Three posts rolled into one.

My summer has been filled with

t-ball games, swimming lessons, family reunions,

a 10 year high school reunion (lame!), weed-pulling and lawn mowing,

freckling and sun-burning (stupid spray sunscreen does not work as well as

the lotion), fishing, hiking and picture-taking.

Oh, and a little squeeeee-ing too,

like the rest of you. ;)

Squee #1:

Seeing the dwarfs (THORIN!) in costume.

Friggin' AWE-sooooome!

My husband and I are big Tolkien fans.

None of our extended family will play "Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit" with us any more

because we kick their trash.  (Wow... I sound like the biggest nerd EVER right now, don't I?) 

Anyway, I showed him the above photo and the first thing he said was,

"The guy in the middle looks too tall to be a dwarf."

(I assured him it was a perspective thing) followed by,

"What's up with the pretty boy dwarf on the far right?"

I was waiting for some sarcastic comment about my "boyfriend,"

but he didn't recognize Richard!  I felt rather smug about that...

like the "smug man at the party."

Squee #2:

Seeing photos/vids of Richard and his fluffy beard

at the "Captain America" premiers.  (I haven't seen the film yet,

but hope to remedy that situation this weekend.)

Richard doing the piercing stare of hotness,

while bearded, with open collar!

I think he's trying to read our minds.

Maybe if I look at the photo while wearing sunglasses,

my thoughts will feel a bit safer.

Nope... didn't work!

Did anyone else clap their hands with joy

when they found out one of "our" video/graphic queens, Heather,

was able to photograph AND MEET The Armitage in person!?  I did!

I was so happy with the news, you'd have thought I met the guy myself!

(Except, if I had met him, I wouldn't be standing there all cute and dignified like Heather...

how in heaven's name did she contain herself!?!)

Just between us, I've heard from reliable sources that this photograph is cropped

to hide the fact that Heather was pinching his peaches.

JUST KIDDING... I made that up. :)

You can read about Heather and DiL's experience meeting Richard HERE.

I'm glad she mentioned she's the one who designed the Havoc Tour t-shirt...

but it would have been hilarious if she'd mentioned her Sexy Back videos too. haha!

Switching gears...

Although only one of you may appreciate this topic... (what up, Traxy?)

I saw the final Harry Potter film a few weeks ago. I love the books and enjoyed the movie. 

(Have I already mentioned my nerdiness in this post?  I did?  Just checking. )

Besides the 3 main characters- Harry, Ron and Hermione,

my favorite character is Severus Snape.

I recently started thinking of the similarities between Snape

and my favorite misunderstood underdog, Gisborne.

Similarities:

* Black is their signature color.

*They rarely smile.

* Both had a rough childhood and were bullied by others.

* Their bullies later ended up with the girls they wanted.

* They mourned for the women they loved for the rest of their lives.

* Both were known to rock the guyliner/guyshadow from time to time.

* Both had a dark past and tried to make amends for those mistakes.

* Each had a heart-wrenching death.  *sniff, sniff*

* Let's not forget... the action figures!

Switching gears yet again...

Today is

The Richard Armitage Fan Blog's

2nd Birthday!   (Or bloggoversary or whatever.)

Time sure flies...

it seems like yesterday this blog was

a cute little newborn, and now it's a loud,

chubby toddler. :)

THANK YOU 

for all of your visits, comments,

and friendship, blog readers!

516,000 hits and counting.

I shall now return to being on hiatus...

although be sure to check back on Richard's birthday

for something simple, yet smile-worthy.