Happy Birthday, Stacy!

This is my awesome friend, Stacy---she turns one year closer to 40 today :)  Stacy is married to Ryan and is a school teacher in Washington.  She has two daughters, Riley (see pic) and Erin.

I met Stacy in 1995 in Big Sky, Montana.  We worked together at the 320 Guest Ranch in Gallatin Canyon.  That was the same year we got to know our hot and famous friend Mark Norby who is Matthew McConaughey's stunt double and buddy.  We spent most evenings at the Half Moon Saloon drinking and carousing.  Sometimes we had to work the breakfast shift at the Ranch.  One night Stacy drank so much that she spent our shift the next morning puking in the bathroom, and I had to work all by myself.  Thanks, Stacy!

Stacy's grandmother always told her that she looks like Connie Selleca, and it is pretty much true--just check out this picture!

Happy birthday, Stacy :)

My girl, Angela

This is my beautiful friend Angela and her daughter, Clare. Angela and her husband Bill live outside of Roanoke, VA with their children, Clare and Will. Angela and I met while working at The Riverwood Restaurant in Blowing Rock, NC in 1991. I was a waitress and Angela was a bartender/wine expert. Those are what I would call 'the good ole' days'.

Angela and I have so many wonderful memories. This picture is from Halloween 1995 when we dressed up as midgets! Yes, indeed--we thought we were pretty crafty. Anytime I hang out with this girl my cheeks hurt from laughing--we have such a great time. On top of all that, Angela is one of the most non-judgmental people I have ever known, and a wonderful friend.

Happy birthday, Ang!

Timbo turns 36!

This is my baby brother, Tim (and his cat, Stella).  Tim lives in Brooklyn, NY with his boyfriend of 11 years, Jimmy.  Really, Tim is one of the funniest people I have ever known, and has a heart of gold.  He has a genuine and kind way that people fall in love with, and Tim makes lifelong friends everywhere he goes.  

Some of his passions include politics, Stella, music, his blog, my mom's homemade mac and cheese (and lasagna, smothered chicken,

 mississippi mud cake), travel and writing.  His laugh is completely infectious--I just love it.

Tim had a tough childhood.  He was a gay boy born in the south to conservative, religious parents.  He was preceded by 2 brothers who were diehard athletes (football, baseball, basketball) so when he opted for violin, homemade puppets and singing it was confusing for everyone.  On top of that, as a child Tim had his adenoids removed, had to have his sternum broken and reset because it was growing wrong

 (WTF?!) and then became an insulin dependent diabetic at the age of 15.  He was shy and awkward, but hit his stride in his late high school years when he embraced his uniqueness, and never looked back.

Most recently I have been included in an email correspondence between Tim and my mom.  My mom is trying desperately to evolve, but is still clinging to her right-winged conservative ways.  Tim has made it his mission to educate and challenge my mom, and always does so with love, kindness and plenty of documentation.  In his most recent email, he concluded by saying:

'Mom, you have always taught me to keep a teachable spirit.  That's one piece of advice I always keep with me, and it is so important.  Do not be lead by your fears, Mom.  I love you.  And I can't wait to see the Rockettes with you when you come up in December!'

Really, just so freakin' cute.  I can barely stand it.

I love you, Tim--happy birthday!