Went Whitewater Rafting in NH.

When my Johnny suggested that we should go up to New Hampshire and try Whitewater rafting, I thought "Why not". It sounded like it would be a good time. Plus the website said it was fun for the whole family and showed little kids smiling in their raft.

When we got to the place (it was in the middle of nowhere) they made us gear up. I was thinking just life jackets and helmets but it wasn't just that. We had to wear a thermal full body scuba suit, swim boots, and blue swim jackets. When we got fitted for life jackets and helmets, I was the only one who was wearing yellow. I stuck out like a sore thumb in our boat. Not a good thing when everyone in your raft is stronger and more in shape then I was.

This is when our instructor was telling us the several different ways we could die. I am not a good swimmer and the idea of falling into the river that had jagged rocks scared me a bit. I think I hide my fear well!

Here we are carrying the raft down to the river. That raft was heavy! Where I am only 5'3 I had a hard time making my way to the river. I look like I am going to throw up here.

Finally we were on our way! Wave "goodbye"...I mean "hello"


Our instructor was in the army. So she yelled at us like we were pond scum.

This was the calm before the storm. We were heading for a small waterfall and then we were going to be hitting the rocky waters. I love the dumb look I have on my face.

If you haven't noticed, she kept making us change up in the boat because she needed to keep the sides even in weight. I believe this is when my Johnny yelled out to everyone what I weighted.

All I kept saying to myself was 'Stay in the boat and keep paddling'.

When we finished, the instructor thought it would be fun and cute to flip the raft over. I did not like this one bit.

My victory shot. I was wet and exhausted. But it was a ton of fun!

Details

Where: North Woods Rafting in New Hampshire- Includes 2 runs on the river and a meal that they prepare for you. They also have a professional photographer to take pictures. I highly recommend buying the photo CD

Had the best seats at Fenway Park

As a big Red Sox fan, I have been to Fenway Park several times in my life. I have sat in all areas of Fenway. Sometimes my seats are so bad, I don't even know whats going on in the game.

When Johnny got tickets to a game from his boss at work (for free I should add) I was happy to even get a chance to go. Then he told me they were season ticket holders seats I was happier (those seats are usually decent seats). But then when he said we were going to be sitting right behind the Red Sox dugout, I almost passed out. I never in my life had seats so close to the dugout. EVER.

When we got to Fenway, we showed our tickets to one of the workers to see where our seats were. We followed him downstairs and....

took our seats. Yeah, that's right. No one to block our view....

except for these guys. Um... down in front.... How rude!

That's my Jay-Jay (Jason Varitek) looking all cute. He has a great set of legs.

It took all my willpower to not jump over and attack him. He is so much better looking in person.

Francona, the Red Sox head coach. I can't say that I liked him much. He had a bit of an attitude when he was signing autographs before the game.

We were so close to the players that I saw every drop of sweat on Manny's face.

From what Johnny told me; I guess when I took this picture of David Ortiz, Manny thought I was trying to take one of him and posed for me. D'oh... :( that would have been a great picture.

Our newest pitcher, Dice-K

We ended up winning the game, but to be honest I didn't pay any attention to who hit what or the score. I was just so excited to be so close to these guys. I probably will never get a chance to be that close to the players again (without being escorted by security).

Details

Where- Red Sox-Fenway Park

Went to Disney World for the first time.

At the age of 23 years old, I finally got to go to Disney World. It was everything I ever imagined it would be and more! I experienced everything that Disney had to offer me. I took pictures with every character that walked by and sat through every parade. I had no shame in acting like a kid again.

I finally got to meet Mickey Mouse. I was determined to find him and had to wait in line with a bunch of little kids just to see him. Well worth the wait.

I love how Dale (or Chip) is looking at me. He looks like he is checking me out.

Aww! I look alittle ditsy here though... and I really need a haircut.

Disney made everything special. This was when you walked into the Crystal Palace. It was made out of flowers.

Me and Goofy. He was so tall and thin.

My favorite picture. I Love Winnie the Pooh and when he came by our table I latched on. He was very soft and cute.

I waited in line for over an hour to have my picture taken with the Princess'. Belle was my favorite. She was awesome! For some reason I turned 5 years old when I saw her and told her I was french as well. At least she played along.

Cinderella was one of my favorite princess' growing up, but in person I thought she was kind of a bitch. You would think she would be nicer considering her hard upbringing. Someone needs to go back to washing the floors again.

Snow White had so much makeup on her. I could play a better Snow White better then she could...hmmm future job??

I really wanted to buy a mouse ear hat but there was so many options. This one was the Minnie Mouse sequin headband. I didn't look to thrilled with it.

Pirates where the thing at Disney that year. I kind of liked this Mickey Mouse Pirate hat. That's me trying my best to be a pirate. I believe I had a sword in my hands too. I kind of look like I have an overbite in this picture.

Arrrggg Matey! I am trying to do my best pirate impression...or sneezing. Another Pirate hat. This one was pink and girly. It even had a earring on one mouse ear.

We did alot of 3D shows there. This one was the Bugs Life 3D Show. I was hungry and tired when we waited in line. So I decided to wear Johnny's glasses too. I wanted to look like a sexy bug. Mission accomplished...not!

Yes, I am a dork.

MGM reminded me of what Hollywood would look like back in the 50's. They had people singing and dancing in the streets and they also have famous peoples hand and footprints. I am curious is these where real or not...

My Favorite park had to be the Animal Kingdom! They have a walking zoo there. Look at how close I got to the tigers. They were beautiful.

Me with my Mr. Incredible. I look like a midget next to him.

Details

Where we stayed: Disney Port Orleans Riverside Resort- awesome place but it seemed more ideal for people with kids.

How we booked the trip: BJ's Vacations- Awesome to deal with!

Favorite attraction: The Food and Wine Festival in Epcot- Takes place in October and you can sample (not for free) food from all over the world. I personally liked Ireland and China.

Favorite Ride: The Dinosaur Ride- The last part almost made me pee my pants.

I got married

After two long years of planning, we finally tied the knot!

This day was one of the happiest day of my life. I felt beautiful that day and everything was perfect! I can't say enough about how great my wedding turned out to be. I wouldn't have changed a thing!!

Here is a shot of our beautiful wedding cake! We had a fall themed wedding and this cake came out perfect! I painted that little bride and groom on top.

Details

Where: The Crestview- It is a cheif owned banquit hall. The food was fantastic. It was also beautiful there

Cake: Montillios (Boston)- They did the flowers on my cake orange as a suprise to me. Everyone loved my cake!

Photographer: Johnny Aguedas- Got a great deal!

Invitations/flowers/decorations: Me, myself and I. My best advice to all you brides; get a bunch of your bridesmaids together, open up a bottle of wine and make everything yourself.

Said Goodbye to Lucky

On the day my dog, Lucky, died. He was being treated for cancer and I guess it was just too hard for him. He died at the one place that he loved the most, home. It was hard to realize that he was never going to greet me at the door when I came home. I felt like I lost a best friend and in a way I did.

Growing up with Lucky, we had a lot of good memories. He was the reason why I love dogs so much now. He was the best, cutest and well behaved dog ever. He only had an accident in the house once and that was his first night at our house.

Lucky was my first dog. He was a black lab mixed with a German Shepard. If you lifted his ears, he would look like a black German Shepard. We got him when he was just six months old from someone I knew from school. I was in second grade when we got him. We decided to not change his name and kept Lucky.

He was such a smart dog. He knew how to do a lot of tricks. At six months old he could sit, lie down and give paw. We later taught him how to beg. He could bounce a ball off his nose and would always guess which hand held a treat with his paw. My sister, brother and me would play hide and seek with him and he would always find us.

Christmas was his favorite holiday. My mom would put a little bell on his collar which let you know where he was at all times. He would get all excited and make a dash to his Christmas stocking. He knew it was filled with all his favorite treats. Pigs ears were his favorite. He also really loved his birthday (July 17). Again because he knew he was getting food.

When it would snow, he would bark to go outside. The snow would be taller then him and all you would see is this little black blob bouncing up and down. He would try to cram as much snow in his mouth as possible and turning the snow yellow was fun too. He would come in the house completely white from the snow with this big doggie grin on his face.

His favorite toys where socks and a little star that played music. He was more of a food dog and loved to eat. He loved cheese. His collar and chock chain were also his favorite things. If you tried to take it off him, he would get all upset and would not calm down until it was back around his neck.

Once, Lucky peed on a hornets nest. Over 50 hornets attached themselves to him and what did he do? He ran in the house. We didn’t realize it until I got stung twice in the neck. My Mom and my boyfriend went around the house to get rid of the hornets. Lucky’s face was so swollen from the attack. Lucky was so scared he was shaking. It was horrible. I had to lock him in the bathroom with me just to stop the hornets from attacking him. I wish I took pictures of that because its so hard to believe what happened.

When he got cancer, we decided to try chemo. He was so brave during the whole ordeal. He would go to the vet with my sister (who works there) everyone loved him. His paw got burnt from the treatments and then got infected. To prevent him from licking we put a long sleeve shirt on him. He LOVED it and looked really cute in it.

My dog, Lucky, will always be my dog, best friend and a part of my family. I will never forget him ever. I could only be so lucky as to have another dog like him in the future. I will never forget him and will always love him.

Goodbye Lucky.

Watched the Red Sox win the World Series

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last 86 years, the Red Sox have had what was known as the "Curse of the Bambino". If you haven't heard of the curse, you can click on the link and read all about it. Boston Red Sox fans took this curse very seriously. Growing up as a fan was always hard. You would get your hopes up and then someone like Bill Buckner would let it slip right between his legs or Pedro Martinez pitching one too many innings.






But 2004 was different. Something just felt special about the Sox that year. We got into the playoffs and I really felt that this was our big chance! I was going to witness the Red Sox win the World Series. All we had to do is beat the Yankees in the playoffs. Sure no problem.

Game 1- Yankees 10 Red Sox 7

Game 2- Yankees 3 Red Sox 1

Game 3- Yankees 19 Red Sox 8 (This game hurt to watch)

Stick a fork in the Sox cause they were done. NO team in history has ever come back from that kind of beat down and with the Sox history we knew it wasn't our year. Or was it....

Game 4- Red Sox 6 Yankees 4

Game 5-Red Sox 5 Yankees 4

Game 6- Red Sox 4 Yankees 2

No one could believe it! We were one game away from beating the Yankees and making it to the World Series. ONE GAME!

Schillings epic bloody sock

Game 7- Red Sox 10 Yankees 3!!

SOX WIN!! SOX WIN!!

It was the biggest comeback anyone has ever seen! Not only did we beat the Yankees, which is sweet enough, but we were going to the World Series!!

I would love to say that there was an epic battle in the world series just like the Yankees, but in truth there wasn't. We swept the Cardinals with no problems. It was a Wednesday so I couldn't even enjoy all the game because it was a work night and the game went on till late in the night.
I was watching it in Johnny's bedroom while he was asleep. I crossed my fingers and then the last out was out. I had just watched history and was too tired to even care.

The curse was finally lifted!! But even though I am a big Boston Red Sox fan I have to tell you, I was slightly disappointed that we broke the curse. Yes, I wanted to witness them winning a world series but the whole "Curse of the Bambino" was a part of being a Red Sox fan. It was a part of us. Now that its gone what else do we have? We will never have a year like this one. Even if we win every year after this, I will ALWAYS remember this season.

I would highly recommend watching the movie "Fever Pitch" it did a great job of documenting this season in a cute little romantic comedy. Except I find some of the Boston accents alittle scary and some of the acting (especially the fans at the game) a little tacky. Adam Sandler would have been a much better choice for the lead role but he is a stinky Yankee fan.

Laurie's got a gun (permit)

I really wanted to be a police officer when I was growing up. I wanted nothing more then to protect the town that I grew up in. After the fiasco of training to be an EMT, I decided that wasn’t the direction I wanted to go in life.

My Dad has several guns and wanted nothing more then to one day pass them down to his kids. In order for this to happen, one of us had to get their gun permit. As you guessed it, that person was moi.

My Dad

I took the safety course that they offer at the gun club my Dad goes to. I found the class easy yet I found myself to be the only female in the glass. It was very uncomfortable for me taking this class but I sucked it up and did it. My aim was not the greatest in the world and one guy in the class made some rude remarks to me.

Hmm I don't look like someone who should be holding a gun...

In the end I was very proud that I passed the test and soon got my actually license. It was nice to share this experience with my Dad and fiancé (who also took the class with me). My Dad takes me to the range once in a while to work on my aim.

My target. Proving I have bad aim.

Even though I do not plan to use this skill ever in my life, I never regret getting a gun permit. It has taught me very important safety tips and has allowed me not to have a fear of guns (when they are used properly). Plus, I never know when this class might save my life one day.