Adam Richman in Training

Day: Three Hundred and Sixty One

Photo taken on Thursday, July 28, 2011 in our kitchen at 831pm.

Chef Steve has gained a Sous-Chef, Chris Reed, since his cooking show is taking off. Tonight the three of us battle the Ultimate Chicken Parm Sub.

We manage to inhale it in record time no problem.

Um...Ow.

Day: Three Hundred and Forty Seven

Photo taken on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Heartland Golf Park in Brentwood, NY at 406pm. (Injured foot belongs to me, putters belong to Steve, Chris Reed, Pher, and myself.

Besides me getting my ass handed to me by Pher, Chris Reed sucking it up on the even holes, and Steve silently winning at this point, we're all having a good time. That is, until I misjudge the length of my feet again and the tip of my flop gets stuck on the wooden bridge. I don't know what happens but I trip and a sharp pain races from my toe to my brain. Immediately my hand goes to my toe and presses down; I fear the nail has been ripped up and I can't bring myself to look at it.

Apparently I must have yelped because Steve races over asking me what I did. When I tell him, he bends down to take a look, as do I, and we see a lot of blood leaking out from under my fingers. "Did you break it or is it just cut?"

"I'm afraid to look," I wince. Steve braves it and I peel my fingers away to reveal...

"Just a deep cut," he says and he takes off at lightning speed for napkins. The game gets put on hold until I can staunch the bleeding enough to finish the round (which I lose, as per usual).

I swear, you can't take me anywhere.

You Say It's Your Birthday

Day: Three Hundred and Fourteen

Photo taken on Saturday, June 11, 2011 in the kitchen at 1129pm. (Pictured from my thumbs up: Jess, Michelle, Chris Reed looking aghast, Kristen, and Charlie)

Nothing says "Birthday Party" quite like cooking crabs alive and then ripping them apart to feed your guests.

If you would like to read about all the other events prior to the savage killing, Michelle wrote a very nice post of the birthday extravaganza here.

Power Shot

Day: Two Hundred and Eighty Three

Photo taken on Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford, NY at 654pm. (Pictured: The Legs from left to right: Steve, me, and Chris Reed. The peeps on the serving line: Mike and Jenn)

Oh it's that time of year again...HANDBALL TIME!!!!

Being that I'm from the North Shore, it may sound odd to you how much I love this game. But being that everyone I'm playing with on this court is from the South Shore, you know how I learned to love it.

What is cool about this particular game is that anyone can play, at any level, and it's always fun. As much as I enjoy the fast paced intensity of a one-on-one with Steve (or what really should be called a one-on-assbeater), I take pleasure in playing with as many people as we can get on one court. Hilarity will ensue and someone always gets hurt but it's the camaraderie that counts.

Yo quiero Taco bell.

Day: Two Hundred and Seventy Seven

Photo taken on Thursday, Cinco de Mayo, 2011 in Taco Bell on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown, NY at 943pm. (Pictured from right: Steve giving Eskimo kisses to Jenn's burrito, me and my-what Moma likes to call-Prince Valiant hair, Aunt Linda, Jenn, and Mike-who is flabbergasted at the moment)

For some reason, the five of us are positive that if you wait until 9pm on Cinco de Mayo surely you will have no trouble getting into a Mexican restaurant because who would honestly want to party all night long on a fun, festive holiday like Cinco de Mayo?

Everyone apparently.

Mike is turned away from On the Border as we all wait for him inside Sai because we already know it's bad news when all the windows of the joint are blocked by people standing and the party has overflowed into the parking lot. Though the hostess telling him it would be a three hour wait has him shaking his head and mumbling about it all the way to Mangoes, which only has a 35 minute wait.

Wrong.

There is no way a place that has 100 people standing around outside have only a 35 minute wait (they quoted us over the phone). Steve doesn't even pull in but goes straight past it and into Taco Bell which has no wait at all. We have to celebrate and we have to celebrate right. We were craving empanadas but we'll just have to settle for cheesy gordita crunches.

Though Mike is too upset to even consider our favorite TBell meal. He's still uttering "three hours" after each bite. I guess next year we'll learn from our mistake and just park ourselves in the bar at On The Border two days prior to the holiday.

In the Arms of an Angel

Day: Two Hundred and Seventy Two

Photo taken on Saturday, April 30, 2011 in our shared (with Mike and Jenn) Embassy Suites room in Linthicum, MD at 1136pm.

I never know what to say in these sort of situations. For someone who loves words, they seem to be lost on me when it is time to comfort others. I just don't know how to make it better so sometimes all I can do is sit with you and listen or rub your back and cry with you.

This has been a tough couple of weeks for the Reed family. Unfortunately, one of their liveliest and wittiest members had been in a coma since having a heart attack. Last night, I drive down to Baltimore with Steve, Jenn, and Mike so we can all say goodbye to Uncle Bill. I just want to be there for everyone and listen to stories and celebrate a life that still had so many good years left. The whole situation is unfair and I just don't get why it had to happen to someone like him. All I can do is be present and share in the love of this family. I wish I could take away the hurt and have answers but I don't have that kind of power.

What I can do is remember my conversations I had with him and the funny things he would leave underneath my Facebook status messages. I remember his smile the most because every time he talked to me, that's what he was doing, smiling. Steve has many Uncle Bill traits so I know his spirit will live on through his nephew and everyone else he touched throughout his life.

May he rest in peace.

Gracias!

Day: Two Hundred and Fifty One

Photo taken on Saturday, April 9, 2011 in the back of a now empty U Haul truck in front of our building at 534pm. (These are the Second Shifters: Me, Michelle, Jenn, Mike, and Steve)

You guys are awesome. We have no idea how we could have done this move without all of your help. Next time I promise we will get movers and still feed you because our furniture is too damn heavy to lift ourselves anymore. I think we own too many "grown up" pieces and holy moley we have a ton of crap!

I would like to individually thank you all so I'll start with the folks in the picture above:

Mike: I am so grateful that you kept pushing the time you were supposed to leave back until we got every last box inside the new place. I have never seen those leather couches move so efficiently through doorways EVER! You were so helpful and fast paced you were like a blur up those stairs. I cannot thank you enough for keeping such a strong grip on that damn armoire and not letting it fall on my head! Many thanks!

Jenn: Your endurance for the day amazes me. Even though you went through a rigorous kickboxing work out, you still came over to help! You powered through your ankle hurting and I appreciate everything you did for us. Thank you for getting all those drawers into the proper place for me! I know you guys moved as well last month so I am grateful you helped us today though you probably don't want to see another box for awhile. Thanks for letting me borrow those freezer bags too!

Michelle: I am glad you shot me texts throughout the day to offer help; that meant a lot to me. The fact that you were moving things in today at your own new place and still made time for the Reabs was awesome. Kabuto thanks you as well for safely getting him from the loft in Smithtown to the dining room in Copiague!

I totally dropped the ball on getting a picture with the First Shifters so I yanked some pics of them offline so I hope yall don't mind:

Jeanette: I have never seen anyone react to moving quite like you did and I absolutely loved that! You came in with such a go-getter and positive attitude it made the morning a lot of fun. I enjoyed the tunes you brought along (especially Justin Beiber) as we wrapped all the breakables still hanging around the house. You were an amazing help and the things you lifted by yourself!?! You are truly a master! Thank you so much for being there!

Paul: When I was freaking out about the time and the fact that the truck was hardly full you reached over and patted my back and told me it was going to be okay. In that moment, I felt so much better because it restored my positive energy and we forged ahead. You were just coming off a night shift of lifting heavy things and you still came out to help us move! I cannot even imagine how tired you were but being there for us means the world to me. And thanks a million for setting up the TV in the new digs because I had absolutely no clue what the hell to do.

Kristen: Thank you so much for everything you did for us today! The scavenger hunt to get everything off the walls was very helpful to us and your packing skills are exemplary. I enjoyed your company and having you there lifting heavy things down all those stairs was awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Chris Reed: What can I say, without you today we would have been lost. Though you have to be the quietest mover on the planet, we're all grunting and groaning and you're just peacefully carrying a piece of furniture down the stairs. Thank you muchly for getting up early on a day you could sleep in before work to help us move an entire apartment. Chris Reed, you are the man!

Again, thank you all for putting aside all those hours on a weekend for us. You are the best friends and family a person could have! We owe you more than a meal and our gratitude so whenever you need us, no matter how big or small, we will be happy to help you out. And I promise once the weather gets warmer there will be BBQs. Lots and lots of BBQs and I expect you guys to come, relax, not move anything, eat, drink, and be merry. Love you all and thanks again!

^_\

The Critic

Day: Two Hundred and Thirty Seven

Photo taken on Saturday, March 26, 2011 before the 950 showing of Sucker Punch in the UA Farmingdale movie theater at 944pm. (We take up two full rows of the theater: Back row left to right-Steve fist pumping, Chris Reed rocking out, Kristen, Frank, Paul, and Jess. Front Row left to right-Clark Kent-er-I mean Justin, Heather, Rachel, Adam, Jon, Jenn, and a thumbs up from Mike. Other front row-me.)

For some reason I think that this movie is coming out the weekend of the 12th so Steve sends out the text to everyone two weeks early to see who wants to come with us. He gets texts back very quickly informing him that he has the wrong date. Steve then sends out an apology text offering the Justin Bieber movie instead.

There are no takers.

Two weeks later, 14 of us meet up at The Stadium to enjoy an action packed CGI* joyride that for the first 20 minutes makes me second guess myself because there is no action what-so-ever. As the movie progresses I sink further and further into my seat. I have been yabbering about this film for weeks now, that it will be so cool, a movie with badass chicks as the main characters, and have talked it up to my friends who accompany me to the theater. I am so worried that they are going to be mad at me for dragging them to some chick flick when I promised coolness. I'm thinking really hard, I'm remembering seeing dragons and guns and swords in the previews so where the hell are they?

And then the main character gets drop-kicked across the screen.

Now we're talking!

I really like the movie: the girls are hot in their two sets of costumes, the music is invigorating, and the action I promise is pretty darn awesome. Everyone has mixed opinions on the flick and we all chat animatedly about it as we loiter in front of the theater, then at the Spartan Diner across the street. I am having so much fun that I don't even realize I am out until 330 in the morning! I'm not going to be on a normal sleep pattern for a few days now but you know what? A night like this makes it totally worth it.

^_\

*CGI: To avoid confusion, I only use this acronym for "Computer Generated Imagery". I do not think I will ever talk about "Common Gateway Interface" in this BLOG, just so you know.

Family Ties

Day: One Hundred and Seventy Four

Photo taken on Saturday, January 22, 2011 outside of the Forum Diner in Bay Shore, NY at 140pm. (part of Steve is hiding behind me, then Mike, half of Paul, Aunt Kathie, Aunt Ginger, and Jess)

I like large family gatherings that involve food and several conversations going on at once (three of which you are participating in even though one is across the room). I am happy that Steve's extended family is a lot like my extended family in that when everyone gets together it's seriously a lot of laughs.

Aunt Kathie and cousin Tucker are in for a wedding and they impressively squeeze in a ton of visits with family and friends in the short amount of time that they are here (I have no idea how they do it! Maybe a time turner?). I am happy to be part of the brunch today and that my stomach allows me to scarf down half a short stack of pancakes.

I am definitely looking forward to the next Reed extravaganza!

Happy New Year!

Day: One Hundred and Fifty Two

Photo taken on Friday, December 31, 2010 at Grillfire in Merrick, NY at 835pm. (Pictured after myself, Jenn, Mike, Chris Reed, Kristen, Jess, behind her our waitress, Paul, and Steve)

I usually don't do anything for New Year's Eve ever since going off to college. I try to keep it low key and drinkie free (since I am terribly over-affectionate when buzzed) so I can enjoy the night and get home safely. This year Jenn invites us out to dinner and of course I accept (even before running it by my husband). I am really glad I did because we are having a damn good time at the table.

After eating myself into a food coma, we head back to Jenn & Mike's to finish up 2010 with the best movie imaginable: Oh! My Zombie Mermaid (courtesy of Jess). Words cannot describe the awesomeness of this movie.

Hanging out with these wonderful peeps is definitely the right way to ring in the New Year!

The Reeds

Day: One Hundred and Forty Five

Photo taken on Friday, December 24, 2010 in the kitchen area at 906pm. (Pictured after my large head is front row Steve, Patti, and Kristen, then back row Nick, Jim, and Chris Reed)

We are celebrating Christmas Eve with Steve's immediate family this year and we're having a grand time! Patti made Steve one of his favorites (deviled eggs) which I am really glad she did because I can't come within 15 feet of mustard without gagging. I feel bad I can't make them for him so he just settles for store bought Sour Patch Kids. After devouring the best Smithtown pizza out there (Buona Sera of course!) we break out the chocolate pudding pie I have mastered (not too hard, Jeanette taught me the wonders that is instant pudding), the yummy cookies Kristen made, and the delish brownies Patti whipped up. I think eating feel-good food is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, especially when sharing it with nice company!

The Chit-chin Store

Day: One Hundred and Thirty Two

Photo taken on Saturday, December 11, 2010 in the living room at 1008pm.

While the NERDS! in the background are playing Hero Quest, Kristen, Jenn, and I are playing one of the best games ever created. Behold! The original Mall Madness! Complete with cumbersome box and mold from the basement! Even Jess keeps looking over at us longingly because who wouldn't want to partake in the awesomeness that is Mall Madness? I know if Pher was around he'd be elbowing me out of the way to play as well (he is the ultimate shopper, can't be beaten). So as the game unfolds we laugh at the computer guy's voice and mimic his sales/clearances and items that cost five dollars more. It is definitely an interesting way for adults to spend their Saturday night, no?

Who won? NOT KATE!

Day: Twenty Eight

Photo taken on Sunday, August 29, 2010 in the ridiculously hot afternoon at Hartland mini golf in Deer Park.


Who doesn't love a good competitive game of mini golf?

Steve and I take his youngest brother, Nick, out to one of our favorite courses on Long Island for a nice afternoon of putting. It's definitely a very enjoyable game despite the heat and the long waits between holes. The three of us play very well and on back to back holes, I get a hole-in-one! Like how does that ever happen?! (Maybe it's because of the ladybug that lands in my eye and clings to my glasses during our game which symbolizes good luck?) Though luck is not totally on my side when we finish the game and even though I get under par twice in a row, I still LOSE. How does that happen?!