help!

I have some Christmas money to spend.

I have the whole of Chicagoland at my disposal.

But I have no idea where to shop for myself!  Guess it has been that long since I've 1) lived in a place that has had more than Wal-Mart available and 2) shopped for myself.

Please, please, please tell me where to go shopping (and then come hold my hand and tell me what to buy) before I make a fool out of myself.

help wanted...

So...I managed to erase all of the information on my phone. Nice. 

Will all of you lovelies please Facebook, text, or email me your contact information?  Thank you thank you.

raise your hand if this applies to you.

this top is called the "driggs ex-boyfriend shirt'"

i think this is the official "shanty shirt" for the next reunion.

all in favor?

all in favor, say i.

i propose we make this blog private.

so does lara.

{we just spoke of it over the phone.  so, lara already says i.}

for my own selfish reason: i can tell you all - the people of whom my nighttime dreams still revolve around and who are likely the only ones who really need to know - the hilarious and painful dirty details of the worst date i've ever been on. and that's saying a lot.

since i was set up on this date by a mother/daughter/other daughter trio of blog readers, i can't tell the tale on my blog, for the things i have to say about this boy would make his mother cry.

beyond my own selfish reason: no one else needs to know {or cares to know} the details of our shantirific lives. 

anyone out there want to second our motion?

a birthday wish...

Unlike our friend Aubry, I don't like birthday fuss. In fact, I always try to keep it hush hush and avoid all "happy birthday" phone calls from my family...including my mom...the one person who should be able to wish me well because it was her who gave me a birthday in the first place. I don't even list my birth date on my facebook page because I don't like the fuss. Is that strange? Don't get me wrong, I would never turn down a present (I'm not that strange) nor do I mind getting older. I am happy to celebrate the birthdays of family and friends...just not mine. HOWEVER, since this is a landmark year for me (and Aubry too for that matter) and turning thirty seems like a reason to celebrate...my birthday wish is this:

I want to hang with my Shanty girls for a few days.

I know it is highly unlikely seeing that September 2nd isn't the most opportune day of the year to get together, nor is Kansas City a prime travel destination...but I can dream, right? I would even be willing to postpone my celebrations until October 15th because that is the day of the Kansas City half marathon. All of you could come stay at my home and run the race with me. Doesn't that sound divine??? Kansas City is no NYC, but I am sure I can put together something magical.

Well, that is my wish. No offense will be taken when it can't come true but that is all I want for the big 3 - 0.

shanty love.

i'm wearing my shanty shirt today . . . and have actually been wearing it a lot lately.

i think i miss you all.

xoxo from boise.

we'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow

today at spin i had a vision...

it was all of us shanty girls enjoying a lovely weekend (or week?) in an exotic location like key largo... relaxing by the pool, snorkeling, lying on the beach, drinking delicious virgin drinks, shopping, and eating a lot.

it was a lovely daydream, and it got me through a vicious hill we were climbing. (i love spin.)

anyway...

josh and i like to dream big. we always play the "when we're rich" game. but i always tell him that's why we went into major debt to go to cornell... to get rich! right?!

and i always say, more than anything else, i would love to be able to have enough money to pay for family and friends to be together. to be able to say to my family, "hey, we've got this reunion covered. everyone just show up!" or, "alright shanty girls, your tickets are paid for, bring your bathing suits!"

this would be my ultimate dream.

my love language is quality time. (can i get an amen, aubry?)

so it may take a while, but in a few years if you all get an email from me asking for a weekend when you're all free, be expecting something great...

it will happen!