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Viva Vallarta

Last month I was fortunate enough to take an amazing vacation.

Thanks to Brett’s uncle (and his aunt having her birthday to prompt the trip) the whole family was able to go! It was a surprise party for his aunt, and his uncle (and Brett, and his uncle’s assistant) have been planning it for a year! And even though there were several things that almost spoiled the surprise, the whole thing managed to go off without the surprise being ruined!!!!

Mary was very surprised to see her whole family in MEXICO!

That’s right, this surprise party took place in another country! There were 17 of us. And it was such a wonderful time.

I feel so thankful to be included as part of this family. Everyone is so genuinely kind and they truly get along and enjoy each other’s company.

Here are a few shots from the trip.

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                      Our view from the dining room terrace.

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Our day in Sayulita.  My favorite place on Earth.

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Brett and me after surfing.  I’m fierce!

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Brett as a living mannequin in a boutique in downtown Vallarta.

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At the Cheeky Monkey.  Best drinks in town (and SUPER CHEAP)!

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Brett’s sister, mom and cousin.  Three of the nicest women I know.

 

A huge!!! THANK YOU to Dave and Mary for such an amazing trip!

Head for the Cure!

So a few weeks ago, Brett’s sister had a great idea. Let’s sign up for the Head for the Cure 5k, a race/walk that raises awareness and dontations for brain cancer research, that’s coming to Kansas City at the end of August. We can race as a team in support of Uncle Jim (Suddreth).

It was such a great idea! So here we are just a few days away from the race and I am getting sort of excited. I was so excited when we first registered, that I set up a fundraising page for our team, Team Mongo!

If you would like to support our team, and help find a cure for the disease, please click here to make your donation. Please make your donation in honor of Jim Suddreth.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to make a difference!

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common (dis)courtesy

In a time and age when people want their own way as quickly and easily as possible it still never ceases to amaze me how lazy, inconsiderate and rude people can be. AND THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW IT! Or care. That’s what drives me most crazy.

I know we’re all guilty of forgetting our manners from time to time, but hopefully you try to remedy your lack of courtesy as quickly as possible and offer a very sincere apology.

But recently I’ve noticed a large lack of courtesy – from a particular age group of people, the 20-22 age group. I mean, WTH is WRONG with you?!

Please and thank you are some of the nicest things you can say to people. And what have you done in your short existence that makes you feel so entitled? To everything?!

Here’s a tip – quit being assholes. You’re not entitled to anything except life, freedom and equality. And quit throwing tantrums. You aren’t four. Grow up. And get jobs.

I know it’s hard to find jobs right now. But WORK is hard. Get used to it. It’s hard. Not impossible. And just because you didn’t get the “jobofyourdreams” doesn’t mean you get to give up and spend the next eleventy thousand years complaining about everything. Because let me tell you something, EVERYONE HAS PROBLEMS. And nobody wants to listen to how unfair your life is. Because life isn’t fair.

If it were, bad guys would always lose, good guys would always win, babies would never die and nobody would be starving to death. But bad guys do win. Good guys do lose. Babies do die and people do starve to death.

It isn’t fair. But it’s life.

So remember your manners. Show some common courtesy. And quit being whiny bitches. It’s pissing everybody off – most of us are just too polite to say so.

JHS Class of 2001

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June 10th was my 10 year high school reunion. 10 YEARS?!?! What? Where did the last decade go?!?!

When I first saw the Facebook post about planning it I immediately decided I wasn’t going. No way. Uh-huh. Why on Earth would I want to go? I haven’t seen any of my high school class in ten years – maybe there is a reason…. And on and on and on.

But with advice and input from my trusted advisors (and a lot of encouragement from Brett) I changed my mind and went.

And I am so HAPPY that I did. I had a really great time seeing the people I haven’t seen in ten years.

There were lots of drinks bought, a ton of laughter and so many pictures. It was really a great night and I’m so glad I didn’t miss a wonderful opportunity to see some really great people.

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My Birthday Wish

If you know me you know that I like animals. A lot. Like, really a lot.

If you know me well you know I LOVE Penguins. Love. Them. LOVELOVELOVE THEM!

Well, this year for my birthday (which is June 3) I’m asking for one thing – penguins. Seriously.

The Kansas City Zoo currently does not have penguins. I personally find this tragic!!! No penguins?! NO PENGUINS?! Unacceptable.

But we can help change that. Since I’m turning 28, I’m asking for $28 donations to the KC Zoo so they can get the penguins I so desperately want. But if you can’t do $28, please just donate what you can. Every dollar makes a difference.

To support the Zoo and make my birthday wish come true, visit here.

Thank you in advance for your help to bring penguins to the zoo and making this the best birthday ever!

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These are the penguins – African Black-Footed Penguins

To learn more about these awesome animals go here.