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 Happy Father’s Day to this guy!

I honestly can’t say enough good things about my Dad. As I’ve gotten older, he’s morphed from a Dad-person who gives me talking-to’s in his study, to a buddy, advisor and confidante who I can call anytimes with questions, and good news. Also The older I get, the more I realize the sacrifices he has made to provide for his family,  Making big, beautiful Christmases happen, college tuition, love and support, and the occasional airplane and motorcycle. As if it weren’t enough that he works his hiney?  off as both a lawyer and a Senator, he is also truly supportive of his kids, and also cleans up real nice:

Love you Dad!

Also, if you haven’t checked out Senator Blogstetter, you need to get there, immediately. Apparently this whole thing is a link, and a long one. Hmm. I don’t know why. 

Last night, we were able to surprise Steve with a going away party, SORT OF. It’s hard to trick someone that you tell everything to, and I kept being totally weird and being like LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES TONIGHT, SHALL WE? and a few people accidentally SORT OF mentioned it to him beforehand. BUT: he was still surprised – by all of his friends who showed up to love on him, AND by the iphone cake I created (dark chocolate with cream cheese icing), complete with power button on side. BUT, as guest of honor pointed out, I forgot the headphone jack and power plug. How. Dare. I. Regardless, Success.

Or: Reason number 1,347 why I like Steve, who sent this to me at 3 am:  

‘We have animals living with us. As us. Over thousands of years they
have been bred and evolved to live in harmony with us. Have we evolved
in unison with our domesticated animals? I propose that living with
animals increases overall health and happiness of people. Thus our
pets allow us to live a longer life, have more babies, and spread our
evolutionary seed. So, perhaps we have evolved to love animals as a
survival instinct. Petting a cat is soothing and relieves stress that
would keep me occupied when that bear turned the corner and tried to
eat me.’

 ’Word’ is an amazingly well stocked little book store in greenpoint by steve’s house, the epitome of local-business classy and cute.  We try and buy books there when we need books, to give money where $ is due. Today I was happy to find this  little bulliten board – a missed connections of book likes, if you will!

T’were I single and really cute and awesome, I would definitely do this (Sarah Kilby/ cough cough / you should do this / cough.)

Thanks Evan.

I somehow managed to make it 27 years without ever loosing a loved one or having to go to the funeral – I’ve always been terrified of going to my first. But Roberta’s funeral, as intense and terrible as it was, was sort of – lovely. Full of energy and laughing and tradition just how she would have liked!  It was a very simple, traditional jewish service, culminating in us actually throwing dirt onto her coffin which was – wow. Just – ow and then also wow. It was pretty amazing to meet so many of her friends. If I end up even 15% as awesome as she was when I grow up, I’ll be totally set.

Most amazing thing about the day – Aron.

My grandma’s boyfriend of the last two years. He was the most devestated over the loss of her. He is THE SWEETEST most gentle man who was really there for her the past few years. As the rabbi recounted, Aron would call her every single morning:

Is the Madam of the House available?

Roberta: Why, yes she is! 

RIP grandma, I love you! (As I’m sure you are just sitting up there in heaven, you know, reading my blog. I hope you also at least have a Latte, and maybe some cake.)

This weekend, at Fire Island, Mandy’s cute lil Irishman popped the question – and, subsequently, she said yes. She is already glowing with pre-bride pretty glow, and I get to bask in it, and also go EEEEK!!!! and YAY!!!!!! and JCREW DRESSES!!!!! So happy for her.

J’allez ici this weekend! Check the state off the list! (Is there a list? I think there’s a list.) Vermont is one of those states that do ‘Maine’ things to your mind (oooooh!! Vermont!!) (etc.)  I go to the wedding of Sara and Jon, good friends of Steve’s (and mine, subsequently.) I have a sneaking suspicion it is going to pretty, fancy, and fun. Hence why yesterday, I took Steve shopping and forced him to purchase things of the blazer, linen shirt and skinny tie variety. (Other cute boys at the wedding: it is so on. Watch your linened back.)

A new German campaign promoting condom use! Terrifying; effective.