Springfield, IL. Mom, dad and Erin flew up for the celebrations and we had a great time! Jess looked gorgeous, of course, and it was obvious Jay couldn't wait to get married. They're off on their honeymoon and can't wait to see them when they get back. I'll post pictures at somepoint. Most of them involve me and Erin being the silly girls that we are at the Lincoln Museum. (part of the reception included a tour of the museum. pretty awesome.)

One of the most precious moments of the weekend was when my Aunt Nancy found a paper Jessie had written when she was nine years old. In it she predicted what each cousin would be doing a few years down the road. Some she nailed right on the head - like Alyse being a pro-wrestler and poker player who knows how to cheat. Others came close - like Erin being a super-model, like a queen of the super-models. For me, she said that I ran a mile in 24 seconds and won a thousand million dollars and now live in Paris. Oui oui!

I absolutely adore family and cannot wait for our family reunion in July!!!

Let's Joust!

This weekend Jessie and I escaped the insanity of St. Patty's Day crowds (really, I forget how many people live in this city until the weather turns warm) and headed to Barrington. An organization was holding a fundraiser of designer second-hand wedding dresses on sale for $50. We had to go! Jessie wasn't feeling confident of her dress (which is gorgeous and she looks amazing in it) and thought this might be a fun opportunity.

There were some pretty dresses, interesting dresses, and dresses straight out of a 1989 bridal magazine (puff sleeves made of pure lace). As many times as I've gone dress shopping with people I've never been tempted to try on a dress...until this weekend! I found one that was originally $3,000 and on sale for 50 bucks. It looked like it was straight out of a Jane Austen novel - so I HAD to try it. I mean, it was only my duty as an avid fan and thespian.

What do you think? For $50 I should have bought it and put it in my closet for a rainy day or homemade rendition of Sense and Sensability. It was fun to wear, but who has room for something like that in their closet? Let it be known that I would NOT wear a dress like this for my wedding. Unless we were getting married at Medieval Times.

Wedding Pics

Here's the link for more pictures from the wedding weekend.

Pictures from the wedding:


Here's a pic of a few of the cousin's at a wedding shower on Saturday morning:


Notice my chest is pretty much normal in this picture:


Now below you'll see the tragic response my skin had to the sun. I swear Chicago warmed up 10 degrees once I got off the plane from the radiating heat from my chest.


Me and the happy couple - Jeff & Alyse


I love this picture! Liam's cracking everyone up, as always.


They are watching uncle Bob sing. You can't tell that I'm totally tearing up. It was wonderfully sweet.


And then we party a little. Here I am tearing up the dance floor with dad.


Now what are the chances that I'd take two different pics with two different nephews and both would be crying and reaching for their moms. Well, it happened.

Surprise Wedding

No it's not my surprise wedding. That indeed would have been a surprise.

Today one of my closest and dearest friends from growing up got married! Courtney and her now husband, Jeferson, decided a week ago to forget the big wedding and just get on with life! So at a Texas Courthouse, Courtney & Jeferson and 35 of their closest friends and family gathered together to watch them say their "I Do's." I was so happy to be able to be home for the event. It was also fun to see friends I hadn't seen in a while.

Here are some pics from the blessed event. She looked beautiful and he is just adorable.

I'm Getting Married in the Morning!

Here I am in my wedding dress for Vanilla. Please God, don't let this be the last time I wear one!

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Who doesn't love that movie? "THOSE AREN'T PILLOWS!" Oh the joy.

I finally did make it to Birmingham on Friday just past noon. They lost my luggage and it took an hour to find someone who had a clue of what to do. I had to take a cab to the hotel and at that point I was just ready to shower and take a nap. I had had it. I showered and Becky let me borrow one of her shirts. I proceeded to go commando for the rest of the day. Needless to say, those jeans are now in the dirty laundry basket. Luggage still didn't arrive before the rehearsal dinner and thankfully Becky had an extra dress and a brand new pair of underwear. This way I wouldn't have any "Britney" mishaps. Later that night the luggage finally arrived and I brushed my teeth with glee! I did brush my teeth with Becky's toothpaste and my finger earlier in the day. It just doesn't quite get the sweaters off the teeth like a good Oral B toothbrush.

Note to self: always pack extra tampons in your carry-on luggage.

Note to self again: carry-on all your luggage.

Note to self thrice: A good friend is one who will let you have a brand new pair of their underwear.

Best Friends

Becky kindly pointed out in her comments on the "Jessie" entry that I have yet to post a picture from her wedding. I can't believe I didn't do that! It's probably because I went through an emotionally difficult time where I lost my identity, refused to shave my arm pits and only ate carrots all because Becky got married!

Beckles, did you mean pictures like these:

















There's nothing like being able to stand next to your best friend and celebrate a new journey in her life. Love you Beckles!

P.S. I have a great one of you and Russ and I'll add it soon.

Wedding Pictures

Here are some pictures from Rachel's wedding.
















Me and my old college roommate, Rachel (not the one that got married). This also happens to be the dress that flew over my head.




















The church where they got married. It was gorgeous! The glass walls let the autumn leaves shine through.




















The happy couple.

Marilyn Moment

It was great to see my friends this weekend at Rachel Robinson's wedding in Little Rock. I was able to see a lot of them and unfortunately they were able to see too much of me. Wearing a cute dress I walked out of a hotel bar only to be hit by a gust of wind that blew my dress over my head. With a loud scream I thrust my arms down to pin the dress to my legs. Unfortunately I realized I was too late as I looked just ahead of me into the eyes of the brides brother. Yeah, he saw me...all of me. Once again, I can walk away blush free because I had on my cute panties.

Anniversary

Sunday marked my three year anniversary here in Chicago. I celebrated by throwing a work event for over 10,000 people. It reminded me of how far I've come since I left on a 15 hour road trip with my dad three years ago. So much has happened in those three years. I've been blessed with great opportunities, wonderful friends and unforgettable memories. I thought it might be fun to highlight opportunities I've had since picking up my life and moving to Chicago.

1. Road trip with Dad
2. Slept on Kathie's couch for 4 months
3. Celebrated and mourned with the Cubs loss to the Marlins - Bartlett ball incident
4. Met Joss Stone
5. Got a great job, new roommates and an apartment all in ONE day
6. Ran 2 half marathons
7. Completed a sprint triathalon
8. Trip to Hawaii
9. Brother, Patrick, got married to Alicia
10. Erin & Chris had a baby
11. Best friend, Beckles, got married
12. Auditioned for the Second City Conservatory & got in!
13. Graduated from the Second City Conservatory
14. Made life-long friends from Second City
15. Finished the iO improv training program
16. Performed with Quick!Paddle!! at iO
17. Performed with Sable (my first improv show ever)
18. Auditioned and got cast in "Generation X-Communication"
19. Performed with friends in "Mockupations"
20. Asked to perform at House of Blues with Rebirth
21. First audition for a play and CAST!
22. One minute part in a seven minute play - "The Resignation"
23. Picked up Gary Hall Jr. from the airport
24. Learned to flyfish with my dad and patrick in Montana
25. Family trip to Vancouver
26. Climbed the Grouse Grind
27. Lost 20 pounds
28. Gained 20 pounds
29. Had many unsuccessful blind dates
30. Turned 30 and had my whole family celebrating with me
31. Skiing with my family in Breckenridge, Colorado
32. Went to Stacey, Rachel, Katherine and Lindsay's Weddings
33. Shook Harold Ramis' hand and talked to him about Second City
34. Re-introduced Chris & Marissa who ended up getting married
35. Bought a couch and oversized chair
36. Got numerous parking tickets
37. Part of the greatest small group ever
38. Live with my cousin, Jessie
39. Learned that I don't like beer but like a good Cider
40. Discovered Potbellies
41. Attended 2 plays at Steppenwolf with Helen
42. Met most of Chicago's top CEO's
43. Passed by Scott Speedman on Dearborn St.
44. Found the love of my life - "Dancing with the Stars"
45. Bonding with Auntie
46. Cubs games with roommates, dad, work, Ashley and Drewbie
47. Becky, Wendy, Katherine, Dow, Bunny, Marissa and Courtney visit me
48. Family Reunion in Myrtle Beach
49. Laser Hair Removal!!!
50. Discovered D'Agostino's thin crust extra sauce cheese pizza. mmmmm good.

I'm going to stop at 50. I think that's a good number. I am blessed beyond words and comprehension. So much can happen in three years. I took a risk by leaving everything I knew and look how much I've been able to do with my life. Three years passed by so quickly. I wouldn't change a thing. I want to make the most of the time that I have here.

I know that there are many things that I've failed to mention or momentarily forgotten. Please feel free to add any memories you've had with me over the last three years. I'd love to hear them!