Happy Birthday Avina!!!

Today is Jesse's daughter's 10th birthday. 10 is a big deal, for real. You leave the single digits behind. You've completed your first decade on Earth. I remember thinking I was pretty cool at 10 (of course, when haven't I???). Hope you are having a great day kiddo! We will see you tonight. Daddy is in charge of the birthday cake, so here's hoping he gets exactly what you want!

my guardian angel is........Snoop Dogg????

I now have a picture of Snoop Dogg watching over me on my computer at work thanks to Stephen. It is actually quite freaky, all night last night I kept feeling as if someone was staring me. Sure enough, someone was. And that someone was Snoop Dogg. I believe it stemmed from a conversation I was having with one of our outreach counselors, Scarberry (who behind his back we call Scarsberries-he hates it!). We were talking about the wide selection of Snoop songs we both have on our iPods. Apparently, this gave Stephen the idea to make sure I had a picture of Snoop at all times. Kinda like when I printed a picture of Jesus for my boss, Chris (long story). I swear to you all, we really do work at the crisis line (J is convinced otherwise). Just sometimes, you need a break. And printing off weird pictures off the internet is apparently what we do with our down time. So as Snoop Dogg always says, let's "chill, til the next episode".

SO not right....

I got this from my darling little sister. Thanks Red-remind me to smack you on the back of your head on Saturday! Nothing but love baby, nothing but love! :)



A Chicago family of Cubs fans heads out to shop for the youngest boy's birthday. While in the sports shop, the son picks up a Cardinals jersey and says to his older sister, "I've decided to become a Cardinals fan & I would like this St. Louis jersey for my birthday." His big sister is outraged by this and promptly whacks him upside his head and says, "Go talk to Mother!" "Mom?" "Yes, son?" "I've decided I'm going to be a Cardinals fan and would like this jersey for my birthday." The mother, outraged at this, promptly whacks him and says, "Go talk to your father!" Off he goes with the Cardinals jersey in hand and finds his father. "Dad?" "Yes, son?" "I'm going to be a Cardinals fan and want this jersey for my birthday." The father then proceeds to whack his son in the back of his head and says, "No son of mine is ever going to be seen in THAT!" Back in the car and heading home, the father turns to his son and says "I hope you've learned something today." The son says, "Yes, Dad, I have." "Good, son, what is it?" The son replies, "I've only been a Cardinals fan for an hour, and I already hate you Cub bastards."

To Jeff and Jessica

Wow-your wedding is only two days away! Jessica-can you hardly believe it? After, what, 10 years? You finally roped him in girl, good job! Baby Jeffy-I am so happy for you cousin. You deserve all the happiness in the world, and I know that Jessica will make you happy. Jessica-you have been around us for so long, we already consider you family, this will just make it legal! Congratulations to both of you. I can't wait for Saturday. You know how the Baumgartner clan likes to party! I love you guys and can't wait to see you! Love, your cousin Kerri

Ouch! I'm in pain......

As if spending 45 minutes of my life at the Missouri Department of Motor Vehicles wasn't bad enough, I also had to pay the sales tax on my car and get plates. I travelled to the DMV on South Kingshighway (very ritzy). I was first accosted by some gentlemen wanting me to sign a petition to raise the minimum wage. I figured that was a pretty good cause, so I signed my name. Then they wanted me to sign another one protecting Medicaid. Well, most of my clients are on Medicaid, again a worthy cause, so I signed that one too. Then on to the inside of the DMV where I see the drivers license line has, oh, 5 people in it but the plates/registration line has, say, 30 people in it. This is the line I had to go to. It was seemingly ok, although the old lady behind me had on this awful perfume that was about to make me gag. Seriously. Once I finally made it to one of the clerks, I knew it wouldn't be long until my entire bank account was drained. I was ready, but not entirely happy about it. The clerk was very nice (big shocker) as she advised me my grand total was $1,204.00. See what I mean by "ouch"? Good thing I love my car. Not as much as I love my boyfriend, but close.....(I'm almost just kidding J!). And can I just say, God bless the South Kingshighway DMV. They are some good peeps. Amen.

Pics of Lola

How cute is she? Lola is truly one of the most beautiful children I have ever seen!
Here's Lola and her mommy, my friend Robyn. I miss you girl! Hope we can get together sometime this century!

Goofy Hat Day

So, today at work is Goofy Hat Day-part of Employee Appreciation Week. So, of course I had to participate, so I am wearing my pink Cardinals hat, which, to me, is pretty darn goofy.

Wedding pix part 2

LOVE this pic of Kira. At least she wasn't growling...

Red and Timbo, our "baby" brother.

Dad walking his baby girl down the aisle. Made me tear up....

Dad giving his speech. I'll be honest, I don't remember it.

Me giving my Maid of Honor speech. I don't remember it either. I do remember that I was pretty drunk and nervous (see my cheat sheet?). I hear the speech was good. All I know is that it is weird hearing your own voice echoing throughout the room....

More pics of Red's wedding

The entire Baumgartner clan. There's a lot of us, huh?

How cute is this? Kira and Will were great as flower girl and ring bearer.

My mommy. Isn't she beautiful?

Mom and Grandpa

Me and my sis. Not sure what we are looking at...

Yes, I lost the bet-DAMMIT!

Ok, so I never really had a chance in hell of winning the bet. I realize that now as I sit here with a pink Cardinals hat on (its a bad hair morning). I have accepted defeat. And have accepted that my beloved Cubs hat is now sitting in jail with J's Cards hat. It's really not fair-it's sitting on a shelf in his room, so I can see it, I just can't touch it. What a tease. That's ok, it will be September soon.....I am ready for the next bet though. I ain't scared! Bring it! :)

I-55 series-THIS WEEKEND!

Bring it on baby! I absolutely love when the Cardinals and the Cubs play each other. It is always a good time, no matter who wins. Now, don't get me wrong, I fully intend to win this latest bet with my boy J, but even if I don't, it will still be fun. I'm a little nervous about it since it looks like Derek Lee is hurt-a wrist injury, I believe. Today on my instant messenger, Jeremiah (my brothers best friend since pre-school) asked me if the Cubbies were scared to go into the new stadium. Now, I haven't personally talked to any of them, so I'm just guessing at this one, but I'm gonna go with a......HELL NO! It's gonna be fun boys and girls. May the best team win!

You MUST try the new Ice Cream Skittles

Being a Skittles expert (certified and everything), I can tell you-the Ice Cream flavored Skittles ROCK! As if I needed more Skittles to eat....but when I saw them at Walgreens, I just knew I had to have them. In fact, I'm eating them right now as I type (I apologize to my Book Club gals and to J if I am a little hopped up on sugar). I love that they are expanding the flavors of Kerri Krack (as my co-workers call it). What's next? Diet Coke flavored Skittles? Hmmmm.......

Proof I'm a good sport....

"If I managed the Cubs, I'd be an alcoholic."--Whitey Herzog

"There's nothing wrong with this team that more pitching, more fielding and more hitting couldn't help."--Bill Buckner

"The Cubs were taking batting practice, and the pitching machine threw a no-hitter."--Radio deejay

Q: Did you hear about the new Cubs soup?
A: Two sips and then you choke.

Twenty major events that have occurred since the Chicago Cubs last laid claim to a World Series championship:

1. Radio was invented; Cubs fans got to hear their team lose.
2. TV was invented; Cubs fans got to see their team lose.
3. Baseball added 14 teams; Cubs fans get to see and hear their team lose to more clubs.
4. George Burns celebrated his 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, 90th and 100th birthdays.
5. Haley's comet passed Earth twice.
6. Harry Caray was born....and died. Incredible, but true.
7. The NBA, NHL and NFL were formed, and Chicago teams won championships in each league.
8. Man landed on the moon, as have several home runs given up by Cubs pitchers.
9. Sixteen U.S. presidents were elected.
10. There were 11 amendments added to the Constitution.
11. Prohibition was created and repealed.
12. The Titanic was built, set sail, sank, was discovered and became the subject of major motion pictures, the latest giving Cubs fans hope that something that finishes on the bottom can come out on top.
13. Wrigley Field was built and becomes the oldest park in the National League.
14. Flag poles were erected on Wrigley Field roof to hold all of the team's future World Series pennants. Those flag poles have since rusted and been taken down.
15. A combination of 40 Summer and Winter Olympics have been held.
16. Thirteen baseball players have won the Triple Crown; several thanked Cubs pitchers.
17. Bell-bottoms came in style, went out of style and came back in.
18. The Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins have all won the World Series.
19. The Cubs played 14,153 regular-season games; they lost the majority of them.
20. Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Oklahoma and New Mexico were added to the Union.

Miss Health Department-what's up with the mumps outbreak?

Ok, I'm pretty sure I don't want to get the mumps. I don't actually know what they are, but they can't be good. Red, what is the Health Department doing to save the community from this outbreak? Inquiring minds need to know....

What is the next bet gonna be fool?

I'm challenging you to Bet #2 Mr. JackAZZ! What you gonna do? I'll even let you come up with the terms....shall we go 2 out of 3 again? I'm sure I can find some other Cubs crap to torture you with.....

J, sweetie, are you gonna wear your Cubs hat Saturday night?

The Cubs just keep on keepin' on

8-4 baby! 8-4. Rock on.

What a day

It started off normal enough but quickly got weird. Work was a little nutty, busy in the afternoon, crazy at night. I got a scary call in which the caller had already overdosed and was fading fast on me. Luckily I got the police there just as she was about to pass out. Even after being at the crisis line for five years, every once in a while I still a call that freaks me out. At the end of the day though, I will go to sleep knowing that caller will be safe tonight. That's my job. After that fun, the power went out. Well, not completely, but our computers shut down-which is a huge problem, all of our work is done by computer. Not good. Never fear though, Super Supervisor Kerri called the IT guy at home and made him come in to fix whatever was wrong. Thats why I get paid the big bucks, people... :)

Happy Easter Everyone!

Hope everyone is having a fabulous Easter Sunday. I am spending mine at work for the first time in five years, but I'm not at all bitter about it.....Got to help J's daughters dye Easter eggs last night. That was fun. They were so cute competing to see who could color the best egg. I personally think mine was the best. I made a very special egg for J. It was a lovely shade of pink, and it said "Jesse loves the Cubs". Wasn't that sweet? I left him a note so he would find it when he got home from work. I am SUCH a sweet girlfriend.

On a serious note, I hope God has blessed you all with a wonderful day spent with family and loved ones. I guess my employees count as loved ones. Since their supervisor (me) is SO mature, we are having an Easter egg hunt in the call center. (don't you already feel sorry for the poor souls who call our crisis line?). It's just a bit of harmless fun since we all have to work on this day. I know all of us would much rather be with those we love.

May God bless you all with love, happiness, family, friends, and strength.

What is it about the Chinese buffet that makes you giggle?

Seriously. Everytime I go to a Chinese buffet, no matter who I go with, we always end up laughing and giggling the whole time we are there. Think its the MSG they put in the food? Or maybe crack? I don't know. Last night, J and I hit the buffet with the girls. Well, as soon as J's 9 year old asked us if the woman next to us was talking about smoking weed, the giggling was ON. I couldn't hardly stop. Then this guy that J knows was sitting a few tables away from us, called J on his cell, and started speaking "Chinese" to him. Dude, good times were had by all. I would blame the Chinese donuts, but I was the only one who ate them.

It reminded me of the days when Red and I would go to the Sunny China on Lindberg (or is it the Happy China?). We would sit for hours downing Diet Coke and Chinese donuts and just laugh and laugh and laugh. SUCH good times. Red-remember talking about the social status of the different school buses in grade school? Judy's bus was the "cool" one, Charlie's bus was the "skanky" one.....ok, so we were easily entertained growing up in Salem...

The moral of the story is, if you are looking for a fun way to spend your evening, go to your local Chinese buffet today.