A Birthday Celebration for the Nick-ster!

One of my best buddy-o-pals had a birthday over the weekend. She claims she's a C cup, but I think she'd be a D if she met the Russian lingerie lady at Macy's (more info on this tomorrow). Anywho, I love her regardless of cup size, and made a special birthday cake to commemorate the event. I wonder when the kids will start asking questions about funny things like 3-D cakes? I also wonder when my friends (and myself, gulp) got old enough to need two boxes of birthday cake candles.? I mean, when did we all decide to grow up? Great birthday party, great weather for porch living and an amazing birthday girl. Happy birthday Nicki!

Happy Birthday MOM!

Happy Birthday to my little Mama Bear! Little as in all 5 ft 2.5 inches of her. She's a live one this mama-o-mine and as sassy as the day is long(wonder no longer where I get it from). I'll never forget the year she turned the big 6-zero. She specifically said she didn't need to have a party with customized, "Over The Hill," invitations. She didn't need everyone knowing how old she was gonna be. Opps! Little did she know the invites were already signed, sealed, delivered. Ahhh, but that was a few years ago and I'm sure by now she won't mind the entire blogosphere knowing she's a year older. I just hope, pray, wish and hope a little more that I look this good when I am cashing in all those senior discounts. Ha! Happy Birthday MOM. I love you.

237 posts ago...

...blog was born out of the need to find creative release in cyber space. It was just over one year ago that I typed my very first post - ahhhh those were the days... Before I knew how to upload and hyperlink photos or add polls or funky music to my site. Hmmmm, back when adding a new post was at the very tippety-top of my neaty printed to do list. Not saying that it's not still on the list, but lets get real. The B cups have had a few things going on these last few weeks which have trump-d blogging. But, we're gonna swing outta this winter funk we got rocking and ride this blog like a dirt bike. I know all ya'll still risin' and shinin' at the crack of dawn need something to do while enjoying a cup of joe in your cube. I still have all sorts of crap to write and my vow to keep this bloggy as current as Amy B's hair color still holds true. So keep coming back for another healthy helping... more taste, less filing.

Tomorrow, I get all crafty. See my newest hobby before I move on to something else.

Happy Birthday Noonce!

You all remember Noonce, don't ya? He's the greenest of the clan, the baby, if you will! Righto! The, "baby," is celebrating 24 years of fabulousness today. He's my go to man for ANY mathematical questions (he can do it in his head, while I still have to, "carry the one," on paper)! He's only THE best Trivial Pursuit, Cranium, Pictionary or Cribbage partner in the world! He's one of those who holds all the useless knowledge in the back of his mind. Go ahead try and quiz him on movie lines, an 80's hair band play list or the batting average held by any of our home town 9. And the best part? He always takes my side when I pick a fight with his brother! This SWM stands about 6'-0" tall, enjoys sports, the outdoors and the occasional (who am I kidding? This guy can hold his own!) icy cold brew. He comes from good Midwestern stock (hence fantastic in laws), has the most fun sister-in-law on the planet (duh-me you nimb-wit.) and is a personal banker by day (what he does by night is his own biz). Now accepting applications for cute girls ages 23-30, who like all the things I like and who consider Ramblings of a 34B cup to be literary greatness (too far? I'm just lookin' out for the feller!). O.K. Happiest birthday evah D-I loaf ya!

Thirty-one.

It's true... 31. XXXI.

More to come when my "old" brain gets a chance to wake up. For now check out how my family's cruel trick... The "spanking machine."

Happy Birthday Ollie!

Happy Birthday to a very special little boy who today would have been 8 years old. I am amazed at the impact a little person can make on this world in such a short time. His au natural platinum blond hair and the fuzz that ran across the bridge of his nose always reminded me of a little lion cub. Speaking of a lion... wherever this kid came he entered like a lion, certainly not like a lamb. When Jerrid and I got married the 4 boys were ALL ring bearers. They all locked arms and came down the isle not two by two but four strong across. During the ceremony I saw him pull his brown leather flip flop from his foot and hit his little bro right square in the noggin' with it. Knowing now was not the time to cry or tattle the little one took it in stride. And Ollie got off scott-free. Lion indeed. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. As a matter of fact the other day a yellow butterfly wouldn't leave our sides. A picture perfect summer day, and this colorful creature would not leave the boat no matter how many times Miss Kato's tail swirled by or how steady the summer wind circled. And I thought of Oliver. I sort of felt his vibe, his smile, his energy. The more I thought about it the more the knot in the back of my throat tightened. And then... he fluttered his wings and set sail across the water.

I miss him. We all miss him. And we are all better people for having known him.

Happy Birthday to the 1 & only Amy B!

Fate. That's exactly what it was. Only fate could put this little lady on the 8th floor of Gage B tower right next to me. I just knew she was gonna be my best friend when the first two things I learned about her were she is/was a 32A cup and had a green toothbrush! We both rushed good ole "Gamma Phi, Gamma Phi, Gamma Phi Beta-oh, oh, oh, oh not the Betas" together. We set sail on Lake Washington together and nearly flunked the 3 credit phy-ed course. We ate Paglia's pizza crusts w/0 the cheese to cut out the fat before people became carb crazy. We were roomies together all through college and where one went the other was NEVER far behind. We laughed at everything, we cried a little too, we "tooted" in front of each other, we dated boys with the same name, heck, once we even dated the same boy (to clarify SHE had the sloppy seconds)! We have history! Twelve years of it! Count em... 12! A little over a decade of dirt on each other! Amy B. the funniest, cutest, wildest, most creative and best friend EVER! I love you and I hope your 30th birthday was a blast, just like you!

Happy Birthday Auntie!

We've all got em. That one Auntie. You know, the one who sent post cards and letters via snail mail all the time. The one who bought fun Mexican holiday souvenirs (think chic-lets and change purses) each year. The one who gave you the Cabbage Patch Kids Pony for Christmas, that was way too expensive, meaning your parents would never go for it. The one who you cried for as you backed down her long curvy driveway while she waved until you were COMPLETELY out of site. The one who laughed with you and really took time to talk to you even though you were "just a kid." The same one who lets you live in her basement when you graduate college and don't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out. The kind of Auntie who "crossed her legs" dying of laughter as you take a major header off the railing of her porch railing (who knew you shouldn't stuff your feet into the stirrups of the horse saddle slung over the rail). The gal who witnesses you whiz your pants laughing at the worst MOM joke ever outside Bakers Square (it really happened... about 5 years ago... I know... I really had to go...) The type who drives a "sweet ass" black convertible and keeps two pairs of big sunglasses and bright lipstick in the glove compartment (one for her and one for a friend). The same one who drinks red wine with you and downloads itunes song after itunes song cuz they are all our "favorite." This is the kind of Auntie you list on your wedding program as a parent, cuz, well, she served as a surrogate sometimes. If you don't have an Aunt Snookie like this then your best bet is to be one to someone. And if you do then remind her how much you love her and appreciate her not only on her birthday, but all days. Happy Birthday Auntie, I love you!

Happy Birthday Roni!

Oh boy, oh boy! Am I glad I checked my calender or what? If I hadn't it would have slipped my mind that today, the 24th of July, is Roni Renee's birthday. What to say (that's PG rated anyway) about this kissin' cous of mine. She might strike you as the quiet(er) one of the group but don't let that fool ya. This one right here... shown to my right... she a live one. Got a good head on her shoulders (finally after she settled down) has the cutest little fam and teaches/mentors our local youth (a teacher, I know, whoa). Graduated with honors in education (math and science-holy crap) after going back to school in her later thirties (inspirational, right?). Let her be a lesson to all ya'll who have parents paying for your higher education-do it while they foot the bill! NOT when you have to pay outta your own pocket cuz your initial go around was all about boys, booze and bong(go drums). Kidding, whatever, she rocked it back at school and made me proud. Today she turns 15,330 days old. Good thing for her the 40's are the new 30's and she acts like she is still in her 20's (and lets call it-she doesn't look a day over 34 1/2). Anywayz big cous thanks for showing me the ways of the world (sass, drinks and rock and roll) and for being a sublime cousin (more like a big sis, not that you had any choice) and a tried and true friend. I love you! Happiest Birthday ever!!!

P.S. Tomorrow-another birthday wish AND Monday the postponed Freedom Tower update. Hang in there... the weekend is ALMOST here!

Bean's Birthday Bonanza!

Just as promised I'm back on the blogging wagon, ready to tell you all about Reenee Beanee's surprise birthday partay. Our little wonder woman had no clue what she was in store for when she arrived at the infamous Block E. The Shout House proved to be, well, something to shout about. Funny and incredibly talented musicians play whatever tune you can come up with-for the right tip that is. The perfect spot to celebrate birthdays, bachelor/bachelorette parties, girl's nights, guys nights, whatever. Our clan of MSU alumna consumed just like we did in the glory days (total exaggeration-those days are long gone my friends)(L to R Pruda, Miss Cathy, Bean, Moi, and Amy B). Damn good looking posse if I do say so myself). Ahhhhh, I remember... Not that long ago... I wrastled Pruda over borrowed clothes while she flashed Miss Cathy in her "don't mess with Texas" Escort while Ames rode with randoms on motorcycles and Shereen made whole milk lattes instead of skim for all the skinny biatches. Those were the glory days, my friends. The days of sneeking rides home with the Erbs and Gerbs guy and 208 Balzerzak. Bean basked in her 30th birthday moment of glory from the top of the grand piano (good thing she wore undies-kidding). Of course, no birthday bash could be complete without temporary tattoos AND even though we look like just more pretty faces doesn't mean we aren't resourceful. Tattoo applications courtesy of Amy B and her Belgian beer. Free kisses for strangers, and, er, um, my hubby. Well, BFF's gotta share don't they? Loves to you all. Must, must, must do it again soon.

Check out the Bean slide show in the right hand column. More propaganda to come if someone would email me more photos (hint, hint).

Happy Birthday Boys!!!

So today I am gonna ace out Fashion Friday, one of my favorite things to wish two of my favorite boys a Happy Birthday. Actually, their big day is not until tomorrow, the summer solstice (another favorite thing), but I'm so excited I can't wait any longer... (hence the timer in the side bar)

I'm a lucky gal. I married my best friend. I met him in college when he briefly dated one of roommates (a whole nother blog post) The dude who puts up with all the stupid things I do and appreciates all the good stuff too. He's a real guy's-kinda-guy who likes baseball, football, hockey, etc, golf, hunting birds, fishing, wake boarding yada, yada, yada (with all the coordinating gear). But he's got a little metro sexual flowing through his viens too with his $65.00 haircuts, and new Mavi jeans. He's my partner in exploration and often my voice of reason. And seriously, he's easy on the eyes too. Happy 32nd Birthday Jerrid! I love you!

To little Hanky Panky: Watching him grow up before my eyes has been nothing short of amazing. Two years old and he's all little boy and barely any baby anymore. This kid is just H.A.P.P.Y. and melts my heart. He loves driv-n, baseball, Miss Kato (in a love/hate sort of way), go, go racing, bike rides, playing in the dirt... you know boy stuff. He's chatting up a storm putting together all sorts of sentences and loves his Frankie's "supreme" pizza just as much as I do. If I didn't love his parents so much I would run off with him to Mexico. Happy 2nd Birthday little feller. Auntie loves, loves, loves you!

I'm kickin' myself right square in the arse, cuz I left my camera cord at home and I can't post the cutest picture ever that I have of these two. Damn *%&^ing, son of a ##*^&!!! I'm gonna see if I can buy one today-so check back ya hear?

Birthday Wishes Galore!

Happy Birthday Big Snoot!

I betcha thought I forgot, nah-nah, nah-nah boobie! Speaking of “boobage” how is it possible this birthday girl is from the same gene pool as me (that's her, the blondie, front and center)?!? Today we salute you little, Absolut Citron, splash of OJ, splash of cranberry, high maintenance cocktail gal! Oh my BIG Snoot, where to start, where to start? If only I had digital photos of your younger years I could pay you homage through the days of the boots with skinny jeans tucked into them (you’ve been around long enough for this to come back into style!), the asymmetrical haircut (powered by Vidal Sassoon?) , the blue (yes blue) mascara, the days of sleeping in until 10:30am (with me dying for her to get up already), the first car FULL of so much girl gear there was no where to sit, right up to the more recent years of our “perfect” Twin Cities 10 Mile run, the moon walk escapades (thankfully no one took photos) and the late nights (more like early mornings) at the Grouchy Dog! Kimberli, Kimi, Kimberli-Kaye I love you and wish you the best birthday yet… with many more wild and crazy birthday parties to come! XOXO!

Good Golly Miss Molly!

A double birthday wish goes out to my fellow J.U.G.G.’s member (pretty sure she's gonna die when she see this dramatic photo of herself-thanks NJ)! I just realized (epiphany people) I really need to find some more friends with A/Bcup range… this just isn’t fair! Never has my path crossed with another gal more beautiful both inside and out. This chick, she is the real deal. Sooo sweet she’ll give you a tooth ache! It is impossible not to adore her! Loves to you Molly-have a fabulous birthday!

Baked with love by the B cups...

I've whipped up something really special for your Monday fix of complex sugars and heavy on tradition. See I'm big on tradition-take for example Christmas morning has always gone hand in hand with bloody mary's with my fam, or this German dish (fat noodles) passed down through many generations MUST be served with watermelon or it just isn't right. A newer tradition (this being year #2-and I've threatened her I'm gonna bake her birthday-suit cookies until the day I bit the big one) is baking a homemade batch of sugar cookies for my gal, Nicki's, birthday. Now these my friends are not your run-0-the-mill baked goods, and you certainly aren't going to see these at the St. Mary's bazaar! Consider yourself lucky since you're going to be privy to a glimpse at what happens behind closed kitchen doors. Here is the recipe:

34b Cup's Infamous Cut Out Sugar Cookies

3/4 C Butter

1 C Sugar

2 Eggs

1/2 t Vanilla

Mix above and then add:

2 1/2 C Flour

1 t Baking Powder

1 t Salt

Chill dough 1 hour or overnight. Roll out dough until 1/8 - 1/4" thick. Select desired cookie cutter and firmly press into dough. This is the "cutter" I always use for Miss Nicki's birthday. Bake at 400 for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown like "buns in the oven". I whip up a simple frosting using a random amount of butter, vanilla, milk and powdered sugar. Frost those babies and decorate with your desired amount of "sprinkles". Check out the final product here (rated R-not X-just R for sexual content). Where might you ask can someone find a cookie cutter of this nature? Who knows-my MOM gave me mine (don't you dare act surprised). Birds of a feather my friends, birds of a feather...

Speaking of birdies-"t" that ball down cuz we tomorrow we hit the links.

XOXO,

34b cup

Fashion Friday & Happy Birthday!

Welcome to a very special Fashion Friday infused with a HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish to my home girl, Nicki (D cup featured in the center with the help of Molly's hands as under wires)(Martina and I for moral support). When I say home girl I really mean it since we both grew up in the same town (East River-just a little FYI). Of course she is much, much, much older (he, he...) than I, AND, went to private Catholic school (naughty girl) while I was a product of the public school system (angel girl) (my blog-nana, nana, boo, boo). I thought it appropriate to use her as this week's FF (Fashion Friday genius) role model. She, I, we love big sun glasses adorned with designer names (hers Prada, mine Fendi). She sports them perched on her button nose for function or flipped up on her head for fashion-but rarely leaving the Grove without them. Check us both out here at a golf tourney (in honor of my little cousin Oliver-love you Ollie) with the "fun team" as we so lovingly called them. Ya see we were the beer/shot cart hoochies and these were the only gents who seemed more into our company than the round. Check out her little guy, Hank, and my gal, Morgan here AND see why I will never be allowed to babysit again (too young to drink and too young to drive? Whatever!). Before you think those gals from S.D. sure drop bank of those designer eye duds you should know the best spot for BIG, designer, totally hip for the summer shades is Saks Off 5th-be sure to check it out. (Be sure to check "The Nick-ster" out here as she strikes a pose, and here as she molests Brian.) Just remember when purchasing your summer eye fashions go big or go home and you'll be just fine. As for Nicki, Happy Birthday my friend, not sure you will be "fine" after the all day, b-day extravaganza...

Now that I've left you a little trail of bloggin' birthday cake to follow... come back next week for the recap on the celebration AND a tradition baked with love.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my cousin (or close enough) Heidi.

Hope you have a rockin' time out on the town. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!

(translation: do just about anything)

And for sure don't do anything Kimberli wouldn't do!

(translation: go completely crazy!)