In the ongoing fun that is "Meredith September," this weekend was her bachelorette party.

Festivities started with dinner, drinks (and more drinks), and a "lingerie shower" at Cowgirl - a fitting locale for our Texas bride.



I bought Meredith a sexy sailor outfit, flavored whipped cream and edible undies...and in classic form ran into an old coworker in the checkout line. Awkward.





Erica was excited to discover that we're hand twins - including both having thumbs that face forward instead of to the side. Apparently that's a thing.



Erica also introduced us to a new drink - half beer, half frozen margarita. We call it the "marga-beera" though the technical term appears to be a "rickey." Whatever. I would call it "tasty."



The second half of the evening was spent at Second and Second for some karaoke action.

This guy did an excellent Meat Loaf.



Meredith did an excellent Kelly Clarkson.



I did an excellent Celine Dion.

"It's All Coming Back To Me Now" still brings the house down every time. My favorite "fan" was this big jock/i-banker dude who sang every word with me at the top of his lungs. It takes all kinds...





I have no idea how I managed to not only drag my but to street hockey today, but to also play a halfway decent game. Stefan and I stopped at the Pickle Festival to celebrate a Sky Fighter win and discovered that Gus' pickled tomatoes are incredible. I'll have to attempt to make my own with some green tomatoes from the rooftop.

In other news, I'm starting soccer again Friday. Will the bionic knee hold up? Only time will tell...

I'm on a roll, people.

Two days in a row I have gone to the gym and two days in a row I am updating this blog.

Clearly the summer social life has cooled off a bit.

Speaking of my social life...

For the holiday weekend, the gang made the usual voyage to sunny Point Pleasant, NJ.

And participated in all the usual activities.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

And what IS the usual?

1) The Beach





2) The Pool



3) Boardwalk Food









4) Red's Lobster Pot





Marta and Chip participated in a healthy (more like unhealthy) dare wherein Marta had to drink a cup of her mussels juice...



...and Chip had to drink his garlic butter.



I think Marta got the better end of the bargain.









5) Pop 5 & Grandma Bern's Famous Pizza Rolls (aka The Reason There Are No Pictures of Me in a Bikini on this Page)





6) Drunken Putt Putt at Castaway Cove







They moved my boyfriend - which confused and saddened me at first...





But then I found him by the exit. Thank goodness.






This year we did have one addition and that was a fantastic cowgirl-themed Birthday celebration for Jenn.








And a pinata of course.



Which Jenn demolished.



And Andy decided to eat?



Good times. Good times.

I've been a bad bad blogger. My bad.

I will do my best to make my way through the past month in pictures, but it may jump around a bit. Let's start with Sunday, shall we?

After holing up with Erica on Saturday with mucho TV and movies to ride out the rain, Sunday was gorgeous and the perfect day for Meredith's bridal shower in NJ.

I always feel weird at such things a) because there are many adult type people I don't know and have to make small talk with and b) because I suddenly realize that, holy crap, my friend is actually getting married.

It was a nice shower though. Beautiful flowers, good vino, and great food. Definitely couldn't have asked for more.

Before I finish catching up on my last month, a brief check-in from crafty sam correspondent, crafty andy.

andy has been home in Indiana for the past week, and, after living with me for three and a half years, knows all too well that he couldn't go to the Indiana State Fair without sending me pics.

Andy's email:

Harley is the world's largest boar weighing 1121 pounds. the others should be self explanatory. enjoy.

okay, if all those were a little too morbid for you - this should make you feel warm and fuzzy (no pun intended...)



and what state fair would be complete without something carved out of a giant block of cheese?





Thx, Andy! And the rest of you can thank me for not posting the picture he sent of Harley's balls.