my bday rocked.

so my birthday was rad.

it began at 11:00 pm, friday, september 9th, and i was meeting a cast of people for the very first time in a hillbilly karaoke bar on galbraith.

it. rocked.

i only sang one song, John Cougar Mellencamp's "Hurt So Good," and i didn't sing it well, but people like watching me dance so i wasn't an entire disappointment.

I left an hour and a half later, when the rednecks started crooning tunes my way, pointing and dedicating their music to me. i've worked too long at dairy queen in my life to not know when hillbilly men have suddenly got a thing for me. i bolted. :)

and i decided i was too young to go home yet.
i wanted something fun.
i cruised OTR looking for some parking, not sure yet where i would end up. parking proved much harder than anticipated, and i wound up four or five blocks away. "crap," i thought, knowing OTR is one of the most unsafe neighborhoods in all of cincinnati. "CRAP." I was not into being mugged and abducted tonight. I peered out my window. Two guys came walking by. I shuffled my keys, wallet, jacket, bag together and hustled out of the car.

"Hey! Where you guys headed?" 

Neons, they called back. 

"Can I walk with you? I don't like walking by myself down here!"

Of course they said yes, and the night was off. Turns out, they ROCKED. I ended up sitting in the middle of a group of absolutely freaking HILARIOUS guys, all buds, who delighted in razzing each other for my benefit. For hours. Like, three of them. Three hours, at least. Halfway through the night, I lean over to John, one of the original two, and ask if he's got a lady. "Not at all," he says. "So we can go on a date?" I ask, and he enthusiastically agrees yes. 

I give John a ride to his home. We're getting along well, very comfortable, kickin' it, no pressure and easy. We sit on a bench outside his apartment talking till four a.m. When my stomach grumbles, we go for breakfast, and I make it back home to my place around six. I. AM. PUMPED.


**also, p.s. how f*cking cool is it that my birthday cake wound up being panCAKES at five a.m. bought by someone that is hot as hell? umm...hello, good birthday, hello**

Two hours of sleep, and a shower later, Dan, our resident computer wizarding guru, and I are heading to the Apple store in Kenwood. I hadn't had a computer in two years, and the one I had before that was older than fossils. I had one, briefly, before my psycho ex-boyfriend happily broke it for me, and, of course, didn't replace it. My life had been in the toilet for a long time since then, and now,  here I was, with a happy computer wiz, heading to the Apple store to make the biggest purchase of my life.

Twenty-six minutes later, I left with my new MacBook Air clutched protectively to my chest. Oh how AWESOME IT IS. 

I went home and crashed. Dan downloaded and updated my software for me, and I caught another three (ish or less) hours of sleep while my family fervently texted and called me telling me how much they love me. :) It rocked.

I woke up and my mom had Saturday air-mailed a celebration basket to me, full of cookies, ribbons, key lime popcorn, and so, so much love. I had a great conversation with her about her school and happenings, and moved forward in my day with all my family close in my heart.

D + E are sick as dogs right now, and we had chinese take-out for dinner. E took forever gathering her purse and keys before we went to pick it up, and I moved my car in the interim. Getting home, they had set up a cake, a present, a happy surprise! The take-out was delicious, and we spent the time laughing and talking about bdays past and present. Nancy had given me a card, and Dan and Elizabeth gave me an AMAZINGLY beautiful scarf from India, fair-trade, of course. They had picked up a cake, and we fell apart tasting its deliciousness.

Of course, living with D +E is the greatest blessing ever. They're really allowing me to set my feet forward into my life. :)

Afterwards, I headed up the stairs to get dressed to go out to Arnold's with Rick and Ashley (aka the greatest loves of my life.) :D I met them at Arnold's, and we HAD A BLAST! Ashley took a couple of pictures, which I'll post as soon as I get them. I walked into an outside patio, FILLED with big-band swing. It was amazing! Rick and Ashley were already there, had set up an ADORABLE opera-creme (aka DELICIOUS) cupcake from the Bonbonerie with 2-3 candles, and a present in my seat.
Oh, I love Ashley so much!
They lit the candles, I made a wonderful wish, and blew them out.
The presents were amazing. Ash had picked up a book of photos from Cincinnati, and went through notating on stickies all the places we had gone and adventures we had had together. Our plans are to fill the book up with more plans, more fun things! She gave me a beautiful scarf of light and dark blue--PERFECT for fall and winter, and a magnet talking about how friends are cheaper than therapy--HA, HOW RIGHT SHE IS! :D

The band all night was incredible, VERY TALENTED, and they played me a song for my bday, "Country Women," to which I took incredible delight. I wore a wine red colored dress, boots, deep red lipstick, and a sequined heart in my hair. 

I saw John for about an hour afterwards, just dropping by his work to say hey, and then I went home, happy and full and so happy to be alive. The day was filled with over a hundred family and friends wishing me well on Facebook, and I was continually and constantly overwhelmed by how special that felt. I'm so blessed and lucky to have such a strong, supportive future full of loving arms. 

Here's to the BIG 2-3!!

man oh man

man oh man

am i lucky to be surrounded by such amazing family.

<3

Mom and Popcorn

Remember when I was singing the praises (as they should be sung) of Loco Cowpoke a few weeks back?

Well this store, the Mom and Popcorn Co., are almost on equal par.

The aforementioned Kristen and I were sitting outside the Loco, waiting for the Madre to pick us up. It was hot, and we needed some respite.

I quickly scanned the street, looking for a shop that would annoy me the least.

Lo and behold! A cute sign! And a cute name! Mom and Popcorn, makers of gourment popcorn. Duh. Too cool.

We sauntered over, sauntering really the only thing one can do in Texas. The heat will immediately render you unable to lift your feet at all really, and so you end up just kind of sauntering everywhere, trying not to let your thighs touch.

Was that TMI? hmm...maybe.

Point being, we ended up inside a DELIGHTFUL candy store, totally adorable. One wall was lined with glass candy jars, a second of barrels full of nostalgic candy (oh so fun!,) and the counter was immediately facing the doors. The Counter, was beautiful. They absolutely do specialize in gourment popcorn, and they show it off well. Oh so beautiful, at least twenty flavors, all varieties (including my favorite "Texas White Trash,) :) and too many things for one to look at.

Kristen and I didn't spend as much time in there as I'd like. Well, we did spend SOME time, but it was the kind of time where's there's a lot of people in a boutique shop and so you all kind of ebb and flow your way along the walkways, not really getting to indulge in any of it. But we did make it out of there with a few treasures: two gigantic jawbreakers for my brother and cousin, nostalgic mint tins for the twins, candy cigarettes with Texas cowboys, a bag of White Chocolate covered Caramel Popcorn for Mom, and authentic Taffy strips for a friend.

My only hang-up was the staff, a little bit. I explained to them what I'd like in terms of the items they already carried on their popcorn menu, and they were unwilling to combine my order into one bag, saying simply that they didn't have a way to ring it up. Hello? I'm a customer, and I want to buy something special that you carry. I don't actually care if you charge me a little bit more for it, I just want it done. Period. The end. I'm sure you have a little misc. button somewhere, let's use that one.

Twinkies

My best friends, my best sisters.

Loco Cowpoke

It's no secret that there's at least twenty million things I love in Texas. TWENTY MILLION.

Honestly, and let's all be quite frank, what's not to love? :P

Am I right? Right????

But seriously, you've never been to Heaven (I don't care if you've died and had dinner with Jesus) until you've been to the Loco Cowpoke in Downtown Historic McKinney, Texas.

There's a couple alas-es to add to this post.

Alas! I did not take any photos while I was there today with Kristen (who also lost her mind in it!) (HELLO GOOGLE IMAGES!)

Alas! They do have a website, but it does not even do justice to Loco Cowpoke at all (believe me, it's okay, the walk-in journey alone will change your life.)

and Alas! I did not get to sample more than twelve Texas-based salsas, butters, mustards, bbq sauces, jellies, jams, foods, or peanut butters while I was there. No more than twelve, probably, sad face. ;)

So here's the rundown: I stumbled into this store ohhh, about a year ago, looking for quality Texas-Proud gifts. I googled "quality Texas items," and BAM, Loco Cowpoke appeared. Luckily, McKinney, TX is literally a hop, skip, and a jump away from my parent's place, and I was on the road in no time.

The store is snug as a bug on McKinney's E. Louisiana St, "snug" meaning it has a tiny door and is narrow throughout, but you don't really mind unless there's a couple eating all the peach-mango salsa at the salsa station.

**NOTE** Loco Cowpoke is expanding! Horray!

The owner is a real swell guy. I asked him his business the first time I was in and learned very openly that this guy specialized in horticulture, decided he wasn't spending enough time with his kids and not having as much fun as he thought he needed to (considering how hard he worked,) so he saved some money, made an investment, and BAM, his baby, the Loco Cowpoke, was born. This guy LOOOOVVVEEESSS Texas. Maybe even as much as me (maybe.) He deals with vendors and craftsman all over the wide state of Texas, bringing items into his shop that will certainly make any meal into a much more savory one. I cannot resist buying at least two jars every time I'm in there (very reasonably priced.) I've often touted a bbq sauce home for my dad (this time Caribbean Jerk,) and often make it home with the Fredericksburg Stoneground Mustard. OH! Also, the tastings and samples this guy puts out in his shop are the REAL sellers when it comes to merchandising. Honestly, nobody wants to be a pig, and this guy totally understands that--he lets you sample anything. SERIOUSLY. It's AMAZING. That is why I'm always buying things--because I taste them, they're 100% delightful, and they're suddenly going home with me to be sent as amazing gifts and presents to the people I love. So incredible.

My Loco Cowpoke Favorites:

Jalapeno Peanut Butter

Margarita Jelly

Fredericksburg Stoneground Peppercorn Mustard

Cinnamon Honey Butter

Please go! You'll love it!

Better yet, let me come with you! I love the Loco Cowpoke!

Texas

Such Sweet Notes

Such sweet notes

laid sweetly on my bed

as a sweet, night time surprise.

I love this Chester fellow and his heart of gold.

<3

Five Things I LOVE in TX

1. Chester at Halloween.

Chester: I want to be the most terrifying thing ever. I want to be something really scary.

Allyson: What is that?

Chester: I don't know! *grumble*

Eventual answer: A skeleton motorcyclist. Obviously. Wreaking havoc on highways everywhere.

2. Chester at his Bday

Exercising the yearly gangsta in him.

3. Chester at any Bday.

Practicing his occasional bird. :)

4. Chester Hair
Need I say more?

5. Chester, Everyday.

Wonderful, Delightful, Imaginative, and sweet as can be.

Such good hearts for such good healing.

I love you, Chester!

look at this

look at this.

it's the picture of perfection.

the delight of the heavens.

the taste of happiness.

it's a donut.

and this is my dad.

hi dad!

my family eats donuts.

every sunday.

after church.

same time, same place, mostly exactly same orders.

and can you blame them?
LOOK AT THESE.

they're perfect!

they're delectable!

they are heaven on earth.

and, alas, they're only in texas.

i've not eaten a donut in the four years i've been in ohio that does justice AT ALL to any donut i've eaten in texas (made fresh, all day long, made with love and sweat and a working class.)

EVER.

and i love donuts.

i'm a donut freak.

i want to go to the donut festival.

i want to serve donuts at a party.

i love them.

oh, texas! save some for me!

Gratitude

Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones,

Thank you.

For everything.

I owe my entire life to the help I have from loved ones.

<3

Allyson

via bold and noble

Killer Inheritances

I inherited three pairs of killer shoes in Texas.

Including a perfectly nude pair of python Calvins.

Oooh man I love them.

It's obviously in my best interest to remain the best of pals with my sisters. ;)

Dear Moms of the World

Dear Moms (especially Stepmoms) of the World,

I'm seeking advice for a very good friend of mine. How do you connect with your tween/teen ager?

Love,

Allyson (and friend)

Finding Photos from Things Long Forgotten

oh Chester.
How happy you make me.

Seeing My Braces Put to Good Use

as in, SMILING.
A happy, successful visit to Texas with the fam for Graduation.
Actually, let's get a little more specific here.
I graduated in March, and have been traveling my butt off and working nonstop (saving for the big move to NYC.)
I missed the fam, and they kept asking me to come down because they missed me.
And they threw a HUGE party!
People from OMAHA, NEBRASKA came down. We made our first dessert table EVER, (and it was awesome.) Friends from High School, friends from Church, friends from EVERYWHERE showed up.
And it was amazing.
I had smiles for miles, indeed.

and if I was Kristen Helmberger...

I'd wear these on good days.
These to do business in.

These for a little va-va-vooooom.

and these on the weekends while I attend book fairs.

If I was Kristen Helmberger.

If I was Stephanie Helmberger...

I'd wear these every day of my life.

These when I was going out at night.


These when I needed to run errands or just be as sweet as I always am.

And these anytime I was at a formal event where parents are involved.

If I was Stephanie Helmberger. <3