Everything you wanted to know but never asked . . .

Or maybe you could care less!

BUT . . .

A few weeks back, my dear friend Carol tagged me and I am just finally getting around to doing this cute little meme.

Here goes!

4 Places I go over and over
1. Physical therapy
2. The beach (any chance I get, if it’s not raining!)
3. Dunkin’ Donuts (it’s a win-win, I help the economy, and in return they give me the Iced Caramel Skinny Latte that has become my crack)
4. Target – my most favorite store in the universe!

4 People who email me the most
1. “The Girls” (my close group of IRL friends)
2. My Mom
3. Hungry Girl (who makes me hungrier with her fab food ideas!)
4. Blogger, with comments – Woot!

4 of my favorite foods
1. Chocolate
2. Most desserts, with ice cream and cupcakes being particular faves
3. Chips and dip
4. Fluffernutters

4 Places I'd rather be
1. Having a massage in a dimly lit, aromatic room, with soft music
2. Taking a nap
3. On a vacation with my husband - with all the recent talk of how a vacation is no longer a “vacation” one you’re a mommy, I mean a good old fashioned vacation, no wake-up times, doing whatever we want whenever we want to do it, you know, the old life I’d never trade a thing to have back!
4. In Hawaii – I’ve never been and would go this minute if someone a handed me tickets! And I’m not picky, a family trip would be just fine!

4 movies I can watch over and over
1. Dirty Dancing
2. The Notebook (now that I’ve finally seen it and know of its utter fabulosity!
3. Sex and the City
4. Silence of the Lambs (I know it seems odd thrown in here, but it’s that movie that I turn on and leave on every time I see it. It’s freaky, but I know most of the lines by heart!)

4 Places I have worked
1. The Coffee Grinder (a local coffee and bagel café, in high school/college breaks)
2. Egbert Dining Hall – I was a student manager in college, lots of yuck for little pay!
3. For my dad’s company, selling promotional products (anything with a logo on it – specifically, I managed the Fleet Bank contract)
4. Gymboree Play and Music and Gymboree Retail (well, let’s be honest – with the amount of clothing I purchased, I pretty much paid Gymboree Retail to let me work for them)

4 Places I have lived
1. Warwick, RI
2. Ithaca, NY
3. Los Angeles (best four months of my college life!)
4. Cranston, RI

4 TV Shows I love (note: I am a TV/Tivo addict, there are far more shows I love than the following 4!)
1. Grey’s Anatomy
2. Lost
3. Private Practice
4. Desperate Housewives

4 Places I have Vacationed/Holidayed
1. Cancun, Mexico
2. Cruise through the Panama Canal (visited Panama City, Aruba, Costa Rica, Grand Cayman, and a couple of other islands I can’t remember off the top of my head – it was our last vacation pre-MH and it was amazing)
3. Disneyworld
4. Jamaica

4 of my favorite dishes
1. Anything Mexican with lots of guac and sour cream
2. Lasagne
3. Sushi
4. My mom’s lemon chicken (which is actually the recipe of a deceased cousin who was an amazing caterer)

4 sites I visit daily
1. Blogger
2. Facebook (now that I am a complete and total addict)
3. Gmail accounts (actually, they visit me because I have them rigged to come through Windows Mail)
4. My iGoogle page, which has everything I could ever need – most importantly Google Reader!

And now, I tag: anyone who thinks this would be fun and would like to share a little more about themselves!

Maybe I should retake the test?

OK, so in lieu of the fact that I can't seem to find a few free minutes to blog (and believe me, I've got plenty to say!), I decided to take the "How Evil Are You" test.

I'm wondering if maybe I should go back and retake it.

Seriously, I answered the questions honestly.

And last time I took one of these "tests", I was defined as being an envious sloth.

So imagine my surprise at this!

You Are 22% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

Now that 22%, you should really watch out for!

Bwahhh, haaa, haaaa, haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

The Perfect 33rd

My 33rd birthday was far more exciting, a lot more fun, and way more special than I had been anticipating!

First, I woke up to this:

Actually, DH gave me a camera battery. A second battery to be exact. All of the above loot was from The Mad Hatter so DH wouldn't be in big trouble with me.


Apparently, I've commented on far more than one occasion about how great some people's blog pictures are, and how I wish I could take such great pics, and DH hopped on it!


At first, I was completely in shock and told him I couldn't accept such an extravagant gift.


He told me I've had a really crappy two years, and he just wanted me to have something really special that I would enjoy using. Of course, there were some emotional tears (by me, of course) after that!

Between his comments on how it was a gift the whole family would enjoy, many comments from others about how thrilled I'd be to have it once I got over myself and started using it, and getting further confirmation from my mom that he'd been working on this gift for over a month, researching, shopping for, and finding THE perfect camera for me (he actually has another one he needs to return!), I decided that the only thing I could do was accept this gift graciously and gratefully.


Now I need a photography class AND a Photoshop class!


Then, my mom, MH, and I headed to the beach for some of this:

DH and my dad joined us around 6:00 (my absolute favorite time of day on the beach) for some of this:

and this:

Of course, a family photo to commemorate the day:

And a nice one of the two of us (well, as nice of me as you can get after a full day at the beach):

It was a fabulous "hump day" birthday.

Thanks so much Mom, Dad, DH, and MH for making sure (as always) that my birthday was a day I won't soon forget! The weather was fantastic, and the ending to the day was my idea of perfection. I am one very lucky girl! As DH has already said, 34's going to be tough to match!!!

It's My Birthday, Now Come out and Play!

Woo-hoo!

Today's the day!

I am 33.

So very exciting.

Today is also my 3 month anniversary of starting my blog.

Lots of 3s . . . maybe I should go play Powerball!

I digress.

So, for the big party, you might want to check out this.

And since I'm so proud of my first Photoshop accomplishment (I don't want any of my readers to ever lose faith in the fact that I will always be the mommy learning to blog), I feel the need to shamelessly repost it:

In the continued spirit of learning, I have even figured out how to use Mr. Linky so you can create a post on your own blog and link back to me here.

Now, for my favorite birthday memory (I've actually got 2 - unless DH has something REALLY amazing up his sleeve for this one!):

My 16th birthday. I was on a 6 week cross-country teen tour (45 fifteen and sixteen year olds, four staff members, and our fabulous bus driver Arlene), and although I was having a ball, I missed my family. We were in New Orleans on July 30th. After touring the French Quarter and doing some other sightseeing, some of my closest friends and I chose to celebrate my birthday by dining at the Hard Rock Cafe for lunch. Later that day, when we were back at the hotel, settled in, and then re-assembled in a meeting room, a bell-hop came wheeling in a cart filled with oversized boxes. No one had any clue what they were, but we quickly discovered that the labels had my name on them. Having NO idea what they could possibly be, we opened them, only to discover that my amazing parents refused to let my 16th birthday go by without a major celebration. I wasn't home to have a party, so they sent to party to all 50 of us! The boxes were filled with all of my favorite foods, candies, snacks, and other treats (purchased bulk at BJ's Wholesale Club, of course) with specific instructions for a 16th birthday party I would never forget. Mom and Dad, the tour was one of the best experiences of my life, and the birthday was one of the most special I can remember. I don't know too many other parents who would send a party for 50 on the road via UPS!

Wow, just realized that my 16th birthday was actually 17 years ago!

Anyways, now for a more recent birthday memory - my 30th. The Mad Hatter had been born just shy of 6 months prior, DH and I had just celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary that Spring, and life couldn't get better than where it was. I had everything I could have asked for and would have been happy to celebrate my birthday at home, just the three of us. However, DH outdid himself and made me a beautiful dinner party at one of our favorite restaurants (it was going to be a surprise but DH has difficulty keeping secrets, so the party is to this day referred to as the "UN"surprise birthday party). The drinks were flowing, the food was wonderful, and I could not have asked for better company. Both family and friends alike joined me in celebrating a birthday where for the first time in my life I felt entirely complete. Turning 3o was fabulous - it was not about getting older, it was about having everything I could ever want, and counting my blessings for all of it. And I must add that each birthday since the Mad Hatter has arrived has been equally sweet.

Who knows what this birthday will bring?

Maybe some of the best memories yet!

And now, friends, I am anxious to hear from you!

What is your favorite birthday memory?

Lurkers, now is the time to de-lurk!

There is no better time than a party!

Make sure when you fill out the form below, you include your name and blog title.

And thanks again for helping me celebrate!

Don't tell anyone, BUT . . .

It's almost my birthday!

Tomorrow, to be exact!

I like to think of it as a hump year (get those minds out of the gutter).

I will be 33.

Just one of those weird numbers, the exact midpoint between 30 and 35.

Like a Wednesday - hump day of the workweek!

I'm celebrating the hump day of my early thirties!

Guess what?

Ironically, tomorrow is my 3 month anniversary of starting my blog!

So, I thought we'd have a little fun.

I will be back with more info later.

This Mommy still needs to learn a couple more things.

But I'll give you a clue - get thinking about your own birthdays.

And check back later for more info.

I hope you'll all help me celebrate my not so big birthday.

Talkin' Bout an Evolution

I have almost always had long(ish) hair.

Layered hair, a variation of "The Rachel" for as many years as I can remember (if only I looked like "The Jennifer").

After a really rough year, 2 surgeries, and lifeless looking hair, it was time for a change.

So, about 8 weeks ago, I went from this:

To this (here I was the day after the cut celebrating as Hubby received his MBA in Tax Accounting):

(about a week later on a family trip to the zoo)

I had been toying with the idea of the "inverted bob" for some time, but almost lost my nerve when I got into the chair. I mean, I was cutting off 6 inches all around, 7 to 8 in some of the back areas.

I was pretty sure I liked it, and after a couple of days of mirror shock (you know, the HOLY CRAP every time you catch a glimpse of yourself, forgetting that the reflection is, well, you), along with many compliments from friends, family, and even strangers, I loved it.

I have to say that after months of no makeup and pulling my hair back into a ponytail, all that hair dropping on the floor felt like a huge weight being lifted off of me.

It was freeing. Empowering. I was a new woman.

And 7 weeks passed.

And all of a sudden my hair felt too long.

Too long?

You be the judge (self portrait taken 3 days ago before lunching with the ladies):

Clearly, my hair was in no way long. It just felt . . . overgrown. Now that I was short-haired gal, I wanted it short.

Today's trip to the hairdresser produced the shortest hairstyle I have ever worn.

And it caused me a little stress.

I was expecting the same cut, but a little, well, shorter.

I got the shorter part.

I also got heart palpitations as she made the first few cuts.

But I had faith.

I LOVE my hairdresser.

I TRUST my hairdresser.

At one point I lost faith.

I lost trust.

(I feel a little bad about that, I mean it is just hair, after all)

But, true to form, she came through for me.

So, without further ado, the newly evolved Mommy:

From the front (darn Hubby and his close-up shots!)

And the back:
I like it. Really, I do.

But I also keep staring at myself in disbelief, silently reminding myself it will grow.

I pass a mirror and get a nervous feeling in my tummy.

I don't know why, really.

Am I too vain?

Do I just need a little more confidence?

It's a haircut. It will grow (FYI, I am aware that I keep repeating this).

Apparently, quite quickly if it's anything like the last one.

I think I'm not used to being so trendy.

My cuts aren't usually so hip and high-maintenance looking (I say looking because the short cut is far easier to manage than long hair)

I can't put it in a ponytail when I'm having a bad hair day.

I feel like it stands out and calls attention to me, which is not something I normally prefer to do.

I've got the Mad Hatter to take care of that.

Then I think of Hubby's reaction when he got home from work.

I was surprised, he likes long hair and I thought it would take him some getting used to.

Instead, he has taken to calling me Posh. And telling me I look hot (thanks sweetie, but Posh, I am not - I could go into the many quite obvious differences, but I'll leave it at the fact that I quite enjoy smiling).

In her infinite wisdom, the MH had told me earlier that Daddy would LOVE my hair because it was so bee-you-tee-ful.

I should learn to listen to her opinions!

And maybe those of the 3 different strangers who have approached me since said haircut and complimented my hair.

I know in a couple of days I will be just fine.

I will go from being "ok" with it, to loving it.

I just need to lose the mirror shock, push away the self-conscious part of my brain wondering aloud if my face looks fat, and revel in the updated, fun, and stylish new me - maybe just the me I need to be right now.

And remind myself to revisit this blog entry before my next cut.

I will. not. go. shorter than THIS.

Not such a bad day after all . . .

As I should well know by now, the days you expect to be the worst often end up surprising you.

As soon as I hit publish on yesterday's entry, and the Mad Hatter gave me such a heartfelt and unprompted apology, my day did a complete 180.

And of course I edited my post to note that.

And I would like to thank all of you for your kind comments that made me feel like I'm doing something right as a mom to have such a wonderful little girl.

From the moment she apologized, she was the sweet little girl who makes me smile ear to ear and feel lucky that I get to be her mommy.

I went to massage therapy.

It was great, not torturous as I normally find it to be.

I need to open my mouth and be honest more often when the therapist is hurting me - it really helps. What a concept!

My cleaning lady came and gave me sparkling bathrooms and a clean kitchen floor (please don't judge - we must remember that I am out of commission and there are only so many things Daddy can keep up with around here. Even with her help, I still feel like things are never perfect around here!).

My mom, MH, and I went to the beach, where it was an absolutely glorious day.

We got to enjoy watching this:

MH loves to play with her friend B, who just turned 5 and is absolutely gorgeous (not to mention the daughter of one of Mommy's best friends).

And this: The hole that our friend S dug was almost as deep as MH is tall!

And we had our first frozen novelties from the beach snack bar. Yes, that is supposed to be Dora, and this Mommy even got a matching one. MH exclaimed to everyone that we were twins! By the time she was done, she was one big sweet, melty, sticky mess - the only way to be if you're gonna eat pops on the beach!

MH spent some quality time with my Godparents, Uncle A. and Auntie S.

Last summer MH refused to talk to Uncle A., but spent the whole summer telling everyone else "Uncle A. sad.", while refusing to understand that he was sad because she wouldn't give him the time of day.

One day, she actually pointed to an area far away and said "You go sit over dere.". And he did.

Auntie S. and Uncle A. retired last year and moved to Florida. However, they are home in RI and renting a place for the summer, so we are lucky to get to spend some time with them.

Yesterday, I got to watch Uncle A. love her the way he would love his own grandchild if he had one.

And she was a completely different girl - within the first 5 minutes on the beach, they were off on an a-venture walk to look for crabs in the rocks at the end of the beach. They swam together, played together, and I'm pretty sure he had just as much fun as she did - if not more.

My back was hurting me, I cried a little at the fact that Uncle A. stepped in to jump in the waves when MH requested that I join her and couldn't, but mostly I reveled in the fact that I am quite lucky to have the life I have.

Back pain or not, I was at the beach. With good friends and wonderful family.

Back pain or not, I got to giggle as I watched the new SMALLER size bathing suit I bought for MH still fall off of her non-existent little tush.

Back pain or not, my day was wonderful - the exact opposite of what I was expecting when I woke up.

Oh, and in case you were wondering?

My fantabulous new Cutco kitchen shears should be here sometime in the next week or so.

Signature

If you want to make a cool signature for your blog, double click on mine. It will take you to a website where you can follow the step-by-step (not to mention FREE) instructions.

Good luck!

I expect to see lots of new fancy sigs, pronto.

In Real Life

OK, I am trying out the It's Real Life fest over at Farm Fresh Iowa. I am a week late because last week at this time my back was in so much pain, I could barely get out of bed! I think I've got the whole list, you'll get the picture(s)!

Welcome to our humble abode! Come on in! First, let's take a look at what the Mad Hatter is up to right now (well, hopefully she is sleeping now, but this is the pic I got right before bedtime):


While we're at it, her room is definitely my fave in the house right now. We've been busy converting from baby to "big girl". When I found this pattern, I went nuts and ordered everything. It's called Clothes Line and is totally me (and, of course, MH). DH and I (well, mainly DH) put up the border and added the new valance and curtains. I've got some coordinating pictures that I'm going to hang with pink and white gingham ribbon. Then, I'm going to buy the letters that make up her name, hand-paint and decorate them, and hang them from the matching ribbon on an opposite wall. We're all loving her "new" room, and the new sitter who came to play today while I was home told me it looked like a room right out of the PBK catalog. Needless to say, I was thrilled! I haven't captured all of it, but you can get the idea!

Can I offer you a drink? Well, let's take a look at this lovely fridge. Outside first - clearly, I am a collector! I'm also a big proponent of learning toys, and we love the Leap Frog fridge stuff. I have to admit that there is not much substance in my fridge (note: fridge has been filled since picture was taken 2 days ago). I always have plenty of stuff for MH, but we tend to buy as we need since it's hard for me to get out for regular grocery shopping and I hated PeaPod delivery service. The freezer is full of "stuff", and totally disorganized, as you can see.


Wanna see organized? Take a look at Hubby's closet.

Then there's me. I'm mortified at the bottom of my closet - my poor shoes get kicked off in there and then MH helps me get the ones I want to wear.

Speaking of, here are my current faves. The brand is OkaB, and I must be completely out of the loop because these shoes are quite popular, and were meant to be on my feet. Since the surgeries, I am only allowed to wear flats. I have been looking for cute brown ones for-ever. Last Friday I saw two different women in two different places wearing these (in two different colors, imagine that!). Upon asking, I learned that each pair was purchased at the same FABULOUS little shop (which I adventured to today and could now be one of my favorite places to shop for gifts - I mean, the shopping bags are black and white toile!). How cool is this? I had no idea the shoes were made of a rubbery flip flop material. Kind of Croc-ish, but much more flexible. You can't tell when someone is wearing them because the big grosgrain bow covers the surface. AND, the ribbon can be switched out so you can change them up. They are most comfy, and at $30, they were a bargain, so I treated myself to a pair in both brown and black. Are they adorable or what? Right, back to some sort of organization (since it's definitely not my strong suit). My fabulous hubby does all of our laundry, almost on a daily basis. Here's the current load, not yet full enough to go:
Soooo, back to the kitchen. Here's my sink. Nothing too exciting here - I do try to keep it as empty as possible. I'm quite thankful for our dishwasher.

Need to use the little girls' room on your way out? We've even got a little stool if it's too high for you! Also, if you're afraid of falling in, feel free to use our potty seat!

Before you go, have one last look at me. I'm usually looking a little better, but you're standing kind of close.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope the next time you come for a visit, we might be looking a little neater around here (and maybe have some more food so we can offer you a nice meal!).

OK, I am skipping THIS week's Real Life. I don't lie when I tell you that it has taken me 2 days to get this post done. If anyone has tips on how to add so many pics in an easier way (other than upload, then switch to edit Html and cut and paste), comment away!