{pieces and parts of ME}

John's perspective

2006-09-11T10:20:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share this:

I was at home submitting resumes (I was between jobs), my brother called and told me to turn on the TV. So I turned it on to see a picture of Logan Airport and the text saying a tower had been hit. My first thought was that some idiot had hit the control tower at Logan... then they showed the WTC... I watched in horror as the second plane hit... and them both fall. I have never in my life been so angry, so frustrated, and so pained for the pointless loss of life.

My heart goes out to those who lost their lives, those who risked theirs, and those simple people who pulled together to bring this great country past it's grief. My first order when I walked in the door was for the flag to be put at half-staff, this was long before the order from above reached us. I honor those people, one and all.

I was watching TV last night and I felt the same way... angry at someone or something just beyond reach. My rage and anger is reserved for those to cause such terrible acts, who go unpunished, and who believe wrongly that they are in the right to kill in the name of anything or anyone. I believe that if you want to do it, then stand up take accountability be proud, but don’t hide, don’t cower and cringe in fear. If you have something to say, then say it. Don’t go killing innocents because you are too cowardly to stand up for what you believe in. That's the way of fools, and ignorance.

I may have crossed the line, and I apologize but that is how I feel. I won’t hide behind a mask of neutrality, of understanding, of compassion for murders. To do anything other than stand up against their actions condones them. I can't and won't condone what they did. Never. They deserve to reap what they sow... a steel jacketed round in the back of the head and a nameless grave in the desert. I'll pay for bullet any day, any week, any year...

A small note should be made here: I pass the square named after one of the pilots of United 93. I remember every day that 9/11/01 happened, and I remember to say thank you in my heart for all those who deserved to be honored every time I pass. To forget would to me be the same as dishonoring the sacrifice those people made and I refuse to do that too.

5 years already??

2006-09-11T04:34:00.000-07:00

It doesn't seem possible that 9/11 was already 5 years ago. In many ways it feels like yesterday. John and I were talking last night and he said he felt that 9/11 is our generations defining moment. I would agree. I said that I find it so odd that Ellery will grow up and think of 9/11 the same way I thought about president Kennedy's assassination. I couldn't fathom something that horrible ever happening; I couldn't imagine something SO profound that you would never forget the details of that day, down to the tiniest thing. It's funny because I vividly remember the spaceshuttle Challenger disaster but it didn't *define* us, if that makes sense.

9/11 is our defining moment.

I had called in sick to work that day with a migraine and I spent most of the day sleeping. .when I got up my mom was making her bed in her room (I still lived at home then) and said "it's been an awful day" . . i thought she was talking about something to do with my uncle. . .he had just been diagnosed with stage IV colo-rectal cancer. . and I said .. what do you mean. . and she told me. . . well she said that planes hit the WTC. . and I still thought she meant like a little plane. .a Cessna or something. . a horrible accident. . . .

we went downstairs and I just curled up in my dad's recliner and just watched tv all.day.long.

where were you?

may we never forget those people who lost their lives. . . all those innocent people who had no idea that such a gorgeous day would turn so horrible.

may we never forget.

I know it's been 2 years BUT

2006-08-10T04:56:00.000-07:00

there was a post on 2 peas referring to my wedding cake. . and I got a few pea-mails about the cake

so here it is again!

LOST: 1 scrapbooking mojo. . if found please return

2006-07-28T06:19:00.000-07:00

to owner!!! :)

I just can't get it together. . . . I thought the tiredness was a thing of the past. . but apparently not

seriously. . this kid better be frickin' Van Gogh at this point .. . she/he is stealing all my scrapping mojo!!!

It's been 2 months + since I've scrapbooked :( makes me sad....

so..if you find fraggle's lost mojo wandering around unattended....please....escort it home!

how do I feel about this?

2006-07-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure. . .

Scarlett Johansson will play Mary Boleyn opposite Natalie Portman and Eric Bana in The Other Boleyn Girl. The story centers on two ferociously ambitious sisters, Mary and Anne Boleyn, who were rivals for the bed and heart of King Henry VIII. Portman and Johansson will star as the sisters, with Bana playing the King. Shooting begins this Fall in London.

i think Scarlett Johannsson is too pretty to be Mary. . i mean. . i'm sure they'll make her more plain. . but i always got that Mary was "pleasant" looking. . just not striking. . and Scarlett is. ..

hmmm i just hope they don't butcher that book. .i truly love it. . i've read it at LEAST 6 times!

Sagittarius Keywords

2006-06-21T07:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my good buddy Stephanie for this list of Sagittarius keywords

what do you think? which ones fit me?

Optimistic
Freedom Loving
Jovial
Good-humored
Honest
Straightforward
Intellectual
Philosophical
Careless
Irresponsible
Tactless
Restless

BIG NEWS

2006-06-09T07:21:00.000-07:00

like the biggest EVER. .. . .

http://www.palmerbaby.blogspot.com

:) :) :)

A {wicked} good time

2006-05-11T08:49:00.000-07:00

yes. . yes .. i'm using that cheesy title that I already used once :)

just deal! :)

so Sunday night John and I were fortunate enough to go and see Wicked at the Opera House in Boston. it was A-mazing!!! seriously. I've had the soundtrack since. .hmmm. . .a while now (it was my 40 pounds lost present to myself) and so I pretty much knew all the songs.

The CD didn't come with a synopsis, which is odd.. . a little perusing of google yielded the information that the show itself contains parts that are NOT on the CD and that a synopsis would ruin *what turned out to be* some amazing surprises!!!!

Our seats were great. . .the opera house is pretty small. . but we were sitting in the orchestra section (right side) row R. . .didn't have ANY problems seeing anything at all.

The show itself was amazing. The costumes were great and the music was wonderful. We had stand-ins for Elphaba, Elphaba's mother. . and someone else. . . . my only criticism is that the girl who played Elphaba didn't have a super strong voice and was drowned out by Glinda at some points. . her solos were great though!!! the girl who played Glinda sounded VERY much like Kristin Chenoweth (the original broadway Glinda) and i just LOVE that character!! (surprise surprise :) )

I was surprised by how "different" the show is. It is billed as a musical. . and it is. . . sorta. . . the best example i could come up with is this. . if you listen to the broadway soundtrack from Rent you pretty much have a lot of the story. . . there's not a ton of extra dialogue. . but in Wicked. . it's MORE dialogue and less music/dancing. there are a lot of funny lines. . mostly from Glinda . . .one i can remember is "let that poor girl go. . and her little dog Dodo". . hehehe :)

anyway. . all in all it was pretty amazing. . john and i both loved it. . so if you have a chance you should definately check it out :)

in other news - rent's coming back to boston in June. . for some reason though i can't find tickets anywhere. . ticketmaster doesn't have it listed :(. I've seen it twice but john really wants to see it..... :( hopefully they'll show up soon!

oh! more news i accepted a new position here !!! YAY!!! i'll be working in a different department. . which brings a much needed change and the chance for career advancement!!! :) i'm excited but sad to be leaving this department....not a big fan of change!

oh AND. . .i was down 3.2 pounds at WW this week. . which is all the weight i've gained in the past 2 weeks woot :)

AND. . as i mentioned before my friend April's new business: MaggieMae Stamps launched. The stamps are A-MAZING. . seriously

i got a new set (that John keeps leaving at work!!!!) and i can't wait to play!!! i'm going to start posting some schtuff that i create with them here :) :)

so that's it. . fraggle OUT!!

{secret} revealed!!!

2006-05-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

I can FINALLY tell you all my secret (my 3 readers ROFL).

I get to be a part of an amazing adventure started by an amazing friend!!!!!!

check it out:

MaggieMae Stamps

HUGE congrats to April for making this dream of hers a reality and a BIG THANK YOU for letting me be a part of it!!!

<3

oh and PS - you can see my samples by clicking on the Anna Grace set :)

Pushing the reset button

2006-04-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

wow..a new record. . 3 new posts in 3 days!!!! :)

so. . about this reset button

i went to WW last night. . and i was up 1.8. . it's the same 1.8 i've been up and down for WEEKS.

but i feel like i made a breakthrough last night. . instead of getting upset about it. . .i just said to myself "hey. . for the love affair you had with the easter candy. . that's not so bad. . time to move on"

so i hit my "reset button". . . listened in the meeting last night .. . .and today is a brand new day and a brand new week

i've come this far. .. i can go farther :) :)

TAG!!! I'm it

2006-04-26T05:15:00.000-07:00

April tagged me:

I got tagged!

5 Things in my fridge:
Soda – coke zero or sprite zero mostly
Fruit salad
Chicken sausage
Fresh fettucine
WINE

In my closet:
Clothes (duh)
My purse collection -
Throw pillows
SHOES
Spring clothes in totes

In my purse: (not much it’s small)
keys
debit card, cash etc
WW booklet
Awesome mint tint lip gloss from bath and body

In my RAV-4:
games
a coach shopping bag
2 forms for lost mail from USPS that (thankfully) I didn’t have to use
cds
a swiffer auto duster (hey. ..blu’s new. . don’t make fun of me!!)

On my TIVO:
lots of star trek the next generation
how I met your mother
america’s next top model
the real world
the real housewives of orange county!

Tagging: Tangee!!

part of something

2006-04-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

we're all part of something. . aren't we?? families, relationships, groups. .the list goes on and on.

right now i'm SO SO SO excited to be {part of something}. I can't share what it is - YET. . .but there are people who know :) :) :)

It's gonna be big people .. i know it is. . . the person behind it amazes me in so many ways and I'm SO lucky to call her my friend. . . and now i guess my boss too (lol lol lol)

And I am beyond amazed that I get to be a part of it - little old me. . .b/c trust me. . .it's gonna be big (hey did I say that already??!!!)

less than a week to go and i can share this BIG thing :) It's worth the wait!!! :)

Updates, updates, updates

2006-04-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

wow that makes it sound like I have a LOT to say. .and I don't. . really LOL

just a WW update - even though i hit 50lbs not too long ago i've been playing up and down with the same 2 pounds for almost a month. .. my heart really wasn't it. . so i'm back UNDER 50lbs lost.

:(

last night I went to weigh in expecting a BIG gain. .but. .i got a 2.2 loss. . so i'm at 49.6 pounds lost

so..hopefully that will motivate me this week and i'll get BACK over 50lbs lost next week :) :) think good thoughts for me.

Not really sure what else to update on. . hopefully i'll have some really stellar news to share soon!!!

My father in law is getting married next week in Jamaica. . .sadly . .we're not going. . no one is. . . . .. i have mixed feelings about it .. but I'm so very happy and Cheryl are happy.

Scrapping's going well. . i'm hoping that i get some publishing calls soon. . i have to submit more again. . i'm slacking with that!!!

so..that's really it from me. .i wish i was more exciting ROFL

oh. . .my new favorite songs: Hips don't lie by Shakira, Shake that by Eminem (yes. .the dirty version :) ), grillz by Nelly, Move Along by Fall out boy, For you i will by Teddy Geiger

check them out. . lmk what you think :)

FRAGGLE OUT :)

my PSA to the Yoplait Yogurt People

2006-03-31T10:43:00.000-08:00

dear Yoplait Yogurt people (very creative intro :) ):

i am currently eating your Boston Creme Pie flavored yogurt and would like the following noted for the record:

it is not boston creme pie tasting. .only slightly at best. .if i was served a boston creme pie that tasted like this. . i'd be insulted

the only truth to the name of this yogurt is. . .YOGURT

that is all.

thank you.

goodbye.

I've been a bad, bad blogger

2006-03-21T08:04:00.000-08:00

although no one reads my blog so really, what does it matter??!!?? :)

updates:

I've had a busy few weeks. . just doing STUFF. . . .

my fabulous new car got rear ended 2 weeks ago. . yep. . it was 2 weeks old. . . . . we're just waiting on the check from the insurance co. and off to the dealer it will go to be fixed.. . poor blu.

belle went to the vet on Saturday for her annual check up and shots extravaganza. . . despite my fears she actually stayed exactly the same weight - 13.2 pounds .. so no CATkins for her. . .but the vet DID find a heart murmur. Not much can be done about it. . so we have a referral for a kitty eeg and ultrasound . .but not sure what to do. it's soooo expensive. . and the vet said if she's really not showing any symptoms that anything weird is going on then it's probably not much to worry about. . . i would really hate to schlep her all the way to North Grafton to the Tufts University Vet school for nothing. . .ya know?

I went clothes shopping this weekend - spent a lot of $$ but i have NO spring clothes that fit. . everything's too big. . .and i bought a button down shirt that is a size 18/20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woo hoo. . last spring the biggest size didn't fit me very well!!!!!! :) :) :)

hmm what else. . .i've been scrapping a LOT (for me anyway :) ). . check out some of my recent stuff over at peas:

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/userprofile.asp?user_id=23729

so that's it from me. . :) Fraggle OUT :)

Look mom - new hair!!

2006-03-03T04:39:00.000-08:00

i figured - i'm down 50 lbs .. why NOT have some new hair to go with it?? :)

i love it :) :)

BIG {or is it small?} news!!!

2006-03-02T04:16:00.000-08:00

well last night at Weight Watchers I FINALLY hit the -50 pound mark!

i've been flirting with it for WEEKS. . .. and i've been losing .2, .4. . etc. and last week i was exactly the same. . not sure what happened but i am OFFICIALLY 50.4 pounds lighter than I was in June :) :)

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

in other news - i decided on the way to work today that I want to go to Myrtle Beach this summer. .maybe in July. . .anyone know anything about it?? because I don't ROFL :) :)

oh AND. . the car has a name - Blu :)

Look what followed me home!!!!

2006-02-19T05:20:00.000-08:00

the car. . . not the guy :) :) :)

it's my new car. . isn't it cute??!!! ?? it's a 2006 Toyota Rav-4

i'm SOOO in love with it!!!

it just needs a name now :)

John did good (aka my Valentine's Day)

2006-02-15T04:33:00.000-08:00

I got home last night and john still wasn't home. .but he came home soon after

he's like. . close your eyes. . . so i did. . and he put my present in front of me. . .
it was a giraffe from build a bear that he (obviously) built for me :)

so i was all excited. . .but i opened the box and i saw that lovely giraffe above :)

she is wearing a red sox jersey (and had a hat but john lost the hat :( ) . . around her neck is a coach ponytail scarf in purple:

http://www.coach.com/aspx/content/product.aspx?product_no=8020&category_id=187&easyask_id

attached to her hoof is a coach box with this inside:

http://www.coach.com/aspx/content/product.aspx?product_no=7515&category_id=187&easyask_id

apparently john took the giraffe into the coach store and asked the girls there to "accessorize it" for him :) :)

he's so good. . . .

oh and i got an itunes gift card and 4 godiva truffles. . plus 2 beautiful cards - one from him and one from belle
:)

he did good :)

Happy {heart} day!!!

2006-02-14T05:41:00.000-08:00

I love Valentine's day - seriously. I think it's because I always enjoyed it as a child. .my parents were always my Valentine's - VERY reliable they are :) :)

I loved the parties in school, the little cards, the cupcakes. . all of it :) :)

I love red and pink. .. and what other day do they go together so well???

I also love that Valentine's day {to me anyway} isn't just about my relationship with my husband. .it's about my relationship with EVERYONE in my life - my parents, my friends, and yes, even my cat :)

So, even if you don't have a Valentine celebrate this special day with those you love and who love you unconditionally in return!!!

:)

my good deed for the day

2006-02-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

this afternoon john and i ran to the grocery store and then went through the mcdonald's drive thru on the way home

we're sitting there and john goes "look it's that cat"....there's this little teeny cat (probably an adult but severely underweight etc) who's always sitting under the cars in the parking lot....today she was meowing and looking at every car and person who went by herso i made john pull into a space...he's like "what are you going to do". . i just wanted to see if she would come over and she did.. she was VERY friendly....so i picked her up and got back in the car...john's like "what now?? we can't keep her..."

i didn't know what i wanted to do..but once i had her in my arms i knew i couldn't just let her go. ....she was all skin and bones and she was meowing and sounded like she had pneumonia or something. .she was VERY wheezy..and her nose was VERY very pale and dry s

o we came home. .john came in and got the carrier that we use for belle and some food. ..i felt awful but we got her in the carrier and left her in the car (if she was sick i didn't want to expose belle to something ). . we came in and started calling places. . . the MSPCA would not pick up their phone. . the police told us that animal control in this town doesn't work on sundays... and the humane society never answered the "emergency" page i sent.....at this point i'm hysterical thinking. . .i made a mistake b/c now what?? we CAN'T keep her. . and we can't just let her go

john had the presence of mind to call my friend . . .we were heading to her house this afternoon for dinner anyway. . she called her local police who said animal control would come right out and pick the cat up. . so we took her to my friend's. . and animal control picked her upthe whole time we were driving the kitty was laying the carrier mewing a little but she just wanted to be petted. .. she was filthy dirty. .but when we were almost there she finally started bathing herself. ..

john's lecturing me the entire way "we can't keep her. .dont' get attached. .etc etc etc". .. i, meanwhile, was hysterical. . just sobbing. ...

animal control said they don't usually keep cats b/c they pretty much have just one room. . so she'd probably stay the night but then be transferred over to the MSPCA and stuffs

o..that was my day. . .rofl. .it might seem stupid to some. . but VERY trying for me i know i'm not going to be able to get her out of my head. . (she's a gorgeous long haired calico with green eyes.. i named her penny lane )

Weekly Weigh In

2006-01-26T05:20:00.000-08:00

for my loyal readers - a Weight Watchers update

i was down 1 pound last night for a total of 47.4 pounds lost since June.

I can't help thinking (i'm feeling kind of blah about myself lately) that people must look at me and think "man. . she lost 47 pounds and *STILL* looks like that. . . wow. . ." :(

ugh...

just me being stupid i guess. . but i can't help it....

but. . .a loss is a loss. . even if it's only a pound.

Billy, Billy, Billy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-01-22T19:21:00.000-08:00

OMG he was amazing

we had SUCH a good time!!!

i've seen billy before but he was BETTER than he was the last time i saw him

our seats were awesome. . they were up in the balcony but to billy's left right at the side of the stage and in the first row of the balcony. . .awesome awesome awesome

he sang a LOT of stuff that you don't regularly hear - kwim?? and then of course he sang his "usuals"

between songs he'd just talk to the audience. .which was VERY cool. . it felt VERY intimate!!!

if you're interested here's the songs he played (also getting them down for journaling i'm going to do ):
Allentown
NY state of mind
movin' out
river of dreams
pressure
zanzibar
goodnight saigon
i go to extremes
the ballad of billy the kid
the great wall of china
the night is still young
keeping the faith
prelude/angry young man
you may be right
big shot
it's still rock n' roll to me
we didn't start the fire (my FAVORITE song. .)
she's always a woman (another of my favorites and before he started playing he's like. .we haven't played this one in a LONG time. . ROFL)

oh and he sang a tribute song for wilson pickett who died the day of the concert

his encore was: only the good die young, scenes from an italian restaurnant and piano man

it was 2.5 hours of non-stop MUSIC. . . totally unbelievable, worth every penny. . i'm astounded by how much ENERGY he has!!! the coolest moment of the entire show for me was during the last chorus of piano man he stopped singing and the band stopped playing and it was just the Garden full of fans singing the chorus of the song. . . amazing. . he looked all around with this HUGE smile on his face. . .i can't imagine that feeling EVER gets old!!

i'm so mad i didn't bring my camera. . but the tickets said no cameras and i really didn't want to risk it

but i'm SO mad i didn't b/c a TON of people had them!!

oh well!!

Tonight's the night!!!

2006-01-19T09:09:00.000-08:00

We're seeing Billy Joel tonight!!! woo hoo

:) :) :)

it was John's BIG Christmas present from me. .and we're both so excited!! I've actually seen him before but John never has. .so it should be A LOT of fun :) and dinner out at Boston Beer Works First :) :) (John's choice of course :) )

oh and ps - down 3.8 pounds at WW last night. . total 46 point something :)

WOOT :) i rock!!

My new(est) obsession and my new ring :)

2006-01-11T06:22:00.000-08:00

double the fun today kids .. since i haven't updated in a while :)

my new(est) obsession is from Bath and Body Works

it is

CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint (Tint No. 1137)

OMG this stuff is FABULOUS. . seriously . . .my sister in law told me about it and John bought it for me for my stocking. it hasn't left my side since!!

AMAZING STUFF .. . go buy some

that is all :)

and introducing. . my new ring :) :)

(the first picture is the new band all alone. .then with my engagement ring - excuse the filth on my ring LOL)

simply wonderful

2005-12-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas was simply wonderful this year. . . minus all the rushing around and whatnot.

Christmas Eve we were at my parent's. .. we shared our dinner with Gloria and Amanda again this year. . yummy antipasto and raviolis. then Auntie Judy and Uncle Tony came over and we did presents with them. John and I got a cute kitty frame, 2 cute kitty christmas mugs (sensing a theme?? :) ), a law and order board game and 2 adorable signs for our "office" - mine says world's greatest scrapbooker and john's is world's greatest computer whiz.

Christmas Day we were up very early and did our presents. I got MAJORLY spoiled by John:

in my stocking :
3 adhesive refills
fontwerks stamps
williams sonoma gift certificate
itunes gift certificate
perfume (burberry brit)
post its (i'm always saying i want bright post its for work LOL)
a QK die
ki ice candy

and my wrapped under the tree stuff:
2 pocket dragons
4 movies
4 books i wanted
pjs
an outfit for work he chose all by himself
a garfield page a day calender
a greyhound wall calendar (from the "future")
a "nightie" (i opened it and was like. .oh you bought a present for yourself )
work pants
2 shirts
philosophy body wash (apple cider)
slippers (which have to be switched for the right size)
the HS handwriting book
a vera bradley purse and matching wallet.

BUT my biggest surprise was yet to come!!
We have a friendly "competition" on christmas. .who can "beat" the other. .and i've been walking around yelling for weeks that i'm going to win ROFL - with those Billy Joel tickets

we were opening and he kept telling me that belle's present to me was VERY special but i couldn't open it yet - so finally he goes okay close your eyes and takes belle into the bedroom. .he comes out and says "call her over to you" she came right over to me and i opened my eyes. . she was wearing a red ribbon around her neck and on it was. ..

my channel set wedding band!!!!!!

it's really pretty. . 9 little diamonds. .and it's a 3 stone "enhancer" so there's a curve in the band where it fits right up against my engagement ring!!! To say I was shocked would be an understatement!!!!

then off to my mom and dad's for more present opening

there I got:

socks (regular, trouser and slipper )
some clothes
and my big presents there were a gorgeous silver ring. . something i would not have chosen for myself but is very cool and funky
and a new winter coat. . it's really really nice!!!

and my uncle gave us a best buy gift card

we had dinner and then RAN to my cousin's to give the little kids their presents and then left pretty quick to be at my father in law's for 6pm. . where we had ANOTHER christmas. I got:

hat, gloves, scarf
a watch
a borders gift card
and our "couple" present was
an espresso machine and
the disney edition of scene it
(each couple/person got a different scene it version and the espresso machine. . .the single guys got a home brewing kit )

and then from my secret santa at john's dad's (my sister in law michelle) i got a cute smores guy and 4 shower gels from bath and body works!!!

definately a crazy hectic day and i was VERY spoiled!!!

i'm hoping to share pictures later (especially of my ring. .but it's being sized right now :( )

MORE christmas tag

2005-12-22T04:38:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by Linda

Christmas or New Years? Christmas -new year's doesn't really interest me
Cookies: Sugar or Gingerbread? Sugar!
Decorations: Santa or Snowmen? snowmen. . i love them. . we have them EVERYWHERE :)
Decorations: Reindeer or Elves? umm both :)
Colors: Red or Green? Can I choose both? I love traditional Christmas colors - but have to admit that I am getting a real kick out of the non-traditional colors I've been seeing in Target and from scrapbook designers this year! (yeah what SHE said)
Colors: Gold or Silver? Silver.. much more wintery to me
Tree Topper: Star or Angel? neither. . we have Tinkerbell on our tree!
Stocking Stuffer: Fruit or Candy? neither - PRESENTS :)
Tree: Real or Artificial? our fake prelit one is just fine :)
Cartoons: Charlie Brown or Rudolph? charlie brown. . i love me some snoopy!
Movie: It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol? A christmas Carol .. i'm not a big it's a wonderful life fan
Stocking Stuffer: Jewelry or Gift Card? BOTH :)
Christmas List: Naughty or Nice? Also BOTH . . mostly nice though!:)
Drink: Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? hot chocolate!
Holiday Ghost: Past, Present, or Future? Present :)
Vacation Spot: North Pole or Winter Wonderland? Winter Wonderland! it's new england after all!
Holiday Song: Jingle Bells or Silver Bells? Jingle Bells.
Holiday Song: Silent Night or O' Holy Night? O Holy night
More Fun: Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? BOTH! Impossible to choose between them!
Lights: Clear or Multi-Colored? multi-colored
Ornaments: Bulbs or Bows? bulbs
Tree Decor: Ribbon, Popcorn, or Garland? none of the above
Gifts: Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags? both
Better To: Give or Receive? BOTH :)

i'm tagging Kristin

Yankee Swap??!!???

2005-12-21T04:21:00.000-08:00

no I am not referring to that ridiculous game that some people insist on foisting on others at the holidays - although I hate that too. . but that's another blog entry :)

I am referring to the signing of Johnny Damon with the Yankees - the evil empire if you will.

I have a few things to say about this:

first off. . . I loved Johnny for a long time - then he started talking more. He started becoming the type of player that believes in his own hype - the "jesus" thing etc. etc. etc. BUT . . like it or not, the guy was the FACE of the team. He embodied that "anything goes" attitude that we LOVE about our guys.

He was reportedly looking for a 7 year deal to stay in Boston and that was the sticking point in the negotiations. Well friends, he didn't get 7 years in pinstripes either - he got 4 years for $52 million - works out to about $13 million a year. The Sox came in with an offer - 4 years for $40 million - $10 million a year. While it's under the Yanks offer - if he wanted to stay in Boston I'm sure he doesn't need the extra 3 million - how much can he spend???

He wanted the glitz of the Yankees and that's all there is to it. . .

what I personally don't understand is how Johnny's gonna fit in the big apple - the Yankees are SO corporate . . . and Damon's not. . .he's gonna need a haircut and a shave first off

well. .. goodbye Johnny - it's been fun and it'll be interesting to see who's replacing you!!!

weird

2005-12-20T05:46:00.000-08:00

don't know why my picture looks so weird. . . but click on it. . then it's better :)

Merry Christmas (almost)

2005-12-20T05:37:00.000-08:00

I couldn't wait any longer to post our Christmas picture. My friend Tracy made this for me. . but our cards looked different.

but I still wanted to share :)

I've been {christmas} tagged!!!

2005-12-13T08:43:00.000-08:00

by Kristin!!

(i did this in word so all my smiles are now J's :) )

Hot Chocolate or Egg Nog? Hot chocolate (Williams Sonoma peppermint hot chocolate – YUM)
Does Santa wrap the presents or just set them under the tree? Wrapped unless it’s HUGE
Colored or white lights on the tree/house? Colored – always colored (I’m ALWAYS in the minority here J )
Do you hang mistletoe? Nope – my mom has a fake kissing ball though!
When do you decorate? Usually the day after thanksgiving (after the shopping J ) or that weekend. This year the tree was up VERY early. . I couldn’t wait
What is your favorite holiday dish? Umm definitely my mom’s Berjole (for those who don’t know it’s an Italian thing - The berjole... flank steak pounded thin, cut into strips. Seasoned with fresh chopped basil, parsley, grated Romano, finely chopped garlic. Rolled up, toothpicks to hold the "roll" in place. Browned. Then it goes into the red sauce YUM. My mom also puts hardboiled eggs in hers. And of course all the Christmas cookies she makes!!
Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Wow. . I have so many it would be hard to choose just one. I know this Christmas is going to be VERY special.
How and when did you learn the truth about Santa? I actually don’t remember
Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Not usually!
What kind of cookies do you set out for Santa on Christmas Eve? Not anymore L hopefully we will soon!
Snow! Love it or hate it? I like it from INSIDE and as long as it doesn’t mess up any plans!
Can you ice skate? Yep! I love it too :) It’s been a long time though.
Do you remember your favorite gift? I’m a very lucky girl so it would be hard to choose!
What is the most important thing about the holidays for you? Just family pretty much.
What’s your favorite holiday dessert? My mom’s cookies J
What’s your favorite holiday tradition? When I was little I always got to put the baby jesus in the manger on Christmas morning – I love that!
What type of tree? We have a fake prelit one. . I love it!
Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Both honestly!
What is your favorite Christmas Carol? God rest ye merry gentleman – the barenaked ladies and sarah mclachlan version!!
Candy Canes, YUCK or YUM? YUM! :)

i tag april and jenn!!!

So exciting!!!

2005-12-08T05:40:00.000-08:00

the classes are up over at Big Picture Scrapbooking. I am so excited. I really wish that I could take the Donna Downey class but I can't - it's just not in the budget right now!

I'm definately taking the Cathy Z. class and I can't wait to see more!

I think this is SUCH an amazing idea and I am just SO SO jazzed about it!!!

My, my how easy we forget. ..

2005-12-07T12:33:00.000-08:00

That I even have a blog!!!

Oops! Thanks to my wonderful friend Kristin I realized it’s been a while since I blogged. Mostly because no one reads it ROFL

So… I think I need some sort of creative help. Since we moved I haven’t really scrapped at all. . . a lot of my stuff is still packed up which is part of the problem. But when I even *think* about unpacking it my head starts to hurt.

So I need help! Mojo, challenges, whatever!!! I’m beginning to think that maybe I don’t love this as much as I thought I did!!

Anyone. .. .anyone. .. bueller. . bueller. .

Any help????

Tagged {Part Deux}

2005-11-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

Linda tagged me this morning!!!

Linda tagged me for a rousing game of "twos" - - - -

2 names you go by:
1. Amanda 2. Redfraggle

2 parts of your heritage
1. Irish 2. Italian

2 Things that scare you
1. giving birth 2. spiders

2 Everyday essentials
1. my computer 2. water

2 Things you are wearing right now
1. jeans 2. a sweater

2 of your favorite bands or musical artists (at the moment)
1. Gaelic Storm 2. Rent soundtrack *I’m cheating*

2 favorite songs (at the moment)
1. Seasons of Love 2. Beautiful by James Blunt

2 things you want in a relationship (other than real love)
1. spontaneity 2. laughter

2 truths
1. I’m too hard on myself sometimes.2. I am a *geek* about all things scrapbooking :)

2 physical things that appeal to you (in the opposite sex)
1. smile 2. arms

2 of your favorite hobbies
1. scrapbooking 2. reading

2 things you want really badly
1. to be in our own house. 2. to put my Christmas tree up!

2 places you want to go on vacation
1. Disney (again) 2. a cruise to somewhere WARM

2 things you want to do before you die
1. go back to Europe
2. see Madonna in concert (yes I’m odd)

2 ways that you are stereotypically a dude/chick
1. I love PINK. 2. I love to shop!

2 things you are thinking about now
1. avoiding work 2. scrapbooking

2 stores you shop at
1. Target 2. Old Navy

2 people I would like to see do these questions

1. Kristin 2. Jenn

Regrets . . i've had a few

2005-11-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

my good friend kristin tagged me with a Meme!!!

Here's my instructions:
Instructions:
1) Call the meme "Regrets - I've Had A Few"
2) Always refer (and link back) to the blogger who tagged you
3) Always tag (and link to) at least two new bloggers
4) List as many regrets as you like, but list a minimum of one (even if you have to re-interpret the term 'regret' because you feel strongly that you don't have any)
5) Include these five rules in each post as the meme instructions.

Regrets... I've had a few.

hmm what do i regret about my life?? I've always said I don't like to regret anything in my life because whatever choices and decisions i've made, whatever path my life has taken, has shaped me in some way and made me who I am today.

However. . there is one thing that I truly regret in my life: not applying myself more in college. sounds really stupid i know. i graduated. . i have a degree. .i have a good job. .. . but i think it could have been BETTER!!

so that's my regret. :)

and because i'm supposed to i'm tagging Maureen and Linda (even though they probably won't read this ROFL)

the greatest love of all

2005-11-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

no, no, no NOT the Whitney Houston song :)

today is my parents 41st wedding anniversary - they've been married for over half of their lives.

they got married in 1964 at 19 years old - how they were able to choose the right person at that age is beyond me. . .i could barely take care of myself at 19 (or now but that's another story!!! LOL)

they've been through so much together and are just as in love today as they were then - maybe more!!

so here's to you mom and dad (not that they read this. . but yanno :) )

My hidden talents (thoughTs challenge)

2005-11-14T12:38:00.000-08:00

since clearly I want to hear Tracey sing. .. here you go!!

My hidden talent is really belongs in quotation marks. “talent” is more like it. I think it’s funny. . my mom thinks it’s funny. . what is it you ask?? It’s nothing USEFUL like playing the piano, or the sitar (hehe).

My hidden talent is. . . I AM the walking commercial. For as long as I can remember I have known pretty much every single commercial out there. And as for the ones with jingles. . yep. . I know the songs too. When I was little apparently I entertained myself for hours just singing them J

With the advent of Tivo in my house I don’t get to see that many commercials. . .but I still know most of them!!

So there you have it. . my hidden talent!!!

updates :)

2005-11-07T05:10:00.000-08:00

we're all settled (okay mostly settled) in the new place. over the weekend John put his new desk together and i started the process of unpacking my scrapbook stuff.. . if i get lost. .send in a rescue team . .please :)

the weekend was really good. hung out with sara on Sat. (after she got out of work :) ). . before she got there john and i went to Lowe's again. I LOVE that place. In this trip I got a new switchplate for the kitchen - which sara put up on Sat. :) (not that i couldn't do it myself. . but she was closer lol). then sara came by. . we went up to Amandalinz and then to panera and Target. I did some Christmas shopping for John which was good. Then we came home. . had dinner. . watched elf. . and hung out (and drank mike's hard lemonade - berry flavor . . . YUM)

yesterday we went to breakfast. . then BACK to target (another 75.00 later ROFL). We found lots of fun stuff. . as they have all their Christmas decorations etc. out :) . I keep a tradition my mom started. once the tree is all decorated my mom used to put these red and gold satin balls all over the tree. it was like the finishing touch. well our first christmas in the apartment i had bought some really nice matte red and green balls and then little mini ones that had snowflakes. i didn't buy enough and you can't get them anymore. SO john and i found some really nice ones to replace those. . we'll go back this weekend and buy them :). In fairness, I did also buy Josh's Christmas present.. .meaning that i am only 1 gift away from being done with the "little kids" on my shopping list :) woo hoo!! I also figured out (with john's help) a couple of other gifts. . .LOVE IT :) :)

that's about it for exciting happenings in my life !!! OH!! Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire opens 11/18. How excited am i??? i just bought tickets for 11/19 . .. i'm so excited. .. then RENT comes out on 11/23 :) :) i can't wait :) :)

{Islands of fun and the second circle of hell}

2005-10-27T13:37:00.000-07:00

interesting title, non?? :)

anyway. . . john and i are in the process of packing. . . i never knew 2 humans and a cat (a small cat at that) could generate so much STUFF!!!!!! we're throwing things away. . which is good. .but i feel like we're not making a dent. .which is BAD!!! - welcome to the second circle of hell!!!

in reality , we are making great progress and are in FINE shape to move on Saturday.. . it just seems hopeless!!!

this is where the "islands of fun" come in. the other night john was like. . oh we should watch Robots tonight. . and i said that i didn't really think we had the time for a 2 hour movie. . . so he came up with what he calls the "islands of fun" . . small breaks in our packing hell where we do something fun - that night we ended up watching grey's anatomy snuggled up on the couch. so HOORAY for john's islands of fun!!!

he makes me laugh. . LOL . . he really has been a godsend through all this. I don't do well with change - i just don't. . it's part of my personality - i HATE HATE HATE change. I'm actually borderline OCD about it. . . so John really has been my saving grace this week. .keeping me on track and keeping me from going crazy.

As an addendum to our residence at the second circle of hell - i packed my scrapping stuff MONDAY - like 4 days ago. . and OF COURSE. . inspiration has struck. . ROFL. . .i'm pathetic!!!

Movin’ on up. . .

2005-10-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

“To the east side. . . to a deeeeeluxe apartment in the sky. . .movin on up. . .”

okay. .so there is no “deeeeluxe apartment in the sky” but we are moving. John and I saw a 2 bedroom condo to rent in Dracut a couple nights ago. The woman who owns it is really nice (she’s about our age) and let us know she’s really excited to rent to us.

so that’s really good. . it’s more space. . (another WHOLE bedroom :) :) - can we say scrapbooking room??) and most importantly it’s belle friendly!!! :) this is a good thing. My little kitty no longer has to be contraband!!! Oh and we can paint. . everything but the big kitchen/living room .. but that’s already painted a really pretty cocoa-ish color. Oh and please note, the aforementioned scrapbooking room WILL be a nursery in about a year and a half :)

so we’re moving in a little over a week. . yeah pretty quick! Can you say PANIC??!!??

I’m also a little nervous. .i have to be honest. I’ve never lived anywhere but Billerica besides going away to college – which doesn’t count. I’m worried about dumb stuff like where the post office is .. and where we can go out to eat. . . I must keep remembering it’s not outer Mongolia . . it’s like 2 towns away!!!! Lol

I’ll be sure and post pictures once all our stuff is settled and whatnot :)

In other news:

Friday night we went shopping – I did get jeans . .not really happy with them but they’ll do for right now.

I also hit the Clinique counter. Now, in college and right after I was a Clinique snob. .it’s all I used – and I LIVED for bonus time. My skin is just a nightmare lately so I decided to go back to Clinique and see if it helped. I bought some face wash and then went to macy’s to look for my watch (see next bullet) and ended up chatting with the Clinique lady who told me that what I thought I should be using was all wrong and ended up with Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel and superfit makeup. Both really awesome and my skin feels better already!

The watch – I have had the same watch for about 4 or so years. John gave it to me for our first “dating” anniversary. The clasp part is loose or broken. It kept falling off. And really annoying the CRAP out of me. I said I was planning on asking for a new one for my birthday in December. He said he’d buy it now and I could have it so I wouldn’t be without a watch. Sooo after much hemming and hawing I chose a Fossil watch. I love it. . my mom thinks it’s tacky but I think it’s fun and funky and ME :oP so there you go

Ah Vera Bradley how I adore thee. Sat. morning we headed out to the 20% off one day only Vera Bradley sale. I chose a bag for myself: the little betsey in Nantucket Red.

and then we bought one for my mom for Christmas: the spectator in alpine black (she already has the same style in the bermuda blue)

I also got the matching wallet. Sadly mean Santa (aka john) is making me wait until Christmas to have my pretties. . SIGH

Then we went and got Kerrin a tattoo. Fear not loyal blog readers – I did not pierce or tattoo anything else on my body. I do really want another one though .

So there are my updates. Nothing terribly interesting. But I’ll take it :)

Edited: i can't get my stupid pictures to upload!!!

just some stuff

2005-10-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

not like anyone READS this stuff anyway .. but it makes me feel good :)

let's see:

* went shopping over the weekend to Old Navy .. desperately needed shirts that actually FIT . . .so i got some :) that was fun. . heading to Lane Bryant this weekend for Jeans. . since the short ones at old navy were still pooling at the floor

*in a related item i think i have short legs. . . (see above) .. i'm actually NOT all that short. . (5'5") but apparently my legs are like midget legs (with no offense meant to any midgets)

*i think i'm getting my first vera bradley bag this weekend. . but i'm still undecided on which style bag to get.

*we looked at 2 apts. . . 1 was a dump. . still waiting to hear from the other lady. . so if you know of any rentals. . let me know :)

*lots of stuff going on at work. . NONE of it pleasant. . .ugh. . i have a headache today too

*RAIN. . lots of it. . .non stop. . i'm building an ark .. anyone want on?? :)

*kerrin said last week she wanted to go get a tattoo this coming sat. should i get a new one?? or a new piercing?? what to pierce. . decisions decisions :)

and finally:

*the sisterhood of the traveling pants shipped from netflix today. .oh my god i can't wait :) i am a dork :)

On the way home - my thoughTs

2005-10-08T16:51:00.000-07:00

so Tracey challenged us to document our thoughTs with a few challenges... so here's my crack at one

I commute about 40-60 minutes each way, each day to work. i have a lot of time for thought. but what do i do with that time??? on my way home i listen to a talk station (96.9 for those in my area :) ) and usually i catch jay severin's show - it's a politically conservative talk radio show so it gives me a lot to think about. so. . .on the way home sometimes my thoughts are deep.

on the other hand since i drive the same exact way to and from work and hardly ever vary (i am an EXTREME creature of habit - but that's another post) my car can almost drive itself. on those days i let my mind wander (you know the times - you realize with a start that you got from point A to point B but have no knowledge of everything in between - am i the only one this happens to??) i think about my life. . my family. . my future. .. my job. . . i think about babies and names and lately, getting pregnant, finding out i'm pregnant, growing round and full with a new life. .. so. .on the way home sometimes *lately* my thoughts are baby obsessed.

generally though it's a mixture between the deep thoughts and the "fluffier" thoughts. . like. . babies and "man i hope john emptied the (insert dishwasher, cat box, trash etc etc here) so sometimes my thoughts are everyday, boring, mundane. . but they're MINE

so there you have it. .. that's me on the way home :)

clearly i'm going to be killed in my sleep

2005-10-06T05:02:00.000-07:00

by a fluffy orange kitty

i'm so MEAN :) (but it's so FUN :) )

belle would like to tell her mommy's blog readers Happy Halloween!!!

and now i get to brag :)

2005-10-03T08:58:00.000-07:00

My guest designer "schtuff" is up at Wendi Speciale Designs just scroll down and click on my NAME :) :)

(obviously) i knew i was the guest designer for September, but it was just so so THRILLING to open the home page and see my NAME at the bottom :) :)

yeah. . pretty darn cool i think :) :)

oh!! i also got an email last week from Scrapbook Trends for a layout for the January 2006 issue :) :)

YAY :)

(photo) Decor Diva

2005-10-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

(excuse the crappy pics. i think my camera lens needs a cleaning)

can I just say that i LOVE Donna Downey?? she's seriously amazing. I was so lucky today to get the opportunity to take a class based on her "yes it's a scrapbook" series of idea books. She taught 3 - one based on each of her books. I took the one based on the Photo Decor book (hence the title of the entry!!!). If you have the opportunity to take a class with her > > > > DO IT!!!!

she is so full of life!!! she's funny, talented, and so down to earth. she was so generous with her time between the classes too: signing autographs and posing for pictures with everyone who asked!! (and believe you me. .i asked. . i'm a certified groupie. . . . :) )

It was every bit as amazing as i expected. The reason I chose the class i did was I LOVE the idea of using your photos as part of your home decor. it just makes sense. donna actually said the reason she wrote the book was oftentimes she'd create a layout and love it so much she'd leave it out on her desk for days!! (i've DONE this LOL) and then she figured why put them all in albums when you can use your creativity to enhance your home (or someone else's . .her projects make AMAZING gifts!!!)

anyway the class project was the one from her book using the oversized wooden letters. she used PLAY in the book but we did LOVE. which is so cool!!! and the class kit papers were the new-er chatterbox powder room papers.

I am totally *geeked* about how awesome it came out (yeah i used my wedding pictures. .now THERE'S the shock of the century right??) :)

I seriously want to go buy a bunch of letters and a VAT of Mod Podge. . .watch out people - this holiday season - lots of altered letters are gonna be in Santa's sleigh!!!

also, kris the awesome owner of Amandalinz (my not so local LSS) took special orders for more letters since she got them for such a deal. i stole my friend Laura's idea and ordered letters to do "NOEL" for the holidays :) :) awesome!!

now i just need to decide where to hang this "masterpiece" :)

thanks donna. .you ROCK :)

Rebound!!!

2005-09-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

from last week's gain.. .i was up 1.4 last week. . this week i was

down 1.2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

not as much as i would have liked. . but i'll take it!!!

Guess who's back....back again. . .

2005-09-28T10:31:00.000-07:00

IT'S ME :) :) :)

i just remembered i had a blog. . ROFL . . just kidding about that .. but life's been busy since last week!!

i spent the majority of the weekend on the couch resting (save the trip to the mall with kerrin on Sat. and the trip into boston on sunday for john's bday dinner) and on drugs ... okay okay just muscle relaxants .. but i liked them LOL

yeah so not much is going on at this point..

oh WAIT. .

John got a promotion :) woo hooo I am so so so proud of my husband I can't even believe it. it's a pretty big promotion too (not that i would even PRETEND to understand what he's doing .. something BIG. . and in security LOL) it comes with vacation time, personal/sick days, and a pretty nice raise. Granted .. we're not going to be living in the lap of luxury. . BUT it will make things easier :) :)

YAY john. . i'm so proud of you honey :)

so yeah. . that's about it. belle the wonder cat broke 2 more slats on our blinds in the living room prompting McGyver (okay okay john) to stick double stick tape all over the window sill in an effort to deter the little minx (i've always wanted to use that term :) ) from getting up there. . breaking our blinds more. .and oh YEAH .. getting seen and getting us in trouble!!!

she's too smart for a cat. . really. . . lol

anyway. . that's about it. . hopefully after weight watchers tonight i'll have a good update to post. . fingers crossed!!! :)

do over!!!

2005-09-22T04:51:00.000-07:00

i call "do over" on yesterday. . you know when you're a kid and you don't get the roll you wanted while playing chutes and ladders or candy land and you call do over?? i wish i could do that for yesterday.

well documented (see a previous post) that I hate most of my coworkers. yesterday was the breaking point. people. .i sit at my desk for lunch. . LEAVE ME ALONE!!!! but no. . .

so.. i was in a bad mood already when i left work. I headed to weight watchers. . jamming down 128 singing very loudly (and badly) to whatever the shuffle setting on my ipod decided to dish out. I was almost at my exit and there was a wicked solar glare. . . people were slowing down. . i slowed down. . . jackass behind me DIDN'T and freakin' rear ended me. So i pulled off into the breakdown lane and did what any reasonable girl would do - CRIED. Got out of the car and realized that the guy who hit me was CUTE (ROFL) and sniffled "can i use your cell phone to call my husband?" - shaking like a leaf the entire time. Cute boy who hit me was VERY nice and we swapped info and all that. Kermie (my car) isn't too badly damaged - just scratches and dents in the bumper; the guy who hit me got most of it. but i was really shaken up and today i cant' really move my head very well. . my neck is KILLING me. :(

so i continued onto weight watchers where i gained 1.4 pounds :( :(

So. . i call "do over" PLEASE???? :)

the NEW me :)

2005-09-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

i got a hair cut :) or . .i got them all cut (hehe)

i really really like it. what do you all think?

meeting goals

2005-09-15T04:51:00.000-07:00

I'm a quitter. There I've said it. I don't have a great track record with certain things - weight loss being one of them. I've always given up, given in. . .

NOT THIS TIME

I hit (and exceeded) my 10% loss goal at weight watchers last night. I was down 6 pounds (haven't had that big of a loss since the first week). I am down a total of 33.4 pounds!!!!!!!

I don't think that words can express how happy and proud of myself I am. It probably sounds braggy but I seriously want to tell strangers on the street - "hey guess what. .I lost 33.4 pounds and YES the .4 IS important!!!!!!!!"

:) :) :) :)

euphoric is the best way to describe it!

SO funny!!

2005-09-12T07:26:00.000-07:00

I am married to a comedian. . no really. . rofl.. okay okay so i'm not. .but john has a really good sense of humor and is constantly making me laugh

usually he's doing something silly or making some dumb face because he knows it will amuse me :)

he's so good to me :)

so it's going to be like 93 here today and i emailed him to say "what do you want for dinner since it's going to be so hot" (and our apartment is an extension of the Gobi desert) and he replies "snow cones"

for some reason that struck me as really funny and i wanted to share it :) :)

he's so funny!!

word verification . . ON

2005-09-08T12:57:00.000-07:00

i know there aren't TONS who read and comment. .but i'm kinda sick of the spam comments. . SO . . word verification is ON :)

if you read. .please comment. . i like validation :) :)

RANCH!!!!!!

2005-09-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

have you guys seen the new Wendy's commercials?? they annoyed the HECK out of me at first. . due to the blessed machine that is Tivo i don't have to watch them. . but now.. i do watch them .. and i LOVE them

you know the ones - the guy who has a RANCH tooth instead of a sweet tooth. .. ??? the tooth follows him around going "RANCH!!!" at every opportunity?? the tooth wears a hat (what is the significance in THAT??)

whoever came up with that tooth is a marketing GENIUS!!!!

anyway. .the RANCH tooth is being sold on ebay. ..to benefit hurricane katrina AND you get a DVD of his commercials!! . . i wish i had 1000.00 for my own RANCH tooth. I *heart* the RANCH tooth

Where in the world should Amanda and John go?

2005-09-06T09:22:00.000-07:00

John and I are attempting to plan a vacation for next year. We don't know where we want to go though. . .

the only 2 things we know are:

1. We can't spend a TON of money

2. I would prefer to do an all-inclusive resort type thing

SO. . any suggestions?? :)

self esteem boost!!!

2005-09-03T08:09:00.000-07:00

we've been summer casual all summer (duh) at work and tuesday we need to start dressing "professionally" again. .i went shopping at lane bryant last night and at first tried on the biggest size in tops. .which was tight at the beginning of the spring/summer i looked like a slob everything was SO big!!!

so. . i got a whole size down in everything i bought!!!

and i tried things on that i had at home and never wore bc they were too tight. . everything FITS here's what i got:

this shirt in the merlot

this shirt in the pink that's shown

these pants

and i never buy jewlery but i LOVED this necklace (it was on the manequin with the pink top)

it probably sounds dumb but it was a huge self-esteem boost and the kick in the butt that i needed to stay motivated!!

Office pet peeves

2005-09-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

ah. . how I love the working world. .corporate america. .the crazies that i work with. . .ah. .

now that i have all my *love* (coughcough) out. . it's time for another fun round of:

OFFICE PET PEEVES - disguised as notes to my coworkers {cue cheering crowd}

1. please. . by all means. . come in to work whenever the hell you want. .. i'm sure they were just kidding around when they set your hours as 7:30-5pm . . ..they REALLY meant anywhere from 7:35-8:05 to 4:45 - 4:55 . . promise {wink wink}

2. also. . .it's totally okay for you not to do what you're paid for. . no matter how many times someone tells you that you DO have to do it. . . . again. . they were just kidding

3. yep. .you're the only ones who get a lunch break. . because i choose to sit at my desk and eat my lunch i don't get one. . . .AS IF. . . LEAVE ME ALONE YOU FREAKS!!!!

4. we're all reasonably intelligent people - please learn to put paper in the effin' printer. 'nuff said

5. your incessant humming and snorting of snot into your skull really annoy/gross me out. .try to stop

i feel so much better. . now if only they would FREAKIN' LISTEN

a "Wicked" good time

2005-08-31T11:58:00.000-07:00

(a note to my loyal readers - you WILL be seeing this entry title again LOL)

Christmas came early today for me :)

John purchased two tickets for us to see Wicked at the Boston Opera House. I had told him that it was really all i wanted for christmas from him. Conveniently - he got them through work. . WOO HOOO :)

front mezzanine or orchestra seats. .. i could dance :) :)

granted. . they are a christmas present and i DO have to wait until May 7 to see it - but i still HAVE Them. . .oh wait. . i don't physically have them either. . hmm LOL

:)

THANK YOU HONEY.. i love you!

my hot boy of the day!!!

2005-08-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

oh YUM. . nothing better than a baseball player that sings. . . .okay well i'm partial to THIS particular baseball/guitar playing gent. ..

bronson arroyo. . .

cornrows and all :)

kerrin brought up his cd on friday and i burned a copy. LOVE LOVE LOVE his cover of dirty water. . . . especially with the addition of johnny damon et al. as it is the unofficial anthem of the team. . ya gotta love it right???

Tagged - Part Deux

2005-08-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

my buddy Julie tagged me again today. . so i'm posting 5 more :) :)

1. i'm a SUPER fast reader - ex. I read harry potter 6 in about 6 hours - i think that's pretty fast!!

2. i have an older brother but most people who've just met me, or never met him. . would never know it. . .we're not on good terms

3. i treat my kitty (belle the wonder cat) like she's a child. . . some would say it borders on unhealthy :)

4. i am SOOO lazy about my hair. .i hardly EVER do it. .unless i'm going "out"

5. i almost failed gym in high school. . (my mom actually DID fail in high school. . so i come from a long line of non-gym types :) )

that was fun . .thanks julie :)

Rejection. . Failure. . and other not so nice words

2005-08-30T06:48:00.000-07:00

Failure is NEVER fun. . . duh right?? Well, I once again experience rejection and failure. Why do I bother trying anymore???

They announced the top 10 finalists for the scrapbook stand DT. I’m definitely NOT one of them. I actually fooled myself into thinking I had a good chance at this. I didn't even tell anyone about entering. One of my goals is to be on a design team for a monthly kit. Looks like that goal is going in the trash. . .along with my publishing goals.

Maybe I just don’t have what it takes…. Maybe I’m just not strong enough, consistently good enough to make it. Hell, I’ll be honest. . I don’t really want to even “make” it. I just want to have fun. . and for me. . fun is making pages, and in turn making design teams and getting published. No one really understands that part of me. John tells me that I should remember that I’m doing this for fun. .but the fun part goes hand in hand with the design team stuff and the publishing. .. i wish people would GET that. . . .

I give up. .i really do.

more randomness!!!

2005-08-25T11:10:00.000-07:00

this is kinda funny. . i stole this from a cool chick's blog (hope she doesn't mind!!)

what you do is go to google and type in your first name with is (in quotes) so it looks like this: "amanda is" then write down the first ten responses:

Amanda is never going to amount to anything . . hmm kind of an auspicious way to start this little exercise LOL

Amanda is always on the lookout for things that can be recycled. – nope. . .sorry

Amanda is so great in it – well yes I know. . thank you. .IN WHAT???!!??

amanda is 5 stories tall and is one of the oldest buildings in my city – who knew??

Amanda is conservative, the kind of teenager who has never violated her curfew. – I definitely was like this in high school lol

Amanda is suffering from a mysterious degenerative medical condition – yikes!!

Amanda is scared of everything that can happen to crush her dreams. – aren’t we all??

AMANDA is optimized to take advantage of tape drives – what does this even mean??

Amanda" is an acronym for "Advanced Maryland Automatic Network Disk Archiver – ah. . that answers the above :)

Amanda is the author of two books and has written feature articles – I’m famous!!!

do yours and share :)

The Incredible Shrinking Woman!!

2005-08-25T05:34:00.000-07:00

okay okay not really LOL but i keep trying to come up with creative titles for my weight loss posts :) :)

i was down 1.2 pounds last night. . . i am 2.8 pounds away from my 10% goal that WW sets for you.

I can't even tell you how HUGE this is for me. it seemed virtually unreachable 13 weeks ago.. and yet, here I am. . .

what's different this time?? is it that i'm motivated?? i don't know what it is. . . but i'm not changing anything ROFL :)

Blog Tag!!!

2005-08-24T08:42:00.000-07:00

i kinda stole this (ROFL) but i'm going to do it anyway. . .

Post 5 random facts about yourself on your blog:

okay here are mine

1. i have 2 tattoos and a nose piercing - and people tell me all the time that i don't seem like the "type" for such things :)
2. i MUST turn the radio off before shutting my car off. .and it has to be on a certain station. . i kinda freak if dh turns the engine off before i do my "thing" and make him turn it back on
3. i have to sleep on my tummy with my left leg sticking out from under the covers - i don't stay like this at all but i have to start like this at night
4. i am, to this day, terrified of the michael jackson "thriller" video. . so much so that i cannot watch it. .no matter what. . and vincent price's laugh at the end. . .ugh
5. i was known in college as the kissing bandit :) hehe

okay now if you read this. .you have to do it too. . so post here and link your entry :) :) :)

have fun!!!

OH the shame!!!!

2005-08-18T07:22:00.000-07:00

I have a dirty little secret – I LOVE Jessica Simpson. I think she’s gorgeous and funny. And I LOVE her new version of the song “these boots are made for walking”. I feel dirty – I should wash.

Although. . .when I really think about it. . I’m not embarrassed at all by this. ..LOL.

When Newlyweds first started on MTV I watched it, because I’m a reality show junkie. However, I realized quickly that I really enjoyed watching Jessica and Nick’s relationship.

Maybe it’s because it reminds me and John of OUR relationship. I have never questioned the validity of the title “chicken of the sea” however, the following sentence DID come out of my mouth – “what kind of meat is corned beef?” Yes folks, my very own Jessica Simpson moment. This is why John occasionally calls me Jessica. granted she's way prettier than me. . but i can identify with her. . . (although not when she spends 700.00 on underwear LOL :) )

Anyway. I really do like her. .and I do like her music – maybe it’s because she doesn’t take herself seriously – which I appreciate.

Who knows why. . but there you have it. . my dirty secret for Thursday!!

Sticky notes that aren't. . {and other Friday randomness}

2005-08-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

yeah so I was uber-excited about my cool sticky notes from the Target $1 Spot. . . pink and brown and orange squares and 3 shades of blue w/ a lime green middle circle shapes. . *swoon*

i kept forgetting to bring them to work and i finally did. . i had the opportunity to use them today. . they DON'T STICK - WTF is that about. . . . my mom always says you get what you pay for. .. apparently this is the truth (please don't tell mom she's right !!)

in disgust i threw them away. .now they're sitting in my trash all sad looking

in other news - another big WTF goes to the Stonehill College athletic people. . . . hello?? I graduated as a Chieftan. . . no effing way am i becoming a "skyhawk". ... Stonehill has changed it's mascot to the Skyhawk. . .a nod to the fact that the Ames family had an airport on what is today Stonehill (by the Sem for anyone interested :) where i spent a torturous freshman year living :) ) read about it here - i'm horrified. .oh yeah. .the bird looks fierce. ..in the words of Cher from Clueless - as if!!! gotta be honest - the only thing that saved the purple and white from being. . well. . . kinda . you know. . was the Chieftan part. . .now. .not so much (although i said a quick thanks that we weren't switched to the purple waves or the shovelers or some such nonsense. . i don' t think i could have coped with the shame)

okay. .now that i've ranted about 2 meaningless things. . i think i'm done. . . oh wait. ..hehe i was down 2.2 pounds this week. . for a total of 23 pounds lost :) :) wahoo :) :)

CKU!!! (and other things)

2005-08-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

They announced the locations for CKU for 2006.. . . . boston is one of them YAY :) :) last cku i was busy getting married and then CKU-A in CT just fell at a bad time financially for us. . so i'm super excited that I'll get a chance to go

it's a CKU-Masters and Linda and I already have our room reserved (thanks to her :) :) ) I'm VERY excited. . . it's next august. . so i'm already booked for that. . . nothing is getting in my way :) :)

we got back from NY successfully (and got there successfully minus the fact that the trip took DOUBLE the time due to a tractor trailer pile up on the pike :( booo!!!) the wedding was beautiful. . and my brother in law nate snapped a great pic of me and john. . which is now my avatar over at 2 peas. . . (i've never had one before :) )

i did a layout yesterday/last night that i'm really happy with. .i'm not sharing it yet b/c i want to see if anyone wants to publish it (yeah right LOL) :) i'm sure ya'll will be seeing it soon!

oh and wendi has the september kit up for pre order at her site . . . I am one of the guest designers for Sept. (and LINDA'S another one :) hehe) so i cannot wait to get his kit and PLAY :) :)

i think that's about it. . i had my first gain on the scale last wednesday :( which really devestated me 1.2 pounds :( :( :( :( hopefully tomorrow night will be better. . but i'm not sure. . i drank a lot at the wedding (hello dirty shirly temples :) ) so we'll see!!

have a great day!!!

{inspiration wherefore art thou??}

2005-08-01T10:48:00.000-07:00

(note: yes i know wherefore doesn't mean where. . . KERRIN lol)

so. . .i have no scrapping mojo. . i have the DESIRE to scrap. . but no inspiration/motivation. . .can you help a sistah out?? anyone?? please. . i'm DESPERATE :)

on another note - dan and michelle asked me to be joshua's godmother. .. HELLZ YEAH :)

lol :)

I'm wasting away. . .. .

2005-07-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

okay okay maybe not .. BUT . . .this week's loss is 5.4 lbs bringing me to a total of 22.2 pounds lost. . .YAHOO

hmm that title reminds me of margaritaville. . . i'd like to be there right now hehe

nothing else really going on. .. i checked today and there were 2 new strongbad emails that I had missed - bottom 10 and records. . .funny stuff :) as always. . .

i guess i'm boring other than that. . but it's pretty exciting stuff for me :)

oh! and john went to a job fair today. . . fingers crossed that something comes from that too :)

I'm an auntie {again}

2005-07-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

and it never gets old :) . I have (through john) a nephew and a niece already. today we have a new member of the family. Please help me welcome baby Joshua:

Born this day at 12:17 PM
Joshua Daniel Palmer.
7 lbs 10.8 onces
19 " Long, and has a full head of dark hair.

EEK :) i can't wait to see my new little doll baby :) :)

High Praise Indeed

2005-07-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

So. . over the weekend I finished putting together Michelle’s baby album and gave it to her yesterday. Baby Joshua is coming TOMORROW – I’ll be an auntie again!! She really really seemed to like it. . which made me feel good – it’s hard to make an album as a gift and know if someone really likes it. . .ya know?? Lol anyway. .i digress.

I sent the link to the album to a girl I used to work with who’s actually having a baby in about 4 weeks. Here was her response:

“Amanda, that's beautiful!! I would buy it if I found it in a store!! :)”

WOW. That made me feel SO good. . you can’t even imagine. . although I’m sure some of you can.

I wanted to offer to make her one too. .but then I was like .. hello crazy person lol you don’t have time. .(I have another album to make for another pregnant friend LOL) and we’re actually not like “outside of work” kind of friends. . .. but she knows she’s having a girl and a girl album would be SO fun to do. . hehe

Anyway. . . high praise. . high praise indeed.

drumroll please............

2005-07-20T19:31:00.000-07:00

At weigh in tonight i was down 1.6 . .. even after vacation. . for a total of 16.8 . . 20lbs gone is now in sight

wow. ..

i never stick with it. .i never DO it. .i talk about it a lot .. but it never gets done. . till now

:)

OH! I can't believe I forgot!!

2005-07-19T05:41:00.000-07:00

Last monday night i was eating dinner (tacos for those keeping score) and the phone rang. since i tend to be somewhat averse to answering the phone (not talking on it. . just answering it) John answered it.

i heard his end of the conversation and he told whomever it was that i was eating and could i call them back. . . .then he handed me the phone with a smirk. . .

it was Karen from Memory Makers books. .. they wanted a layout of Belle for their upcoming Pets Idea book. . . OMG . . . i was FREAKING out. . . :) it's going to come out in January 2006. this is the 2nd Belle layout that is going to be in a pet idea book (the other one is Paperkuts) - she's going to be even MORE of a diva than she already is (which my mom claims she gets from her mother. .i have NO clue why she'd say that LOL).

so yeah. . can't believe i forgot to blog about THAT hehe. . . .

belle and i are taking the scrapping world by storm:)

...and I'M BACK!!!!

2005-07-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

i'm back (she says to all the readers she DOESN'T have) did you miss me (hmm no readers equals no missing me ROFL :) )

anyway. .i'm home from my girls mini vacation on the Cape (Cape Cod for those of you who don't know :) ) it was WONDERFUL. .. i get to see Kerrin a lot but the last time we saw Kim was at my wedding. . ..however. . it felt like we were together 5 minutes ago :) we had SO much fun (random thoughts probably for a scrapbook layout LOL: sundae school, mayflower beach, west dennis, halcyon, winslow gray, 28, HOOTERS, breakfast at Tiffany's - yeah she was a bitch, trick - miss coco peru, buck island road, pirate's cove, damn yankee's fans - why do they come to the cape anyway, can't shut up for a movie, dirty boys, 8 nipples, sleeping in hell, messages in the sand, it's gotta have a bathroom or i'm not going, do you want to scrap this, cookies, s'mores, where's the grill supposed to go, are you sure he's not gay, cuffy's, um spf 15 isn't cutting it - try 30, snack shacks, shantys, seductive madison, hydrangeas everywhere - it's the sea air maybe..didn't we already have this conversation. .. )

hehe yeah so it definately was FUN :) :) but i am glad to be back. .. i came home to harry potter 6 waiting for me. . and . . . well. .i'm already done LOL john's reading it now

OH and i weighed in at weight watchers tuesday and i was down 2.4lbs. . i'm over the 15 pound mark. . . . the scale is SURE to show a gain after my time at the cape but i'm still happy :) :) now it's back to work :) :)

check in. . tell me what's new with you :) (to my phantom "readers" hehe)

Time Flies!!!

2005-07-11T09:18:00.000-07:00

okay so i didn't have a chance to post yesterday. . since i was at one of my best friend's weddings. .BUT

yesterday was our one year anniversary. WOW. has it been a year already. it seems like yesterday i was anticipating our big day and now it's been a year. WOW. 525,600 minutes (as they say in Rent).

I can't even believe it. i'm so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man. John is more than I could have asked for in a partner - he's my husband, he's my best friend, he's my lover, he's my champion, he's my prince. and i love him so very much. it's odd to me, i tell him i love him all the time - he's probably sick of hearing it. however, the words "i love you" don't seem like enough. i often wonder if they convey just how much i truly ADORE him. how much i've changed and grown because of him, how much i look forward to the day we have our own children for him to lavish his love on. because that's what he does. he absolutely LAVISHES me with his love. and i adore him for it.

my wedding day was literally, the happiest day of my life. 1 year ago, 525,600 minutes ago (give or take lol), i had no idea how i could be happier. but i am, every day that man loves me makes me happier than i was the day, hour, minute, SECOND before.

so, because i know you're reading, i love you johnathan and thank you. . for everything. . thank you for seeing in me something i still haven't learned to see in my self, thank you for being my everything, thank you for you :)

oh. . and the wedding yesterday was BEAUTIFUL. . full of love and meaning. . and Laura looked like a PRINCESS - absolutely breathtaking. watching Laura and Eamonn take their vows and start their life i decided that there is NO better way to celebrate an anniversary - watching 2 people you love and care for start their marriage. it was a beautiful reminder of what i have. the love of an incredible man.

An Outrage

2005-06-30T05:49:00.000-07:00

So i just called home to wish my mom good luck today (just some pre-op testing) and my dad (who has fridays off but ends up working every other friday) is like "oh. . i'm not working on friday night i changed my mind" and i'm like "oh okay" and he goes "because i'm going to the RED SOX GAME WITH ROOFTOP SEATS". . . so i get all excited thinking he's going to invite me. .. . NO. . he invited my UNCLE. . (his brother). . . .now. . you must understand. . .i am a die hard baseball fan. . and all i wanted to do this season was go to a Sox game. . tickets are impossible (and expensive) to get. my dad wins them. . and he takes HIS BROTHER . . . . . (who. .in the past has gotten tickets and taken his son in laws, my aunt. . etc. .which is how it SHOULD BE lol). . . . i'm seriously VERY upset about this. . . stupid. .maybe. . but i then remember that the last time he got tickets (he won't go unless he can get the "good" seats) he took John. . who at the time was my boyfriend. .not my husband. . . . sigh. . a girl can't get a break around here :(

oh and in other news .. i'm down .8 . . . . 8 freaking tenths of a pound. . . sigh. . i suppose it's better than a gain. .but disappointing nonetheless. . .

guess i'll be watching the game on tv. . :(

what a way to start the day. . . lol

weighing in (early)

2005-06-20T16:14:00.000-07:00

i have such a crazy week this week that I had to weigh in early tonight. . .

down 4.4 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY :) total of 11.8 pounds. .

i'm SO doing the happy dance right now :):)

join me?

I'm SUCH a loosah!!!

2005-06-16T07:21:00.000-07:00

yep. . .i lost. . again :) :)

down 1.4 pounds for a whopping 2 week total of -7.4 lbs :)

YAY :)

OVERwhelmed

2005-06-15T12:22:00.000-07:00

yup. .that about sums it up for me. . . . overwhelmed, overextended, overtired. i'm not the funnest person to be around right now LOL

how did it get to be June 15th already?? seems like time's just zooooming by me. . . linda said it the best when she said she feels like the person on the end of a "vigorous game of crack the whip". . i know how she feels. . of course. . for different reasons LOL

so. .where to start. . . mom needs more surgery. . i guess that's as good of a place to start as any. it's not good news. .. the hole connecting the pouch to her anus isn't big enough and isn't working right. . so. . they need to fix it or stretch it or something. . but apparently it WAS made big enough and has shrunk. . .ugh. .who knows. . . not i. . what i DO know is that she's 88 pounds right now and i feel like she's going to just die any second. . yeah i know i shouldn't think that way. . and maybe i'm being a baby. .but how can i help it??? i'm SO scared. . . scared for HER, for me, my dad etc etc. i'm trying to be strong for her and keep her positive. .but it's so HARD

which brings me to another point. . i'm a horrible daughter. . :( no. . i really am. i feel spread SO thin right now and i'm starting to resent what i have to do. john and i go there 3-4 nights a week to cook dinner since she can't do it herself right now. . . that means. . i leave the house at 645 am, work all day, drive straight there. . and don't get home until 730 or 8 every night . .. . needless to say i get NOTHING done. i come home, sit on the couch, then go to sleep :( . .i haven't scrapped in i don't know how long. . and i'm just getting NOT NICE. . and i hate that. ..i shouldn't feel like this. .she's my MOTHER. . and if it were me. . she'd be helping me left, right, and center. . and NOT complaining. . .yeah. .not enough "me" time. . selfish. . . :( so that's why i'm a horrible daughter. . .

AND . . i found out yesterday that i didn't get the job i'd interviewed for :( :( :( :( big BUMMER :( :( in the back of my mind i kind of knew that if one particular person applied for it he would get it. .he's kind of a favorite of the management here (isn't that awful to have to say). . needless to say. .he applied for it and got it. .. i'm MAJORLY bummed about it. . the money would have been nice. .as would the chance to DO something different. . .don't get me wrong i like writing letters and i shouldn't complain. .but dammit i am complaining ROFL :)

wow. .i've done a lot of whining lol. . . let's see. . what ISN'T whining. . .well i have to weigh in tonight at weight watchers. . . i'll be whining later if i haven't lost ..lol. . .i think i'll be okay though. . i've stayed on plan all week and am feeling really good. . now i just wish it would SHOW, know what i'm sayin'?? :)

I preordered the july kit from Wendi Speciale Designs man does it ROCK!!!!! :) i mean. .i HAD to order it. .there's a GIANT A. . .and um.. .hello. . i AM amanda after all :) (wow that's a lot of a's :) )

anyway. . .i'm not a happy amanda lately. . and was just hoping that maybe writing about it would make me a MORE happy amanda. . . .as the magic 8 ball would say (note to self: go BUY magic 8 ball) outlook hazy!

hopefully i'll be able to post another loss tonight. . which WILL make me a happy amanda. .

{weighing in}

2005-06-09T04:55:00.000-07:00

okay. . got on the scale last night for my first weigh in. .. .and i'm down 6 pounds!!!! holy crap LOL what motivation huh?? LOL

this morning i came into work and there are muffins. . gorgeous, delicious bakery muffins. . .i will be strong. . although it might be worth the 5 freakin' points to have a half :) then again. .maybe not!

{randoms}

2005-06-08T05:13:00.000-07:00

yep. . that's pretty much what this post will be about. . random stuff :) so let's get started. .shall we??

**this saturday is laura's batchelorette party. . YAY. . can't wait to have fun with the girls**

**first weigh in at WW is tonight. . eek. . a little bit nervous. . . i was pretty good this week. . stayed OP so i'm hoping that it shows at the scale. . . john keeps telling me not to get discouraged. . . boys. . . what do they know??**

**speaking of boys i'm so proud of John. . he did a brake job on his car over the weekend. .pretty impressive. . since he's never done it before. . . :) YAY john!! this also means a $$ savings because he can do both cars brakes now :) he claims when we have a house he wants a lift in the garage. . and some sort of air compressor lug nut taker offer thingie. . but i asked him if we had a pit crew i wasn't previously aware of .. hehe**

**interviewed for a new position in my dept. this week. . .another eek. . . they're saying the decision will be made by the end of the week. . today's wednesday. i'll definately be bummed if i don't get it. . . fingers crossed!!**

**there's a new strongbad email . . it's bored(really). . .not as great as usual. .but hey. . it's new. . so i'll take it :)**

**speaking of email. . got an upsetting one from a friend of mine. . don't you hate it when you apparently do something that you weren't aware you did. . . .and hurt someone's feelings. . . i know i do :( **

**saw napoleon dynamite finally. . . (i've only had ben's copy for like a million years. . lol). . i thought it was really hilarious. . but really about nothing :) which i guess is why it's so popular :) it just further cemented the fact that I WANT A LLAMA :) named Tina :) :) lol**

** Vacation is officially 1 month 5 days away. .. .please come faster!!!**

**watched the real world austin special last night. . .there's a kid from billerica on there. .weird to hear someone say "hi i'm danny and i'm from billerica, MA". . just a note for those who haven't spoken to me in real life. . . we don't all sound like unitelligent morons. . . geez. . it's like every reality show that casts someone from this area finds the ONE with the horrendous accent. . um. . boston rob (who i love but notwithstanding sounds. . awful LOL). . **

**my first wedding anniversary is 1 month 2 days away .. i cannot believe it. . .look for another blog entry later about this one :) ROFL**

so i guess that's all my randoms for now :) if you're reading. .feel free to check in :)

{a new beginning}

2005-06-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

so i started weight watchers (WW) tonight. . . with kristen. .she's losing baby weight . .and i'm. . well i'm just losing weight LOL. i've gotten to a point where i'm no longer comfortable in my own skin. . (and clothes but that's another story :) ). i've always been heavy. . but i've been okay with it. . i've never had (much) of a confidence problem, i was "okay" with who i was. but i'm not anymore. . . truth be told i'm miserable about it. so. . i decided to DO something about it instead of just bitching about it. . . .so there ya go :) wish me luck. . oh and if you know of any low point yummy foods and/or recipes. . please share them here :)

on the scrapbooking front i've done CRAP lately. . . . it's so bad. . i'm so unmotivated it's ridiculous. I NEED MOJO :) got any to spare?? send it to me. . . via email if possible :)

other than that it's status quo here in fraggle-land - which isn't always a bad thing :)

**bright spots**

*got to leave work at 3pm today*
*yummy crystal light lemonade - a sure sign of summer*
*june 1 - it has to warm up soon right?*
*2 new scrap magazines in the mail today*
*a fun package from my buddy linda (thanks linda :) )*
*winning 250.00 at mohegan sun on sunday :)*

hope your week is going well :) check in and let me know :)

{may the force be with you}

2005-05-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

yep. . i'm one of them. . a star wars geek. okay. . admittedly i never knew i WAS one until recently. but i am. . :)

we (me, john, and kerrin) saw the movie on sunday morning. since the first big screen preview we saw (which i believe was during fever pitch with john) i've been mezmerized everytime i see the "lucas film ltd" logo. the trailers were so amazing. . i was SO ready for this movie.

beyond the fact that i'm ALWAYS mystified at the "odd" people who show up in the last 3 star wars movies (samuel l jackson as mace windu, jimmy smits as senator who's-his-face, jar-jar binks (no explanation necessary)) i still *heart* these movies.

i was so absorbed at one point during the lightsaber duel between obie wan and anakin i leaned over to john and franctically whispered "obi wan doesn't die does he". . to which i got a withering/amused look and the answer "umm he's in the next movie". . (note: i HAVE seen all the movies. . i was just so sucked into the moment and the fight. . . well. . anyway. . lol).. even though i KNOW what happens. . and i know where the story goes. . . .i dunno. . maybe i'm weird LOL

i know i'm one of the only ones in the world. . but i do not like hayden christenson. . maybe it's just him in this role . not necessarily him as an actor. . i mean. . he just feels so FLAT to me. . .but maybe some of that is lucas' fault (romantic dialogue. . . dialogue at all. . not his strong suit). . .who knows. . .

i couldn't be MORE happy that yoda was so prominent in this movie. . . my favorite line "go i will, good relations with the wookies have i". i want good relations with the wookies. . (note to self. . work that line into more conversations. . ROFL). . .

and i thought it was SO cool that you heard james earl jones after the whole vader ensemble was put on. .(on a side note. . exactly WHY was the body still smoldering when they attached the extra limbs. .. .eww) . . granted. .JEJ isn't doing much but verizon commercials these days .. but it was still cool :)

another cool part was when obi wan brought luke to tatooine and they show his aunt and uncle standing on a sand dune looking towards the setting sun - so cool b/c you see pretty much the same scene in "a new hope". . .(i think it's that one. . . forgive me if i'm wrong)

so. . those are my thoughts. . like john said after the movie "all good stories come full circle" :)

so again. . may the force be with you. . . . and good relations with the wookies too :)

{a cool day}

2005-05-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

haven't blogged much. . no one reads it anyway LOL. . but. . I'M BACK. . because i have cooool stuff to say :)

today's a pretty good day - although i am ACHINGLY tired. . lol. today's my friday at work - CK convention with kristin and her friend tomorrow. . seeing linda. . and other friends AT said CK convention. . all SUPER cool!! oh and who could forget SHOPPING at said convention!! :)

then on Sat. we're going to kerrin's parent's for dinner. . .YUM. . . and then sunday is STARWARS day. . yep. i'm a dork. . my husband has MADE me a dork

OH!! and today i got an email from Wendi (of Wendi Speciale Designs) asking if i wanted to be a guest designer for Sept.. . .Ummmmm HELLZ YEAH (to put it mildly). . how cool is that

oh AND last week I got an email from Paperkuts for a pet page. . . belle the wonder cat is coming to an idea book near you. .. she'll be IMPOSSIBLE to live with from now on.. . ugh :)

AND. . there's a new strongbad email. .OMG. . .homestar as the cheat. . does it GET any better. . .??? i think not ..

ps - if you haven't yet. . check out homestar and strongbad . . especially do over - you'll be glad you did :)

{I'm cool}

2005-05-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

a bold title, non?

well. . i'm cool. . . with the 6 and 8 year old sets apparently :)

my little cousin briana is turning 8 this week (which makes me feel old as it is - i was a senior in high school when she was born. . i remember the day like it just happened. . lol) and she's having a sleepover party on Saturday. my cousin (her mom) asked me if i wanted to come help out, keep her company etc. . sure why not. . .

so sunday my cousin calls . . turns out briana INSISTED that she call me to make sure i know what time the party is etc etc etc. .. . . and the day before she and her dad were at my parent's and briana kept saying i was coming and dave (her dad) kept saying "i don't think amanda's coming" and my mom finally told him that yes i was. . . apparently i'm a pretty wanted guest. . :)

now. . obviously i'm the "cool" cousin now.

why am i getting such a kick out of it you ask?? well here's the deal: my cousins have always been like my sisters. . the oldest (briana's mom) is only 10 years older than me. so we're not that far apart in age. . .when i was little they were seriously like superheros to me. . they were the coolest, the prettiest, the most fun to be around. . . (i still kinda have those same opinions of them now. .except i get to hang out with them more LOL). ..basically i worshipped them. .at family functions i always wanted to be near them. . .etc etc. .. now briana and emily (my other little cousin. . she's 6) are acting the same way with ME - how freakin' cool is that?? lol

***bright spots***

*it's sunny today*
*scrapping tonight woo hoo*
*a stop at starbucks on the way home*
*snuggles from belle*
*tivo'd shows to watch*
*the amazing race is on tonight*
*friends*

have a great day all!

{friday's random thoughts}

2005-05-06T11:33:00.000-07:00

YAY! it's the weekend. . nothing better than that!! :) and it's national scrapbooking day tomorrow. . .another YAY :)

tonight i'm hanging out with Laura. .who i haven't seen in a while. .life really just gets in the way sometimes. . so i'm glad that we'll get to hang out tonight. . eamonn's going to the prom (her fiance who's a teacher for those reading who don't know :) )

tomorrow i get to go to Linda's :) YAY!!! a peek into yesterday is doing all sorts of fun NSD activities and challenges so that'll keep us busy. . plus i get to see her adorable two little girls - they seem to like me :) hehe AND i get to order some stuff. . . i've been trying really hard to be good about the scrapbook spending. . especially where we have so MUCH going on in the next few months (4 more weddings, travel to one wedding, showers for all etc. LOL). . it's a lot of fun but it's mucho $$. . .

work today seems interminable. . . ugh. . . hate those days. .. i only had 10 letters to write today so i'm doing some other stuff. . and. . well, blogging . .hehe

let's see. . publishing wise. ..August ST calls came and went. . .i didn't get one. .i didn't submit a TON but i did send them some. . . . another discouragment :( . ..i'm trying to keep plugging but it's just so HARD sometimes. . . . anyway. ..next friday another ST call is due. . . so i'm working on a few things for that and i'll send them some others that i already have done. i'm working really hard now that i quit my design team to just scrapbook for FUN and not concentrate so hard on getting published. . .we'll see how that goes. . . MM call for pet pages is over at the end of the month. .i've done a couple that i like (one needs a title tweaking) and they both need journaling. . .so i'll probably send those off. .plus the ones i did for the PK call and see what happens. . .i feel like the little engine that could ROFL

mom's doing okay. . she had her follow up with the surgeon today - he's not happy that her problem is still persisting. . .i guess it's just slower progress than he'd like. . but he's starting her on a new med. so hopefully. . .keep her in your thoughts/prayers/whatevers. . please. . .

{bright spots}

2005-05-02T07:47:00.000-07:00

it's monday . . yep. . that about sums it up :)

so. . in honor of monday. . . i present to you my bright spots (aka things that make me smile and laugh :) )

**emails from john, kerrin, and linda all through my day (they keep me going :) )
**new strongbad email (garage sale - so freakin' funny)
**a SUNNY day. . (i was seriously considering building an ark over the weekend)
**my little cousins . .. yesterday was Briana's first communion . . . and i got some quality time with her, emily, and zoe. . . . they're so cute - emily was glued to my side and zoe's just soo adorable ("see ya later guys"). of course the little guys in my family are adorable too. .but those girls. .there's something about them :)
**reading other people's blogs. . LOVE IT :)

anyway. . it's a short list. . but seriously. .check out strong bad's email ROFL. . .trust me :)

my computer's now fashionable - maybe moreso than me

2005-04-27T13:39:00.000-07:00

i was surfing the coach website this afternoon for care and feeding instructions for the bag i have . . and lo and behold found this! how fun is that. .now my computer can be fashionable like moi. . .acutally moreso b/c i downloaded the scribble one and that's a more "current" pattern than mine ROFL

any other coach fans out there? :)

{Meme challenge #1}

2005-04-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

Tenika posted the following challenge today on 2 peas:

a meme is an idea that is shared and passed from blog to blog, like a question posted in one blog and answered in many other blogs.

I thought it would be fun to post a challenge, photo assignment or question that we would all answer in our blogs at the same time that week. Then we could post here when we posted so that we could all share together with each other.

"How much closer we'd all be if we stopped long enough to honor one another in a circle of show-and-tell. If we listened to one another's stories, looked at each other's creations. We're all hungry for community. We need more ways to connect. Adults still need show-and-tell. Literally." -Pam Grout "Art & Soul"

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... This week [April 24th- May 1] we are going to paint. online. ARTPAD

You have 4 rules.
1. Don't think.
2. Don't judge.
3. JUST DO.
4. You have permission to fail, to be mediocre, to suck sewer slime.

Sometimes, when we give ourselves permission to do things poorly, brilliance surfaces. JUST DO. Paint as little or as much as you want but make it your own.

SO i was excited to play along!! and here's the result:

Grape Swirls

how fun is that???? if you play make sure you link it up so i can see (b/c i'm the only one reading my own blog ROFL)

:) have fun!! thanks tenika. . can't wait for next week's challenge :)

{new song obsession}

2005-04-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

kerrin told me about this amazing song. . and it's now my new obsession:

breathe by anna nalick. .. check it out if you haven't and here are the lyrics:

"Breathe (2 AM)"

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
can you help me unravel my latest mistake,
I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season

Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to critisize,hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
and life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button girl,
So cradle your head in you hands
And breathe, just breathe,Woah breathe, just breathe

May he turn 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just today he sat down to the flask in his fist,
Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year.
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But my God it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him, maybe I'll just sing about it.

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button boys,
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe, just breathe,Woah breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel, you shout
But you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
These mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, its no longer inside of me, threatening the life they belong to
And i feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button now
Sing it if you understand.and breathe, just breathe woah breathe, just breathe,oh breathe, just breathe.

{does anyone read this thing??}

2005-04-23T07:53:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking the answer's no LOL that's okay. . i'll just ramble more. . . . :)

last night i drove Kerrin to the dark side - we were hanging out and all of a sudden we were driving to NH to buy an ipod mini ROFL :) i think i should get commission from apple for all the time i talk about that thing. . :)

i *heart* my mini :)

thanks to April http://matm.typepad.com/ i have learned that it's all star voting time for baseball :) so go ahead and vote :)

http://www.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/events/all_star/y2005/ballot_reg.jsp

feel free to vote for anyone with BOS next to their name :) rofl

speaking of the sox while at the mall with kerrin i FINALLY got my pink red sox tshirt. .. i settled on a Ramirez shirt.. manny how i love thee :) :) :)

my cousin had her baby girl yesterday. . !! i can't wait to see her. .Lola Jeanne :) :) 5lbs 9 oz and apparently freakin' adorable :) got her the CUTEST little madras plaid capris and little shirt at baby gap last night :) love it :)

yeah so i guess that's it. .for the, oh wait, NO people that read this ROFL :) :)

{friday}

2005-04-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

YAY. . friday! not really feelin' the whole writing a lot thing. .so i'm going to take a cue from Ms. ali edwards and make lists:

i'm diggin':

*the weekend*
*a stack of 3 glossy new magazines (CK, BHG, and marie claire)*
*a weekend to scrap or do whatever i want to do*
*cheesecake factory food w/ kerrin tonight*
*emails from linda (they brighten my day)*
*new SCHTUFF to scrap with*
*my NEW sneakers :) *

i'm NOT so happy about:

*john being gone for the whole weekend :( *
*belle keeps scratching the new couch :( *

{signature, rosencrantz and guildenstern are dead, and a few other things}

2005-04-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

was planning on a bigger post at lunchtime. . to do all the challenges that have been popping up on other people's blogs (OPB LOL) but i just started a letter for someone with the last name rosenkrantz. . yep. .i'm a dork. . . i'm laughing about it. .. does anyone know why?? LOL i know kerrin does :) :)

**EDITED TO ADD**

lol this is why i love kerrin. . i emailed her about the rosenkrantz letter. . and here's what i get back:

Dear Mr. Rosenkrantz,
We're not paying for your character implant. You'll have to remain flat, or pay the fees to be rounded out yourself.
Thank you,
Tufts
PS - Say hi to Guildenstern for me.
PPS - Heads.

i'm not sure who else reading will let it. . (or for that matter if ANYONE reads at all LOL) but this is why kerrin GETS IT. . . . please don't move to cali lol

after seeing other bloggers' way cool signatures. . i decided to try my hand at my own :) enjoy!

Color - pink
Word I most like to be described as - happy
Best meal I cook - my "summertime pasta" john loves it!
Best Dessert - lemon merangue pie
Favorite Book - the great gatsby
Outfit - capris and a v neck tshirt
Bedtime - by 11
Sound - my laugh
Wish - to live a happy, succesful life
Style - bright, sunshiny, simple, eclectic, easy
Word - love
What I crave - salty things, mexican food!
Surround me with - light, color, friends, family!

{bad days}

2005-04-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

we all have them. .those days where we should just stay in bed and hide from the world. increasingly, i have a series of them. the past two days have been my latest "series". i struggle with it. .i really do.. i'm easily influenced and effected by what goes on around me. i'm sensitive and when i'm already not feeling like myself the smallest things set me off. i know these things about myself - yet they haunt me anyway.

i don't "do" stress, i don't like it (although . .does anyone really LIKE stress. . some people thrive on it yes. .but like it. i'm not sure. ..but i digress). i'm worried about my mother. . and truly when i have something weighing heavily on me. . it consumes me . . and i know that's not good. . .

so. . .i'm worried to death about mom. . and then compounded by the fact that PK (paperkuts magazine. .scrapbooking mag LOL) pet calls are going out and i haven't gotten a call. (ahead is a feel sorry for me whine). i say it doesn't matter. . that it doesn't bother me. . but it DOES. seriously. . i submitted one of my best pages. . .and if my best isn't good enough. . what does that mean exactly. .that i should just throw in the towel now because it ain't happening. . .

ugh . . . .

on another note. .today is Kerrin's birthday :) my old roomie. . lifelong friend. . i love you. . you're the sister i never had. .i hope you have a great day!

{i love my friends}

2005-04-11T17:48:00.000-07:00

I got a package today. . .it's from an online scrapbooking store http://www.amillionlittlethings.com in it was a gift from my scrappy buddy Linda (see the link to her blog on the right). i don't know what i did to deserve the surprise but i'm VERY appreciative.

in it was the junkitz kitty line - papers, rub ons, twillz, and anchorz and the carolee's cat line - paper and twill.

how awesome is linda??? THANK YOU!!! i couldn't ask for a better friend and i am so blessed to have her friendship. . love you girlie!

{Monday. . Monday}

2005-04-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

Aside from it being Monday and Amanda's birthday it's also - *OPENING DAY* at Fenway Park! My beloved Red Sox recieve their World Series rings and play (and hopefully beat) the Yankees. Ah, nothin' like it!

which leads me to ponder - as a Red Sox fan. .is this season ALREADY a disappointment? Weird thought right, but follow me, if you will. i am 25 years old i have grown up with the Sox. i have grown up with the "curse", i have grown up with the knowledge that but for a man named billy buckner, 86 years would not have been (true it would have been 68 years. . but who's counting??). Mike Greenwell, Roger Clemens, "Oil Can" Boyd - these are the boys of summer from my youngest years, giving way to Tim Naehring, Darren Bragg, Mo Vaughn, Tim Wakefield, Nomah (hehe) Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez, Curt Schilling, and Johnny Damon.

I'm familiar with the spring training mantra "this is the year" . . .but last year really WAS the year. . . .and. . .what do we talk about now???? there's no curse. .the boys took care of that in St. Louis, there's no chants of 1918 in opposing stadiums . . there's just the knowledge that we are the champions. . . . . somewhat bittersweet wouldn't you say?

anyway. . i love baseball season no matter what the outcome - for 24 years of my life on this earth it was always a disappointment - and i loved them anyway. . .and i love them even more now :)

i will end with a VERY immature thought (since i've acknowledged it as such there is NO chance i can get accused of it later on LOL) - it's somehow so satisfying to have the Yankees in Fenway today - as our boys recieve their much deserved championship rings, and hoist that well-earned world series banner.

**PLAY BALL**

on another topic - there's a new strongbad email today - hehe. . . rampage - soo funny. . .strongbad makes me laugh so hard and he's just oh so quotable (some would say it's his abs ROFL)

check him out at http://homestarrunner.com/sbemail.html i reccomend virus as a starter . . . :)
*04/11/05*

{Happy Birthday Amanda!!!}

2005-04-11T04:47:00.000-07:00

no no .. not me. . my best friend Amanda. . :) she's my best friend, my psychiatrist, my confidant, my "partner in crime" . .truly my other half. . :) happy 26th Amanda. . I love you!!

{humming}

2005-04-08T10:53:00.000-07:00

okay. . i can't take it anymore. . the woman who i share a cube wall with HUMS. . constantly. . .around christmas time it was holiday tunes. . and now. .who knows. . all i know is that it is driving me ever so slowly insane. . seriously.... how do you say to someone. . hey X - love the singing. . NOT. ..cut it the heck out. . .

sigh. . .

{musings}

2005-04-08T09:44:00.001-07:00

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. - Anatole France

Jill-Ann posted this quote in the pub over at 2 peas today and it really struck me. i think that it probably speaks to a lot of people, scrapbookers and non-scrappers alike. i have had one page picked up by a major publication (scrapbook trends) and then 2 pages in an e-zine. not exactly the success i'd envisioned for myself. truth be told, i'm VERY disappointed in myself most times. i always tell myself when i submit, "this one is great, they'll love this one" and then remind myself that it's okay if they don't, but there is ALWAYS that sting of rejection when you realize the calls have gone out and you didn't get one. then after the sting comes the beating myself up part. . lol and the "i can't believe i thought this one had a chance" part. those are the hard parts for me.

john will tell me every single time how awesome he thinks my stuff is, how awesome he thinks i am, and i love him for that, i really do. . but he just doesn't get it. truth be told. . i don't think anyone but a submitting scrapper does.

anyway, the posting of that quote just brings it all back for me. . yeah it sucks when you don't get a call but i have to keep believing, keep dreaming, keep doing. . and just keep submitting. .

and on a related note. .i'm beginning to think i'm losing my mind - i went to starbuck's on the way to work today (i try to keep it just to fridays. . otherwise. . i'd be poorer than i already am LOL). . . as i sipped my iced tazo tea lemonade i thought to myself "self. . how i love anything that comes in this cup". .and like a lightning bolt i had my page for the pubster's liquid inspirations journal. so .. why am i losing my mind?? well because naturally i have to save my empty cup, take it home, and photograph it. . . that my friends is why i'm a nutcase :)

*04/08/05*

{ah love}

2005-04-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

"By the way do you know the best day of my life?" "… the day you were born… and I didn’t even know it…"

aww. . how much do i love that guy?? he's the best!!! i got that pick-me-up via email at work the other day (for anyone who's interested, i guessed our wedding day)

i just love that man so much. . it's hard for me to put it into words sometimes. our life together isn't perfect . .we're both strong willed (okay okay stubborn) and we both (okay okay me) always want to get our way but at the end of the day he's the only one i want to go to sleep next to and the only one i want to share my life with.

he indulges me in a million different ways and makes me feel like a princess and i *try* to show him just how much i love him and how much he means to me.

i just hope he knows . . . i *heart* you John always and forever <3

*04/07/05*

{moving day}

2005-04-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

Decided to move my blog over here. .. will be updating with old entries from the old site :)