Decorating with old icing

Halfway done - 20 weeks

World Cup final

I slept in today with the intention of heading to the World Cup watch party in the Power and Light District in time for the final game, but I woke up later than I planned and it was pouring down rain, so I stayed home and watched it online. Oh, Univision! How I wish I could understand you!

I enjoyed watching the game and was pleased that Spain pulled off the victory, even though I had really wanted Germany to win, and I felt that more players displayed more quality playing in earlier matches than in the final. It was a little underwhelming.

What I'm most excited about now is the U.S. bid for the World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Kansas City is a host city listed on the bid. How awesome would that be?! Make this dream a reality by getting involved.

Bachelorette party

I got invited to my cousin's bachelorette party in Kansas City, and while it was great fun, I have a sneaking suspicion that I was invited to be the guaranteed sober chauffeur. Nevertheless, I rocked it out until the wee morning hours with the bride-to-be and her matron of honor. We closed down Power and Light, and I returned them safely to their home.

Our trip to Target resulted in...

...M&M's and non-alcoholic beer. While Jason was a fan of the new pretzel M&M's, Amanda gave a thumbs-down to both.

Happy Independence Day from Bates City/Oak Grove

Jason and I were fortunate enough to be invited to the Rodge Lodge for dinner on July 3. We got to hang out with Brian and Kathleen while Brian's dad prepared the meal. It was amazing: salad, bread, potatoes and the best steak I've ever tasted in my life. Jason and I agreed that we would be willing to make reservations to come eat and pay for such a great meal. And because we are relatively new to the area and they hadn't gotten sick of us yet, Brian and Kathleen invited us to join them for fireworks at a local school on the 4th. Apparently, people shoot off the fireworks that they bring and enjoy what everyone else brings. We saw a nice display, but the festivities were cut short by the rain, so we headed back to the Rodge Lodge for ice cream. Good times.

Spendy weekend

While Jason was at annual training, one of the soldiers mentioned he might want to get a pedicure to take care of the wreck his feet had become after being forced into army boots for a solid two weeks. The soldier testified to the greatness of having a pedicure every once in a while, and Jason has known other soldiers to be pedi-positive as well. I saw my "in."

"I'll find a pedicure place and go with you if you want," I innocently encouraged. "We could do it this weekend." He didn't say no, so I started making plans. After all, I reasoned, I might as well get one done while I can still see my feet and appreciate it!

On Saturday, we headed to Christine's in Blue Springs. The girls that worked on us weren't too surprised when I said that Jason was getting a pedicure, but we definitely got some raised eyebrows when I picked pink polish for his toes. Jason just laughed and said it was his first time, so he might as well go big. After the pampering, I put my flip flops on, but Jason walked to the car barefoot because his polish wasn't dry.

It still wasn't dry by the time we got to the mall, but he put on his shoes and socks anyway. We ate at the brand-new Noodles and Company in the mall. I am so excited they finally opened a restaurant near us! We picked up some cheap clothes at Old Navy, grabbed a coffee at Barnes and Noble and got some ice cream from Cold Stone.

All in all it was an awesome Saturday!