Seven year itch

Hello, Friends!

Okay, well I am aware of the fact that the blog has been a little photo-heavy lately, however.

The photo at the bottom of this post needs to be shared.

I spent the past week with my BFF Nick, and we have a way of...bickering...after we've spent approximately five days together. We're both aware that this means we love each other, because we are comfortable telling each other,

for example,

(I am just making these up, of course...)

not to light the votive candles until the party begins,

or,

that one's driving skills are less than...what might be preferred.

Anyway. I don't know that I have any other friend with whom I can say such things and have such things said to me, harrumph in response, and still feel comfortable being in the same room with him, knowing that we are no worse for the wear. To me this is a triumph: friendship achieving a level of family.

Well it just so happens that Nick and I became friends just over seven years ago.* So this past week, as we bickered, I came to view us as having hit the seven year itch.

NOT! to say that our friendship is going to end. No divorce for these besties. No way. Why?

Well. Because Nick is an amazing friend. And I think he likes having me as a friend too...

And. Because we're so darn cute.

This morning Nick emailed me this visual depiction of what seven years as friends looks like. And I have to say, it looks pretty. darn. fabulous.:

*Which means we're old, because we were college freshmen seven years ago.

Bailey's, coffee, Netflix

I just watched Notting Hill for the first time,

and yes,

it has taken me all this time to finally watch it.

Nick and Sarah and I had already been to trivia night, and I had approx. 2 1/2 beers inside me, so I was rather sleepy, but Jeff informed me that I was not allowed to fall asleep during Notting Hill.

Well I did not. And the film was lovely.

Anyway. There is a scene in which Hugh Grant's character apologizes for being cranky for the past six months, because his mind is...elsewhere...thinking about a girl.

This resonated with me.

Because.

In my short time here in Chi-town (I really don't like that nickname, but it came out of me), I have met several of Nick's friends and have apologized to many, if not all, of them for being cranky. Because my thoughts have been drifting toward...a boy.

So when Hugh made his little confession I looked at Nick and asked if it reminded him of anyone.

He laughed.

Funniest thing I heard all day

We made a short-ish trek today in Nick's car, to pick up a friend and go to Hamburger Mary's for lunch (delish, P.S.).

Well.

The heat got turned up a little too high in the Subaru.

When we arrived at Tom's apartment, Jeff got out of the front seat and headed to the back to sit with me, offering Tom shotgun.

As he got out of the car, however, he made a comment about needing to get out of the car for a minute, to escape the heat.

Well, Jeff was wearing a black pea coat, and for the quick moment that I saw him walking from the front of the car toward the back, he looked like a harried businessman. I also had my window in the back cracked--because of the intense heat, of course, which was threatening to make me carsick--so I could hear Jeff.

Hear him exhale, specifically.

It was so funny, the corporate pea coat paired with the exhale that bordered on being a downright pant. That in itself was enough to crack me up. But then Jeff outdid himself.

He got in the backseat and said,

"I feel like Shadrack in this car."

Funniest thing I heard all day, folks. Nothing topped it.

Although, this is perhaps the funniest thing I saw online today, compliments of Nick.

Some things never change. Even in 2011.

Thrilling evening here, kids, ringin' in the new year, Bailey style.

Earlier we watched The Muppet Christmas Carol (that really is thrilling, I'm not mocking the tremendous humor of that film), talked about manatees and ferrets over dinner, then watched the Shaytards, and now I'm preparing to pack a suitcase to go see

best friend forever Nicky Pie!

(Psst! That's a fraternity sweatshirt! Haha, he doesn't really like for people to know about that.)

Anyway, I'm thinking of pouring myself a glass of wine to be a little less lame. I wore an old lady sweater (that I bought new, last week) to get pedicures with the sisses and Mama this morning, and we were discussing whether or not it was appropriate that I own it. I mean, it's no secret that my personality matches it.

When the boys met us for lunch today, Dad said, "What a great sweater for Chinese lunch!" He was not prompted to review the sweater, so I'm gonna take that as a go-ahead on the future wearing of the sweater. Not that any jesting about said sweater, or ballet slippers, or mismatched colors, or...would affect my decision to continue wearing all of the above, often together.*

I'm sure Nick and his roomie--who I am yet to meet but, don't worry, it's gonna be like Three's Company (minus one girl and plus one boy) in no time--will give me a full review of the sweater, especially considering Nick's longtime hobby of mocking my outfits.

I don't know why, those earrings are hott--and go with everything:

Okay. So here's to continuing to be an old lady in 2011, and to not making a resolution to regularly clean my car.

Cheers!

Be safe in the new year, and on this eve with much drinking (seriously--be SAFE! Here's to continuing to be a worrywart mother too).

Smooches, thanks for making it another great year on the Daily Bailey!

*To my credit, I've gotten a lot better. I think even Nick can vouch for that. It used to be sweatpants and ponytails all the time, y'all.

Free Willy?

So Nick sent me another email today, with various thoughts and things to tell me. He concluded his email with the following:

"Killer whales is my theme for the day."

Anyone who can begin to offer me any sort of explanation for this, please comment below.

I don't think I ever have a theme for my days, and if I did I'm not sure how I would carry it out. Thanks, Nick, for reminding us that we don't have all the answers to life's questions.

Good with Words

Last night I sent Nicholas an email that said "Nick, there are a lot of troubled people in my life. I have a lot to worry about."

Today he wrote back saying, "I am sorry about the troubled people. Life certainly isn't perfect, but these people are probably really lucky to have you in their life. I know I am."

And you know what happens when you say things like that? A blog post is dedicated to you.

Thanks, Nicholas. Love you.

Here's Nick: