Running of the Brides: DC Edition

I think I might like being the "FOB" (Friend of Bride) because I get to be there for all the fun planning stuff, but without having to pay for it (or marry the groom.)*

As I mentioned in my Tweets, I've had 3 couples (6 good friends!) get engaged in the past 3 weeks (actually, all within 5 days of each other!)

One couple, Friend and his girlfriend (I refuse to call her his fiancee) are simply NOT right for each other (she is my friend but he needs to do better...she is WAAAAAAAAAY too over dramatic for him.)

The other 2 couples I could not be more excited for.

Bear and Dougle were my campaign BFF's during the last cycle, when I was in CA. Dougle (the boy) and I shared an office, and Bear (the girl) and I hit it off as soon as we met. Their relationship was interesting because he was her boss...and one of the other staffers who worked for Dougle thought that he was showing Bear favoritism in the work she was being assigned. I can honestly say that this was because she simply is a good worker and the complainer was a whiny, spoiled brat with a sadly inflated sense of self-importance.

BP is my college buddy and I've loved his now-fiancee ever since the first time I met her, while we were brushing our teeth in the guest bathroom in pj's at BP's folks home in Madison (this was during my campaign in Wisconsin, and I had a training in Madison.) BP and D have since moved to DC and currently live across the street from me. We have so much fun together - it's never awkward when just the 3 of us (or when Florida comes along.)

Tonight was the first time I've gotten to see BP and D since their 4th of July engagement, and it was completely spur of the moment: I went to peek at a house I emailed about earlier today and decided I'd pop into their house across the street before an appointment to look at another house. We chatted for a bit, Florida and I went to the appointment, and then came back (with beer) and settled in for a longer chat.

Turkey chili followed, and D and I got into chatting about wedding planning. We somehow started talking about the Filene's Basement bridal gown sale, and BP Googled it to see when it was.

It's in 2 weekends.

Cue angelic music from high atop the thing (bonus points for getting the reference!)

Instantly, D and I started making plans.

We are both going to take that day off work.

We are going to Filene's earlier in the week so we can map out our attack plan. There will be sketches and flow charts. The planning for this would make the Navy SEALs proud.

She will be wearing flip flops and leggings (though the article BP pulled up said some brides wear bike shorts and a bandeau top. I told her I would start working for her enemy if she wore that.)

We will be in matching shirts so we can easily identify each other (preferably in neon!)

We are going to have Sharpies and posterboard.

We are going to have walkie-talkies (my codename: Foxtrot. Her's: Delta.)

We are going to kick some brides' BUTTS to get my girl the dress of her dreams.

SO: Has anyone done the Filene's Basement Running of the Brides sale before? Or any sample sale like this? What are your suggestions? Tips and Tricks? Words of warning?

Delta and Foxtrot look forward to your thoughts!

Cheers,



*Not that I don't love the groom in this particular case. But given that his little brother is LBP...it might be awkward. ;)

Have you seen these?

I know I shouldn't like them since they are railing on my party...but I just can't help it.

As you know, I work in politics both here in DC and across the county on campaigns. I can be partisan and can passionately defend my party and my party leaders (the ones I agree with...which is not all.)

But I also have a sense of humour.

Roommate sent me this link earlier today, and I absolutely was beside myself giggling. These are the political equivalent of my other favorite e-card site, someecards.

This is the one I sent LBP today (he's a Republican and I bought him an Obama magnet as a foolie-foolie Christmas present when I went out there last month):


Here is my V-Day card to all my single girlfriends:


And this one, as a little reminder to myself:


HAHAHAHA!! Oh, what fun!

Wish you a very happy and safe Friday evening and Valentine's Day Eve!

Cheers,

Sweet Bea

Explaining my previous post

Ok - so I got LOTS of questions about my previous posts, so let me explain a little better what happened.

DC had her first snow yesterday (so pretty!) but then the temps warmed up to like 34 degrees, so it started raining, and then the temps dropped below freezing, so the wet roads/sidewalks froze over.

Enter Bea.

So I'm moseying along my street going to the Rayburn House building to meet with an old colleague for coffee and to catch up (and I was planning on begging for a job.)

I cross the street, and in front of a public library, I see a big patch of ice. But, I felt confident in my walking abilities (after all, I've done it nearly my whole life!) and I so I ventured onto the sheet.

Well it was very slick, so I started to make my way towards the fence to hold on to, and WHAM! My feet flew out from under me and fell flat onto my back, whacking my head on the icy brick sidewalk.

I remember being dazed there for a bit, but I pulled myself up by the fence, and a very nice woman who was walking with her son hollered to ask if I was ok. I replied that I wasn't sure, but I thought so, and stood up, in agony.

I walked a few feet further to the bottom of the walkway that goes up to the library, and started to bend over to catch my breath and stop shaking. I was incredibly dizzy at this point, so I wanted to put my head down.

Next thing I remember, I am laying flat on my back again, waking up looking at the sky. According to the woman who saw the whole thing, I had stood back up again, passed out, and fell again, whacking my head yet again on the bricks.

The woman at this point was standing over me asking once again if I was ok, and when I mumbled "yes" she said that I couldn't lay on the ice all day. I replied that laying on the ice sounded like a very good idea. I was clearly not all there at this point.

So, I laid there for a few more minutes and then slowly struggled to sit up (struggling because 1) I fell on my tailbone and it hurt like the dickens, and 2) my abs ain't in good shape and my jiggly tummy got in the way.)

When I sat up, I had a horde of people around me, which was quite embarrassing, but I didn't even notice at the time. The woman asked me if she could call anyone, and I just looked up at her completely blank - I could see my bestie's face but couldn't remember her name at all.

Finally, her name came into my head, and I reached for my phone in my coat pocket and dialed her number, and handed the phone to the woman...I still wasn't really talking in coherent words or sentences.

So I sat there for a while, as both my Samaritan and some of the other bystanders called 911. I begged them not to call 911 because I don't have insurance, but they had already been called.

So, while I sat there and tried to figure out what was actually going on (I was still really, really out of it), the ambulance arrived. And the fire truck. And the police. So embarrassing...

The EMTs came up to me and asked my name, which I stated clearly...and then he asked me what day it was. I replied that it was Tuesday, January 27th. The EMT just kinda stared at me...and then I said, "Maybe it's Wednesday? I'm unemployed so I don't really need to know what day it is! Let's see...I had a meeting at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday and an interview Thursday at 1:00 p.m....so I think it's Wednesday? But it might be the 28th?" Had they actually known me, they wouldn't have thought I had a head contusion...but was just being myself. Sigh...moving on.

The wonderful EMTs started helping me get ready for my ambulance ride by removing my scarf. It should be noted that my scarf is actually a cashmere wrap, which is very, very large. As they were unwrapping me from my wrap, the EMT started teasing me saying "Girl, are you wearing a blanket in there??" which made me laugh. They strapped the neck brace on me (side note: I HATE things around my neck. Totally paranoid about it. But this didn't freak me out...which makes me wonder if it was on right?) and then slid me onto the backboard.

It should be noted at this point that one of the bystanders who had driven up to the scene took pity on my sitting there on the ice, so she gave me a towel to put around my shoulders, and a bright pink scarf, and a bright pink hat. And a SpiderMan boogie board to sit on. I looked ridiculous, but it was really funny.

So, the EMT help me slide onto the backboard...and strapped me in. With athletic tape. Then, they tried to figure out to get me from the sidewalk to the ambulance, seeing as how it was covered in ice and even the EMTs were falling over trying to walk.

Well how do you get a girl taped to a backboard to the ambulance? Slide her along the ice, of course! Looking back on it, I bet it was hilarious to see...but at the time all I could see was a grey sky that was making me wonder if I was seeing anything at all (if that makes any sense.)

When I was lifted into the ambulance (and thank goodness I didn't hear the EMTs straining with the weight of me!) and finally hear my bestie climbing into the side door. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anywho, several hours, cat scans, x-rays, and pain pills later, I was home resting and eating cookie dough right out of the tub. Which is awesome. I heart cookie dough.

So, with a lovely prescription for pain meds and (and I can't believe I am admitting this...do I have no shame?!?!?!) stool softeners, I'm now watching Sex and the City with my roomie and her boyfriend.

OH and LBP left me this funny message on my Facebook: "Wow. You can't go anwhere. You wouldn't last a winter in Wisco. I'm glad you are ok. Next time remember to watch where you walk and don't be in such a hurry." He then called me just to make sure I was actually ok :) SWOON!

As for the dislocated hip - still not sure how I managed that one, but it was dislocated from the Sunday of Inauguration Week through the day after Inauguration. Hurt like hell...was literally dragging my right leg behind me all weekend (and of course, this was the weekend I walked for miles and miles and miles around DC.) But, then on Wednesday night, I was sitting on the couch and I reached over to grab my phone, and it popped back into place. Woke up Thursday morning with absolutely no pain. SO weird.

Cheers,

Sweet Bea

BRRRRRRRRR!

DANG it's cold out!

Your beloved blogger-Bea is refusing to leave the house!

Here's the weather outlook for this weekend...including Sunday night for the free Springsteen concert on the Mall!

(Image from Weather.com)

Of course...it could be worse...I could have decided to go to Madison THIS weekend, instead of last weekend:

(Image from Weather.com)

With this little gem:

HIGH TEMPERATURES TODAY WILL STRUGGLE TO REACH 3 TO 5 BELOW... DESPITE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE. CONTINUED GUSTY NORTHWEST WINDS OF 10 TO 20 MPH WILL PRODUCE WIND CHILL VALUES AROUND 30 BELOW THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE DAY.

BRRRR BRRRR BRRRR! :(

Stay warm, bloggy friends!

Sweet Bea

Silly boy confession

I don't really have a "type" of boy I date or like.

Granted, the vast majority of them have light eyes and dark hair, but I think that's fairly typical and not really a "type."

They also tend to be more on the preppy side of life, but I still don't think that's really a "type."

But - there is one thing that is a deal breaker nearly 100% of the time.

Jeans with athletic shoes.

O.M.G. I just can't deal.

I'm not talking about cute Diesel sneakers or something like that...those are fine, most of the time.

I'm talking about athletic shoes that you would wear to work out in. Even if they are clean and nice looking...I just can't deal.

Here's a perfect example from our Daytona 500/Karaoke party last President's Day weekend - a convo between myself, Friend, and Deuce.

Friend: That guys keeps looking over at you.

Sweet Bea: Oh yea? (Looks) Hmmm, he's kinda cute.

Friend: Go up to the bar and get a drink and talk to him!

Sweet Bea: Heh, maybe. (Looks again, closer this time) No.

Friend: No?? Why not??

Sweet Bea: He's wearing jeans with sneakers. I don't do guys that wear sneakers with jeans.

Deuce: Wait...you don't *d0* guys that wear jeans and sneakers? WTF??

Friend: Are you serious??

Sweet Bea: He's wearing jeans with sneakers and that just ain't gonna happen.

Deuce: You're seriously insane.

***END***

I can't help but look at a guy's shoes when I think he's cute. I'm not picky about them...unless they are sneakers with jeans. I honestly just can't help myself. I just have to look down to see what's on their feet.

So imagine my chagrin when I noticed that when LBP picked me up from the airport he was wearing shoes that looked like these...


...with jeans.

Sigh.

He wore them again on Saturday when we went to the sports bar to watch football...and then when we went to the REAL bar later that night. Double sigh.

I've dated only one person before who wore jeans with sneakers - CTF - and he was a complete and utter TOOL. And I'm certain it was because he wore jeans with sneakers.

Badger also wore jeans with sneakers once, but had come right from a film set so I forgave him.

Besides, on my Badger, it was kinda cute.

I know my obsession with jeans and sneakers is silly and stupid but I don't care.

I texted my bestie, SAR, who knows all about my neurosis about jeans and sneakers...and she gently reminded me that I was in the Midwest and in the Midwest it is perfectly acceptable. She is also from the Midwest and therefore things I'm crazy anyways.

Here's the strangest thing about it...as we were sitting at the sports bar playing pool and watching the Cardinals stomp all over Carolina (aside: who the heck ever thought that ARIZONA would be IN the NFC Championship game...let alone HOSTING IT???) and I of course was half watching the game, half watching LBP play pool (so adorable) and half looking at his feet...when I realized that the jeans and sneakers combo didn't make me want to beat him over the head with a pool stick.

In fact, it was actually kinda cute.

Which means...I might actually have real, big-girl feelings for him.

Which means...I might be in big trouble.

Cheers,

Sweet Bea

I've been TAGGED!

YAY for new bloggy friend KAG over at Monograms and Martinis in Manhattan! Not only has her blog provided me much entertainment, she also tagged me in a game. Here are the rules:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open to page 56.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the next 2 to 5 sentences, along with these rules.
5. Don't dig for your favorite book, the cool book, or the intellectual book. Pick the CLOSEST!
6. Tag five other people to do the same!

Now, not only am I terribly embarrassed to OWN this book...I am even MORE embarrassed that it happens to be the closest book. I seriously considered cheating and using the J. Crew catalog as the book...


Sigh...I got this book a few years ago, partially as a joke - and partially not, and admittedly have read it (but could probably stand to re-read and take notes...ESPECIALLY after this weekend with LBP!) According to the back cover, the author, Flic Everett, "is a scriptwriter, journalist, sex-advice columnist and author of four sex books. She was also the sex consultant for the British TV series 'Sex Tips for Girls.'"

Which makes me wonder: how exactly does one get to be a sex consultant?

Ugh...can you see I'm stalling about finishing out this game???? :(

FINE, here goes, from page 56...certain things have been abbreviated so my lovely blog doesn't get shut down for being an adult site:

To prolong his O, and even extend it to multiple status, he also needs to work on his PC muscles. In his case, this gratifyingly involves watching him drape a washcloth over his P and attempt to lever it up and down for five minutes a day. Hilarious entertainment though this is - and you may want to construct some rope and pulley systems where he can pull toy cars up and down - if he gets really good, it also ensures that he will last longer when he's inside you.

Sigh...so embarrassed right now. Roommate is looking at me like I'm a freak.

Here are the five who I want to share my pain with:

Lulu at The Dirty Martini Diaries

Megan at Newly Wed, Newly Bred

Dugout Daisy

Meggers at The Many Adventures of Meg

ASC at A Prepsters Guide to the Waiting Game

Cheers!

Sweet Bea

Madison Recap...

I've gone through about 3 an untold number of drafts of this post because I'm just so mixed up.

I just came home from Madison and a very nice weekend with LBP. It was, indeed, very nice.

But now I'm all confused.

Maybe I don't know what I want. Maybe I do, and that's what making me all knotted.

But I found myself this weekend, in certain situations where is was most certainly *not* appropriate, thinking about Badger (and having Les Mis songs running through my head...)

Other times, I found myself getting furious with LBP that he wasn't *with* me...which sounds strange so I'll try to explain. His friend ESJ, whom I had never met before, was with us most of the weekend...the 3 of us hung out Friday night, Saturday all day and night, and he even rode with us to the airport today. I might be absolutely insane - but it almost seemed as if his role was to ensure that LBP and I didn't spend too much alone time together...like he was running interference in case things got awkward between LBP and I.

So, if I'm clearly not over Badger (which, I fully admit, I am not, no matter how I try and lie about it to everyone and myself), then why did it bother me so much that ESJ was with us, and that when we hung out with some of their friends at the bar on Saturday night, he was talking to the other friends (all cute girls, natch) and I was just kinda sitting there?

Why couldn't I just take this weekend for what I'm sure it was supposed to be: 2 friends hanging out by day and hooking up by night?

Why was he sometimes cute and affectionate with me in public (which, when I was out there in 2006 never seemed to be a problem) and other times I'm literally "just a friend from DC" (which is what he told one of the girls who immediately, upon seeing me walk in with him, asked if I was his new girlfriend or something to that extent. )

Is it just that I'm pathetically starved for male attention?

Honestly, I'm not even sure what the purpose of this post is...it started out, many, many versions ago as a "YAY had a great time in Madison!" post and quickly changed into "please bloggy friends - I'm begging you - please figure out what is wrong with me and how I can ever be in a healthy, functional relationship!"

How on earth can I be developing (or, to be more accurate, rediscovering finally accepting?) feelings for LBP when my feelings are still so badly, badly torn up by Badger (whose email I still haven't returned yet...)

Or is it true, what Mama Bea has told me throughout my entire love life (and re-expressed to me today,) that I only want who I can't have?

Cheers...
Sweet Bea

Quick & Dirty

Tee hee!

Get your mind out of the gutters, sweet friends!!

I only have a few minutes of time to steal LBP's laptop while we are getting ready for my last night in Madison (TEAR!) 

Just wanted to say HI! and that things are going along quite splendidly, all things considered.

Hope you are all having a wonderful, blissful weekend too!

Cheers!

Sweet Bea

PS - oh uh...just got caught typing away :)

Sigh...confession time

I have a confession...and like with most confessions, I'm a wee bit embarrassed by it.

I'm running away this weekend to Madison, Wisconsin to see a boy.

It's not Badger, though he is from Wisconsin, it's a boy I briefly mentioned here in this post (LBP)

As I mentioned then, LBP is a few things:

1) little brother of my good college friend BP (hence why he's called LBP - Little BP)

2) a good friend to one of my college ex-boyfriends (natch...)

3) my 2006 "locationship" for lack of a more PG-term...

So we've kept in touch for the 2+ years since I left Wisconsin and came back to DC, and he was supposed to come visit last April, but as Badger and I were dating, I called it off. He then rebooked for August (after his bro BP moved out here, to make it a little less awkward) and of course, I was in Cali on campaign. Long story short (too late!) it's been over 2 years since I've seen him.

And, well, let's just say that the last 2 years haven't been the nicest to your dear old Bea. I've gained quite a few pounds and frankly I've worked on Capitol Hill for 2 years for some of the toughest Members (which, for those of you not from DC, means I look like I've aged about 5 years, at least.)

Keep in mind that he's a spring chicken of 25 and of course in his prime...and I can only assume, still quite adorable.

So while I'm super excited to see him because we always had fun together...I'm really quite nervous.

For starters, I've had a dang cold since BEFORE New Year's and I still sound like a man going through puberty. I mean, I sound ridiculous.

Next comes the whole "what do I wear" issue? Since I don't really know what we're going to do, I'm not sure what to pack. And I don't want to overpack since I'm carrying-on my bag. And it's going to be F-ing COLD there. But I still want to look nice HOTT...so do I wear the cute little tops or big toasty sweaters?

Also, to Ugg or not to Ugg? I mean, they are the fugliest shoe-things I own...but they're soooooo damn warm!

And then, of course, there is what to do in, you know, *that* department...

See friends, I am soooooooooooooo not ready for this! Oh halp!

Here's my plan:

1) 2 new sweaters from Express (pretty cute, pretty warm, and thin to pack): dark grey and dark teal

2) Black J. Crew cable cashmere sweater from a few years ago

3) COH Jeans: one lighter for day, one dark for night

4) Black Lumiani knee-high boots

5) Black & white Banana Republic graphic dress OR purple Banana Republic graphic dress

6) Express T-back beaded top (dark grey)

7) White House/Black Market Black & white bateau top

8) Ann Taylor cashmere turtlenecks in black OR ivory

9) Old Navy long sleeve T-shirts in black & white (& possibly gray) to wear layered on the plane or just to layer throughout the weekend


Madison by Sweet Bea

See I'm trying to get away with only packing one pair of shoes (other than my Uggs, of course) - my black knee high boots, so everything is going to be in the black & white family or be worn with those shoes (assuming they come back from the shoe man all nice and water/snow/ice proof tomorrow!!!)

I *think* this will be a good plan...I hope! I'm getting my hair cut and straightened tomorrow AM...PLEASE keep good thoughts that it goes well (I don't do well when it comes to getting my hair done AT ALL) as I'm really freaking out that it will somehow be bleached and fall out and I'll have to cancel my trip!

Seriously...with all the stress I'm putting into this damn trip I'm going to NEED the massage LBP booked for me on Friday! Sheesh!!!

Until my next freakout (T-minus a few hours, I'm sure)...

Cheers,

Sweet Bea