Indy 500 Version 2008

We went to the Indianapolis 500 for the 7th time (we missed the race in 2006 when Ben and Stacey got married). It was probably one of the most enjoyable races I've been to in several years. The weather could not have been nicer! It was the first year that I didn't sweat, freeze, get terribly sunburned and/or rained on for hours. It was a pleasantly breezy, warm but partly cloudy day. Despite our hangovers, the race was fun!

As has been our practice in recent years, we parked in a yard belonging to some fine citizens living in Speedway, Indiana. These fools were WASTED by the time we got to their yard (this was approximately 9:30 am on a Sunday, mind you). I tried my best to make friends with them so they would keep our vehicles safe during the day. Someone else gave them a few bottles of pretty decent champagne, so I shared our orange juice and introduced them to our favorite morning drink, mimosas!

Notice how Ryan's mimosa is different than the other one? Someone's hangover was so terrible that he had to combine his Alka Seltzer with his champagne and OJ! :)

Our beer of choice this year...a 30 cube of Keystone Light!


Anne-Marie and Andrew joined us for the Race. Aren't they cute? :)


Us!


Kara came to visit from her seats in Turn 3:

Nearing the end of the race, can you tell how tired we are?

The Weekend was a Success!

The weekend could not have been more fun and more exhausting! After all of the planning, the party was a huge success and we had a great time at the Race, too. We had a great turn out, but we have way too much alcohol left over (thanks to my over-purchasing). We did have just the right amount of food, though.

I was really pleased with the way that the decorations turned out. The wreath I made:


Race flags lining our front sidewalk:

The spread:

Our bartender Terrence working hard!

Our neighbors enjoying themselves:

Friends and Family:

The previously mentioned Purdue Cornhole set. So artistically modified by Natalie. She did a great job!



It was a great success...we'll do it again next year!

5 Things I Love Now.

1. Rimmel Viny Lip gloss in Cosmic. It's the perfect shade, the perfect price (less than $4) and not sticky at all. Everything a girl could want in a lipgloss!




2. Party planning. I'm having so much fun that in a perfect world, I might want it as my full time job.

3. Anything race-inspired. I love all of the black and white checkered flags and items. So perfect for Indy in the month of May.




4. Say by John Mayer. For whatever reason, I just cannot get enough of this song!

5. A bright white summer-weight quilt. I really want one, and I like this one from Overstock.com. They just seem so fresh and clean and everything goes with white!

Ready for the Weekend

I'm fired up for the weekend...our big party tomorrow, the 500 on Sunday and then relaxing on Monday. The weather will be perfect and our party is going to be a smash!

Ryan borrowed a cornhole set from one of his co-workers. Great idea. It will be a fun game, get people up and doing something, but there is just one problem. His coworker happens to be a Purdue grad. We went to Indiana. We're huge IU fans. I cannot handle this giant black and gold cornhole set. Thanks Clint, but I think we're gonna have to pass. As faithful Hoosiers, we simply cannot subject our guests to anything associated with Purdue.

My to-do list has gotten bigger since my last post and I'm disappointed in myself that I didn't get more done this week. Oh well, live and learn for next year!

Still to do:

-pick up a few remaining things at the grocery
-tidy the garage
-clean the bathrooms
-mop the floors
-bake cookies
-frost cupcakes
-vacuum
-get cash for Terrence
-set up the tables and tent
-make sure everything is getting cold
-pick up the keg
-buy tons of ice!
-have a fantastic time with our friends!

4 days

The party is 4 days away and so far, my prayers have been answered! It's going to be an absolutely beautiful day. 74 and sunny. Perfect.

The RSVPs keep coming in and the to-d0 list is dwindling. I did get slightly behind last night and it will be a struggle for me to get back on task tonight, but what other choice do I have? :)

On tonight's to-do list:

Sweep and mop bathroom floors
Trim and mow the grass (Ryan's task)
Sweep kitchen floor

8 Days

Our Memorial Day party is 8 days away. I'm getting nervous because there is rain being mentioned in the forecast on May 24. I may just throw a childish temper tantrum if it rains at our party. :(

I know it's early, but it just makes me uneasy to see it even slightly mentioned. We have an alternate plan if necessary (we'll just be inside), but it's definitely not the outdoor backyard soiree I had in mind. Please pray for the rain to go away!

We're Having a Party

We have decided to host a Memorial Day pre-Indianapolis 500 party. It's our intention to make it an annual event, but I guess we'll have to see how this one goes! It will be the first big party in our house. I'm just praying the weather is good to us.

First off, the fabulous invites were designed by Elisabeth at Life of Leo Designs. She was great to work with, and so patient with me even when I did not return her emails on time! I can't figure out how to link the invite, otherwise, I would show them off since they are so cute! We have invited 130 guests, but we already know that many of them cannot make it. We're still hoping for a good turnout, in the 40-60 range.

I have arranged to borrow tables from Mom and Dad and Aunt Susan and Uncle John. Thanks guys! We have also hired a bartender, Terrence, and I'm excited to work with him.

The decorations are purchased. The only thing left for me to do is to make a wreath for the front door. One of my neighbors has a simple, but cute wreath made out of grapevine and black and white checkered ribbon. Perfect and easy enough for me to make!

Still to do:

--CLEAN THE HOUSE! I have to make myself a cleaning schedule for next week and stick to it!
--watch for RSVPs to come in :)
--make front door wreath
--order kegs
--finalize menu and buy and/or order everything
--purchase drink garnishes/straws
--bake cookies, cupcakes and brownies (with help from Mom and MiL!)
--shop for liquor and mixers (this weekend at Costco)
--buy ice
--buy plates and drink cups (this weekend at Costco)
--decide how to set up music (this will be Ryan's job!)
--Set up tables and tent (Friday night/Saturday morning)
--Arrange food and bar
--Enjoy the party with our guests! :)

A Change is Gonna Come...

And it will be a great one! Stay tuned.

My Future Dream Home

I read an article in the newspaper last night and the author wrote about how she and her husband have a running list of features they want in their dream home. It got me thinking about what I would like in mine! Remember, it is a DREAM home! :)

Some of my dream home must-haves:

1. A big family room with a tall stone-stacked gas fireplace.
2. A large kitchen with a huge island, big enough for at least 5 or 6 barstools around it and a separate space for a table.
3. A daylight basement with a separate bedroom for guests, wetbar (including a full-size refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave) and a built-in separate ice-maker, workout/gym space and bathroom with a shower.
4. A formal dining room, but no formal living room. It would go unused for us!
5. A dedicated office space on the first floor.
6. 6 bedrooms. 2 bedrooms can share jack and jill baths, three of the bedrooms would have their own bathrooms including the master suite on the main floor.
7. Dark hardwood floors on the mail level and cream painted trim throughout the house.
8. 4 car extra-deep garage. A space for me, one for Ryan, a space for our summer car (a convertible or a Jeep) and a space to put bikes, lawn equipment, etc. Enough room to put shelving for storage.
9. A huge deck with built-in grill, small refrigerator and fire pit.

These are just a few wishes off the top of my head, but I'm sure I'll come up with more!

I Voted

For the first time in my life, I voted in a primary election. Not that I had not cared before, but this is truly the first time that my vote will actually matter. I live in a contested state for once!

Go Barack!