Packed and Ready to GO!

Only 2 days until I leave for Michigan for the Lifetime Moments Crop of a Lifetime 2007! I am so excited. Christine and I planned to go and signed up last February (which, by the way, feels like a month ago), and now its already here!! I finally got around to packing last night and did better than I thought.. granted I have a full sized suitcase and a scrapbooking tote for 4 days, but who's counting?

So this is what my traveling companions will look like {plus my new cute scrap tote} in the airport in Detroit tomorrow!





Dan and I went to Cape Cod Lumber yesterday and placed the order for the cabinets! They should be in the first week of December and will only take a day or two to install! [I hope to have pictures to post soon]

In even better news, the paper work should be complete and Dan might be able to get the loan for the house as soon as Monday. Of course we're not exactly holding our breath as we started this process 8 months ago... but it looks more likely now than it ever has.

Today's Tuesday and I have my first meeting at the Crop Shop tonight. Its employees and Design Team members and I believe the focus is on brainstorming ideas for upcoming classes and promotions. Sounds good to me! Also a good excuse to get the last minute things I need to pick up before the Crop.

Tomorrow's Halloween. After I do the last minute packing and errand running I am planning to go over Krissy and Matt's to see Will dressed up for his first Halloween. If I remember correctly he's going to be a pumpkin! If that's not a prime photo-op, I don't know what is.

I have a feeling that I won't be posting much in the next couple days- but I'll be back on Monday or Tuesday will all sorts of proof of the ridiculously fun time I know I'm going to have in Michigan with the LM girls!

Until then...

Red Sox are World Series Champions this morning!

Wow, what a nice, what a game, what a series!!?! :) They Sox swept the Rockies in 4 games (I'll admit, I hoped that the Rockies could win at least one game being that it was their first time in the World Series, but it didn't happen... and I'm over it).

Here are the details (its the historian in me- I'll want to look back on this in a few years [or a few weeks] when I forget the details and remember how great this team was) and instead of me rehashing it, here's the story from the experts.

MLB Game Summary - Boston at Colorado(Sunday, October 28th)

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=globe&page=mlb/scores/final/W20933.htm

Final Score: Boston 4, Colorado 3

Mike Lowell and Bobby Kielty both homered, and Jon Lester pitched brilliantly into the sixth inning as the Boston Red Sox edged the Colorado Rockies, 4-3, to win the 2007 World Series.

David Ortiz and Jason Varitek both added run-scoring singles for the Red Sox, who finished a four-game sweep of the overmatched Rockies and became just the fourth franchise in Major League Baseball history to record sweeps in consecutive World Series appearances.
"This team has got a lot of heart," Varitek said. "We worked real hard from the staff to the scouts to the teammates to everybody. We just beat a very, very good team, an excellent team. We had to do the little things, and we were able to."

Lowell hit .400 with a homer and four RBI during the four games, earning series MVP honors.
"To come through when everybody thinks you won't win a championship and to still win that championship is very rewarding," Lowell said.

Lester (1-0), who underwent chemotherapy less than a year ago to cure cancer that threatened his baseball career, hurled 5 2/3 scoreless innings before being removed for Manny Delcarmen, who recorded the final out in the sixth inning. "I'm ecstatic for him," Lowell said of Lester. "I don't think too many people expected him to be in that situation, and against a very good hitting team in a tough park to pitch in. He did an excellent job. I know we all know the story of what he's had to overcome. He's got a bright future, and not only that, he's a great person."
Both Delcarmen and Hideki Okajima faltered a bit and let Colorado back into the game but Jonathan Papelbon restored order and closed things out for the Red Sox with a five-out save.

Aaron Cook (0-1) was the hard-luck loser. The starter pitched well, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings but picked up the loss. Down 3-0 and with their season slowly circling the drain, Hawpe finally put the Rockies on the scoreboard in the home-half of the seventh when he caught up to a Delcarmen fastball and deposited it into the stands in right to make it 3-1.

A batter later pinch-hitter Cory Sullivan slapped a single up the middle and Red Sox manager Terry Francona had seen enough of Delcarmen, summoning veteran right-hander Mike Timlin.
Timlin rose to the occasion. The 41-year-old Texas native got both Kazuo Matsui and Troy Tulowitzki swinging to silence the crowd and swing the momentum back to Boston.
Brian Fuentes started the eighth for Colorado and left a fastball up to Kielty, a pinch hitter. The veteran crushed the mistake deep over the fence in left to give Boston a 4-1 edge.
That run proved to be huge as the Rockies refused to give up. Todd Helton managed a one-out single off Okajima in the eighth and Atkins followed by crushing a two-run homer off the Japanese star to draw Colorado within a run, 4-3.

Francona then called upon his star closer, Papelbon, for a five-out save. The flame-thrower didn't disappoint. Jamey Carroll did drive Jacoby Ellsbury back to the wall with a line drive to left with one out in the ninth but the Red Sox's star rookie raced back to make the grab.
Papelbon then blew away pinch-hitter Seth Smith to end it and secure Boston its seventh world championship in franchise history. "I couldn't breathe the last inning," Francona said. "It doesn't feel like that. You're fighting so hard to get through that game, and so many guys had to dig deep. There will be a time when we can sit back and enjoy it, but not when you're playing. It's so hard."
Some other interesting articles:

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/10/28/lesters_feel_good_story_never_gets_old/

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2007/10/29/a_sweeping_victory/

Other fun tid-bits

The New York Yankees were the last team to sweep consecutive World Series appearances, taking eight straight games over the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves during the 1998 and 1999 Fall Classics.

Meanwhile, Colorado is just the second team in World Series history to be swept in its first trip to the Fall Classic. In 2005, the Houston Astros made their first World Series appearance and were whitewashed in four games by the Chicago White Sox.

The 22 previous teams that took a 3-0 World Series lead all went on to win, including the 2004 Red Sox, who swept the St. Louis Cardinals to end their 86- year title drought...Three-time Grammy winner Trisha Yearwood sang the National Anthem...Lester earned his first career postseason victory, the fourth straight Boston Red Sox starter to win a game of this World Series. The win is Lester's first since September 7...Kielty became the 32nd player in World Series history to homer in his first World Series at-bat...The Red Sox outscored the Rockies, 29-10, in this series.

I Love the 80's

Stacey's annual Halloween Party was last night. Theme for this year being 80's characters and of course there were some really great costumes.


Madonna, Dan as himself in the 80's and Jason's beautiful but bloody (and apparently happy) vistim -->

Do you recognize these folks? Flashdance. Daniel-son, Jason and his bloody victim!

Had to get a shot of us girls. Stacey was Elvira (obviously), Sheri playing dead, Me as a baby (since Dan was going as himself in the 80s I figuredI shold go as myself in the 80s and once I found the footie pjs I knew I'd found the costume for me), Michelle was Alex from Flashdance, Ellen was Madonna and Elaine was Strawberry Shortcake.

Quite an interesting crew!! :)

And as usual, an attempt to get a decent picture of Dan and me. Clearly I failed. Dan and I both look strange, and then of course there's Steve being Steve posing between us! LOL! Oh well. Its Halloween- we're going with it. Its especially funny looking at these the next day. Dan looks like a dirt bag with that nasty wig on!!!!!

And these silly shots are my favorite of the night. This is Stacey's famous ice luge that each guest is forced to drink out of on the way in--- and that some guest choose to drink out of later on :) So this is Dan and Dana, two of the silliest people I know and two potentially terrible pictures that I just really love.

Happy Halloween!

ramblings

tuesday 10*23*07 -- playdate with willard

• my latest pictures of Will from our playdate yesterday. i love this first picture of him. that contagious smile, the sparking eyes. so innocent.

• then i put him in the arm chair he was just chillin'. it was funny to see him in the seat usually occupied by his dad. he looked so small and yet so grown-up all at once. he's not sitting up by himself yet, but if you sit him up against something he's comfortable to just sit there unless he starts getting restless and wants to squirm. but not yesterday. i sat him in the chair to get something different than the baby-lying-on-a-blanket pose, and he just sat staring out the window. it was really windy and leaves were whirling around. he was so content to just take in all the action. wonder what thoughts were swirling through his mind.

scrapbooking...

i am totally inspired (as usual) by Ali Edwards and her idea to use the 7 Gypsies Rolodex Spinning Rack for a Chrismas decoration. http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2007/10/christmas-proje.html

http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2007/10/close-ups-of-pr.html

i talked to dee about doing this as a class for the Crop Shop. she loved the idea. i stopped in tonight to pick up all the supplies (totally free- love the perks of being on the design team), and we'll schedule the class for november! [yep, one more thing I'll be bringing to the LM crop!]

work stuff:

<--- this little puppy should be delivered in 2-3 days!

as much as i wasn't thrilled with the idea of getting another device, since this turned out to be an option, i'm more than ok with it.

{background: Partners changed their policy so I can't continue to get my work email on my personal phone without paying these extra fees, so I took George up on his offer to get me a Blackberry if I wanted one, and apparently these little ones are actually cheaper, with the Partners discount, than the clunkier models my co-workers got a couple months ago!}

Getting Excited for LM

A little more than a week from now (next Thursday) I will be on my way to Wixom, Michigan for the LM Crop of a Lifetime 2007! There aren't words for how excited I am to be going to this. Christine and I (who hadn't met at the time) decided in February that we wanted to go and were lucky enough to sign up in time to get a seat (we've since met at Christine's house in Philadelphia this July and now I'm even happier that we planned this so I can see her again so soon).

So what does this weekend have in store for me?

Let's do a little sneak preview:

Thursday I'll fly into Detroit (never been to Michigan before. Check one more state off my to-go-to list!). Christine and her friend Mary will pick me up and we'll go to dinner and then to LM Headquarters- aka the Mecca of scrapbooking- to buy some goodies and have some dessert at the reception Jackie is hosting for all of us "croppers." From there, we'll head to the hotel to check in, and I'm sure the silliness will ensue!!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday we are free to crop anytime day or night in the conference room they'll have set up for us.

<--- This is the sneak preview Carol posted for us newbies to get an idea of what we're in for! All these scrap supplies in one room. Pretty cool.

I started packing last night... getting together papers, embellishment and tools I know I'll need. Order pictures today.

My one problem is that I keep thinking of new ideas/projects to bring. This idea from Ali Edwards has me totally inspired today!

http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2007/10/christmas-proje.html

I am going to pick up supplies at the Crop Shop tonight and bring the cards with me to the Crop (at least the cards are small.... I'm already taking all the paper I can fit, so I won't be adding too much more to my bag).

Needless to say I'm ridiculously excited. I can't wait to see Christine. I can wait to meet Susan, my Secret Sister (who knows who I am now). I can't wait to have three whole days of zero responsibility. Three days where my only goal is to be creative and have fun! Life is good!

Bring on the Rockies!

I think this says it all:










Yes, the Red Sox won the ALCS last night 11-2 vs. the Cleveland Indians! What a game!! What a way to win the series after being down 3 games to 1!

It was a long game that didn't start until after 8:30p. Dan and I watched most of the game at Shawn and Ellen's house. The "Couch Elimination" game as Dan chose to call it {Shawn and Ellen bought their couch from Jordan's furniture when they were running the promotion that anyone who bought certain furniture before the season started would get it free if the Sox won the World Series. We're almost there... 4 more games to a free couch!! We're rooting for you Cummings Family!}





Does it get any more exciting than this?! Look a Lowell's face!! Papelbon did his Riverdance to the Drop Kick Murphy's! Imagine being there for this celebration?! Talk about priceless.

Wonder if they're as tired today as everyone else I've seen?!

And this one's for you Mom

------------>

slow as molasses

that's what this day feels like. extremely slow. been working on reporting and analyzing data all morning. certainly not my strong suit, but i keep my head abover water... until about an hour or two in and i swear i feel like Excel is literally blinding me.

but on the upside it IS friday, so that's something to be excited about.

no plans for tonight which works out well, as i have more laundry to do than i care to do in one night, but i can probably get it done (and more cleaning than i'd like to admit--- i'm already in move-out mode which is so bad, since we still have no kitchen or bathroom and thus nowhere to move to).

dan has to work tomorrow so we'll keep it low key. i'd like to catch up on The Office and Gray's Anatomy if dan will share the tv :)

tomorrow should be fun. i'm meeting kris at the dancing school at a 11:15 to take pictures of the kinderdance girls for the new TSOD website that krissy's working on with scott mazaral. then we're going to panera for lunch and on to the hanover mall to take will to get his 3 month portraits. yes, this little guy will be 3 months old tomorrow [where does the time go?!] at night kris is taking a few people out to dinner as a thank you for helping her out after will was born and for babysitting and whatnot. very sweet of her. we're going to the cheesecake factory! and since she rarely gets out, i think she has grand plans to go to the movies too--- i think i agreed to that--but now the sox have won another ALCS game, so they play game 6 on saturday night. i think that's what i'll be tuned in to.

sunday no plans until 4:00. meeting the thomas clan at Tennessee BBQ for Marilyn & Allen's 25th Anniversary Dinner (Kathryn has to work, hence we're going there).

so yep, a fun weekend in store, i just have to get to that end of the workweek.

other things:

house update- not too much to report here. dan is working on the shower and it is coming out great. already feels more like a bathroom than a dumping ground, which if you've seen the place for the past 10 months you'd know that's an improvement. we weren't able to order the cabinets yet. dan was crazed with work and didn't get to make the appt to go back to CCL, so i called on Thursday but our consultant was leaving for vacation, so we're going back on monday 10/19 to place the order!

car update- i still LOVE it.

no for real. its so cool. there's a display on the dashboard where you can watch your Average MPG, and i love watching that number go UP! :) i'm also completely obsessed with the radio! always some great programming on.

Visual Treats!

I went to a Crop at the Crop Shop in Rockland last Sunday and despite the fact that I was exhausted I managed to get 6 layouts done. Here they are.

Definitely much more simple-scrapping than I normally do, but I am happy with the results. All of these are pictures that I think are visually strong on their own, so I like that they get the spotlight and aren't fighting for attention ;)

Happy Dance!

I am still doing the Happy Dance--yep, that's 3 days now! I got the call on Saturday that my Escape had finally arrive in MA! I was in the middle of the yard sale at Mom and Dad's, and my 98 Sebring Convertible was at the shop (having the remote car starter removed and put into Mom's car), and I was still waiting on my loan re-approval from the Credit Union, so I figured there was no way I could go get it that day. Fortunately everything turned around in a matter of hours.

The Sebring was ready to be picked up in the early afternoon. I called Bob LaLond and he told me they would match the interest rate on the loan (in the end they beat the rate the Credit Union offered me). And even though I couldn't reach Dan who was working at the house and didn't have his cell phone, Matt agreed to come with me. So by 5:00, Matt and Will met me at the apartment and we headed to Quirk Ford! As soon as I pulled in, Peter came out to meet me and showed me the car inside the shop. BEAUTIFUL!!!! Everything I imagined it would be.

I filled out a bunch of paperwork, listened to a lot of stuff about warranties (thank goodness I had Matt there to translate!), and finally after about an hour, I was sitting in the front seat of my BRAND NEW CAR! I swear, I was gidding and almost giggling!

Pictures to come soon (added 10-24). If you can believe it, I forgot my camera at home--- but fortunately Matt is the absolute best and he had his camera and was all about taking photos. He got some shots of me in the car, Pete shaking my hand and handing over the key! He was just as excited as I was, which made it even more fun. [[Thanks Matt! I love you!]]

I drove it home picked up Dan and went to Mom's house where she, Dad, Grammy and Veronica were waiting to see it!! Later on, we went to Matt & Krissy's to watch the game--- and I passed out from sheer exhaustion.

Hybrid Car= FUN!

So, needless to say, I am absolutely loving my new car! The hybrid feature is sooo cool! When you're coasting to a stop, sitting at a light, in traffic, or just going slow, the engine is off and you're in battery mode and it literally sounds like the car has shut off. There's actually an icon on the dashboard that shows you when the car is on so you don't think it has shut off (that's how quiet it is).

Sirius Satellite Radio- sooo glad to have this built in to the radio (something that wasn't available in 07 model). No more commercials! I didn't listen to local radio all weekend, and I got to listen to Stern for the first time "live" on the way to work this morning.

Heated seats- They rock! They heat up so quickly so even with the heat is warming up, your buns are toasty! Dan and I enjoyed those on our way home Saturday night.

New car smell- need I say more? (sure beats musty carpeting-- which is definitely what I was used to- especially since my backseat had flooded again late last week. buh-bye!)

Back-up Sensor-- SO FREAKIN' COOL! When you're backing up and get close to an object the car start beeping with increasing frequency- and then when you're 10 inches away it becomes a constant sound! Love it. Very handy to know exactly how close you are-- and it really works- we made Dad stand behind the car so we could test it out!

Today I go back to get my registration and inspection sticker-- and I'm fully good to go!!

Playing Catch Up!

This week has been an absolute blur! Beginning with last week, actually.

Friday I took a half day off work and headed to Poughkeepsie early to beat traffic. As it turned out I got there two hours earlier than anyone else. I had planned to get my nails done but there was a constant line, so I shopped instead. I ended up finding a steal of a dress at Macy's- on a random rack, the only one of its kind. A size 10 that fits me perfectly (or it will when I have a push up bra to hold it on. lol). And it was only $27 (which I used a credit from Macy's to buy). Really, does shopping get any better than that???

I also made a bold move and bought a cute black and white silk dress to wear with black leggings from Target! Talk about comfy and cute! Am I a little spooked that this stuff totally reminds me of being 10 years old again? Yep!!! But its fun and fresh and trendy so let's give it a shot right?

And going out on Friday night was a reminder that we are all so far removed from all that is college and young. We went to Noah's (which apparently is called Noah's Ark but I kept calling it Noah's Bar.... how was I to know? I think I went there twice in college). There were only a handful of people there that we actually knew, but we had a great time-- Meg, Amber, Laura, Jessica and Me. We watched the Red Sox win the second game in the Division Series!!! We watched the college girls parade through in outfits we'd have never dreamed of wearing out to the bar. What did we wear back in the early 2000's? Jeans, shirts and cute shoes. Now what do they wear? Among our favorites, a short black dress with stockings and heels. A very tight pencil skirt, top with a huge belt and heels. An outfit I don't remember well with a leather bag so large you could fit a 5 year old in it.... oohh oooh, I almost forgot- there was this one girl on whose tank top had so many sequins it looked like she just came off the stage with her 6th grade dance class! [That was Lansing's personal favorite!]

Well, we might not have dressed like them, but we did dress like eachother. Meg, Amber, Jessica and me all wore some form of jeans with a black shirt. We didn't plan it. I swear!! We were troopers though- staying at the bar until after 2 and then walking to the Diner and staying there until after 3am! Who did we think we were??? Not sure, but it was fun.

Saturday we woke up and headed to the diner where Jessica's brother Patrick met us for breakfast. From there we headed to the bookstore and the Campus Green. Started running into some more people [Andrew from Campus Ministry, FOX from TKE, III, Larry O Stoddard, Eric Deable, Meghan Donahue]. Amber and Laura headed out while Meg, Lansing and I went to the football game, where we basically sat in the grass and sweat for about 30 minutes before we headed out.

Alumni Weekend--- a good time. I think I realized more after this visit, that I mostly just like catching up with my friends. Hanging out with the girls. Doesn't matter where we are. Seeing old, familiar faces that I haven't thought about for years is ok, but it doesn't interest me as much as it used to. I see the people I want to, and don't keep in touch with others. I'm ok with that.

From Poughkeepsie I headed to Amber's. Made record time and got to her apartment before she and Laura were home from dress shopping with Amber's Mom. By then my mere 4 hours of sleep was catching up with me and since I couldn't reach anyone who had a key to the apartment I took a cat nap in the car until Justin could be reached.. then he and I watched Princess Bride until Amber and Laura came home. We went to this Hibatchi for dinner and then fell asleep early on the couch.

Sunday was Amber's shower. Lovely day. The girls did a great job setting it all up. And after a difficult search at the Poughkeespie Galleria, Amber managed to find this cute cardigan to wear over her dress.

She got lots of beautiful gifts, which she had some help unwrapping--- from both her bridesmaids (Laura, Blair and Sarah), and also her little cousin, Bryce. Definitely a cutie. And Laura just thought he was hysterical.

I think this picture says it all -------------->

Lorella, Meg, Laura and I represented the Marist girls. It was great seeing Lorella, who I haven't seen since Lansing's wedding this weekend last year!

[Meanwhile Jessica and Joel celebrated their 1 year Anniversary in New York!!! Happy Anniversary. I love you both!]

And here's the happy couple! Aren't they good looking?! :)

When I left the shower, I made my way to Mystic, CT for the Premise Conference (after getting a good bit lost along the way-- perhaps Dan was right and I DO indeed need GPS!). Got some dinner and then enjoyed a relaxing night at the Courtyard Marriott. Enjoyed the tub with all the massaging jets! And watched the Yankees eliminate themselves from the American League Division Series (after the Red Sox WON earlier that Day)!!! Cleveland, we'll see you at Fenway on Friday!

Monday I spent the day at the conference alone. Met some nice people had a chance to spend some time with Jenn and John and some others at Premise whom I talk with almost every day but rarely see. At the end of the day, we went to the Mystic Aquarium for dinner and drinks. George met up with me there. We schmoozed and talked business, looked at fish and sharks and drank a few cocktails. It was a very nice evening.

Tuesday I only stayed at the conference until 3:30, went right to Matt and Krissy's on the way home. Dan was on babysitting duty and I figured I'd stop in to see how it was going. I hadn't seen Will in a week and I was ready for a fix. We hung out and stuck around to have pizza with Matt. From there I went to Mom and Dad's to switch out Mom's car for Dad's van (which they insisted I take because my car had issues starting over the weekend). [Thank goodness I'd gotten the call on the way home to say my new car was coming in soon!!]

So that about brings us up to date. Worked on Wednesday and today. Laundry, cleaned, cooked some dinners.... nothing all that exciting. Looking forward to The Office tonight!!

Finally On Its Way

...MY CAR THAT IS!!!!!!!!

Supposedly in less than 2 weeks this beauty will be mine

[I guess that means its time to reapply for my auto loan, since my original application/approval has since lapsed because it has been too long]

So I think this warrants a Top 10 List of what I'm looking forward to with this new car:

10. Leather Seats
9. Four-Wheel Drive
8. Not having to answer the question 'when is your car coming in?!?!?!'
7. New Car Smell
6. Better gas mileage
5. Doing my small part towards a Greener Environment
4. Carpeting that actually fits the car
3. No more musty smell
2. Sirius Satellite Radio
1. Not having to fill my tires every 3-5 days

Friday morning... reasons to smile

A Good Morning Equals:

• Driving to work in less than 30 minutes (yes, that's less time than it takes me to ride the T)


• Knowing the Yankees lost last night (got killed really, but I didn't say that)


• I packed ridiculously well for my 5 days away. One little suitcase and one other bag! Unless I forgot something essential, that's worth a pat on the back.


• I'm only here at work until noon, and then its off to Poughkeepsie, meeting Amber at the mall, getting my nails done, doing some shopping and getting ready to go out with the girls for the night.


• Curly hair- I swear it just makes me feel more bubbly than regular old straight hair (oh-- and all my grays are gone.... shhhh) {Thanks Erika!!!}


• Chinese food didn't make me sick today. Not much of a statement from most people, but I ate it last night and unlike the past two times I'd had it, I didn't end up with a terrible migraine and stomach pains! I knew it was risky but its good to know that it wasn't likely the food that made me sick before..... or at least I don't think so.


• The Sox play tonight!

Happy Birthday Dad!!!

Happy Birthday Daddy-o! Today's the big day- he turns 55!! Only 18 years older than Kelly Rippa or so Gram told us last night :) *learn something new every day right? We also now know that Dad thinks Kelly Rippa's chest is too boney and Gram thinks her knees are too boney. (I think they both watch a little too much tv).

We celebrated last night with dinner and a Sox win over the Angels in the 1st game of the Divisional playoffs! 4-0 Sox! Good way to start the series.

Last night was also a funny night in terms of "Gram Speak." We learned all about her woes of not wanting to go to "The Cheese Factory" too late in the day because she wouldn't be able to eat her dinner (Yep- that's CheeseCAKE Factory to the rest of us).

Then she was trying, yet again, to say Papelbon, and was saying "Paddlebomb" when referring to the pitcher-- and then ironically she was trying to tell us about this commercial she hates with a snake on a tree and "Who wants to see a Papelbon wrapped around a tree?! I hate snakes" Yep, she meant a Python!!!!!!!!! We all laughed until we cried on that one. Thanks for the laughs Gram. We love you. And even more strange, we understand you (even Dan).

Tonight is hair cut and color with Erika at the apartment, and hopefully some form of take-out for dinner because cooking with chemicals on my hair is not sounding too good. Then packing for my NY-CT-CT roadtrip this weekend.

Half day tomorrow! WOO HOO! Bring on the weekend!

The Week's Just a Flying By!!

This week is going so quickly I feel like I can barely keep my feet on the ground. Monday I came home and completely vegged. Couldn't get motivated to cook, so I picked up some Papa Gino's and Dan and I chilled on the couch- he watched football, I surfed the net. Totally laid back night which was exactly what we both needed. OH and I got BOO'd!! I have no idea who sent me this little Halloween Care Package but it totally made my day. I sat and ate a few jelly bellies as Dan and I told eachother about our day. That's a nice thing to come home to.

Tuesday I babysat for Will. Our first Tuesday 'date' as I like to think of them. Little guy totally broke my heart. Kris handed him over to me so she could go get ready for dance, and was talking to him and he just got the pathetic little frown/pout going on and started to cry- like he knew she was going. Heart breaking!! She ended up feeding him, and calmed him down and then she had to go. He cried for a few minutes, but we danced to some swing music, and then I put him in the swing while we played peek-a-boo and within a few minutes he was cool again. I put him in his boppy and tickled him, played peek-a-boo some more and he was giggling up a storm in no time!!
Matt came home about a half hour later- as soon as he opened the door, will started fussing. I think he thought it was Krissy coming back. He cried a bit more for Matt, but then calmed down again and actually took another bottle since he was too distracted to eat much earlier.

From there, I headed to Home Depot. Dan and I picked out the tile for the entryway, the hearth for the woodstove, the shower and the bathroom floors!!! Very productive night :) :) So excited to know its finally starting to come together, and moreso I love that we've been agreeing on the things we've chosen and haven't had to compromise too much. We've been leaning towards more earthy, natural elements which I just love and think its all going to work together really well.

Now its already Wednesday. So much to do, so little time. Tonight we're celebrating Dad's 55th Birthday with Dinner at Mom & Dad's! Tonight is the first night of the AL East Division Playoff's. Sox v. Angels at Fenway at 6:37p.

Tomorrow night Erika Pascarella's coming over to cut and color my hair, and then I need to pack for the weekend.