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Back in Time

2010-05-13T20:41:00.003-04:00

Last time I went to go visit my mom, I went through some shoeboxes of pictures, and took a whole bunch of them to scan at work. There are a lot more than these, but I thought I would share a few.

Yeah, I have no idea either!

And one of my mom and I, for good measure

RIP Bailey :(

2010-05-13T20:15:00.002-04:00

We moved to Florida July 1996, and pretty much from the day we moved, my youngest sister begged and pleaded with my parents to get us a dog. Every day! She would go into every pet store (we didn't really know about adopting from humane societies or rescues), look online, and beg and beg and beg. Finally, one day we came home from school to find a brown ball of fluff that my mom and dad picked up from a breeder. We named this apricot miniature poodle, Bailey.
Over the course of the next few years, he developed a lot of problems, and found out that he was bred in typical puppy-mill fashion. He had bad allergies to the point of gnawing off the pads of his paws, became diabetic, blind, and eventually started to lose his hearing. It was really difficult to make plans for vacations, because we couldn't board him, we couldn't take day trips because he had to be walked every 4 hours. Slowly, over the course of time, it just got worse and worse, and finally, we felt like he was really suffering.
Now that my sisters and I don't live at home, my mom and dad made the decision that it was finally time to send him off to doggie heaven.

RIP Bailey 09/04/1997 - 04/24/2010

I miss you!

Easter

2010-04-25T19:46:00.002-04:00

So those of you who know me know that I can't cook/bake if my life depended on it. Our dinners consist of taking the chicken out of the package, put a little seasoning on it, and put it in the oven for 20 minutes. Sides are either 90 second rice or veggies that go in the microwave bottom side up for 5 minutes. That.is.it! So when we were invited to Easter dinner at my mother-in-law's house, and my hubby was out of town for the 4 days leading up to Easter, I was bored, and in the mood to bake. I went to SuperTarget and couldn't decide what to bake, so....

Muffins:

Brownies:

With Peeps

....and Cookies!

The best part, no one got sick and they tasted FANTASTIC!

Ice in Florida?

2010-04-25T19:41:00.003-04:00

Something is definitely wrong with that statement. This winter has been recorded as the coldest winter since they have been recording temperatures! We had so many nights under 32 degrees. There were even DAYS were the HIGH didn't even reach 32 degrees. Something is definitely wrong with that!

I know we didn't have nearly as bad as some of you up north, but damn, this is Florida!

Valentine's Day 2010

2010-04-25T15:59:00.002-04:00

It was quite a surprise to receive flowers on Valentine's Day. I hope for them, but never expect them. A gorgeous bouquet of 2 dozen roses delivered to me at a work = photo opportunity!

And some fun with the fisheye

Three - Oh! Oh No!

2010-04-25T15:50:00.002-04:00

It was a big one. I don't feel 30, I don't look 30, so I don't know why it was really such a big deal, but it is. I feel like I'm officially not young anymore.

I was hoping that someone was going to make a big deal over my birthday, thought maybe I'd get a surprise party, maybe a surprise visit from people I hadn't seen in awhile, but no. All I got was a 1 day/1 night trip to Disney. When you live in Florida, an hour and a half away from Disney, Disney is no longer a 'big deal,' just so you know.

We didn't get to go to Magic Kingdom

Picture Time

2010-04-25T15:39:00.002-04:00

The last time we had pictures taken of the 2 of us was at our wedding, 2½ years ago. One of the local studios in the mall was running a special, and we decided to go have some pictures of us taken. I'm pretty please with how the pictures came out.

Merry Christmas (2009)

2010-04-25T15:31:00.003-04:00

We didn't get to spend this Christmas with our parents, but had a good holiday nonetheless.

Introducing Conor Michael

2010-04-25T15:13:00.002-04:00

On December 6th 2009, my nephew, Conor Michael was born at 7:32am.

Pro Pics that were done in the hospital the day after he was born

March 7 ~ 13 weeks

March 14 ~ 14 weeks

April 24 ~ 19 weeks 6 days

Wow....It's been that long?

2010-04-25T14:45:00.003-04:00

Has it really been 143 days since I last posted on my blog? I guess I just don't find my life that interesting to have anything to post about!

The more I think about how long it's been, I realize that quite a few things have happened since December 3, 2009.

So, here goes....

Let Christmas begin!

2009-12-03T20:58:00.003-05:00

We haven't had a tree in the last couple of years, this year, we were definitely going to make sure we had a tree to decorate. I sent Hubby to buy a real tree on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and I think he did a pretty good job!

I have been working pretty much every day since Black Friday, and haven't had the chance to decorate the tree (which I insist on doing myself). I had the day off yesterday, and decided that it would be THE day! What do you think?

Oy, I just realized how blurry that photo is! I might have to take another one!

Most of my blog-readers know I have a lot of friends in the internet world, that I met on The Nest. This year, I decided to participate in a Secret Santa/Elfster Ornament Exchange. Look at the BEAUTIFUL ornaments I got from one of the Nesties! I love LOVE them!

Unfortunately, I don't know how many presents I'm going to have under the tree, but nevertheless, the tree is officially UP!

Me vs Me

2009-11-22T19:58:00.003-05:00

I asked some of my friends for some chick-lit recommendations, other authors that maybe I didn't think to look up, or perhaps even an author that I had never heard of before.

My friend Lauren R. told me about Sarah Mlynowski, and recommended a couple of her books. I went to the bookstore, and there weren't even any books at all by this author! I went on my library's website, and looked up the author there, and found a few different books that were available. I looked each one up and read the synopsis of each, and made my decision to read Me vs. Me.

Here's the synopsis that sold me - oh and the author is originally from Montreal ;)
From Barnes and Noble (no that's not the bookstore I initially went to):
Gabby Wolf has pretty much, almost definitely (this close!) come to a decision: She's trading in Phoenix (nice but uneventful life with boyfriend) for Manhattan (dream job as producer for highly successful news show). Then Cam swoops in and gives her a sparkling engagement ring, making her decision even more impossible. Husband vs. career. Vera Wang wedding dress vs. sexy first-date outfits. Planting roots in Phoenix vs. playing the field in Manhattan... She wishes she didn't have to decide, that she could have it all.

She never expects her wish to come true.

Suddenly Gabby's living two lives. Whenever she falls asleep in one, she wakes up in the other. She's got the best of both worlds--what more could a girl ask for? Right?

This fantastic (and fantastical) new novel from bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski will have you flipping pages as quickly as Gabby flips lives to find out which Gabby reigns supreme in the battle of Me vs. Me.

Forget Me Knot

2009-11-02T17:19:00.006-05:00

I finished this book by Sue Margolis a couple of weeks ago, and forgot to blog about it - oops! This was another "can not put it down" book!

From RandomHouse.com:

Florist Abby Crompton has a knack for arranging the most exquisite bouquets for the hippest clientele. If only her personal life could run as smoothly. Although her fiancé, Toby, proposed a month ago, Abby’s still waiting for the ring. An up-and-coming lawyer, Toby’s been far too busy to shop—let alone muster the energy for romance. If that wasn’t frustrating enough, the night she’s supposed to meet her future mother-in-law, Abby gets stuck in an elevator—with a sexy stranger bearing fine wine. Needless to say, a tipsy Abby arrives late for dinner and doesn’t make the best impression. In the aftermath of the dinner disaster, Abby is thrilled to learn that a film studio wants to use her shop in an upcoming movie. But when she meets the director, Dan, she’s shocked to discover that he’s none other than the same man with whom she shared the elevator—and some highly personal information. Now, with Toby putting in more overtime, Abby’s feeling even more neglected. And her attraction to Dan is growing daily—as her own life begins to mirror the romantic comedy he’s shooting.

Diaper Cake

2009-11-02T16:22:00.002-05:00

My sister-in-law's baby shower is in a couple weeks, and everyone was asked to bring diapers. So, me and my creative self, I couldn't just bring a package of diapers!

Here's, somewhat, of a step-by-step "how-to" of making a diaper cake:

You will need:
1) diapers, I used 2 packages of size 2 42-count Huggies diapers, and had a few left over
2) something for the center...I used a bottle of lotion, and a bottle
3) a stuffed animal, this will be used for the top of the "cake"
4) other baby items for decoration...I used pacifiers, I also bought socks, that I didn't end up using.

Craft supplies:
1) 1½" ribbon
2) thin ribbon
3) double-sided tape
4) a lot of small rubber bands, and a few large rubber bands
5) other things you may want to use for decoration (bows, other ribbon, etc)

Start with the center - a bottle of lotion

Roll the diapers from the outside inward...and put one small rubber band in the center

Rubber band together the rolled diapers around the bottle of lotion

Now do it again with a second time around

And lastly, a third time around...be careful that you don't snap yourself with the rubber band (yep - I did)

Now for the second tier, you will do the same as the bottom, only this time, only going around twice.

For the third tier, you will band together the rolled diapers around the bottle, and place them on top.

Now, you can start making it pretty.
Use the thicker ribbon and some double-sided tape, and wrap it around each tier

Add other decorations, pacifiers and stuffed animal

Et voila!

I'm hoping she likes it!

Pumpkin Patch 2009

2009-10-18T21:10:00.002-04:00

I was so happy to find out that we were actually going to get some cooler weather from the cold front. I wasn't so happy to find out that the cooler weather was going to come the same weekend I was going to go visit my mom's. I wasn't sure that the cold front would reach that far South.

Tampa started feeling the effects of the cooler weather yesterday morning, meanwhile, it was still 80 degrees here at my mom's. I was so excited when I woke up this morning to a record low for this area....52 degrees! WAHOO!

It was a perfect day for the pumkin patch! My sister has been wanting to go to the pumpkin patch with her boyfriend to pick out their pumkins to carve, and since I was here, they decided to have me take some pictures of them there. I didn't bring my camera with me, but my mom has a pretty good camera, and so I used that instead.

Here are some pictures of the pumpkin patch, my sister Jaclyn, and her boyfriend Mike:

First thing my sister found was the scarecrow cutout...

And she says she isn't photogenic...what is wrong with her!?

"I like that one!"

"This is a good one!"

Their pumpkins!

Perfect weather for some perfect pumpkins....tomorrow....back to 80 degrees :(

Smoke Screen

2009-09-22T13:38:00.002-04:00

I used to read book by Sandra Brown all the time, but I felt like all her books were exactly the same and they were just so predictable. So, it's been awhile.
I read the flap on this one, and it sounded a bit different. It not only had the romance, that I like about her novels, but it had a bit of suspense too. I found myself wanting to read more and more to find out what happens.

From Publisher's Weekly on Amazon.com:
At the start of this scorching if somewhat formulaic thriller from bestseller Brown (Play Dirty), Charleston, S.C., TV reporter Britt Shelley wakes up in bed next to the dead body of police detective Jay Burgess. While Jay had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, the authorities suspect foul play. Jay's former best friend, ex-fireman Raley Gannon, suffered a similar shock five years earlier, waking up next to party girl Suzi Monroe's naked corpse after a party at Jay's home. Raley had been investigating a fire at a local police station that took seven lives, despite the heroic efforts of Jay and several other cops, one of whom is now South Carolina's attorney general. Cleared of Suzi's death, Raley eventually teams with Britt to look into a nasty arson coverup. Brown laces her dependable romantic fireworks with a solid action-filled plot, though readers should be prepared for a few stereotypes, including a limp-wristed gay, a macho skinhead and a power-mad female politician.

New Phone :)

2009-09-18T19:53:00.003-04:00

I'm so excited! I have Verizon Wireless, and have had the LG Chocolate for 2 years...I have been looking forward to upgrading for the last 8 months! I have looked at all the different phones over and over, and every time something new would come out I would go and check it out. I really wanted a Blackberry, but I also wanted something touchscreen. The BB Storm had so many bad reviews, I went to check it out, and didn't like it, and everyone who I asked told me not to get it. So it was back to the drawing board. I was set on the enVTouch, and that's what I was prepared to get...............until the Samsung Rogue came out. I went to the local VZW store, and knew that this was the ONE! There is so much to learn on it! I can't wait to play :)

Jennifer Johnson is Sick of Being Single

2009-09-14T09:41:00.002-04:00

I first heard about this book on my friend Katie Sue's Blog. I never heard of Heather McElhatton, but her review had me on my library's website, and requesting the book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was an easy, light read, and found myself wanting to read more and more. Most of the time when I read books, I feel like I wish the book wouldn't have ended where it did, and would just go on. I want to know what happens to the people in the book that I have gotten "close to" by reading about their lives. This book was no exception, honestly, I feel like this book could have gone for another few chapters, I really do feel like I was left hanging, because of everything that led up to the end.

Review from Publisher's Weekly on Amazon.com:
A heroine with Bridget Jones-like neuroses and klutziness learns the costs of scoring a glamorous life in McElhatton's delightful second novel (after Pretty Little Mistakes). Jennifer Johnson is a financially unstable copywriter toiling in the marketing department of Keller's, a family-run Minnesota department store. Jennifer learns her ex is engaged and is subjected to her younger sister's wedding preparations, horrid dates and a fire in her Hello Kitty–adorned apartment. Enter Brad Keller, the caddish heir to the Keller's department store fortune. Though at first she couldn't imagine that he'd ever be interested in her, soon enough they're dating, and a marriage proposal follows. Things, of course, aren't exactly as they appear, and Jennifer's eventually confronted with the classic dilemma: money or love. Jennifer's a wonderful narrator—honest, witty, self-deprecating and sharply observant—which more than redeems the story's familiar aspects (gay best friend, high maintenance sibling's pending nuptials, lame Internet dates). McElhatton blends just enough cynicism into the whimsical narrative, creating a fun romp through a woman's manifold insecurities.

To Have and To Hold

2009-09-04T09:04:00.003-04:00

I actually finished this book a couple weeks ago, before the accident, but just never had the chance to blog about it.

Yet another book by Jane Green, To Have and To Hold.

I always seem to have trouble getting into books in the first few chapters, but it usually doesn't take long before I'm hooked. This one was no exception. I ended up toting my book everywhere, and read it at every possible spare moment that I had.

From RandomHouse
What happens when your Prince Charming turns out not to be so charming after all? In To Have and To Hold, bestselling author Jane Green offers a sizzling, highly entertaining look at romantic relationships after we say "I do."

Alice knows she should be happy. A charming twenty-eight-year-old with a successful catering business, she's always dreamed of a rose-covered cottage in the English countryside, filled with children and animals and home-cooked meals. Her favorite attire is comfy jeans, her best manicure features garden dirt under the nails. But when her teenage crush-the wealthy, dashing man-about-town Joe Chambers-wants to make her his bride, Alice is more than willing to play Cinderella to Joe's prince. Never mind that he wants her to change-a diet, ice-blond highlights, stilettos, snooty gallery openings-and that he's allergic to nature and kids. She tells herself she's happy to sacrifice for love, and besides, with Joe's stunning good looks and high-profile career at a top financial firm, every woman in London wants to be in her shoes.

But that's just the problem. Despite Alice's efforts to be the perfect wife, Joe soon reveals a penchant for being hopelessly unfaithful. When a notorious indiscretion with a female colleague forces Joe to transfer to New York, Alice's life turns upside down. As Joe continues to sneak around, and her best friend's beau offers a tempting glimpse of what real love could be like, Alice must decide how much Cinderella she can take before her deepest desires win out-and if she can summon up the courage to find real happiness on her own.

Delicious, witty, and packed with sparkling sex appeal, To Have and To Hold is an unputdownable read that will have you rooting out loud for its endearing heroine. A #1 bestseller in Britain, this latest tale from the beloved, utterly winning Jane Green proves that the search for true love doesn't always end when someone dons a veil, and offers a lively, refreshing take on modern marriage.

Look both way before turning into traffic

2009-08-24T23:16:00.004-04:00

Look left, then look right, and then look left again! Because a stupid dumbass didn't pay attention this is what my car looks like:

I spent nearly 6 hours in the ER today, and it was awful!

I was driving on my merry way, off to meet a friend for lunch, and this chick pulled out of a parking lot, and slammed right into my front passenger side of my car. My airbag deployed, and have a sprained wrist, as well as a burn from the airbag. Thank g-d it didn't hit me in the face!

Thankfully, she claimed it was her fault from the start, and she got cited at the scene. Her insurance company is taking 100% liability for the accident, and won't have to worry about paying anything out of pocket.

Tomorrow morning, I go pick up my rental car, and hopefully get an idea of how long I won't have my own car for. It's ok though, my wrist hurts too bad to shift anyways.

Thank you to everyone who has wished me well, now for the healing.

Summer Vacation

2009-07-19T20:11:00.003-04:00

We're trying to make it a habit to take a vacation every summer for our anniversary. Last year, you'll remember, we went to Tennessee. This year, we decided to not travel as far, and so we decided to go to New Smyrna Beach, FL.

New Smyrna Beach is on the other coast of Florida, and about 2 hours and 15 minutes away from where I live, a lot easier than 12 hours; especially with 2 dogs!

I searched out condos for rent on vrbo.com, and found a lovely brand new condo right on the beach, well across the street. We were just 3 miles from the jedi, destination for a lot of shark attacks. We decided to stay away from there!

The first night we went out for dinner to New Smyrna Steakhouse. It was very yummy! From there we went grocery shopping, and stocked up the fridge and pantry at the condo.

On Thursday we went to the beach, it was beautiful, but nothing like the beach at Siesta Key. I think every beach I will ever go to, I will forever compare it to the white sand and crystal blue water. Anyway, this beach was really nice, and we had a really good time throwing around the football, and laying out in the sun.

this little crab was playing peek-a-boo with us all afternoon, he kept going in and out of his little crab hole!

Friday, we drove to Daytona Beach, and went to Daytona International Speedway and Angell & Phelps.

Being I'm an avid NASCAR fan, the Daytona 500 Experience was something I was really excited to do.

Hubby was excited that he had the same size hands as his favorite driver - Jeff Gordon.

This is probably the closest I would ever get to my favorite driver - Kevin Harvick

31 degree turns! Holy crap!

Winning car of the most recent Daytona 500 - Matt Kenseth

Right before the IMAX movie

Angell & Phelps is a well-known chocolate factory, and unfortunately because we spent so much time at the Speedway, we missed the last free tour they had, but I was able to snag a couple of yummy pictures!

milk chocolate

white chocolate

Saturday, we went back to the beach, but after only a couple hours, the clouds started rolling in, FAST! We didn't have much time to pack up all of our stuff (2 coolers, 2 beach chairs, 2 umbrellas, towels, beach bags, and whatever else), and get back to our condo before the rain started to come down in buckets. We got a little wet, but I'll say we made it back just in the nick of time!

looking to the left....

...and to the right

Unfortunately, it rained for most of the rest of the afternoon, and for that reason, really didn't get to do much else.

Sasha passed out after a very long day - she needs a vacation from her vacation!

We left first thing this morning, which was fine, since it looked like it was going to rain again today.

Next year, we are hoping to go on another cruise....I can't wait!

Quote for the day, in honor of my trip to the Daytona International Speedway:
"There is no doubt precisely when folks began racing each other in automobiles......it was the day the built the second automobile." - Richard Petty

Cleanse: My Review

2009-07-15T12:51:00.002-04:00

So this is Day 7, I only have the pills tonight left to take, but because I'm leaving on vacation in a couple hours, I won't be able to weigh and measure myself tomorrow morning.

Since last Thursday I have not had ANY caffeine whatsoever. This was huge for me! Those of you who know me, know that I drank Mountain Dew and Starbucks Mocha Frappuccinos like they were going out of style. I figured, just that in itself I would lose some weight. I have really been monitoring what I have been eating, very limited sugars, no "snack" foods, no ice cream, no anything good that I would normally eat.

The actually process of doing the Cleanse I did wasn't horrible. 4 pills when you wake up, nasty sh!t to drink with breakfast, and then 5 more pills to take with dinner.

My changes? I am down only 2.6lbs, and ZERO inches. How do I feel about it? Not very good.

It's very depressing. It really sucks, and I don't know what else to do. I do know that I am really going to have to focus on doing my cardio when I get back from vacation, and just push myself to do it every day.

Ho hum.

13 years...

2009-07-13T21:20:00.002-04:00

That's how long it has been since I left my home, my family, and my friends in Montreal. The day I left my old life behind, moved to Florida, and started my new life.

That's all...

I can DO EEEEIT!!

2009-07-08T20:40:00.002-04:00

How many times have I blogged about wanting and NEEDING to lose weight? Complaining that my clothes don't fit? Not being happy with what I see in the mirror staring back at me, or with what the scale says.

I worked so hard to get to where I was when I got married, and after all the wedding festivities were over, I just completely let myself go. I am not happy with where I am. AT. ALL.! It is so depressing, and I get these moments where I just want to cry, because I don't know what else to do.

I tried Weight Watchers, it has worked for me before, so why not now? Not so much. I tried the exercising, and going to the gym everyday. Not working. I tried just watching what I eat (not Weight Watchers), and just being healthy. Not working. Nothing seems to be working, and I don't know why.

Today, on my day off, I went to the mall, and went into GNC. I thought maybe someone there can help with any suggestions. I talked to a guy there, and he seemed very knowledgeable. I asked him about a Cleanse System, and whether or not they are good, or not so good. He told me that they are actually not bad for you at all. It cleans out everything inside you, and eventhough you may or may not lose weight after the Cleanse, it will help jump-start your system, and I will go back to eating healthy, and working out.

I am going to be doing a 7-day Complete Body Cleansing Program

Wish me luck, I start in the morning!

Mr. Maybe

2009-07-06T14:05:00.003-04:00

Ok, so I'm on a Jane Green kick, isn't that what always happens? You read one book by an author you really like, and then have to read another and then another? My husband actually had to do a double take when he saw the cover of this book, his words: "what the hell are you reading!?"

From Amazon.com
From Publishers Weekly Yet another endearingly flawed, contemporary London career girl comes down the pike in this latest novel by British writer Green. Libby Mason, 27, enjoys her fashionable career in PR, but is determined to marry a rich, "gorgeous" man who will support her in sumptuous style and allow her to join the class of ladies who lunch. Her previous relationships have proven unsatisfactory on all fronts, but then she meets Nick, who happens to be "gorgeous," smart, funny, sensitive and unparalleled in the sack, but unfortunately also a struggling writer who lives in a "grotty" (but clean) bedsit. Libby decides to have fun in bed with Nick and not fall in love, because he's not rich and she doesn't like his left-wing, blue-collar friends. They do have lots of great sex, until Nick breaks up with Libby because he is too attracted to her and isn't ready for a relationship. Libby turns for comfort to her best friend, Jules, who is happily married to the "gorgeous" Jamie. On a girl's night on the town, Libby meets well-known financier Ed McMann, who is very rich and very eligible, but not "gorgeous" he is older, pompous, boring and the worst lay she has ever had, but when he proposes Libby accepts, as she sees her dream of becoming the idle rich at last coming true. Despite an annoying overuse of the word "gorgeous," Libby Mason manages to garner reader sympathy and even a cheer or two. There are no surprises here and a few loose ends dangle (allusions to Nick's hidden upper-class roots are never explained), but Green has a charming way with dialogue and sex scenes, making this a cheerful summer read. 3-city author tour.

I wish I knew what happens "after" the book ends....I want to know the rest of the story!

Holy Crap!

2009-07-06T13:57:00.002-04:00

This is my 100th POST!!

Unfortunately I don't have anything exciting going on, nothing special to write about on my 100th post.

2 years....

2009-07-01T09:54:00.002-04:00

...already?

I can't believe how quick time has gone by!

Happy Anniversary hunee!!

Here's to another 100 years! I love you!

Second Chance

2009-06-21T16:55:00.003-04:00

It had been awhile since I last read a book....I don't really know why. I have had this book for awhile, and never opened it. Finally I did, and what a good book!!

From Amazon:
From Publishers Weekly
Bestseller Green (Swapping Lives, The Other Woman) injects a topical note into an otherwise paint-by-numbers work. After a terrorist attack on an Amtrak train kills 39-year-old Tom, his death serves as the catalyst for changes in the lives of four estranged schoolmates he left behind in England. Reuniting at Tom's memorial service are Holly, a former free spirit uncomfortably forced into becoming a suburban matron by her workaholic, social-climbing husband; Olivia, a lonely director of an animal shelter; Paul, a writer whose blissful marriage with his fashionable wife is marred by their inability to conceive; and Saffron, a recovering alcoholic actress secretly involved with a married Hollywood megastar. Tom's death reignites their friendship, causes them to reevaluate their lives and sends them marching toward a concluding warm fuzzy. Green's writing is competent, though her characters feel more like embodiments of their problems than actual people. There are few surprises, but the fairy tale ending should appease Green's many fans.

The 2nd Annual Tampa GTG

2009-06-07T22:34:00.003-04:00

Well, that's what we're calling it anyways....

Last year, after "meeting" on The Knot through wedding planning, and chatting on The Nest, and then through email, and becoming really close, Jenn and Lauren came to visit me in Florida from San Antonio, TX and Nashville, TN (respectively).

Initially they were going to stay in a hotel , but took the chance, and just prayed that they weren't serial killers, and invited them to stay with me in my home....we had the most amazing time!

So this year, at the beginning of April, I texted Lauren, TOTALLY joking, and asked her if she was ready for Round 2 for a Tampa GTG....she said, sure! So then I sent pretty much the same text to Jenn, and she said yes too! Here I am, totally kidding, and expecting them to say that it was my turn to go see them! So exactly one year later, on April 17, they booked their tickets, and we made the plan for The 2nd Annual Tampa GTG, scheduled for Thursday May 28 - Tuesday June 2!

We had nothing but rain for the good part of the previous month...pretty much all day every day. If you wanted to know the forecast....RAIN! I was so sure that it was going to rain while Jenn and Lauren were here to visit, but can you believe that it didn't rain ONE DAY! (It sure as hell poured the afternoon they left though!)

Because we were usure of the weather, the forecast for Friday had a chance of rain, and the rest of the weekend, was predicted to be rain free. So we decided to go to IKEA on Friday. I haven't been there since I was 14, back when I lived in Montreal, and they just opened here at the beginning of May. I knew there were some things Jenn wanted to check out for herself, and I knew Lauren had never been. We walked around, checked out some nursery furniture for our friend Megan, and then ate lunch at the IKEA Cafe. I bought a leash hook to put up by the front door for Sasha's leash, and some hot plates, since Jenn and Lauren were making fun of me that I didn't have any. Friday night we (well Lauren) cooked up the famous Baked Ziti by the Fabulous Katie Sue (WOOT WOOT), and it was absolutely delicious!

Saturday, we woke up bright and early, and decided to head for one of Florida's most sought after beaches. The Nation's #2 Beach: Siesta Key Beach, near Sarasota. The water was crystal clear, and the sand was like white powder....no wonder they made the Top 10 List! I ended up getting quite toasty (nothing new there)! We enjoyed dinner with my hubby, brother in law and sister in law at P.F. Changs. It was quite yummy!

Sunday, eventhough we wanted to be outside, to enjoy the beautiful weather, I wasn't prepared to lay out in the sun again all day. So my hubby suggested we go walk around Channelside and Ybor. For dinner, we decided to make our own home-made pizzas, it was pretty good too!

Monday, we couldn't stay away, and went back to Siesta Key Beach, this time with some SPF 70 packed in our beach bags! I made sure that I slathered that baby on, and thick (that's what she said)! We were smarter this day, we put sunscreen on more than once, we took a break, and ate lunch at the concession, and managed not to get any more burned than I already was. We came home, relaxed, took a nap, and then went to Chili's for 2 for 1's since Lauren and Jenn don't have that luxury where they live...to me, it's nothing new....you want to drink, you go to Chili's because of their 2 for 1! So we ate, we drank, and came home and watched Bride Wars...it was a pretty good movie!

Tuesday, the final day of the GTG, and always the saddest day for me. We went to Starbucks, and got pedicures. We walked around the mall to kill time before their flights left. Then I dropped them off at the airport, and they went home :(

Even Sasha was sad!

**Pictures have been shared among the three of us, so if you read Jenn and Lauren's blogs, you may see some of the same pictures used here**

We moved!

2009-05-28T12:18:00.003-04:00

Not far, I'm still in Florida, still near Tampa...only 1.25 miles from where we lived before. We had to move because my hubby got a new position with work, where he is required to have an even bigger work truck (F250), and he was already getting a lot of heat for the little Ranger he was driving. Stupid HOA rules!
I like our new place. It's newer, one floor, and best of all cheaper rent!! We're hoping that with not only our rent going down, so will our electric bill, since it's one level, and a newer a/c unit.

Here are some before and after pictures of our new place...

Living Room - Before

Living Room - After

Second Bedroom - Before

Second Bedroom - After

Second Bedroom Closet - Before

Second Bedroom Closet - After (Storage)

Second Bathroom - Before

Second Bathroom - After

"Imagination Room" - Before

"Imagination Room" - After

Kitchen - Before

Kitchen - After

Dining Room - Before

Dining Room - After

Master Bathroom - Before

Master Bathroom - After

I don't know what happened to the before pictures for the Master Bedroom...

Master Bedroom - After

Still not completely done, we still have some more decorations to put up....but for the most part, pretty good for being moved in for 2 weeks.

Happy Birthday Hunee

2009-05-17T20:01:00.004-04:00

Happy Birthday to the bestest husband ever!

Happy Birthday Sasha!

2009-05-14T09:25:00.002-04:00

My baby girl turns 6 today!

Awesome Giveaway for Dog Owners

2009-05-12T22:21:00.003-04:00

My friend April is an awesome pet photographer! Check out her blog, and see how you can win a dog collar from Etsy seller BigDoggyBling.

This is the one I chose and entered to win:

Good luck!

Hollis Garden

2009-05-08T20:50:00.003-04:00

First I don't blog because I complain I have nothing to blog about, and now that I finally have something to blog about, what's my excuse? Laziness :)

Last Friday, on my day off, I decided to finally make the drive to Hollis Garden. It's about a 45 minute drive from where I live, but it was oh so worth it! Absolutely GORGEOUS!!

Have a look for yourself:

There were some statues around the Gardens too

The texture on this leaf was incredible!

Lilly Pads & Lillies in the Koi pond

Baby Sunflower

The view from the top (if one were to get married here, it would be where the ceremony takes place)

And the view from the bottom

We also saw lots of birds, this is a baby swan - so cute!

This guy was sqwaking up a storm

I was literally this close to the Mallard duck, he was just chillin!

Pesach 2009

2009-04-10T20:50:00.002-04:00

It's tough not living around the corner from my parents anymore. I try and make it a point to drive down there about every 6 weeks, sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't.

Passover gave me a reason to take a couple days off work, and go down and see my parents. My sisters both came in too, one from NYC and the other from Orlando (with her bf and pup).

Here are some pictures from the first seder (Caution: Picture Heavy!).

Z'Roah (Shank Bone) and Karpas (Parsley) for the Seder Plate

Colbie, waiting for Eliyahu

The Seder Plate

Charoset, YUMMY!

How many people does it take to open a bottle of wine?

Colbie, the Jewish Pup

Brittany, reading from the Hagaddah

Brittany and I

Mom, and her cousin Iona

Mom and Dad

Matzo Ball Soup!

This cake looked delicious, but tasted AWFUL! So disappointing!

Florida State Fair

2009-02-20T11:13:00.007-05:00

Always in Tampa and always in February! The annual Florida State Fair is a salute to the state's best in the agriculture and equestrian industry including an abundance of shows, music, rides, food and shopping for 12 consecutive days. Excitement is in the air all over the fairgrounds with plenty of free entertainment included with admission.

We went to the fair twice this year. Once to ride the rides (which I refuse to do) and eat the food. I never had a chance to take pictures while we there since it was freezing, dark, and my camera battery died. So the second time we went, we went during the day, with the purpose of taking pictures. So here are a few that I took.

Boogity, Boogity, Boogity!

2009-02-15T19:49:00.002-05:00

Let's Go Racing Boys!!

Today marked the first race of the NASCAR season!! There were a lot of changes made throughout of the off-season, and was hard to keep up with the different numbers and sponsors, but I'll deal :) Too bad that it was shortened by rain :(

Matt Kenseth won by default, but my boy (Kevin Harvick) came in second!

I never win anything, but this time I did!!

2009-02-15T19:37:00.003-05:00

My friend Katie Sue had a contest on her blog to win a book. All I had to do was leave a comment for her on that post, and then a sequence generator would choose the 'winner.' Well, since I never win anything anyways, I didn't expect to win, especially after I saw a post on her blog a week later, announcing who the winner was (not me).

Then, about a week after that, I got an email, from Miss Katie Sue, telling me that the winner didn't want the book after-all, and my comment was chosen 2nd on the sequence generator!

So, thank you Katie Sue!! I am going to be starting the book this week!

Goodnight Nobody

2009-02-15T19:29:00.002-05:00

I just finished reading this book, it wasn't bad. I think it's the first book I've read by Jennifer Weiner, certainly won't be the last!

Review from Amazon.com
Goodnight Nobody is bestselling author Jennifer Weiner's attempt at writing a mystery, with a healthy dose of the author's chick lit sensibilities thrown in for good measure. While this Desperate Housewives meets Sex in the City murder mystery won't make readers shake in their Manolo Blahniks, it will provide the obligatory humor and compassion to which fans of Weiner's Good in Bed, In Her Shoes, and Little Earthquakes have grown accustomed.

Kate Klein is a feisty, charmingly insecure Connecticut housewife who trades in a life of late-night karaoke sing-a-longs and West Village brunches with her best friend Janie for a world of mini-vans and Mommy and Me pilates classes. Life in Upchurch, Connecticut, heats up when Kate discovers picture-perfect wife and mother Kitty Cavanaugh dead on the pickled maple hardwood floor of her recently remodeled kitchen. A former chronicler of celebrity gossip, Kate takes it upon herself to solve the mystery of Kitty's murder and the disappearance of Lexi Hagen-Holdt, another Upchurch supermom. Along the way, the mysteries and disappointments in Kate's personal life begin to unravel, including her marriage to the kind-yet-uptight Ben, and her unresolved crush on Evan McKenna, a former neighbor with whom a one-night tryst ended in disaster. Thrown in for comic relief, and perhaps to show the depth of Weiner's talents as a writer, are Kate's twin boys and adorably sophisticated 5-year old daughter Sophie ("Sophie was sitting on the toilet, applying lipstick and waiting her turn...").

Goodnight Nobody is chock full of plot twists and turns which can be overwhelming and superfluous. However, Weiner's charm and grace are usually enough to rescue readers from these moments of confusion, and reaffirm our commitment to this endearing contemporary voice.

It's been THAT long?

2009-02-15T19:27:00.002-05:00

I didn't realize that I have been a really bad blogger, it's been over a month since I last had anything good to say.

I guess that's the problem really, my life is so un-interesting, that I just don't have anything good to blog about!

The Great Flood of Planet Hollywood

2009-01-04T18:35:00.003-05:00

Since my birthday fell in the middle of week, we planned a nice night out with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and decided we would go to Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. It was about an hour drive, but thought it would be something different.

When we got to the restaurant, we were told there would be approximately a 30 minute wait. We walked around the gift shop for a few minutes, and then our name was called. The fastest 30 minutes ever!

We started by having a round of shots (since we wanted to keep the shot glasses), and a few drinks and some appetizers. We got our dinner, and everything was going well until we started to smell smoke....like something was burning. All of a sudden we see people starting to run around in a frenzy, and we still had no clue what was going on. By this time, we hear the sound of water coming from the kitchen (our table was not far from one of the kitchen entrances). Finally our waiter (a hot guy named Preston) told us that the kitchen was closed, and all we can have are drinks (since that comes from the bar). At about this point, we start to see water coming onto the carpet of the restaurant from the kitchen. There was a girl who was working hard at trying to contain it, but it was coming out faster than she was able to sweep it in. Then one of the restaurant managers said that we would have to move. So we moved, and LONG story short, our $200 bill was comped!! WAHOO!! Looking back, I think we should have ordered our drinks in souvenir glasses, or maybe had another round of shots......

The flash on my camera was being all wonky and bright, then when I turned it off the pictures looked like crap....oh well....you get the idea:

Granted, really blurry, but you can tell from where we are sitting, where the entrance to the kitchen is on the right.

This picture was taken from the second floor, and you can see the same entrance to the kitch on the right. That is a lot of damn water!

Happy 2009!

2009-01-01T09:01:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! I want to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Happy Birthday!

2009-01-01T08:57:00.003-05:00

To me!!

Another year older, another year wiser! HA!!

December 31, marked my 29th birthday....only one more year until the OH NO! THREE OH!

A few more....

2009-01-01T08:49:00.006-05:00

...from Christmas.

I have some pictures that I haven't had a chance to share. The end of the year has been so busy!
I know some people don't like those Christmas blowups, and I used to be one of those people. I always thought they were really tacky, and never really looked good. Well, over the course of the last few years, my brother in law and sister in law have certainly accumulated a collection of them. Every year they go all out and decorate their house, and are entered in the neighborhood contest for "Best Light Display".

I think Dutchess got the best gifts ever!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T22:27:00.003-05:00

I know it's a little late, but it's been a busy day! Just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! I hope Santa brought everyone just what they wanted!

Merry Christmas!!

Happy Chanukah!

2008-12-22T13:01:00.003-05:00

Last night marked the first night of Chanukah - The Festival of Lights...7 more to go :)

Happy Chanukah!

Grinchmas!

2008-12-19T21:30:00.002-05:00

We have had 2 tickets to any park at Universal Orlando for over a year. Either we didn't have the money to be able to enjoy ourselves there (knick knacks, food, snacks, etc), or we couldn't coordinate a day off.

Darrell decided that he was going to take Wednesday off of work, and since I was off, that's when we would go. I figured it won't be that busy since it's in the middle of the week, and since it's so close to Christmas Break, people were just going to wait until kids were out of school

It's only an hour drive from Tampa, so we left around 9am, and spent the whole day there.

I remember when it used to cost $7 to park!

The Hulk

Darrell, sporting the Spiderman 3D glasses

On the left tower all the way on the right....that's Darrell!

"I hear it, it's coming...."

"...honey take a picture....QUICK!"

This dog was AMAZING! I couldn't take my eyes off of him, I kept forgetting to snap pictures!

"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch!"

Can you spot the IMPOSTER?

Long overdue

2008-12-08T16:33:00.003-05:00

I guess I should blog this before the year is over.

I have had quite a few people ask me why I haven't blogged my trip to Washington DC. Honestly, we were just so many people, and they all blogged it, I thought, why bother. But I do have friends that aren't friends with the people I went with, and thought, now is as good of a time as any.

Plans for this trip started many many months before. There was discussion to where and when, and kept going around and around. With the possibility of ~30 women taking part of this GTG, you can imagine how many different places were put out there! Then awesome Shelby told us she was running the Marine Corps Marathon October 26 in Washington DC, and so that is how we came up with the time and place.

The cheapest flight from Tampa was to Baltimore (BWI), so because I flew in to an airport NOT in Washington, I had to take a shuttle to the train station. A train to the metro station. And a metro to, just a few blocks from, the hotel.

I met Megan at BWI, and we were able to chat for about an hour, while we waited for Jenn and Lauren. At least there were 4 of us to make the trip to the hotel. Any of you who know me, know that I can barely find my way out of a paper bag.

Once we got to the hotel, there were already a bunch of the ladies there. And so there, our weekend began!!

Friday night consisted of A LOT of drinking. One of the ladies' husband came along for the trip because she just had a baby, and he was THE MAN of the evening! He played bartender all night long!

We (Danialle, Jenn, Lauren, Megan and I) made plans that Saturday was going to be the day to go check out the White House, and the monument side of the National Mall. As soon as we got off the metro to begin our walk, it started to drizzle rain. We thought no big deal, what's a little sprinkle, and continued walking. Once we got to the White House, the rain really started coming down. I still can't remember WHY we didn't stop and turn around, and think of something else to do. But here are some pictures of our day in the rain:

The National Christmas Tree

We finally got back to the hotel, soaking wet. Took showers, and headed out to dinner at McCormick & Schmicks Grille. Joining us for dinner at M&S: Danialle, Katie Sue, Megan, Lauren, Kaitlin, Skye, Jenn and I.

The next day was "Cheer on Shelby!" Day. While we hurried to different mile markers to see Shelby, we went to the National Mall, saw the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial, and the Reflecting Pond.

To get to where Shelby was finishing the marathon, we had to take another metro. For that we had to go up one of the longest escalators!

At the finish line

One of the few group shots of the weekend. There are a lot of people missing from this picture, because most people left on Sunday, all throughout the day.

Baby, it's cold outside!

2008-12-03T19:15:00.003-05:00

When I went to go walk the dog this morning, it was 31 degrees! Do I have to remind you that I live in Florida?! There was even a layer of frost on the grass! I can only imagine how low the temperature actually was last night!

This is taken from inside my car. My windshield has ice all over it!

And when swished by my winshield wipers, there was a glob of ice...it didn't melt right away either!

Tonight the low is only supposed to be 49...much better!

Giving Thanks!

2008-12-02T17:43:00.000-05:00

This is the first year that we didn't go to our parents' houses for Thanksgiving. We both had to work the day before, and I had to work on Black Friday, so it was silly to drive 4 hours to eat dinner, and then drive another 4 hours to come home.

So my brother in law and sister in law welcomed us to join them for dinner at their house.

Just out of the oven

Mmmm STUFFING!

The guys working hard!

"I think it's ready!"
Duchess :)

I love dinner rolls!

Salt & Pepper Penguins!

All Gone!

Visit with Mom

2008-12-02T17:31:00.004-05:00

When I went to go visit my mom at the beginning of November, I also got the chance to meet up with my friend and her daughter at the mall. I was there for such a short time, I had to make the most with the time I had.

Me and my Mommy

...and us again
Trisha and her daughter Penelope (or as I like to say: Penny-Lope)

She's so cute!

I also got to meet up with my friend Jess before I got on the highway for my 4 hour drive home. We had lunch at a great salad place, and there's a chance I wont' see her again for a long time. Her hubby is in the Army, and comes home soon, and then they will be moving back to Colorado.

Balloon Man!

2008-12-02T17:25:00.004-05:00

A couple of weekends ago we went out to Chili's for dinner (and of course 2 for 1 drinks), and there was a Balloon Man! There weren't any kids around for Mr. Balloon Man to make animals for, so he stopped at our table

Pat & Brandy

I wanted a "Big Flower"

Brandy and her love for penguins...I knew that's what she
was going to ask for, and I didn't even think that he would be able to do it!

The other dog...

2008-12-02T12:17:00.004-05:00

This is Bailey. My mom's 11 year old poodle. He's such a fuzzball lol. He's sick though :( He has been a diabetic for most of his life, and he's mostly blind in both eyes. He's not suffering though, which makes me feel a little bit better about it.

Here he is, chilling at my mom's store. He's so good!

I told you he was a fuzzball!

Cuddle Time!

2008-12-02T12:10:00.003-05:00

I am convinced Sasha loves Darrell more than she loves me. She won't snuggle like this with me! They can lay like this for hours together!

Say it with me: "Awww!"

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T12:36:00.004-05:00

I know it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted, I've just had a lot going on.

But, today, it's TURKEY DAY! I want to wish everyone and their families a happy thankgiving! We are getting ready to go to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's house for a big dinner. I'm going to try and take some pictures, but if not, this should suffice for now:

Free Day at Disney!!

2008-11-17T14:41:00.002-05:00

Sign up and register for free admission on your birthday in 2009! Click here and choose the park. Then you will get an email reminder a few weeks before your birthday, take proof of ID to Disney on your birthday and....there you go, a free day at Disney :) I've already signed us up! I actually went to Disney World on my birthday a couple years ago, and it's so much fun! You get a button to wear saying it's your birthday, and EVERYONE wishes you a happy birthday! I felt like such a kid!

Sophie Kinsella: Done

2008-11-16T21:39:00.003-05:00

Well, except for the movie that comes out in February...but as far as the books are concerned, this was my last one. This makes me really sad :(

I really enjoy her Chick-Lit, and feel like all her characters are my "friends"!!

From Sophie Kinsella's website:

When twenty-eight-year-old Lexi Smart wakes up in a London hospital, she’s in for a big surprise. Her teeth are perfect. Her body is toned. Her handbag is Vuitton. Having survived a car accident—in a Mercedes no less—Lexi has lost a big chunk of her memory, three years to be exact, and she’s about to find out just how much things have changed. Somehow Lexi went from a twenty-five-year-old working girl to a corporate big shot with a sleek new loft, a personal assistant, a carb-free diet, and a set of glamorous new friends. And who is this gorgeous husband—who also happens to be a multimillionaire? With her mind still stuck three years in reverse, Lexi greets this brave new world determined to be the person she…well, seems to be. That is, until an adorably disheveled architect drops the biggest bombshell of all. Suddenly Lexi is scrambling to catch her balance. Her new life, it turns out, comes complete with secrets, schemes, and intrigue. How on earth did all this happen? Will she ever remember? And what will happen when she does?

So what do I read now? Hmmm.....

I need a name for my crazy reading...

2008-11-16T21:34:00.002-05:00

...any ideas?

To continue with my Sophie Kinsella obsession:

From Sophie Kinsella's website:

Workaholic attorney Samantha Sweeting has just done the unthinkable. She’s made a mistake so huge, it’ll wreck any chance of a partnership. Going into utter meltdown, she walks out of her London office, gets on a train, and ends up in the middle of nowhere. Asking for directions at a big, beautiful house, she’s mistaken for an interviewee and finds herself being offered a job as housekeeper. Her employers have no idea they’ve hired a lawyer—and Samantha has no idea how to work the oven. She can’t sew on a button, bake a potato, or get the #@%# ironing board to open. How she takes a deep breath and begins to cope—and finds love—is a story as delicious as the bread she learns to bake. But will her old life ever catch up with her? And if it does…will she want it back?

Change has Come!

2008-11-05T08:28:00.004-05:00

This was only my second time voting, although, by my age you may think that I should have voted in three elections. Unfortunately I didn't become a citizen of this country until 2001, missing my chance to vote in the ever so infamous Election of 2000.

The last time I voted, I was in the minority, and who I voted for was not who was elected. This time, the candidate I voted for, WON!

Can YOU Keep a Secret?

2008-11-04T08:30:00.002-05:00

From Random House:

With the same wicked humor, buoyant charm, and optimism that have made her Shopaholic novels beloved international bestsellers, Sophie Kinsella delivers a hilarious new novel and an unforgettable new character. Meet Emma Corrigan, a young woman with a huge heart, an irrepressible spirit, and a few little secrets:

Secrets from her mother:
I lost my virginity in the spare bedroom with Danny Nussbaum while Mum and Dad were downstairs watching Ben-Hur.
Sammy the goldfish in my parents’ kitchen is not the same goldfish that Mum gave me to look after when she and Dad were in Egypt.

Secrets from her boyfriend:
I weigh one hundred and twenty-eight pounds. Not one eighteen, like Connor thinks.
I’ve always thought Connor looks a bit like Ken. As in Barbie and Ken.

From her colleagues:
When Artemis really annoys me, I feed her plant orange juice. (Which is pretty much every day.) It was me who jammed the copier that time. In fact, all the times.

Secrets she wouldn’t share with anyone in the world:
My G-string is hurting me.
I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is.

Until she spills them all to a handsome stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger.

But come Monday morning, Emma’s office is abuzz about the arrival of Jack Harper, the company’s elusive CEO. Suddenly Emma is face-to-face with the stranger from
the plane, a man who knows every single humiliating detail about her. Things couldn’t possibly get worse—Until they do.

Did YOU vote?

2008-11-04T08:21:00.004-05:00

I woke up early this morning, to try and beat the rush at the polls. I tried early voting one day before work, but waited in line for over 2 hours, and it just got too late, and so didn't get to vote then. So, today, I was determined to get to the polls by 7:00am, but had a bit of a problem. I gathered my stuff: sweatshirt, purse, phone, voter registration, book, treat for the dog, and walked out the door. Only one problem, I forgot one thing.....MY KEYS!! I locked myself out of the house! Good thing my brother in law and sister in law, who live 8 doors away, have a spare. I felt horrible that I had to wake her up, but what other choice did I have?

So once I let myself back in my house to get my keys (and give the dog another treat), I arrived at the polling site just after 7:00, and stood in line for about 45 minutes, and then

What a day so far! I think I need to go back to sleep! Yawn!

Happy Birthday!

2008-11-01T23:51:00.004-04:00

It was brought to my attention that today (Novemeber 1) is Hello Kitty's birthday!!

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T09:58:00.001-04:00

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween :)

Ready for the Movie

2008-10-30T22:40:00.004-04:00

So I have finally finished the Shopaholic Series, and can't wait for the movie to come out in February!!

From Random House:

Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is pregnant! She couldn’t be more overjoyed–especially since discovering that shopping cures morning sickness. Everything has got to be perfect for her baby: from the designer nursery . . . to the latest, coolest pram . . . to the celebrity, must-have obstetrician.But when the celebrity obstetrician turns out to be her husband Luke’s glamorous, intellectual ex-girlfriend, Becky's perfect world starts to crumble. She’s shopping for two . . . but are there three in her marriage?

Almost done!

2008-10-21T09:50:00.003-04:00

One more Shopaholic Book to go!

Just finished #4

Review from Sophie Kinsella's website:

What’s a round-the-world honeymoon if you can’t buy the odd souvenir to ship back home? Like the twenty silk dressing gowns Becky found in Hong Kong…the hand-carved dining table (and ten chairs) from Sri Lanka…the, um, huge wooden giraffes from Malawi (that her husband Luke expressly forbade her to buy)… Only now Becky and Luke have returned home to London and Luke is furious. Two truckloads of those souvenirs have cluttered up their loft, and the bills for them are outrageous. Luke insists Becky go on a budget. And worse: her beloved best friend Suze has found a new best friend while Becky was away. Becky’s feeling rather blue—when her parents deliver some incredible news. She has a long-lost sister! Becky is thrilled! She’s convinced her sister will be a true soulmate. They’ll go shopping together, have manicures together.…Until she meets Jessica for the first time and gets the shock of her life. Surely Becky Bloomwood’s sister can’t…hate shopping?

Amazin' Rays!!

2008-10-20T07:41:00.000-04:00

We're going to the World Series baby!! From being up 3-1 against the Boston Red Sox, and then losing 2 in a row, forcing Game 7, the Tampa Bay Rays did it!

Phillies, here we come!

3 down 2 to go...

2008-10-13T21:55:00.002-04:00

...of the Shopaholic series

From Random House:
Life has been good for Becky Bloomwood: She's become the best personal shopper at Barneys, she and her successful entrepreneurial boyfriend, Luke, are living happily in Manhattan's West Village, and her new next door neighbor is a fashion designer! But with her best friend, Suze, engaged, how can Becky fail to notice that her own ring finger is bare? Not that she's been thinking of marriage (or diamonds) or anything...

Then Luke proposes! Bridal registries dance in Becky's head. Problem is, two other people are planning her wedding: Becky's overjoyed mother has been waiting forever to host a backyard wedding, with the bride resplendent in Mum's frilly old gown. While Luke's high-society mother is insisting on a glamorous, all-expenses-paid affair at the Plaza. Both weddings for the same day. And Becky can't seem to turn down either one. Can everyone's favorite shopaholic tie the knot before everything unravels?

...and another

2008-10-07T13:26:00.004-04:00

Yup, another book. How did I become such a fast reader? Seriously? 4 days?

Review from Random House:
With her shopping excesses (somewhat) in check and her career as a TV financial guru thriving, Becky’s biggest problem seems to be tearing her entrepreneur boyfriend, Luke, away from work for a romantic country weekend. And worse, figuring out how to “pack light.” But packing takes on a whole new meaning when Luke announces he’s moving to New York for business–and he asks Becky to go with him!

Before you can say “Prada sample sale,” Becky has landed in the Big Apple, home of Park Avenue penthouses and luxury department stores.

Surely it’s only a matter of time until she becomes an American TV celebrity, and she and Luke are the toast of Gotham society. Nothing can stand in their way, especially with Becky’s bills miles away in London.

But then an unexpected disaster threatens her career prospects, her relationship with Luke, and her available credit line! Shopaholic Takes Manhattan–but will she have to return it?

"Rays the Roof"

2008-10-06T23:30:00.002-04:00

Woohooo! They did it! A team that finished dead last, last season is in the AL Championship Series! With a 6-2 win today over the Chicago White Sox, they won the ALDS 3-2!

Looks like Boston won their series too, so it will be a Rays-BoSox matchup.

GO RAYS!

The Tampa Bay Rays

2008-10-02T17:42:00.003-04:00

From Wikipedia:
The Tampa Bay Rays are a professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the Rays have played in Tropicana Field.
From their inception in 1998 through November 2007, the organization was named the "Devil Rays", a common nickname for the manta ray. They were nicknamed "The D-Rays", a shortened version of the Devil Rays name. The new name "Rays" is described by principal owner Stuart Sternberg as the team representing, "A beacon that radiates throughout Tampa Bay and across the entire state of Florida."
An expansion franchise, the club was founded in St. Petersburg in 1998. They are one of four active teams never to have played in a World Series. From their inaugural season until 2007, the team finished out of last place only once: in 2004, when they finished fourth in their division. Then, on September 20, 2008, the Rays secured their first-ever postseason berth with a 7-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. With the New York Yankees win over the Boston Red Sox on September 26 that same year, the Rays also clinched their first American League East title in franchise history.

As I write this, the Rays just won their FIRST EVER post season game, against the Chicago White Sox, 6-4!

Go Rays!

I think the problem is I read too fast...

2008-10-02T17:31:00.004-04:00

...LoL

It seems that everytime I put a book up in "What I am currently reading" I finish the book, and start a new one, and then don't update! Bad Vanessa!

So I just finished 2 books. I have been looking for more (chick lit) books that have an "ongoing" story. So a friend told me about the Shopaholic series, and figured, enh, what the hell.

So I started with:

Review from Random House:
Rebecca Bloomwood just hit rock bottom. But she's never looked better....

Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London's trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season's must-haves. The only trouble is that she can't actually afford it—not any of it.

Her job writing at Successful Savings not only bores her to tears, it doesn't pay much at all. And lately Becky's been chased by dismal letters from Visa and the Endwich Bank—letters with large red sums she can't bear to read—and they're getting ever harder to ignore.

She tries cutting back; she even tries making more money. But none of her efforts succeeds. Becky's only consolation is to buy herself something ... just a little something....

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life—and the lives of those around her—forever.

Sophie Kinsella has brilliantly tapped into our collective consumer conscience to deliver a novel of our times—and a heroine who grows stronger every time she weakens. Becky Bloomwood's hilarious schemes to pay back her debts are as endearing as they are desperate. Her "confessions" are the perfect pick-me-up when life is hanging in the (bank) balance.

I look forward to reading the next one: Shopaholic Takes Manhattan

The other one I just finished was:

Review from janegreen.com:
The New York Times bestselling author of The Other Woman returns with a wry tale of two women who discover the grass is not always greener on the other side of the Atlantic
Vicky Townsley is single, solvent, and seriously successful. Features director of the hugely successful Poise! magazine, she has an amazing flat, good friends, a fantastic wardrobe . . . in short, everything — except the life she wants: marriage, children, and a house in the country.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Amber Winslow has a stone mansion in Connecticut, two kids (and a full-time nanny), the requisite golden retriever, and a busy charitable commitment for the local Women’s League. But she hasn’t quite found the fulfillment she had expected from being a wife and mother. When she spots an intriguing contest in Poise!, Amber never expects to be picked.

Swapping Lives is a riotous and poignant look at what happens when two women, both of whom think their bliss lies elsewhere, walk in each other’s shoes for a month only to discover that happiness is closer than they’d ever thought. A rich, clever, and sharply observed chronicle of the true lives of women, Swapping Lives is a must read for the modern mademoiselle that will again squarely position Jane Green in a preeminent place in women’s fiction.

Happy reading :)

Boxer Puppies

2008-09-20T22:21:00.002-04:00

My friend Chanele has 3 Boxers: Rocco, Bella and 'Mater. If you remember, I blogged about 'Mater back in June....

Last Sunday, Bella had a litter, that you can read more about here. Caution, it is a little graphic. I was off of work on Friday, and decided to visit and have a look for myself. I have never seen puppies so little before!

Momma Bella:

One of the little puppies:

A few more:

Daddy Rocco:

Here are the rest of them sleeping, their eyes aren't open yet, and they can't even walk!

Rocco, Bella and 'Mater playing out in the backyard, getting some much needed exercise:

They certainly do like chasing after each other:

As I was writing this post, a new post appeared in my Google Reader, and was saddened by what I read, unfortunately, one of the puppies, Miracle, didn't make it. RIP little angel.

Oops! Finished 2 more books!

2008-09-18T22:01:00.003-04:00

This is the "sequel" to I Do (But I Don't)

From Amazon:
Never marry a rock star. Lily discovers this the hard way when her husband's affair with a flighty actress is all over the newsstands. She escapes to London and the comforting arms of former flame and now just friend Carter. But trouble (and paparazzi) follow her. Dealing with the divorce is tough enough, but soon she is trying to save Carter from his crazy new girlfriend, too. Lockwood fans will recognize Lily as the impetuous younger sister from I Do (But I Don't) (2003), and big sis Lauren makes a hilarious cameo appearance. This novel has the same quick wit as Lockwood's earlier fare but isn't as sweet and sympathetic. Readers may not be able to relate to the trials of celebrity, but they will be able to relate to Lily's attempt to move on. It's the story of heartbreak and recovery at the heart of the novel that will draw readers in.

Are you ready to rock?

Lily Crandell has always lived in the shadow of her older sister, Lauren, who has a successful career as a wedding planner and a perfect husband and baby boy. Known within her family for being an aimless, impulsive trouble-magnet, Lily finally decides she may as well live up to her reputation: she elopes with new beau and would-be rock star Ted Dayton. But just as quickly as his band skyrockets, Lily's marriage crashes and burns. When news of her ex's new love with sultry and silicone-enhanced actress Melanie Slate hits the tabloids, she flees the country.

Hello, London!

Across the pond, Lily shares a flat with an old flame -- a commitment-phobic doctor who convinces her that the best prescription for her broken heart is volunteering at the local hospital. Turns out, he's right, as one of the patients, famed soccer star Sean Gates, takes more than a passing interest in Lily's quirky style. But things get complicated when her ex's band starts flying up the British charts. Ted comes to town, the paparazzi camp on her doorstep, and her new fling and old flame both find rumors that Lily and her ex are planning a little reunion tour rather troublesome. Is there a happily ever after at the end of this rocky road?

----and----

The last (currently) of the Emily Giffin books. Definitely not the best of the four, but I still enjoyed it!

From Amazon:
A chance encounter with an old flame in Giffin's bittersweet, sometimes mawkish fourth novel causes Ellen Dempsey to consider anew what could have been. Shortly after marrying Andy, Ellen runs into Leo, her intense first love. Leo, a moody writer, has secretly preoccupied Ellen ever since he broke her heart, so after seeing him again, Ellen wonders if her perfect life is truly what she wants or simply what she was expected to want. This scenario is complicated by Ellen's past: the early death of her mother and subsequent disintegration of her family have left Ellen insecure and saddled with unresolved feelings of guilt. These feelings intensify when Andy's career takes the newlyweds from Ellen's beloved New York City to suburban Atlanta. As Ellen's feelings of inadequacy and resentment grow, her marriage begins to crumble. The novel is sometimes bogged down by characters so rooted in type that they, and the story line, can only move in the most obvious trajectory. However, Giffin's self-aware narrator and focus on troubled relationships will satisfy those looking for a light women's lit fix.

Both great reads!!

Wow!

2008-09-09T20:45:00.004-04:00

I made an appointment to bring Sasha to the vet today. Primarily because her lip changed color from black to pink. I was a little concerned, and she was due for her annual check-up anyway, so I decided to bring her in.

Since we're a little crunched for money right now, I called ahead to find out how much the doctor's visit would be, $49. Not so bad right?

I go to pay, and the final bill $273.93!! WTF! The breakdown included her Bordatella shot (she had a 3 year Rabies and Parvo/Distemper a year and a half ago), heartworm test, an anti-inflammatory shot for her very dry skin, nail clipping, her county rabies tag, among a few other things. I almost passed out!

This dog is going to have to start earning her keep around here!!

On a happy note: so far the doctor is not worried about her lip. She says it's certainly not normal, but it could just be a loss of pigmentation in her skin. She said to keep an eye on it, and make sure it doesn't get worse, or other symptoms pop up, because then it could be a sign of an auto-immune disease. Ruh-roh!

Got a little behind

2008-09-07T10:59:00.003-04:00

I haven't been reading as much, but I finally finished the book I Do But I Don't by Cara Lockwood. It was a nice easy read, and I really enjoyed it.

This is the description from Amazon.com:

In this hip, engaging debut novel, it's not all white roses and satin for a divorced wedding planner whose most important client turns the Big Day into a Big Disaster.

She creates perfect days.

In spite of her incorrigible curly hair, Lauren Crandell is a neat-freak and organizational guru, qualities that make her the perfect wedding planner. But when two weddings in one day go haywire, and hunky firefighter Nick Corona comes to the rescue -- twice -- Lauren realizes there are a few important details in her own life she hasn't been tending to since her divorce. Namely, her sex life.

She lives lonely nights.

Sweet and sexy Nick seems hell-bent on fanning the flames between them, and Lauren definitely feels sparks flying. But she's scrambling to plan nuptials for her most challenging client yet -- a beautiful, cunning, and certifiable Psycho Bride. With the big day rapidly approaching, a series of misunderstandings, mishaps, and mistaken identities threatens to ruin not one, but two happily ever afters. But with her career and her love life on the line, the wedding planner just might learn that you can't plan everything, least of all true love.

I didn't realize it's been that long!

2008-09-07T10:37:00.002-04:00

August 14? I didn't realize that it had been so long since I last posted!

Let's see what has happened in the last few weeks.... Uhmmm .... nothing really - lol!

I think I decided, along with a couple of other girls, that I was going to attempt a half marathon next November in San Antonio, TX. If this is the case, I really need to get my butt in gear with my C25K.

I was having problems with my calves cramping every time I would run. So I talked to a friend, and she said that I may have a problem with pronation. I had no clue what that even meant, so I went to a running specialty store, and they basically analyzed how my feet hit the ground when I run. The good news: no pronation problems. So what is the problem? My shoes. Yup. I own Nike Shox, and apparently those are the WORST shoes to wear for running. So, now I need to buy a new pair of shoes. Once I get new shoes, I will go back to C25K, and hopefully it will work a little better for me.

What else? Last week was the first week of a lot of season premiers.

I'm stoked that Prison Break and One Tree Hill are back!!

GO GATORS!

Colbie

2008-08-14T22:55:00.002-04:00

I went to Orlando to go visit Jaclyn and Mike today, and finally got to meet little Colbie.

They got Colbie in March at 10 weeks old, look how cute:

He's definitely a mutt, all I know is he is part miniature daschund and beagle. I'm sure there are a few more breeds in there, but can't pinpoint them.

Anyways, so I bought myself a new 50mm f/1.8 lens last week, and this was the first chance I got to use it. I think I need a little more practice with it. It's a little fast, and I need to pay more attention to the autofocus, because I'm getting a little too much blur. The action shots don't help either - he was running around like crazy and doing burnouts in the grass!

And then we went to The Mall at Millenia, had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory and walked around for an hour.

The Zoo

2008-08-04T16:52:00.002-04:00

My best friend Andrea was here for the weekend. I was so sad to drop her off at the airport today :( It just never seems like we see each other for a long enough period of time.

Hopefully it won't be too long before we see each other again.

This weekend, we went to Lowry Park Zoo. When we left my house it was a bright blue sunny day. When we got to the zoo, it was cloudy, but no rain yet. We didn't even walk around for 30 minutes before the rain started to come down (gotta love Florida rain). We waited under a tree for the rain to stop. It stopped enough for us to go to the Zoo cafe to get some lunch. By the time we were done eating the rain had stopped, and made our way back to where we were before the rain interupted us. Guess what happened next? Yep, more rain. That was the end of our day at the zoo. We only walked half the zoo, and I'm sad I didn't get to see the lions and tigers :(

Here are some pictures of the animals we did see:

The Rhinos

The primates

What a drama queen/king!

Penguins!

Muskrats are sooo cute!

Zebras

Giraffes

...and elephants

Best Friends

2008-07-31T22:11:00.002-04:00

I have known Andrea since the summer/fall of 1995. We didn't really hit off too well, we both made very bad impressions on each other. But someone in my circle of friends decided to invite Andrea to another get together we were having one weekend. From then on, we have been BEST FRIENDS. I swear, I think we both know each other better than we know our own selves!! We can go years without seeing each other, and when we do, it's like we saw each other that morning. We keep in touch mainly by email, sometimes we text, and then sometimes we talk on the phone. But this weekend, she's coming to see me!!! Last time I saw her was last summer at my wedding! This weekend is going to be so much fun.

Me? Run? HA!

2008-07-31T11:50:00.003-04:00

I have tried running, and I’m convinced my body just can’t do it. After 30 seconds I think I’m going to die!

Whenever I go to the gym, I always see people running, and I’m so envious of those who can just run and run and run for miles! They’re always in good shape, and it makes me wonder if the running is what is helping to contribute to their good bodies.

I was reading Allison’s Blog, and she wrote about this Couch to 5K program. According to their website it’s not uncommon for people to be turned off my running, and usually it’s because they try and get into it too fast (my mistake #1). This program eases you into running gradually, by doing walking/running intervals. So as the program is called, get you off the couch, and running 5K (~3 miles). These sessions are only to be done 3 times a week, resting at least one day in between to recover.

So yesterday, I went to the gym with Robert Ullrey’s Podcast in my ears, and I did it. There are 6 running intervals, and I did 4…pretty good for me I think. I’m going to probably do each week twice, so I can feel comfortable about running, and not feel like I’m going to fall off the treadmill.

I will try it again tomorrow, and hopefully I’ll be able to do more than 4 of the intervals. That is my goal.

Thank you Allison for getting me off my butt!

The Biltmore

2008-07-16T11:47:00.002-04:00

in Asheville, NC was our one MUST DO while on our trip. It was about an hour and a half drive from the cabin, and spent most of the day there.

The Biltmore is known as the largest home in America with 250 rooms, beautiful art and tapestries, 65 fireplaces, an indoor pool, a bowling alley, and the biggest library in a house that I have ever seen!!

Probably my biggest upset about the whole thing is that we were not allowed to take pictures inside the house. We spent a lot of money for admission, and it really pissed me off.

And on our way back to Tennessee, we stopped to check out another beautiful view of the Smok-ing Mountains.

A trip to the Smoky Mountains

2008-07-16T10:48:00.002-04:00

We have been planning our summer vacation to the Smoky Moutains of Tennessee for over a year. We celebrated our anniversary on July 1st, Pat and Brandy's anniversary is on July 26th, and decided that the vacation would work as our anniversary trips too.

We decided on Star Crest Resort because Pat and Brandy were there a few years ago - and they said it was amazing!

Well you already know the story of what happened when we arrived, and that definitely didn't give us a good first impression of the place, but after everything was resolved, we had a great time, and as usual time passed so fast, and before we knew it, it was time to come home.

A tour of our Cabin:

First night out for dinner

Fun in the Cabin - lazy day

The reason we ended up getting a Wii!

Our last day at the Biltmore deserves its own post...

Good morning Tennessee!

2008-07-07T07:59:00.002-04:00

After 12 (grueling) hours in the car yesterday, we finally made it to our destination at about 3:15pm. We stopped at least half a dozen times, more because of the 2 dogs than anything else, and then of course my dog, being the wonderful car dog she is (NOT!), wouldn't sit still, so that made for a really interesting trip.
When we got to our cabin, it wasn't ready yet, and so we would have to wait a little while longer. Check-in wasn't for another 30 minutes, we were just hoping to get in early. Well, we FINALLY got our cabin at 5:40pm! Yes we were all fuming, aggravated, and frustrated. We were hot, the dogs were hot, and we just wanted to relax for a little while before going out for dinner.
Needless to say, as we speak, my brother in law is at the Cabin office, and speaking with the manager of the property, and hopefully we will be able to get some sort of compensation during our stay.

But, this is what I woke up to this morning:

I'll post more later, and even give you a tour, but in the meantime. We're hungry and going to get some breakfast shortly.

Vacation!

2008-07-05T11:22:00.002-04:00

I have been waiting for this since last year!! I'm so happy that vacation time is finally here!

We leave tomorrow morning at 2am for the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. It's about a 10 hours drive from here, and should be interesting with 4 people, 2 dogs, and our belongings for 5 days.

I will do my best to post some pictures throughout the week, otherwise, I'll have a lot to post when I get back!

Have a great week everyone!

1 year anniversary...

2008-07-01T15:47:00.000-04:00

….already?!

Holy crap! How time has flown! One year ago today we were getting married on the Carnival Valor out of Miami, with 34 of our friends and family. It was a nice short ceremony followed by an hour and a half reception.

The first year of marriage, as I guess it is with most newlyweds, was a little difficult. A lot of nonsense arguments, but nothing we weren't able to get through. We also had a lot of fun times too! I wouldn't change anything!

Here's to another 100 years!

No internet = reading

2008-06-30T12:09:00.002-04:00

So we currently have no internet at home. Thank g-d for WiFi at work! I think I would die! Anyways, since I haven’t been able to be online every waking hour at home, I decided to finally pick up a book. I used to read ALL the time…and I don’t think I have read one book in the last year, maybe even longer! I have picked up a couple books to read, and I just never really read past the first couple of pages. Now that I need something to occupy my time, I decided to finally go back to reading. I’ve already read in a week and a half:

The Husband by Dean Koontz

I know the book is like a year old already, I think I bought it when it first went to paperback…it was actually a really good story.

Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin

Yeah this one is like 3 years old! I have heard a lot of good things about it, and just never picked it up. When I went to visit my mom last week, I noticed my sister had it in her room, so I took it upon myself to take it with me! I couldn’t put it down! I read it in 2 days!

I’m looking forward to starting the next one:
Something Blue by Emily Griffin

End Week 4

2008-06-30T09:46:00.002-04:00

So I skipped posting last week, because I couldn't bear to post about another gain. Granted it was only 1/2 lb, but still. I don't know what's wrong with me! I just can't stay motivated.
When I know that I can't get to the gym, that's it for me, my thought process becomes "who cares". Dammit I care!!

This past week wasn't so great either. I did lose 2 pounds but I'm still a really long way from my goal. I closed at work all week, and so I didn't get home til after 10pm, and then Wednesday and Thursday I went home to surprise my mom, and then I got some injections in my back, and so my back is out of commission for 3 days.

This week will be a better week - I hope.

Down 2lbs and 20lbs to go!

End Week 2

2008-06-16T08:28:00.003-04:00

So today is not a very happy day on the weightloss standpoint. But it's my fault and no one else's. I have no one to blame but myself.
We never did go food shopping last Sunday, and therefore I didn't bring my lunch to work, I worked late almost every day, and therefore didn't go to the gym...
I need to get back on track. We went shopping last night, so the lunch part will be easy. I'm working late again this week, but the gym is open until midnight, so I don't have an excuse!

Up 2 - 21 to go.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T20:33:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there!!

My step-dad, who's been pretty much the only one to actually be a dad to me.

Darrell and his step-dad, who IS the only dad he has ever had.

And we must not forget doggie daddies too!!

Mosaic

2008-06-12T21:09:00.002-04:00

I saw this from my friend Sarita's Blog, and thought I would try it out. It's kinda cool!

I'd also love to see my (blogger) friend's versions on their blogs!
a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
b. Using only the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. Favorite drink?
7. Dream vacation?
8. Favorite dessert?
9. What you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. One Word to describe you.
12. Where do you live?

This is what mine looks like:

Thanks Sarita for this awesome post!!

The name's Mater...

2008-06-10T20:23:00.002-04:00

...you know like Tow Mater, but without the Tow! LoL I love that movie.

I haven't gone out with Chanele to take pictures in awhile, and so we decided we would go out today to Old Hyde Park Village, and decided to take her one year old Boxer, Mater, with us as a model. He was so cute. Didn't listen very well, but cute nonetheless!!

See the pretty fountain?

Yeah Mater liked it too, so much that he jumped right in!

Check out the cute teeth! Aww...

He's definitely a Momma's Boy!

End Week 1 - for real this time

2008-06-09T09:08:00.003-04:00

Yay!! I knew I could count on Weight Watchers to help out with this weight issue I am having! I was really good. I brough my lunch to work nearly every day last week. I also went to the gym 4 times!! If I can keep this up, I will be skinny in no time (yeah right)!!

2.5 down - 19 to go!

Must.Stay.Motivated

2008-06-02T08:47:00.002-04:00

OK....no more cheating...no more "just today"....no more "I don't feel like it".....just NO MORE!! I need to stay focused and motivated because this just is not acceptable to me ANYMORE!

I am starting Weight Watchers back in full force beginning TODAY!

So as of today my new goals:
1) Go to the gym AT LEAST 5 days a week
2) Always bring my lunch
3) Track what I am eating and points

Worse than it was a month and a half ago but this is it:

All great things must come to an end!

2008-06-01T23:35:00.003-04:00

The last 3½ days were probably the best I have had in a long time! I met 2 fabulous women in person, finally after 2 years. They are just as amazing in person as they are online!

I am so glad to have created 2 more lifelong friendships.

Here are some pictures from today!

I miss you ladies already!!

....and dinner

2008-06-01T11:26:00.003-04:00

We went to International Plaza and ate dinner at Champps. It was pretty good, dessert was a bit of a disappointment, but we ended up just coming back to my place and drinking it up!!

...so sad today is the last day!!

GTG Day 2

2008-05-31T19:34:00.003-04:00

Today we headed to Clearwater Beach...it was the most perfect day to go to the beach. Sun, sand and the water!!

And if that wasn't enough sunshine, we came back to the house, and went to the pool for an hour.

Out for drinks tonight, and one more day :(

GTG Day 1

2008-05-30T22:12:00.004-04:00

Well....I guess it could be Day 2, since they arrived yesterday,

but today was our first full day.
The day started with me getting a speeding ticket....stupid cop!

And then he screwed up on the speed limit....yeah I'm

definitely fighting that one!

Then off to the Florida Aquarium. It was ok....I was a little disappointed,

but we had a good time nonetheless.

And followed by dinner with Darrell, and my brother in law and sister in law

OnLine Friends

2008-05-28T22:42:00.003-04:00

As you may or may not know, I'm a "member" of a message board. Said message board: The Nest. This is where newlyweds go AFTER they are on The Knot (a wedding planning message baord). Here we discuss, family, homes, babies, newlywed life, etc. I have been a member of these boards since I got engaged in 2006. I have "met" so many amazing women, and I feel like I have known them forever! I know as much about them, as I do my IRL (in real life) friends!

Over the past couple years I have met a few fabulous Hottie Knotties and Sexy Nesties in person, and still remain in touch with some of them.

This weekend, well tomorrow, and for the rest of the weekend, I will have the joy of meeting 2 more friends. They are the first non-local Nesties I am meeting! Online is a crazy place, but there are some not so crazy people out there too!

I can't wait to meet you Jenn and Lauren! I'm so excited!

Surprise gone bust!

2008-05-18T16:22:00.002-04:00

So, I tried so hard to pull off a special surprise party for Darrell's 30th birthday. I started planning it in January, thinking about how I can pull this off. I told a couple of people, and asked for their help.
In April, I sent out an e-vite, also inviting some important people from out of town. Everything seemed to be going well and as planned, and then one week before the party nearly EVERYONE backed out. One had to work, one didn't have the money (to drive 200 miles), one decided to drive with a friend to Atlanta....needless to say, what started out as 12 guests turned into 2. My SIL and one of our really good friends.

I did surprise Darrell with a cookie cake on Friday night

And then a cake on his actual birthday

Happy Birthday honey! I'm sorry the surprise didn't work out!

Company Picnic

2008-05-18T16:13:00.002-04:00

Every year the company that my husband works for has a picnic for all the West Coast Florida employees. I took the opportunity to bring my camera and take pictures of Darrell's cousins. One wanted nothing to do with me and the camera (but I got a few anyways), and the other is just so photogenic!

I'm all about cutting costs, but this is supposed to be Mountain Dew, only it tasted like shit!