(Photo credit: AP) I just want point out that I'm pretty sure Barbara Bush reads my blog and has picked up on my picture trick.
Clearly she needs more practice, she's not as good as me at the hand on the hip move, but remember, if you must be photographed on the end, put your hand on your hip.
It really slims down the arm. Practice makes perfect.
P.S. Jenna's dress was BEAUTIFUL and I really wish the White House had released pictures of MC Rove busting a move.
not as great as my Mama. Happy Mother's Day Mom!! You seriously are the best. The best mom. My best friend. My hero.
Thank you for...
Coming up with ridiculous nicknames for me.
Teaching me to say "oochie goochie" after I stub my toe until the pain goes away.
Re-applying my clown make-up.
Writing notes for me to put in my shoes during cheerleading try-outs.
Being excited about my job even though you don't really know what or who I'm talking about.
Ocracoke.
Bailing me out.
My smile.
Understand me just by the tone of my voice.
Lunch money.
Being my ally.
Countless laughs, millions of hugs, and just for being you in general.
After two super exciting weekends of traveling and seeing some of my favorite people on the planet, this weekend was pretty chill. All alone in my apartment for two days or so. Sometimes this can be lovely, sometimes it can be lonely. Most of the time it's just okay. It's my life and I learned a while ago to just go with it and not wait for "life" to begin.
This weekend it was actually pretty great. I feel rested and accomplished and grateful for what I have. I have been reminded that the "typical" can be extraordinary in many ways - if you just open your eyes.
Don't take the normal for granted.
I stocked up my fridge and freezer with healthy food, cleaned my carpets, cooked twice, played with Brokaw, had a virtual date night, enjoyed two early mornings of coffee and the Washington Post, went to the gym, opened a bill I've been dreading and putting off, downloaded the new Gavin DeGraw album (do it), wrote a letter to my favorite soldier, and sent something to my love. Oh, and I got a pedicure, that is hard to top.
Nothing extraordinary. Yet just right. Thank you, Lord. And thank you also to the paper boy (or girl) for leaving me a Post on Saturday, I'm a Sunday subscriber only - so that was a nice little BONUS.
Some reminders are simple yet profound. I embrace my normal.
Update: Dennis Kucinich came and went and our whole team posed for a pic with him. He was very nice but didn't want to talk about the election. He's an undeclared superdelegate, it's cool, I get it. It's not every day that a former Presidential candidate stops by the Bureau, so we were quite excited!
I have no pictures for you this morning, sorry. I have gotten so used to blogging with pictures I feel kind of guilty. Oh well.
Today, I just give you the random musings from inside my head. Oh boy!
I have one of those painful invisible zits on my chin. Why me? Ouch.
Willie Geist needs to come back to Morning Joe ASAP. I miss him. It's not the same without him, I need my news I can't use and Tiki Barber has a great smile and seems like a nice guy and all but he lacks credentials in the political analysis department. (Sorry Courtney)
In about an hour, former presidential candidate, Dennis Kucinich will be here. RANDOM! We're putting him up live for our station in New Orleans. I don't know if I have my camera - if I do, I'll snap a pic for you. I hope his wife comes, ha!
Speaking of presidential candidates, did anyone else notice Hillary and the random baby at last night's DC fundraiser? What is she like in the Babysitters Club now?
(Photo credit: AP)
Fundraising... and babysitting at the same time?
I hope that kid got to bed on time.
I know, I know.... FINALLY.... pictures from the Apple Blossom Festival. It was great, as usual. In the span of about 24 hours, I ate a funnel cake, a philly cheese steak, a corn dog, some cotton candy and 2 fried oreos, plus a strawberry smoothie that I'm 99% sure was not "all natural." There was lots of pink and green, fireworks, and of course, plenty of people watching opportunities! It's always a fun trip! 
It's been a while since I took a crazy driving picture, and since I had a Venti Iced Caramel Macchaito.
I loved the latter. The former is for you! :)
Ann and her cousin, Neal. Neal is like the king of high school. He's a state basketball champ and a football and track star. He so reminds me of my nephew, Colby.
Cute kid.
Good kid.
I had to take a picture with this giant Army dude because now every time I see anything having to do with the Army, I automatically think of my little brother, Chris, who is currently in basic training, where the Army is probably turning him into something like this.
A big, huge Army dude.
These are Loretta's adorable kids. Joyce bought them these little horns and you could hear them coming like 100 yards away.
I say next year, they march in the parade!
Now, for your enjoyment, some of the magnificent sights of the Apple Blossom Festival!!
It was a dog and pony show, mostly...
We were on the lookout for a man for Ann...
Think his tractor's sexy?
Ann is going to KILL me for this... I wonder how long it will take her to read the blog and get a weapon?
Oh... if it were only that easy.
Pushing a button.
There's an idea!
I was detained by these fake police officers when I tried to cross the street!
We walked up the parade route before it started... classic celebrity stalking move.
This is Ann talking to some Gatlin guy (can't remember his name, but Ann used to watch his brothers kids like 15 years ago.)
Steve stalking out some NFL player - this may be Kelly Washington from the Patriots... not sure.
Each time we get together, Ann and I have a bad picture of us taken.
Check.
Here we are posing as beauty queens.
I don't think the real beauty queens thought that was funny!
Whatever.
It's tough being a beauty queen, I guess.
Exhausting, really.
I mean, with all of the float riding and the waving, I guess it gets old.
These beauty queens stuck to themselves.
I like to watch the white high school bands trying to dance.
That's the best!
Followed by the Bolivian bands, who really can.
I don't know how they do it, what with all those heavy jingle bells and all!
This made me want some apple sauce!
For like a second... until I saw this.
Break out the cash!
Oh, I forgot about the cheese fries.... oh, the cheese fries!
Totally worth the hour drive!
Mmmmmmmm....
Okay, let me tell you about this girl. We spotted her and thought her hair was, well, interesting.
So of course I made Ann pose like I was taking her picture so I could zoom around her and take this girl's picture.
Cute, right?
Sometimes I take it too far for this blog, people!
Her friends were on to me! Then they started taking pictures of us! I thought they were going to come and kill us.
Which I'm pretty sure they could do.
But seriously, how do you tease your hair like that and not expect attention?
Please, don't kill me.
Every year, at Apple Blossom, I see at least one kid on a leash.
Part of me thinks this is a great idea, part of me isn't so sure.
But this little girl seemed to like it.
Too bad we didn't really see any hot 6 foot 4 firefighters for Ann.
Maybe next year.
Today, I get a bonus! I'm catching up with Gretchen and Jason - what a weekend!
Apple Blossom was a blast, I pretty much ate my weight in junk food. Pics soon. (Sorry I always do that, but it's kind of a pain to upload pics from the MacBook - I'm sure it's operator error, but still)
Peace out, my friends! I made it through my 4 day work week (which felt like an eternity) and this weekend I am off again!
I'm meeting up with one of my favorite people on the planet - Miss Ann Bosha! We're Apple Blossoming in Winchester.
Cheers!
Bring on the Pink & Green!
Edit: Please allow me to further express my love for Morning Joe. I see that Joe is wearing a "Morning Joe" fleece today and I MUST HAVE ONE. I am still waiting on my mug, I feel like it may be a bit much to prod for a fleece but I really, really, really do want one!
(photo credit: msnbc)
