Ten on Wednesday!!!

I was a little busy yesterday so this totally slipped my mind. Better late than never, yeah?


1. How did your parents decide on your name? 
This is an interesting story: My parents had a baby girl named Hilary Lynn. She was premature and her lungs were not developed enough for her to breathe on her own (technology has advanced a LOT in the past 30 years-nowadays she may have lived), and so her life was cut very short. Like, one day. 
Naturally this devastated my parents. My mom became pregnant with me almost a year later, and when I was born as a (very) large, healthy baby (nearly ten pounds with a full head of black hair), they were thrilled. 
Althea means healer in Greek. I am sure you can see why it was appropriate. 
This story brings tears to my eyes each time I tell it. It has created a very special place in my heart for my parents (I know, duh, right? But I think you get it) and for Hilary-whom I cannot wait to meet in Heaven. I always wanted a big sister. 
What I enjoy about my name is the questions I get when I introduce myself:
'Oh, so you're Greek..' (nope!)
'Oh, so your parents were Deadheads!' (its a really amazing Grateful Dead song. But nope!)
Or people generally assume that (if we are introduced through email or telephone) that I am black. Which I sometimes think I am. On the inside, that is. Haha.
2. Do your initials (First, Middle, Last) spell out anything fun/funny?
AJS...ah nope!!!! SAJ, JAS...nah I got nuthin
3. Did you take your middle name from childhood or did you take your maiden name as your middle name? (If unmarried, what do you plan to do?)
Keeping it from childhood. Thats another interesting story. Again, linked to a dead person.
Also, my maiden name is 11 letters long, with a silent 'y' at the end. Yeah...sorry dad,wasn't sad about losing THAT ONE.
4. Are you or will you name your children thematically (ie. same first letter, all of same origin…)
I think the only theme will be that they will be interesting. With a last name like Smith, we have to. 
5. Did you decide on baby names as a little girl? Did you stick to them or change your mind?
Hah. Oh, hahahaaaa. Nooooo. I never thought I would have kids. 
6. Does your family have any names that have been passed down through generations?
I kind of wish they did, but my extended family's traditions are relatively nonexistent. Boo. 
7. Do you look at the meaning of the name or just the name itself?
Name first, then meaning. See #4
8. Do you name pets with human names (Sally, Henry) or with pet names (Fluffy, Mr. Bo Bo)?
Well, we have two cats, one named Mona and one named Squishface, so, you figure it out. 
9. Are there any names that you have an affinity or dislike for based on a childhood experience/someone you once knew?
Heh, I could say something really mean right now about a person I am mad at. But she has the same name as my sister whom I love to pieces. 
So, no!10. What are some of your favorite names? Why?
This one I will have to decline to answer, as the Mr. and I are not done havin' babies. And we like to keep names a surprise. 

FOR THE RECORD

I stand with Planned Parenthood


Go sign. 

Grownup Stuff!!!

Oh, FRIDAY NIGHT!!!! You were so much fun it should have been illegal. But you were not. 


My darling friends arranged a Girls Night Out for the cool chicks at my old office. My BFF still works there, and we all keep in touch. Well...they do cool stuff and invite me and I attend once in a blue moon.


Nights like these are essential to maintaining the sanity of a SAHM that works outside the hizzy part-time. All work and no play make Homer something something.


First we met up at Lisa's house in Highland Park. 
Here's what I have to say about Highland Park: 
GET SOME MOTHER EFFING STREET LIGHTS!!!! GET SOME BETTER DAMN STREET SIGNS!!!!


And here is what I have to say to Google Maps:
IF YOU WERE A HUMAN BEING I WOULD KICK YOU IN THE FACE!!!!


Moving on. 
We all brought a dish to pass. Mine was low-fat buffalo chicken dip-or as the girls call it: Crack Dip. Because I add crack to it, see??
We all stood around and drank wine (them) and skinny margaritas (me) while catching up. 

Lisa, Eryn, Lauren, Dana, moi, Boo, Michelle, Adrian

Michelle, the best pizza-maker EVER

This is me attempting to go meta by taking a photo of Boo taking a photo of her pizza. 

THEN

We hit up an Irish bar in Highwood for karaoke. I can't even TELL you how long it has been since I've been in a bar. Its been a really damn long time. I forgot how weird and funny and frightening people can be when they get DRUNK. I knew I was driving, so I had quit drinking for about an hour before we left the house. Well, it turned into almost two hours because SOME people like to talk when buzzed. Hee hee. Its cool. 

We get to the bar, I ordered a Jameson on the rocks (which was SO watered down, Bridie McKenna's...shame on you) and watched my lovely buzzed pals dance to karaoke. 

Eryn and I sipped our drinks and laughed our asses off at the song selection-there were groups in there we had never heard of. 

There was a gentleman there who we called Banjo Solo Stonewashed Wrangler Belt Buckle Man who was playing air guitar to EVERY SONG. It was irritating, obvs, so Boo decided to intimidate him into knocking it off. It sort of worked. I don't really think he could help himself. 

I think she dropped something.

Sweet bathroom self portrait. Note me trying to look rough and tough while all the pretty girls have pretty faces. 

TYPICAL. 

I am not a singer. I am more a 'I'll sit here at the bar and watch you all.' kinda girl. 

BUT

We sang the SHIT out of Safety Dance. 

Then I convinced myself that I looked like a lesbian and the girl whose dress I complimented thought I was hitting on her (paranoia). 

I also got freaked out by the crazy-drunk fellow at the bar who told me all he wanted from me was ONE WORD OF TRUTH. 

Yeah. Your mind can do wacky things to you past your bedtime. 

I made sure my bestie got home okay and I FINALLY rolled into my parking lot at THREE AM. 

I am just now (Monday morning at 7:25 am) feeling human again. But it was SO WORTH IT. 

IRL news...

My son is currently now in his toddler bed, and literally everyone else I know is now pregnant again. 

Double-you tee eff.