Neglect

Dear Blog: I have neglected you. I can make excuses about how work is CRAZY (remind me to link my other blog here...), how I've had out of town guests in for the past several weekends, or how it's May and my free time is spent at the track. But, I know you don't like excuses... So, my gift to you is this: A list of things I'm looking forward to in the next couple of months.

1. The Indianapolis 500 (live and in person!)
2. Country music concerts
3. My summer camp's 100th Anniversary Reunion Weekend
4. Spending some time on Flint Lake
5. My birthday!


With love (and apologies),
a.

Vegas: The Aftermath

Vegas was an AMAZING trip. So. Much. Fun! But, I'm not going to lie, the adventure wore me out.

I'm sitting on the couch right now, feeling exhausted, congested and dealing only with half a voice. I keep squeaking when I talk. And, this morning, I could only sing half the Britney Spears song on my drive in because my poor throat couldn't hit the high notes.

But, my current state is a small sacrifice for the fun I had in Sin City. I came back with a great tan, great memories with my best friends, and some great pictures. (And - I didn't lose a single dollar!) I can't wait to go back! But, with all we did, I know there is so much I didn't get to see and experience. And, I'm convinced that depending on who you travel with, the trip will unfold in a completely different manner.

For instance, when you go to Vegas with five other ladies, the city is basically handed to you on a silver platter. We were on all sorts of lists for some of the hottest clubs. We hardly paid for any drinks. And, the dinner where the manager brought us all complimentary champagne and chocolate fondue? Swoon!!!!!! And while the nights were filled with clubs and glamour, the days were filled with poolside mai tais and suntan lotion. Again: swoon!!

I would love to go with a cute boy on a little one-on-one excursion. ;) It was decided on the plane ride black that Vegas would not be a romantic vacation. Vegas would be a SEXY vacation. Sign me up!

Another Vegas trip I'm looking forward to? December 2010. When my little sister (finally!) turns 21, we're going as a family! Oh. My. Gosh. I already know we'll laugh until our abs hurt on this vacation.

Is it bad that I've already looked at Vegas flights for Fall this year?? I'm ready to go!

Vegas, Baby!

I'm off to Vegas tomorrow morning and meeting up with five of my best friends. Of the six of us, only one of us has ever been to this town of bright lights and low morals. Oh. My. Gosh. This is going to be so much fun!!

Wish me luck!

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle... ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

Yesterday afternoon, my friend and I drove up I65 all the way from Nashville to Louisville with the top down. (Yes, we did blast country music! And, yes, I did feel like I was in a Carrie Underwood music video!) But, by the time we got to Indianapolis, the 80 degree weather and bright sunshine were distant memories. Perfect weather was replaced by forty degree temperatures, strong winds, storms and the promise of snow in the morning. Oh, Indianapolis, you always seem to welcome me home with the most cheerful of weather....

At home that night, I got out the holiday decorations. And, if I had gone by the weather, I should have put up the Christmas decorations instead of the Easter decorations. Seriously - it feels like December outside! (Don't worry Momma - the faux-chocolate rabbit is perched on the mantel anxiously awaiting your arrival!)

And, as I walked out to my car this morning, I experienced the strange juxtaposition of sleet hitting my face while birds chirped in the trees. And, I swear, I heard one bird say to the other, "What the tweet is going on here!?!"

Vegas in 10 days!!!!!!!

Rolls of Wonder

I love Naked Tchopstix. Damn good sushi. And, their Maui Roll is high up on my list of foods I crave (which includes Nick's Pizza and Schoop's hashbrowns). I don't know who came up with the idea to include asparagus and mango in a sushi roll, but I'm glad they did!

Oh, and their martinis aren't bad either....

Reason #8,392 I Love My Parents....

If you're jealous of my parents, it's okay. I understand. I know they rock!

For example....

Currently, my parents are in the Keys on one of their "Empty Nester" vacations. On Friday, my dad calls me and directs me to the Hog's Breath website. "Click on the HogCam!" he excitedly says. I click, I wait a few seconds, and then I see my mom and dad on the screen, waving into a webcam located in the bar. I got so excited, I waved back!

There they were, wearing cute "vacation" clothes, drinking beer and calling their kids to gloat about how good of a time they were having. And, I love them for it.


(*The picture is from another "Empty Nester" trip my parents took a few months ago. They have yet to share the Key West photos with me....)

Meridian Kessler is going to the dogs!

Driving through the Meridian Kessler neighborhood this morning, I started noticing a pattern.

Every block or so, I saw someone (usually dressed in "athletic attire") walking not one, but two or more dogs along the sidewalks lining the perfectly manicured lawns. And, more often than not, the dogs were of the same breed! There was the man walking two miniature dachshunds while carrying his baby on his back. Or the lady walking three (three!) yorkies as she "hiked" up Penn.

And then, there's the quintessential Meridian Kessler dog: the gold retriever. Who hasn't seen the young couple pushing a stroller and walking their two goldens as they make their way down to Patachou for Sunday brunch?

So, what is it about Meridian Kessler that causes people to get so dog-gone crazy about dogs?

Star Sighting!

I spent Saturday night in Louisville with the girls - we all desperately needed a change of scenery and L'ville seemed like a great place to go.

The weather was just like Spring weather should be - warm enough that you don't need a jacket but with a slight breeze still keeping you on your toes.

We're sitting on the patio of a bar late night people watching (saw some AWFUL outfits) and taking Obama shots (shot of bacardi o dropped in a glass of red bull followed by some silly dance - I totally bought into the whole thing) provided to us by some cute boys from Michigan. And, all of a sudden, who comes stolling down the street???

Ron White!!!! (If you're like everyone else on Fourth Street, and don't know who he is, check him out here: Ron White)

I got really excited, ran down the street yelling, "Ron White! Ron White!" and had my girls take a picture of me and him! It was a GREAT way to end the night! Thank you, Louisville!

Robins!

*UPDATE*

I saw a whole bunch of robins today. And, this time, I believed in them. Spring is so, so close!

LaneyinIndy

Oh boy - I signed up for twitter today. And, I have no idea what I'm doing!

I do know that I am "following" Levar Burton and I DO plan on somehow reminiscing with him about the time we sang the Reading Rainbow theme song together at the Snakepit Ball and I cried. Best fifteen seconds EVER!

Okay - so if you want to "follow" me, I can be found on twitter at: LaneyinIndy

Wish me luck!